AU2008101242A4 - Vehicle towbar attachment - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECFICATON FOR AN INNOVATION PATENT VEHICLE TOWR AR ATTACHMENT The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 2 VEHICLE TOWBAR ATTACHMENT Technical Field This invention relates to vehicle towbar or hitch attachment and in one aspect to an attachment which may be used to support a load carrying device for use in 5 conjunction with vehicle roof racks for facilitating the loading, unloading and transportation of cumbersome and often difficult objects to transport. The attachment of the invention however may also be used for supporting other devices to the towbar or hitch of a vehicle such as advertising or other signs or frames of other devices. Background Art 10 Loading, unloading and securing of some cumbersome materials and sports and recreational equipment such as timber, plastic pipes, surf rods, surf skis, kayaks and hang gliders on vehicles even with vehicles equipped with roof racks or the like is often difficult as sufficient support is not often available where equipment of an extended size is required to be supported. Consequently any of this type of equipment may not meet 15 legal road and transport requirements. Scratching or other damage to vehicle roofs from products coming into contact with the roof during the loading / unloading process of this equipment can occur. With many modem vehicle designs and roof turret configurations especially of smaller vehicles and station wagon vehicle types the roof rack elements can be 20 positioned relatively forward exposing substantial roof sections to possible damage without a further supporting device to support materials being moved rearward and away from the roof racks of the vehicle. Many vehicles especially trade vehicles have fixed to the vehicle at various points and positions fixed structures for carrying and securing objects such as ladders, 25 timber and other materials over the top of the vehicle. A number of vehicle tow-bar mounted accessories are currently available such as bike racks and other attachments. In all states of Australia and in many countries it is illegal to obscure direct vision of vehicle number plates without the provision of legally compliant alternative number plates and at night number plates that are suitably lit for 30 night vision. A disadvantage of the currently available accessories is that they create a visual interference to centrally located vehicle number plates resulting in the need to create alternative or secondary number plate displays.

3 There has been a range of promotional and advertising methods and devices for attachment to moving and stationary vehicles. Some have been of a semi-permanent attachment such as roof top moulds. Some also have been designed only for non moving vehicles to employ safety road messages or work in progress warnings or signage. 5 It would be desirable to be able to use the towbar of a vehicle for a range of different applications for example for use in supporting loads or signs which overcomes or at least alleviates the above disadvantages. Summary of the invention. The present invention thus provides in one aspect, a towbar or hitch attachment 10 for vehicles, said attachment including a main support part adapted to be attached to the towbar or hitch of a said vehicle to extend laterally thereof in a substantially horizontal plane and at least one coupling part mountable to said main support part and adapted to be located in a first position in which it is substantially longitudinally aligned with said main support part and a second position in which it is positioned rearwardly of said main 15 support part, said at least one coupling part being adapted when in said first or second position to support in use a support leg of a device in a position laterally offset from said towbar or hitch. The coupling part suitably comprises a wing part, the wing part being detachably connectable to the main support part to be substantially aligned in said first position with 20 said support part and substantially at right angles to said main support part in said second position. In one aspect, the device comprises a load carrying device and the support leg comprises an elongated leg adapted to be supported by the coupling part in an upright attitude and a cross arm supported by the leg and extending in use transversely of a said 25 vehicle, the coupling part positioning the leg such that a centrally located number plate of the vehicle can be viewed substantially without visual obstruction from a position from the rear of the vehicle and in longitudinal alignment therewith. The load carrying device is usually used in conjunction with vehicle roof racks to carry a load on the vehicle and the cross arm may be substantially horizontally aligned 30 with the roof racks. Preferably the support leg is telescopic to allow telescoping adjustment of its height relative to the coupling part to suit a range of vehicle types. Prior to loading or unloading, the telescopic support leg of the device can be raised or lowered to a suitable 4 height either for the