GB1591755A

GB1591755A - Implement mounting devices

Info

Publication number: GB1591755A
Application number: GB1446577A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-04-10
Filing date: 1978-04-10
Publication date: 1981-06-24

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO IMPLEMENT MOUNTING DEVICES (71) I, STEPHEN PAUL HUBBARD, a British Subject of Valley Farm Cottage, Bressingham, Nr Diss, Norfolk do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may 'be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention concerns devices for mounting implements on vehicles such as tractors.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for mounting an implement on a tractor by which the implement can be hitched onto and removed from the tractor both quickly and easily.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for mounting an implement on a tractor which can be operated by one man.

According to the present invention a device for mounting an implement on a vehicle such as a tractor comprises a first frame to which the implement is attached, having a bridging section of inverted U configuration for straddling the front end of the vehicle, runners attached to the lower ends of the frame and extending transversly to the plane of the frame bearers mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle and which slidingly engage the runners, each of the bearers forming with a cooperating member a pair of tapering jaws between which an end of the cooperating runner can be pushed and each of the bearers including a toggle bar and each of the runners a slot into which the toggle bar can be swung when the runner has been pushed completely home into its pair of tapering jaws, means being provided for locking the toggle bar into the slot to prevent the runner from being withdrawn from its pair of tapering jaws.

Preferably the bearers are slightly inclined to the horizontal and are higher at their rear ends so that the implement is lifted as the runners slide onto the bearers as the vehicle is driven forwards relative to the frame.

Preferably the frame includes legs which may be demountable by which the frame and implement can stand on the ground.

Preferably the legs and the frame are adjustable in length to allow the height of the frame and runners to be adjusted to accommodate the height of the bearers on the vehicle onto which the implement is to be mounted. By appropriate adjustment of the height of the frame so the runners can be set at exactly the right height to just slide onto the bearers as the vehicle is driven towards the frame.

Preferably the toggle bars are of circular section and are screw-threaded over at least some of their length and a screw-threaded member is threadedly engaged on each bar, the member having two end regions of greater overall diameter than a central joining shank region and the slot is formed in a plate member extending from the bearer, the width of the slot being commensurate with the diameter of the central joining shank region of the threaded member on the bar but less than the diameter of the end regions thereof. In this 'way when screwed one way the member will cause the runner to be pushed tightly into the tapering jaws of the bearer and when screwed in the opposite direction the member will draw the runner out of the jaws.

Preferably at least one of the end regions is formed with flats to allow it to be gripped by a spanner to turn the member.

Preferably the inboard ends of the end regions of the threaded member are frusto-conical and the opposite edges of the slot are countersunk to a similar angle.

A steel girth strap may be provided for fitting around the underside of the vehicle between the bearers on opposite sides thereof to facilitate the carrying of heavy loads.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I is a front elevation of a frame adapted to be fitted to the front end of a vehicle in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a side view of part of the frame shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3 is a side view of a tractor showing one of the bearers mounted on the side of the tractor onto which the runners of the frame shown in Figures 1 and 2 can be fitted.

Referring first of all to Figures 1 and 2, the frame includes a bridging section 10 having lateral arms 12 and 14 on which one or more implements can be mounted. To this end the lower ends of an implement are shown diagrammatically at 16 and 18.

The outer ends of the arms include sleeve sections such as 20 and 22 as shown in Figure 1 which constitute sockets into which pins such as 24 and 26 can be fitted to support the frame on four legs two of which are denoted in Figure 1.

Each leg comprises an assembly of a sleeve 28 attached to the pin 24 which is formed internally with a screw-thread profile and is threadedly engaged on a screw-threaded section 30 of a leg strut which has a separate lower end section 32, a pivoting joint being provided between the two sections 30 and 32 and the lower end of the section 32 having a foot 34 formed thereon.

A handle 36 at the upper end of the screw-threaded section 30 allows the latter to be turned about its axis relative to the lower section 32 and foot 34 thereby causing the position of the sleeve 28 to be adjusted upwards or downwards and therefore the height of the frame relative to the ground on which the foot 34 stands.

Only one of the leg assemblies is described in detail since the other leg assemblies are similar.

The bridging section 10 is of generally inverted U configuration and at the lower end of the two limbs of the U are fixed two runners 38 and 40 and reference is now made to Figure 2 which is a side view of the central section of the frame assembly and clearly shows runner 40 extending forwardly from the lower end of the inverted U section 10.

The front end of each of the runners 38 and 40 is formed with a plate extension 42 and 44 respectively and in the plate extension is formed a slot 46 and 48 respectively the upper end of which is curved and opposite faces of the plate around the curved section of the slot are countersunk as shown at 50 and 52 in Figure 1. Although not shown the reverse sides of the plate 42 and 44 are also countersunk in a similar manner.

