Abstract:
A self-contained hitch and control assembly comprising a portable power unit including a gas engine, hydraulic pump and associated conduits and valves. A hitch apparatus includes a frame carrying a compatible hitch and a pair of connecting arms with a third arm above and between the pair of arms. A hydraulic cylinder both raises and lowers the arms and a power takeoff is driven by the power unit in one and opposite directions.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Various hitch assemblies have been available for connecting lawn mowers, tillers and a wide variety of other implements to pick-up trucks and the like. These hitch assemblies have not, however, been wholly satisfactory. 
   Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide an improved hitch and control assembly which not only provides for highly efficient towing of an implement but also provides for control of the operation of the implement. 
   A further object resides in the provision of an improved hitch and control assembly which is completely self-contained and which therefore can be used with any pickup or other powered vehicle irrespective of auxiliary features such as hydraulics, power takeoff etc. carried by the vehicle. 
   A still further object of the invention is the provision of a portable power unit for the hitch and control assembly which can be readily deposited in and removed from the cargo space of a pickup truck or the like, and which can also be readily adapted for stationary use. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention and in fulfillment of the foregoing objects, the hitch and control assembly of the invention is adapted for use with any powered vehicle, preferably a pickup truck, having a vertically open substantially horizontal cargo surface and a hitch element. The hitch and control assembly comprises a self-contained portable power unit disposed on said cargo surface and including an internal combustion engine driving a fluid pump and associated valves and conduits. A hitch apparatus includes a forwardly facing hitch element compatible with the hitch element on the powered vehicle and a frame carrying a pair of horizontally spaced rearwardly extending connecting arms each supported by the frame for pivotal movement in a vertical plane at a front end portion and free at a rear end portion for attachment to an implement to be towed by the vehicle. A cylinder operable under fluid pressure is connected between the frame and the connecting arms and is adapted to pivot the arms in unison in both upward and downward directions. As will be seen herein below the downward arm movement under pressure is particularly useful in the control of the implement by the hitch assembly. As will also be explained below, the aforementioned fluid conduits are releasably and selectively connectible between the fluid pump and the fluid operable cylinder by operation of at least one of the aforesaid levers. 
   In addition to the foregoing, the hitch and control assembly includes a fluid pressure operated rotary power takeoff with the fluid conduits again releasably and selectively connectible between the pump and the power takeoff for rotation of the latter in one and an opposite direction. Control of the implement is also enhanced by this feature as will be explained below in connection with a power driven auger. 
   Portability of the self-contained power, unit is an important feature especially where a pickup truck or the like lacks one or more auxiliary capabilities. Accordingly, the power unit is mounted on a platform which includes at least three spaced attachment means and a lift device is provided and is releasably connectible with the attachment means for depositing the power unit on the cargo surface of the powered vehicle and removing the same from the surface. Stationary use of the power unit as well as the assembly as a whole is of course also possible in a multitude of applications. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a power unit forming a part of the hitch and control assembly of the present invention together with a lift device operatively connected with and supporting the assembly. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a rear portion of a frame of the hitch and control assembly and shows connecting arms, a fluid cylinder for operating the arms and a rotary power takeoff unit. 
       FIG. 3  is a vertical elevation of the frame taken from its front side partially showing fluid conduits and clearly showing a hitch element adapted for connection with a compatible element on a pickup truck or the like. 
       FIG. 4  is a vertical elevation similar to  FIG. 2  and shows the connecting arms, fluid cylinder and power takeoff. 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of valves and conduits forming a part of the improved hitch and control assembly. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view showing a lawn mower attached to and towed by the hitch and control assembly of the invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a side view showing a rotary auger attached to the hitch and control assembly. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the power unit, or power generation system, is shown generally at  10  and is shown supported by a lift device in  FIG. 1 . The unit includes a generally rectangular platform  11  which has eye members  12 , 12  at its four corners for attachment to lift chains  14 , 14  at four corners of the lift device. The lift device also includes a frame  16  which supports the chains at their upper ends and which has a central lift element  18  which may be manually operated or which may of course be provided with a small electric motor, not shown. As will be apparent the power unit can be readily lowered into position on the cargo surface, or bed, of a pickup truck or the like or a stationary surface by the lift device. Alternatively, the unit may be raised front the cargo surface or stationary surface to an elevated storage position in a garage or other building. Optionally, means for attaching the power unit to the cargo surface may be provided. The unit shown, however, weighs approximately four hundred (400) pounds and does not require attachment or tie down means. 
