Hitch assembly with parallel implementation of top and lower links

Abstract

A hitch assembly may comprise a pair of fixed actuator support brackets that are mounted to a vehicle frame and a pair of modular actuator connection brackets that are connected to the pair of support brackets. The hitch assembly may further comprise a pair of lower links that are connected to the pair of fixed actuator support brackets and a cross bar that connects a first lower link of the pair of lower links to a second lower link of the pair. The hitch assembly may further comprise a pair of electric linear actuators that are connected to the pair of modular actuator connection brackets and the pair of lower links, as well as a top link that is at least pivotally connected to a top link bracket on the vehicle frame, in which the lower links are is moved by extension or retraction of the connected electric linear actuators.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hitch assembly, comprising:
 a pair of fixed actuator support brackets that are mounted to a vehicle frame;   a pair of modular actuator connection brackets, each modular actuator connection bracket of the pair of modular actuator connection brackets being connected to a corresponding fixed actuator support bracket of the pair of fixed actuator support brackets;   a pair of lower links, each lower link of the pair of lower links being pivotally connected to the corresponding fixed actuator support bracket of the pair of fixed actuator support brackets;   a cross bar that connects a first lower link of the pair of lower links to a second lower link of the pair of lower links;   a pair of electric linear actuators, each electric liner actuator of the pair of electric linear actuators being pivotally connected to a corresponding bracket end of a corresponding modular actuator connection bracket of the pair of modular actuator connection brackets and a corresponding lower link of the pair of lower links; and   a top link that is at least pivotally connected to a top link bracket on the vehicle frame,   wherein the each lower link is moved by extension or retraction of a corresponding connected electric linear actuator to pivot with respect to a corresponding connected fixed actuator support bracket.   
     
     
         2 . The hitch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the top link is further pivotally connected to a vertical mast of an implement and a lower link of the pair of lower links is further pivotally connected to a mounting bar of the implement. 
     
     
         3 . The hitch assembly of  claim 2 , wherein a first pivotal connection of the top link to the vertical mast of the implement and a second pivotal connection of the lower link to the implement results in the top link being positioned in parallel or substantially parallel with the lower link. 
     
     
         4 . The hitch assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the implement is a farm tool implement that includes a plurality of cultivator tines or spades mounted on the mounting bar. 
     
     
         5 . The hitch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the top link includes an additional electric linear actuator or a turnbuckle that provides for length adjustment of the top link. 
     
     
         6 . The hitch assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the top link and one or more lower links of the pair of lower links are attached to an implement, and wherein the length adjustment of the top link results in a particular angle of the implement with respect to a ground level. 
     
     
         7 . The hitch assembly of  claim 6 , wherein movement of the pair of lower links by the extension or the retraction of the pair of electric linear actuators without additional length adjustment of the top link maintains the particular angle of the implement with respect to the ground level. 
     
     
         8 . The hitch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of fixed actuator support brackets are mounted to one or more tubular frame members of the vehicle frame. 
     
     
         9 . The hitch assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the top link bracket is mounted to a tubular frame member of the one or more tubular frame members and disposed between the pair of fixed actuator support brackets. 
     
     
         10 . The hitch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the hitch assembly is mounted on a front end or a rear end of the vehicle frame. 
     
     
         11 . A vehicle, comprising:
 a vehicle frame; and   a hitch assembly mounted to the vehicle frame, the hitch assembly comprising:
 a pair of fixed actuator support brackets that are mounted to a vehicle frame; 
 a pair of modular actuator connection brackets, each modular actuator connection bracket of the pair of modular actuator connection brackets being connected to a corresponding fixed actuator support bracket of the pair of fixed actuator support brackets; 
 a pair of lower links, each lower link of the pair of lower links being pivotally connected to the corresponding fixed actuator support bracket of the pair of fixed actuator support brackets; 
 a cross bar that connects a first lower link of the pair of lower links to a second lower link of the pair of lower links; 
 a pair of electric linear actuators, each electric liner actuator of the pair of electric linear actuators being pivotally connected to a corresponding bracket end of a corresponding modular actuator connection bracket of the pair of modular actuator connection brackets and a corresponding lower link of the pair of lower links; and 
 a top link that is at least pivotally connected to a top link bracket on the vehicle frame, 
 wherein the each lower link is moved by extension or retraction of a corresponding connected electric linear actuator to pivot with respect to a corresponding connected fixed actuator support bracket. 
   
     
     
         12 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the top link includes an additional electric linear actuator or a turnbuckle that provides for length adjustment of the top link. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the top link and one or more of the lower links are attached to an implement, and wherein the length adjustment of the top link results in a particular angle of the implement with respect to a ground level. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein movement of the pair of lower links by the extension or the retraction of the pair of electric linear actuators without additional length adjustment of the top link maintains the particular angle of the implement with respect to the ground level. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the additional electric linear actuator includes a scale device for measuring travel along a linear track of the additional electric linear actuator. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle of  claim 12 , further comprising a control for controlling the additional electric linear actuator that provides length adjustment of the top link. 
     
     
         17 . The vehicle of  claim 16 , wherein the control includes a memory storing settings for setting the particular angle of an implement that is attached to the top link and one or more lower links of the pair of lower links, and wherein the length adjustment of the top link via the control is performed based on the settings stored in the memory of the control. 
     
     
         18 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the pair of fixed actuator support brackets are mounted to one or more tubular frame members of the vehicle frame. 
     
     
         19 . The vehicle of  claim 18 , wherein the top link bracket is mounted to a tubular frame member of the one or more tubular frame members and disposed between the pair of fixed actuator support brackets. 
     
     
         20 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the hitch assembly is mounted on a front end or a rear end of the vehicle frame.