AU2021101088B4

AU2021101088B4 - An automotive tow hitch device

Info

Publication number: AU2021101088B4
Application number: AU2021101088A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Neil Davidson; Alexandra FRENCH; Bradley John Mccarthy; Paul TOOHEY
Original assignee: Maxtrax Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Maxtrax Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-10-12
Filing date: 2021-03-01
Publication date: 2021-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 2027-10-11
Also published as: AU2021101088A4

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automotive tow hitch device. The device includes a tail for fastening to a vehicle. The device includes also includes a head for protruding from the vehicle and defining a receiver for receiving a shackle arrangement for coupling to another vehicle.

Description

AN AUTOMOTIVE TOW HITCH DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an automotive tow hitch device. The present invention has particular, although not exclusive application to extracting a stuck four wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] There are a host of automotive recovery devices available for extracting stuck 4WD vehicles from mire such as sand and mud.

[0004] Snatch straps are designed to stretch under load and can be coupled between the stuck vehicle and a moving vehicle that pulls the stuck vehicle from the mire.

[0005] Many 4WD vehicles are fitted with winches which can be used in extreme recovery situations.

[0006] The applicant has perceived the need for an alternative automotive recovery device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automotive tow hitch device including: a tail for fastening to a vehicle; and a head for protruding from the vehicle and defining a receiver for receiving a shackle arrangement.

[0008] Optionally, the tail defines fastener apertures in two positions there-along.

[0009] Optionally, the shackle arrangement includes a soft shackle. Preferably, the soft shackle is formed from resilient or rope material. Preferably, the soft shackle includes a head for coupling to a tail to form an endless loop passing through the receiver.

[00010] Optionally, the head and tail are of comparable thickness in at least one dimension. Preferably, there is a smooth and gentle slope between the tail and the head. Preferably, the slope is a downward slope or tapering from the tail to the head.

[00011] Preferably, the device is rated to towing more than 30 tonnes, and preferably about 40 tonnes.

[00012] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00013] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00014] Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of an automotive tow hitch system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[00015] Figure 2 is a side view of an automotive tow hitch device of the system of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an automotive tow hitch system 100 as shown in Figure 1. The system 100 includes an automotive tow hitch device 102 coupled to a soft shackle arrangement 104. The system 100 is typically provided in kit form.

[00017] The tow hitch device 102 includes a body 106 for coupling to a vehicle, and defines a receiver 108 for receiving the soft shackle arrangement 104, in turn, coupled to another vehicle. Advantageously, either vehicle can be used to tow and extract the other vehicle when stuck using the shackle arrangement 104. The arrangement 104 can take the form of that disclosed in AU2018201290 which is incorporated herein by reference.

[00018] The body 106 defines a squarish tail 110 for being complementarily received within a towbar of the vehicle and an enlarged head 112 for protruding from the vehicle toward the other vehicle. The tail 110 defines two apertures 114 for receiving respective fasteners to fasten the body 106 to the vehicle.

[00019] The shackle arrangement 104 includes a soft shackle 116, formed from resilient or rope material. The soft shackle 116 includes a head 118 for coupling to a looped tail 120 to form an endless loop passing through the receiver 108.

[00020] Turning to Figure 2, the tail 110 has a chamfered end 200 to facilitate insertion into the vehicle's towbar. The receiver 108 includes a specially shaped aperture 202. The aperture 202 is dimensioned not more than 23mm in the vertical and horizonal planes to inhibit insertion of conventional steel shackles which could damage the device 102. The aperture also has rounded (i.e. no sharp) edges to impeded damage to the shackle arrangement 104 under tension.

[00021] A portion 204 of the aperture 202 slopes and fans to reduce wear on the shackle arrangement 104 pulling in a horizontal direction. Other portions 206a,b of the aperture 202 further upwardly and downwardly slope or fan to further reduce wear on the shackle arrangement 104 pulling in a vertical direction.

[00022] The head 112 defines the receiver 108 and is rounded at it top and bottom. The head 112 defines an inclined end 208 to facilitate reflection of light as a safety feature.

[00023] The device 102 is integrally CNC formed from billet metal, preferably aluminium. The device 102 is anodized to provide a color and is rated to towing up to 40 tonnes.

[00024] An automotive tow method using the system 100 is now briefly described.

[00025] Firstly, the body 106 of the device 102 is coupled to a vehicle. The tail 110 is inserted in the vehicle's tow bar and the two apertures 114 receive respective fasteners to fasten the body 106 to the vehicle.

[00026] Next, the shackle arrangement 104 is received in the receiver 108 of the body 106. The open shackle 116 is threaded through the receiver 108 and its head 118 is coupled to its tail 120. The closed shackle arrangement 104 is then coupled to another vehicle for towing.

[00027] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00028] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[00029] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. An automotive tow hitch device including: a tail for fastening to a vehicle; a head for protruding from the vehicle and defining a receiver for receiving a shackle arrangement; and a soft shackle preferably being formed from resilient or rope material, the soft shackle including a shackle-head and shackle-tail for coupling together to form an endless loop passing through the receiver, wherein the receiver is dimensioned not more than 23mm in the vertical and horizontal planes to prevent insertion of a conventional steel shackle.

2. An automotive tow hitch device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tail defines fastener apertures in two positions there-along.

3. An automotive tow hitch device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the head and tail are of comparable thickness in at least one dimension, and any difference in thickness is bridged by a smooth slope between outer surfaces of the tail and outer surfaces of the head, tapering from the tail to the head.

4. An automotive tow hitch device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the head and tail are formed from aluminium

5. An automotive tow hitch device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is rated to towing more than 30 tonnes, and preferably about 40 tonnes.