Deere + Company

Carl Edward Kainer

Gordon K Wiegardt

A coupler latch mechanism is disclosed having a self-opening hook-up feature for facilitating the hook-up of an implement to the hitch on a tractor. The coupler latch mechanism includes a latch bar pivotally connected to a coupler frame immediately above a hook. A trigger member is pivotally connected to a midsection of this latch bar and has a downwardly projecting finger which is located rearward of the lower portion of the latch bar. The forward end of the trigger member is pivotally connected to a link, which is in turn pivotally connected to the frame. The point of attachment of the trigger member to the link is also the point of attachment of the trigger member to a vertical rod, which extends up through the frame. The upper end of the rod is pivotally attached to a lever pivotally connected to the frame. The control latch mechanism is able to open as an implement hitch pin presses against the finger of the trigger member. This action causes the trigger member to pivot on the latch bar forcing the rod up and the lever to open. As the lever opens, the latch bar moves clear of the hook and permits engagement of the implement hitch pin. The lever will then remain open until the operator manually closes it.

Coupler latch mechanism with a self-opening feature

A sensor for measuring the load exerted on a member includes two spaced apart, aligned stationary capacitor plates and a movable capacitor plate disposed intermediate the two stationary plates and spaced therefrom to form two air dielectric capacitors. The stationary plates are attached at one point to the member and the movable plate is connected by a shaft to a second point. Loading the member causes elastic deformation between the first and second points which causes the movable plate to move relative to the stationary plates. This relative movement causes differential changes in capacitance in the two capacitors which are detected and conditioned to form a usable control signal.

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Cedar Falls, IA, United States of America

Carl Edward Kainer