objects for loading / unloading or the vehicle type and for the loading object to make easier access or contact with the vehicle roof racks. Thus loading, unloading and securing of some cumbersome materials and sports and recreational equipment such as surf rods, surf skis and kayaks is much easier. Further the 5 device may offer greater compliance to vehicles to meet legal road and transport requirements and also afford greater protection from scratching or other damage to vehicle roofs from objects coming into contact with the roof during the loading / unloading process. The offsetting of the coupling part and therefore the support leg being 10 substantially to the left or right of the central towbar and ball, is also offset for a majority of vehicles to the left or right of the outer perimeter of the centrally located number plates of most vehicles. This provides for an unobscured vision to a vehicle manufacturer's centrally located and lit rear number plate position without the need for an additional rear number plate or additional lighting for temporary rear number plates 15 with the device. Preferably the cross arm forms with the support leg, a load carrying device of generally T-shaped configuration. The support leg may comprise upper and lower leg sections which may be telescopically interconnected and which may be of square, rectangular or circular tubing. The leg sections may externally or internally receive 20 each other or received or be coupled to adjacent elements. The horizontal cross arm which extends substantially at right angles to the upper telescopic leg section of the leg and is detachable attachable thereto. In use the top horizontal cross arm is substantially parallel with the width of the vehicle to which the device is attached. The cross arm may carry rollers or a fixed section of suitable 25 material for sliding objects thereacross with minimal resistance or damage to the objects. The cross arm may house one or more a telescopic slideable and extendable arm sections so to be able to extend the overall reach and vehicle width coverage by the cross arm. Telescopic arm sections suitably can be extended from opposite ends of the cross arm. With the adjustable leg of the device secured at a suitable height objects required 30 to be loaded can be rested on or against the cross arm and then moved forward across the arm to meet with and rest on the vehicle mounted roof racks. To unload lengthy and cumbersome objects the slideable leg incorporating the cross arm may be raised and secured at a suitable roof rack height and the objects to be unloaded can be moved back 5 across the roof racks on to the cross arm of the device and the object for unloading further moved away from the vehicle and then gradually lowered away from the vehicle to the ground without contact with the roof section of the vehicle. The centrally offset positioning of the telescopic leg sections together with the 5 upper cross arm can position articles or loads to a greater proximity towards the outer side perimeter of the vehicle making it easier to adjust and secure to the roof racks the article or load to be carried. The cross arm is suitably mounted to the leg of the device in an off-centre position such that when mounted to the leg of the device, it can extend the full width of a 10 vehicle. Suitably the cross arm forms part of a T-shaped member which can be detachably engaged with the upright support leg and preferably with the upper leg section of the support leg. The main support part may comprise a flat member or bar and for attachment to 15 the towbar tongue of a vehicle, the main support part is suitably provided with a central aperture for alignment with the existing towbar attachment hole in the towbar or hitch such that when a tow ball is attached to the main support part, it clamps the main support part in position extending transversely of the towbar or vehicle. The coupling part suitably includes a coupling member which suitably comprises 20 an upright tubular section or spigot to receive the lower end of the support leg suitably the lower leg section of the support leg. The tubular section may be in a range of configurations and internally or externally receive and support the detachable lower support leg section of the telescopic leg. In a preferred configuration the base portion of the lower tubular leg section will 25 be received by the vertical upright tubular section or spigot of the attachment however the leg section may locate externally over the tubular section or spigot. The upper leg section may internally or externally receive and secure the detachable upper T shaped member which forms the cross arm. The wing part suitably carries the coupling member at or a4acent its end and is 30 pivotally or detachably mounted at or adjacent its other end to a free outer end of the main support part. The main support part may comprise a flat bar section with at least one hole at its free end to enable connection of the wing part. This flat bar section may 6 be of such a length to extend outwards from both sides of the towbar fixing point with identical holes at each