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US 7,677,588 B2Granted
Hitch assembly with a guide element
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorsBruce Alan Coers, Mark Michael Chaney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hitch assembly comprises a first coupling element and a second coupling element suited to be latched to the first coupling element. A rod member has a first end connected to the first coupling element. An actuator has a movable output member that can move between a retracted and an extended position.
Claims16
A hitch assembly comprising:
- a longitudinally extending first coupling element;
- a second coupling element configured to be latched to the first coupling element;
- a rod member having a length disposed longitudinally, a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the first coupling element;
- an actuator with a longitudinally movable output member arranged to move between a retracted and an extended position, the output member being connected to the second end of the rod member via a pivot element defining a vertical pivot axis;
- and
- a longitudinally extending guide element arranged for selectively simultaneously embracing the pivot element and at least a part of the length of the rod member so as to prevent pivoting of said rod member about said vertical axis;
- wherein the pivot element and the part of the length of the rod member are embraced by the guide element when the actuator is in the retracted positions and the pivot element and rod member are free of the guide element when the actuator is in the extended position,
- such that the guide element guides the rod member longitudinally when the actuator moves the first coupling element towards the second coupling element and such that the pivot element allows a pivot movement of the first coupling element with respect to the actuator about the vertical pivot axis only when the actuator is in the extended position.
5 more elements
A combination of a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle that can be coupled together with a hitch assembly, the hitch assembly comprising:
- a first coupling element;
- a second coupling element configured to be latched to the first coupling element;
- a rod member having a length, a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the first coupling element;
- an actuator with a movable output member arranged to move between a retracted and an extended position, the output member being connected to the second end of the rod member via a pivot element defining a vertical pivot axis;
- and
- a longitudinally extending guide element arranged for selectively simultaneously embracing the pivot element and at least a part of the length of the rod member so as to prevent pivoting of said rod member about said vertical axis;
- wherein the pivot element and the part of the length of the rod member are embraced by the guide element when the actuator is in the retracted position, and the pivot element and rod member are free of the guide element when the actuator is in the extended position,
- such that the guide element guides the rod member longitudinally when the actuator moves the first coupling element towards the second coupling element and such that the pivot element allows a pivot movement of the first coupling element with respect to the actuator about the vertical pivot axis only when the towing vehicle tows the towed vehicle and the actuator is in the extended position.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.