Vehicle front-end quick connect hitch and lift assembly
View Patent ↗A hitch and adapter assembly for connecting an implement to the front end of vehicles such as all terrain vehicle providing a rigid connection with limited motion for reduced vibration operation. The hitch has two spaced apart sockets on a rigid frame that pivotally connects to the vehicle providing a rigid extension thereof. The sockets receive and cooperatively engage respective pins on the implement providing a quick connection. An electrically powered hydraulic cylinder is connected at one end to the frame and the other end connects to the vehicle by a coupler that slip fits into a socket therefore on the vehicle. The frame pivotally connects to the vehicle at two spaced apart positions. There is a coarse and fine adjustment for varying the height and tilt positions of the implement.
1. A hitch for attaching an implement to a motorized vehicle comprising:
(a) a rigid generally U-shaped frame comprising pair of a legs connecting to a cross member thereinbetween, a pair of spaced apart sockets on said frame at a location remote from a free outer end of each one of said legs of said U-shaped frame, said free outer end of each leg being pivotally attachable to the motorized vehicle,
(b) a rigid link selectively adjustably connected to free outer end of each of said legs of said U-shaped frame, and means limiting arcuate movement of said U-shaped frame, and
(c) an extendible and retractable power driven jack unit disposed within said U-shaped frame and connecting at one end to said link and means for connecting the other end to the motorized vehicle.
2. A hitch as defined in claim 1 wherein the sockets are elongate, axially parallel sockets.
3. The hitch as defined in claim 2 wherein a distal end of said legs of the U-shaped frame project beyond said U-shaped frame and wherein the sockets are located in such projecting portion.
4. The hitch as defined in claim 1 wherein the u-shaped frame comprises a pair of parallel conduits open at one end thereof and a cross member interconnecting said conduits adjacent said open ends, said open ends providing said sockets.
5. The hitch as defined in claim 4 wherein the ends of the conduits opposite said open ends have a lug having an aperture therein for pivotal attachment to the motorized vehicle.
6. The hitch as defined in claim 1 wherein said rigid link is connected to a lug projecting said rigid frame by a pivot pin and wherein said lug has a series of spaced apart apertures for receiving said pin and thereby being selectively adjustably connectable.
7. The hitch as defined in claim 6 wherein there are a pair of said lugs spaced apart from one another and wherein said link projects between said lugs.
8. The hitch as defined in claim 1 wherein said means limiting said arcuate movement is adjustable to vary the length of arcuate movement.
9. The hitch as defined in claim 1 wherein said means connecting the jack unit to the motorized vehicle comprises a coupler.
10. The hitch as defined in claim 9 wherein said coupler is Z-shaped.
11. The hitch as defined in claim 9 wherein said coupler has a shaft insertable into a socket receiver therefor on the vehicle.
12. A hitch and lift assembly, comprising:
a rigid U-shaped frame comprising a cross member having a pair of elongated members extending therefrom defining a pair of free outer ends and said longitudinal members including a pair of sockets projecting outwardly pass said cross member;
means for pivotally detachable engagement of said free outer ends of said longitudinal members to said vehicle frame;
a floating and lockable cam providing limited arcuate movement of said U-shaped frame;
means for limiting the arcuate movement of said U-shaped frame;
an electrically powered extendible and retractable power driven jack unit connecting at one end to said floating and lockable cam;
a receiver mounted on a vehicle frame;
a coupler connecting said hydraulic jack unit to said receiver;
an adjusting mechanism connecting said hydraulic jack unit to said U-shaped frame.
13. The hitch and lift assembly of claim 12 , including means for coarse adjustment for varying the height and tilt positions of an implement.
14. The hitch and lift assembly of claim 13 , including wherein said means for coarse adjustment comprises a floating cam link pivotally connected at one end by a pin to a distal end of a piston rod of said hydraulic jack and the other end projects between a pair of mounting plates rigidly anchored to and projecting from said frame cross member, said mounting including a plurality of holes for selectively adjusting the angle and distance of said piston rod pivotally connecting thereto, and having a pin passing through one of said holes and a hole in said floating cam link providing a loose connection providing for pivotal movement about said pin.
15. The hitch and lift assembly of claim 12 , including means for fine adjustment for varying the height and tilt positions of an implement.
16. The hitch and lift assembly of claim 15 , wherein said fine adjusting mechanism comprises a stud threaded into a vertically threaded hole adjacent an end of said floating cam link and a foot plate on the end of a stud bearing against said cross member, and a hand grip knob provides means to manually turn said stud providing fine adjustment thereof.
17. The hitch and lift assembly of claim 16 , wherein means of locking said floating cam link comprises a lever threaded on said stud for locking said stud in position by binding said stud against said floating cam link at a desired position.
18. The hitch and lift assembly of claim 12 , including an implement having pins for cooperative engagement with said sockets of said U-shaped frame.
19. A hitch for attaching an implement to a motorized vehicle comprising
(a) a rigid generally U-shaped frame including a pair of a parallel conduits open at one end thereof and connecting to a cross member interconnecting said conduits adjacent said open ends defining sockets, said parallel conduits having ends opposite said open ends defining a pair of apertured lugs spaced apart from one another for pivotal attachment to a vehicle frame;
(b) means for removably attaching said lugs to said vehicle frame;
(c) a rigid link selectively adjustably connected to and projecting between said lugs projecting from said rigid frame by a pivot pin and wherein said lugs have a series of spaced apart apertures for receiving said pin and thereby being selectively adjustably connectable;
means limiting arcuate movement of said U-shaped frame, and
(d) an extendible and retractable power driven jack unit connecting at one end to said link and a Z-shaped coupler for connecting the other end to the motorized vehicle.
20. A hitch for attaching an implement to a motorized vehicle comprising:
(a) a rigid generally U-shaped frame including a pair of a parallel conduits open at one end thereof and connecting to a cross member interconnecting said conduits adjacent said open ends defining sockets, said parallel conduits having ends opposite said open ends defining a pair of aperture lugs spaced apart from one another for pivotal attachmcnt to a vehicle frame;
(b) means for removably attaching said lugs to said vehicle frame;
(c) a rigid link selectively adjustably connected to and projecting between said lugs projecting from said rigid frame by a pivot pin and wherein said lugs have a series of spaced apart apertures for receiving said pin and thereby being selectively adjustably connectable;
means limiting arcuate movement of said U-shaped frame, and
(d) an extendible and retractable power driven jack unit connecting at one end to said link and a coupler for connecting the other end to the motorized vehicle.