AU2012318296B2 - Tow hitch - Google Patents

Tow hitch Download PDF

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Publication number
AU2012318296B2
AU2012318296B2 AU2012318296A AU2012318296A AU2012318296B2 AU 2012318296 B2 AU2012318296 B2 AU 2012318296B2 AU 2012318296 A AU2012318296 A AU 2012318296A AU 2012318296 A AU2012318296 A AU 2012318296A AU 2012318296 B2 AU2012318296 B2 AU 2012318296B2
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AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
hitch
connector
vehicle
respect
vehicles
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
AU2012318296A
Other versions
AU2012318296A1 (en
Inventor
James Allen
Frank Soto
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SOTO HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
SOTO HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2011904336A external-priority patent/AU2011904336A0/en
Application filed by SOTO HOLDINGS Pty Ltd filed Critical SOTO HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Priority to AU2012318296A priority Critical patent/AU2012318296B2/en
Publication of AU2012318296A1 publication Critical patent/AU2012318296A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of AU2012318296B2 publication Critical patent/AU2012318296B2/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60DVEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/01Traction couplings or hitches characterised by their type
    • B60D1/02Bolt or shackle-type couplings
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60DVEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/24Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions
    • B60D1/246Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for actuating the hitch by powered means
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60DVEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/24Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions
    • B60D1/42Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for being adjustable
    • B60D1/44Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for being adjustable horizontally
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60DVEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/24Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions
    • B60D1/42Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for being adjustable
    • B60D1/46Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for being adjustable vertically
    • B60D1/465Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for being adjustable vertically comprising a lifting mechanism, e.g. for coupling while lifting

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Agricultural Machines (AREA)

Abstract

Abstract A hitch for connecting vehicles, the hitch comprising connectors each configured to engage a vehicle, the hitch being configured such that the connectors are moveable in relation to one another about three axes.

