Patent ID: 12207576

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated an attachment according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral1for securing to a towbar3also according to the invention of a towable apparatus also according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral5, which in this embodiment of the invention is illustrated as an agricultural machine, namely, a mower. The towable apparatus5, which is according to the invention when fitted with the attachment1, may be any towable apparatus, such as, a trailer or any other agricultural machinery, such as a baler for bailing fodder material which may produce round, square or rectangular bales, a bale wrapper for wrapping bales of fodder material, a combined baler/bale wrapper for producing wrapped bales of fodder material which may be round, square or rectangular bales, a slurry spreader, or any other type of towable machine or vehicle.

The attachment1, as will be described below, is configured for selectively and alternately hitching to a first type of towing vehicle, for example, a road vehicle, such as, a pickup truck or a four-by-four road vehicle, neither of which are illustrated, and which would typically be provided with a single hitch point, and to a second type of towing vehicle, for example, an agricultural vehicle, such as, a tractor7, whereby the attachment1is configurable for hitching to the lower lift arms9of a three-point linkage of the tractor7, or to a fixed hitch extending rearwardly from a tractor and centred in a transverse direction between the rear ground engaging wheels of the tractor.

Such towable apparatus with such towbars as the towbar3, and such tractors with lower lift arms, such as the lift arms9, or with centred rearwardly extending fixed hitches will be well known to those skilled in the art, and further description should not be required. Additionally, road vehicles, such as for example, pickup trucks and four-by-four road vehicles will also be well known to those skilled in the art as will the hitch mechanisms provided on such road vehicles. Typically, such hitch mechanisms of pickup trucks and four-by-four road vehicles may comprise a ball-hitch configured for engaging a socket-hitch of the towing vehicle. Alternatively, the hitch mechanisms of pickup trucks and four-by-four road vehicles may comprise a single hitch plate or a pair of vertically spaced apart hitch plates having a bore or respective aligned bores extending therethrough for engaging a hitch pin for hitching to a hitch plate or a pair of vertically spaced apart hitch plates having a corresponding bore or respective aligned bores extending therethrough of the towable apparatus. Accordingly, further descriptions of such road vehicles and their hitch mechanisms should not be required.

Turning now to the attachment1, the attachment1comprises a mounting element, which in this embodiment of the invention comprises a mounting shaft10of hollow box section steel configured for mounting adjacent a distal end11of the towbar3of the towable apparatus5on the underside of the towbar3by bolts (not shown). The mounting shaft10carries a first element, in this embodiment of the invention comprising a first right-angle drive transmission gearbox12located in the mounting shaft10adjacent a forward end thereof. A second element, in this embodiment of the invention comprising a second right-angle drive transmission gearbox14is located beneath the first gearbox12, and is pivotally coupled to the first gearbox12about a substantially vertically extending main pivot axis15. The first gearbox12comprises a first housing17which is secured to the mounting shaft10by bolts16through side plates13of the mounting shaft10, which engage threaded bores43in the first housing17of the first gearbox12. The second gearbox14comprises a second housing18.

A neck2extending downwardly from the first housing17of the first gearbox12pivotally carries the second gearbox14about the main pivot axis15on a pair of vertically spaced apart bearings4, which are located in a collar6extending upwardly from the second housing18of the second gearbox14around the neck2of the first gearbox12, seeFIG.6. A main drive transmission, namely, a main drive transmission shaft19extending between the first gearbox12and the second gearbox14transmits drive from the second gearbox14to the first gearbox12. The main drive shaft19is rotatably mounted in a bore21extending centrally through the neck2of the first gearbox12in a pair of vertically spaced apart bearings8located in the bore21. The main drive shaft19defines a drive transmission axis, which coincides with the main pivot axis15about which the second gearbox14is pivotal relative to the first gearbox12. The main drive shaft19terminates in the first gearbox12in a first gear23mounted fast on the main drive shaft19. The main drive shaft19terminates in the second gearbox14in a second gear27also mounted fast on the main drive shaft19.

A first splined shaft20rotatably carried in bearings68in the first gearbox12transmits drive from the first gearbox12to the towable apparatus5, as will be described below. Drive from the first gear23on the main drive shaft19in the first gearbox12transmits drive to the first splined shaft20through a first transmission gear69mounted fast on the first splined shaft20.

