Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
  • B60P3/00—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
  • B60P3/12—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for salvaging damaged vehicles
  • B60P3/125—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for salvaging damaged vehicles by supporting only part of the vehicle, e.g. front- or rear-axle
  • B60P3/127—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for salvaging damaged vehicles by supporting only part of the vehicle, e.g. front- or rear-axle on a tow dolly

Definitions

• the technical field of the invention is that of towing vehicles of the type allowing the towing of vehicles that are in an accident, damaged, broken down or illegally parked, for example undue or inconvenient.
• Towing vehicles are commonly equipped with a rear lifting and towing device.
• these lifting and towing devices are intended to be mounted on the rear of a vehicle and they generally consist of an articulated lifting arm, a boom, a towing basket, as well as several cylinders.
• the articulated lifting arm is pivotally mounted, around a first horizontal axis of rotation, on a first support assembly secured to the chassis of the vehicle, and a first actuator allows the lifting arm to rotate around the first horizontal axis of rotation.
• a first end of the jib is pivotally mounted, around a second horizontal axis of rotation, on the free end of the lifting arm and a second cylinder makes it possible to rotate the jib around the second horizontal axis of rotation.
• the towing basket is pivotally mounted around a third axis of rotation, on a second end of the boom. The third axis of rotation is vertical when the arrow extends substantially horizontally.
• the combined action of the first and second cylinders, on the lifting arm and the boom respectively, allows the lifting and towing device to assume different positions, namely a rest position, a loading/unloading position and a transportation.
• the rest position the boom is folded in the direction of the lifting arm.
• the loading/unloading position the boom extends in a direction slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal and the second end of the boom and the towing basket rest on the ground.
• the boom and towing basket extend substantially horizontally above the ground.
• the lifting and towing device In operation, at the pick-up location, the lifting and towing device is brought from the rest position to the loading/unloading position, so that the front or rear wheels of the vehicle to be towed are arranged in the towing basket, then the device is brought into the transport position so as to lift the front or the rear of the vehicle to be towed and allow it to be towed by the towing vehicle.
• a symmetrical maneuver is carried out consisting in bringing the device from the transport position to the loading/unloading position, so that the front or rear wheels of the vehicle to be towed are brought back to the ground and then disengaged from the towing basket, then to return the device to the rest position.
• the weight of the towed vehicle is added to that of the towing basket, which overloads the rear axle of the towing vehicle and relieves its front axle.
• the towing vehicle then behaves dangerously on the road due to rear overload and lack of front grip, especially in the case of a so-called light towing vehicle, i.e. less than 3.5T.
• the Applicant therefore proposes to meet this need by the use of a load support or balancing system associated with a towing basket and making it possible to no longer have any weight constraint on the rear axle of the towing vehicle. , while maintaining the secondary objective of not increasing the operation time or the number of manipulations for the operator.
• the present invention therefore relates to a breakdown-towing assembly making it possible to tow a vehicle with a raised axle, in particular a broken down, damaged or illegally parked vehicle, which assembly comprises a towing basket comprising an arm having a first end intended to be articulated on a towing vehicle and a second end, a crosspiece pivotally mounted at the second end of the arm about a first pivot axis perpendicular to the plane of the arm and the crosspiece, the crosspiece carrying at each of its two ends a wheel carrying fork suitable for receiving a wheel of a vehicle to be towed, the arm being intended to be pivoted by a jack to move the towing basket between a transport position, in which the carrying forks are raised above the ground , and a loading/unloading position, in which the carrying forks rest flat on the ground, the recovery-towing assembly being c characterized by the fact that it further comprises a load support system comprising at least two wheels each connected to the crosspiece by a connection assembly such that the wheels are
• the wheels are located directly under part of the carrying forks, in alignment with the crosspiece.
• the present invention relates to a recovery-towing assembly suitable for towing a broken down vehicle because the assembly can be laid flat on the ground for loading a broken down vehicle.
• the use of the recovery-towing assembly according to the present invention is not limited to broken down vehicles, but extends to any vehicle which should be moved with one of the axles raised.
