Implement hitch
US6402180B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 21, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 21, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60D2001/008
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A hitch link structure includes two hitch tubes angled with respect to each other and having forward ends connected by upper and lower hitch plates welded to the tubes. The plates include weld cutouts designed so the same plates can be used with a variety of different hitch tube angles, depending on the width of the mainframe hitch mount-up. Three apertures in the forward end of each of the plates receive bolts which connect the selected hitch link to the plates. The apertures also act as weld fixturing locators to speed hitch construction. The weld cutouts, in generally a half moon configuration, facilitate low cost fillet welds at easily accessible locations regardless of hitch tube angle and facilitate fillet weld connections in relatively lowly stressed areas. The lower plate is apertured to define an intermediate support hole for the safety chain, and the central bolt connecting the hitch link also attaches to the safety chain so the chain is accommodated without additional parts.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.