Abstract:
A forwardly folding tool bar comprising a center tool bar section positioned rearwardly of a pair of wing hinge tubes with wing tool bar sections being operatively pivotally secured to the outer ends of the wing hinge tubes. The tool bar includes a telescoping tongue including a latching device which prevents an inner tongue tube from sliding rearwardly with respect to an outer tongue tube. The latching device is automatically unlatched when a forwardly extending hitch is pivotally moved with respect to the tongue to a transport position. The tool bar sections are supported by vertically adjustable gauge wheel assemblies.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a folding tool bar and more particularly to a forwardly folding tool bar. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Tool bars are commonly used in farming operations. The conventional tool bars normally consist of a transversely extending tool bar or frame member having a tongue or hitch secured thereto which extends forwardly therefrom for attachment to a prime mover such as a tractor. Attachments such as cultivators, planter units, stalk cutters, etc., are mounted on the tool bar to perform various farming operations. A major problem associated with conventional tool bars is that the working or field width thereof must be substantially reduced to enable the implement to be transported from one location to another. Many types of tool bars employ a center tool bar section having wing tool bar sections extending outwardly therefrom. In certain of the prior art tool bars, the wings are pivoted from a substantially horizontal working field position to an upright transport position. In most folding tool bars of this type, the upright position of the wings is not as stable as desired and may create undesirable stress on certain components of the tool bar. 
     A further problem associated with the conventional folding tool bars is that they are not sufficiently flexible to compensate for irregular terrain such as in hill country, terraces, etc. Yet another disadvantage of the prior art devices is that the wheels which support the tool bar interfere with the mounting of various attachments on the tool bar due to the location of the wheels on the tool bar. Still another disadvantage of the conventional prior art tool bars is that they are difficult to move from the field position to the transport position and vice versa. 
     Many of the problems associated with the prior art tool bars were solved by the forwardly folding tool bar of applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,956 which issued May 19, 1992. Although the tool bar of U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,956 has experienced considerable commercial success, the need exists to reduce the number of structural elements, and hence reduce the cost thereof, without sacrificing strength, heft, performance, durability, aesthetics, etc. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant design relocates many structural elements of the &#39;956 tool bar which permits the consolidation of multiple pieces into one improved part. The number of parts to complete the tool bar mainframe of this invention is approximately one-half of the &#39;956 tool bar. 
     The forward folding tool bar of this invention comprises an elongated, transversely extending center tool bar section which has opposite ends and rearward and forward sides. A support means is secured to the center tool bar section and extends forwardly therefrom with the support means having a first end, a second end, a rearward end and a forward end. The center tool bar section has height adjustable ground engaging wheels mounted thereon. An elongated inner tongue tube is secured at its rearward end to the center tool bar section and extends forwardly therefrom. The inner end of a right wing hinge is pivotally secured to the first end of the support means forwardly of the rearward end thereof with the right wing hinge being selectively movable between a field position, wherein the right wing hinge is parallel to the center tool bar section, to a transport position, wherein the right wing hinge is positioned generally parallel to the inner tongue tube and laterally outwardly therefrom. A hydraulic cylinder interconnects the support means and the right wing hinge for moving the right wing hinge between its field position and its transport position. The inner end of a left wing hinge is pivotally secured to the second end of the support means forwardly of the rearward end thereof. The left wing hinge is selectively movable between a field position, wherein the left wing hinge is parallel to the center tool bar section, to a transport position, wherein the left wing hinge is positioned generally parallel to the inner tongue tube and laterally outwardly therefrom. A hydraulic cylinder interconnects the support means and the left wing hinge for moving the left wing hinge between its field position and its transport position. The inner end of a right front wing tube is pivotally secured, about a horizontal axis, to the outer end of the right wing hinge. The inner end of a left front wing tube is pivotally secured, about a horizontal axis, to the outer end of left wing hinge. A right tool bar is secured to the right front wing tube for movement therewith and is positioned rearwardly thereof. A left tool bar is secured to the left front wing tube for movement therewith and is positioned rearwardly thereof. The center tool bar section and the right and left tool bars are adapted to have row units mounted thereon. 
