CZ2018464A3 - Folding platform for towing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

A folding step attachable to the towing device (1) consists of a step (2) and a base. The step (2) consists of two plates (7) connected to each other by a hinge (11), which allows the plates (7) to be opened to an open locked position with a substantially horizontal plane of both plates (7) and tilted plates (7) to the transport position. The base arranged below the 10 step (2) consists of a pair of shaped weldments (10), each attached to the underside of one plate (7). When the step (2) is in the open locked position, the pair of shaped weldments (10) form an underside opening adapted to be fitted to the ball head of the towing device (1).

Description

Known towing devices used in cars have a ball head attached to the frame of the car, which serves to connect the trailer or semi-trailer to be towed. The trailer or semi-trailer generally has an element which, with its lower opening, rests on the ball head of the towing device and which comprises a locking mechanism for fixing the ball head of the towing device in the trailer or semi-trailer. However, it is advantageous for the existing towing device to allow the connection of other objects, such as steps, platforms, winches, vices or lifting arms.

European patent EP 2427340 B1 describes a boarding platform which can be attached to the towing device of a vehicle in a horizontal position. The platform comprises a central part with a hole for the ball head of the towing device, and this part comprises at least one housing slidably adjustable towards the hole for the ball head of the towing device. The platform further comprises a two-part step on both sides of the central part, rotatably connected to the central part, and further a sliding mechanism of the housings, which moves the housings towards the towing device. This secures the boarding platform to the towing device in the open, substantially horizontal position of the two-part step. The two-part step support fastening mechanisms preferably further comprise rotatable members rotatably arranged on the central portion, the rotatable members comprising cams for linearly moving the housings, and further securing the housings slidably arranged in the longitudinal direction, the central portion including fasteners for the mounting housings, thereby achieves the fastening of the rotating parts in the central part. The central part preferably further has an abutment cover above the opening for the upper part of the ball head of the towing device, said abutment cover being slidable relative to the sleeves securing the neck of the towing device. The opaque cover above the hole for the upper part of the ball head of the towing device is above the level of the surrounding surfaces and can slide. Furthermore, the high complexity and thus the cost of the solution is obvious.

European patent EP 2669099 B1 discloses a platform attachable to a towing device of a vehicle comprising a base, at least two connecting elements, a fastening element, a support element (platform) and an adjustable element. The base comprises a fitting member with two sidewalls, each sidewall being provided with a fixing hole, an adjusting hole and a curved slot. Each connecting element has a fixing plate with two holes, a first connector with two holes and a long connector with two holes, a pin passing through these holes, thus connecting the fixing plate, the first and the long connector to each other. Each connecting element is connected to the side of the base by means of another pin passing through the opening of the fixing plate and the adjusting hole of the side. Another pin passes through the holes of the fixing plate, the first and long connectors and through the curved slot of the base. The fastening element has a guide member, two pivot holes and two through holes. Another pin passes through the rotary holes and the holes of the long connector. The support element (platform) comprises a rod with a fixing hole, which is connected by a pin to the hole of the first connector of the fastening element, as well as a positioning part and a frame. The positioning part is provided on both sides with two pivot holes, which are connected by a pin to the through holes of the fastening element and the fixing holes of the base. The adjustable element is placed between two side walls of the base and provided with a U-shaped frame with two guide holes and with one central hole, a plate with one threaded hole, an adjusting screw and a tube. The adjusting screw passes through the threaded hole of the plate and the central hole of the frame, and the tube passes through the holes of the fixing plates of the connecting element and the adjusting holes of the base sides. When attaching the platform to the towing device, the platform frame is pulled down, which transmits the movement from the rod to the first connector of the connecting element, further to the fixing plates of the connecting element, and thus the movement of the second connectors of the connecting element in

- 1 EN 2018 - 464 A3 curved base slot. The second connector also pushes the fastening element towards the base fitting member, thereby firmly locking the ball head of the towing device. By analogy, by moving the platform frame upwards, the platform is removed from the towing device. This solution assumes high production and assembly costs due to the large number of parts. The mechanism is designed outside the step as a holder for heavy things, such as bicycles, large baskets. Furthermore, thanks to the robustness, the storability in the car and fast, short use (removal and entry into the luggage compartment, where the animal for which the step was intended) can already be transported are reduced.

Existing known solutions for attaching the auxiliary platform to the car's towing device do not allow for comfortable daily use, compactness in the folded state and at the same time simplicity of construction without machined parts. Furthermore, measures against damage to the boarding edge are missing when using the platform as an auxiliary step for the entry of large animals (eg dogs) into the luggage compartment.

The essence of the invention

The above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art are eliminated and at the same time the subject of the present invention is a tilting step attachable to a towing device. This tilting step consists of a step and a base. The step consists of two plates connected to each other by a hinge, which allows the plates to be opened to an open locked position with a substantially horizontal plane of both plates and the plates to be folded into a folded transport position. The base arranged below the step consists of a pair of shaped weldments, each mounted on the underside of one plate. When the step is in the open locked position, the pair of shaped weldments form an opening on the underside adapted to fit on the ball head of the towing device.

Each plate can advantageously be provided on the side with a handling handle and on the top surface with a non-slip washable foil. The handle can also be an integral part of the board. To protect the load edge and the rear bumper, each plate can be provided with a rubber stop on the side. To secure the step in the transport position, each handle can advantageously be provided with a magnet.