A second splined shaft22is rotatably mounted in the second gearbox14in bearings70and is configured for receiving drive from a power-take-off shaft (not shown) from the towing vehicle, namely, the tractor7, typically, through a cardan shaft (not shown). Drive is transmitted from the second splined shaft22to the main drive shaft19through a second transmission gear72mounted fast on the second splined shaft22. The second transmission gear72transmits drive from the second splined shaft22to the main drive shaft19through the second gear27.

Returning now to the first splined shaft20, the first splined shaft20transmits drive to a friction clutch74, through which drive from the first gearbox12is transmitted to an output drive shaft75, seeFIG.5. The friction clutch74and the output drive shaft75are located in the mounting shaft10, and the output shaft75extends through a rear end wall76to the rear of the mounting shaft10. A bearing78located in the rear end wall76rotatably carries the output drive shaft75. The output shaft75terminates in a splined end79for coupling to a transmission shaft, for example, a cardan shaft, for in turn transmitting drive to the towable apparatus5.

Turning now to the second gearbox14, the second gearbox14is rigidly mounted in a carrier housing24. A first hitch30is adjustably coupled to the carrier housing24for hitching to a hitch mechanism of a road vehicle, such as a pickup truck or a four-by-four road vehicle. The carrier housing24comprises a main mounting plate25to which a secondary mounting plate26is adjustably coupled to the main mounting plate25, as will be described below. A carrier arm28extends from the secondary mounting plate26and terminates in the first hitch30. In this embodiment of the invention the first hitch30comprises a pair of substantially vertically spaced apart hitch plates, namely, an upper hitch plate31and a lower hitch plate32extending forwardly from the carrier arm28for engaging a corresponding hitch plate (not shown) of the hitch mechanism (also not shown) of the road vehicle between the upper and lower hitch plates31and32. Aligned bores33extend through the upper and lower hitch plates31and32are alignable with a corresponding bore (not shown) in the corresponding hitch plate (also not shown) of the hitch mechanism of the road vehicle for receiving a hitch pin29therethrough. As discussed above, such hitch mechanisms on road vehicles such as pickup trucks and four-by-four road vehicle will be well known to those skilled in the art, and further description should not be necessary.

The main mounting plate25comprises four pairs of bores35which are engageable with bolts36through corresponding bores (not shown) in the secondary mounting plate26for securing the secondary mounting plate26to the main mounting plate25, and in turn for securing the carrier arm28and the hitch plates31and32to the carrier housing24. The secondary mounting plate26is provided with three pairs of the bores (not shown) while the main mounting plate25is provided with the four pairs of bores35, permitting upward and downward adjustment of the secondary mounting plate26relative to the main mounting plate25for facilitating upward and downward adjustment of the carrier arm28relative to the carrier housing24for adjusting the height of the first hitch30to suite the height of the hitch mechanism of the road vehicle. Nuts34on the bolts36secure the secondary mounting plate26to the main mounting plate25.

A pair of spaced apart downwardly extending main carrier brackets37extend downwardly from the carrier housing24and pivotally carry a second hitch38for hitching to the lower lift arms9of the agricultural tractor7. The second hitch38comprises a pair of spaced apart couplers39which are carried at respective opposite ends41on a transversely extending carrier shaft40. Each coupler39comprises a pair of spaced apart connecting plates45having respective aligned bores46extending therethrough for engaging connector pins47for coupling the couplers39to the respective lower lift arms9of the tractor7. The coupling of such couplers as the couplers39to the lower lift arms of a tractor will be well known to those skilled in the art.

The carrier shaft40is pivotally coupled to and between the main carrier brackets37on a carrier pivot shaft42. A pair of secondary carrier brackets44rigidly secured to the carrier shaft40are pivotally engaged by the carrier pivot shaft42. The carrier pivot shaft42pivotally carries the carrier shaft40substantially midway between the two couplers39, and defines a carrier pivot axis49extending horizontally and transversely of the carrier shaft40, and intersects the vertically extending main pivot axis15. The pivotal coupling of the carrier shaft40to the carrier housing24about the carrier pivot axis49, facilitates pivoting of the attachment1, and in turn the towable apparatus5relative to the agricultural tractor7, in order to accommodate side-to-side tilting of the towable apparatus5relative to the tractor7as the towable apparatus5is being towed over uneven ground by the tractor7.

