AU2020202518A1 - Hitch Connection and a Stabiliser Arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a stabiliser arrangement for improving the stability between a towed vehicle and a towing vehicle. The towed vehicle and the towing vehicle are interconnected by a hitch connection comprising a coupling and a drawbar such that when the coupling and drawbar are connected the towed vehicle is able to move relative to the towing vehicle about a hitch axis of the hitch connection. The stabiliser arrangement comprises a guide means provided by one of the towing vehicle or the towed vehicle, and a restraining means for receiving the guide means, the restraining means being incorporated in the other of the towing vehicle or the towed vehicle from which the guide means extends. The guide means is in a restrained position when restrained within the restraining means, minimising the roll of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle. 1/16 00 co Figure 1

Description

1/16

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Figure 1

Hitch Connection and a Stabiliser Arrangement

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a hitch connection for connecting a towed vehicle and a towing vehicle. Further, the invention relates to a stabiliser arrangement for stabilising the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle when connected thereto.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Minimising a towed trailer's roll is integral to the safety of the driver and the public, the integrity of the truck and trailer structure and the integrity of the load in the trailer(s). Particularly at high speeds a truck pulled trailer must have its roll managed.

[0003] Roll coupling hitches are available that minimise the roll of trailers through providing multiple vertical fixing points at the coupler rather than just relying on the single ring and pin arrangement of conventional ring couplers.

[0004] Traditional single ring coupler arrangements maintain high risk for both roll and sway where conventional ring feeders are used.

[0005] Conventional means such as a weight-distribution hitch, mechanical friction control, dependent two point control, dual cam sway control, four point sway control, symmetric trailer brake sway control and asymmetric trailer brake sway control are used to manage trailer roll and sway on conventional ring couplers.

[0006] Where a friction method is used when high loads are carried and the sway and roll on a trailer is high the effectiveness of the roll control is reduced. Where symmetric trailer brake sway control is used its effectiveness is also reduced where sway becomes large and loads are heavy. Other noted forms of sway and roll control use sensors to detect and calculate yaw and then apply calculated braking to achieve stabilisation.

[0007] Reference to cited material or information contained in the text should not be understood as a concession that the material or information was part of the common general knowledge.

Summary of the Invention

[0008] It is an object of this invention to provide a hitch connection and a stabiliser arrangement which ameliorates, mitigates or overcomes, at least one disadvantage of the prior art, or which will at least provide the public with a practical choice.

[0009] The present invention provides a stabiliser arrangement for improving the stability between a towed vehicle, such as a trailer, and a towing vehicle, such as a truck or a lead trailer, the towed vehicle and the towing vehicle being interconnected by a hitch connection comprising a coupling and a draw bar such that when the coupling and drawbar are connected the towed vehicle is able to move relative to the towing vehicle about a hitch axis of the hitch connection, the stabiliser arrangement comprising:

a guide means extending outwardly from the drawbar; and

a restraining means for receiving the guide means;

wherein the guide means is in a restrained position when the guide means is restrained within the restraining means, minimising the roll of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle.

[0010] Preferably the guide means moves between the restrained position, and an unrestrained position wherein at least a portion of the guide means is not restrained by the restraining means.

[0011] Preferably the restraining means is in the form of at least one channel.

[0012] The present invention provides a stabiliser arrangement for improving the stability between a towed vehicle, such as a trailer, and a towing vehicle, such as a truck or a lead trailer, the towed vehicle and the towing vehicle being interconnected by a hitch connection comprising a coupling and a draw bar such that when the coupling and drawbar are connected the towed vehicle is able to move relative to the towing vehicle about a hitch axis of the hitch connection, the stabiliser arrangement comprising:

a guide means extending outwardly from one of the towing vehicle or the towed vehicle; and a restraining means for receiving the guide means, the restraining means being incorporated in the other of the towing vehicle or the towed vehicle from which the guide means extends; wherein the guide means is in a restrained position when the guide means is restrained within the restraining means, minimising the roll of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle.

[0013] Preferably the guide means moves between the restrained position, and an unrestrained position wherein at least a portion of the guide means is not restrained by the restraining means.

[0014] The guide means may remain in the restrained position when the longitudinal axis of the towed vehicle is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle.

[0015] The guide means may move to the unrestrained position when the longitudinal axis of the towed vehicle and the longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle are angularly displaced with each other at a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is determined during the design of the stabiliser arrangement according to the requirements of the hitch connection.

