Three Point Linkage Systems
OwnerMark Altemeierinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A three-point linkage system includes a frame, an upper lift arm assembly pivotally mounted to the frame and a lower lift arm assembly pivotally mounted to the frame. The lower lift arm assembly is linked to the upper lift arm assembly for movement therewith. An actuator is connected to the frame and the upper lift arm assembly to move the upper lift arm assembly and the lower lift arm assembly linked to the upper lift arm assembly relative to the frame. A top link arm is pivotally connected to the upper lift arm assembly such that the top link arm moves with the upper lift arm assembly as the upper lift arm assembly is moved by the actuator. The top link arm including connecting structure for connecting the top link arm to an implement.
Claims20
A three-point linkage system comprising:
- a frame;
- an upper lift arm assembly pivotally mounted to the frame;
- a lower lift arm assembly pivotally mounted to the frame, the lower lift arm assembly being linked to the upper lift arm assembly for movement therewith;
- an actuator connected to the frame and the upper lift arm assembly to move the upper lift arm assembly and the lower lift arm assembly linked to the upper lift arm assembly relative to the frame;
- and
- a top link arm pivotally connected to the upper lift arm assembly such that the top link arm moves with the upper lift arm assembly as the upper lift arm assembly is moved by the actuator, the top link arm including connecting structure for connecting the top link arm to an implement.
A utility vehicle system comprising:
- a utility vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle frame including upper support beams that extend from front to rear of the utility vehicle on opposite sides of the utility vehicle and an upper transverse support beam that extends between the upper support beams;
- a hitch receiver connected to the vehicle frame;
- a three-point linkage system comprising:
- a linkage frame;
- a hitch tube connected to the linkage frame, the hitch tube received by the hitch receiver;
- an attachment connected to the linkage frame, the attachment including a clamp that is connected to the upper transverse support beam of the utility vehicle;
- an upper lift arm assembly pivotally mounted to the linkage frame;
- a lower lift arm assembly pivotally mounted to the linkage frame, the lower lift arm assembly being linked to the upper lift arm assembly for movement therewith;
- an actuator connected to the linkage frame and the upper lift arm assembly to move the upper lift arm assembly and the lower lift arm assembly linked to the upper lift arm assembly relative to the linkage frame;
- and
- a top link arm pivotally connected to the upper lift arm assembly such that the top link arm moves with the upper lift arm assembly as the upper lift arm assembly is moved by the actuator, the top link arm including connecting structure for connecting the top link arm to an implement.
A method of providing a three-point linkage for a utility vehicle, the method comprising:
- mounting a three-point linkage system to the utility vehicle by inserting a hitch tube connected to a linkage frame of the three-point linkage system into a hitch receiver provided by the utility vehicle and clamping an attachment connected to the linkage frame of the three-point linkage system to a vehicle frame of the utility vehicle;
- connecting an upper lift arm assembly to an implement, the upper lift arm assembly pivotally mounted to the linkage frame;
- connecting a lower lift arm assembly to the implement, the lower lift arm assembly pivotally mounted to the linkage frame, the lower lift arm assembly being linked to the upper lift arm assembly for movement therewith;
- and
- connecting a top link arm to the implement, the top link arm pivotally connected to the upper lift arm assembly such that the top link arm moves with the upper lift arm assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.