Hitching device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a hitching device for mounting to a vehicle and coupling to an attachment, the hitching device comprising a base portion, a hitching portion, a mounting portion, and a plurality of tilt actuators. The hitching device further comprises a rotatable shaft affixed to the hitching portion. In use, the plurality of tilt actuators are activated to actuate the hitching portion and attachment connected thereto to rotate around an axis of rotation defined by a longitudinal axis through the centre of the rotatable shaft.

Description

HITCHING DEVICEField of the Invention[1] The present invention relates to hitching device, and in particular to a hitching device for mounting to a vehicle and for coupling to an attachment.Background of the Invention[2] Hitching devices are used for connecting an external attachment to a vehicle mainly for the purposes of transportation, agriculture, or construction.[3] When used for land cultivation purposes, most hitching devices are specifically made only for a singular attachment and purpose. The user must either operate a different vehicle with a specific attachment or consume a great amount of time in swapping the current attachment.[4] Some hitching devices are only made for a specific type of vehicle and are not connectable to other types of operating vehicle.[5] Moreover, hitching devices are prone to damage due to repeated use and lack of support provided to actuated and moving parts.[6] The present invention seeks to provide hitching device, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.[7] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.Summary of the Invention[8] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a hitching device is provided comprising : a base portion; a plurality of tilt actuators connected to the base portion; a hitching portion adapted for coupling to an attachment, the hitching portion being connected to at least one of the plurality of tilt actuators; and a mounting portion adapted for mounting to a vehicle;wherein the at least one of the plurality of tilt actuators is configured to actuate the hitching portion when in use.[9] In one embodiment, the base portion further comprises a base portion aperture, the hitching portion further comprises a hitching portion aperture, and the hitching device further comprises a rotatable shaft such that the first aperture and the second aperture are configured for rotatably accommodating the rotatable shaft therethrough, and an end portion of the rotation shaft is affixed to the hitching portion.

[0010] Advantageously, the rotatable shaft supports the rotation of the hitching portion when the tilt actuators are in use.

[0011] In one embodiment, the rotatable shaft defines an axis of rotation, and at least one of the plurality of tilt actuators is adapted for rotating the hitching portion around the axis of rotation.

[0012] In one embodiment, the hitching portion has a maximum roll angle of 34° in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction with respect to the base portion.

[0013] Advantageously, the hitching device can rotate the attachment at various angles depending on the intended use.

[0014] In one embodiment, the base portion further comprises a plurality of arcuate slots configured for accommodating a portion of a corresponding one of the plurality of tilt actuators such that when in use, a portion of the plurality of tilt actuators can slide within the slot.

[0015] Advantageously, the movement of the tilt actuators is supported by the arcuate slots such that a consistent rotational motion and / or torque is applied to the hitching portion.

[0016] In one embodiment, wherein the mounting portion is adapted for mounting the hitching device to a chassis of a vehicle.

[0017] In one embodiment, the hitching device further comprises a lifting actuator adapted to raise and lower the base portion with respect to the mounting portion in use.

[0018] In one embodiment, the base portion is connected to the mounting portion by a stabilizing arrangement, the stabilizing arrangement is adapted for supporting the raising and lowering of the base portion when in use.

[0019] Advantageously, the stabilizing arrangement provides a structural support for the lifting movement of the base portion when the lift actuator is in use.

[0020] In one embodiment, a vehicle comprises the hitching device as described by any one of the foregoing paragraphs, wherein the vehicle is adapted for controlling the hitching device.

[0021] This invention may also be said broadly to comprise in the parts, elements, and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements, or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

[0022] To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

[0023] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0025] Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a hitching device;

[0026] Figure 2 shows a front view of the hitching device of Figure 1 ;

[0027] Figure 3 shows a rear view of the hitching device of Figure 1 ;

[0028] Figure 4 shows a top view of the hitching device of Figure 1 ;

[0029] Figure 5 shows a bottom view of the hitching device of Figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 6 shows a right side view of the hitching device of Figure 1 ;

[0031] Figure 7 shows a front perspective view of a base portion and actuators of the hitching device of Figure 1 ;

[0032] Figure 8 shows a rear perspective view of the base portion and the actuators of Figure 1 ;

[0033] Figure 9 shows a front view of the base portion and tilt actuators of Figure 1 ;

[0034] Figure 10 shows a rear view of a hitching portion of the hitching device of Figure 1 ;

[0035] Figure 11 shows a front view of the hitching portion of Figure 1 ;

[0036] Figure 12 shows a top view of a hitching portion of Figure 1 ;

[0037] Figure 13 shows a front view of a mounting portion of the hitching device of Figure 1 ; and

[0038] Figure 14 shoes a rear view of the mounting portion of the hitching device of Figure 1 .Description of Embodiments

[0039] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[0040] Figs. 1 -6 show a hitching device 100 according to the present invention. The hitching device 100 comprises three main portions: the base portion 101 , hitching portion 102, and mounting portion 103.