end. The wing part may comprise a flat bar similar to the main support part carrying the coupling member at one end and a hole at is other end to match with the hole of the 5 central main part to receive a connecting bolt therethrough. Usually the wing part is detachable from the main part but may be pivotally connected to the main part so as to be pivotally movable between its first and second positions. For vehicles with a centrally positioned number plate the main support part and wing part may be overlapped and bolted or pivotally connected together in a straight line 10 to extend the coupling means outside of the perimeter of the centrally positioned number plate. For 4WD vehicles or other vehicles with a rear mounted tyre the wing part can be rotated and bolted or pivoted at right angles to the central part section with sufficient clearance and length to allow the support leg of the device mounted to the attachment to extend vertically clear of the rear mounted tyre on most vehicles of this 15 type. Where vehicles support a rear mounted tyre the number plate is generally offset to the left or right of the central position of the vehicle and mounting, the central and wing parts at right angles to each other not only allows the vertical support leg to be clear of the rear mounted tyre but generally locates the vertical support leg away from the vehicle number plate. The configuration of the main support member allows the T 20 shaped load carrying device as described above to be mounted either to the left or right of the central position of the vehicle. The main support part suitably is arranged centrally relative to, and extends in use to, opposite sides of the towbar or hitch and a pair of wing parts are connectable as above to opposite ends of the main support part, the wing parts in their first position 25 being substantially aligned with the main support part and being substantially at right angles to the main support part in their second position. Each wing part carries a coupling member at or adjacent its free end and may be connected to the main support part by bolting or a pivot connect as above, with each wing part being arranged in use on each side of the towbar mounting point. The load 30 carrying device as described above may be mounted to a coupling member on one side and a foot step up frame to the member means on the other. In such cases, the vertical support leg may be modified for purposes other than supporting an upper cross arm. The offset arrangement of the upper cross arm as referred to above allows the cross arm to be 7 reversed and positioned to suit being located to either the left or right of the central towbar position. Preferably the main support part is provided on at least one side and along its rear edge with a flange such as an upright flange which defines a stop against which a 5 wing part may abut both in the inline first position and the right angled second position. Preferably spaced flanges are provided at the rear edge of the main part along the rear edge thereof Alternatively a continuous upright flange may extend along the rear edge. When the main part includes a pair of spaced flanges, they may extend below the main part such that when the main part is mounted to a towbar, the flanges are located on 10 opposite sides of the towbar. This will prevent or minimise rotation or twisting of the main part relative to the towbar to maintain the main part in its laterally extending position. Alternatively, the main part may include an additional aperture or apertures to accept a pin such as a pin or pins of a D-shackle or shacdes at a position adjacent a side or end of the towbar to act as a stop and prevent or minimise rotation of the main part. 15 Alternatively, the main part may have an additional aperture which can be aligned with a corresponding aperture in the towbar with a pin extending into both apertures preventing or minimising rotation of the main part away from its laterally extending position. In another aspect of the invention, the towbar/ hitch attachment may be adapted to support a frame for a sign or other device, said frame having a pair of spaced legs 20 adapted to be engaged with and supported by the respective coupling parts in either the first or second position of the wing parts. Preferably in this aspect, the attachment comprises the aforementioned main part and opposite wing parts, each carrying coupling members. Preferably the legs comprise spaced apart substantially parallel legs adapted to engage with the respective coupling members carried by respective wing parts of the 25 attachment. The attachment is set to be able to operate in a dual position arrangement to support a sign frame to suit a range of vehicle types and needed set backs from the rear of the vehicle. The ability to offer wider body clearances from the vehicle can be of particular importance when the device is applied to larger or 4WD vehicles especially 30 those with a rear mounted spare tyre. A single unit dual position and variable length attachment towbar device can offer both manufacturing advantages and applications advantages.