[0016] In one variation the guide means is in the form of a first arm and a second arm and are configured to align with a rotational axis of the hitch connection. The restraining means may be in the form of a first channel and a second channel spaced from each other. An end of each arm may be adapted to be slidingly received in the respective channel. The end of each arm may have a protrusion which is received in the respective channel.

[0017] The coupling may comprise a frame which provides the first channel and the second channel wherein the hitch axis of the hitch connection is located between the first channel and the second channel.

[0018] Each of the first channel and the second channel may have an open first end. The open first end may receive at least a portion of the guide means as the towed vehicle is connected to the towing vehicle.

[0019] A second end of each of the first channel and the second channel maybe open.

[0020] The open first end may receive at least a portion of the guide means as the towed vehicle is connected to the towing vehicle.

[0021] Each open end may have a tab or similar means for directing the end of each arm into the respective channel. These tabs act as a ramp to guide the ends of the arms back into its respective channel as the combined vehicle commences to longitudinal align.

[0022] In another variation, the guide means may be in the form of a set of outwardly extending projections adapted to be received in the restraining means. Preferably there are two outwardly extending projections. There may be two outwardly extending projections, each one being in the form of an arm.

[0023] The end of each arm may be adapted to readily slide within its respective channel. The end of each arm may be adapted to be snugly received in the channel. The end of each arm may be made from a material with high wear resistance as well as having a low friction coefficient.

[0024] In one embodiment the draw bar is provided by the towed vehicle and the coupling is provided by the towing vehicle. In another embodiment the draw bar is provided by the towing vehicle and the coupling is provided by the towed vehicle.

[0025] In an alternative embodiment the frame of the coupling provides the guide means, and the drawbar provides the restraining means.

[0026] The present invention further provides a trailer adapted to be connected to a towed vehicle whereupon the combination of the trailer and towed vehicle include a stabiliser arrangement as herein before described.

[0027] The present invention provides a hitch connection for connecting a towed vehicle, such as a trailer, to a towing vehicle, such as a truck or a lead trailer, the hitch connection comprises:

a coupling and a draw bar, whereupon the drawbar and coupling being connected the drawbar is pivotal relative to the coupling about a hitch axis; and

a stabiliser arrangement for improving the stability between the towed vehicle and the towing, the stabiliser arrangement comprising: a guide means secured to one of the of the towed vehicle or the towing vehicle; and a restraining means for receiving the guide means, the restraining means being incorporated in the other of the towed vehicle or the towing vehicle.; wherein the guide means moves between a restrained position wherein the guide means is restrained within the restraining means to minimise the roll of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle, and an unrestrained position wherein at least a portion of the guide means is not restrained by the restraining means.

[0028] The coupling may be secured to one of the towed vehicle or the towing vehicle. The drawbar may extend from the other of the towed vehicle or the towing vehicle.

[0029] The restraining means may be in the form of a first channel and a second channel orientated in spaced relation either side of the hitch axis, the guide means may comprise two arms extending outwardly, whereupon the towed vehicle being hitched to the towing vehicle and longitudinally aligned, an end of each arm is received in its respective channel to stabilize the towed vehicle, whereupon the towed vehicle and towing vehicle being angularly displaced with respect to each other beyond a predetermined angle, the end of each arm exits its respective channel.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment only the end of one arm is received in the channel when the towed vehicle and towing vehicle are angularly displaced beyond a predetermined angle, while the end of the other arm exits its respective channel.

[0031] The present invention provides a stabiliser arrangement for improving the stability of a trailer when the trailer is connected to a towing vehicle, such as a truck or another trailer, the stabiliser arrangement includes:

at least two arms arranged to extend from opposite sides of a draw bar, wherein each arm has a protrusion extending therefrom;

wherein the draw bar is arranged to be coupled to a forward towing frame; and wherein the protrusions are arranged to sit within a channel incorporated in the forward towing frame when the trailer and forward towing frame are in substantial alignment.

[0032] Preferably, the protrusions are arranged to rotate around a pivotal centre of a coupler that couples the draw bar to the forward trailer.

[0033] Preferably, the protrusions are in the form of a round bar.

[0034] Preferably the arms are angled relative to the draw bar.

[0035] Preferably, one of the two arms and its protrusion is arranged to move towards the towing frame while the other of the two angled arms is arranged to move away from the towing frame when the trailer is rotating about the pivotal centre of the coupler.