• the recovery-towing assembly according to the invention could be articulated both to a towing vehicle of the impound vehicle type and to a towing vehicle of the recovery vehicle type.
• the towing vehicle can be a light vehicle as well as a heavy vehicle.
• the load carrier system makes it possible to transform a classic towing basket into a trailer-type system.
• this load support system in its deployed position, makes it possible to take up the weight of the towed vehicle, and therefore to move the towed vehicle over long distances. If we consider a towing vehicle equipped with the recovery-towing assembly according to the present invention and towing a broken down vehicle with a raised axle, the load support system then constitutes a third axle.
• load support system as defined above can form an integral part of the recovery-towing assembly or can be supplied in the form of a kit adaptable to a standard towing basket.
• the arm is a telescopic arm comprising a hollow main arm and a secondary arm mounted to slide in the main arm via a hydraulic cylinder.
• each link assembly is an articulation arm assembly comprising a first arm extending in the plane of the crosspiece and mounted for rotation about a second pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis and integral with the crosspiece, and a second arm articulated at the free end of the first arm around a third pivot axis perpendicular to the second pivot axis and oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the first arm, the second arm carrying an axis wheel support extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second arm, the wheel support axis carrying at least one wheel.
• the first arm is hinged to the crosspiece so as to allow the rear load support system to be removed from the carrying forks when loading/unloading a vehicle to be towed onto the towing basket and to allow it to be put in place. place under the carrier forks when transporting the vehicle to be towed.
• the second arm is articulated in such a way as to allow the inclination of the wheel support axle for flattening the towing basket on the ground when loading/unloading the vehicle to be towed.
• each link assembly is arranged and dimensioned such that, when the load support system is in its deployed position, the link assemblies and the wheels of the load support system do not extend not beyond the free ends of the carrying forks.
• the total width of the recovery-towing assembly corresponds to the width of the towing basket.
• each second pivot axis can be located in the vicinity of the first pivot axis and the length of each hinge arm assembly can be less than or equal to the distance between the second end of the arm and a free end of the fork.
• each wheel support shaft is mounted for rotation about its axis.
• the wheels can be oriented with their tread in contact with the ground, despite the inclination of the wheel support axle.
• the crosspiece comprises a support wall on the arm side having two longitudinal grooves forming guides for receiving each first arm, in the deployed position of the load support system.
• Each groove thus constitutes high and low stops for the arm assembly in its deployed position, making it possible to reinforce the arm assembly, and to avoid excessive stress on the pivot connection between the arm assembly and the crosspiece.
• the crosspiece carries a member for locking the arm assembly in the deployed position, which locking member is one of a male part, in particular a pin, and of a female part, in particular a bore, present on a support wall on the arm side of the crosspiece and capable of cooperating with the other of the male part and the female part, which is present on the second arm.
• locking member is one of a male part, in particular a pin, and of a female part, in particular a bore, present on a support wall on the arm side of the crosspiece and capable of cooperating with the other of the male part and the female part, which is present on the second arm.
• Such a locking means makes it possible to prevent the involuntary folding of the load support system, in particular when the passage of the load support system from the folded position to the deployed position is carried out manually.
• the locking in the deployed position of the load support system could be controlled automatically hydraulically.
• the load support system includes two pairs of wheels.
• the damping means is constituted by the cylinder controlling the pivoting movement of the arm, which cylinder is a double-acting hydraulic cylinder connected to the hydraulic circuit of the towing vehicle and whose two supply ports are connected to each other by a connecting line, a valve being provided at each node between a supply port of the cylinder, the connecting line and the hydraulic circuit of the towing vehicle, the valves being able to be controlled so that when the valves close the passage between the hydraulic circuit of the towing vehicle and the two supply ports of the cylinder, the oil freely circulates the supply line of the arm via the connecting pipe.
• the wheels are dimensioned so that the recovery-towing assembly has a load capacity of at least 1200 kg.
