초록 ▼

An automatically actuating apparatus for engaging an implement to an ASAE S278.6 three-point hitch quick coupler utilizing a pivoting motion about an upper hitch point and an automatic latching mechanism to engage and retain lower hitch pins that simplifies connection of an implement. The mechanism

An automatically actuating apparatus for engaging an implement to an ASAE S278.6 three-point hitch quick coupler utilizing a pivoting motion about an upper hitch point and an automatic latching mechanism to engage and retain lower hitch pins that simplifies connection of an implement. The mechanism also includes a mechanism for automatically engaging the PTO driveline between a tractor and a powered implement as the implement is engaged with the hitch.

대표청구항 ▼

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: 1. A quick coupler for connecting a hitch-connectable implement to a tractor, the tractor having a three-point hitch and defining relative forward and opposing rearward directions with respect to the implement, the implement having an upper h

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: 1. A quick coupler for connecting a hitch-connectable implement to a tractor, the tractor having a three-point hitch and defining relative forward and opposing rearward directions with respect to the implement, the implement having an upper hitch pin and a pair of bottom hitch pins, said quick coupler comprising: a main frame connectable to the tractor three-point hitch; a top hook for engaging the upper implement hitch pin, said top hook connected to said main frame; at least two releasable hitching mechanisms connected to opposing legs of said main frame, one said releasable hitching mechanism for association with each respective bottom hitch pin on the implement, said at least two releasable hitching mechanisms configured for receiving the implement bottom hitch pins as the frame-is rotated-with respect to the upper implement hitch pin engaged in the top hook and responsive to engaging movement of the three-point hitch, said mechanisms selectively positionable between latched and unlatched positions wherein said latched position enables the bottom hitch pins to be engaged in said at least two releasable hitching mechanisms, the hitching mechanisms are rotated from an open unlatched position into the closed latched position by pivotal contact with the bottom hitch pins and, once engaged, restrained in said at least two releasable hitching mechanisms in a manner enabling generally pivotal movement only, said unlatched position allowing the implement hitch pins to disengage from said at least two releasable hitching mechanisms in response to a disengaging movement of the three point hitch; a transverse frame member mounted to said main frame and spanning between the opposing legs; a telescoping shaft having first and second opposing ends and an axis of rotation, said first end connectable to a tractor PTO; a PTO engagement mechanism connected to said transverse frame, said engagement mechanism having an engaged position and a disengaged position corresponding to respective forward and rearward positions along said axis of rotational of said second end of said telescoping shaft between said engaged and disengaged positions, said engagement mechanism connected to said transverse frame in a manner allowing rotational, axial, and limited radial movement of said second end of said telescoping shaft; a torque coupler having separable drive and driven members, said drive member connected to said engagement mechanism for movement between said engaged and disengaged positions, said driven member connected to a mounting structure on the hitch-connected implement to allow rotational motion while constraining axial and radial movement of the driven member, both said members having interlocking alignment structures to radially align said drive member along said axis of rotation during movement toward said engaged position and; the transverse frame having a forward and rearward face, the engagement mechanism mounted adjacent the forward face, the transverse frame having an opening therethrough such that the driven member is movable through the frame for engagement with the drive member, the PTO engagement mechanism having a guide limiting the movement of the drive member, the guide configured such that the drive member does not protrude beyond the rearward face of said transverse frame such that the drive member is shielded by the structure of the frame. 2. The quick coupler of claim 1, wherein each said releasable hitching mechanism further comprises a latching mechanism having a guide structure, a spring-assisted, lever-operated latch selectively movable between latched and unlatched positions, and a rolling block pivotally disposed within said guide structure and pivotable between a first and a second position, each said rolling block having a cam-like profile and a hook structure for restraining the implement bottom hitch pin when said rolling block is pivoted to a first position; said rolling block, when positioned in a second position, allowing the implement bottom hitch pin to disengage from said at least two releasable hitching mechanisms; said spring-assisted latch interacting between said rolling block and said guide structure to latch said rolling block in said first position and to unlatch said rolling block thereby allowing movement to said second position; wherein prior to contacting an implement hitch pin, the rolling block when in the second