Patent Publication Number: US-2022212507-A1

Title: Self-locking hitch assembly

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to hitch assemblies, and more particularly but not exclusively relates to hitch assemblies for agricultural equipment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Hitch assemblies are commonly used to join agricultural equipment. Certain existing hitch assemblies suffer from various drawbacks and limitations. For example, certain existing hitch assemblies provide for a fixed orientation of a link connecting first and second pieces of agricultural equipment. However, an orientation that is suitable for a first mode of operation (e.g., road transportation) may not necessarily be desirable for a second mode of operation (e.g., field transportation). For these reasons among others, there remains a need for further improvements in this technological field. 
     SUMMARY 
     An exemplary self-locking actuator mechanism includes a floating plate and a linear actuator. The floating plate defines a first slot that includes a first central portion, a first jog extending laterally from a first end of the first central portion, and a second jog extending laterally from a second end of the first central portion. The linear actuator includes a shaft pivotably connected to the floating plate, and is operable to drive the shaft between a first shaft position and a second shaft position to thereby move the self-locking actuator mechanism between a first locking state and a second locking state. Further embodiments, forms, features, and aspects of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of agricultural equipment according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a hitch assembly according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the hitch assembly. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a portion of the hitch assembly that includes an actuator mechanism according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the actuator mechanism. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the hitch assembly coupled to agricultural equipment in a first state. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the actuator mechanism with the hitch assembly in the first state. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the hitch assembly coupled to agricultural equipment in a second state. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the actuator mechanism with the hitch assembly in the second state. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the hitch assembly coupled to agricultural equipment in a third state. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates the actuator mechanism with the hitch assembly in the third state. 
         FIGS. 12-14  illustrate the actuator mechanism in various transitional states. 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic block diagram of a process according to certain embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Although the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described herein in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives consistent with the present disclosure and the appended claims. 
     References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an illustrative embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may or may not necessarily include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. It should further be appreciated that although reference to a “preferred” component or feature may indicate the desirability of a particular component or feature with respect to an embodiment, the disclosure is not so limiting with respect to other embodiments, which may omit such a component or feature. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to implement such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. 
     Additionally, it should be appreciated that items included in a list in the form of “at least one of A, B, and C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Similarly, items listed in the form of “at least one of A, B, or C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Items listed in the form of “A, B, and/or C” can also mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Further, with respect to the claims, the use of words and phrases such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” and/or “at least one portion” should not be interpreted so as to be limiting to only one such element unless specifically stated to the contrary, and the use of phrases such as “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” should be interpreted as encompassing both embodiments including only a portion of such element and embodiments including the entirety of such element unless specifically stated to the contrary. 
     The term “substantially” as used herein may be applied to modify a quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. For example, components or features described as being “substantially parallel” or “substantially perpendicular” to one another may be slightly oblique relative to one another. In certain circumstances, the degree of obliquity may be 10° or less, or 5° or less. Moreover, it should be understood that the term “substantially perpendicular” encompasses the term “perpendicular,” and that the term “substantially parallel” encompasses the term “parallel.” Thus, “substantially perpendicular” can mean “between 85° and 95°” or “between 80° and 100°,” while “substantially parallel” can mean “10° or less” or “5° or less.” 