• each link assembly carries an abutment configured such that, in the retracted position of the wheels, the abutment is capable of coming to bear against the arm in a way allowing a space to be formed between the wheels and the arm. .
• the recovery-towing assembly further comprises an auxiliary support device for a motorized two-wheeled vehicle, which comprises at least one auxiliary arm, preferably telescopic, connected, preferably pivotally, to the towing basket and carrying a support element adapted to support a wheel of a motorized two-wheeled vehicle, the support element being preferably also pivotally connected to the respective auxiliary arm, the at least one auxiliary arm being adapted to be placed in a position of use in which the support element is in alignment with a wheel-carrying fork.
• an auxiliary support device for a motorized two-wheeled vehicle which comprises at least one auxiliary arm, preferably telescopic, connected, preferably pivotally, to the towing basket and carrying a support element adapted to support a wheel of a motorized two-wheeled vehicle, the support element being preferably also pivotally connected to the respective auxiliary arm, the at least one auxiliary arm being adapted to be placed in a position of use in which the support element is in alignment with a wheel-car
• Such an auxiliary device makes it possible to mount and tow in a safe manner, in particular if it comprises a pair of auxiliary arms and wheel support elements, one on each side of the arm of the towing basket, motor vehicles with two wheels.
• a recovery-towing assembly comprising a towing basket comprising an arm having a first end intended to be articulated on a towing vehicle and a second end, a cross member pivotally mounted at the second end of the arm around a first pivot axis perpendicular to the plane of the arm and the crosspiece, the crosspiece carrying at each of its two ends a wheel-carrying fork capable of receiving a wheel of a vehicle to be towed, the arm being intended to be pivoted by a cylinder to move the towing basket between a transport position, in which the carrying forks are raised above the ground, and a loading/unloading position, in which the carrying forks rest flat on the ground, the assembly towing-recovery being characterized in that it comprises an auxiliary support device for a motorized two-wheeled vehicle, which comprises at least one arm auxiliary, preferably telescopic, connected, preferably pivotally, to the towing basket and carrying a support element capable of supporting a wheel of a
• the present invention also relates to a towing vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a recovery-towing assembly as defined above.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the recovery-towing assembly according to the present invention, the towing basket being in the loading/unloading position and the load support system being in the folded position;
• FIG. 1 is another perspective view of the recovery-towing assembly according to the present invention, the towing basket being in the transport position and the load support system being in the deployed position;
• FIG. 1 is a schematic view, from above, of the recovery-towing assembly according to the present invention equipped with an auxiliary support device for a motorized two-wheeled vehicle.
• a recovery-towing assembly 1 for towing vehicle comprises a towing basket 2 and a load support system 3.
• the towing basket 2 is intended to be connected to a towing vehicle (not shown) and to receive and hold two wheels 4a, 4b of a vehicle 4 to be towed, in particular a broken down, damaged or illegally parked vehicle.
• the towing basket 2 mainly comprises an arm 5, a crosspiece 6 and two forks 7 carrying wheels.
• the arm 5 makes it possible to connect the towing basket 2 to the towing vehicle and has an adjustable length.
• the arm 5 is a telescopic arm. It should be emphasized that the telescopic arm 5 could be replaced by an arm comprising any other device for adjusting the length.
• the telescopic arm 5 comprises a hollow main arm 5a and a secondary arm 5b slidably mounted in the main arm 5a.
• the main arm 5a is in the form of a profile with a rectangular cross section.
• the main arm 5a has a first end intended to be articulated to the towing vehicle, and a second end in contact with the secondary arm 5b.
• the secondary arm 5b is dimensioned to be able to be received in the main arm 5a and to slide inside the latter.
• the secondary arm 5b is in the form of a longitudinal beam of rectangular section.
• the secondary arm 5b can slide and be locked in position in the main arm 5a, in particular by means of a hydraulic cylinder (not shown).
• the secondary arm 5b has a first end in contact with the main arm 5a and a second end connected to the crosspiece 6.
• the crosspiece 6 is a pivoting crosspiece mounted on the second end of the secondary arm 5b, on which it is articulated by means of a first pivot axis A1.
