GRAHAM, Lucas, B. (1436 Highway 63, New Sharon, IA, 50207, US)
DOCKTER, Nathan, Daryl (1208 North Prairie Street, Pella, IA, 50219, US)
REMPE, Scott, Alan (2359 Lucas Drive, Pella, IA, 50219, US)
GRAHAM, Lucas, B. (1436 Highway 63, New Sharon, IA, 50207, US)
DOCKTER, Nathan, Daryl (1208 North Prairie Street, Pella, IA, 50219, US)
| WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A hitch for coupling a towing vehicle to a towed implement, the hitch comprising: a receiver adapted to be mounted to the towing vehicle; an adaptor including a first portion that fits within the receiver and a second portion at which a primary hitch coupling element is located; a connection/release arrangement for selectively securing the adaptor within the receiver, the connection/release arrangement including a lock member movable between an engaged position where the adaptor is locked within the receiver and a disengaged position where the adapter can be inserted into and removed from the receiver, the lock member having an insertion/retraction depth when moved between the engaged position and the disengaged position, the lock member engaging the adaptor at an engagement location when in the engaged position, the adaptor having a first cross-dimension measured at the engagement location generally in a same orientation as the insertion/retraction depth, and the insertion/retraction depth being less than the first cross-dimension. 2. The hitch of claim 1, wherein the insertion/retraction depth is less than or equal to one half the first cross-dimension. 3. The hitch of claim 1 , wherein the receiver comprises a generally rectangular tube, and wherein the first portion of the adaptor is generally rectangular in cross- section and telescopically slides within the generally rectangular tube. 4. The hitch of claim 1, wherein the receiver includes a wall defining a first opening, wherein the adaptor defines a second opening that aligns with first opening when the first portion of the adaptor is slid to a first position within the receiver, and wherein the lock member fits within the first and second openings when moved to the engaged position while the first portion of the adaptor is in the first position relative to the receiver. 5. The hitch of claim 4, wherein the first and second openings are fully enclosed openings, wherein the lock member has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the insertion/retraction depth extends along the longitudinal axis. 6. The hitch of claim 5, wherein the lock member has a length along the longitudinal axis that is less than one-half the first cross-dimension. 7. The hitch of claim 4, wherein the first and second openings comprise notches, wherein the lock member has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the insertion/retraction depth is transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis. 8. The hitch of claim 7, wherein the lock member has a length greater than the first cross-dimension. 9. The hitch of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the adaptor includes a sleeve and a draw bar telescopically mounted within the sleeve, the adaptor also including a first stop and a second stop, the first and second stops being fixed relative to the sleeve and spaced from one another along a length of the sleeve, the draw bar including a main elongate structure and an intermediate stop fixed at an intermediate location along a length of the main elongate structure, the sleeve including a top side and a bottom side, the adapter including a first cushioning structure positioned within the sleeve between the first stop and the intermediate stop, the adaptor also including a second cushioning structure positioned within the sleeve between the second stop and the intermediate stop, the adaptor further including a draw bar stabilizing structure positioned within the sleeve between the first and second stops, the draw bar stabilizing structure also being positioned between the main elongate structure and the top side of the sleeve, the draw bar stabilizing structure further being positioned between the main elongate structure and the bottom side of the sleeve, the draw bar stabilizing structure being more rigid than the first and second cushioning structures. 10. A hitch for coupling a towing vehicle to a towed implement, the hitch comprising: a receiver adapted to be mounted to the towing vehicle, the receiver including opposing walls defining co-axially aligned first and second openings; an adaptor including a first portion that slides between the opposing walls of the receiver and a second portion that projects outwardly from the receiver, wherein a primary hitch coupling element is located at the second portion of the adaptor; a connection/release arrangement for selectively securing the adaptor to the receiver, the connection/release arrangement including a first and second co-axially aligned pins movable between an engaged position where the adaptor is locked within the receiver and a disengaged position where the adapter can be inserted into and removed from the receiver, wherein the first pins extends through the first opening and into engagement with the first portion of the adaptor when in the engaged position, wherein the second pin extends through the second opening and into engagement with the first portion of the adaptor when in the engaged position, and wherein the first and second pins move toward one another when moving from the disengaged position toward the engaged position and away from one another when moving from the engaged position toward to disengaged position. 11. The hitch of claim 10, wherein the connection/release arrangement includes a screw drive mechanism for moving the first and second pins between the engaged and disengaged positions. 