     In the drawings, some structural or method features may be shown in certain specific arrangements and/or orderings. However, it should be appreciated that such specific arrangements and/or orderings may not necessarily be required. Rather, in some embodiments, such features may be arranged in a different manner and/or order than shown in the illustrative figures unless indicated to the contrary. Additionally, the inclusion of a structural or method feature in a particular figure is not meant to imply that such feature is required in all embodiments and, in some embodiments, may be omitted or may be combined with other features. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , illustrated therein is agricultural equipment  80  according to certain embodiments. The agricultural equipment  80  generally includes a first piece of mobile agricultural equipment such as a cart  82 , a second piece of mobile agricultural equipment such as a trailer  90 , and a hitch assembly  100  according to certain embodiments that joins the trailer  90  and the cart  82 . In the illustrated form, the trailer  90  is provided as an air-seeding tool, and the cart  82  includes a reservoir  83  that carries the agricultural product to be distributed by the distribution trailer  90 . It is also contemplated that the hitch assembly  100  may be utilized to join a trailer and/or a cart to a tractor or other towing vehicle. In certain forms, the agricultural equipment  80  may be provided in a tow-behind configuration, in which the trailer  90  is coupled between a towing vehicle and the cart  82  such that the cart  82  follows the trailer  90  during normal forward operation of the towing vehicle. It is also contemplated that the agricultural equipment  80  may be provided in a tow-between configuration, in which the cart  82  is coupled between the towing vehicle and the trailer  90  such that the trailer  90  follows the cart  82  during normal forward movement of the towing vehicle. 
     With additional reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the hitch assembly  100  generally includes a main frame  110 , a first link  120  pivotably mounted to the main frame  110 , a second link  130  pivotably coupled to the first link  120 , and a self-locking actuator mechanism  200  according to certain embodiments. As described herein, the actuator mechanism  200  is operable to transition between a first locking state and a second locking state to move the hitch assembly  100  between a first state and a second state, thereby altering a relative orientation of the first link  120  and the second link  130 . 
     The main frame  110  generally includes a base portion  112  and a support plate  140  mounted to the base portion  112  and extending upward from the base portion  112 . A first end portion  114  of the main frame  110  is configured for coupling to a first piece of agricultural equipment, and a second end portion  116  of the main frame  110  is configured for coupling to a second piece of agricultural equipment. In the illustrated form, the first end portion  114  of the main frame  110  is configured for coupling to the cart  82 , and includes a conventional hitch  115  for such coupling. It is also contemplated that the first end portion  114  may be configured for coupling to other types of agricultural equipment, such as a tractor or other towing vehicle. In the illustrated form, the second end portion  116  of the main frame  110  is configured for pivotable coupling to the trailer  90 . It is also contemplated that the second end portion  116  may be configured for coupling to other types of agricultural equipment. The main frame  110  further includes a projection  118 , which in the illustrated form is provided in the form of a pin securely mounted to the support plate  140 . As described herein, the projection  118  cooperates with the actuator mechanism  200  to selectively lock the first link  120  and the second link  130  in selected relative orientations. 
     The first link  120  has a first end  122  pivotably coupled to the main frame  110  for pivoting about a first pivot axis  123 , and extends along a first link longitudinal axis  129  between the first end  122  and an opposite second end  124 . As described herein, the second end  124  of the first link  120  is pivotably coupled to the second link  130  by a pivot pin  102  that extends into a slot  142  formed in the support plate  140 . 
     The second link  130  has a first end  132  configured for pivotable coupling with a second piece of agricultural equipment about a pivot axis  133 , and extends along a second link longitudinal axis  139  between the first end  132  and an opposite second end  134 . In the illustrated form, the second link first end  132  is configured for coupling to the trailer  90 . It is also contemplated that the second link first end  132  may be configured for coupling to other types of agricultural equipment, such as a tractor or other towing vehicle. The second ends  124 ,  134  of the first link  120  and the second link  130  are pivotably joined to one another via a pivot pin  102  that extends into the slot  142  of the support plate  140 . 
     With additional reference to  FIG. 4 , the support plate  140  is mounted to the base portion  112  and extends upward from the base portion  112 . The support plate  140  includes a support plate slot  142  having a first or upper end portion  144 , a second or lower end portion  146  opposite the first end portion  144 , and a central portion  148  extending between and connecting the upper end portion  144  and the lower end portion  146 . The upper end portion  144  is defined in part by a pair of tapered edges  145  that taper outward such that a closed upper end of the upper end portion  144  has a width corresponding to the diameter of the pivot pin  102  and an open lower end of the upper end portion  144  has a greater width than the diameter of the pivot pin  102 . Similarly, the lower end portion  146  is defined in part by a pair of tapered edges  147  that taper outward such that a closed lower end of the lower end portion  146  has a width corresponding to the diameter of the pivot pin  102  and an upper open end of the lower end portion  146  has a greater width than the diameter of the pivot pin  102 . The central portion  148  is defined by a pair of edges  149  that extend between and connect the tapered edges  145 ,  147  such that the central portion has a width corresponding to the widths of the open ends of the end portions  144 ,  146 . A central axis  143  of the slot  142  is defined between the edges  149 . In the illustrated form, the central axis  143  is arcuate. In other embodiments, the central axis  143  may be straight. 
