AU2021107604A4

AU2021107604A4 - Tow bar assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2021107604A4
Application number: AU2021107604A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Philip Cleven; Sean Fox; Wilhelm Schneider-Loos
Original assignee: Autopacific Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Autopacific Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-05-01
Filing date: 2021-11-05
Publication date: 2022-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2027-05-01
Also published as: AU2021107604C4; AU2021107604B4; AU2019100467A4; AU2019100467B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a tow bar assembly comprising a body including a cross member; a mounting to mount the tow bar assembly to a vehicle cross frame, such that the cross member is positioned at substantially the height of the vehicle chassis frame, when mounted; and a tongue member extending below the cross member to a coupling height which is lower than the height of the vehicle chassis frame, the tongue member including a tow ball mount. The assembly also includes multiple recovery points positioned along the length of the cross member. The invention allows for easier recovery of the vehicle, as well as an improved departure angle. 1/6 C) CD C)' C-0 CNN C?) NN

Description

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P1/00/002 Regulation 3.2B

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT

Inventiontitle: TOWBARASSEMBLY

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:

TOW BAR ASSEMBLY

Related Applications

This application is a divisional of Australian patent application no. 2019100467, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Field

The invention relates to a tow bar assembly for a vehicle.

Background

A tow bar assembly is used to allow vehicles to tow trailers of various types. A vehicle tow bar must be fitted to a vehicle so that the towing attachment (ie tow ball) is presented at an appropriate height for connection to a trailer. Therefore, conventional designs are fitted to a vehicle so that the tow ball is presented at the correct height.

However, the coupling height is generally much lower than the chassis frame of the vehicle - especially in off-road vehicles. This can be a problem, particularly in those off-road vehicles, because the fitting of a tow bar reduces the departure angle of the vehicle. This means the tow bar can contact the ground, when traveling on uneven terrain.

Another problem encountered by vehicles traveling off-road is that they can become bogged. In severe cases, the vehicles need to be recovered by attaching a winch or a snatch strap to a recovery point on the vehicle - often integrated in the chassis of the vehicle. The winch strap or snatch strap is attached to recovery point(s) and then pulled (e.g. by turning the winch) to recover the vehicle. However, the recovery points are not always easily accessible, and if inappropriately positioned, it may be difficult to recover the vehicle.

It would be desirable to provide a tow bar assembly which reduces or ameliorates one or more of the above problems, or at least provides an alternative to existing tow bar assemblies.

3446-2108-8522v1

Summary In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a tow bar assembly, comprising:

a body including a cross member; a mounting to mount the tow bar assembly to a vehicle chassis frame, such that the cross member is positioned at substantially the height of the vehicle chassis frame, when mounted; and a tongue member extending below the cross member to a coupling height which is lower than the height of the vehicle chassis frame, the tongue member including a tow ball mount.

The positioning of the cross member at substantially the same height as the vehicle chassis frame differs from conventional tow bar assemblies. By using a cross member mounted high on the vehicle, and a rearwardly and downwardly extending tongue member, the tow bar assembly of the present invention does not impede the departure angle as much as conventional tow bar assemblies, particularly when not towing and the tongue member is removed. This is particularly important in off road vehicles.

The tongue member may be detachable from the body. The tongue member is preferably stepped, having a top portion which engages in a recess in the body of the tow bar assembly, below the cross member; an inclined portion extending downwardly at an incline from the top portion; and a lower portion which includes a tow ball mount. When mounted, the lower portion is positioned at a suitable height for the tow ball for coupling to a trailer - this height is typically defined by regulations in the relevant jurisdiction.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a tow bar assembly, comprising: a body including a cross member; a mounting to mount the tow bar assembly to a vehicle cross frame; and a pair of side recovery points towards opposite ends of the cross member.

The side recovery points may be located on end plates mounted on the opposite ends of the cross member. The end plates may be mounted in multiple configurations to fit different vehicle chassis dimensions - the tow bar assembly may be mounted on chassis rails, which may be spaced further apart or closer together on different vehicles. In one embodiment, the end plates may be reversible, allowing them to be attached in two different configurations.

The tow bar assembly may further comprise a middle recovery point, positioned towards a middle of the cross member.

Each recovery point is preferably a ring or hook for attachment of a winch strap or snatch strap or other retrieval equipment.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a tow bar assembly, comprising: a body including a cross member; a mounting to mount the tow bar assembly to a vehicle cross frame; one or more recesses in a base of the body, at least one of the recesses protecting an electrical connection between a trailer and the vehicle.

The assembly may further comprise a protection plate extending underneath the body.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a reversible side plate for a tow bar assembly, comprising a pair of opposed sides; and an indent on only one side, to receive an end of a cross member. In preferred embodiments, the side plate also includes a recovery point.

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below, along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with such embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents.

For the purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.

The present invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purposes of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a tow bar assembly according to any embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the tow bar assembly of Figure 1 (tongue member and mounting plates detached).

