US 4,044,842 AGranted

Flexible multi-section implement

AssigneesCharles W. Fleming, Gerald H. Meier, Milton Rasdall, William Laas

InventorRichard A. Worick

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Abstract

An implement frame construction includes rigid implement frame sections positioned in side-by-side relation and joined by a linkage system which permits the sections to universally flex within desired limits with respect to each other without substantial variation in lateral spacing therebetween. The linkage preferably includes forwardly and inwardly angled draw tongues vertically pivotally joined to the respective frames and flexibly connecting together in a tractor hitch, a front transverse spacer link extending between the tongues, a rear transverse stabilizing bar having opposite ends pivotally connected to the outer rear end portions of the respective frames, a vertical gag link positioned between the frames and centrally pivotally connected intermediate its ends to one of the frames, a first gag bar connected at its front end to the front inside corner portion of the other frame and at its rear end to one end of the gag link, and a second gag bar pivotally connected at its rear end to the rear inside corner portion of the other frame and at its front end to the other end of the gag link.

Claims9

Dependent claims

An implement frame construction comprising:

a. left rigid horizontal frame section and a right rigid horizontal frame section positioned in generally side-by-side relation, tillage tools depending from said frame sections, said frame sections respectively including inner and outer elongated longitudinal structural beams and front and rear elongated transverse beams welded together and forming front and rear inner and outer frame section corners;
b. vertically adjustable wheels mounted on said respective frame sections and supporting same for forward horizontal movement along the ground;
c. an elongated forwardly and inwardly angled draw tongue for each of said frame sections, pivotal joint members connecting the rear ends of said draw tongues to said respective front transverse beams and permitting said draw tongues to pivot vertically, a tractor hitch clevis flexibly connected to the front ends of said draw tongues and forming a common generally central draw point for said frame sections;
d. a front transverse spacer link having ball joints at opposite ends, said last named ball joints being connected respectively to said draw tongues intermediate said tongue ends, an elongated rear transverse stabilizing bar having opposite ends and extending generally parallel to said rear transverse beams, said rear bar ends being vertically pivotally connected to said frame sections near said respective rear outer corners;
e. a gag link having an upper end and a lower end and a central mount therebetween, said gag link being positioned generally between said frame sections and pivotally engaged at said central mount with one of said inner beams intermediate said front and rear inner corners, a first gag having a forward end pivotally connected to the other of said inner beams near said front inner corner, said first gag bar having a rear end pivotally connected to one of said gag link ends, a second gag bar having a rear end pivotally connected to said other inner beam near said rear inner corner, said second gag bar having a front end pivotally connected to the other of said gag link ends;
f. whereby said frame sections are permitted to universally flex with respect to each other without substantial variation in lateral spacing therebetween.

3 more elements

An implement frame construction comprising:

a. a left rigid horizontal frame section and a right rigid horizontal frame section positioned in generally side-by-side relation, tillage tools mounted on said frame sections, said frame sections respectively including inner and outer longitudinal structural members and front and rear transverse members secured together;
b. wheels mounted on said respective frame sections and supporting same for forward horizontal movement along the ground;
c. a draw tongue for each of said frame sections and having front ends and rear ends, pivotal joint members connecting the rear ends of said draw tongues to said respective front transverse members, a tractor hitch flexibly connected to the front ends of said draw tongues and forming a common generally central draw point for said frame sections;
d. a rear transverse stabilizing bar having opposite ends pivotally connected to said frame sections near said respective rear transverse members;
e. gag linkage operably connected between said inner longitudinal structural members, said gag linkage including;
f. a gag link having an upper end and a lower end and a central mount therebetween, said gag link being positioned generally between said frame sections and pivotally engaged at said central mount with one of said inner structural members;
g. a first gag bar having a forward end pivotally connected to the other of said inner structural members near said front members, said first gag bar having a rear end pivotally connected to one of said gag link ends;
and
h. a second gag bar having a rear end pivotally connected to the other structural member near said rear members, said second gag bar having a front end pivotally connected to the other of said gag link ends,
i. whereby said frame sections are permitted to flex with respect to each other over more than one degree of freedom without substantial variation in lateral spacing therebetween.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.