US 6,584,756 B2Granted

Pivoting hooks for parallelogram lift linkages

AssigneeDeere & Company

InventorSteven Henry Buss

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Abstract

Pivoting hooks usable with four bar parallelogram implement lift linkages are provided. The hooks are pivotally attached at the forward edge of the implement to receive the cross bar of a suspension mechanism such as that taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,617. The pivotal connection and axis about which the hooks are supported on the deck comprise one corner of the four bar parallelogram lift linkage. The hooks pivot forwardly and downwardly to receive the cross bar and then swing up as tension is applied to the hanger to support the deck. As the cross bar slides forwardly into the throats of the hooks when the hanger is tensioned, it is retained in the proper parallelogram lift geometry so that the deck remains level as it is adjusted throughout its vertical cutting height. The use of the pivoting hooks permits decks with extended fore and aft dimensions to be used with existing four bar parallelogram designs.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A suspension mechanism for supporting an implement between the front and rear wheels of a vehicle, said mechanism comprising:

a hanger adapted to be carried by the vehicle, and having a pair of laterally spaced apart and fore and aft extending front links, said front links having forward and rearward end portions, their forward end portions being removably supported by the vehicle at a first pivot;
a laterally extending rear cross member carried at the rear end portion of at least one of the fore and aft extending front links;
a pair of laterally spaced apart hook members adapted to be secured to a forward portion of the implement, the hook members being pivotable so as to permit swinging movement about a second pivot, said hook members having a throat portion forward of the second pivot wherein the rear cross member can be removably received to support a forward portion of the implement;
a pair of laterally spaced apart and fore and aft extending rear links, said rear links each having an end attached to a third pivot adapted to be supported by the vehicle, and each having another end attached to a fourth pivot supported at the rear portion of the implement;
and
whereby the implement is supported for vertical movement by a four bar linkage that is defined by the first, second, third and fourth pivots.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.