US 4,399,875 AGranted

Automatic support for folding wing frame implement

AssigneeChromalloy American Corporation

InventorsWayne J. Schaaf, Bennie J. Boswell

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Abstract

An automatic support for folding frames such as those used in many agricultural implements. The folding frames include at least one generally horizontally disposed main frame section having at least one wing frame section hingedly connected thereto, the wing frame being movable between a lowered, outwardly extended working position wherein it is substantially coplanar with the main frame, to an upwardly folded transport position wherein it generally overlies the main frame and forms an included angle of less than 90.degree.. The automatic support includes a support arm, connecting link and pivot link all of which are pivotally interconnected with the wing frame section to form a four bar linkage arrangement. When the wing frame is in its extended working position the support arm is in close proximity to the wing frame providing the implement with a low overall profile. The four bar linkage arrangement is configured so that predetermined pivotal movement of the pivot link which also effects raising of the wing frame to its upwardly folded position, causes the support arm to move to a position which is generally vertical but outwardly inclined from the wing frame so as to permit abutment means on the support arm to engage the main frame. Thus, a substantial portion of the weight of the wing frame is distributed to the main frame through the support arm.

Claims16

Dependent claims

In an implement or the like having a main frame section and at least one wing frame section pivotally connected to said main frame section for movement between a lowered outwardly extended position and an upwardly folded position wherein said wing frame section forms an included angle of less than 90.degree. with said main frame section, an automatic support apparatus operatively associated with said main and wing frame sections and operative to support said wing section when in said upwardly folded position, said automatic support apparatus comprising:

a support arm pivotally connected generally adjacent one end to said wing frame section and adapted to lie in relatively close proximity to said wing frame section so as to provide a low profile when said wing frame section is in said extended position, said support arm having abutment means thereon spaced from said one end and adapted for engagement with said main frame section when said wing frame section is in said upwardly folded position;
a pivot link pivotally connected to said wing frame section at a position spaced from the pivotal connection of said support arm to said wing frame section;
a connecting link pivotally connected to said pivot link at a point spaced from the pivotal connection of said pivot link to said wing frame section, said connecting link also being pivotally connected to said support arm such that said pivot link, connecting link, support arm and wing frame section form a four-bar linkage arrangement;
first stop means operatively associated with said wing frame so as to limit pivotal movement of said pivot link relative to said wing frame section during initial movement of said wing frame section toward its upwardly folded position, so that said support arm is maintained in close proximity to said wing frame section;
and second stop means operatively associated with said main frame and cooperative with said pivot link so as to effect predetermined pivotal movement of said pivot link relative to said wing frame section during final movement of said wing frame section to its upwardly folded position;
said four-bar linkage arrangement being configured to effect movement of said support arm to a position inclined outwardly from said wing frame section with said abutment means engaging said main frame section so that said support arm substantially supports said wing frame section when said wing section is in its upwardly folded position.

3 more elements

In an implement having a main frame section and at least one wing frame section pivotally connected to said main frame section for movement between a lowered outwardly extended position and an upwardly folded position wherein said wing frame section forms an included angle of less than 90.degree. with said main frame section, an automatic support apparatus operatively associated with said main and wing frame sections and operative to support said wing section when in said upwardly folded position, said automatic support apparatus comprising:

a support arm pivotally connected generally adjacent one end to said wing frame section and adapted to lie in relatively close proximity to said wing frame section so as to provide a low profile when said wing frame section is in said extended position, a pivot link pivotally connected to said wing frame section at a position spaced from the pivotal connection of said support arm to said wing frame section, a connecting link pivotally connected to said pivot link and said support arm such that said pivot link, connecting link, support arm and wing frame section form a four-bar linkage arrangement, actuating means operatively associated with said main and wing frame sections and operative to effect movement of said wing frame section between its said lowered and folded positions, and control means cooperative with said pivot link so as to effect predetermined movement thereof during movement of said wing frame section between its said lowered and folded positions, said four-bar linkage arrangement being configured to effect automatic movement of said support arm into supporting relation with said main frame section as said wing frame reaches its folded position.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.