8 The attachment can also be adapted to support many other devices such as a detachable table or a wire spool mount. The coupling member or members is/are usually oriented in a substantially vertical attitude however they also may be oriented in a substantially horizontal attitude to accept horizontal legs or arms of other devices. The 5 coupling members may also be in any other orientation depending upon the configuration of the device to be supported. Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a 10 preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein : Figs. I and 2 are views from opposite side of a vehicle towbar or hitch attachment device according to one aspect of the invention supporting a T-shaped load carrying device; Fig. 3 is a view from the rear of a vehicle having the attachment device of the 15 invention supporting a load carrying device; Fig. 4 is a view from the rear of a 4WD vehicle with the attachment device adjusted to clear a rear mounted tyre; Fig.5 illustrates a further form of vehicle towbar or hitch attachment device according to another aspect of the invention; 20 Fig. 6 illustrates in exploded view the vehicle towbar or hitch attachment device of Fig. 3 in an alternative configuration for supporting the frame of a sign; Fig. 7 is a view from the rear of a vehicle carrying the sign; and Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate further devices which may be supported by the attachment. 25 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figs, I and 2, there is illustrated a towbar or hitch attachment 10 according to an embodiment of the invention, the attachment 10 comprising a central support part or member II which comprises a planar plate and which includes a central opening 12 which enables the support member 11 to be attached 30 to a vehicle towbar tongue or hitch 13 via the tow ball opening 14 with the threaded shank of a tow ball 15 extending through the opening 14 for engagement with a nut 16 to secure the central support member I1 of the attachment 10 in a position extending substantially horizontally and substantially parallel with the ground and vehicle chassis.

9 The support member 11 extends substantially laterally outwards and away from the side walls of the vehicle hitch / towbar tongue 13 on opposite sides thereof. An upstanding coupling member in the configuration of a spigot 17 of solid or hollow tubular material is mounted on a wing part 18 of the attachment 10, the wing part 5 18 being of the same material and of the same width as the central part 11. For connecting the wing part 18 to the central part 11, a hole 19 or holes 19 is/are provided at one or both ends of the member I1 through which a or respective wing parts 18 may connected by a bolt or bolts 20 to the central part 11. The central part 11 preferably is such a length to extend outwards from both sides of the towbar fixing point 10 12 with identical bolt holes 18 at each end. For vehicles with a centrally positioned number plate, the central and wing parts 11 and 19 can be overlapped and bolted together by the bolt 20 in a straight line to position the receiving spigot 17 outside of the perimeter of the centrally positioned number plate. The wing part 18 can be rotated and bolted by the bolt 20 at right angles to the 15 central part I1 as shown in dotted outline in Fig. I for a purpose which will become apparent further below. Further support to the wing parts 19 of the attachment 10 in both positions is provided by flanges 21 provided along the rear edge of the central part 11 which form stops. Thus in the position of Fig. 1, the wing part 18 which is aligned with the central part I1 has its rear side edge immediately adjacent to or abutted against 20 a flange 21. Similarly in the right angle position shown in dotted outline, the end edge of the wing part 18 is immediately adjacent to a flange 21 or in abutment with a flange 21. Thus the wing part 18 can only be positioned in an inline or right angled attitude relative to the central part 11. The flange 21 may comprise a welded backing piece towards each end of the central part 11 which provides for a blocking piece to restrict 25 and stop the full rotation of the wing parts beyond their selected bolted positions. (shown also in Figs. 4 and 5). The flanges 21 also extend below the main part 11 such that when the main part I1 is secured to the towbar 13, the towbar 13 extends between the opposite flanges 21 which serve as stops to minimise or prevent rotation of the main part II relative to the towbar 13. 30 The attachment 10 is particularly suited for supporting a T-shaped load carrying device 22 which comprises a main elongated leg 23, an upper T-shaped section 24 comprising a cross arm 25 and a downwardly extending socket (or spigot) 26 rigidly connected to the cross arm 25 such as by welding, the socket (or spigot) 26 being 10 adapted to engage with the leg 23, the cross arm 25 being offset to one side of the socket 26 for a purpose which will become apparent below. In an alternative configuration, the cross arm 25 may be connected directly to the upper end of the leg 22 that is to the leg section 27. 