IE970745A1 - Improved stabilizer - Google Patents

Abstract

A telescopic stabliizing device for use with the three point linkage of an agricultural tractor. The device comprises an elongate sleeve (10) and a shaft (50) telescopically slidable relative to the sleeve (10). The sleeve (10) and shaft (50) each have a plurality of cooperating holes (22, 52) spaced apart in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stabilizing device. The holes (52) in the shaft (50) are at a different pitch to the holes (22) in the sleeve (10) so as to allow for vernier type variation in the effective overall secured length of the stabilizing device. A pin (70) which inserts into a hold (52) in the shaft (50) and a hole (52) in the sleeve (10) are used to secure together the shaft and sleeve. Attachment means (30,60) are used for mounting the stabilizing device between a draft arm and the chassis of an agricultural tractor. A separate sleeve element (40) is provided about the shaft (50) between the pivot end (60) and the sleeve (20) with at least one hole (41) being provided in the separate sleeve element (40) with the pin (71) being engageable through the hole (41) and a hole (53) in the shaft (50) so as to limit the extent by which the shaft can move relative to the sleeve thereby controlling the floating action of the device.<Fig.1>

Description

The present invention relates to a stabilizing device for the three point linkage of an agricultural tractor.

The three point linkage is positioned at the rear of a tractor and comprises two draft arms and a top link arm positioned above and centrally between the two draft arms. The two draft arms which may be raised and lowered hydraulically, are attached to the chassis of the tractor in such a manner as to allow lateral movement of the draft arms. Some farm implements when attached to the three point linkage of a tractor require the ability to move laterally or swing behind a tractor while other implements require to be held rigidly in position.

Stabilizing devices may be required to prevent or limit such lateral movement.

A stabilizing device is attached to a draft arm and to a point underneath the tractor.

One example of a very effective stabilizer is shown in my Irish Patent Specification No. 51703 and the corresponding U.K. Patent Specification No. 2103064. That stabilizer 25 comprises an elongate sleeve and a shaft telescopically slidable relative to the sleeve, the sleeve and shaft each having a plurality of cooperating holes spaced apart in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stabilizing device. The holes in the shaft are at a 30 different pitch to the holes in the sleeve so as to allow for vernier type variation in the effective overall secured length of the stabilizing device. A pin for insertion into a hole in the shaft and a hole in the sleeve to secure together the shaft and sleeve, and 35 attachment means are provided fortmounting’fehc atafall'lllny^ OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 28 AND RULE 23 JNL. No J.O?........OF..3& »70745 - 2 device between a draft arm and the chassis of an agricultural tractor.

The present invention provides a telescopic stabilizing device for use with the three point linkage of an agricultural tractor, the device comprising an elongate sleeve and a shaft telescopically slidable relative to the sleeve, the sleeve and shaft each having a plurality of cooperating holes spaced apart in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stabilizing device, the holes in the shaft being at a different pitch to the holes in the sleeve so as to allow for vernier type variation in the effective overall secured length of the stabilizing device, a pin for insertion into a hole in the shaft and a hole in the sleeve to secure together the shaft and sleeve and attachment means for mounting the stabilizing device between a draft arm and the chassis of an agricultural tractor characterised in that a separate sleeve element is provided about the shaft between the attachment means and the sleeve with at least one hole being provided in the separate sleeve element with the pin being engageable through said hole and a hole in the shaft so as to limit the extent by which the shaft can move relative to the sleeve thereby controlling the floating action of the device.

Conveniently, two or more holes are provided in the sleeve element.

The sleeve, separate sleeve element and shaft are of a complementary round, rectangular or square cross section.

Advantageously, the shaft is provided with a first set of holes at shorter pitch than the set of holes on the sleeve and a second set of holes at a shorter pitch than the set of holes on the separate sleeve element.

Preferably, the end of the sleeve remote from the shaft includes a connector retained on the sleeve by a crimped joint.

Advantageously, the holes in the shaft, sleeve and sleeve element are through holes whereby the securing pin can be inserted through and extend at either side of the device.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show by way of example only, a preferred embodiment of a stabilizing device according to the invention.

