US 12,285,005 B2
Tri-directional break-away boom assembly
Petrus Henricus Johannes Bouten, Jackson, MN (US)
Assigned to AGCO Corporation, Duluth, GA (US)
Filed by AGCO Corporation, Duluth, GA (US)
Filed on Jan. 25, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/422,289.
Application 18/422,289 is a division of application No. 17/143,876, filed on Jan. 7, 2021, granted, now 11,910,792.
Application 17/143,876 is a continuation of application No. 16/157,453, filed on Oct. 11, 2018, granted, now 10,925,275, issued on Feb. 23, 2021.
Application 16/157,453 is a continuation of application No. 15/533,437, granted, now 10,212,927, issued on Feb. 26, 2019, previously published as PCT/US2015/067258, filed on Dec. 22, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/095,244, filed on Dec. 22, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2024/0306626 A1, Sep. 19, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A01M 7/00 (2006.01); A01C 23/00 (2006.01)
CPC A01M 7/0078 (2013.01) [A01C 23/008 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A boom arm assembly, comprising:
a main boom;
a boom tip configured to assume a neutral position and to pivot to a forward position, a rearward position, and an upward position relative to the main boom;
an upper ball joint connecting the main boom to the boom tip;
a first hinge connected to the main boom, the first hinge having a first hinge axis defined between the upper ball joint and the first hinge;
a second hinge connected to the boom tip, the second hinge having a second hinge axis defined between the upper ball joint and the second hinge;
a hinge connecting bar connecting the first hinge to the second hinge;
a first hinge seat attached to the main boom and shaped to receive a portion of the hinge connecting bar proximate the first hinge;
a second hinge seat attached to the boom tip and shaped to receive a portion of the hinge connecting bar proximate the second hinge; and
a spring assembly connecting the boom tip to the main boom at a second ball joint, the spring assembly comprising:
a lever pivotally mounted to the boom tip at a first pin connection;
a first spring having a first end pivotally mounted to the boom tip and a second end pivotally mounted to the lever at a second pin connection; and
an elongated rod connected to the lever at a third pin connection;
wherein the first spring applies a holding force on the boom tip toward the main boom such that the spring assembly provides a break-away threshold;
wherein the boom tip is movable relative to the main boom when the break-away threshold is exceeded; and
wherein the first spring urges the boom tip toward the neutral position relative to the main boom when the boom tip is not in the neutral position.