The present invention relates to a platform assembly for a towed implement, such as a broadcast spreader, sprayer, cart bed, or other lawn or turf implement towed behind a mower, riding mower, zero-turn radius mower (ZTR), tractor, truck, all-terrain vehicle (ATV), or other vehicle.
Various implements are often towed behind vehicles in caring for and maintaining a lawn, in farming applications, in applying salt or chemicals to icy surfaces, and in other circumstances. For example, broadcast spreaders and sprayers are two common implements that are towed behind vehicles, including, but not limited to, mowers, riding mowers, zero-turn radius mowers (ZTR), tractors, trucks, and all-terrain vehicles (ATV). Irrespective of the particular implement that is being used, when towing an implement behind a vehicle, there is a significant load on the rear of the vehicle as a result of the weight of the towed implement. In this regard, the term “tongue weight” is commonly used to refer to the downward force that the towed implement applies to the hitch or bracket at the rear of the vehicle. If the tongue weight is too great, the maneuverability of the vehicle may be adversely affected.
The present invention is a platform assembly for a towed implement, such as a broadcast spreader, sprayer, cart bed, or other lawn or turf implement towed behind a mower, riding mower, zero-turn radius mower (ZTR), tractor, truck, all-terrain vehicle (ATV), or other vehicle.
A platform assembly made in accordance with the present invention generally comprises: a bracket or other means for securing the platform assembly to a vehicle; a frame connected to the bracket for supporting the implement that is to be towed behind the vehicle; one or more wheels or casters connected to the frame for contacting the underlying ground surface; and a biasing means for providing an upward force that counteracts the downward force (or tongue weight) applied to the rear of the vehicle by the platform assembly and the towed implement.
In one exemplary embodiment, extending from the front face of the bracket are pairs of rearwardly extending support members, each pair effectively forming a shackle. Extending from the frame are one or more tow bars. Each of these tow bars terminates in a tube section that is oriented perpendicular to the respective tow bar. Accordingly, the tube section of each tow bar can be placed in registry with holes defined by one of the pairs of support members, with a clevis pin then inserted to create a pin connection. As a result, the tow bars and the frame can pivot about the horizontal axis defined by the clevis pin(s), thus allowing for rotational movement as the platform assembly moves over uneven ground. Furthermore, the use of at least two tow bars prevents side-to-side movement during turning, thus preventing any jack-knifing of the platform assembly relative to the vehicle.
The platform assembly also includes a biasing means for providing an upward force that counteracts the downward force (or tongue weight) applied to the rear of the vehicle. Such an upward force is not intended to fully counteract the downward force applied to the rear of the vehicle by the platform assembly and the towed implement, but rather only to counteract a portion of the force and reduce the load on the rear of the vehicle.
In one exemplary embodiment, the biasing means is comprised of a spring and an associated handle for manipulating the spring. The handle is pivotally connected to the bracket and can rotate about a substantially horizontal axis. The spring is connected, at one end, to a lower portion of the handle, which is positioned below the tow bars. At the opposite end, the spring is connected to the frame, such that the spring extends along a diagonal axis between the handle and the frame. When installed, the spring is compact and unstretched. However, by rotating the handle downward, the spring is stretched, increasing the potential energy in the spring. With respect to the rotational movement of the handle and the stretching of the spring, the handle can be locked into a second position in which the spring is stretched by a pin or other mechanical means. In any event, as a result of the stretching of the spring in this manner, an upward force is applied at the bracket where the platform assembly is connected to the vehicle. This upward force counteracts the downward force (or tongue weight) applied to the rear of the vehicle by the platform assembly and the towed implement. In other words, the tongue weight that is applied to the vehicle as a result of the connection of the platform assembly and the towed implement is effectively reduced.
The present invention is a platform assembly for a towed implement, such as a broadcast spreader, sprayer, cart bed, or other lawn or turf implement towed behind a mower, riding mower, zero-turn radius mower (ZTR), tractor, truck, all-terrain vehicle (ATV), or other vehicle.