In the drawings:Figure 1 is a perspective view of the stabilizing device with a floating sleeve according to the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the stabilizing device; Figure 3 is a plan view of the outer sleeve of the stabilizing device; Figures 4a and 4b are plan and side views respectively of the inner section of the stabilizing device; and Figure 5a, 5b and 5c are side plan and end views respectively of the floating sleeve element.

Referring to the drawings, the stabilizing device comprises an elongate sleeve 10 having an open end 20 and a swivel end connection neck 30 at the other end with a - 4 shaft 50 engaging the open end 20.

Five through-holes 22 are provided in the sleeve 10 at a pitch of 30 mm. The shaft 50 is provided with a series six through-holes 52, slightly larger in diameter than the holes 22, at a pitch of 25 mm and a series of three holes 53 also at a pitch of 25 mm. The shaft 50 is telescopically movable relatively to the sleeve 10 and may be secured with respect to the sleeve by inserting a pin 70 through a hole 22 and an aligned hole 52. Due to the difference between the pitches of the holes 22 and the holes 52 a vernier type variation in the effective overall secured length of the stabilizing device may be achieved by effecting fine adjustments of 5 mm.

A floating sleeve 40 is provided about the shaft 50 and can be retained in position by the pin 70 engaging one of the holes 53 in the shaft through either one of the two holes 41. An R clip 71 is used to retain the pin 70 in position. The two holes 41 are 32.5 mm between centres and they also can provide a vernier type relationship with the holes 53 of the shaft 50.

When it is desired to allow an implement to move laterally or swing between a tractor, the pins 70 of the two stabilizing devices used on a tractor are inserted in the floating sleeves 40 to allow telescopic movement of the shaft 50 relatively to the sleeve 10 on each device.

As the distance between the two draft arms is fixed by virtue of the draft arms being secured to the implement, the implement can move laterally, for example, to the left until the floating sleeve 40 contacts the sleeve 10 of the left-hand stabilizing device. The implement can likewise move to the right until the floating sleeve 40 contacts the sleeve 10 of the right-hand stabilizing device.

A pivot end 60 is provided at the remote end of the shaft 50 and retained by a nut and bolt (61,62) through hole 54.

The connector 30 is retained at the end 11 of the sleeve by a crimped joint about slot 12.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (7)

CLAIMS:

1. A telescopic stabilizing device for use with the three point linkage of an agricultural tractor, the device comprising an elongate sleeve and a shaft telescopically slidable relative to the sleeve, the sleeve and shaft each having a plurality of cooperating holes spaced apart in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stabilizing device, the holes in the shaft being at a different pitch to the holes in the sleeve so as to allow for vernier type variation in the effective overall secured length of the stabilizing device, a pin for insertion into a hole in the shaft and a hole in the sleeve to secure together the shaft and sleeve and attachment means for mounting the stabilizing device between a draft arm and the chassis of an agricultural tractor characterised in that a separate sleeve element is provided about the. shaft between the attachment means and the sleeve with at least one hole being provided in the separate sleeve element with the pin being engageable through said hole and a hole in the shaft so as to limit the extent by which the shaft can move relative to the sleeve thereby controlling the floating action of the device.

2. A telescopic stabilizing device as claimed in claim 1, in which two or more holes are provided in the sleeve element.

3. A telescopic stabilizing device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the sleeve, separate sleeve element and shaft are of a complementary round, rectangular or square cross section.

4. A telescopic stabilizing device as claimed in claim 9707*5 - Ί 2 or claim 3, in which the shaft is provided with a first set of holes at shorter pitch than the set of holes on the sleeve and a second set of holes at a shorter pitch than the set of holes on the separate sleeve element.

5. A telescopic stabilizing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the end of the sleeve remote from the shaft includes a connector retained on the sleeve by a crimped joint.

6. A telescopic stabilizing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the holes in the shaft, sleeve and sleeve element are through holes whereby the securing pin can be inserted through and 15 extend at either side of the device.

7. A telescopic stabilizing device substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.