     With additional reference to  FIG. 5 , the actuator mechanism  200  generally includes a floating plate  210  and an actuator  220  that is mounted to the main frame  110  and connected with the floating plate  210 . As described herein, the actuator  220  is operable to drive the floating plate  210  between a first plate position and a second plate position to thereby move the hitch assembly  100  between a first state and a second state. 
     The floating plate  210  includes a first pivotal connection aperture  212 , a second pivotal connection aperture  214 , and a locking slot  230  that receives the projection  118  of the main frame  110 . The floating plate  210  is pivotably connected to the first link  120  and the second link  130 . While other forms are contemplated, in the illustrated form, the floating plate  210  is pivotably coupled to the links  120 ,  130  by the pivot pin  102 , which is pivotably engaged with the first pivotal connection aperture  212 . The floating plate  210  is also pivotably connected to the actuator  220  by a second pivot pin  202  that passes through the second pivotal connection aperture  214 . 
     The actuator  220  is mounted to the main frame  110 , and generally includes a body portion  222  and a shaft  224  extending from the body portion  222 . When the hitch assembly  100  is installed to the agricultural equipment  80 , the actuator  220  may be connected with a control system  84  of the agricultural equipment  80 . When so connected, the control system  84  is operable to control operation of the actuator  220  to cause the shaft  224  to move relative to the body portion  222  between an extended position and a retracted position. In the illustrated form, the actuator  220  is provided as a hydraulic cylinder that causes the shaft  224  to extend and retract by charging a hydraulic fluid into and out of the body portion  222 . In other embodiments, the actuator  220  may be provided as another form of linear actuator, such as a solenoid or a linear motor. In the illustrated form, the body portion  222  is pivotably coupled to the main frame  110 , for example by a third pivot pin  204 , and the shaft  224  is pivotably connected to the floating plate  210  via the second pivot pin  202 . 
     The locking slot  230  receives the projection  118  of the main frame  110 , and generally includes a longitudinally-extending central portion  232 , a first or upper end portion  234  positioned above the central portion  232 , and a second or lower end portion  237  positioned below the central portion  232 . In the illustrated form, the upper end portion  234  defines a first or upper jog  235  that is defined in part by a first edge  236 , and the lower end portion  237  defines a second or lower jog  238  that is defined in part by a second edge  239 . Each of the jogs  235 ,  238  extends laterally from corresponding end of the central portion  232 . More particularly, the upper jog  235  extends laterally from the upper end of the central portion  232 , and the lower jog  238  extends laterally from the lower end of the central portion  232 . In the illustrated form, the jogs  235 ,  238  extend from the central portion  232  in opposite directions such that the locking slot  230 . While the illustrated locking slot  230  generally S-shaped geometry, it is also contemplated that the locking slot  230  may have another geometry, such as a generally Z-shaped geometry. 
     With additional reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , illustrated therein are the hitch assembly  100  and a portion of the trailer  90  with the agricultural equipment  80  in a first configuration. The first configuration may, for example, be utilized to transport the agricultural equipment  80  along a road, and may be referred to herein as the road transportation configuration. When the hitch assembly  100  is installed to the trailer  90 , the first end portion  132  of the second link  130  is pivotably connected to a frame  92  of the trailer  90 , and the frame  112  is pivotably connected to the second end portion  116 , which is fixedly connected to the armature  94 . The armature  94  is pivotably mounted to the trailer frame  92 , and a ground interface mechanism is mounted to an end of the armature  94 . In the illustrated embodiment, the ground interface mechanism comprises one or more wheels  95 , which are rotatably mounted to an end of the armature  94 . It is also contemplated that the ground interface mechanism may take another form, such as one comprising skids. 
