Extendable latchable draft link
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorRonald D. Bremner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A telescoping draft link assembly includes a hollow first tractor-coupled link and a second implement-coupled link slidably received by a channel in the first link. A pocket is formed in the first link next to the channel. A plate is pivotally mounted in the pocket and is pivotal from a release position wherein the plate is entirely received in the pocket to a locking position wherein at least a portion of the plate projects into the channel. The second link has a notch formed therein, an end of the notch forming a shoulder which is engageable with the plate to releasably hold the second link in the retracted position. A spring is biased to urge the plate towards its locking position and a knob is attached to the plate so that an operator may pivot the plate to a release position.
Claims13
A telescoping link assembly having a hollow first link, a second link slidably received by a channel in the first link and latching means for releasably holding the second link in a retracted position with respect to the first link, wherein:
- the first link has a pocket formed therein adjacent to the channel;
- a plate is mounted in the pocket, the plate being pivotal from a release position wherein the plate is substantially received in the pocket to a locking position wherein at least a portion of the plate projects into the channel;
- a resilient member is biased to urge the plate towards its locking position;
- the second link has a shoulder surface formed therein, the shoulder surface being engageable with the plate to releasably hold the second link in the retracted position;
- a bore extends through a wall of the first link, the bore being aligned with a central portion of the pocket;
- and
- a post is fixed to a central portion of the plate and is loosely received by the bore, the post being engageable with the wall of the second bore to limit pivoting the plate.
A telescoping link assembly having a hollow first link, a second link slidably received by a channel in the first link and latching means for releasably holding the second link in a retracted position with respect to the first link, wherein:
- the first link has a pocket formed therein adjacent to the channel;
- a plate is mounted in the pocket, the plate being pivotal from a release position wherein the plate is substantially received in the pocket to a locking position wherein at least a portion of the plate projects into the channel;
- a resilient member is biased to urge the plate towards its locking position;
- the second link has a shoulder surface formed therein, the shoulder surface being engageable with the plate to releasably hold the second link in the retracted position;
- a spring bore extends laterally through a wall of the first link and into the pocket;
- the resilient member is mounted in the spring bore, one end of the resilient member engaging the plate;
- and
- a blind bore extends into the plate, said one end of the resilient member being received by the blind bore.
A telescoping link assembly having a hollow first link, a second link slidably received by a channel in the first link and latching means for releasably holding the second link in a retracted position with respect to the first link, wherein:
- the first link has a pocket formed therein adjacent to the channel;
- a plate is mounted in the pocket, the plate being pivotal from a release position wherein the plate is substantially received in the pocket to a locking position wherein at least a portion of the plate projects into the channel;
- a resilient member is biased to urge the plate towards its linking position;
- the second link has a shoulder surface formed therein, the shoulder surface being engageable with the plate to releasably hold the second link in the retracted position;
- a spring bore extends laterally through a wall of the first link and into the pocket;
- the resilient member is mounted in the spring bore, one end of the resilient member engaging the plate;
- an outer portion of the spring bore is threaded;
- and
- a screw is threaded into said outer portion to retain the resilient member in the spring bore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.