The carrier arm28with the first hitch30and the carrier shaft40with the couplers39of the second hitch38are mounted on the carrier housing24of the second gearbox14, so that as the second gearbox14, and in turn the carrier housing24is rotated relative to the first gearbox12about the main pivot axis15through 180° between a first state illustrated inFIG.1and a second state illustrated inFIG.2, the first hitch30and the second hitch38are alternately urged from respective inoperable states to operable states with the first and second hitches30and38alternately operably presented for coupling to the relative one of a road vehicle or the tractor7. InFIG.1with the second gearbox14and the carrier housing24in the first state, the first hitch is in the operable state operably presented and ready for coupling to a road vehicle, while the second hitch38is in the inoperable state. In the second state of the second gearbox14and the carrier housing24illustrated inFIG.2, the second hitch38is in the operable state operably presented with the couplers39ready for coupling to the lower lift arms9of the tractor7, while the first hitch30is in the inoperable state.

A latch latches the second gearbox14and in turn the carrier housing24in the first state to the first gearbox12with the first hitch30presented in the operable state and the second hitch38in the inoperable state. The latch comprises a latch pin50, which is slideable upwardly and downwardly in a mounting sleeve52secured to the mounting shaft10by brackets53. The latch pin50is selectively engageable in a corresponding receiver sleeve54mounted on the carrier housing24by brackets56. An operating lever55extending radially from the latch pin50is provided with an engagement slot57, which is selectively engageable with each of a pair of vertically spaced apart retaining members, namely, an upper retaining member58and a lower retaining member59extending from the mounting shaft10. The lower retaining member59is engageable with the engagement slot57of the operating lever55for retaining and securing the latch pin50in an engaged state, engaged in the receiver sleeve54for retaining the carrier housing24and in turn the second gearbox14in the first state. The upper retaining member58is engageable with the engagement slot57of the operating lever55for retaining and securing the latch pin50in a release state clear of the receiver sleeve54and disengaged therefrom for facilitating pivoting of the carrier housing24and the second gearbox14relative to the first gearbox12. A clevis pin (not shown) is engageable with bores60extending through the upper and lower retaining members58and59for retaining the latch pin50secured in the release state and the engaged state, respectively.

A ground engaging support, in this embodiment of the invention an elongated ground engaging member62, illustrated inFIGS.1and5is pivotally coupled to the mounting shaft10by a pivot mounting bracket63, which is carried on a portion of the rear end wall76extending downwardly from the mounting shaft10. The ground engaging member62is pivotal from an operable state illustrated inFIG.1extending downwardly from the mounting shaft10for engaging the ground and supporting the towbar3of the towable apparatus5, to an inoperable state illustrated inFIG.5with the ground engaging member62extending forwardly and substantially parallel to the mounting shaft10. The ground engaging member62comprises a pair of telescoping members, namely, an outer telescoping member64which is pivotally coupled to the pivot mounting bracket63, and an inner telescoping member65which is slideable within the outer telescoping member64. The inner telescoping member65terminates in a ground engaging plate67for engaging the ground. A screw-jack mechanism (not shown) is located within the telescoping members64and65for urging the telescoping members64and65longitudinally relative to each other for adjusting the length of the support member62, in order to adjust the height of the towbar3of the towable apparatus5to a suitable height, for in turn setting the level of the appropriate one of the first hitch30or the second hitch38for hitching to the appropriate one of the road vehicle (not shown) or the tractor7.

In use, with the attachment1secured by the mounting shaft10to the underside of the towbar3of the towable apparatus5, the attachment1is ready for use. When it is desired to tow the towable apparatus5by a tractor, as illustrated inFIG.8, if the second gearbox14, and in turn, the carrier housing24are in the first state, and if the latch pin50is in the engaged state engaging the receiver sleeve54, the latch pin50is urged from the engaged state to the release state disengaged from the receiver sleeve54, and is secured in the release state by securing the lever55to the upper retaining member58by the clevis pin (not shown). The carrier housing24and the second gearbox14are then pivoted from the first state to the second state about the main pivot axis15with the second hitch38presented in the operable state ready for coupling to the tractor7. The couplers39are then secured to the lower lift arms9of the tractor7by the connector pins47, and the second splined shaft22of the second gearbox14is connected to the power-take-off shaft of the tractor7through, for example, a cardan shaft. The towable apparatus5and the tractor7are then ready for use.