[0041] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the base portion 101 comprises a base plate 104 substantially rectangular in shape, having a first surface 105, and a second surface 106. The base plate 104 has a disk-shaped plate through-aperture 107 located substantially at its centre. The base plate is provided with a disk-shaped skid plate 108 having a skid plate aperture 109, wherein the skid plate aperture 109 and the base plate aperture 107 have the same dimensions. In another embodiment, the skid plate 108 is attached to the first surface 105. The skid plate 108 is integrally formed to the first surface 105 such that the base plate aperture 107 and skid plate aperture 109 are parallel and concentric. The base plate aperture 107 and the skid plate aperture 109 are configured for rotatably accommodating a portion of cylindrically shaped rotatable shaft 1 16.

[0042] The base plate 104 also comprises a first distal side 1 10, a second distal side 1 11 , a first proximal side 1 12, and a second proximal side 1 13 relative to the centre of the base plate 104. The base plate is provided with a first arcuate through-slot 110 and a second arcuate through-slot 1 11. The first arcuate through slot is located between the base plate aperture 107 and the first distal side 110, and the second arcuate through slot is located between the base plate aperture 107 and the second distal side 111.

[0043] The base portion 101 comprises an attachment portion 1 17 which extends from the first proximal side 112 of the base plate 104. The attachment portion 117 has a fin-like plate 118. The top of the fin-like plate 118 has a rearwardly directed tip, wherein the rearwardly directed tip has a tip aperture 120. A base region 1 19 of the fin-like plate has mirrored, outwardly protruding clevises 123 and 124. Clevises 123 and 124 are for connecting a first tilt actuator 130 and a second tilt actuator 131 , respectively, such that pins can be inserted therethrough to secure the tilt actuators 130 and 131 in a free-rotating manner.

[0044] Each tilt actuator 130, 131 comprise a cylindrical body 132 and a rod 133. Each cylindrical body 132 includes a first ring lug 134 at its upper end and each rod 133 includes a second ring lug 135 at its lower end. The first ring lug 134 of the cylindrical body 132 of the first tilt actuator 130 is configured for rotatably connecting to the first clevis 123 and the first ring lug 134 of the cylindrical body 132 of the second tilt actuator 131 is configured for rotatably connecting to the second clevis 124. In this embodiment, the cylinder and the rod are adapted for hydraulic actuation. In other embodiments, the first and second tilt actuators 130, 131 could be other forms of linear actuators, such as an electrical linear actuator.

[0045] The base portion 101 comprises four railings 127, each one of the railings 127 is welded to the second surface 106. The railings 127 are oriented parallel to each other and provide the base portion with torsional rigidity. The railings 127 have a first end 128 proximate to the first distal side 110, a second end 129 proximate to the second distal side 11 1. In a preferred embodiment, the, A first hollow cylinder 125 is substantially adjacent the first distal side 110 and a second hollow cylinder 126 is substantially adjacent to the second distal side 11 1. In another embodiment, the first hollow cylinder 125 is positioned between the first arcuate slot 1 14 and the first distal side 110, and the second hollow cylinder 126 is positioned between the second arcuate slot 115 and the second distal side 1 11. In other embodiments, the first and second hollow cylinders may be other structural arrangements that provide suitable stabilization during lifting. In other embodiment, the four railings 127 may be another structural arrangement suitable to provide torsional rigidity to the structure.

[0046] The hitching device 100 comprises a lift actuator 138. The lift actuator 138 has a cylindrical body 139 and a rod 140. The rod 140 has a first clevis 141 at its upper end of and the cylindrical body 139 has a second clevis 142 at its lower end. The first clevis 141 is connected to the tip aperture 120 of the peripheral portion 118 by a pin. In this embodiment, the cylinder 139 and the rod 140 are adapted for hydraulic actuation. In other embodiments, the lift actuator 138 could be another form of linear actuator, such as an electrical linear actuator.

[0047] The hitching device 100 comprises a hitching portion 103. The hitching portion 103 includes a central portion 144, a first lateral arm 149, and a second lateral arm 150. A rear surface 145 of central portion 144 is in contact with the skid plate 108 when in use. The central portion 144 has a central portion aperture 147 at its centre, wherein the central portion aperture 147 is configured for rotatably accommodating a portion of the rotatable shaft 1 16. The central portion 144 also includes a disc-shaped retainer plate 148 over a front side portion of the aperture 147, wherein the retainer plate 148 is configured for receiving a plurality of fasteners to affix the rotatable shaft 1 16 to the central portion 144.

[0048] Each lateral arm 149 and 150 has an attachment portion 151 for rotatable connection to the second ring lugs 135 of the first tilt actuator 130 and second tilt actuator 131 respectively, such that a pin can be inserted therethrough to secure the hitching portion 104 to the tilt actuators.

[0049] Each arm 149 and 150 also comprises a first hitching member 153 and a second hitching member 154, respectively. Each hitching member has two side panels 155, a bottom panel 156, and a face plate 157. The face plate 157 is connected to the two side panels 155 and bottom panel 156 such that the face plate 157 is opposite a front portion of the respective arms, 150 forming a pocket 158 therebetween. A hitching slit 160 is provided at a portion of the face panel 157 down to a portion of the bottom panel 156.