     An outer tongue tube slidably embraces the inner tongue tube and has a rearward end, a forward end and upper and lower ends. An elongated hitch has its rearward end pivotally secured to the outer tongue tube rearwardly of the forward end thereof and extends forwardly therefrom for connection to a tractor or the like. A hydraulic cylinder is pivotally secured to the hitch and the outer tongue tube so that the hydraulic cylinder, when in its retracted position, causes the forward end of the outer tongue tube to be positioned in a field position and so that when the hydraulic cylinder is in its extended position, it causes the forward end of the outer tongue tube to be raised to a transport position. Elongated draft tubes are pivotally secured to the right and left tool bars and the outer tongue tube. The inner tongue tube is slidably moved rearwardly relative to the outer tongue tube as the wing hinges, and the right and left tool bars, are moved from their field positions to their transport positions. 
     It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved folding tool bar. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a forwardly folding tool bar. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a folding tool bar wherein the wheels which support the tool bar are mounted thereon in such a position so as not to interfere with the mounting of attachments thereon. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a folding tool bar which has sufficient flexibility to enable the tool bar to be used in hilly country or on terraces. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a forwardly folding tool bar which is quickly and easily moved from a working field position to a transport position and vice versa. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a forwardly folding tool bar which is economical of manufacture and durable in use. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a forwardly folding tool bar which has a reduced number of structural elements. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a forwardly folding tool bar which is economical to produce without sacrificing strength, heft, performance, durability or aesthetics. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a forwardly folding tool bar which has a more narrow transport width than the folding tool bars of the prior art. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a forwardly folding tool bar which enables planter units to be conveniently mounted thereon in 15″, 18″, 20″, 22″, 30″, 32″ and 36″ width spacing with standard U-bolts. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a forwardly folding tool bar wherein the gauge wheel assemblies thereon are easily moved for different row spacing. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a forwardly folding tool bar wherein the wings thereof are stronger than the prior art tool bars which enables the tool bar to have greater widths than those of the prior art. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of the tool bar of this invention in its field position; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the forward end of the tool bar of this invention with portions thereof cut away to more fully illustrate the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 except that the hitch and tongue have been As moved to their transport positions; 
     FIG. 4 is a partial front exploded perspective view of the tongue and related structure; 
     FIG. 5 is a partial front perspective view of the central rearward portion of the tool bar of this invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating the tool bar of this invention in its field position; 
     FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 except that the tool bar has been moved to its transport position; 
     FIG. 8 is a top view of the tool bar in its transport position; and 
     FIG. 9 is a front view of the tongue and hitch of the tool bar with related structure. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The numeral  10  refers to the forwardly folding tool bar of this invention. The tool bar includes a center tool bar section  12  having a right end  14  and a left end  16 . Center tool bar section  12  is preferably a 7″×7″×⅜″ steel tube and is adapted to have row units such as planters, cultivators, etc., mounted thereon in conventional fashion. A pair of vertically movable gauge wheel assemblies  18  and  20  are secured to the center tool bar section  12  in conventional fashion for raising and lowering the center tool bar section  12  in conventional fashion. Support means  22  is secured to the center tool bar section at the center thereof and comprises an upper plate  24  and a lower plate  26 . 
     Support tube  28  is positioned between the plates  24  and  26  and is secured thereto by any convenient means. The rearward end of inner tongue tube  30  is received by the tube support  28  and is secured thereto by welding or the like. An outer tongue tube  32  slidably embraces inner tongue tube  30  to form a telescopic tongue generally referred to by the reference numeral  34 . Outer tongue tube  32  and inner tongue tube  30  are slidably movable with respect to one another between field and transport positions. When the tongue  34  is in the field position, the forward ends of the inner tongue tube  30  and outer tongue tube  32  are positioned closely adjacent one another as illustrated in FIG.  2 . When the tongue  34  is in the transport position, as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter, the forward end of the outer tongue tube  32  is positioned forwardly of the forward end of the inner tongue tube  30  (FIG.  3 ). 