Figure 3 is a top view of the tow bar assembly of Figure 1(tongue member and mounting plates detached).

Figure 4 is a front view of the tow bar assembly of Figure 1(tongue member and mounting plates detached).

Figure 5 is an underneath perspective view of the tow bar assembly of Figure 1 (tongue member and mounting plates detached).

Figure 6 is a rear view of the tow bar assembly of Figure 1 (tongue member and mounting plates detached).

Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views of a side plate for use with the assembly of Figure 1, from opposite sides.

Detailed Description

Referring to the Figures 1 to 6, there is shown a tow bar assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The tow bar assembly 100 broadly comprises a body 110 having a cross member 120 (welded to form part of the body), which is mountable to a chassis frame of a vehicle via mounting means in the form of mounting plates 130. The mounting plates 130 attach to spaced chassis rails via horizontal and/or vertical fasteners, as shown in Figure 1. A tongue member 200 is releasably installed in a tongue recess 150 in the front of the assembly 100. A tow ball 500 can be mounted on the tongue, as shown in Figure 1, for coupling to a trailer.

The tongue member 200 is stepped, as best seen in Figure 1, with an upper portion 210 engageable in the recess 140 of the body 110, and a lower portion 230 for mounting of the tow ball 500. The upper and lower portions 210, 230, are substantially parallel with each other. An inclined portion 220 extends between the upper portion 210 and the lower portion 230, to provide a stepped tongue. This stepped tongue member enables the body 110 to mounted relatively high on the vehicle chassis (e.g. on a cross frame of the vehicle), which helps reduce or avoid the tow bar assembly impeding the departure angle of the vehicle especially when not towing, and tongue member 200 can be removed. This provides a significant advantage over conventional tow bar assemblies, particularly for off road vehicles, where the vehicle chassis is higher off the ground. The invention may be configured for use with different tongue members, having different step sizes, to suit different vehicles or (sometimes) different coupling heights (although the coupling height may be prescribed by regulation).

On each end of the cross bar 120 is mounted a side plate 300, shown in more detail in Figures 7 and 8. Each side plate 300 includes a recovery point 310 in the form of steel ring (the term 'ring' is used to describe a loop of any shape - e.g. triangular as shown in the figures), for attachment to a winch strap for recovery of the vehicle. Additionally, a central recovery plate 400 is provided, having a central recovery point 410, also in the form of a steel ring. The present invention thereby utilises shackle points 310, 410, which are integrated with the tow bar assembly 100, rather than on the vehicle itself, and are easily accessible. Furthermore, the use of multiple spaced recovery points 310, 410 makes them more accessible and ensures the vehicle is drawn up under more control, during the vehicle recovery process. Having the recovery points on the tow bar assembly may also, in some embodiments, improve the departure angle by providing increased clearance when not towing. The recovery points 310, 410 should be structurally strong enough to comply with relevant standards in any jurisdiction in which the invention is used, although many jurisdictions have no such regulations.

Electrical connections are also provided in the tow bar assembly, through electrical sockets in recesses 150 and cable 600 (see Figure 1). By providing the connection in recesses 150 in the base of the body 110, the connections are better protected from damage. A base plate 160 is provided to provide additional protection.

The thickness of the cross member 120 may vary in different embodiments, although the strength of the assembly 100 may be improved by using a relatively thick tube for the cross member 120, and also by increasing the material grade for the components. High strength bolts or other fasteners may also be used, to increase the strength of the assembly 100.

In addition, the width of the body 110 may also vary in different embodiments of the invention. Minor variation in the body width may be achieved by reversing side plates 300 - each side plate 300 has a recess 320 in one side, which can receive the cross member 120 if the plate 300 is oriented with the recess 320 on the inside. This reduces the total width of the assembly, relative to if the side plates 400 are installed with recesses 320 facing out.

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

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A tow bar assembly, comprising: a body including a cross bar; a mounting to mount the tow bar assembly to a vehicle chassis frame; and a pair of side recovery points towards opposite ends of the cross member.

2. A tow bar assembly according to claim 1, wherein the side recovery points are located on end plates mounted on the opposite ends of the cross member.

3. A tow bar assembly according to claim 2, wherein the end plates are mountable in multiple configurations, to suit different mounting arrangements.

4. A tow bar assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising a middle recovery point, positioned towards a middle of the cross member.

5. A tow bar assembly according to claim 4, wherein the side recovery points are located on end plates mounted on the opposite ends of the cross member.

6. A tow bar assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein each recovery point is a ring or hook for attachment of a winch strap.

7. A tow bar assembly according to any preceding claim further including one or more recesses in the base of the body, at least one of the recesses protecting an electrical connection between a trailer and the vehicle.

8. A tow bar assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising a protection plate extending underneath the body.

9. A reversible side plate for a tow bar assembly, comprising a pair of opposed sides; and an indent on only one side, to receive an end of a cross member.

10. A reversible side plate according to claim 9, further comprising a recovery point.

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