IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,629,972
Granted Patent B2
US 12,629,972 · App. 18/357,690 · Granted May 19, 2026

Ball-type coupling arrangement for an agricultural tractor

Inventor: Martin Heitlinger (Oestringen, DE)
Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
B60D1/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,629,972
App. No.
18/357,690
Granted
May 19, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A ball-type coupling arrangement for an agricultural tractor including a coupling base with a coupling ball attached thereto for receiving a coupling socket, a coupling housing arranged on the coupling base, a hold-down device including a planar stop region formed on an outer contour, the hold-down device coupled to the coupling housing such that it is pivotable between a position locking the coupling ball and a position releasing the coupling ball, and a closure element attached to the coupling housing, the closure element contacting the planar stop region in a locking position to lock the hold-down device in its locking position.

Claims (23)

1 . A ball-type coupling arrangement for an agricultural tractor, comprising:

a coupling base with a coupling ball attached thereto for receiving a coupling socket;

a coupling housing arranged on the coupling base;

a hold-down device including a planar stop region formed on an outer contour, the hold-down device coupled to the coupling housing such that it is pivotable between a position locking the coupling ball and a position releasing the coupling ball; and

a closure element attached to the coupling housing, the closure element contacting the planar stop region in a locking position to lock the hold-down device in its locking position;

wherein the closure element is formed as a transverse latch extending in a locking position perpendicular to the pivoting direction of the hold-down device on the coupling housing, the transverse latch can be secured in the locking position via a manually actuable securing mechanism, which includes a spring-pretensioned securing bolt having a free end engaging in a recess formed in the transverse latch in the locking position.

2 . The ball-type coupling arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the transverse latch is coupled to the coupling housing such that it can be pivoted manually into a position releasing the locking of the hold-down device.

3 . The ball-type coupling arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the planar stop region is oriented radially with respect to a point of rotation serving for coupling the hold-down device to the coupling housing.

4 . The ball-type coupling arrangement according of claim 1 , wherein the transverse latch has a coupling region for the rotatable mounting on the coupling housing, and the transverse latch has a gripping region at a free end opposite the coupling region.

5 . The ball-type coupling arrangement of claim 4 , wherein a protrusion extending over the coupling region in the opposite direction to the free end is provided on the transverse latch.

6 . The ball-type coupling arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the recess is contoured along an entry region in such a manner that a snap-action closure is formed in interaction with the free end of the spring-pretensioned securing bolt.

7 . The ball-type coupling arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the hold-down device is pretensioned via a spring element in the direction of the position releasing the coupling ball.

8 . An agricultural tractor including a ball-type coupling arrangement, comprising:

a coupling base with a coupling ball attached thereto for receiving a coupling socket;

a coupling housing arranged on the coupling base;

a hold-down device including a planar stop region formed on an outer contour, the hold-down device coupled to the coupling housing such that it is pivotable between a position locking the coupling ball and a position releasing the coupling ball; and

a closure element attached to the coupling housing, the closure element contacting the planar stop region in a locking position to lock the hold-down device in its locking position, the closure element is formed as a transverse latch extending in a locking position perpendicular to the pivoting direction of the hold-down device on the coupling housing, and the transverse latch being secured in the locking position via a manually actuable securing mechanism, which includes a spring-pretensioned securing bolt having a free end engaging in a recess formed in the transverse latch in the locking position.

9 . The agricultural tractor of claim 8 , wherein the transverse latch is coupled to the coupling housing such that it can be pivoted manually into a position releasing the locking of the hold-down device.

10 . The agricultural tractor of claim 8 , wherein the planar stop region is oriented radially with respect to a point of rotation serving for coupling the hold-down device to the coupling housing.

11 . The agricultural tractor according of claim 8 , wherein the transverse latch has a coupling region for the rotatable mounting on the coupling housing, and the transverse latch has a gripping region at a free end opposite the coupling region.

12 . The agricultural tractor of claim 11 , wherein a protrusion extending over the coupling region in the opposite direction to the free end is provided on the transverse latch.

13 . The agricultural tractor of claim 8 , wherein the recess is contoured along an entry region in such a manner that a snap-action closure is formed in interaction with the free end of the spring-pretensioned securing bolt.

14 . The agricultural tractor of claim 8 , wherein the hold-down device is pretensioned via a spring element in the direction of the position releasing the coupling ball.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 24, 2023
From: HEITLINGER, MARTIN; JOHN DEERE GMBH & CO. KG
To: DEERE & COMPANY
Reel/Frame 064361/0127 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 102022121264.5 · Aug 23, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240065128A1 · Feb 29, 2024
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