The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 02, 1986
Filed:
Aug. 30, 1985
Ronald M Steilen, Ankeny, IA (US);
John R Myers, Polk City, IA (US);
Vernon E Rettig, Bondurant, IA (US);
Deere & Company, Moline, IL (US);
Abstract
Three-point hitch structure for connecting an implement to a towing vehicle wherein the upper link is made variable by means of a hydraulic cylinder pinned to a plate to provide three pivot points. When the cylinder is retracted, the two components act as a fixed length link, with the middle pivot point maintained slightly off center with respect to the two outer pivot points by a stop member. When the cylinder is extended, the middle pivot moves away from the centerline joining the two outer pivot points to allow the overall length to either lengthen or shorten. The towed vehicle is therefore free to rock with respect to the hitch and includes gauge and stabilizing wheels to maintain the implement in proper relationship with the ground contour. The link cylinder is plumbed into the hitch lift circuit so that when the implement is raised to transport position, the upper link automatically becomes fixed length and when the implement is lowered to operating position, the link automatically returns to a variable length configuration.