5 The elongated leg 23 preferably is of a telescopic configuration and comprises a hollow tubular inner leg section 27 that may be slideable internally within a fixed hollow outer section 28 of other tubular material of greater cross section as illustrated. Alternatively, the leg 23 may be of any other telescopic construction. The hollow tubular section 28 may have a series of spaced open holes 29 down two vertical sides 10 and on opposite sides of the section 28. in a preferred arrangement the interlocking inner section 27 may have a similar set of like sized, spaced and positioned open holes to those of the respective receiving section 28. The hole dimensions, spacing and positions of the leg section 27 and tubular outer sections 18 are alike so as to allow the holes of both sections to align and one or more pins or bolts to be inserted to fix and secure the 15 slideable leg section 27 into a range of positions within the rigidly secured lower interlocking section 28. In a preferred application one or more of the securing pins or bolts may have an end section of greater dimension to prevent it from fully passing through the tubular holes and at the opposite end a small trasverse hole to receive a lock or similar device to lock its position and also prevent the adjustable slideable section 27 20 from easy removal while the vehicle might be unattended. In a preferred configuration for all applications, the supporting holes, pins or bolts are arranged such that they extend. The tubular leg sections 27 and 28 may be of a square, rectangular, circular or other suitable configuration to suit the purpose. At is lower end the outer leg section 28 may extend into the hollow spigot like 25 coupling 17 and be secured therein by a pin or bolt in a similar manner to the connection of the leg sections 27 and 28 relative to each other. The leg sections 27 and 28 of the loading carrying device may be easily disassembled for storage. In a preferred configuration, the horizontal central part 11 of the attachment 10 may remain in place and securely fixed to the towbar 13 which allows 30 the towbar 13 and tow ball 15 to be utilised in their normal towing applications. This configuration which enables the use of the towbar 13 and tow ball 15 for towing applications is generally preferred in maximising the use of the device 10 with a vehicle while a vehicle is required for towing a trailer, boat caravan or some other attachment.

11 Here an offset distance of less than the number plate perimeter may be suitable, a second fixing point and spigot 17 for the vertical leg 23 may be provided for at an offset distance closer to the tow ball. As shown in Fig. 3, the attachment 10 is mounted to a towbar 13 of a vehicle 30 5 and the lower leg section 28 of the load carrying device 22 is secured in position to the offset coupling 17 and the inner leg section 27 elevated to position the cross bar 25 at the required elevation usually in horizontal alignment with the existing roof racks on the vehicle 30. It will be noted in Fig. 3 that the leg 23 of the device 22 is offset to one side of the vehicle number plate 31 and therefore does not block vision of the number plate 10 31. This is achieved by having the wing part 18 substantially longitudinally aligned with the main support part 11. In the preferred configuration, the cross arn 25 in its horizontal and right angle alignment to its support leg 28 is in itself offset from a central position to the support leg. Preferably the offset is approximately two thirds of the length of the cross arm 15 positioned to one side of the support leg 23. The offset however may be to either side and the support leg 22 can be rotated and reversed so that the greater arm reach section of the cross arm 25 can be positioned to either point to the outer perimeter of the vehicle or to the inner more central cross width position of the vehicle. This extends the application and overall reach of the loading carrying device 10 and can be most useful 20 with larger and wider vehicles. This reach is further magnified if the cross arm 25 houses telescopic extendable arm sections 32 as shown in dotted outline in Fig. 2. Adjustment of the extension of the arm sections 32 enables the further extension of the overall reach and vehicle width coverage by the cross arm 25. The configuration of the attachment 10 allows the load carrying device 22 to be 25 mounted either to the left or right of the central position of the vehicle 30 and in some cases for a vehicle 30 to support and carry two separate vertical legs 22 with one on each side of the towbar mounting point or one vertical leg 22 on one side and a foot step up frame on the other to assist with securing articles on higher profile vehicles such as vans and 4WD vehicles. Tn such cases a vertical leg 22 may be modified for purposes other 30 than supporting an upper T bar section 24. The offset arrangement of the upper T section 24 in turn then a I lows the T- section 24 to be rotated and positioned to suit being located to either the left or right of the central towbar position. In such an arrangement to the hole at one end of the central part 11 a simple foot step up frame could be bolted.