12. A hitch for coupling a towing vehicle to a towed implement, the hitch comprising: a receiver adapted to be mounted to the towing vehicle, the receiver defining a first notch; an adaptor including a first portion that slides within the receiver and a second portion at which a primary hitch coupling element is located, the first portion defining a second notch that aligns with the first notch when the first portion of the adapter is slid to a first position within the receiver; a connection/release arrangement for selectively securing the adaptor at the first position within the receiver, the connection/release arrangement including a lock member movable between an engaged position where the adaptor is locked in the first position within the receiver and a disengaged position where the adapter can be inserted into and removed from the receiver, the lock member fitting within the first and second notches when moved to the engaged position while the first portion of the adaptor is in the first position, the lock member having an insertion/retraction depth when moved between the engaged position and the disengaged position, the lock member having a length that extends along a longitudinal axis of the lock member, and the insertion depth being generally transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis. 13. The hitch of claim 12, further comprising a lever arrangement for moving the lock member between the engaged and disengaged positions. 14. A hitch component comprising: a sleeve including a top side and a bottom side; a draw bar telescopically mounted within the sleeve, the draw bar including a main elongate structure and an intermediate stop fixed at an intermediate location along a length of the main elongate structure; a first stop and a second stop, the first and second stops being fixed relative to the sleeve and spaced from one another along a length of the sleeve; a first cushioning structure positioned within the sleeve between the first stop and the intermediate stop; a second cushioning structure positioned within the sleeve between the second stop and the intermediate stop; and a draw bar stabilizing structure positioned within the sleeve between the first and second stops, the draw bar stabilizing structure also being positioned between the main elongate structure and the top side of the sleeve, the draw bar stabilizing structure further being positioned between the main elongate structure and the bottom side of the sleeve, the draw bar stabilizing structure being more rigid than the first and second cushioning structures. 15. The hitch component of claim 14, further comprising a first compression limiter that extends between the intermediate stop and the first stop for limiting compression of the first cushioning structure under load, the hitch component also including a second compression limiter that extends between the intermediate stop and the second stop for limiting compression of the second cushioning structure under load, the first and second compression limiters being more rigid than the first and second cushioning structures. 16. A hitch comprising: a. a first member comprising an elongate body with: i. an elongate internal cavity having a lengthwise axis and a width determined in a first plane that passes through the lengthwise axis; ii. a first aperture with an axis that is generally perpendicular to the lengthwise axis and parallel to the first plane; b. a second member comprising: i. an elongated body having a lengthwise axis; ii. a second aperture; c. a locking member in a first position wherein it projects through the first aperture and engages with the second aperture, when the second member is positioned inside of the cavity in the first member and the second aperture is aligned with the first aperture, such that the retainer projects into the second aperture less than one-half the width of the internal cavity; and d. a locking mechanism with a first position wherein the locking mechanism holds the locking member into the first position. 17. The hitch of claim 16, wherein the locking member has a second position wherein it is not engaged with the second aperture, and the locking mechanism has a corresponding second position. 18. The hitch of claim 16, wherein the second member comprises: a. an elongate internal cavity with an inner surface a front surface and a rear surface; b. a hitch bar positioned inside the elongate internal cavity with a horizontal load ring; c. a rigid support bearing positioned between the hitch bar and the inner surface; d. a resilient support bearing positioned between the horizontal load ring and the front surface of the internal cavity; and e. a resilient support bearing positioned between the horizontal load ring and the rear surface of the internal cavity. 19. The hitch of claim 17, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a lever operatively connected to the locking member. 20. A hitch comprising: a. a member with an elongate body with an elongate internal cavity with an inner surface a front surface and a rear surface; b. a hitch bar positioned inside the elongate internal cavity with a horizontal load ring; c. a rigid support bearing positioned between the hitch bar and the inner surface; d. a resilient support bearing positioned between the horizontal load ring and the front surface of the internal cavity; and e. a resilient support bearing positioned between the horizontal load ring and the rear surface of the internal cavity. |
This application is being filed on 5 August 2010, as a PCT
International Patent application in the name of Vermeer Manufacturing Company, a U.S. national corporation, applicant for the designation of all countries except the US, and Scott Alan Rempe, Lucas B. Graham, and Nathan Daryl Dockter, citizens of the U.S., applicants for the designation of the US only, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/231,344, filed August 5, 2009, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Background
Hitches are used for connecting towed implements to towing vehicles. A common hitch design includes a hitch bar (i.e., a draw bar) that telescopically slides within a receiver mounted to a towing vehicle. A removable cross-pin is used to secure the hitch bar within the receiver. A first hitch coupling element (e.g., a hitch ball, pin receiver, etc.) is provided at the hitch bar. The first hitch coupling element is adapted to be coupled to a second hitch coupling element (e.g., a hitch ball receiver, hitch pin, etc.) attached to the towed implement. An example hitch having this type of design is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,481,258.
