Description:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a fixture for supporting drawbar of a vehicle such as tractor or construction equipment.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure.
Drawbars are designed for utilizing drawbar power of a vehicle such as tractor or construction equipment for various operations like haulage or towing. Current market demands light weight tractors for various agricultural operations like puddling as well as for fuel efficiency during haulage operations. Cost and weight optimization is a big challenge for markets. Brackets are used to couple the drawbar of the vehicle with various equipment. The existing brackets are prone to failure due to being subjected to bending loads in the vertical direction of gravity, as the vehicle passes over road surface undulations. The existing brackets lack sufficient strength and durability, and do not meet acceptance criteria for durability.
Thus, there is a need of a fixture for supporting drawbar of the vehicle that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present invention is to provide a fixture for supporting drawbar of a vehicle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a fixture for supporting drawbar of a vehicle that offers increased strength and durability.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a fixture for supporting drawbar of a vehicle that offers significant reduction in weight of the vehicle.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a fixture for supporting drawbar of a vehicle that offers ease of manufacturing.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fixture for supporting drawbar of a vehicle that significantly increases the structural performance as structural durability of the vehicle increases.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure discloses a fixture for supporting drawbar of a vehicle comprising a support plate extending in an operative vertical direction. A base plate configured to be orthogonally attached to an operative bottom edge of the support plate. The base plate extends in an operative horizontal direction. At least a pair of brackets defined by a body portion, a flange portion and a leg portion. Each of the brackets is configured to be orthogonally fitted connecting an operative surface of the support plate and the base plate. The leg portion of the bracket is defined by a J-shape configured to be lockingly received on an operative front portion of the base plate. The leg portion is further configured to be fitted to the operative front portion of the base plate.
In a preferred embodiment, the at least a pair of brackets defines a cavity thereinbetween. The cavity extends on the operative top side of the base plate, with the cavity being configured to receive the drawbar therein.
In a preferred embodiment, the fixture includes weldment configured to attach peripheral edges of the body portion, the flange portion and the leg portion with the base plate and the support plate.
In a preferred embodiment, the support plate is attached to the base plate with the help of weldment.
In another embodiment, the at least a pair of brackets has distinct thicknesses.
In a preferred embodiment, the body portion and the leg portion define a slot to allow insertion and alignment of the at least a pair of brackets on the base plate.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the leg portions has a curved profile.