12 In a further configuration the horizontal cross arm 25 of the loading aid device may incorporate at one or opposite ends fixed or detachable upright pegs 33 to prevent in some circumstances loaded materials from sliding sideways off the ends of the cross arm 25. The cross arm 25 may also provide for permanently attached securing and lock 5 down loops or similar suitable elements for attaching a rope, tie down points or other familiar locking devices to assist in securing objects. Further the cross arm 25 can be modified as shown in Fig. 2 to have spaced upstanding or outwardly angled arms 34 illustrated in dotted outline which makes the carrying device 22 suitably for carrying articles to be laterally restrained, such as elongated pipes, timber, kayaks, skis or other 10 elongated articles. In general applications the load carrying device 22 is not intended as a securing tie down and singular transporting device alone for materials but for use in conjunction with other supporting devices such as securely fixed roof racks. In a preferred application the device 22 is raised and secured when required for use and detached and 15 removed when not in actual use. In a loading aid position the telescopic adjustable leg 23 of the device 22 should be able to be raised across a range of adjustable heights. In the lowered and raised adjustable position, the device 22 should be able from the towbar height, service application for smaller vehicles ranging to a height arrangement suitable for larger vehicle types such as four wheel drives. The telescopic adjustment and 20 variable vertical height settings of the adjustable leg 23 enable the device 22 to facilitate use with varying towbar heights and varying vehicle roof rack heights across a wide range of vehicles and roof rack types. In general applications the device 10 will be directly or indirectly securely and safely mounted to the towbar attachment 10 of a vehicle and in its lowered and non use secured position be able to best withstand the 25 various forces applicable to a vehicle under motion and substantial speed. In a raised position for use as a loading/unloading aid the different models or configurations of the device 22 should be constructed of materials and in a manner to support the loading and unloading of materials of similar mass as to that supported by the bridging of a single vehicle roof rack element. Preferred construction materials may be steel or other rigid 30 metals or compounds suitable to the required strength of the loading and unloading aid device. The detachability of the loading carrying device 22 allows the device 22 to be easily removed from the vehicle and stored when not required. The device 22 in turn can 13 be interchangeable and easily fixed to the standard tow ball 15 and towbar unit of different vehicles with centrally located rear number plates while providing an unobscured vision of the centrally located rear number plate of the vehicle without the problem of creating and attaching further alternative number plates for display. 5 Detachability and storage of the unit in the trunk or boot of a vehicle can be enhanced in a preferred configuration where the top T section 24 is detachable from the adjustable leg 22 section. In such a configuration a rigid supporting brace (shown in dotted outline in Fig. 2) can be applied between the cross arm 25 and the vertical socket (or spigot) 26 rigid interlocking piece to provide for added strength to the complete T 10 section 24. The length of standard number plates 31 is generally within the range of 360mm to 400mm. The roof turret width of vehicles is generally in the range of 900mm to 1200mm with the roof width of the average family sedan generally in the vicinity of 1000mrn. An average centrally located rear vehicle number plate extends generally 15 within the proximity of 2 00mm each side of the central line of the vehicle. This in turn is the proximity from the central line of the towbar and tow ball alignment of a vehicle. For smaller family cars of a roof span of approximately 1000mm there is an approximate difference in distance of 3 00mm between the edge downturn of the roof of the vehicle and the outer perimeter of the centrally located number plate. For larger vans and 4WD 20 vehicles the measurement difference is in the approximation of 4 00mm. With a cross arm 25 configured in the ratio of 3 00 mm to one side and 400mm the other side of the support leg 22, the T section 24 can be rotated and positioned to suit to majority of both smaller and larger vehicles while remaining within the protrusion limits for roof top accessories for vehicles. A total cross ann span of 7 00mm is a generally suitable loading 25 and carrying span for the width of larger recreational craft suck as kayaks. For smaller vehicles, a cross arm 25 of smaller offset dimensions