Transport lock joint for stack fold toolbar

Abstract

A transport lock joint is provided for an implement with a center section and wing sections adapted for stack folding to transport positions over the center section. The lock joint includes an insert element mounted on one of the wing sections and a retainer element mounted on the other wing section. With the implement in its stack-folded transport position, the insert element is received within the retainer element and the wing sections are mutually restrained against relative movement, particularly relative movement associated with the over-the-road travel. Unfolding the implement to a field working position disengages the lock joint by extracting the insert element from the retainer element.

1 . A folding implement, which includes:
 a pair of wing sections each having an engagement structure;   a field working position with said wing sections lowered;   a transport position with said wing sections raised; and   said wing section engagement structures engaging whereby said wing sections are stabilized relative to each other in said transport position.   
   
   
       2 . The implement according to  claim 1  wherein said wing section engagement structures are frictionally engaged in said transport position. 
   
   
       3 . The implement according to  claim 1  wherein said engagement structures form a locking joint in said transport position. 
   
   
       4 . The implement according to  claim 1 , which includes:
 a pair of hydraulic piston-and-cylinder units each connected to a respective wing section and adapted for raising and lowering same between said field working and transport positions;   said hydraulic piston-and-cylinder units constraining said wing sections against relative movement along transverse X and longitudinal Y axes in said transport position; and   said engagement structures constraining said wing sections against relative movement in the vertical Z axis in said transport position.   
   
   
       5 . The implement according to  claim 1 , which includes:
 a center section with outboard ends;   said wing sections being mounted on said center section and respectively extending from said outboard ends thereof in said transport position; and   said wing sections stack folding by rotating upwardly and inwardly relative to said center section in reconfiguring said implement from its field working position to its stack fold transport position.   
   
   
       6 . The implement according to  claim 5 , wherein each said wing section includes:
 front and back toolbars with inboard ends including said engagement structure, said front toolbar inboard ends and said back toolbar inboard ends being positioned in opposing relation over said center section with said implement in its transport position.   
   
   
       7 . The implement according to  claim 6  wherein said center section includes front and back toolbars with opposite outboard ends, said center section toolbar outboard ends being positioned adjacent to respective wing section toolbar inboard ends in said transport position. 
   
   
       8 . The implement according to  claim 1  wherein said engagement structures include corresponding serrations adapted for engaging in said transport position. 
   
   
       9 . The implement according to  claim 1  wherein said engagement structures include fingers adapted for interlocking in said transport position. 
   
   
       10 . A lock joint for first and second components having locked and unlocked positions, which comprises:
 an insert element mounted on and extending from said first component;   a receiver associated with said second component and adapted for selectively receiving said insert element with said components in their locked position; and   said extension and said receiver being cooperatively configured to guide said extension into said receiver as said components assume their locked position.   
   
   
       11 . The lock joint according to  claim 10 , which includes:
 said first and second components having respective first and second engagement faces adapted for positioning in generally opposed relation with said components in their locked position;   said insert element comprising a tab extending outwardly from said first component engagement face; and   said receiver being associated with said second engagement face.   
   
   
       12 . The lock joint according to  claim 11 , which includes:
 said tab having an outwardly-converging configuration; and   a retainer element mounted on said second engagement face and including said receiver, said retainer having an outwardly-diverging configuration cooperating with said tab configuration to receive and retain said tab in said receiver with said components in their locked position.   
   
   
       13 . The lock joint according to  claim 12 , which includes:
 said retainer element comprising a subframe with top, bottom and opposite side perimeter members enclosing said receiver;   each said member having an outwardly-diverging face; and   said receiver being formed by said outwardly-diverging member faces.   
   
   
       14 . The lock joint according to  claim 13 , which includes:
 said insert element having a pair of outwardly-converging faces adapted for engaging a corresponding pair of retainer subframe outwardly-diverging faces whereby said first and second components are guided to their locked position by the corresponding configurations of said extension and said retainer.   
   
   
       15 . The lock joint according to  claim 14 , which includes:
 said retainer element subframe members comprising lengths of angle-iron joined by miter joints at corners of said subframe; and   said receiver having a frusto-pyramidal configuration.   
   
   
       16 . The lock joint according to  claim 14  wherein said insert element comprises a length of angle-iron with opposite ends having angular configurations corresponding to the outwardly-diverging faces of said retainer element subframe top and bottom members. 
   
   
       17 . In combination with a stack fold implement having a center section adapted for connection to a tow vehicle and first and second wing sections mounted on respective outboard ends of said center section, said implement being reconfigurable between a field working position with said wing sections generally aligned with said center section and a stack fold transport position with said wing sections rotated upwardly and inwardly to respective stack folded positions over said center section, said wing sections having respective front and back toolbars with inboard ends, said front toolbar inboard ends and said back toolbar inboard ends being positioned in opposing relation over said center section with said implement in its transport position, the improvement of a transport support, which comprises:
 each said wing section having an engagement structure associated with a respective toolbar inner end; and   said wing section engagement structures engaging whereby said wing sections are stabilized relative to each other in said transport position.   
   
   
       18 . The transport support according to  claim 17 , which includes:
 said first and second wing section toolbars having respective vertical legs located at their inboard ends, said vertical legs having engagement faces adapted for positioning in generally opposed relation with said implement in its transport position;   said insert element comprising a tab extending outwardly from a respective engagement face; and   said receiver being associated with an opposed engagement face.   
   
   
       19 . The transport support according to  claim 18 , which includes:
 said tab having an outwardly-converging configuration; and   a retainer element mounted on a respective engagement face and including said receiver, said retainer having an outwardly-diverging configuration cooperating with said tab configuration to receive and retain said tab in said receiver with said implement in its locked position.   
   
   
       20 . The transport support according to  claim 19 , which includes:
 said retainer element comprising a subframe with top, bottom and opposite side perimeter members enclosing said receiver;   each said member having an outwardly-diverging face;   said receiver being formed by said outwardly-diverging member faces; and   said insert element having a pair of outwardly-converging faces adapted for engaging a corresponding pair of retainer subframe outwardly-diverging faces whereby said wing sections are guided to their locked position by the corresponding configurations of said extension and said retainer.   
   
   
       21 . The implement according to  claim 17  wherein said wing section engagement structures are frictionally engaged in said transport position. 
   
   
       22 . The implement according to  claim 17 , which includes:
 a pair of hydraulic piston-and-cylinder units each connected to a respective wing section and adapted for raising and lowering same between said field working and transport positions;   said hydraulic piston-and-cylinder units constraining said wing sections against relative movement along transverse X and longitudinal Y axes in said transport position; and   said engagement structures constraining said wing sections against relative movement in the vertical Z axis in said transport position.