Farm implement hinge restrictor

A farm implement of the foldable tow type comprising:

• a. a wheeled center section supporting tillage tools and pivotable about a transverse axis between a generally horizontal operational position and a generally vertical transport position;
• b. a pair of wheeled wing sections adapted to support tillage tools thereon and respectively positioned at opposite ends of said central section, hinges connecting each of said wing sections to said central section whereby said wing sections are movable with said central section between said positions;
• c. said wing sections each comprising at least two rigid frames positioned end-to-end;
• d. means connecting said frames for flexible movement of one frame relative to the adjacent frame;
• e. means restricting said flexible movement comprising:
• 1. a fixed bracket attached to one of said frames and having a face disposed adjacent to said connecting means;
• 2. a reciprocating bracket having a face;
• said reciprocating bracket face engaging said fixed bracket face and extending therefrom in a direction toward the other frame;
• 3. linkage having a first end thereof pivotally attached to said reciprocating bracket in a spaced relation to the face thereof and having a second end thereof pivotally attached to said other frame in a spaced relation with said connecting means;
• and
• 4. resilient means urging said fixed and reciprocating bracket faces abuttingly together.

In a farm implement of the foldable tow type having at least two rigid frames positioned end-to-end and connected by a pivotal joint for relative swinging motion about an axis of rotation, a restrictor for preventing excessive oscillation between said frames, said restrictor comprising:

• a. a fixed bracket attached to one of said frames and having a face disposed adjacent to said pivotal joint;
• b. a reciprocating bracket having a face, said reciprocating bracket face engaging said fixed bracket face and extending therefrom in a direction toward the other frame, said fixed and reciprocating bracket faces being flat and lying in a plane disposed substantially parallel to said axis of rotation;
• c. linkage having a first end thereof pivotally attached to said reciprocating bracket in a spaced relation to the face thereof and having a second end thereof pivotally attached to said other frame in a spaced relation with said pivotal joint;
• and
• d. resilient means urging said fixed and reciprocating bracket faces abuttingly together.

In a farm implement of the foldable tow type having at least two rigid frames positioned end-to-end and connected by a pivotal joint for relative swinging motion about an axis of rotation, a restrictor for preventing excessive oscillation between said frames, said restrictor comprising:

• a. a fixed bracket attached to one of said frames and having a face disposed adjacent to said pivotal joint;
• b. a reciprocating bracket having a face, said reciprocating bracket face engaging said fixed bracket face and extending therefrom in a direction toward the other frame;
• c. means on one of said fixed bracket and reciprocating bracket defining an aperture through the face thereof;
• d. an elongated member having one end thereof pivotally attached to the other of said fixed bracket and reciprocating bracket and being positioned through said one face aperture;
• e. linkage having a first end thereof pivotally attached to said reciprocating bracket in a spaced relation to the face thereof and having a second end thereof pivotally attached to said other frame in a spaced relation with said pivotal joint;
• and
• f. resilient means urging said fixed and reciprocating bracket faces abuttingly together, said resilient means having a first end thereof connected with said one bracket and a second end thereof connected with the other end of said elongated member.

In a farm implement of the foldable tow type having at least two rigid frames positioned end-to-end and connected by a pivotal joint for relative swinging motion about an axis of rotation, a restrictor for preventing excessive oscillation between said frames, said restrictor comprising:

• a. a fixed bracket attached to one of said frames and having a face disposed adjacent to said pivotal joint;
• b. a reciprocating bracket having a face, said reciprocating bracket face engaging said fixed bracket face and extending therefrom in a direction toward the other frame;
• c. means on each of said fixed bracket and reciprocating bracket defining an aperture through the face thereof, said apertures each being defined by a marginal edge and being in substantial alignment;
• d. an elongated member positioned through said apertures and a gap existing between said elongated member and said marginal edges whereby said elongated member pivots therein, said elongated member having first and second outermost ends projecting from each bracket aperture;
• e. linkage having a first end thereof pivotally attached to said reciprocating bracket in a spaced relation to the face thereof and having a second end thereof pivotally attached to said other frame in a spaced relation with said pivotal joint;
• f. resilient means urging said fixed and reciprocating bracket faces abuttingly together, said resilient means comprising a compression member being impaled by one of said elongated member ends;
• and
• g. retaining means connected with each of said elongated member ends whereby the swinging motion compresses said compression member.

In combination:

• a. a first member and a second member positioned end-to-end and connected by a pivotal joint for relative swinging motion about an axis of rotation;
• b. a fixed bracket attached to one of said members and having a face positioned adjacent the pivotal joint;
• c. a reciprocating bracket adjacent the other of said members and having a face engaging said fixed bracket face and extending therefrom in a direction toward said other member;
• d. linkage having a first end thereof pivotally attached to said reciprocating bracket in a spaced relation to the face thereof and having a second end thereof pivotally attached to said other member in a spaced relation with said pivotal joint;
• and
• e. means spaced from said linkage and engaging said fixed bracket and said reciprocating bracket for resiliently restricting relative swinging motion of said first and second members and for resiliently urging said fixed and reciprocating bracket faces abuttingly together.