• the first pivot axis A1 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm 5 and perpendicular to the plane in which the arm 5 and the crosspiece 6 are located.
• the crosspiece 6 is in the form of a substantially rectangular plate having two longitudinal ends.
• the first pivot axis A1 is located substantially at mid-length of the crosspiece 6, namely at equal distance from each of the two longitudinal ends.
• the crosspiece 6 has a vertical wall 60 on the arm 5 side, called the support wall 60, an opposite vertical wall 61 intended to be placed on the side of the vehicle to be towed 4, and two vertical side walls.
• the support wall 60 of the crosspiece 6 is framed, on either side of the first pivot axis A1, by a wall forming an upper stop 8a and a wall forming a lower stop 8b which extend perpendicularly to the wall of support 60 and parallel to each other.
• the support wall 60, the wall forming the upper stop 8a and the wall forming the lower stop 8b define, on each side of the arm 5, a U-shaped longitudinal groove 8 extending from the arm 5 to the end of the crosspiece 6.
• the crosspiece 6 carries, at each of its two longitudinal ends, a fork 7 carrying a wheel.
• the two wheel-carrying forks 7 are intended to receive two wheels 4a, 4b of the same axle of a vehicle to be towed 4, for example the two front wheels or the two rear wheels.
• Each carrier fork 7 comprises a first rectilinear branch 70 which extends in the extension of the crosspiece 6, perpendicular to the plane of said side walls of the crosspiece 6, and a second branch 71 in the shape of an L, which extends behind the crosspiece 6 and opposite the first branch 70.
• the second branch 71 is connected to the corresponding longitudinal end of the crosspiece 6 by a pivot axis 72, so that the angle formed between the second branch 71 and the crosses 6, and therefore the space between the first 70 and second 71 branches, is adjustable.
• the walls facing the first branch 70 and the second branch 71 are inclined walls, thus making it possible to receive a wheel 4a, 4b and to hold it in place in the space between the two branches 70, 71.
• the first branch 70 carries, on its wall located in the extension of the support wall 60 of the crosspiece 6, a locking member 9 capable of allowing the maintenance in position of the load support system 3.
• this locking member 9 is in the form of a cylindrical rod which protrudes with respect to the bearing wall 60 and perpendicular to the bearing wall 60.
• This towing basket 2 is intended to be connected and articulated to a towing vehicle via the arm 5, in particular the hollow main arm 5a.
• the arm 5 is connected to a cylinder 10, in particular a hydraulic cylinder, which controls the pivoting movement of the arm 5 and therefore the lowering and raising of the towing basket 2.
• This cylinder 10 is also intended to be connected to a hydraulic circuit 11 of the towing vehicle.
• cylinder 10 is a double-acting hydraulic cylinder.
• the cylinder 10 has two supply ports 10a, 10b which are each connected with the hydraulic circuit 11 of the towing vehicle.
• the cylinder 10 is configured to constitute a damping means for the arm 5.
• the two supply orifices 10a, 10b of the jack 10 are interconnected by a connecting pipe 10c and the passage of oil in the connecting pipe 10c is permitted by the control of two valves 10d located at each end of the connecting pipe 10c.
• a first valve 10d is provided at the node between one of the supply ports 10a of the cylinder 10, the connecting pipe 10c and the hydraulic circuit 11 of the towing vehicle
• a second valve 10d is provided at the level of the node between the other supply port 10b of the cylinder 10, the connecting pipe 10c and the hydraulic circuit 11 of the towing vehicle.
• the valves 10d can be controlled by means of a switch or buzzer which generates an electrical signal and intended to be placed in the driver's cab of the towing vehicle.
• the main arm 5a incorporates a supply line (not shown) whose inlet and outlet are connected to the hydraulic circuit of the cylinder 10.
• valves 10d close the passage between the hydraulic circuit 11 of the towing vehicle and the two supply orifices 10a, 10b of cylinder 10, oil circulates freely in the supply line of arm 5, which makes it possible to have a residual pressure in the line which has the effect of acting as a shock absorber in the arm main 5a.