The rear ends of the runners are each formed with a tapering section as denoted in dotted outline at 54 in Figure 2.

The runners may be of box section or of angle section as convenient.

The forward ends of the runners are joined to the upper end of the bridging section 10 by means of two struts 56 and 58. The upper ends of the struts are joined to triangular flange plates 60 and 62.

The runners 38 and 40 are supported on two bearers one of which is shown in Figure 3 and which are mounted on opposite sides of a tractor or similar vehicle a part of which is also shown in Figure 3. The bearer shown in Figure 3 is generally designated 64 and comprises an upright web section 66 and a load-bearing laterally extending web section 68.

The forward end of the latter is extended and turned down at 70 to form an introductory lead in onto the supporting surface of the web section 68 and towards the rear end a cooperating plate 72 is welded or otherwise secured to the upright flange section 66, the coopering plate 72 being inclined relative to the plane of the web section 68 so as to define with the web section 68 a pair of tapering jaws. The angle of the plate 72 relative to the web section 68 is similar to the angle of the surface 54 relative to the underside of the runner 40 so that when the latter is slid along the bearer the rear end having the inclined surface 54 is pushed into the pair of tapering jaws formed by the cooperating plate 72 and web section 68 so as to firmly retain the runner on the bearer, the cooperating plate 72 preventing the rear end of the runner from lifting relative to the bearer.

The weight of the implement caried on the frame is sufficient to hold the runner on the bearer and the runner is held firmly in position on the bearer by means of a toggle bar 74 hinged at one end to a bracket 76 extending from the underside of the bearer web 68 and which is screw-threaded over the majority of its length and has threaded thereon a screw-threaded sleeve member generally designated 78. This latter includes a central section of reduced diameter 80 and two end sections 82 and 84 both of which are formed with hexagonal nut profile to allow the sleeve member 78 to be turned on the toggle bar in one direction or the other.

The central reduced diameter region 80 is of a diameter which is commensurate with the width of the slots 46 and 48 so that the reduced diameter section can be introduced into the slot 48 for example in the plate extension 44. By turning the threaded sleeve 78 so as to move the sleeve inwardly along the toggle bar 74 so the runner 40 is drawn rearwardly along the bearer 64 bringing the inclined surface 54 firmly into contact with the inclined surface of the underside of the cooperating plate 72 and firmly locking the runner into the tapering jaws.

The inboard ends of the hexagonal nut profiles 82 and 84 are countersunk to the same angle as the countersinks around the slots 46 and 48 so that a very tight fit can be achieved.

To assist in breaking the fit and removing the runner from the bearer, the sleeve 78 is rotated in the opposite direction so as to move in an outward direction along the bar 74 so as to draw the runner 40 in a forward direction along the bearer 64 and remove the tapering end 54 from the tapering jaws 72 and 68.

As shown the bearer 64 is mounted on the side of a tractor by means of two brackets 86 and 88 and a similar bearer mounted on similar brackets is fitted to the opposite side of the tractor to allow the other runner generally designated 38 to be carried on the opposite side of the tractor.

Although as shown in Figure 3 the bearer 64 is shown substantially horizontal in practice it is found to be advantageous to mount both bearers so that the rear end (attached to bracket 88) is higher than the forward end (i.e. the end attached to bracket 86). In this way as the tractor is driven forward to engage the runners on the bearers, the runners and frame 10 are lifted.

In order to provide for improved load-carrying capacity, the bearers such as 64 may be secured to a girth strap which is not only secured to the opposite sides of the tractor but extends completely around the underside of the tractor.

In order to allow the tractor to be driven under the bridge section of the inverted U frame 10 the exhaust and any other parts of the tractor as denoted by reference numerals 90 and 92 in Figure 3 are removed (such removal normally being provided for in the design of the tractor) and the tractor is aligned with the rear of the frame assembly with the legs 30, 32 adjusted so that the leading ends of the bearers such as 64 on opposite sides of the tractor are just at the right height to engage the underside of the runners 38, 40 as the tractor is driven in a forward direction. The tractor is driven sufficiently far forward until the tapering rear ends such as 54 of the runners such as 40 are received in the tapering jaws at the rear end of the bearers such as 64 whereupon the tractor is stopped, the exhaust and other fittings such as 90, 92 are replaced and the toggle bars are lifted and tightened into the slots 46 and 48 so as to tighten the frame onto the bearers.

Removing the frame from the tractor is achieved by reversing the procedure.

