# US 10,477,755 B2 · Implement with foldable toolbar system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,477,755 B2 - Document ID: US10477755B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/236,786 - Filed: 2018-12-31 - Published: 2019-05-23 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2016-06-08 - Assignees: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc. - Applicants: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc. - Inventors: Ronald Joseph Schlimgen; August Paul Nelson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10477755B2 ## CPC - A01B 73/044: {the axis being oriented in a longitudinal direction (A01B73/042 takes precedence)} - A01B 5/04: drawn by tractors - A01B 63/14: for implements drawn by animals or tractors - A01B 73/02: Folding frames - A01B 73/048: {the axis being oriented in transverse direction (A01B73/042 takes precedence)} - A01B 73/067: {to a position essentially rearward of the axis, in relation to the direction of travel} - A01M 7/0075: {including folding means} - A01B 15/18: Coulters - A01B 49/04: Combinations of soil-working tools with non-soil-working tools, e.g. planting tools - A01B 49/06: for sowing or fertilising - A01B: SOIL WORKING IN AGRICULTURE OR FORESTRY; PARTS, DETAILS, OR ACCESSORIES OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINES OR IMPLEMENTS, IN GENERAL (making or covering furrows or holes for sowing, planting or manuring A01C5/00; mowers convertible to soil working apparatus or capable of soil working A01D42/04; mowers combined with soil working implements A01D43/12; soil working for engineering purposes E01, E02, E21) - A01M: CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS (appliances for catching swarms or drone-catching A01K57/00; fishing A01K69/00 - {A01K99/00}; biocides, pest repellants or attractants A01N); APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS ## Abstract An agricultural implement includes a frame having a longitudinal axis and laterally opposed sides and motive supports mounted to and supporting the frame. The agricultural implement further includes a first wing carried by the frame and at least one second wing, in which each second wing is pivotably connected to the first wing. The agricultural implement also includes an elevator mechanism configured to raise and lower the first wing and the second wing. Each second wing is connected to the first wing by a wing pivot assembly that includes a skewed hinge pivotably connecting one of the second wings to the first wing. The wing pivot assembly allows each second wing to pivot with respect to the first wing between an operating position and a transport position, in which the skewed hinge defines a first pivot axis oriented at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of operating an agricultural implement comprising a frame having a longitudinal axis and laterally opposed sides, a first wing carried by the frame, and at least one second wing, each second wing is pivotably connected to the first wing, the method comprising: (a) raising, by an elevator mechanism, the first wing and the second wing in a vertical direction from a lowered operating position to a raised operating position; and (b) pivoting, by a wing pivot assembly comprising a skewed hinge, the second wing with respect to the first wing about a first pivot axis defined by the skewed hinge from the raised operating position to a transport position in one continuous motion; wherein at the raised operating position, the second wing extends from the frame in a lateral direction with respect to the longitudinal axis, and at the transport position, the second wing extends alongside one of the opposed sides of the frame; wherein the first pivot axis is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein during step (b), the second wing pivots about only the first pivot axis when pivoting from the raised operating position to the transport position in one continuous motion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein during step (b), the second wing pivots beyond a vertical axis extending through the first pivot assembly and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein during step (b), the second wing pivots beyond a longitudinal axis extending through the first pivot assembly and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the angle of the first pivot axis with respect to the longitudinal axis is about 42.35°±15.0°. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the agricultural implement further comprises least one third wing, each third wing is pivotably connected to one second wing by a second wing pivot assembly; wherein the second wing pivot assembly comprises a hinge defining a second pivot axis extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of the second wing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising: after step (b), pivoting, by the second wing pivot assembly, the third wing with respect to the second wing about the second pivot axis in a downward direction from the transport position to a shipping position; wherein at the transport position, a longitudinal axis of the third wing extends collinear with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second wing, and at the shipping position, the longitudinal axis of the third wing extends oblique with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second wing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising: before step (a), pivoting, by the second wing pivot assembly, the third wing with respect to the second wing between a first application width position and a second application width position; wherein at the first application width position, a longitudinal axis of the third wing extends collinear with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second wing, and at the second application width position, the longitudinal axis of the third wing extends oblique with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second wing. ### Claim 9 A method of operating an agricultural implement comprising a frame having a longitudinal axis and laterally opposed sides, a first wing carried by the frame, and at least one second wing, each second wing is pivotably connected to the first wing, the method comprising: (a) pivoting, by a wing pivot assembly comprising a skewed hinge, the second wing with respect to the first wing about a first pivot axis defined by the skewed hinge from a transport position to a raised operating position in one continuous motion; (b) lowering, by an elevator mechanism, the first wing and the second wing in a vertical direction from the raised operating position to a lowered operating position; and wherein at the raised operating position, the second wing extends from the frame in a lateral direction with respect to the longitudinal axis, and at the transport position, the second wing extends alongside one of the opposed sides of the frame; wherein the first pivot axis is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein during step (a), the second wing pivots about only the first pivot axis when pivoting from the transport position to the raised operating position in one continuous motion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the angle of the first pivot axis with respect to the longitudinal axis is about 42.35°±15.0°. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the agricultural implement further comprises at least one third wing, each third wing is pivotably connected to one second wing by a second wing pivot assembly; wherein the second wing pivot assembly comprises a hinge defining a second pivot axis extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of the second wing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising: before step (a), pivoting, by the second wing pivot assembly, the third wing with respect to the second wing about the second pivot axis in an upward direction from a shipping position to the transport position; wherein at the shipping position, the longitudinal axis of the third wing extends oblique with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second wing, and at the transport position, a longitudinal axis of the third wing extends collinear with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second wing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising: after step (b), pivoting, by the second wing pivot assembly, the third wing with respect to the second wing between a first application width position and a second application width position; wherein at the first application width position, a longitudinal axis of the third wing extends collinear with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second wing, and at the second application width position, the longitudinal axis of the third wing extends oblique with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second wing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising: after step (b), tilting, by the wing pivot assembly, the second wing with respect to a longitudinal axis of the first wing in a downward direction.