[0050] The hitching device 100 comprises a mounting portion 103. The mounting portion 103 includes a first side panel 164, a second side panel 165, a top panel 166, and a bottom panel 167. The top panel has an actuator aperture 168 for accommodating therethrough the lift actuator 138. A portion of the bottom panel 166 has a protrusion with an aperture 169 configured for connecting to the second clevis 142 of the lift actuator 138 and, such that a pin can be accommodated therethrough to secure the lift actuator 138 to the mounting portion 103. The mounting portion 103 further comprises a first upright member 170 and a second upright member 171 affixed to the top and bottom panels, wherein the first upright member 170 is substantially adjacent to the first side panel 164 and the second upright member 171 is substantially adjacent to the second side panel 165. The upright members 170, 171 are configured to slidingly fit the hollow cylinders 125, 126 respectively.

[0051] The mounting portion 103 further comprises mounting panels 172. Each mounting panels 172 are connected to a portion of the top panel 166 and bottom panel 167, wherein one mounting panel is substantially adjacent to the first side panel 164 and the other mounting panel is substantially adjacent to the second side panel 165. The mounting panels 172 have a through-aperture 173 configured for connecting to a chassis of a vehicle, such that a fastening assembly is accommodated therethrough to affix the hitching device 100 to the vehicle.

[0052] When the tilt actuators are activated, the rod of one of the tilt actuators extends from its actuator body and the rod of the other tilt actuator retracts to its cylindrical body simultaneously. The arcuate slots 114, 115 provide a path for a portion of the second ring lug 135 of the first tilt actuator 130 and a portion of the second ring lug 135 of the second tilt actuator 131 , respectively, to slide therein when the rods 133 extend or retract. The opposing movements of the tilt actuators cause the hitching portion 143, the rotatable shaft 116, and the attachment connected to the hitching portion to rotate around an axis of rotation definedby a longitudinal axis through the centre of the rotatable shaft 1 16. In a preferred embodiment, the hitching portion and the rotatable shaft has a maximum roll angle of 34° in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction with respect to the base portion 101. When the lift actuator 138 is activated, the rod 140 can either extend from or retract to the cylindrical body 139. As the rod extends or retract, the hollow cylinders 125, 126 slides along the axis of the upright members 170, 171. The base portion 101 is then either raised or lowered at a height relative to the mounting portion 103. The upright members 170, 171 provides structural support to the lifting movement of the base portion as it reduces the non-axial load on the lift actuator 138.InterpretationMarkush Groups

[0053] In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognise that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.Chronological sequence

[0054] For this specification, where method steps are described in sequence, the sequence does not necessarily mean that the steps are to be carried out in chronological order in that sequence, unless there is no other logical manner of interpreting the sequence.Embodiments:

[0055] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0056] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Description of Embodiments are herebyexpressly incorporated into this Description of Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[0057] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.Different Instances of Objects

[0058] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.Specific Details

[0059] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.lt is understood, however, that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.Terminology

[0060] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. The invention is, however, not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[0061] As used herein the term “and / or” means “and” or “or”, or both.

[0062] As used herein “(s)” following a noun means the plural and / or singular forms of the noun.

[0063] As used herein the term “a plurality of’ means one or more of.Comprising and Including

[0064] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusivesense, i.e., to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[0065] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements / features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.Scope of Invention

[0066] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[0067] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.Industrial Applicability

[0068] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the automobile industries.

Claims

ClaimsThe claims defining the invention are as follows:1 . A hitching device, comprising: a base portion; a plurality of tilt actuators connected to the base portion; a hitching portion adapted for coupling to an attachment, the hitching portion being connected to at least one of the plurality of tilt actuators; and a mounting portion adapted for mounting to a vehicle; wherein the at least one of the plurality of tilt actuators is configured to actuate the hitching portion when in use.

2. The hitching device of claim 1 , wherein the base portion further comprises a base portion aperture, the hitching portion further comprises a hitching portion aperture, and the hitching device further comprises a rotatable shaft such that the first aperture and the second aperture are configured for rotatably accommodating the rotatable shaft therethrough, and an end portion of the rotation shaft is affixed to the hitching portion.

3. The hitching device of claim 2, wherein the rotatable shaft defines an axis of rotation, and at least one of the plurality of tilt actuators is adapted for rotating the hitching portion around the axis of rotation.

4. The hitching device of claim 3, wherein the hitching portion has a maximum roll angle of 34° in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction with respect to the base portion.

5. The hitching device of claim 1 , wherein the base portion further comprises a plurality of arcuate slots configured for accommodating a portion of a corresponding one of the plurality of tilt actuators such that when in use, a portion of the plurality of tilt actuators can slide within the slot.

6. The hitching device of claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion is adapted for mounting the hitching device to a chassis of a vehicle.

7. The hitching device of claim 6, further comprising a lifting actuator adapted to raise and lower the base portion with respect to the mounting portion in use.

8. The hitching device of claim 6, wherein the base portion is connected to the mounting portion by a stabilizing arrangement, the stabilizing arrangement is adapted for supporting the raising and lowering of the base portion when in use.

9. A vehicle comprising the hitching device of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the vehicle is adapted for controlling the hitching device.

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