• the load support system 3 makes it possible to transform the towing basket 2 described above into a trailer-type system.
• this load support system 3 is capable of taking up the weight of a towed vehicle 4, and therefore makes it possible to move the towed vehicle 4 over long distances.
• the load support system 3 comprises two hinge arm assemblies each carrying a wheel support axle 14 and at least one wheel 15.
• Each articulating arm assembly includes a first arm 12 and a second arm 13.
• the first arm 12 is in the form of a bar, for example of square section, having a first end and a second end.
• the first arm 12 is articulated to the crosspiece 6 at its first end.
• the first arm 12 is mounted for rotation about a second pivot axis A2 integral with the crosspiece 6.
• the second pivot axis A2 is parallel to the first pivot axis A1 and located in the vicinity of the first pivot axis A1 .
• the second pivot axes A2 of the two hinge arm assemblies are arranged on either side of the first pivot axis A1, and more precisely, on either side of the arm 5 of the towing basket 2.
• the first arm 12 is therefore movable in a plane parallel to the plane of the towing basket 2, between the arm 5 of the towing basket 2 and the bearing wall 60 of the crosspiece 6.
• the first arm 12 is dimensioned so as to be able to be received in the corresponding longitudinal groove 8 of the crosspiece 6.
• This groove 8 guides the first arm 5 and prevents it from bending.
• This groove 8 also makes it possible to prevent excessive stress on the pivot connection at the level of the second pivot axis A2.
• each stop 12a is integral with the face of the first arm 12 intended to come opposite the arm 5 of the basket 2 in the folded position of the load support system 3
• each stop 12a is in the form of a T-piece comprising a first bar perpendicular to the face of the first arm 12 to which it is integral and a second bar perpendicular to the first bar and parallel to the second pivot pin A2.
• the two stops 12a therefore make it possible to prevent the wheels 15 from being blocked and/or damaged by the arm 5 when the basket is moved towards its loading/unloading position.
• the second arm 13 is a connecting piece between the first arm 12 and the wheel support shaft 14.
• the second arm 13 has a first end connecting with the first arm 12 and a second end, opposite.
• the second arm 13 has a third pivot pin A3 at its first end, a through bore 13a and passage holes 13b for a locking member 9 at its second end.
• the third pivot axis A3 of the second arm 13 crosses the second end of the first arm 12.
• the third pivot axis A3 is perpendicular to the second pivot axis A2 and extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the first arm 12.
• the through bore 13a is a cylindrical bore whose axis is perpendicular to the third pivot axis A3 and transverse to the longitudinal direction of the second arm 13.
• the arm is in the form of two circular regions facing each other. Each of these two regions has a through hole 13b in the center thereof. The axis of the holes 13b is parallel to the third pivot axis A3. These holes 13b are dimensioned and arranged so as to be able to receive the locking rod 9 secured to one of the forks 7.
• the second arm 13 is therefore movable in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the towing basket 2, between a position in which the second arm 13 is in alignment with the first arm 12, and a position in which the second arm 13 forms an angle substantially 90 degrees with the first arm 12.
• the wheel support pin 14 is a cylindrical pin dimensioned so as to be pivotally received in the through bore 13a of the second arm 13.
• Each wheel carrier axle 14 carries at least one wheel 15.
• each wheel carrier axle 14 carries a pair of wheels 15 or dual wheels.
• the four wheels 15 are sized so that the recovery-towing assembly 1 has a high load capacity, in particular a minimum of 1200 kg in the case of a towing vehicle of less than 3.5T.
• Each wheel support axle 14 is connected to the wheel or wheels 15 that it carries in such a way that it is offset with respect to the central axis of the wheel or wheels. In other words, the central axis of the wheel or wheels 15 is not in the same plane as the wheel support axis 14.
• the wheels 15 are located below the first branch 70 of each carrier fork 7 and the wheel support axle 14 is located in front of said first branch 70, that is to say on the bearing wall side 60 of the crosspiece 6.
