Self-detaching support frame system for an implement and method for using the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10486616-B2
Application number	US-201615088925-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 1, 2016
Priority date	Apr 1, 2015
Publication date	Nov 26, 2019
Grant date	Nov 26, 2019

Abstract

A self-detaching support frame system for an implement designed to self-detach from a vehicle by actuation of a release handle located within arm reach of the driver is disclosed. The self-detaching support frame system for an implement allow the user to at least partially, preferably entirely, disengages the support frame assembly by activating a control, preferably a single control such as a handle located near the vehicle steering.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A detachable support frame system attachable to a vehicle for mounting an implement thereto, the vehicle having a winch, the winch having a cable and a winch cable connector, a vehicle frame, a receiving member attached to the vehicle frame, a retaining member attached to the vehicle frame, the retaining member located rearward of the receiving member, the support frame system comprising:
a front frame portion extending along a longitudinal axis, the front frame portion including
a front leading portion including an implement connector connectable to the implement,
a front trailing portion including a front frame pivotable connector,

a winch cable connector retainer at least indirectly linked to the front frame portion and located forward from the front frame pivotable connector, the winch cable connector retainer including a receiving portion and a retaining portion, structured and arranged to removably receive the winch cable connector in the receiving portion when the winch cable connector retainer is in an open position, and to retain the winch cable connector when the winch cable connector retainer is in a closed position, the winch cable connector retainer biased into the open portion,
a rear frame portion including
a rear frame pivotable connector pivotably connected to the front frame pivotable connector and defining a frame pivot axis for pivoting the front frame portion with respect to the rear frame portion,
a lever pivotably connected to the rear frame portion via a lever pivot, the lever defining a vehicle arm and a winch cable connector retainer arm projecting outward from the lever pivot, the winch cable connector retainer arm connected to the winch cable connector retainer,
a rear leading portion extending forward from the rear frame pivotable connector and extending forward from the lever pivot, the rear leading portion including a receivable member, the receivable member detachably attachable to the receiving member,
a rear trailing portion extending rearward from the rear frame pivotable connector and extending rearward from the lever pivot, the rear trailing portion having a retainable member, the retainable member releasably attachable to the retaining member, and

the support frame system being structured and arranged such that when the support frame system is attached to the vehicle, the receivable member is received by the receiving member, the retainable member is retained by the retaining member, the vehicle arm engages a portion of the vehicle frame, the vehicle arm and the winch cable connector retainer arm thereby being forced into an operative position with respect to the lever pivot, the winch cable connector retainer arm thereby forcing the winch cable connector retainer into a closed position.

2. A detachable support frame system attachable to a vehicle for mounting an implement thereto, the vehicle having a winch, the winch having a cable and a winch cable connector, a vehicle frame, a receiving member attached to the vehicle frame, a retaining member attached to the vehicle frame, the retaining member located rearward of the receiving member, the support frame system comprising:
a front frame portion extending along a longitudinal axis, the front frame portion including:
a front leading portion including an implement connector connectable to the implement,
a front trailing portion including a front frame pivotable connector,

a winch cable connector retainer at least indirectly linked to the front frame portion and located forward of the front frame pivotable connector, the winch cable connector retainer including a receiving portion and a retaining portion the winch cable connector retainer structured and arranged for removably receiving the winch cable connector in the receiving portion when the winch cable connector retainer is in an open position, and for retaining the winch cable connector when the winch cable connector retainer is in a closed position, the winch cable connector retainer biased into the open position,
a rear frame portion including:
a rear frame pivotable connector pivotably connected to the front frame pivotable connector for pivoting the front frame portion with respect to the rear frame portion,
a lever pivotably connected to the rear frame portion via a lever pivot, the lever defining a vehicle arm and a winch cable connector retainer arm projecting outward from the lever pivot, the winch cable connector retainer arm connected to the winch cable connector retainer,
a rear leading portion extending forward of the rear frame pivotable connector, the rear leading portion including a receivable member, the receivable member detachably attachable to the receiving member,
a rear trailing portion extending rearward of the rear leading portion, the rear trailing portion having a retainable member, the retainable member releasably attachable to the retaining member, and

the support frame system being structured and arranged such that when the support frame system is attached to the vehicle, the receivable member is received by the receiving member, the retainable member is retained by the retaining member, the vehicle arm engages a portion of the vehicle, the vehicle arm and the winch cable connector retainer arm thereby being pivoted with respect to the lever pivot into an operative position, the winch cable connector retainer arm thereby forcing the winch cable connector retainer into a closed position.

3. A support frame system for releasably mounting an implement to a vehicle, the vehicle including
a mounting assembly for releasably attaching a structure to the vehicle, and being actuable to release the support structure, and
a winch having a cable capable of being tensioned by actuation of the winch, the cable having a cable connector,

the support frame system comprising:
an elongated support frame structured to be attachable to the implement, the elongated support frame including:
a front frame portion having a front mechanical connector structured to connect with the cable connector and to be actuated by a release linkage to disconnect the cable connector from the front mechanical connector,
a rear frame portion rearward of the front frame portion, the rear frame portion having a rear mechanical connector structured to detachably attach the rear frame portion to the mounting assembly; and

the release linkage, being
operatively connected to the front mechanical connector,
movably connected to the elongated support frame to be movable from an inoperative position in which the release linkage does not actuate disconnection of the cable connector from the front mechanical connector to an operative position in which the release linkage actuates disconnection of the cable connector from the front mechanical connector, and
biased toward the operative position and moving into the inoperative position when the rear frame portion attaches to the mounting assembly.

4. The support frame system of claim 3 , wherein the support frame and the release linkage are structured and arranged with respect to the vehicle such that when
the vehicle is on a horizontal flat ground surface,
the elongated support frame is attached to the implement,
the implement is supported by the horizontal flat ground surface,
the front mechanical connector is connected to the cable connector, and
the cable is untensioned by the winch,

the release linkage moves into the inoperative position as the rear frame portion attaches to the mounting assembly; and
the release linkage moves into the operative position as the rear frame portion detaches from the mounting assembly.

5. The support frame system of claim 3 , wherein the support frame and the release linkage are structured and arranged with respect

Assignees

• Soucy Int Inc

Inventors

• Lauziere Benoit
• Aubin-Marchand Jeremie
• Provencher Karen
• Bergeron Michael
• Roy Tommy
• Roy Normand

Classifications

• E02F3/7609

  Scraper blade mounted forwardly of the tractor on a pair of pivoting arms which are linked to the sides of the tractor, e.g. bulldozers · CPC title

• E02F3/627

  Devices to connect beams or arms to tractors or similar self-propelled machines, {e.g. drives therefor (connection of beams or booms or arms to the frame per se E02F3/382; connection of scraper bowls to the vehicle main body E02F3/653; connecting devices for agriculture tractors A01B59/06)} · CPC title

• B60R11/06 Primary

  for tools or spare parts (for vehicle roof parts B60J7/20; for spare wheels B62D) · CPC title

• E01H5/061 Primary

  by scraper blades · CPC title