As the towable apparatus5is being towed by the tractor7through a field, in the case of a mower, for mowing a crop therein, the second gearbox14and the carrier housing24are free to pivot relative to the first gearbox12about the main pivot axis in the normal manner in which the towbar of a towable apparatus such as a mower would pivot relative to a towing tractor during crop mowing. Additionally, as the towable apparatus5is being towed by the tractor7, the carrier shaft40is pivotal about the carrier pivot axis49defined by the carrier pivot shaft42to accommodate tilting of the towable apparatus5from side-to-side relative to the tractor7, in order to accommodate uneven ground being traversed by the tractor7and the towable apparatus5.

When the work with the towable apparatus5has been completed, and it is desired to tow the towable apparatus5along a public road or public highway, the second hitch38and the splined shaft22of the second gearbox14are disconnected from the tractor7. The second gearbox14and the carrier housing24are pivoted relative to the first gearbox12about the main pivot axis15through 180° from the second state to the first state with the first hitch30presented in the operable state and the second hitch38in the inoperable state. With the second gearbox14and the carrier housing24in the first state, the latch pin50is urged from the release state to the engaged state engaging the receiver sleeve54for retaining the carrier housing24and the second gearbox in the first state. The lever55is then secured to the lower retaining member59by the clevis pin (not shown). The towable apparatus5is hitched to the road vehicle, for example, a pickup truck or a four-by-four road vehicle, by hitching the upper and lower hitch plates31and32to a hitch plate or plates of a corresponding hitch mechanism (not shown) of the road vehicle.

Thereafter, the towable apparatus5is towed along the public road or highway by the road vehicle in conventional fashion with the second gearbox14and the carrier housing24latched to the first gearbox12in order to prevent pivoting of the second gearbox14and the carrier housing24relative to the first gearbox12. This therefore avoids pivoting of the first hitch30relative to the towbar3of the towable apparatus5.

While the first and second elements have been described as comprising first and second gearboxes, while this is desirable when it is desired to transmit drive from the second element to the first element, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that where it is not necessary to transmit drive from the second element to the first element, the first and second elements may be provided by other suitable elements other than gearboxes, for example, the first element may comprise a first mounting plate, and a second element may comprise a second mounting plate which would be pivotally mounted relative to the first mounting plate about the vertically extending main pivot axis. The first mounting plate, would then be attached either directly to the towbar or to the towbar through a mounting element such as a mounting shaft or other suitable mounting means or system, and the first and second hitches would be coupled to the second mounting plate.

Alternatively, the first and second elements instead of comprising first and second gearboxes, may be provided in the form of first and second housings, which would be pivotal relative to each other about the main pivot axis, and the first and second housings may or may not be provided with right-angle drive transmissions, which would be connected to each other through a main drive transmission defining a drive transmission axis coinciding with the main pivot axis.

However, it will be appreciated that in cases where it is not necessary to transmit drive from the towing vehicle to the towable apparatus, the first and second housings may be provided without any drive transmission elements, be they right-angle drive transmissions or otherwise.

While the latch has been described as a latch pin engageable with a receiver, any other suitable latch or latching means could be provided for latching the carrier housing in the first state. Needless to say, it is envisaged that in some embodiments of the invention the latch may be provided for latching the carrier housing24in both the first state and the second state.

While it is desirable that the carrier shaft40should be pivotally coupled to the carrier housing by a carrier pivot shaft, to facilitate relative sideward tilting of the towable apparatus relative to the tractor, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that pivoting of the carrier shaft relative to the carrier housing is not essential.

Needless to say, while specific first and second hitches have been described, other suitable first and second hitches may be provided instead of those described. It will also be appreciated that the first and second hitches may be adapted for coupling to other vehicles besides a road vehicle and/or a tractor.

While the first hitch has been described as comprising a pair of hitch plates for coupling to a complementary hitch mechanism of a towing vehicle, it will be appreciated that any other appropriate first hitch may be provided. For example, in cases where the first hitch is to be adapted for hitching to a hitch mechanism of a road vehicle, whereby the hitch mechanism of the road vehicle is in the form of a ball hitch, it is envisaged that the first hitch would be provided as a socket hitch for engaging the ball hitch of the road vehicle.

Needless to say, any other suitable type of second hitch may be provided and will be dependent on the hitch mechanism of the second type of towing vehicle to which the towable apparatus is to be hitched. For example, a fixed hitch extending rearwardly from a tractor and centred in a transverse direction between the rear ground engaging wheels of the tractor.

It will also be appreciated that the attachment according to the invention may be provided for securing to any towable apparatus or vehicle, be it an agricultural apparatus or implement or other type of towable apparatus or a towable vehicle such as a trailer.