position is prevented from moving into the first position by friction between the latch and the profile of the rolling block contacting the latch, wherein the latch is rotated towards the latched position while maintaining contact with the profile of the rolling block as the block is rotated about a pivot, below and forward of the midpoint of the hitch pins, from the second position to the first position and the latch applying a force against the rotation of the rolling block toward the first position; wherein in the engaged position the rolling block contacts a stop located below the pin establishing a forward rotation travel limit and the forward most portion of the latch contacts the rolling block rearward of the pin. 3. The quick coupler of claim 2, wherein said latching mechanisms are interconnected and movable between said latched and unlatched positions by a single actuator. 4. The quick coupler of claim 1, wherein said PTO engagement mechanism includes an engagement spring acting on said torque coupler to maintain said drive and driven members in contact when the implement is engaged with the quick coupler wherein the torque coupler can float forward against the force of the spring upon contact with the driven member. 5. The quick coupler of claim 4, wherein said drive and driven members of said torque coupler include a friction face which, when in said engaged position, transmits torque through said torque coupler. 6. The quick coupler of claim 4, wherein said drive and driven members include at least one interlocking drive groove and drive rib, respectively, which, when in said engaged position) prevent relative rotation between said drive and driven members. 7. The quick coupler of claim 6, wherein said torque coupler interlocking alignment structures comprise an alignment pin having an exterior profile aligned, when fully engaged, on said axis of rotation of said driven member, and an alignment receiver structure on said drive member, said alignment receiver structure having an interior contour matching said exterior profile of said alignment pin. 8. The quick coupler of claim 5, wherein said guide is a hollow bearing guide channel connected to said transverse frame and a thrust bearing housing disposed within said guide channel and movable in a generally linear direction between said engaged and said disengaged positions, said bearing having at least one positioning tab interacting with said engagement spring, said bearing guide channel having at least one slotted guide which interacts with said positioning tab thereby guiding movement of said thrust bearing housing and limiting linear travel to define said disengaged position of said thrust bearing housing, said channel guide further constraining said thrust bearing housing thereby accepting thrust forces applied on said thrust bearing housing by said telescoping shaft, said channel guide allowing radial movement of said thrust bearing housing thereby enabling said torque coupler portions to align when engaged. 9. The quick coupler of claim 8, further comprising: the driven member mounting structure including an implement frame, a mounting plate and shields, wherein the driven member is connected to the mounting plate on the frame extending outwardly from the frame, the shields recessed such that the interlocking alignment structure of the driven members extends forwardly of a front edge of the shield; wherein when the mounting structure is rotated about the upper pin within the top hook into a position generally parallel to the main frame the shields are directly adjacent to top and bottom portions of the transverse frame such that the driven member of the torque coupling is enclosed by the shields, transverse frame and the mounting plate. 10. The quick couple of claim 6, wherein said guide is a hollow bearing guide channel connected to said transverse frame and a thrust bearing housing disposed within said guide channel, said bearing having at least one positioning tab interacting with said engagement spring, said bearing guide having at least one positioning tab interacting with said engagement spring, said bearing guide channel having at least one slotted guide which interacts with said positioning tab thereby guiding movement of said thrust bearing housing in generally linear directions between said engaged and said disengaged positions, said slotted guide limiting linear travel of said thrust bearing housing to define said disengaged position, said channel guide further constraining said thrust bearing housing thereby accepting thrust forces applied on said thrust bearing housing by said telescoping shaft, said channel guide allowing radial movement of said thrust bearing housing thereby enabling said torque coupler portions to align when engaged. 11. The quick coupler of claim 10, further comprising the driven member mounting structure including an implement frame, a mounting plate and shields, wherein the driven member is connected to the mounting plate on the frame extending outwardly from the frame, the shields recessed such that the interlocking alignment structure of the driven members extends forwardly of a front edge of the shield; Wherein when the mounting structure is rotated about the upper pin within the top hook into a position generally parallel to the main frame the shields are directly adjacent to top and bottom portions of the transverse frame such that the driven member of the torque coupling is enclosed by the shields, transverse frame and the mounting plate.