Hitches have also been designed with features for providing shock cushioning. Example hitches of this type are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos.
4,515,387; 4,746,138; 5,380,030; and 6,834,879.
Summary
One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a hitch that provides features to minimize the transfer of axial/horizontal shock loads between towed implements and towing vehicles while maintaining stability with respect to vertical loads. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a hitch that provides a quick and easy method of disconnecting a towed implement from a towing vehicle, such as a combine. A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a hitch that can be disconnected in all conditions including when the hitch is under load. A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a hitch that provides for both the quick disconnect function and for the shock load reduction function. It is possible to utilize and package these features separately, or together.
A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. These aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 illustrates a hitch in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure shown coupling a combine to a towed implement;
Figure 2 is a side view of the hitch of Figure 1 with the combine shown in cross section;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 3-3 of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 4-4 of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a hitch connecting/release arrangement used by the hitch of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of another hitch in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, an adaptor of the hitch is shown exploded outwardly from an adaptor receiver of the hitch;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the adaptor receiver of the hitch of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 8-8 of
Figure 6, the hitch adaptor is shown inserted within the adaptor receiver and a lock pin of the hitch is shown in an engaged position;
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 9-9 of Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 10-10 of
Figure 6, the hitch adaptor is shown inserted within the adaptor receiver and the lock pin is shown in a disengaged position; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 11-11 of Figure 13;
Figure 12 is an exploded, perspective view of the hitch adaptor of the hitch of Figure 6;
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 13-13 of
Figure 11;
Figure 14a is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 14-14 of Figure 11 with a draw bar of the hitch adaptor shown in a towing position; and
Figure 14b is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 14-14 of Figure 11 showing the draw bar of the hitch adaptor in a stopping orientation.
Detailed Description
Figure 1 illustrates one example of a towing vehicle hitched to a towed implement. The towing vehicle is depicted as a combine 10 with a rear axle 12, front axle 16 and a frame 14. The combine 10 is connected to towed implement 20 at a hitch point 30 that is in the vicinity of the combine's rear axle 12. A hitch 100 is attached to the combine and supports the tongue of towed implement.
Features of the hitch are beneficial for this application as will be explained in greater detail. Other applications, such as connecting different types of implements to a combine, or use of the hitch on different types of towing vehicles, can likewise benefit from these features. Thus the aspects of the present disclosure are not intended for use exclusively for this application.
