초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a stabilizing weight assembly for a vehicle, such as a tractor. The stabilizing weight assembly, in one embodiment, includes a weight holder rotatably connected to a weight holder wheel. The weight holder wheel can make contact with the driving surface, depending upo

The present invention relates to a stabilizing weight assembly for a vehicle, such as a tractor. The stabilizing weight assembly, in one embodiment, includes a weight holder rotatably connected to a weight holder wheel. The weight holder wheel can make contact with the driving surface, depending upon the driving conditions. The stabilizing weight assembly enhances the traction, safety and performance of vehicles such as tractors.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A stabilizing weight assembly comprising:a hitch member having at least one wall; a weight holder having at least one wall which slidably engages the wall of the hitch member, the weight holder movable between a plurality of positions relative to the hitch member; at least one weight holder wheel

1. A stabilizing weight assembly comprising:a hitch member having at least one wall; a weight holder having at least one wall which slidably engages the wall of the hitch member, the weight holder movable between a plurality of positions relative to the hitch member; at least one weight holder wheel rotatably connected to the weight holder, the weight holder wheel movable with the movement of the weight holder; a plurality of weight plate members supported by the weight holder, each of the weight plate members having a designated weight; and at least one securing member coupled to the weight holder, the securing member movable between a plurality of positions enabling a user to secure the weight plate members to the weight holder and remove the weight plate members from the weight holder. 2. The stabilizing weight assembly of claim 1, wherein the weight holder wheel is selected from the group consisting of a caster wheel, a swivel wheel, a rigid wheel, a roller, a disk, a ball caster and an inflatable tire.3. The stabilizing weight assembly of claim 1, wherein an assembly of the hitch member and the weight holder includes at least one repositioning mechanism operatively coupled to the weight holder wheel.4. The stabilizing weight assembly of claim 1, wherein the weight holder has at least one wall which slidably engages a portion of the hitch member.5. A stabilizing weight assembly comprising:a hitch member having at least one wall; a weight holder having at least one support wall and at least one guide wall, the guide wall slidably engaged with the wall of the hitch member, the weight holder being movable between a plurality of upward and downward positions relative to the hitch member; a plurality of weight plate members removably supported by the support wall, each of the weight plate members having a weight and a securing wall; at least one weight holder wheel rotatably connected to the weight holder, the weight holder wheel movable with the movement of the weight holder; and at least one securing member coupled to the weight holder, the securing member movable between: (a) a first position engaged with the securing walls of the weight plate members; and (b) a second position disengaged with the securing walls of the weight plate members. 6. The stabilizing weight assembly of claim 5, wherein the weight holder wheel is movable between a plurality of vertical positions relative to the hitch member in cooperation with the movement of the weight holder.7. The stabilizing weight assembly of claim 5, wherein the support wall of the weight holder includes a surface having a top side engaged with at least one of the weight plate members and a bottom side connected to the weight holder wheel.8. The stabilizing weight assembly of claim 5, wherein the wall of the hitch member has at least one slot wall defining a slot.9. The stabilizing weight assembly of claim 5, wherein the securing member includes at least one fastener.10. The stabilizing weight assembly of claim 5, wherein the weight holder wheel is selected from the group consisting of a caster wheel, a swivel wheel, a rigid wheel, a roller, a disk, a ball caster and an inflatable tire.11. The stabilizing weight assembly of claim 8, wherein the weight holder has at least one bearing which is rotatably connected to the guide wall, the bearing being engaged with the slot wall of the hitch member.12. The stabilizing weight assembly of claim 11, wherein the hitch member has at least one retaining wall which couples the wall of the hitch member to the guide wall of the weight holder.13. A tractor comprising:a frame; a hitch member coupled to the frame, the hitch member having at least one wall; at least one power unit connected to the frame; at least one drive mechanism coupled to the power unit; a plurality of tractor wheels rotatably connected to the frame, the tractor wheels having at least one drive wheel coupled to the drive mechanism; at least one weight holder having at least one wall which is slidably engaged with the wall of the hitch member, the weight holder being movable between a plurality of positions relative to the hitch member; at least one weight holder wheel rotatably connected to the weight holder, the weight holder wheel movable with the movement of the weight holder; a plurality of weight plate members supported by the weight holder, each of the weight plate members having a designated weight; and at least one securing member coupled to the weight holder, the securing member movable between a plurality of positions enabling a user to secure the weight plate members to the weight holder and remove the weight plate members from the weight holder. 