[0036] A restricting recess may be incorporated in each channel. The restricting recesses may be shaped to improve roll stability of the trailer when connected to a towing vehicle.

[0037] The protrusions are arranged to sit within its respective channel when the trailer is in substantial alignment with the forward towing frame.

[0038] in an alternative embodiment, one of the two arms and the protrusion extending from the arm are arranged to follow the edge of a cut out in a plate in the forward towing frame when turning, wherein the cut out is profiled to improve the roll stability of the trailer.

[0039] Preferably, the arms are part of a unitary item.

[0040] Preferably, the arms extend from either side of a straight intermediate section.

[0041] The present invention further provides a trailer stabiliser assembly including:

a drawbar;

a forward towing frame; and

a coupler and a stabiliser; wherein the stabiliser includes arms arranged to extend from opposite sides of the draw bar and protrusions extending from each of the arms; wherein the drawbar is arranged to be coupled to a forward towing frame; wherein the protrusions are arranged to sit within a channel in the towing frame when the trailer and forward towing frame are in substantial alignment

[0042] The present invention further provides a trailer stabiliser assembly including:

a drawbar;

a forward towing frame; and

a coupler and a stabiliser;

wherein the stabiliser includes arms arranged to extend from opposite sides of the frame and protrusions extending from or provided by each of the arms;

wherein the frame is arranged to be coupled to the drawbar;

wherein the protrusions are arranged to sit within a respective channel provided by the drawbar when the drawbar and frame are in substantial longitudinal alignment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0043] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hitch connection showing a portion of a trailer and a portion of a towing vehicle hitched together, whereby the trailer is angularly displaced relative to the towing vehicle such as may take place when turning a corner, the hitch incorporating a stabiliser arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the installed stabiliser of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a rear view of the installed stabiliser of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the installed stabiliser of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the installed stabiliser of Figure 1 in a common axis;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the installed stabiliser of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a rear view of the installed stabiliser of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the installed stabiliser of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a cutaway view of the installed stabiliser of Figure 5;

Figure 10 is a cutaway view of the installed stabiliser of Figure 5;

Figure 11 is a cutaway view of the installed stabiliser of Figure 1;

Figure 12 is a plan view of a hitch connection according to a second embodiment of the invention, and shows a portion of a towed vehicle and a portion of a towing vehicle interconnected by the hitch arrangement and in substantial alignment with each other;

Figure 13 is a view similar to figure 12 wherein the towed vehicle is angularly displaced relative to the towing vehicle such as may take place when turning a corner;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of figure 12;

Figure 15 is a close up view of the hitch arrangement shown in figure 14;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of figure 13;

Figure 17 is a close up view of the hitch arrangement shown in figure 16;

Figure 18 is a side view of figure 12;

Figure 19 is a side view of figure 13;

Figures 20 and 21 are two views similar to figure 17 with portions of the hitch arrangement removed.

[0044] In the drawings like structures are referred to by like numerals throughout the several views. The drawings shown are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present invention.

Description of Embodiments

[0045] The present invention relates to improving the stability between a towed vehicle and a towing vehicle. In the present embodiments, the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle are interconnected by a hitch connection. The hitch connection is in the form of a drawbar 18 and a coupling which, once interconnected, rotate with respect to each other about a hitch axis. The coupling is provided by a towing frame 20. As would be understood by the person skilled in the art the hitch connection may take other forms while still being relevant to the present invention.

[0046] As would also be understood by the person skilled in the art the drawbar may either be provided by the towed vehicle or the towing vehicle, while the other vehicle provides the coupling.

[0047] The hitch connection incorporates a stabiliser arrangement 10 to improve the stability between the towed vehicle and the towing vehicle.

[0048] Generally, the towed vehicle takes the form of a trailer while the towing vehicle may either be a truck or another trailer. For simplicity the below description references the towed vehicle as a trailer and the towing vehicle as a truck.

[0049] Referring to Figures 1 to 11, the invention according to a first embodiment provides the stabiliser arrangement 10 incorporated within the hitch connection to improve the roll stability experienced by the trailer.

[0050] Broadly, the stabiliser arrangement 10 includes a guide means, in the form of two arms 14, and a restraining means which receives the guide means. The guide means is in the form of two spaced apart channels 21.