Figure 2 illustrates the hitch 100 connected to the combine frame 14 in the vicinity of the rear axle 12. The hitch 100 includes an outer structural frame 110 (e.g., an adaptor receiver), a connecting/release mechanism 200 and an adaptor 150. The outer structural frame 110 includes a front mount arrangement 112 (e.g., hardware, brackets, fasteners, plates, bars, flanges, etc.) configured to attach to the combine frame 14 at a first end, and a rear mount arrangement 114 (e.g., hardware, brackets, plates, bars, flanges, etc.) that attach to the combine at a second end. It will be appreciated that these mounting arrangements will vary depending on the type of combine or other towing vehicle being used. Hence, various different types of mounting configurations can be used in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. As shown at Figures 3 and 4, the frame 110 is depicted as including a generally rectangular tube having opposing side walls through which co-axially aligned holes 116, 118 are defined. The adaptor 150 includes a first portion 151 that telescopically slides within the frame 110. The first portion 151 has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape. The first portion 151 of the adaptor 150 includes opposing side walls defining co-axially aligned holes 152, 154. The adaptor 150 also includes a round tube 156 that extends between the adaptor side walls in coaxial alignment with the holes 152, 154. When the first portion 151 of the adaptor is slid to a first position (see Fig. 4) within the frame 110, the holes 116, 118 co-axially align with the holes 152, 154 and the tube 156.
The connecting/release mechanism 200 of the hitch functions to secure the adaptor 150 within the frame 110 and also functions to allow the adaptor 150 to be readily released from the frame 110. The connecting/release mechanism 200 includes co-axially aligned locking pins 202 that extend through the openings 116, 118 on opposite sides of the first portion 152 of the adaptor 150. The locking pins 202 are movable along their common axis between an engaged orientation (see Figure 3) where the locking pins 202 lock the adaptor within the frame 110 and a disengaged position where the adaptor 150 can be inserted into or removed from the frame 110. The locking pins 202 are moved toward one another when moving from the disengaged position to the engaged position, and are moved away from one another when moving from the engaged position to the disengaged position. The locking pins 202 have tapered portions (e.g., truncated conical portions) that make engagement with the tube 156 when the pins are in the engaged position.
To secure the adaptor 150 in position relative to the frame 110, the first portion 151 of the adaptor 150 is slid to the first position (see Fig. 4) within the frame 110. Next, the locking pins 202 are moved toward one another from the disengaged position to the engaged position. When in the engaged position (shown at Fig. 3), the pins 202 extend through the openings 116, 118 and into the openings defined by the ends of the tube 156.
To disengage the adaptor 150 from the frame 110, the locking pins
202 are moved away from one another to move from the engaged position to the disengaged position in which the pins 202 are no longer inserted within the tube 156. Once the pins 202 have been disengaged from the adaptor 150, the adaptor can be telescopically slid out of the frame 110. The pins 202 each have an insertion/retraction depth d when moved between the disengaged position and the engaged position. The insertion/retraction depth d is the depth each pin extends into the adaptor 150 when in the engaged position. In the depicted embodiment, the insertion/retraction depth is less than a cross-dimension cd of the first portion 151 of the adaptor 150 measured at the engagement location in the same orientation as the insertion/retraction depth d. In a preferred embodiment, the insertion/retraction depth d is less than one half the cross- dimension cd. The tapered configuration of the pins 202 and the relatively short insertion/retraction depth d facilitates quickly and easily retracting the pins 202 from the engaged position to the disengaged position.
The connecting/release mechanism 200 also includes a drive mechanism (see Fig. 5) for selectively moving the locking pins between the engaged and disengaged positions, and for retaining the locking pins at a desired position (i.e., at the engaged position or at the disengaged position). The drive mechanism includes two L-shaped locking arms 204 that are pivotally mounted to support member 206 at pivots 208, one on each side of the outer structural frame 110. The support arms 206 are pulled together by a ratchet 211 and a screw mechanism 210. The screw mechanism passes through an aperture in a first cross- shaft 212 such that it is free to rotate. It is secured longitudinally to the cross-shaft by washers and roll pins that hold the screw assembly in place relative to cross-shaft 212. Shaft 212 is pivotally connected to a first support arm 204.
The screw mechanism extends through shaft 212, and also to cross- shaft 214. Cross-shaft 214 includes a threaded aperture that engages a threaded portion of the shaft 212. Cross-shaft 214 is pivotally connected to the second support arm 204. When the screw mechanism 210 is rotated in a first direction, using the ratcheting mechanism 211, the locking arms 204 are pulled towards one another, forcing the lock pins 202 together and into rigid engagement with the tube 156. When the screw mechanism is rotated in the opposite direction the support arms are forced apart, which will cause the locking pins 202 to separate, and disengage from the tube 156.