     With the agricultural equipment  80  in the first or road transportation configuration, the armature  94  is angled downward toward the ground  70  such that the wheels  95  are in contact with the ground  70 . Additionally, the actuator mechanism  200  is in a first locking state, in which the shaft  224  has been extended to place the floating plate  210  in a first plate position. With the actuator mechanism  200  in its first locking state, the pivot pin  102  is received in the upper end portion  144  of the support plate slot  142 , and may abut the upper end of the slot  142 . Additionally, the projection  118  is received in the lower end portion  237  of the locking slot  230 , and more particularly is received in the lower jog  238 . As a result, a downward force exerted on the pivot pin  102  by the links  120 ,  130  will be countered by the edge  239  of the lower jog  238  such that the exerted force is borne substantially entirely by the floating plate  210 , and is not transmitted to the actuator  220 . Conversely, an upward force exerted on the pivot pin  102  by the links  120 ,  130  may be countered by the upper edge of the support plate slot  142  and/or the lower edge  238  of the locking slot  230  to prevent force transmission to the actuator  220 . 
     During road transportation, it may be the case that the driver of the vehicle towing the trailer  90  and cart  82  via the hitch assembly  100  brakes suddenly or accelerates sharply. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that in such an event, forces will be transmitted between the towed vehicle and the hitch assembly  100  via the hitch  115 . Should the cart tongue  81  and the hitch assembly  100  be significantly misaligned, the transmitted forces will tend to urge the front or rear end of the trailer  90  upward or downward, which may cause the trailer  90  to pivot undesirably relative to the ground  70 . However, the arrangement of the hitch assembly  100  when in the road transport configuration may reduce or eliminate such undesirable pivoting. More particularly, the relative dimensions of the various components of the hitch assembly  100  may be selected such that when the agricultural equipment  80  is in the first configuration, the links  120 ,  130  are substantially aligned. For example, an angle  191  formed between the first link longitudinal axis  129  and the second link longitudinal axis  139  may be about 10° or less. As such, the links  120 ,  130  may be considered to be substantially parallel. 
     Those skilled in the art will further recognize that should a force be applied to the pivot pin  102  as a result of a moment on the links  120 ,  130 , such a force will be perpendicular to a line  192  extending between the first pivot axis  123  of the first link  120  and the first pivot axis  133  of the second link  130 . Moreover, such a force may result in the pivot pin  102  exerting on the floating plate  210  a moment about the projection  118 . In the illustrated form, however, the generation of such a moment is reduced or eliminated by the relative orientations of the various components of the hitch assembly  100 . More particularly, the line  192  is substantially perpendicular to a line  193  extending between the pivot pin  102  and the projection  118  such that the lines  192 ,  193  define an angle that is about 90° (e.g., between 80° and 100° or between 85° and 95°). 
     As a result of the relative orientation of the lines  192 ,  193 , the force vector generated by the links  120 ,  130  intersects or nearly intersects the projection  118  such that the force vector is countered by a corresponding force vector exerted by the edge  239  of the jog  238 , and little to no moment about the projection  118  is generated on the floating plate  210 . Thus, the floating plate  210  exerts little to no force on the shaft  224  of the actuator  220 , and the actuator  220  therefore need not counter such a force. Stated another way, the forces exerted by the links  120 ,  130  when the agricultural equipment  80  is in the first configuration are borne substantially entirely by the floating plate  210 , and are not transmitted to the actuator  220 . Accordingly, the actuator  220  may be idle when the hitch assembly  100  is in its first state. 