Description

1 Tow Hitch Technical Field The present invention relates generally to hitches for 5 connecting vehicles. Background to the disclosure Hitches are used to connect vehicles to allow towing or pushing of vehicles, particularly those containing 10 materials or passengers. Hitches provide control of loads and ease of maneuvering. Control and maneuverability is of particular importance in mining applications and other applications requiring driving in close quarters. 15 Summary of the invention Disclosed in some forms is a hitch for connecting vehicles, the hitch comprising connectors configured to engage a vehicle, the hitch being configured such that the connectors are moveable in relation to one another about 20 three axes. The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments and features will 25 become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description. 30 Brief Description of the drawings Preferred embodiments will now be described by way of 7472937_1 2 example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hitch; 5 Fig 2 is a cross-sectional drawing of the hitch of the Fig 1; Fig 3 is an end view of the hitch of Fig 1; Fig 4 is a lateral cross-section of the hitch of Fig 1; Fig 5 is a perspective view of a connector of a hitch; 10 Fig 6 is a front perspective view of the connector of Fig 5; Fig 7 is a perspective top view of a second embodiment of a hitch; Fig 8 is a perspective view of the hitch of Fig 7; 15 Fig 9 is a perspective view of the hitch of Fig 7; Fig 10 is a perspective view of the hitch of Fig 7; Fig 11 is a perspective view of the hitch of Fig 7; Fig 12 is a perspective view of the hitch of Fig 7; Fig 13 is a perspective view of a connector of a third 20 embodiment of a hitch; Fig 14 is a cross sectional- side view of a vehicle connection of a fourth embodiment of a hitch. Detailed description of embodiments 25 In the following detailed description, reference is made to accompanying drawings which form a part of the detailed description. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, depicted in the drawings and defined 30 in the claims, are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilised and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented. It will be readily understood that the 7472937_1 3 aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are 5 contemplated in this disclosure. This disclosure is directed generally to a hitch. While the assembly has been described with reference to a tow hitch extending between two vehicles for towing or 10 otherwise moving a truck it will be clear to persons skilled in the art that alternatives are available. In some forms disclosed isa hitch for connecting vehicles, the hitch comprising connectors each configured to engage 15 a vehicle, the hitch being configured such that the connectors are moveable in relation to one another about three axes. In some forms the three axes are substantially perpendicular to one another. 20 In some forms the vehicles comprise a drive vehicle and a driven vehicle, the drive vehicle propelling the driven vehicle. In some forms the axes comprise an x axis which is 25 substantially aligned with a direction of movement of the driven vehicle, a y axis which is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the driven vehicle and a z axis which is substantially perpendicular to x and y axes. 30 In some forms the hitch comprises a body extending between the connectors. 7472937_1 4 In some forms a first connector is hingedly engaged with the body such that the connector is rotatable about a y axis and the hitch is adapted such that movement of the connector about the y-axis effects angular displacement of 5 the direction of movement of the drive vehicle with respect to the direction of movement of the driven vehicle. In some forms the first connector is hingedly engaged with 10 the body such that the connector is rotatable about a z axis and the hitch is adapted such that movement of the connector about the y-axis effects angular displacement of the direction of movement of the drive vehicle and the direction of movement of the driven vehicle. 15 In some forms a second connector is hingedly engaged with the body such that the connector is rotatable about an x axis extending through the connector into the body and the hitch is adapted such that movement of the connector about 20 the x axis results in tilting of the vehicles in relation to one another. In a second aspect, disclosed is a hitch comprising: a first connector configured to engage a first vehicle 25 a second connector configured to engage a second vehicle; a body, the body comprising at least one flange extending between the connectors, the flange being hingedly connected to at least the first connector such that the flange is angularly moveable with respect to the first 30 connector in both the vertical plane and the horizontal plane. 7472937_1 5 In some forms the or each flange is hingedly connected with each connector such that the or each flange is angularly moveable with respect to the first and second connectors in both the vertical plane and the horizontal 5 plane. In some forms the hitch allows for the vehicles to be laterally and vertically displaced with respect to one another. 10 In some forms at least one of the first and second connectors is rotatably engaged with the body such that in use rotation of the connector with respect to the body effects tilting of the first vehicle and second vehicle 15 with respect to one another. In some forms the body comprises at least two parallel flanges extending between the connectors. 20 In some forms the body further comprises arms extending between the connectors, the arms being adapted to be extendable. In some forms the arms are hydraulic. In some forms the hitch is adapted for use in an 25 underground mine. The tow hitch of the disclosure provides for flexibility in movement which is critical when working in a confined space. The hitch provides for movement in each of two or 30 three planes which in some forms allows for a truck, car or wagon pulled by a tow vehicle to tilt about the axis of the direction of movement, to be lifted above or drop below the tow vehicle and to turn corners in a confined space. 7472937_1 6 Referring to Figures 1 through 10, in some forms, disclosed is a hitch 1 for connecting vehicles (not illustrated) to one another. The hitch is designed to allow a drive vehicle to pull, push or otherwise move a 5 driven vehicle. While the description is generally directed towards a hitch for two vehicles a person skilled in the art would recognize that this hitch may be utilized to connect more vehicles. 10 The hitch 1 generally comprises a body 3 extending between a first connector 4 and a second connector 5. The first connector 4 in the illustrated form is configured to engage with a front vehicle (not 15 illustrated) which in some forms may be a drive or towing vehicle. The second connector 5 is configured to engage with a rearward vehicle which in some forms may be a driven or towed vehicle such as a wagon, cart, carriage or container. 