14. The tractor of claim 13, wherein the weight holder wheel is selected from the group consisting of a caster wheel, a swivel wheel, a rigid wheel, a roller, a disk, a ball caster and an inflatable tire.15. The tractor of claim 13, wherein the weight holder wheel is movable between a plurality of vertical positions relative to the hitch member in cooperation with a movement of the weight holder relative to the hitch member.16. The tractor of claim 13, wherein the hitch member has at least one slot wall defining a slot.17. The tractor of claim 16, wherein the weight holder has at least one bearing which engages the slot wall of the hitch member.18. The tractor of claim 13, which has a plurality of drive wheels coupled to the drive mechanism.19. The tractor of claim 18, which has at least one steering device connected to the frame, the steering device operatively coupled to the drive wheels.20. The tractor of claim 13, wherein the at least one drive wheel comprises a rear drive steering wheel.21. A stabilizing weight assembly comprising:a hitch member having at least one substantially vertical wall; a weight holder having at least one substantially vertical wall which is slidably engaged with the wall of the hitch member, the weight holder movable between a plurality of vertical positions relative to the hitch member; at least one weight holder wheel rotatably connected to the weight holder, the weight holder wheel extending downwardly from the weight holder, the weight holder wheel being coupled to the weight holder so that: (a) the weight holder wheel is movable between the plurality of vertical positions; and (b) when the weight holder wheel is in contact with a driving surface, the weight holder and the weight holder wheel are movable, in cooperation with one another, between a plurality of upward and downward positions relative to the hitch member in response to changes in the driving surface; and at least one weight plate member removably supported by the weight holder. 22. The stabilizing weight assembly of claim 21, wherein the wall of the hitch member has at least one slot wall defining a slot.23. The stabilizing weight assembly of claim 21, which includes at least one securing member coupled to the weight holder, the securing member movable between a plurality of positions enabling a user to secure the weight plate member to the weight holder and remove the weight plate member from the weight holder.24. The stabilizing weight assembly of claim 21, wherein the hitch member includes a rear wall secured to a portion of a vehicle, the vehicle being selected from the group consisting of a tractor, a self-propelled mowing machine, a snow plow machine, a snow throwing machine and a recreational vehicle.25. A stabilizing weight assembly comprising:a hitch member including at least one vertical wall; a weight holder having: (a) at least one vertical wall movably coupled to the vertical wall of the hitch member; and (b) at least one substantially horizontal support wall having a top side and a bottom side, the weight holder movable between a plurality of vertical positions relative to the hitch member; at least one stop coupled to the vertical wall of the hitch member or weight holder, the stop limiting the movement of the vertical walls relative to one another; at least one bearing coupled to the vertical wall of the hitch member or weight holder, the bearing reducing friction between the vertical walls; at least one weight holder wheel rotatably connected to the bottom side of the weight holder, the weight holder wheel movable with the movement of the weight holder; and at least one weight member supported by the support wall and engaged with the top surface of the weight holder, the weight member having a designated weight and at least one securing wall defining at least one opening. 26. The stabilizing weight assembly of claim 25, which includes at least one securing member coupled to the weight holder, the securing member movable between a plurality of positions enabling a user to secure the weight member to the weight holder and remove the weight member from the weight holder, wherein the opening has a size so as to receive a portion of the securing member.27. The stabilizing weight assembly of claim 25, wherein the weight member includes at least one grip wall defining a slot for gripping the weight member.28. The stabilizing weight assembly of claim 26, which includes a plurality of weight members supported by the weight holder, the weight members each having a designated weight and at least one securing wall adapted to be engaged with the securing member, the securing wall defining an opening.29. The stabilizing weight assembly of claim 25, wherein the weight member includes a plate.30. The stabilizing weight assembly of claim 25, which includes at least one slot wall defined by the vertical wall of the mount member.