     The numeral  36  refers to a hook anchor or support which is secured to the inner bottom surface of inner tongue tube  30  by welding or the like as seen in FIG. 4. A latch hook  38  is pivotally connected to anchor  36  by bolt or pin  40  and includes a downwardly extending hook portion  42  which extends downwardly adjacent the forward ends of inner tongue tube  30  and outer tongue tube  32  when the tongue  34  is in its field position (FIG.  2 ). When the latch hook  38  is in the position of FIG. 2, the rearward end of hook portion  42  engages latch  44  to prevent rearward telescopic movement of inner tongue tube  30  with respect to outer tongue tube  32 . As seen in FIG. 2, bracket  46  is secured to the bar  44  and/or the underside of outer tongue tube  32  and has an activator  48  pivotally secured thereto by bolt or pin  50 . The forward end of latch bar  52  is pivotally connected to the activator  48  by bolt or pin  54 . 
     Bracket or plate  56  is welded to the underside of outer tongue tube  32  rearwardly of the forward end thereof and has the rearward end of an elongated hitch  58  pivotally secured thereto by pivot pin  60 . The rearward end of latch bar  52  is pivotally connected to the upper rearward end of hitch  58  by pivot pin  62  (FIG.  2 ). A hydraulic cylinder  64  has one end thereof pivotally secured to hitch  58  at  66 . The rod end of the hydraulic cylinder  64  is pivotally connected to bracket  68 , which is secured to the underside of outer tongue tube  32  by welding or the like, by pivot pin  70 . When hydraulic cylinder  64  is in the retracted field position of FIG. 2, latch bar  52  maintains the activator  48  in a spaced or disengaged relationship with respect to the hook portion  42  of latch hook  38 . When hydraulic cylinder  64  is in the extended transport position of FIG. 3, latch bar  52  has been moved forwardly from the position of FIG. 2 so that the activator  48  has been pivoted upwardly to disengage hook portion  42  from the latch  44 . With the latch hook  38  in the raised position of FIG. 3, the inner tongue tube  30  is able to slidably move rearwardly with respect to outer tongue tube  32 . 
     Hitch  58  is provided with a clevis  72  of conventional design mounted on the forward end thereof for connection to the drawbar of a prime mover such as a tractor or the like. Clevis  72  could be replaced with other types of attachments to connect the hitch  58  to a tractor. A pair of spaced-apart arms  74  and  76  are secured to the opposite sides of the hitch  58  and extend upwardly therefrom, as illustrated in FIG. 9, to stabilize the hitch  58  against lateral movement with respect to the tongue  34  when the hitch  58  is in its field position of FIG.  9 . Transversely extending support  78  is secured to the top surface of outer tongue tube  32  rearwardly of the forward end thereof and is adapted to receive the wing sections thereon as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Plate or bracket  80  is secured, at its lower forward end, to the upper surface of outer tongue tube  32  at the forward end thereof and extends upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, as been seen in FIG. 2. A pair of swivel connectors  82  and  84  are provided on the upper rearward end of the plate  80  and have the forward ends of draft tubes  86  and  88  length-adjustably connected thereto in the manner illustrated in FIG.  2 . 
     Right wing hinge  90  is pivotally connected at its inner end to the forward end of the plates  24  and  26  of support  22  by a vertically disposed float pivot pin  92 . One end of hydraulic cylinder  94  is pivotally connected to the outer end of plate  26  in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5 by pin  96 . The rod end of cylinder  94  is pivotally connected to plate  98  which is welded to the upper side of right wing hinge  90 . 