• the recovery-towing assembly 1 comprises the towing basket 2 equipped with the load support system 3
• the load support system 3 could also be supplied in the form of a separate kit, to be fitted to an existing towing basket similar to the towing basket 2 of the assembly 1 according to the invention.
• This kit would include the load support system 3 as described above, namely two hinge arm assemblies, two wheel support axles 14, at least two wheels 15 or two pairs of wheels, as well as two locking 9 to be secured to each fork 7 carried by the crosspiece 6, and two U-shaped grooves 8 to be secured to the bearing wall 60 of the crosspiece 6, which U-shaped grooves 8 are traversed by the second pivot axes A2.
• this kit would also include the means for damping the pivoting movement of the arm 5 as described above. It would then be appropriate to replace the cylinder controlling the movement of the existing arm 5 by the double-acting hydraulic cylinder 10, provided with a connecting pipe 10c between the two supply orifices 10a, 10b and valves 10d.
• the recovery-towing assembly 1 according to the present invention is suitable for towing a motorized vehicle with four wheels 4.
• its use is not limited to the towing of a four-wheeled vehicle 4. Indeed, it could also be used for towing a motorized vehicle having more than four wheels, and therefore more than two axles.
• the recovery-towing assembly 1 according to the present invention can also be equipped with an auxiliary support device for a two-wheeled motorized vehicle, in particular a motorcycle or a scooter.
• Such an auxiliary device comprises at least one auxiliary arm 16 pivotally connected to the towing basket 2 and carrying a wheel support element 17.
• auxiliary device 16 may advantageously comprise two auxiliary arms 16 arranged mirroring one another, namely on each side of the arm 5 of the towing basket 2.
• the auxiliary arm 16 is a telescopic arm comprising a hollow main auxiliary arm 16a and a secondary auxiliary arm 16b slidably mounted in the main auxiliary arm 16a.
• a telescopic arm 16 makes it possible to adapt to the wheelbase of various two-wheeled vehicles.
• the main auxiliary arm 16a is connected at one of its ends to the arm 5 of the towing basket 2 via an auxiliary pivot axis A4.
• the auxiliary pivot axis A4 extends parallel to the first pivot axis A1.
• the auxiliary arm 16 is movable, in the plane of the towing basket 2, between a position of non-use, in which it extends along the arm 5 of the towing basket 2, that is to say along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm 5 of the basket 2, and a position of use, in which the auxiliary arm 16 forms an angle with the arm 5 of the basket 2, such that the end of the auxiliary arm secondary 16b opposite the main auxiliary arm 16a is opposite a wheel-carrying fork 7.
• the auxiliary pivot axis A4 is arranged to be easily removable, so that the auxiliary arm 16 is fixed to the arm 5 of the basket 2 in a removable manner. Such a removable attachment makes it possible to disassemble and store the auxiliary arm 16 when it is not in use, in particular when the towing does not concern a motorized two-wheeled vehicle.
• the wheel support element 17 is carried at the end of the secondary auxiliary arm 16b to which it is pivotally connected, via a support pivot axis A5 which extends parallel to the axis auxiliary pivot A4.
• the wheel support element 17 has a shape capable of allowing the reception and locking of a wheel by gravity.
• the wheel support element 17 has an elongated oval shape.
• the support pivot axis A5 makes it possible, when the auxiliary arm 16 is placed in the position of use, and therefore when the auxiliary arm 16 extends obliquely with respect to the axis of the arm 5 of the basket 2, to orient the wheel support element 17 so that its longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the crosspiece 6.
• Each carrying fork 7 can be provided with hollow cavities 18 facing each other and configured to receive one of the wheels of a two-wheeled vehicle.
• a wheel for example the front wheel
• another wheel for example the rear wheel
• the vehicle can be placed on the indentations 18 of the corresponding fork 7.
• gripping or fastening elements may be provided on the arm 5 of the basket 2 in order to allow the passage of straps intended to ensure safe installation of the two-wheeled vehicle on the towing assembly- towing 1.
