US PATENT SUBCLASS 172 / 439
MAST TYPE HITCH (E.G., THREE POINT HITCH, ETC.)

Current as of: June, 1999
Click HD for Main Headings
Click for All Classes

Internet Version by PATENTEC © 1999      Terms of Use


172 /   HD   EARTH WORKING

439MAST TYPE HITCH (E.G., THREE POINT HITCH, ETC.) {10}
440  DF  .~> Angled gangs liftable as a unit {1}
443  DF  .~> Struts on trailer or between implement parts
444  DF  .~> Hitch quadrilateral modified during lift
445  DF  .~> With means operated by vertical hitch movement
445.1  DF  .~> Including blade, scraper, or smoother {1}
446  DF  .~> Laterally adjustable tool {1}
448  DF  .~> With auxiliary vertical adjustment
449  DF  .~> Tool movable relative to mast while earth working
450  DF  .~> Sway limiting means or swayable tool
451  DF  .~> With tool frame or bar extending beyond sides of vehicle

DEFINITION

Classification: 172/439

(under the class definition) Apparatus comprising an earth working device adapted to trail behind a propelling means, said earth working device having a mast comprising a vertically extending structure which is held against movement relative to at least a portion of the device in a longitudinal vertical plane, and struts pivotally connected to the upper and lower portions of said structure, said struts also being pivotally connected respectively to upper and lower portions of the propelling means, and said struts being free to pivot about each of their pivotal connections in a generally longitudinal vertical plane.

(1) Note. Claims classifiable under this definition may include merely the struts or the vertically extending structure adapted for cooperation with the struts.

(2) Note. "Struts" are elements adapted to withstand compressive stress. Usually in working position the lower strut is in tension and the upper strut is in compression while in transport position the lower strut is in compression and the upper strut is in tension.

(3) Note. This definition is intended to include devices usually called three point hitches or Ferguson hitches. It should be noted, however, that the definition is broadly phrased and will include some devices other than the Ferguson or three point hitch.

(4) Note. The propelling device may be no more than a trailer or other means which itself is propelled by a tractor or other device.

(5) Note. The pivotal freedom of the struts may be inhibited by a lifting device. However, if other added means prevent pivoting of the struts then the device is not considered to come under this definition. (6) Note. The mast or vertically extending structure may have some freedom for movement relative to the earth working device if the apparatus as a whole is essentially a Ferguson-type hitch.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

7+, for draft responsive, automatic, power-controlled mast-type hitches. See (1) Note of subclass 7 for the line between subclasses 7 and 439.

47, for a mast-type hitch in combination with a power driven tool or cleaner.

210, for an alternating implement with an interrelated tool lift and shift, the hitch being of the mast type.

307, for a tool forward of the rear of a self-propelled vehicle connected to the vehicle by a parallelogram-type lift.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

280, Land Vehicles,

400+, and especially subclass 407 for articulated vehicles wherein the load of a trailer on a leading vehicle is adjusted by adjusting the point of application of draft to the leading vehicle, subclass 460.1 for articulated vehicles with laterally spaced parallel connections, subclass 461.1 for articulated vehicles with vertically spaced connections, subclasses 467+ for articulated vehicles comprising laterally adjustable hitches, subclass 490.1 for articulated vehicles wherein the draft means may be vertically adjusted with respect to at least one of the vehicles or the ground merely in order to facilitate connecting the vehicles, and subclass 497 for vertically paced connections of a draft element to a tractor. A sole disclosure to an agricultural implement hitched to a tractor by a hitch as defined in Class 172, subclass 439 is classifiable in Class 172.

414, Material or Article Handling,

680+, for a vertically swinging load support and subclass 766 may be of particular interest.