[0051] The two arms 14 extend from the drawbar 18 of the trailer, each arm being received into one of the two channels 21 which are secured to the towing frame 20 of the truck. The arms 14 can be angled with respect to the drawbar 18. Each channel 21 has an open first end for receiving the guide means when the trailer and the truck are connected, and an open second end. The open second end has a turn restricting recess 22. Each turn restricting recess 22, but particularly the channel 21 are shaped and sized to limit the movement of the arms 14 and thereby limit the sway and roll experienced by the trailer. In alternative embodiments the restricting recess 22 is not present. In further embodiments the channel may be incorporated in a beam of the towing frame such that one side of the channel is provided by the beam and continues beyond the open end of the channel.

[0052] The arms 14 of the stabiliser arrangement 10 extend from both lateral sides of the front end of the drawbar 18 of the trailer. The distal end of the arms 14 include protrusions 12 which are arranged to be orthogonal to a towing frame 20 of the truck when the combined vehicles are travelling in a straight line and are therefore longitudinally aligned.

[0053] In one embodiment the protrusions 12 are round bars. The round bars allow rotation within the respective channel 21 and do not inhibit relative vertical movement between the drawbar 18 and towing frame 20.

[0054] In one embodiment the arms 14 are separate pieces that are attached to or embedded in the front end of the drawbar 18. In an alternative embodiment the arms 14 are part of a solid bar with an intermediate section that is attached to and passes through the front end of the drawbar 18. Alternatively, the arms are integrally formed with the drawbar.

[0055] With specific reference to Figures 1 to 4 and 11, the stabiliser arrangement 10 of the present embodiment is shown whereby the longitudinal axis of the trailer is angularly spaced from the longitudinal axis of the truck, such as occurs when the combined vehicle is turning.

[0056] A ring 16 is attached to the front end of the drawbar 18 and is arranged to engage with a ring feeder 17 on the towing frame 20 to connect the trailer and truck together for towing.

[0057] In use, the protrusions 12 are in line with the ring 16 so that the protrusions have the same pivotal centre as the ring 16 and draw bar 18. That is the pivotal centre is located between the arms and aligns with the hitch axis.

[0058] The towing frame 20 includes a plate 23 abutting the ring feeder 17. The plate 23 includes cut outs 25 shaped and positions to restrict the movement of one of the round bar protrusions 12 and a portion of one of the arms 14 when the trailer is turning.

[0059] Opposing sides of towing frame 20 include the inwardly facing channels 21. Each channel 21 is sized and shaped so that one of the protrusions 12 sits within the channel 21 and can move within the channel 21 while the trailer is longitudinally aligned with the truck. This restricts the roll of the trailer and improves roll stability.

[0060] In use, as the combine vehicle turns or when the trailer experiences yaw, the ring 16 and ring feeder 17 rotate with respect to each other, causing one of the arms 14 and its protrusion 12 to move towards the truck, while the other arm 14 and protrusion 12 on the other side of the drawbar 18 moves away from the towing frame 20 until the angular displacement between the trailer and the truck reach a predetermined angle and the protrusion exits the channel 21 to be no longer restrained thereby.

[0061] When the arm 14 and protrusion 12 move along the channel towards the towing frame 20 the profile of the restricting recess 22 causes the end of the protrusion to move upwardly. This angling of the restricting recess 22 and the cut out 25, which is shaped to guide the arm 14 upwards, prevents the protrusion from moving downwards and acts to limit the roll of the trailer to further improve roll stability. It is to be understood that means other than the restricting recess may be used to achieve the same outcome. In other embodiments the restricting recess 22 and the cut out 25 are not incorporated in the stabiliser arrangement.

[0062] The end of each recess 22 restricts the extent of the rotation of the protrusion 12 and arm 14 and thereby the extent the draw bar 18 and trailer can roll and sway.

[0063] With specific reference to Figures 5 to 10, the stabiliser arrangement 10 of the present embodiment is shown whereby the trailer is longitudinally aligned with the truck. The arms 14 of the stabiliser arrangement 10 extend from both lateral sides of the front end of the drawbar 18 of the trailer. The protrusions 12 at the distal end of the arms 14 are arranged to be orthogonal to the towing frame 20 at the rear of the truck when the two vehicles are longitudinally aligned (i.e. when in straight line).

[0064] In one embodiment the arms 14 are separate pieces that are attached to or embedded in the front end of the drawbar 18. In an alternative embodiment the arms 14 are part of a solid bar with an intermediate section that is attached to and passes through the front end of the drawbar 18.