The ability to force the pins apart and out of engagement is an advantage for situations in which the pins 202 are under a load, which can occur if there is a load on the drawbar. One of the features of the current invention is the ability to disconnect an implement from the towing vehicle in any situation, including situations where this condition may exist.
The implement will be connected to the towing vehicle with a primary connecting device (i.e., a primary hitch coupling arrangement), such as a hitch pin arrangement, a pintle hook arrangement or a hitch ball and hitch ball receiver arrangement. The primary hitch arrangement will include a first primary hitch element (e.g., a pin receiving opening, a hitch ball, a hitch pin, etc.) carried by or otherwise provided as part of the adaptor 150 and a second primary hitch element that is provided at a tongue of the towed vehicle an that couples with the first primary hitch element. One example illustrated in Figure 4 is a straight drawbar 102, attached to or part of the adaptor 150, with a first primary hitch element in the form of a hitch pin-receiving hole 104. The drawbar 102 forms a second portion 153 of the adaptor 150 that projects outwardly from the frame 110 when the first portion 152 of the adaptor 150 is locked within the frame 110. In this embodiment the towed implement will have second primary hitch element in the form of a yoke with a hitch aperture aligned with the hitch pin receiving hole 104 such that a hitch pin is inserted through the yoke on the implement and through the hitch pin receiving hole 104. This standard hitch structure can be under a load, and difficult to disengage in some situations, such as in conditions where the implement may be held in position by the towing vehicle (e.g., in a down-hill condition, an up-hill condition or when torque is being applied to the hitch pin). The implement may be positioned where it would roll forward or backward, or the tongue move right or left if the hitch pin were to be released. Under such circumstances, the act of unhitching the primary hitch coupling location can result in sudden movement of the implement. This sudden movement and separation could be undesirable as the operator could be in an undesirable location while manipulating that device. The connecting mechanism of the present invention provides a secondary connecting device, which is in an alternate location away from the primary hitch coupling, and one that can be utilized in any situation, even in situations where there is a pre-load on the primary connecting device.
The ratchet/screw mechanism of this first embodiment provides the capability for reliable separation, the ability to disconnect an implement in any situation, via the ability to force the pins 202 out of engagement with the adaptor 150. When an operator rotates the ratchet and screw mechanism in the appropriate direction, even if one pin moves while the other pin does not, the locking arm will contact plate 212 that is part of the support 206, to limit movement of the first pin in a disengaging direction, which will then force the second lock arm 204 and lock pin 202 to also move into a disengaged position. The amount of movement of either pin is small, due to the fact that the pins only extend a short distance, less than half-way, into the adaptor. Once the locking pins have moved apart, such that they no longer engage the tube 156, then the adaptor 150 will be free to move relative to the outer structural frame 110.
For a complete disconnection (i.e., for the implement to be completely released from the towing vehicle), the adaptor 150 must slide completely out of the outer structural frame 110. This relative movement is a second phase of a disconnection using the hitch of the present disclosure: the first step is to release the connecting device, and the second step is for the adaptor 150 to slide out of engagement with the outer structural frame 110. In certain embodiments, this second phase provides an additional benefit in that the towing device must be moved forward, away from the implement, or the implement must move backward, away from the towing vehicle, for this phase to occur.
Figure 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment with an alternate adaptor 250 that has a single open-sided opening/aperture 252 (e.g., a notch) and a drawbar 220 with a hitch pin hole 222. The drawbar and hitch pin hole are intended to be the primary connection mechanism for the towed implement. The drawbar and hitch pin hole form a first primary hitch element adapted to connect with a second primary hitch element of the vehicle desired to be towed. The present embodiment further includes an outer structural frame 160 (e.g., a receiver) with an open-sided aperture/opening 162 (e.g., a notch), and an alternate connecting mechanism 170 with a lock pin 172. Figure 7 shows the outer structural member 160 with the lock pin 172 positioned by a lever 174 that holds the lock pin 172 into engagement with aperture 162. Lever 174 is retained/secured in a connected position by lock pin 176.