     Left wing hinge  102  is pivotally secured to the plates  24  and  26  of support  22  by means of a vertically disposed float pivot pin  104 . Hydraulic cylinder  106  has its base end pivotally secured to top plate  24  by pivot pin  108  and has its rod end pivotally secured to plate  110  by pivot pin  112 . The hydraulic cylinders  94  and  102  are adapted to selectively pivot the wing hinges  90  and  102  from the transversely extending field position to a transport position wherein they are generally parallel to the tongue  34 . As seen in FIG. 5, the wing hinges  90  and  102  are disposed above and forwardly of center tool bar section  12 . 
     Downwardly and outwardly extending hinge sections  114  and  116  are provided at the outer ends of wing hinges  90  and  102 , respectively. A horizontally disposed pivot pin  118  pivotally connects hinge section  114  to hinge section  120  which is secured to the inner end of right front wing tube  122 . Horizontally disposed hinge pin  126  pivotally connects hinge section  116  to hinge section  128  which is secured to the inner end of left front wing tube  130 . 
     A row unit-carrying right tool bar  132  is positioned rearwardly of right front tube  122  and is secured thereto by a plurality of spaced-apart steel plates  134  secured thereto and extending therebetween. Right tool bar  132  is adapted to have a plurality of row units mounted thereon in conventional fashion. A vertically movable gauge wheel assembly  124  is selectively adjustably mounted on right tool bar  132 . The position of the gauge wheel assembly  124  on tool bar  132  will be dependent On the row spacing of the planter units. Similarly, a left tool bar  136  is spaced rearwardly of left front wing tube  130  and is secured thereto by a plurality of spaced-apart steel plates  138 . A vertically movable gauge wheel assembly  124 ′ is selectively adjustably mounted on left tool bar  136 . The rearward end of draft tube  86  is pivotally connected to plate  140  which is secured to right front wing tube  122  and right tool bar  132 . Similarly, the rearward end of draft tube  88  is pivotally secured to plate  142  which is secured to left front wing tube  130  and left tool bar  136 . For purposes of description, right front wing tube  122  and right tool bar  132  will be referred to as wing section  150  while left front wing tube  130  and left tool bar  136  will be referred to as wing section  152 . 
     The normal method of operating the tool bar of this invention is as follows. Assuming that the tool bar of this invention is in the field position of FIG. 1, the wing sections  150  and  152  are permitted to flex about horizontal pivot axes defined by pins  118  and  126  so that the tool bar may compensate for irregular terrain such as experienced in hill country, terraces, etc. The forward mounting of the gauge wheel assemblies  18 ,  20 ,  124  and  124 ′ ensure that the various row units may be mounted on the tool bar without interference from the wheel. 
     When it is desired to fold the tool bar of this invention to the transport position, the hydraulic cylinders on the gauge wheel assemblies are operated to raise the tool bar sections relative to the ground to raise the row units or the like out of ground engagement. Hydraulic cylinder  64  is extended which causes the forward end of tongue  34  to be raised from the position of FIG. 2 to the position of FIG.  3 . Extension of hydraulic cylinder  64  not only raises the forward end of the tongue  34  but also causes the actuator  48  to pivotally move upwardly to disengage the hook  38  from the latch  144  to enable inner tongue tube  30  to slidably move rearwardly, as will be described in more detail hereinafter, with respect to outer tongue tube  32 . Hydraulic cylinders  94  and  106  are then extended to cause the wing sections  150  and  152  to pivotally move from the field position of FIG. 1 to the transport position of FIG.  8 . As the wing sections  150  and  152  are pivotally moved forwardly towards the tongue  34 , the inner tongue tube  30  is slidably moved rearwardly With respect to outer tongue tube  32  to effectively increase the length of tongue  34  so that adequate space will be provided between the center tool bar section  12  and the tractor to enable the wing sections  150  and  152  to fold forwardly to the position illustrated in FIG.  8 . In some cases, the tractor will move forwardly during the extension of the inner and outer tongue tube members rather than the center tool bar section  12  rolling backwards. 
     Cylinders  94  and  102  are extended until the wing tubes  122  and  130  are positioned above the outer ends of support  78 . The gauge wheel assemblies are then operated to lower the tool bar somewhat with respect to the ground so that the wing tubes  122  and  130  are supported upon the support  78 , as illustrated in FIG.  9 . Continued retraction of the cylinders controlling the gauge wheel assemblies  124  and  124 ′ causes the wheels of those gauge assemblies to be raised out of ground engagement, as illustrated in FIG. 7, so that the tool bar will only be supported by the gauge wheel assemblies  18  and  20 . 
     When the tool bar is in the transport position of FIG. 8, the tool bar may be easily moved from one location to another. When it is desired to move the tool bar to its field position, the gauge wheel assemblies  124  and  124 ′ are lowered into ground engagement so that the wing tubes  122  and  130  disengage from the support  78 . Hydraulic cylinders  94  and  106  are then retracted which causes the wing sections  150  and  152  to pivotally move from the transport position to the field position with the draft tubes  86  and  88  causing the tongue tube sections  30  and  32  to telescope with respect to one another. When the wing sections  150  and  152  are in the position of FIG. 1, the forward end of inner tongue tube  30  will be in the position illustrated in FIG.  2 . The hydraulic cylinder  64  is then retracted so that the hitch  58  is moved from the position of FIG. 3 to the position of FIG. 2 with the latch bar  52  being moved out of engagement with the hook  38  so that the hook portion  42  of hook  38  may again engage latch  44  to prevent inner tongue tube  30  moving rearwardly with respect to outer tongue tube  32  thereby locking tongue  34  in its field position. 
     The folding tool bar of this invention is cheaper to produce than the tool bar of applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,956 with that cost reduction being achieved without sacrificing strength, heft, performance, durability or the artistic-marketability of the unit. The number of parts required to complete the folding tool bar of this invention, as compared to the folding tool bar of the &#39;956 patent, has been reduced by nearly one-half. With respect to the center section of the instant invention, the vertical pins, about which the wings rotate when shifting from road to field positions and vice versa, has been moved twelve inches forward and ten inches inward from that of the &#39;956 patent which results in the replacement of thirty-two pieces with nine pieces. The wing-to-wing attached position on the front tube of the wings will never interfere with the attachment of a row unit thereto. The front tubes on the wings are in line with the wing hinge tubes and are continued to a point twenty-one inches from the end of the row unit-carrying rear tube of the wing, increasing the draft strength of the wing. 
     The relocation of structural elements allows for the front draft tube anchor to be built with two pieces versus twelve pieces of the &#39;956 patent and the support  98  to be built with three pieces versus twelve pieces of the &#39;956 device. The tool bar of this invention has many other advantages over that of the prior art. The design of the center tool bar section  22 , wing hinges  90  and  102 , etc., enables the tool bar to have a more narrow transport width than that of the prior art. The design also enables planter units to be mounted thereon in a convenient fashion for 15″, 18″, 20″, 22″, 30″, 32″ and 36″ row spacings through conventional U-bolt assemblies. The relatively thin steel plates  134  do not interfere with the adjustable row spacing of the planter units on the tool bars  132  and  136 . The gauge wheel assemblies are also easily movable to accommodate different row openings. The design also provides a very strong or robust tool bar which enables the tool bar to have very great widths. The design of the tubes  122  and  130  and tubes  150  and  152  is such that stock folding tool bars may be connected to the outer ends of tubes  150  and  152 . 
     Inasmuch as the tubes  122  and  130  extend to almost the outer ends of the tool bars  132  and  136 , hydraulic hoses may be supported thereon which eliminates the prior art method of cutting holes in the tool bar itself to accommodate the hydraulic hoses. Additionally, the outer ends of the tubes  122  and  130  may be capped or sealed with air inlets being provided on the inner ends thereof so that the tubes  122  and  130  may serve as air tubes if the planter units are of the air type. In such a case, air couplings will be provided along the length of the tubes  122  and  130  to power the air planter units. 
     It can therefore be seen that a robust forwardly folding tool bar has been provided which represents an improvement over applicant&#39;s earlier device. 
     Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.