[0065] The ring 16 is attached to the front end of the drawbar 18 and is arranged to engage with the ring feeder 17 on the towing frame 20 to connect the trailer and truck together for towing.

[0066] Opposing sides of towing frame 20 include the inwardly facing channels 21. Each channel 21 is sized and shaped so that each protrusion 12 sits within and can move along its respective channel 21 when the trailer is longitudinally aligned with the truck.

[0067] When the trailer and the truck are longitudinally aligned and travelling in a straight line the protrusions 12 on either side of the drawbar 18 sit in respective channels 21 on both sides of the towing frame 20.

[0068] While a trailer remains aligned with the truck each protrusion 12 is restrained within its channel 21 on either side of the towing frame 20. As the channel 21 restrains the protrusions from moving up and down, the trailer is restricted from experiencing roll into the towed load.

[0069] When the combined vehicle turns a corner the trailer and truck become angularly displaced with respect to each other. Once the displacement is beyond a certain angle the protrusion 12 of one of the arms 14 is caused to leave its respective channel 21, while the protrusion 12 of the other arm 14 enters the restricting recess 22 of the other channel 21. In other embodiments where the restricting recess 22 is not present, the protrusion 12 of the other arm 14 would leave the channel at the opposite end to which the protrusion enters the channel when connecting the trailer to the truck.

[0070] Referring to Figures 12 to 21, the invention according to a second embodiment is in the form of a stabiliser arrangement 110 incorporated in a hitch connection 111 wherein a truck portion 113 is shown connected to a trailer portion 115. The truck portion 113 and trailer portion 115 are free to rotate relative to each other about a hitch axis.

[0071] The stabiliser arrangement 110 comprises a guide means in the form of a first arm 117 and a second arm 119. Each arm 117, 119 extends outwardly from each other relative to the hitch axis.

[0072] The stabiliser arrangement 110 also comprises a restraining means in the form of a first channel 121 and a second channel 123 whereby each channel 121, 123 has an open end 125 for receiving the ends of respective arms 117, 119. When the arms are received in respective channels 121, 123 the ability for the trailer 115 to roll is significantly limited therefore providing a greater degree of stability.

[0073] When the trailer portion 115 is hitched to the truck portion 113 and in substantial alignment therewith, the ends of both arms 113, 115 are in a restrained position whereby they are restrained within the confines of the respective channels 121, 123. This is illustrated in figures 12, 14, 15 and 18. In the restrained position the stabilising arrangement 110 provides maximum enhancement to the stability of the trailer and truck.

[0074] When the truck portion 113 and trailer portion 115 turn a corner the truck and trailer become angularly displaced with respect to each other. If this angular displacement is sufficiently large then both of the arms of the stabiliser arrangement 110 are caused to move out of its respective channel, as shown in figures 13, 16, 17, 19 to 21. When in this state the stabiliser arrangement 110 is in the unrestrained position. In this position the degree of movement between the trailer and the truck is greater than when the guide means/arms are within the restraining means/channel in the restrained position. As the truck and trailer realign with respect to each other, the arms of the stabiliser arrangement 110 are caused to move back into its respective channel. To help direct the arms back into the respective channels, each end of each channel as a tab 151 which acts as a ramp upon which the ends of the arms slide.

[0075] Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. The present invention is not to be limited in scope by any of the specific embodiments described herein. These embodiments are intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally equivalent products, formulations and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention as described herein.

[0076] Reference to positional descriptions, such as lower and upper, are to be taken in context of the embodiments depicted in the figures and are not to be taken as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term but rather as would be understood by the skilled addressee.

[0077] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise"or variations such as "comprises"or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims (37)

Claims

1. A stabiliser arrangement for improving the stability between a towed vehicle, such as a trailer, and a towing vehicle, such as a truck or a lead trailer, the towed vehicle and the towing vehicle being interconnected by a hitch connection comprising a coupling and a draw bar such that when the coupling and drawbar are connected the towed vehicle is able to move relative to the towing vehicle about a hitch axis of the hitch connection, the stabiliser arrangement comprising:

a guide means extending outwardly from the drawbar; and

a restraining means for receiving the guide means;

wherein the guide means is in a restrained position when the guide means is restrained within the restraining means, minimising the roll of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle.

2. The stabiliser arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the guide means moves between the restrained position, and an unrestrained position wherein at least a portion of the guide means is not restrained by the restraining means.

3. The stabiliser arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the restraining means is in the form of at least one channel.

