Connection system for coupling an implement to a work vehicle with alignment indicator system
View Patent ↗A connection system for coupling an implement to a work vehicle. The connection system includes a receiver assembly of the implement, which couples the implement to a connector assembly of the work vehicle. An implement frame includes a first end having a mounting portion and a second end coupled to a mounting assembly of the implement frame. The mounting portion of the implement frame couples the implement directly to a frame of the work vehicle. The receiver assembly is directly coupled to the implement frame. An alignment indicator system provides a visual indication of alignment of the receiver assembly with the connector assembly.
1. A connection system for coupling an implement to a work vehicle, comprising:
a receiver assembly of the implement configured to couple the implement to a connector assembly of the work vehicle;
an implement frame comprising a first end having a mounting portion and a second end coupled to a mounting assembly of the implement frame, wherein the mounting portion of the implement frame is configured to couple the implement directly to a frame of the work vehicle, wherein the receiver assembly is directly coupled to the implement frame; and
an alignment indicator system configured to provide a visual indication of alignment of the receiver assembly with the connector assembly, the alignment indicator system comprising a lever mounted on the receiver assembly, the lever configured to rotate about a pivot connection in response to contact with the connector assembly.
2. The connection system of claim 1 , wherein the receiver assembly comprises a receiver assembly locking feature configured to engage a corresponding connector assembly locking feature to couple the receiver assembly to the connector assembly, wherein the alignment indicator system is configured to provide a visual indication that the receive assembly locking feature is aligned with the connector assembly locking feature.
3. The connection system of claim 2 , wherein the receiver assembly locking feature comprises a recess, an opening, or a combination thereof, and the connector assembly locking feature comprises an extension of the connector assembly.
4. The connection system of claim 1 , wherein the alignment indicator system further comprises an indicator shaft, wherein the indicator shaft is configured to move between a first position and a second position to provide the visual indication of alignment of the receiver assembly and the connector assembly.
5. The connection system of claim 4 , further comprising a first flange and a second flange, wherein the first flange or the second flange defines an aperture that receives a portion of the indicator shaft.
6. The connection system of claim 5 , wherein the lever is configured to couple to the first flange and the second flange with a pin.
7. The connection system of claim 4 , wherein the alignment indicator system further comprises a spring configured to couple to the indicator shaft, wherein the spring is configured to bias the indicator shaft in a first direction and the lever is configured to bias the indicator shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction in response to contact with the connector assembly.
8. The connection system of claim 7 , wherein the spring is configured to contact the receiver assembly to bias the indicator shaft in the first direction.
9. The connection system of claim 4 , wherein the lever comprises a groove that receives a portion of the indicator shaft.
10. A connection system for coupling an implement to a work vehicle, comprising:
an implement comprising a receiver assembly;
a connector assembly configured to couple to a work vehicle and to the receiver assembly of the implement; and
an alignment indicator system comprising an indicator shaft, the indicator shaft configured to extend and retract to provide a visual indication of alignment of the receiver assembly with the connector assembly, the alignment indicator system comprising a lever mounted on the receiver assembly, the lever configured to rotate about a pivot point in response to contact with the connector assembly.
11. The connection system of claim 10 , wherein the receiver assembly comprises a receiver assembly locking feature configured to engage a corresponding connector assembly locking feature to couple the receiver assembly to the connector assembly, wherein the alignment indicator system is configured to provide a visual indication that the receiver assembly locking feature is aligned with the connector assembly locking feature.
12. The connection system of claim 11 , wherein the receiver assembly locking feature comprises a recess, an opening, or a combination thereof, and the connector assembly locking feature comprises an extension of the connector assembly.
13. The connection system of claim 10 , wherein the lever comprises a groove that receives a portion of the indicator shaft.
14. The connection system of claim 13 , wherein the alignment indicator system further comprises a spring configured to couple to the indicator shaft, wherein the spring is configured to bias the indicator shaft in a first direction and the lever is configured to bias the indicator shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction in response to contact with the connector assembly.
15. The connection system of claim 14 , wherein the spring is configured to contact the receiver assembly to bias the indicator shaft in the first direction.
16. A connection system for coupling an implement to a work vehicle, comprising:
a receiver assembly of the implement configured to couple the implement to a connector assembly of the work vehicle; and
an alignment indicator system configured to provide a visual indication of alignment of the receiver assembly with the connector assembly, the alignment indicator system comprises:
a lever mounted on the receiver assembly, the lever configured to rotate about a pivot point in response to contact with the connector assembly; and
an indicator shaft configured to move between a first position and a second position to provide the visual indication of alignment of the receiver assembly and the connector assembly.
17. The connection system of claim 16 , wherein the lever comprises a groove that receives a portion of the indicator shaft.
18. The connection system of claim 16 , wherein the alignment indicator system further comprises a spring configured to couple to the indicator shaft, wherein the spring is configured to bias the indicator shaft in a first direction and the lever is further configured to bias the indicator shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction in response to contact with the connector assembly.