In a preferred embodiment, the fixture includes a drawbar fixing plate configured to be attached between the at least a pair of brackets. The drawbar fixing plate is configured to secure the drawbar with the pair of brackets and the base plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A fixture for supporting drawbar of a tractor vehicle, of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the existing fixture for supporting drawbar of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the prior art;
Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the fixture for supporting drawbar of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 shows another isometric view of the Figure 1;
Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the Figure 2;
Figure 5 shows a side view of one of the pair of brackets;
Figure 6 shows a front view of figure 4; and
Figure 7 shows a side view of another of the pair of brackets.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
10’ – base plate of the existing fixture
10 – base plate
15’ – drawbar of existing fixture
20, 30 – brackets
20’, 30’ – brackets of existing fixture
22, 32 – body portion
24, 34 – flange portion
26, 36 – leg portion
28, 38 – slot
40’ – weldment of existing fixture
40 – weldment
50 – cavity
60’ – support plate of the existing fixture
60 – support plate
70 – drawbar fixing plate
100’ – fixture of existing fixture
100 – fixture
H – operative horizontal direction
V – operative vertical direction
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an”, and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including”, and “having”, are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be constructed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being “mounted on”, “engaged to”, “connected to”, or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner”, “outer”, “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
Referring to figure 1 (prior art), an existing fixture 100’ for supporting drawbar 15’ of a vehicle is shown. The existing fixture 100’ has a base plate 10’ which is oriented in an operative horizontal direction H. A pair of brackets 20’, 30’ are seen welded to the base plate 10’ on an operative top side thereof, and a support plate 60’. Weldment 40’ is shown in the figure 1 that facilitates joining of the pair of brackets 20’, 30’. It can be observed that the extent of the weldment 40’ is limited to the operative top side of the base plate 10’. However, due to excessive bending loads incident on the brackets 20’,30’, the structural strength and durability of the vehicle decreases. This is because the drawbar 15’ is connected to the vehicle, and loads get transferred to the vehicle. Thus, the existing fixture 100’ lacks sufficient strength and durability.
Referring to figures 2-7, a fixture 100 for supporting drawbar of a vehicle will now be described. The vehicle is selected from a group consisting of agricultural tractor, material handling equipment, any other wheeled article. The fixture 100 comprises a support plate 60, a base plate 10, at least a pair of brackets 20, 30, and weldment 40.
The support plate 60 extends in an operative vertical direction V, and configured to be attached to the vehicle. The support plate 60 has a provision for connecting the support plate 60 to the vehicle.
The base plate 10 is configured to be orthogonally attached to an operative bottom edge of the support plate 60. The base plate 10 extends in an operative horizontal direction H. The base plate 10 is configured to be attached towards an operative bottom edge of the support plate 60. The base plate 10 has a first end 12 configured to be attached to the support plate 60 and a second end 14 configured to be attached to the drawbar of the vehicle. The drawbar of the vehicle facilitates connection of agricultural equipment for haulage or towing.
The at least a pair of brackets 20, 30 are configured to be attached to the support plate 60 and the base plate 10. Each of the at least a pair of brackets 20, 30 is defined by a body portion 22, 32, a flange portion 24, 34, and a leg portion 26, 36. Each of the brackets 20, 30 configured to be orthogonally fitted connecting an operative surface of the support plate 60 and the base plate 10. The leg portion 26, 36 of the bracket 20, 30 is defined by a J-shape configured to be lockingly received on an operative front portion of the base plate 10, and further configured to be fitted to the operative front portion of the base plate 10.
The body portion 22, 32 extends along a length and a thickness of the base plate 10. The body portion 22, 32 is configured to be attached to the support plate 60 and an operative top surface of the base plate 10.
The flange portion 24, 34 extends along an operative height of the support plate 10. The flange portion 24, 34 is configured to be attached to the support 10.
The leg portion 26, 36 extends at least partially along the length of the base plate 10. The leg portion 26, 36 is configured to be attached to an operative bottom side 18 of the base plate 10. The leg portion 26, 36 of the brackets 20, 30 facilitates increased strength of the fixture 100 against bending loads, as the tractor vehicle passes over ground surface undulations. This in turn, results in enhanced structural performance approximately by 50 percent. The increased strength of the fixture 100 further decreases chances of failure thereof when subjected to complex loading conditions. This additionally reduces structural failures and field warranty failures. As the strength of fixture 100 is increased due to the leg portion 26, 36, the required thickness of the at least a pair of brackets 20,30 is reduced. Hence, the at least a pair of brackets 20,30 results in material savings, thereby reducing the cost of the fixture 100. As compared to the existing fixture 100’ of figure 1, the fixture 100 of the present disclosure results in weight reduction of 4.38 kg.
The weldment 40 is configured to attach peripheral edges of the body portion 22, 32, the flange portion 24, 34 and the leg portion 26, 36 with the base plate 10 and the support plate 60.
The at least a pair of brackets 20, 30 define a cavity 50 thereinbetween. The cavity 50 extends on the operative top side 16 of the base plate 10, with the cavity 50 being configured to receive the drawbar therein.
The support plate 60 is attached with the base plate 10 with the help of weldment 40.
In an embodiment, the at least a pair of brackets 20, 30 has distinct thicknesses.
In a preferred embodiment, the body portion 24, 34 and the leg portion 26, 36 define a slot 28, 38 to allow insertion and alignment of the at least a pair of brackets 20, 30 on the base plate 10.
In a preferred embodiment, each of the leg portions 26, 36 has a curved profile. This allows securing the at least a pair of brackets 20, 30 onto the base plate 10.
Each of the at least a pair of brackets 20, 30 is a J-shaped bracket.
The fixture 100 further includes a drawbar fixing plate 70 configured to be attached between the at least a pair of brackets 20, 30. The drawbar fixing plate 70 is configured to secure the drawbar with the pair of brackets 20, 30 and the base plate 10. The drawbar fixing plate 70 is configured with at least one fastening location for attachment of fasteners. Thus, the drawbar is secured between the drawbar fixing plate 70 on an operative top side, the base plate 10 on an operative bottom side, and by the at least a pair of brackets 20, 30 on its operative lateral sides.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including but not limited to, a fixture for supporting drawbar of a vehicle which:
• offers increased strength of the drawbar and durability against bending loads;
• offers reduction in amount of material of construction;
• offers ease of manufacturing; and
• significantly increases the structural performance as structural durability of the tractor vehicle increases.
The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or group of elements, but not the exclusion of any other element or group of elements.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation. , C , Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A fixture (100) for supporting a drawbar of a vehicle, said fixture (100) comprising:
• a support plate (60) extending in an operative vertical direction (V);
• a base plate (10) configured to be orthogonally attached to an operative bottom edge of said support plate (60), and extending in an operative horizontal direction (H);
• at least a pair of brackets (20, 30) defined by a body portion (22, 32), a flange portion (24, 34) and a leg portion (26, 36), each of said brackets (20, 30) configured to be orthogonally fitted connecting an operative surface of said support plate (60) and said base plate (10),
wherein, said leg portion (26, 36) of said bracket (20, 30) is defined by a J-shape configured to be lockingly received on an operative front portion of said base plate (10), and configured to be fitted to said operative front portion of the base plate (10).
2. The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least a pair of brackets (20, 30) defines a cavity (50) thereinbetween, said cavity (50) extending on the operative top side (16) of said base plate (10), said cavity (50) being configured to receive the drawbar therein.
3. The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fixture (100) includes weldment (40) configured to attach peripheral edges of the body portion (22, 32), the flange portion (24, 34) and the leg portion (26, 36) with the base plate (10) and the support plate (60).
4. The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support plate (60) is attached to said base plate (10) with the help of weldment (40).
5. The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least a pair of brackets (20, 30) has distinct thicknesses.
6. The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body portion (22, 32) and said leg portion (26, 36) define a slot (28, 38) to allow insertion and alignment of said at least a pair of brackets (20, 30) on the base plate (10).
7. The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said leg portions (26, 36) has a curved profile.
8. The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fixture (100) including a drawbar fixing plate (70) configured to be attached between said at least a pair of brackets (20, 30), said drawbar fixing plate (70) configured to secure the drawbar with said pair of brackets (20, 30) and said base plate (10).

Dated this 13th day of April, 2024

_______________________________
MOHAN RAJKUMAR DEWAN, IN/PA – 25
OF R. K. DEWAN & CO.
AUTHORIZED AGENT OF APPLICANT

TO,
THE CONTROLLER OF PATENTS
THE PATENT OFFICE, AT CHENNAI