4. A stabiliser arrangement for improving the stability between a towed vehicle, such as a trailer, and a towing vehicle, such as a truck or a lead trailer, the towed vehicle and the towing vehicle being interconnected by a hitch connection comprising a coupling and a drawbar such that when the coupling and drawbar are connected the towed vehicle is able to move relative to the towing vehicle about a hitch axis of the hitch connection, the stabiliser arrangement comprising:

a guide means provided by one of the towing vehicle or the towed vehicle; and a restraining means for receiving the guide means, the restraining means being incorporated in the other of the towing vehicle or the towed vehicle from which the guide means extends; wherein the guide means is in a restrained position when restrained within the restraining means, minimising the roll of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle.

5. The stabiliser arrangement according to claim 4 wherein the guide means extends outwardly from one of the towing vehicle or the towed vehicle

6. The stabiliser arrangement according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the guide means moves between the restrained position, and an unrestrained position wherein at least a portion of the guide means is not restrained by the restraining means.

7. The stabiliser arrangement according to claim 4, 5 or 6 wherein the guide means remains is in the restrained position when the longitudinal axis of the towed vehicle is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle.

8. The stabiliser arrangement according to any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein the guide means moves to the unrestrained position when the longitudinal axis of the towed vehicle and the longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle are angularly displaced with each other at a predetermined angle.

9. The stabiliser arrangement according to any one of claims 4 to 8 wherein the guide means is in the form of a first arm and a second arm, configured to align with a rotational axis of the hitch connection.

10. The stabiliser arrangement according to any one of claims 4 to 9 wherein the restraining means is in the form of a first channel and a second channel spaced from each other and located either side of the hitch axis.

11. The stabiliser arrangement according to claim 10 wherein an end of each arm is adapted to be slidingly received in its respective channel.

12. The stabiliser arrangement according to claim 11 wherein the end of each arm has a protrusion which is received in the respective channel.

13. The stabiliser arrangement according to claim 10, 11 or 12 wherein the coupling comprises a frame which provides the first channel and the second channel wherein the central axis of the hitch connection is located between the first channel and the second channel.

14. The stabiliser arrangement according to any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein each of the first channel and the second channel have an open first end, the open first end being at a front of the frame such that the first channel and second channel receive the guide means as the towed vehicle is connected to the towing vehicle.

15. The stabiliser arrangement according to any one of claims 14 wherein a second end of each of the first channel and the second channel is open.

16. The stabiliser arrangement according to claim 14 or 15 wherein each open end has a tab or similar means for directing the end of each arm into the respective channel.

17. The stabiliser arrangement according to any one of claims 4 to 8 wherein the guide means is in the form of a set of outwardly extending projections adapted to be received in the restraining means.

18. The stabiliser arrangement according to claim 17 wherein the restraining means is in the form of a first channel and a second channel spaced from each other and located either side of the hitch axis.

19. The stabiliser arrangement according to claim 17 or 18 wherein there are two outwardly extending projections, each one being in the form of an arm.

20. The stabiliser arrangement according to claim 19 wherein the end of each arm is adapted to readily slide within its respective channel.

21. The stabiliser arrangement according to any one of claims 4 to 20 wherein the drawbar is provided by the towed vehicle and the coupling is provided by the towing vehicle.

22. The stabiliser arrangement according to any one of claims 4 to 20 wherein the drawbar is provided by the towing vehicle and the coupling is provided by the towed vehicle.

23. The stabiliser arrangement according to any one of claims 4 to 13 wherein the frame of the coupling provides the guide means, and the drawbar provides the restraining means.

24. A trailer adapted to be connected to a towed vehicle whereupon the combination of the trailer and towed vehicle include a stabiliser arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims.

25. A hitch connection for connecting a towed vehicle, such as a trailer, to a towing vehicle, such as a truck or a lead trailer, the hitch connection comprises:

a coupling and a draw bar, whereupon the drawbar and coupling being connected the drawbar is pivotal relative to the coupling about a hitch axis; and

a stabiliser arrangement for improving the stability between the towed vehicle and the towing, the stabiliser arrangement comprising:

a guide means secured to one of the of the towed vehicle or the towing vehicle; and

a restraining means for receiving the guide means, the restraining means being incorporated in the other of the towed vehicle or the towing vehicle.;

wherein the guide means moves between a restrained position wherein the guide means is restrained within the restraining means to minimise the roll of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle, and an unrestrained position wherein at least a portion of the guide means is not restrained by the restraining means.