may be used to suit the dimensions of a smaller roof width. For example a cross arm of offset dimensions of 2 00mm and 4 00mm respectively on either side of the leg may be used. For 4WD vehicles with a rear mounted tyre and as shown in Fig. 4, the wing part 30 18 can be rotated and bolted by the bolt 20 at right angles to the central part 11 in the configuration of Fig. I with sufficient clearance and length to allow the vertical leg of a device (such as the leg 23 of the device 22) mounted to the attachment 10 to raise vertically clear of the rear mounted tyre 35 on most vehicles of this type. Where vehicles 14 support a rear mounted tyre 35 the number plate is generally offset to the left or right of the central position of the vehicle and mounting the wing part 18 at right angles not only allows the vertical leg of the device 22 to be clear of the rear mounted tyre 35 but generally locates the leg away from the vehicle number plate. 5 When the central part 11 is combined with a pair of wing parts 18 as described above, the attachment 10 may be used to support a support frame 36 for signage or advertising material as illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7. The attachment 10 can be used in a dual position arrangement to suit a range of vehicle types and needed set backs from the rear of the vehicle. The ability to offer wider body clearances from the vehicle can be of 10 particular importance when the attachment 10 is applied to larger or 4WD vehicles especially those with a rear mounted spare tyre. This can further offer both manufacturing advantages and applications advantages. Thus the attachment 10 can be used in the dual positions shown in Figs. 5 and 6 for supporting the frame 36 depending upon the vehicle with which the attachment 10 is used with the wing parts 18 being 15 positioned at a right angle to the main support part 11 in Fig. 6 so as to clear for example the rear mounted tyre of a 4WD vehicle or positioned in alignment with the main support part 11 to further extend the length of the central part as in Fig. 5. The frame 35 comprises a pair of parallel spaced apart legs 37 (similar to the legs 22) which may locate at their lower ends in the sockets 17 and secured therein by 20 through bolts or pins. In a preferred configuration one of the vertical sockets 17 is of a greater internal cross section dimension than the other. This allows for easier vertical release of the two legs 37 of the frame 36. The legs 37 of the frame 36 are interconnected by a first horizontal bar or tube 38 and a second horizontal bar or tube 39 both of which are fixed to the vertical legs 37 at a height above the height of the sockets 25 17. In one configuration the lowest horizontal bar 38 of the frame 36 carries extended turned up pieces or angle sections 40 to receive and secure an advertising panel 41 to the frame 36. One or more holes through the frame 36 can provide for bolting and securing points for the advertising panel or sign 41 to the frame 36. The frame 36 may support a number of different configurations or shapes of advertising panels 41. The advertising 30 frames 36 can be produced in sizes and configurations to suit being supported by a wing parts 18 rotated at right angles to the main support part 11 (as shown in Fig. 6) or being supported by wing parts 18 that continue and extend the overall length of the main support part 11 (as in Fig. 5). The wing parts 18 can be produced at different extension 15 lengths from their attachment point to suit the needs of different vehicle types or requirements. The frames 36 will substantially lie within the width of motor vehicles as shown in Fig. 7 and in most cases not require the instillation of extra vehicle stop or indicator 5 lighting. In preferred configurations the upper portion of an advertising sign or panel 41 will be sized and positioned below the rear window vision area for easy of rear vision in reversing or motoring. The configurations of the frames 36 may be of such size to lend themselves for easy attachment and detachment from the attachment 10 as well as being of such dimensions for easy storage within the boot or trunk area of most vehicles. The 10 attachment devices 10 can be easily transferable between different motor vehicles or types of motor vehicles. The wing parts 18 when extending the length of the central part 11 will be of such dimension to support vertical legs or posts 37 clear of a vehicle's centrally positioned number plate thus avoiding visual obstruction of the number plate. When an 15 advertising frame 36 is employed a secondary number plate can be fixed to the advertising panel 41 or to the legs 37 of the frame 36 which extends above the panel 31 as illustrated in Fig. 7. The dual position attachment 10 for the above described advertising panels 41 may also support and secure other interlocking devices such as kayak and canoe loaders, 20 mobile hammock poles, promotional flags and as such operate as a dual position multifunctional attachment device to the vehicle towbar/ hitch tongue. Other devices which may be used with the attachment 10 are illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. The device of Fig. 8 comprises a table 42 having legs 43 which may locate in the coupling members or sockets 17 when the wing parts 18 are aligned with the main 25 support part 11. The table 42 may be a foldable table and the wing parts 18 may be arranged at right angles to their position of Fig. 8 to accept legs 42 of a table 42 which are more closely spaced. The device of Fig. 5 comprises a wire spool mount 44 having legs 45 for engagement in the sockets 17 when the wing parts 18 are positioned at right angles to the 30 main support part 11. Arms 46 which extend from the legs 45 can support rotatably therebetween a wire spool 47 or the like from which wire can be pulled for any purpose. Other means may be provided for preventing or limiting rotation or twisting of the main support part 11 relative to the towbar 13 to which it is mounted. For example 16 one or more apertures 48 may be provided in the main part 11 (as shown in Fig. 10) offset from the towbar 13 to accept a pin such as a shackle pin which will abut against a side or end of the towbar 13 upon rotation or twisting of the main part I1 to thereby limit rotation or twisting. Alternatively or additionally, an aperture may be provided in the 5 main part 11 which can be aligned with a corresponding aperture in the towbar to accept a pin to secure the main part 11 non-rotatably relative to the towbar 13. The coupling spigot 17 may be of many different configurations as may the wing parts 18 depending upon the application. The terms "comprising" or "comprises" as used throughout the specification and 10 claims are taken to specify the presence of the stated features, integers and components referred to but not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature/s, integer/s, component/s or group thereof. Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the invention, all such variations and modifications thereto as would be apparent to persons 15 skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein defined in the appended claims. 20 25 30

Claims (5)

1. A towbar or hitch attachment for vehicles, said attachment including a main support part adapted to be attached centrally to the towbar or hitch of a said vehicle to 5 extend laterally thereof in a substantially horizontal plane and at least one coupling part mountable to said main support part and adapted to be located in a first position in which it is substantially longitudinally aligned with said main support part and a second position in which it is positioned rearwardly of said main support part, said at least one coupling part being adapted when in said first or second position to support in use a 10 support leg of a device in a position laterally offset from said towbar or hitch.

2. An attachment as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coupling part comprises a wing part, said wing part being detachably connectable to said main support part to be substantially aligned in said first position with said support part and at substantially at 15 right angles to said main support part in said second position.

3. An attachment as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said device comprises a load carrying device and wherein said support leg comprises an elongated leg adapted to be supported by said coupling part in an upright attitude and a cross arm supported by 20 said leg and extending in use transversely of a said vehicle, said coupling part positioning said leg such that a centrally located number plate of said vehicle can be viewed substantially without visual obstruction from a position from the rear of said vehicle and in longitudinal alignment therewith. 25

4. An attachment device as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said main support part extends in use to opposite sides of said towbar or hitch and including a pair of said wing parts connectable to opposite ends of said main support part, said wing parts in said first position being aligned with said main support part and being substantially at right angles to said main support part in said second position. 30

5. An attachment device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said device comprises a frame for a sign or other device, said frame having a pair of spaced legs adapted to be 18 engaged with and supported by the respective said coupling parts in either said first or second position of said wing parts. Dated this 19 'h day of December 2008 5 TREVOR REECE By His Patent Attorney 10 JOHN R G GARDNER