• auxiliary device The characteristics of the auxiliary device described above are independent of the other characteristics of the breakdown-towing assembly 1, in particular of those linked to the load-taking system 3, and provision may therefore be made to provide a towing basket conventional of such an auxiliary device.
• the recovery-towing assembly 1 is able to be placed in a position allowing the loading of a vehicle to be towed 4 or its unloading, as shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 7, and in a position allowing the transport of the vehicle to be towed 4, over an unlimited distance, as shown in Figures 4 to 6 and 8.
• the towing basket 2 In the position shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 7, the towing basket 2 is placed in a loading/unloading position and the load support system 3 is placed in a stowed position.
• the towing basket 2 In its loading/unloading position, the towing basket 2 is placed flat on the ground by means of the cylinder 10 controlling the arm 5.
• the arm 5, the crosspiece 6 and the carrying forks 7 are in contact with the ground and the vehicle to be towed 4 can be placed easily on the carrying forks 7, without the need to employ a lifting device.
• the crosspiece 6 extends substantially perpendicular to the arm 5 of the basket 2 and the secondary arm 5b is slid towards its position of maximum extension relative to the main arm 5a.
• the load support system 3 When the towing basket 2 is positioned flat on the ground, the load support system 3 must be positioned in the folded position so as not to obstruct the passage of the vehicle to be towed 4.
• each hinge arm assembly 12 of each hinge arm assembly is pivoted around its second pivot axis A2 in the direction of the arm 5 of the basket 2, in other words at a distance from the crosspiece 6.
• the second arm 13 of each hinge arm assembly 12-13 is pivoted around its third pivot axis A3 away from the ground, in other words so as to extend substantially vertically upwards. Without this upward pivoting movement, it would not be possible to place the basket 2 flat on the ground.
• each wheel support axle 14 is oriented in the through bore 13a of its second arm 13 so that the tread of each wheel 15 is in contact with the ground.
• the towing basket 2 In the position shown in Figures 4 to 6 and 8, the towing basket 2 is placed in a transport position and the load support system 3 is placed in a deployed position.
• the towing basket 2 In the transport position, the towing basket 2 is raised above the ground by the cylinder 10. Thus, one of the two axles of the vehicle to be towed 4 is no longer in contact with the ground.
• the load support system 3 In order to allow the weight of the vehicle to be towed 4 to be taken up, which then presses on the two carrier forks 7, the load support system 3 must be placed in the deployed position.
• first arm 12 of each hinge arm assembly is pivoted around its second pivot axis A2 in the direction of the crosspiece 6, until the first arm 12 is in contact with the wall of the support 60 of the crosspiece 6 and is received in the corresponding longitudinal groove 8 carried by the crosspiece 6.
• second arm 13 of each hinge arm assembly is pivoted downwards around its third pivot axis A3, up to 'so that the second arm 13 and the first arm 12 is aligned along the same longitudinal axis, the wheels 15 then coming into contact with the ground.
• the rod 9 integral with each fork 7 is received in the corresponding holes 13b of the second arm 13, thus allowing the locking in the deployed position of each arm assembly 12-13.
• each wheel support axle 14 is oriented in its through bore 13a such that the wheel or wheels 15 that it carries have their axis of rotation transverse to the direction of advance or retreat of the towing vehicle.
• each hinge arm assembly in the position in which the second arm 13 is aligned with the first arm 12 is such that when the load support system 3 is in the deployed position, the wheels 15 are positioned under the first branch 70 of each carrying fork 7.
• the load support system 3 according to the invention in its deployed position can be considered as a third axle, the first axle being the rear axle of the towing vehicle and the second axle being the axle of the vehicle to be towed 4 in contact with the ground.
• the weight of the raised part of the vehicle to be towed 4 no longer rests on the rear axle of the towing vehicle.
• the passage from the stowed position to the deployed position, and vice versa, can be carried out manually by an operator or automatically.

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• 2021
  • 2021-06-10 FR FR2106118A patent/FR3123837A1/fr active Pending
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