Referring first to
Referring still to
Extending from the front face of the bracket 12 are two pairs of rearwardly extending support members 20, 22, 24, 26, each pair (20,22 and 24, 26) effectively forming a shackle. Extending from the frame 14 are two tow bars 30, 32. Each of these tow bars 30, 32 terminates in a tube section 31, 33 that is oriented perpendicular to the respective tow bar 30, 32. Accordingly, the tube section 31 of the first tow bar 30 can be placed in registry with holes 20a, 22a defined by one of the pairs of support members 20, 22, with a clevis pin 36 then inserted through the hole 20a defined by the first support member 20, through the tube section 31 of the first tow bar 30, and through the hole 22a defined by the second support member 22, thus creating a pin connection that is secured by a washer 49 and a cotter pin 50. Similarly, the tube section 33 of the second tow bar 32 can be placed in registry with holes 26a, 24a defined by the other of the pairs of support members 24, 26, with a second clevis pin 38 then inserted through the hole 26a defined by the fourth support member 26, through the tube section 33 of the second tow bar 32, and through the hole 24a defined by the third support member 24, thus creating another pin connection that is secured by a washer 51 and a cotter pin 52. Of course, as a result of such pin connections, the tow bars 30, 32 and the frame 14 can pivot about the horizontal axis defined by the clevis pins 36, 38, thus allowing for rotational movement as the platform assembly 10 moves over uneven ground. Furthermore, the use of two tow bars 30, 32 prevents side-to-side movement during turning, thus preventing any jack-knifing of the platform assembly 10 relative to the vehicle 100.
Referring still to
In this exemplary embodiment, the biasing means is comprised of a spring 40 and an associated handle 42 for manipulating the spring 40. As best shown in
The spring 40 is connected, at one end, to a hole 42c in a lower portion of the handle 42, which is positioned below the tow bars 30, 32. At the opposite end, the spring 40 is connected to the frame 14, such that the spring 40 extends along a diagonal axis between the handle 42 and the frame 14. When installed, the spring 40 is compact and unstretched. However, by rotating the handle 42 downward (counterclockwise in
As mentioned above, the slot 42b defined by the handle 42 accommodates some limited rotation of the handle 42 about the horizontal axis defined by the clevis pin 36. With respect to this feature, it should also be noted that when a vehicle travels over the crest of a hill (or, in the case of a mower, is loaded onto a trailer), the spring 40 will no longer be extended, but will return to its compressed state. Furthermore, as the vehicle travels over the crest of a hill, with the rear of the vehicle angled downward and the front of the frame 14 angled upward, the spring 40 could be forced into itself. Since the slot 42b defined by the handle 42 accommodates some limited rotation of the handle 42, such rotation also prevents the spring 40 from bearing the compressed load.
One of ordinary skill in the art will also recognize that additional embodiments and configurations are also possible without departing from the teachings of the present invention or the scope of the claims which follow. This detailed description, and particularly the specific details of the exemplary embodiment disclosed, is given primarily for clarity of understanding, and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modifications will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/255,526 filed on Oct. 28, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1492491 | Swope | Apr 1924 | A |
1495306 | Holmes | May 1924 | A |
1864324 | Stedman | Jun 1932 | A |
1915866 | Orelind | Jun 1933 | A |
2105585 | Currie | Jan 1938 | A |
2292488 | Stevens, Jr. | Aug 1942 | A |
2329380 | Arehart | Sep 1943 | A |
2338334 | Kastenschmidt | Jan 1944 | A |
2596902 | Krause | May 1952 | A |
2792238 | Schaa | May 1957 | A |
3623750 | Allen | Nov 1971 | A |
3998471 | Lutchemeier | Dec 1976 | A |
6488291 | Bellis, Jr. | Dec 2002 | B1 |
7040556 | Jones | May 2006 | B2 |
7484749 | Doyle et al. | Feb 2009 | B1 |
8029007 | Jones et al. | Oct 2011 | B2 |
20030178512 | Kenny | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20060054722 | Jones | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20070125581 | Busuttil et al. | Jun 2007 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61255526 | Oct 2009 | US |