     With additional reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , illustrated therein are the hitch assembly  100  and a portion of the trailer  90  with the agricultural equipment  80  in a second configuration. The second configuration may, for example, be utilized to transport the agricultural equipment  80  across unpaved terrain, and may be referred to herein as the field transportation configuration. With the agricultural equipment  80  in the second configuration, the ground interface armature  94  has been pivoted upward such that the wheels  95  are removed from the ground  70 , and another armature  96  has been pivoted downward to place pressure rollers  97  in contact with the ground  70 . Additionally, the actuator mechanism  200  has been placed in a second locking state, in which the shaft  224  has been retracted to place the floating plate  210  in a second plate position. Further, the first link  120  and the second link  130  define a second angle  191 ′ that is an oblique angle and may, for example, be about 30°. 
     With the actuator mechanism  200  in its second locking state, the pivot pin  102  is received in the lower end portion  146  of the support plate slot  142 , and may abut the lower edge of the slot  142 . Additionally, the projection  118  is received in the upper end portion  234  of the locking slot  230 , and more particularly is received in the upper jog  235 . As a result, an upward force exerted on the pivot pin  102  by the links  120 ,  130  will be countered by the edge  236  of the upper jog  235  such that the exerted force is borne substantially entirely by the floating plate  210 , and is not transmitted to the actuator  220 . Conversely, a downward force exerted on the pivot pin  102  by the links  120 ,  130  may be countered by the lower edge of the support plate slot  142  and/or the upper edge of the locking slot  230  to prevent force transmission to the actuator  220 . 
     As noted above, should a force be applied to the pivot pin  102  as a result of a moment exerted on the links  120 ,  130 , such a force will be perpendicular to the line  192  extending between the first pivot axis  123  of the first link  120  and the first pivot axis  133  of the second link  130 . Moreover, such a force may result in the pivot pin  102  exerting on the floating plate  210  a moment about the projection  118 . In the illustrated form, however, the generation of such a moment is reduced or eliminated by the relative orientations of the various components of the hitch assembly  100 . More particularly, when the hitch assembly  100  is in its second state, the line  192  is once again substantially perpendicular to the line  193  extending between the pivot pin  102  and the projection  118  such that the lines  192 ,  193  define an angle  194 ′ of about 90° (e.g., between 80° and 100° or between 85° and 95°). 
     As a result of the relative orientation of the lines  192 ,  193 , the force vector generated by the links  120 ,  130  intersects or nearly intersects the projection  118  such that the force vector is countered by a corresponding force vector exerted by the edge  236  of the jog  235 , and little to no moment about the projection  118  is generated on the floating plate  210 . Thus, the floating plate  210  exerts little to no force on the shaft  224  of the actuator  220 , and the actuator  220  therefore need not counter such a force. Stated another way, the forces exerted by the links  120 ,  130  when the agricultural equipment  80  is in the second configuration are borne substantially entirely by the floating plate  210 , and are not transmitted to the actuator  220 . Accordingly, the actuator  220  may be idle when the hitch assembly  100  is in its second state. 
     With additional reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , illustrated therein are the hitch assembly  100  and a portion of the trailer  90  with the agricultural equipment  80  in a third configuration. The third configuration may, for example, be utilized while the trailer  90  is being operated in its primary function (e.g., distributing agricultural product or tilling), and may be referred to herein as the operational configuration. With the agricultural equipment  80  in the third configuration, the ground interface armature  94  has been pivoted further upward such that the armature  94  is substantially parallel to the ground  70 . Additionally, the actuator mechanism  200  has been placed in its second locking state, and the links  120 ,  130  are substantially parallel to one another such that each of the axes  129 ,  139  is substantially collinear with the line  192 . 
     As with the first configuration and the second configuration, the line  192  extending between the pivot axes  123 ,  133  of the links  120 ,  130  is substantially perpendicular to the line  193  extending between the pivot pin  102  and the projection  118 . As a result, upward forces exerted on the pivot pin  102  by the links  120 ,  130  will not result in a moment about the projection  118  for reasons analogous to those set forth above. Additionally, downward forces exerted on the pivot pin  102  by the links  120  will be countered by the lower edge of the support plate slot  142  and/or the upper edge of the locking slot  230 . As such, the loads are borne by the main frame  110  and the floating plate  210 , and are not transmitted to the actuator  220 . Thus, the actuator  220  may remain idle while the agricultural equipment  80  is in its third configuration. 
     With additional reference to  FIGS. 12-14 , illustrated therein is the actuator mechanism  200  during various stages of movement between its first state ( FIG. 7 ) and its second state ( FIG. 9 ). During operation, the hitch assembly  100  may begin with the actuator mechanism  200  in its first locking state, for example if the agricultural equipment  80  is in its road transportation configuration ( FIG. 6 ). From the first locking state ( FIG. 7 ), the actuator mechanism  200  may be moved to its second locking state ( FIG. 9 ) by operating the actuator  220  to retract the shaft  224  from its extended position to its retracted position. Such actuation causes the actuator  220  to exert a retracting force  195  on the floating plate  210  along a force axis  229  that extends along the longitudinal axis of the shaft  224 . Due to the fact that the force axis  229  does not intersect the pivot pin  102 , the retracting force  195  supplied by the actuator  220  results in a first moment  196  about the pivot pin  102 , the first moment  196  urging the floating plate  210  toward the second plate position. 
     As the first moment  196  urges the floating plate  210  toward the second plate position, the projection  118  exits the lower jog  238  ( FIG. 12 ), thereby freeing the floating plate  210  from its first locked position. The floating plate  210  is thus able to slide downward as the central portion  232  of the locking slot  230  travels along the projection  118  and the pivot pin  102  travels within the support plate slot  142  ( FIG. 13 ). Such downward movement of the pivot pin  102  drives the links  120 ,  130  from the first relative orientation, in which the links  120 ,  130  are substantially parallel to one another ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ) and define a first angle  191  (e.g., an angle of about 10° or less), toward a second relative orientation, in which the links  120 ,  130  are obliquely offset from one another ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ) and define a second angle  191 ′ (e.g., an angle of about 30°). Continued movement of the floating plate  210  toward its second position causes the projection  118  to enter the upper end portion  234  of the locking slot  230  ( FIG. 14 ), and to thereafter enter the upper jog  235  to place the floating plate  210  in its second locked position, thereby setting the actuator mechanism  200  to its second locking state. 
     From the second locking state ( FIG. 9 ), the actuator mechanism  200  may be moved to its first locking state ( FIG. 7 ) by operating the actuator  220  to extend the shaft  224  from its retracted position to its extended position. Such actuation of the actuator  220  causes the actuator  220  to exert an extending force  197  on the floating plate  210  along the force axis  229 . Due to the fact that the force axis  229  does not intersect the pivot pin  102 , the extending force  197  supplied by the actuator  220  results in a second moment  198  about the pivot pin  102 , the second moment  198  urging the floating plate  210  toward the first plate position. 
     As the second moment  198  urges the floating plate  210  toward the first plate position, the projection  118  exits the upper jog  235  ( FIG. 14 ), thereby freeing the floating plate  210  from its second locked position. The floating plate  210  is thus able to slide upward as the central portion  232  of the locking slot  230  travels along the projection  118  and the pivot pin  102  travels within the support plate slot  142  ( FIG. 13 ). Such upward movement of the pivot pin  102  drives the links  120 ,  130  from the second relative orientation, in which the links  120 ,  130  are obliquely offset from one another ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ) and define a second angle  191 ′ (e.g., an angle of about 30°), toward the first relative orientation, in which the links  120 ,  130  are substantially parallel to one another ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ) and define a first angle  191  (e.g., an angle of about 10° or less). Continued movement of the floating plate  210  toward its first position causes the projection  118  to enter the lower end portion  237  of the locking slot  230  ( FIG. 12 ), and to thereafter enter the lower jog  238  to place the floating plate  210  in its first locked position, thereby setting the actuator mechanism  200  to its first locking state. 
     As should be evident from the foregoing, the actuator mechanism  200  is operable to move between its first locking state and its second locking state by controlling the actuator  220  to extend and retract the shaft  224 , for example under the control of the control system  84 . During such extension and retraction of the shaft  224 , the floating plate  210  moves between the first plate position and the second plate position, thereby causing the pivot pin  102  to travel upward and downward within the support plate slot  142 . As described herein, one or more features of the hitch assembly  100  may facilitate this transitioning while discouraging binding during movement of the actuator mechanism  200  between the first locking state and the second locking state. 
     As noted above, the support plate slot  142  expands from a first width at the upper and lower ends thereof such that the central portion  148  has a width significantly greater than the diameter of the head of the pivot pin  102 . In certain embodiments, the width of the central portion  148  may be 50% to 100% greater than the diameter of the portion of the pivot pin  102  that is received in the slot  142 . This increased width of the central portion  148  allows some degree of play in the motion of the pivot pin  102  such that the pivot pin  102  is able to move between its upper and lower positions without engaging either edge  149  of the central portion  148 , which engagement may cause the actuator mechanism  200  to bind up. 
     Another feature of the actuator mechanism  200  that may aid in discouraging binding relates to the extension of the force axis  229  relative to the pivot pin  102 . During movement of the actuator mechanism  200  between its first locking state and second locking state, the actuator  220  may pivot relative to the support plate  140  (for example as illustrated in  FIGS. 12-14 ), thereby rotating the force axis  229  about the pivot pin  204 . Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that, should the force axis  229  come close to intersecting the pivot pin  102  (e.g., within about 2°), the actuator  220  may be unable to exert the appropriate moment  196 ,  198  about the pivot pin  102 . However, the actuator mechanism  200  may be arranged such that the force axis  229  does not intersect the pivot pin  102  at any point during the travel of the pivot pin  102  between its upper and lower positions, thereby facilitating the continued exertion of a moment about the pivot pin  102  by the actuator  220 . 
     With additional reference to  FIG. 15 , an exemplary process  300  that may be performed using the hitch assembly  100  is illustrated. Blocks illustrated for the processes in the present application are understood to be examples only, and blocks may be combined or divided, and added or removed, as well as re-ordered in whole or in part, unless explicitly stated to the contrary. Additionally, while the blocks are illustrated in a relatively serial fashion, it is to be understood that two or more of the blocks may be performed concurrently or in parallel with one another. Moreover, while the process  300  is described herein with specific reference to the agricultural equipment  80  and hitch assembly  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-14 , it is to be appreciated that the process  300  may be performed with agricultural equipment and/or hitch assemblies having additional or alternative features. 
     In certain embodiments, the process  300  may be performed using a hitch assembly comprising a main frame, a first link pivotably coupled to the main frame, a second link pivotably coupled to the first link via a pivot pin, a floating plate, and an actuator operably coupled with the floating plate, wherein a projection of the main frame extends into a locking slot of the floating plate. For example, the process  300  may be performed using the hitch assembly  100 , which generally includes a main frame  110 , a first link  120  pivotably coupled to the main frame  110 , a second link  130  pivotably coupled to the first link  120  via a pivot pin  102 , a floating plate  210 , and an actuator  220  operably coupled with the floating plate  210 , wherein a projection  118  of the main frame  110  extends into a locking slot  230  of the floating plate  210 . Moreover, the process  300  may be performed with agricultural equipment comprising a first piece of agricultural equipment and a second piece of agricultural equipment, wherein the first and second pieces of the agricultural equipment are operably coupled by the hitch assembly. For example, the process  300  may be performed with the agricultural equipment  80 , which includes a cart  82  and a trailer  90  operably coupled by the hitch assembly  100 . It is also contemplated that the hitch assembly  100  may be utilized to couple the cart  82  or the trailer  90  to a tractor or other towing vehicle. 
     The process  300  includes block  310 , which generally involves selectively operating the hitch assembly in a first state. For example, block  310  may involve operating the hitch assembly  100  in the first state illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in which the actuator  220  is in its extended state to place the floating plate  210  in its first plate position, thereby defining the first locking state of the actuator mechanism  200 . Block  310  includes block  312 , which generally involves locking the projection in a first jog of the locking slot to thereby lock the first link and the second link at a first angle relative to one another. For example, block  312  may involve locking the projection  118  in the lower jog  238  of the locking slot  230  to thereby lock the first link  120  and the second link  130  at a first angle  191  relative to one another as described above. 
     In certain embodiments, the process  300  may include block  320 , which generally involves transporting the agricultural equipment along a paved roadway while operating the hitch assembly in the first state. For example, block  320  may involve transporting the agricultural equipment  80  along a paved roadway while operating the hitch assembly  100  in the road transportation configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     The process  300  also includes block  330 , which generally involves selectively operating the hitch assembly in a second state. For example, block  330  may involve operating the hitch assembly  100  in the second state illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , in which the actuator  220  is in its retracted state to place the floating plate  210  in its second plate position, thereby defining the second locking state of the actuator mechanism  200 . Block  330  includes block  332 , which generally involves locking the projection in a second jog of the locking slot to thereby lock the first link and the second link at a second angle relative to one another. For example, block  332  may involve locking the projection  118  in the upper jog  235  of the locking slot  230  to thereby lock the first link  120  and the second link  130  at a second angle  191 ′ relative to one another. 
     In certain embodiments, the process  300  may include block  340 , which generally involves transporting the agricultural equipment along unpaved terrain while operating the hitch assembly in the second state. For example, block  340  may involve transporting the agricultural equipment  80  along unpaved terrain while operating the hitch assembly  100  in the field transportation configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     The process  300  further include block  350 , which generally involves selectively operating the actuator to move the hitch assembly between its first state and its second state. For example, block  350  may involve operating the actuator  220  to move the hitch assembly  100  between the first state illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7  and the second state illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . As will be appreciated, block  350  may be performed between block  310  and block  330  to transition the hitch assembly between the first state utilized in blocks  310  and  320  and the second state utilized in blocks  330  and  340 . 
     In certain circumstances, block  350  may involve block  352 , which generally involves selectively operating the actuator  220  to retract the actuator shaft  224 . For example, when the actuator mechanism  200  is in the first locking state ( FIG. 7 ), retracting the shaft  224  causes the lower jog  238  to disengage from the projection  118  ( FIG. 12 ), after which the central portion  232  of the locking slot  230  travels downward along the projection  118  ( FIG. 13 ). Thereafter, the upper end portion  234  of the locking slot  230  receives the projection  118  ( FIG. 13 ), and the floating plate  210  pivots to cause the upper jog  235  to receive the projection  118 , thereby providing the actuator mechanism  200  with its second locking state ( FIG. 9 ). As will be appreciated, operation of the actuator mechanism  200  in block  352  may be controlled by the control system  84  of the agricultural equipment  80  to drive the hitch assembly  100  from the first state utilized in block  310  to the second state utilized in block  330 , thereby preparing the agricultural equipment for field transport in block  340 . 
     In certain circumstances, block  350  may involve block  354 , which generally involves selectively operating the actuator  220  to extend the actuator shaft  224 . For example, when the actuator mechanism  200  is in the second locking state ( FIG. 9 ), extending the shaft  224  causes the upper jog  235  to disengage from the projection  118  ( FIG. 14 ), after which the central portion  232  of the locking slot  230  travels upward along the projection  118  ( FIG. 13 ). Thereafter, the lower end portion  237  of the locking slot  230  receives the projection  118  ( FIG. 12 ), and floating plate  210  pivots to cause the lower jog  238  to receive the projection  118 , thereby providing the actuator mechanism  200  with its first locking state ( FIG. 7 ). As will be appreciated, operation of the actuator mechanism  200  in block  354  may be controlled by the control system  84  of the agricultural equipment  80  to drive the hitch assembly  100  from the second state utilized in block  330  to the first state utilized in blocks  310 , thereby preparing the agricultural equipment for road transport in block  320 . 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be protected. 
     It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.