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate the adaptor 250 inserted into the outer structural frame 160 such that aperture 252 is aligned with aperture 162, and the lever 174 is moved to the connected position such that lock pin 172 is inserted into both apertures 252 and 162, thereby locking the adaptor 250 to the structural frame 160. The lock pin 172 is thus moveable between an engaged position (see Fig. 8) where the adaptor 250 is locked within the frame 160, and a disengaged position (see Fig. 100 where the adaptor 250 can be inserted into and removed from the frame 160. The locking pin 172 has an insertion/retraction depth d that is less than a cross-dimension cd of the adaptor 250. The cross-dimension cd of the adaptor 250 is measured in the direction of the insertion/retraction depth d at the pin-to-adaptor interface/engagement location.
In use of this alternate connection mechanism, an operator removes the lock pin 176 to allow for rotation of the lever mechanism 174 relative to the frame 160. Once the pin 176 has been removed, the lever mechanism 174 can be rotated away from the frame 160 thereby forcing the lock pin 172 out of the apertures 162 and 252 as shown in Figure 10. Once the lock pin is disengaged from these apertures 162, 252, the adaptor 250 is able to slide out of engagement with the outer structural frame 160 for complete disengagement. In this embodiment the lever mechanism 174 is capable of positively forcing the lock pin out of engagement even if there is a load on the hitch. The amount of movement of the lock pin is relatively small, since the lock pin extends much less than half-way into engagement with the adaptor, thus the disengagement action should be quick and reliable.
In addition to this quick release function, the present invention includes a shock dampening feature that reduces the transfer of shock loads from the towed implement into the frame of the towing vehicle. This feature is illustrated starting with Figure 11, showing a detailed breakdown of adaptor 250 including drawbar 220, structural tube 224, vertical load bearings 226, horizontal load bearings 228, front cap 230 (e.g., a front end stop) and end cap 232 (e.g., a rear end stop). These components are further detailed in Figure 12 that additionally illustrates horizontal stops 234 (e.g., compression limiters).
The vertical load bearings 226 are constructed from a hard, substantially incompressible material that preferably has good wear and lubricity characteristics. These bearings provide the support for the drawbar 220 that extends from a first end 236 with a hitch pin hole, through the front plate 230 to a second end 238. The drawbar shown in this embodiment is manufactured as a steel bar, with a load ring 240 (i.e., an intermediate stop) fixed between the first and second ends. As shown in Figure 11, the vertical load bearings 226 provide support for the drawbar, by fitting between the drawbar and the inside surface of the structural tube 224. These bearings are preferably manufactured from a type of hard plastic material, such that the drawbar is able to slide fore aft in a direction as labeled 242, the generally horizontal direction. The first end 236 of the drawbar 220 is restrained from moving in the vertical direction, perpendicular to direction 242, by these vertical load bearings 226.
The drawbar is allowed to move a predetermined horizontal distance by the fact that the horizontal load bearings 228 (e.g., cushioning members) are constructed from a compressible material such as urethane that is significantly more compressible than the bearings 226. In other words, the bearings 228 are less rigid and able to be compressed/elastically deformed at lower force levels than the bearings 226. The bearings 228 effectively act as springs, and are compressed between the drawbar load ring 240 and the vertical load bearings when a horizontal force is applied to the drawbar. This effectively minimizes the horizontal impact forces that can be transferred from the implement to the towing vehicle.
Figure 13 illustrates the adaptor in a state wherein there is no horizontal load applied to the drawbar, and illustrates the horizontal stops 234 in a centered position. Figure 14a illustrates the adaptor with a towing force 244 applied to the drawbar, that causes the load ring 240 to compress the horizontal load bearings against the end plate 232. This figure illustrates the condition wherein the force is adequate to compress the load bearings to a maximum state wherein the horizontal stops limit further travel, and protect the load bearings from over- compression. Figure 14b illustrates the adaptor with an opposite, braking force 246 applied to the drawbar, such that the load ring 240 compresses the load bearing on the opposite side, to the point that the horizontal stops 234 on the opposite side contact the end plate thus limiting the travel of the drawbar with the adaptor.
Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that the scope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein.
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