Another object of the present invention is the use of a tilting step on the towing device as a platform for facilitated entry of animals into the trunk of the wagon and / or as an additional outer seat of the wagon. The use is preferably coupled using a protective collar that protects the load edge and the rear bumper. In this case, the rubber stops support them on the protective collar.

Explanation of drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail with the aid of the drawings, in which:

Giant. 1 shows a top view of a tilting step mounted on the towing device of a vehicle in a locked position together with a protective collar on the load edge.

Giant. 2 shows a bottom view of a tilting step mounted on a towing device in a locked position (embodiment of integral handles).

Giant. 3 shows the height ratios of the boarding heights for the animal to enter the luggage compartment with and without the use of a tilting step.

Giant. 4 shows the procedure for securing the tilting step to the towing device of the vehicle.

-2EN 2018 - 464 A3

Examples of embodiments of the invention

Example 1: A tilting step attachable to a towing device

The invention uses as a supporting part a towing device 1, on which a tilting step is mounted (see Fig. 1). The loading edge 5 and the rear bumper 4 are covered by a scratch protection collar 3. If the car is equipped with parking sensors (PDC sensors), these may indicate the presence of a forgotten protective collar 3 or a folding step.

As shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the tilting step is formed by the step 2 and the base. The step consists of two plates 7 interconnected by a hinge 11, which allows the plates 7 to be opened to an open locked position with a substantially horizontal plane of both plates 7 and the plates 7 to be folded into a folded transport position. The base arranged below the step 2 consists of a pair of shaped welds 10, each mounted on the underside of one plate 7. When the step 2 is in the open locked position, the pair of shaped welds 10 form an opening on the underside adapted to fit on the ball head of the towing device 1. When closing the step 2, the traction device 1 is surrounded by a pair of shaped weldments 10. The translational and rotational movement and the necessary pre-tensioning of the tilting step fastening are realized by risers with small angles, when self-limitation occurs.

Preferably, each plate 7 is provided on the side with a handle 8 and on the upper surface with an anti-slip washable foil 9 (see Fig. 1). In another embodiment, the handle 8 is an integral part of the plate 7 (see Fig. 2). The material of the board 7 and the handle 8 can be wood plywood, metal, wood with a plastic admixture, waterproof plywood or plastic, the anti-slip washable film 9 is preferably formed by a layer of polyurethane.

Preferably, each plate 7 is further provided on the side with a rubber stop 12 resting on the rear bumper 4 via a protective collar 30. Each handle 8 may further be provided with a magnet 6 to secure the step 2 in the transport position after removal from the towing device 7. The hinge 11 may be any type of fastening, for example film, piano, spring, recessed, screwed or welded. The material of the shaped JO weldments is preferably steel sheet.

Example 2: Principle of opening the plates and securing the tilting step on the towing device

The tilting step has two extreme positions - transport position with closed plates 7 and secured position with open plates 7 (see Fig. 4).

In the transport position, the plates 7 are held together by magnets 6 inserted into the handles 8. After fitting a pair of open shaped weldments 10 formed by a hole on the ball head of the towing device J. the plates 7 are opened by pulling the magnets 6 by gripping the handles 8 to the locked position. is enabled by the hinge 11. This movement encircles the ball head of the towing device 1 with a pair of shaped weldments 10, thus preventing the movement and rotation of the tilting step on the towing device 1 and subsequent fixation. To prevent rotation of the tilting step about the axis of the towing device J., the plates 7 rest on the car (e.g. the protective collar 3) with rubber stops 12.

Analogously to the opposite, the tilting step is removed from the towing device 1 by means of a grip on the handles 8 and transferred back to the transport position.

Example 3: Using a tilting step

The folding step can be used to make it easier for dogs to enter the luggage compartment. In one embodiment, the entry height of 720 mm between the road and the protective collar 3 is thus divided into two intermediate stages - 500 mm between the road and the step 2 and 220 mm between the step 2 and the protective collar 3 (see Fig. 3). In addition, the stated height of 500 mm is comparable to the height of a standard chair,

-3 GB 2018 - 464 A3 which allows the use of a tilting step also as an additional outer seat.

Industrial applicability

The folding step can be used mainly to facilitate the entry of animals into the luggage compartment by creating an intermediate step when entering. Furthermore, the folding step can be used as an additional outer seat of the car, eg when camping.

Claims (7)

PATENT CLAIMS A tilting step for a towing device, the tilting step being attachable to the towing device (1), characterized in that it is formed by a step (2) and a base, the step (2) consisting of two plates (7) connected to each other by a hinge ( 11), which allows the plates (7) to be opened to the open secured position with a substantially horizontal plane of both plates (7) and the plates (7) to be folded into the transport position, and wherein the base arranged below the step (2) consists of a pair of shaped weldments (10) , which are each mounted on the underside of one plate (7), wherein when the step (2) is in the open locked position, the pair of shaped weldments (10) form an opening on the underside adapted to fit on the ball head of the towing device (1). Tilting step for towing device according to claim 1, characterized in that each plate (7) is provided on the side with a handle (8) and on the upper surface with an anti-slip washable foil (9). Tilting step for a towing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each plate is provided on the side with a rubber stop (12). Tilting step for a towing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each handle (8) is provided with a magnet (6) for securing the step (2) in the transport position. Use of a tilting step for a towing device according to any one of the preceding claims as a platform for facilitating the entry of animals into the luggage compartment of a wagon. Use of a tilting step for a towing device according to any one of the preceding claims as an additional outer seat of the vehicle. Use of a tilting step on a towing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is coupled using a protective collar (3) which protects the load edge (5) and the rear bumper (4).