26. The hitch connection according to claim 25 wherein the coupling is secured to one of the towed vehicle or the towing vehicle, and the drawbar extends from the other of the towed vehicle or the towing vehicle.

27. The hitch connection according to claim 25 or 26 wherein the restraining means is in the form of a first channel and a second channel orientated in spaced relation either side of the hitch axis, the guide means comprises two arms extending outwardly, whereupon the towed vehicle being hitched to the towing vehicle and longitudinally aligned, an end of each arm is received in its respective channel to stabilize the towed vehicle, whereupon the towed vehicle and towing vehicle being angularly displaced with respect to each other beyond a predetermined angle, the end of each arm exits its respective channel.

28. The hitch connection according to claim 25 or 26 wherein the restraining means is in the form of a first channel and a second channel orientated in spaced relation either side of the hitch axis, the guide means comprises two arms extending outwardly, whereupon the towed vehicle being hitched to the towing vehicle and longitudinally aligned, an end of each arm is received in its respective channel to stabilize the towed vehicle, whereupon the towed vehicle and towing vehicle being angularly displaced with respect to each other beyond a predetermined angle, the end of one arm exits its respective channel while the end of the other arm remains within its respective channel.

29. A stabiliser arrangement for improving the stability of a trailer when the trailer is connected to a towing vehicle, such as a truck or another trailer, the stabiliser arrangement includes:

at least two arms arranged to extend from opposite sides of a draw bar, wherein each arm has a protrusion extending therefrom;

wherein the draw bar is arranged to be coupled to a forward towing frame; and

wherein the protrusions are arranged to sit within a channel incorporated in the forward towing frame when the trailer and forward towing frame are in substantial alignment.

30. The stabiliser arrangement according to claim 29 wherein the protrusions are arranged to rotate around a pivotal centre of a coupler that couples the draw bar to the forward trailer.

31. The stabiliser arrangement according to claim 29 or 30 wherein, the protrusions are in the form of a round bar.

32. The stabiliser arrangement according to claim 29, 30 or 31 wherein the arms are angled relative to the draw bar.

33. The stabiliser arrangement according to any one of claims 29 to 32 wherein one of the two arms and its protrusion is arranged to move towards the towing frame while the other of the two angled arms is arranged to move away from the towing frame when the trailer is rotating about the pivotal centre of the coupler.

34. The stabiliser arrangement according to any one of claims 29 to 33 wherein the protrusions are arranged to sit within its respective channel when the trailer is in substantial longitudinal alignment with the forward towing frame.

35. The stabiliser arrangement according to any one of claims 29 to 34 wherein the arms are part of a unitary item.

36. A trailer stabiliser assembly including:

a drawbar;

a forward towing frame; and

a coupler and a stabiliser;

wherein the stabiliser includes arms arranged to extend from opposite sides of the draw bar and protrusions extending from each of the arms;

wherein the drawbar is arranged to be coupled to a forward towing frame;

wherein the protrusions are arranged to sit within a channel in the towing frame when the trailer and forward towing frame are in substantial alignment.

37. A trailer stabiliser assembly including:

a drawbar;

a forward towing frame; and

a coupler and a stabiliser;

wherein the stabiliser includes arms arranged to extend from opposite sides of the frame and protrusions extending from or provided by each of the arms;

wherein the frame is arranged to be coupled to the drawbar;

wherein the protrusions are arranged to sit within a respective channel provided by the drawbar when the drawbar and frame are in substantial longitudinal alignment.

10 12 21 22 20 18 14 23 1/16

Figure 1 18 16 17 14 12

10 20 14 12 18 21 23

17 2/16

Figure 2 14 21 20 16

12 14 12 21 18 21 23 10 3/16

Figure 3 14 16 17

12 14 20 10 23 12 17 20

16

21

21

18 4/16

Figure 4

21 12 22 10 20

18 23

23 5/16

Figure 5 21

16 17 14 12

21 12 18 10 14 6/16

Figure 6 17 21 16 14 20

18 10 20 12 16 7/16

Figure 7 12 14 14

22 17 12 21 10

20 8/16

Figure 8 14 12 18 16 21

23 17 10 18

20 9/16

Figure 9 14 21 16

23 14 10 18 12 10/16

Figure 10 21 16

20 12 18 14 10

22 11/16

Figure 11 12 14 20 21