   Power supply apparatus  20  comprises an internal combustion engine preferably in the form of a twenty six horsepower gas engine driving a fluid pump in the form of a hydraulic pump which supplies hydraulic fluid under pressure through a supply line  22 . There is a power transfer system that may include one or more of the following: the valve  24 , the supply line  22 , the control lever  28 , the valve  26 , and conduits  32  and  34 . The apparatus is self contained and has its own battery and fuel storage reservoir as well as other accessories. Supply line  22  extends to valve  24  which has a manually operable control lever  28  and valve  24  in turn supplies valve  26  with hydraulic fluid under pressure, the latter controlled by manual lever  30 . Both valves  24  and  26  may optionally be remotely controlled and may also be equipped with the well known float control feature. Extending from valve  24  are conduits  32  and  34  which in turn supply opposite sides of a rotary takeoff to be described. Conduits  36  and  38  extend from valve  26  to opposite sides of an operating piston in a hydraulic cylinder also to be described herein below. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , a frame  40  of the hitch and control assembly carries a male hitch element  42 ,  FIGS. 6 and 7 , which hives forwardly and which is compatible with a similar rearwardly facing female element on a tail of a pickup truck or the like. There is also shown an implement mounting system for coupling an implement to a vehicle that includes one or more of the following: a frame  40 , quick connect-disconnect elements  44  and  46 , power take off unit  48 , hydraulic cylinder  50 , output rod  52 , rock shaft  56 , drive links  60 , adjustable connectors  62 , and connecting anns  64  and  70 . 
   Cooperating connecting elements of various other types may also be provided. Also on the front surface of the frame  40  in  FIG. 2 , quick connect-disconnect elements  44  and  46  respectively connect with the aforementioned conduits  32  and  34  and supply hydraulic fluid under pressure selectively to opposite sides of a rotary power takeoff unit  48 , shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4  on the rear side of the frame  40 . Reverting to  FIG. 3  and viewing the front side of frame  40 , the aforementioned conduits  36  and  38  are shown passing through the frame to the rear side thereof. In  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the conduits are shown connected respectively with one and an opposite end of a hydraulic cylinder  50 . As will be apparent, hydraulic fluid under pressure can be supplied selectively to opposite ends of the cylinder  50  by manipulation of the lever  30  manually or remotely whereby to cause the output rod  52  of the cylinder to move in one and an opposite direction. The output rod  52  of the cylinder  50  is pivotally connected to an operating arm  54  for a rock shaft  56  and with the opposite end of cylinder  50  pivotally connected to the frame at  58 , the rock shaft  56  serves to swing a pair of drive links  60 , 60  fixed at opposite ends thereof in one and an opposite direction. The links  60 , 60  in turn generally reciprocate adjustable connectors  62 , 62  which extend downwardly to a pair of connecting arms  64 , 64 . The connecting arms  64 , 64  are pivotally mounted respectively at  66  and  68  on the frame  40  and at their free ends are adapted for connection to an implement to be towed and controlled by the hitch and control assembly of the invention. 
   Finally, a third connecting arm  70  is preferably provided for stabilization of implements drawn behind a powered vehicle and is shown pivotally mounted at  72  on the frame  40 , adjustment being provided by the series of connecting holes. 
   A wide variety of implements can be drawn behind and controlled by the hitch and control assembly of the present invention, the lawnmower  74  and auger  76  of  FIGS. 6 and 7  being merely exemplary. It should be noted, however, that the control function of the assembly is available in all instances. In the case of the lawnmower  74 , the angle of attack of the mower can be controlled by manipulation of the hydraulic cylinder thus determining the height of the cut in a simple and expedient manner. Further the mower can be driven by the power takeoff rather than an engine mounted on its housing. Thus, clogging with wet grass and other problems can be addressed by reversing the rotation of the mower blade. 
   In the case of the rotary auger, the efficiency of operation of the auger can be enhanced by urging the same downwardly during operation, again by appropriate manipulation of the hydraulic cylinder and its control valve. Reversal of the direction of rotation by the power takeoff will also aid in the withdrawal of the auger on completion of its task.