Hiniker Company

Other

Micro-trak Systems, Inc.

Gary Dennis Hodapp

James A Johnson

Richard L Peterson

Vincent J Tomlonovic

Semor D Tofte

Richard Schulz

A valve actuating apparatus is provided for operating a valve between an open and closed position. The valve actuating apparatus includes an actuator having an output member with the actuator providing reciprocating motion to the output member upon energization of the actuator. A guide member having a detent therein is connected to the output member of the actuator. The apparatus includes a clutch assembly having a housing, an electromagnet assembly, an engagement member, and a housing opening with the engagement member disposed in the housing between the electromagnet assembly, and the housing opening. The housing opening is adapted to receive the guide member therein such that the clutch assembly and a portion of the guide member are slidably connected. The electromagnet assembly is selectively energized to force the engagement member against the guide member disposed in the housing opening. A valve control arm is adapted for engagement with the valve to operate the valve between the open and closed positions and is connected to the clutch assembly. A spring is connected to the valve control arm or the clutch assembly for normally biasing the clutch assembly to a first position along the guide member such that the valve control arm is in the closed position. Upon interruption of power to the electromagnet assembly, the spring forces the engagement member of the clutch assembly out of engagement with the detent in the guide member and the spring forces the clutch assembly to slide back along the guide member to the first position and rotates the valve control arm to the closed position.

Fail safe valve actuator

Front and rear lifts (10) of the present invention are secured to the platform (14) of a pontoon boat (12) intermediate the flotation units (20). A U-shaped lift module (32) including first and second legs (36) extending from a central spindle (34) is pivoted about pivot pins (64) relative to first and second mounts (26) by actuators (74) extending between the mounts (26) and the legs (36) between a retracted position generally parallel to and adjacent the platform (14) and a lift position extending at an acute angle to the platform (14). The legs (36) each include first and second C-shaped posts (38) extending from the central spindle (34) and slideably received in first and second tubes (42). Bolts (52) extend through an aperture formed in the outer side wall (46) of the tubes (42), extend through one of a series apertures (40) formed in the C-shaped posts (38), and are threaded into sleeves (48) secured to the inner side walls (44) of the tubes (42) by bolts (50). The actuators (74) are pivotally received between the first and second posts (38) and tubes (42). A ground support pad (54) is pivotally mounted by U-shaped straps (62) to the central spindle (34). Pivot bushings (66) are secured in the tubes (42) by deforming the side walls (44, 46) and slideably receive the pivot pins (64) between the legs (36) and the mounts (26) and between the legs (36) and the actuators (74).

Lift transportable with pontoon boats or the like

A row crop cultivator is provided with a seed dispensing manifold attached to and spanning the lay shares forming a part of its middleworker assembly. The seed distribution manifold is designed to randomly distribute seeds fed into it from a towed planter assembly that includes a seed hopper, metering means for feeding out seeds from the hopper in accordance with the ground speed of the apparatus and a blower for forcing the seeds through suitable tubes to the seed distribution manifold.

Row crop cultivator and seeding attachment

A toolbar having a fixed center section and folding wing sections is mounted to and drawn by a tractor. The wings are each connected to the center section by a bi-fold hinge assembly which allows the wing either to fold upwardly for transport or to a forward position. The forward movement is automatically effected in response to the turning of the tractor to allow the toolbar to clear a drawbar-mounted drawn implement positioned aft of the toolbar. A lock pin is placed by the operator in one of two positions to determine the desired mode of operation.

Bi-fold hinge for a folding toolbar

A telescoping row marker for use with a conventional agricultural tillage apparatus such as a tractor carried, or pulled, planter, cultivator or the like; for the alignment of soil working implements with crop rows is disclosed. Positioned within a hollow mounting bar open at both ends are first and second telescoping marker arms having marking means attached to the distal ends and engageable track means located along the length thereof. Positioned adjacent respective ends of the mounting bar are first and second drive means engaging the track means of an adjacently positioned marker arm for displacing the marker arms along the hollow mounting bar whereby the marker arms may be fully extended in the working position or may be fully retracted for transporting or maneuvering the tillage apparatus. Intermediate marker arm positions are available to accommodate various row widths with each marker arm including a vertically hinged portion to allow for free marker vertical displacement for contour following and in the event of impact with an obstacle. In addition, each arm includes a horizontally hinged shear pin coupling to permit the horizontal breakaway of the arm upon impact with large obstructions such as rocks or trees. The marker arm drive means may be operated from the tractor's hydraulic system with independent control of each marker arm provided.

Telescoping row marker

A manually operable position lock for a hydraulic actuator (10) adding a cylinder (20) and a piston rod (22) with a stop finger (61) for actuating a push rod (60) to close a valve (32) and prevent fluid egress from the cylinder. The lock includes a pivot bracket (110) carried by a push rod, a control lever (111) pivoted to the pivot bracket, a link (114) pivoted to the control lever and slidably receiving the push rod, and a helical spring (120) carried by the push rod and engaging one end of the link.

Growing community of inventors

Mankato, MN, United States of America

Gary Dennis Hodapp