20 In the illustrated form, the body 3 comprises two flanges 6 which extend between the connectors 4 and 5 and are substantially parallel to one another. While in the illustrated form the flanges are composed of plates, a 25 person skilled in the art would be aware that alternative shapes such as shafts and grates would be available. Each flange 6 is engaged with the first connector 4 at a flange engagement 8. In the illustrated form the flange 30 engagement 8 comprises engagement pins 9 extending through an engagement plate 10 which extend outwardly from connector 4. The engagement pins 9 extend into body 3 through engagement cavity 12 and flanges 6 are moveable 7472937_1 7 with respect to engagement pins 9 such that the flanges 6 are rotatable about an axis extending through engagement pins 9. This allows for lateral movement of the rear vehicle with respect to the front vehicle. In the 5 illustrated form the flanges 6 can be laterally rotated with respect to the first connector 4 through approximately 180 degrees allowing significant lateral movement of the vehicles with respect to one another. 10 Flanges 6 are further hingedly connected with first connector 4 by means of lateral engagement pins 13 which extend through lateral engagement cavity 14 and hinge the flanges 6 with respect to the connector 4. The hinged connection means that the flanges 6 are rotatable in the 15 vertical plane with respect to the connector 4. The axis of rotation of the flanges 6 with respect to the connector 4 extends through lateral engagement 13 allowing the rearward vehicle to be vertically displaced with respect to the forward vehicle. In the illustrated form the 20 flanges are adapted to allow the vehicles to be vertically displaced by between 300 and 1000 mms. The body 3 further comprises a plate 15. The flanges 6 are hingedly engaged with the plate 15 such that the flanges 6 25 are rotatable in a vertical plane with respect to the plate 15. The engagement with the plate 15 and the engagement with the first connector 4 allow for the flanges to be angled with respect to the vehicles. This allows the vehicles to maintain an upright position while 30 being displaced from one another. Thus the moveable flanges 6 mean minimizes downward pressure on, for example, the front of a rear vehicle in response to displacement of the front vehicle in a downward direction. 7472937_1 8 This increases maneuverability and allows the vehicles to maintain contact with a surface on which they are supported. In the illustrated form rotation of the flanges in respect of the vehicles allows for the vehicles to be 5 vertically displaced by between 300 and 1000 mms. The second connector 5 engages with the plate 15 rotatably such that connection 5 can be rotated with respect to the plate 15 about an axis extending through the body 3. In 10 the illustrated form the connection 5 can be rotated 360 degrees or almost 360 degrees with respect to the plate 15. Rotation about this axis allows for tilting of the vehicles with respect to one another such that their angle with respect to the direction of movement of the vehicles 15 can differ from one another. Hitch 1 further includes hydraulic arms 16 which act to connect first connector 4 with plate 15 while allowing for movement of the first connector 4 and plate 15 with 20 respect to one another in two planes. Hydraulic arms 16 provide reinforcement to the hitch 1. In use, a first vehicle is connected with the first connector 4 by means of vehicle connection 18. A second 25 vehicle is connected with the second connector 5 by means of connection aperture 19. Movement of one vehicle, in the illustrated form the frontwards vehicle engaged with connector 4, effects movement of the second vehicle through second connector 5. The hitch 1 allows for 30 movement of the vehicles with respect to one another in three substantially perpendicular axes. Thus the direction of movement of each vehicle can be angled with respect to each other through rotation about the axis 7472937_1 9 extending through engagement pin 9. The vehicles' vertical position with respect to one another can be displaced through rotation about the axis extending through lateral engagement pins 13. The tilt of the 5 vehicles with respect to one another and a surface upon which the vehicles are situated can be displaced through angular displacement of the connector 5 with respect to the plate 15. 10 The maneuverability of the vehicles is therefore improved allowing for greater control of the loads through the hitch. In a second embodiment, disclosed is a hitch 1 comprising 15 a body 3 extending between a first connector 4 and a second connector 5. In this embodiment like numbers are used to indicate like features. Second connector 5 is adapted to connect the hitch with a 20 towed or rearward vehicle. The second connector 5 comprises a shaft 21, a connection element 20 with a connection aperture 19 and an intermediate portion 22 located between the shaft 21 and the connection element 20. Intermediate portion 22 is configured to increase in 25 cross-sectional diameter in one plane towards the shaft 21. As such, intermediate portion 22 tapers in the vertical plane toward the connection element 20. This maintains a large cross sectional area of the intermediate section between the connection element 20 and the shaft 30 21. The cross sectional area of the intermediate portion 22 enhances strength of the connector 5 and facilitates the connection of a shaft 21 with an increased diameter, the result of which is a shaft 21 with high bending 7472937_1 10 strength. The cavity in plate 15 is sized to accommodate the diameter of the shaft 21. 5 The second connector 5 further comprises a connection aperture 19 extending through the connection element 20. The connection aperture 19 has a beveled edge, sloping from a surface 24 of the connection element 20 to the 10 connection aperture 19. The beveled edge of the connection aperture 19allows for high angles of rotation of the second connector 5 about the horizontal axis. As shown in Fig 14, a vehicle connection 18 is also 15 disclosed, the vehicle connection 18 being configured to connect the first connector 4 with a frontward vehicle which in some forms is a drive or tow vehicle. The size and shape of vehicle connector 18 can be altered to allow it to fit more than one type of vehicle. In this 20 embodiment of the hitch, the vehicle connection 18 is in the form of a shaft. In this embodiment the base plate 25 of the frontward vehicle, used to secure the vehicle connection 18, is tilted back from horizontal, by up to 20', to facilitate a more secure hold between the first 25 vehicle and the first connector 4. In some not illustrated forms, the second connector 5 engages with the plate 15 with a horizontal pivot (not illustrated) such that connection 5 can be rotated with 30 respect to plate 15 about the horizontal axis. In some forms the horizontal pivot comprises a closed pin in clevis or an open hook arrangement. An open hook would be provided with a latch to prevent the pin from riding 7472937_1 11 upwards out of the hook. In some forms the hook or clevis is bolted on to the towed vehicle. In the claims which follow and in the preceding 5 description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e., to specify the presence of the stated features but not to 10 preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the method and apparatus. 7472937_1