As soon as the frame is mounted on the tractor the legs which are now redundant can be removed and stowed and the implement mounted on the frame can be operated.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A device for mounting an implement on a vehicle such as a tractor comprising a first frame to which the implement is attached, having a bridging section of inverted U configuration for straddling the front end of the vehicle, runners attached to the lower ends of the frame and extending transversely to the plane of the frame, bearers mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle and which slidingly engage the runners each of the bearers forming with a cooperating member a pair of tapering jaws between which an end of the cooperating runner can be pushed and each of the bearers including a toggle bar and each of the runners a slot into which the toggle bar can be swung when the runner has been pushed completely home into its pair of tapering jaws, means being provided for locking the toggle bar into the slot to prevent the runner from being withdrawn from its pair of tapering jaws.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the bearers are slightly inclined to the horizontal and are higher at their rear ends so that the implement is lifted as the runners slide onto the bearers as the vehicle is driven forwards relative to the frame.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the frame includes legs by which the frame and implement can stand on the ground.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 in which the legs are demountable.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3 or 4 in which the legs are adjustable in length to allow the height of the frame and runners to be adjusted.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims at which the toggle bars are of circular section and are screw-threaded over at least some of their length and a screw-threaded sleeve member is threadedly engaged on the bar, the member having two end regions of greater overall diameter than central joining shank region and the slot into which the toggle bar is to be fitted is formed in a plate member extending from the runner, the width of the slot being commensurate with the diameter of the central joining shank region of the member threaded on the bar but less than the diameter of the end regions thereof.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 in which at least one of the end regions of the threaded sleeve member is formed with flats to allow it to be gripped by a spanner.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. move the sleeve inwardly along the toggle bar 74 so the runner 40 is drawn rearwardly along the bearer 64 bringing the inclined surface 54 firmly into contact with the inclined surface of the underside of the cooperating plate 72 and firmly locking the runner into the tapering jaws. The inboard ends of the hexagonal nut profiles 82 and 84 are countersunk to the same angle as the countersinks around the slots 46 and 48 so that a very tight fit can be achieved. To assist in breaking the fit and removing the runner from the bearer, the sleeve 78 is rotated in the opposite direction so as to move in an outward direction along the bar 74 so as to draw the runner 40 in a forward direction along the bearer 64 and remove the tapering end 54 from the tapering jaws 72 and 68. As shown the bearer 64 is mounted on the side of a tractor by means of two brackets 86 and 88 and a similar bearer mounted on similar brackets is fitted to the opposite side of the tractor to allow the other runner generally designated 38 to be carried on the opposite side of the tractor. Although as shown in Figure 3 the bearer 64 is shown substantially horizontal in practice it is found to be advantageous to mount both bearers so that the rear end (attached to bracket 88) is higher than the forward end (i.e. the end attached to bracket 86). In this way as the tractor is driven forward to engage the runners on the bearers, the runners and frame 10 are lifted. In order to provide for improved load-carrying capacity, the bearers such as 64 may be secured to a girth strap which is not only secured to the opposite sides of the tractor but extends completely around the underside of the tractor. In order to allow the tractor to be driven under the bridge section of the inverted U frame 10 the exhaust and any other parts of the tractor as denoted by reference numerals 90 and 92 in Figure 3 are removed (such removal normally being provided for in the design of the tractor) and the tractor is aligned with the rear of the frame assembly with the legs 30, 32 adjusted so that the leading ends of the bearers such as 64 on opposite sides of the tractor are just at the right height to engage the underside of the runners 38, 40 as the tractor is driven in a forward direction. The tractor is driven sufficiently far forward until the tapering rear ends such as 54 of the runners such as 40 are received in the tapering jaws at the rear end of the bearers such as 64 whereupon the tractor is stopped, the exhaust and other fittings such as 90, 92 are replaced and the toggle bars are lifted and tightened into the slots 46 and 48 so as to tighten the frame onto the bearers. Removing the frame from the tractor is achieved by reversing the procedure. As soon as the frame is mounted on the tractor the legs which are now redundant can be removed and stowed and the implement mounted on the frame can be operated. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A device for mounting an implement on a vehicle such as a tractor comprising a first frame to which the implement is attached, having a bridging section of inverted U configuration for straddling the front end of the vehicle, runners attached to the lower ends of the frame and extending transversely to the plane of the frame, bearers mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle and which slidingly engage the runners each of the bearers forming with a cooperating member a pair of tapering jaws between which an end of the cooperating runner can be pushed and each of the bearers including a toggle bar and each of the runners a slot into which the toggle bar can be swung when the runner has been pushed completely home into its pair of tapering jaws, means being provided for locking the toggle bar into the slot to prevent the runner from being withdrawn from its pair of tapering jaws.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 in which the legs are demountable.

8. A device as claimed in claim 6 or 7 in which the inboard ends of the end regions of the

threaded sleeve member are frusto-conical and the opposite edges of the slot are coutnersunk to a similar angle.

9. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further.comprising a steel girth strap around the underside of the vehicle joining the bearers and providing for the support of heavy loads.

10. A device for mounting an implement on a vehicle such as a tractor constructed arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.