Claims (7)

  1. 2. A hitch as defined in claim 1, wherein the body comprises a flange. 20 3. A hitch as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the hitch allows for the vehicles to be laterally and vertically displaced with respect to one another.
  2. 4. A hitch as defined in any one of claims 1 through 3, 25 wherein at least one of the first and second connectors is rotatably engaged with the body such that in use rotation of the connector with respect to the body effects tilting of the first vehicle and second vehicle with respect to one another. 30
  3. 5. A hitch as defined in any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein the body comprises at least two parallel flanges extending between the connectors. 7472937_1 13
  4. 6. A hitch as defined in any one of claims 1 through 5, wherein the body further comprises arms extending between the connectors, the arms being adapted to be extendable. 5
  5. 7. A hitch as defined in claim 6, wherein the arms are hydraulic.
  6. 8. A hitch as defined in any of the preceding claims, 10 the hitch being sized and configured for use in an underground mine.
  7. 9. A hitch for connecting vehicles substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying 15 drawings. 7472937_1
AU2012318296A 2011-10-19 2012-10-19 Tow hitch Active AU2012318296B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2012318296A AU2012318296B2 (en) 2011-10-19 2012-10-19 Tow hitch

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2011904336 2011-10-19
AU2011904336A AU2011904336A0 (en) 2011-10-19 Hitch
AU2012318296A AU2012318296B2 (en) 2011-10-19 2012-10-19 Tow hitch
PCT/AU2012/001281 WO2013056318A1 (en) 2011-10-19 2012-10-19 Tow hitch

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU2012318296A1 AU2012318296A1 (en) 2013-05-09
AU2012318296B2 true AU2012318296B2 (en) 2016-04-21

Family

ID=48140237

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU2012318296A Active AU2012318296B2 (en) 2011-10-19 2012-10-19 Tow hitch

Country Status (2)

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AU (1) AU2012318296B2 (en)
WO (1) WO2013056318A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2016165225A (en) 2013-07-09 2016-09-15 味の素株式会社 Method for producing useful substance
GB2534421B (en) * 2015-01-26 2020-07-01 Moorend Ltd An articulated vehicle

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4711461A (en) * 1986-04-17 1987-12-08 Positive Connections, Inc. Three-axis trailer hitch having improved rotatable coupling between vehicle and trailer
US20040061309A1 (en) * 2002-09-16 2004-04-01 Shoffner Gregory David Multi-axis hitch for trailers and implements

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2027499A (en) * 1934-10-15 1936-01-14 John S Tully Flexible coupling

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4711461A (en) * 1986-04-17 1987-12-08 Positive Connections, Inc. Three-axis trailer hitch having improved rotatable coupling between vehicle and trailer
US20040061309A1 (en) * 2002-09-16 2004-04-01 Shoffner Gregory David Multi-axis hitch for trailers and implements

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2013056318A1 (en) 2013-04-25
AU2012318296A1 (en) 2013-05-09

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DA3 Amendments made section 104

Free format text: THE NATURE OF THE AMENDMENT IS: AMEND THE NAME OF THE INVENTOR TO READ ALLEN, JAMES AND SOTO, FRANK

FGA Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent)