FR3117937A1 - coupling device for towing vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a hitching device (100) for a tractor vehicle comprising: a main body (1) comprising a fixing device (2) carrying a locking head (3) and a hook (4), the hook ( 4) being formed of a free end (40) and a hook foot (41); a locking mechanism comprising a latch (50) movable between an open position, in which the latch (50) is moved away from the free end (40) of the hook (4) and a closed position, in which the latch (50) is brought closer to the free end (40) of the hook (4). The locking head (3) comprises a housing (30) to accommodate at least a portion of the lock (50) and the lock (50) is movable in translation in the housing (30) of the locking head (3), according to a locking pin (A), to switch between the open position and the closed position. Figure to be published with abstract: Fig. 1

Description

coupling device for towing vehicle

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a coupling hook for a towing vehicle.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To tow a trailer or any other type of road vehicle without a motor, pulled by a towing vehicle, it is necessary to equip this vehicle with a coupling solution. Such a solution is usually formed of a rear cross member connected to the chassis of the towing vehicle, the cross member carrying a hook allowing the coupling member of the driven vehicle to be engaged.

The hitching device of the driven vehicle can be of a varied nature, for example of the ring type or of the coupling head type (also commonly called "rabbit head"). Consequently, the towing vehicle must be equipped with the hook adapted to the coupling device of the driven vehicle. It may in particular be a hook ending in a ball joint, in the case of a coupling member of the coupling head type, or a hook comprising a jaw trapping the ring on the hook.

When a hitching solution is desired that can tow either a ring-type hitch or a hitch-type hitch, a mixed hook can be used. We know such a mixed hook from document EP2556974 consisting of a ball joint and a removable handcuff in rotation to secure the connection between the driven vehicle and the towing vehicle. However, this type of mixed hook is complex to make as well as to handle and can be expensive.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a coupling device that is simpler in its structure and in its use and less expensive than those of the technical state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With a view to achieving this object, the object of the invention proposes a coupling device for a tractor vehicle comprising:

• a main body comprising a fixing device carrying a locking head and a hook, the hook being formed of a free end, to receive a coupling member of a driven vehicle, and of a hook foot;
• a locking mechanism comprising a lock movable between an open position, in which the lock is moved away from the free end of the hook to allow the coupling member to be positioned there, and a closed position, in which the lock is brought closer of the free end of the hook to secure the hitching device to the hook.

According to the invention, the locking head comprises a housing to accommodate at least a portion of the lock and the lock is movable in translation in the housing of the locking head, along a locking axis, to pass between the open position and the closed position.

According to other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of the invention, taken alone or according to any technically feasible combination:

• the free end of the hook is a ball joint;
• the lock includes a through hole to be able to padlock it;
• the latch carries a gripping abutment on the side of the hook;
• the locking mechanism comprises a locking pin disposed in an opening of the locking head opening into the housing, the locking pin being able to be moved between a locking position, where it occupies at least a portion of the housing and blocks the lock, and an unlocking position, where it is out of the housing and does not block the lock;
• the locking pin is held in the locking position by a pin spring arranged in compression around the pin between a shoulder of the pin and a wall of the housing;
• the lock has a locking geometry, for example a circular machining or a groove, making it possible to accommodate, at least in part, the locking pin when the lock is in the open position;
• the locking mechanism comprises a longitudinal guide groove formed on an internal surface of the housing to receive a guide stud of the lock to guide the translational movement of the lock in the housing;
• the locking mechanism includes a removable safety flap to selectively release or block movement of the locking pin;
• the safety flap is elastically deformable to engage in a groove of the locking pin;
• the shutter is positioned by gravity behind the locking pin.
• the locking head includes a cleaning channel opening into the housing;
• the housing forms an opening passing through the locking head and in which the locking mechanism comprises a cover for closing the housing on the side of the fastening device;
• the locking mechanism comprises a lock spring arranged in compression in the housing, between the closure cap and the lock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description of the invention which will follow with reference to the appended figures in which:

There shows an exploded view of a coupling device according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

FIGS. 2a and 2b represent an overall view of a coupling device, in accordance with a first embodiment, in which the lock is respectively in the open position and in the closed position;

FIGS. 3a and 3b represent a sectional view of a coupling device, in accordance with a first embodiment, in which the lock is respectively in the open position and in the closed position;

FIGS. 4a and 4b represent an overall view of a coupling device, in accordance with a second embodiment, in which the lock is respectively in the open position and in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

General presentation

There illustrates an exploded view of a coupling device 100 according to the invention comprising a main body 1 as well as a locking mechanism.

The main body 1 is intended to connect the driven vehicle to the tractor vehicle. It is typically formed from metal. It may be a forged part.

The locking mechanism is intended to secure the coupling element to the main body 1 of the coupling device 100. The locking mechanism comprises in particular a lock 50 movable between two positions to allow engagement and locking respectively. of the coupling member, in particular a ring, of the vehicle driven to the coupling device 100.

detailed description of the coupling device according to a first embodiment

Referring to Figures 2a, 2b, the main body 1 comprises a fixing device 2 carrying a locking head 3 and a hook 4. These elements 2,3,4 can form a main body 1 in one piece or be added elements and assembled together to form this main body 1. It is in particular possible, for example, for the fixing device 2 and the hook 4 to form a one-piece assembly while the locking head 3 forms an added element screwed to this assembly.

The fixing device 2 makes it possible to assemble the coupling device 100 to the chassis of the towing vehicle, typically to a rear cross member connected to said chassis. The fixing device 2 is shown here in the form of a plate 2 provided with a plurality of openings 21 to accommodate screws for fixing to the tractor vehicle. Of course, one could imagine other types of fixing device 2, for example a fixing shank (also referred to as a "gooseneck") in one piece or attached to the rest of the main body 1, this shank being intended to be bolted onto fixing lugs arranged on the frame.

The main body 1 also comprises a hook 4 formed of a free end 40 and a hook foot 41. The hook foot connects the free end 40 to the fixing device 2. The free end 40 is intended to receive the coupling device of the driven vehicle. Advantageously, this end takes the form of a ball joint 40 to allow either the engagement of a coupling member of the coupling head type or of the ring type. In the latter case, the ring is engaged around the free end 40 in the form of a ball joint, and secured by the locking mechanism of the coupling device. In this way, a so-called “mixed” hook is formed.

The locking head 3 comprises a housing 30 opening out at least on the side of the free end 40 to accommodate at least a portion of the lock 50. The internal dimensions of the housing 30 conform to the dimensions of the lock 50 in order to limit the clearance between these two pieces. For reasons of simplicity of construction, the housing 30 and the lock 50 are advantageously cylindrical in shape. The lock 50 has a length substantially equal to that of the housing 30. The housing 30 here forms an opening longitudinally passing through the locking head 3 in particular to facilitate the mounting of the lock 50 as well as that of the other elements of the locking mechanism on the body. main 1. The locking mechanism comprises a closure cover 51, assembled to the main body by two screws 51', closing the housing 30 on the side of the fixing device 2 once the lock 50 is engaged in this housing. This closure cap 51 also makes it possible to limit the penetration of the lock 50 into the housing 30.

The peripheral surface of the lock 50 carries a guide stud 56 intended to slide in a longitudinal guide groove 57 formed on an internal surface of the housing 30 and thus to guide the translational movement of the lock 50 in the housing. This assembly also makes it possible to index the lock 50 angularly in the housing. The guide groove emerges from the housing on the side of the fixing device 2 of the main body 1, which makes it possible to engage the guide stud 57 therein when the lock is mounted in the housing 20. Optionally, the guide groove 57 does not extend from one emerging end of the housing to the other, so that the non-emerging end of the guide groove 57, on the side of the hook 4, forms an abutment for the guide stud, which allows to retain a portion of the lock 50 in the housing 30. In the absence of such an abutment integrated into the housing, the end of the hook forms the natural abutment of the lock, thus preventing the latter from being completely extracted from its housing when it moves to its closed position.

Optionally, the locking head 3 may include a cleaning channel 32 opening into the housing 30. As is quite conventional, the channel 32 makes it possible to introduce a fluid into the housing 30, for example an anti-seize liquid, or the flow of this fluid outside the housing. The cleaning channel 32 is advantageously closed by a cap 32' to prevent the infiltration of dirt into the housing 30.

According to an important characteristic of the invention, the lock 50 is arranged at least partly in the housing 30 of the locking head 3 and is movable in translation along a longitudinal locking axis A to pass between a so-called open position ( and 3a) and a so-called closed position ( and 3b). In the open position, the latch 50 is moved away from the free end 40 to allow the coupling member of the driven vehicle to be positioned on the hook. In the closed position, the latch 50 is brought closer to the free end 40 to secure the coupling member to the hook 4, in particular in the case of a ring-type coupling member.

Optionally, the face of the lock 50 intended to approach the free end 40 of the hook 4 can be beveled to conform and bring the lock 50 as close as possible to this end, and avoid any risk of disengagement of the locking member. 'coupling.

The locking mechanism also comprises a latch spring 52 arranged in compression in the housing 30, between the closure cover 51 and the latch 50. The function of the first latch spring 52 is to place the latch 50 in the closed position in the absence of any other stress by exerting a permanent pressure force forcing it to move along the locking axis A in the direction of the free end 40 of the hook 4.

Advantageously, the latch 50 is hollow to accommodate within it at least partially the latch spring 52. The latch 50 can thus, in the open position, be pressed against the closure cover 51 to sink as far as possible into the housing 30 .

The locking mechanism also includes a locking pin 53, intended to engage in an opening 31 of the locking head, this opening opening into the housing 30. The locking pin 53 can be moved by a user between a position of blocking, where it occupies at least a portion of the housing 30 and blocks the lock 50, and an unlocking position, where it does not occupy the housing 30 and therefore does not block the lock 50.

The locking pin 53, in the locking position, has the function of blocking any translational movement of the lock 50 along the axis A to keep it in the open position or in the closed position. When the pin 53 is in the unlocked position, the lock 50 can freely be placed in the open or closed position, by translation in the housing.

In the closed position of the latch 50, the pin 53 is arranged at the rear of the latter, which prevents any translational movement which would lead to the latch 50 being moved into the open position. The lock 50 also has a blocking geometry 54, here made in the form of a blocking groove 54, intended to accommodate, at least in part, the blocking pin 53 when the lock 50 is in the open position. In such a position, the opening 31 of the locking head is opposite the locking groove 54, this positioning being ensured in particular by the indexing of the lock 50 in the housing 30 provided by the stud 56 and the guide groove 57. Obviously one could imagine other types of blocking geometries 54, for example a simple hole formed on the surface of the lock 50.

The pin 53 comprises, at one of its ends, a handling cap 53a, here connected to a loop, to facilitate its manual movement between its locking position and its unlocking position. The pin 53 comprises at its other end a shoulder 53c to prevent complete withdrawal of the pin 53 from the locking head 3, the shoulder coming into abutment against the internal wall of the housing 30 if an attempt is made to completely withdraw the pin 53. The housing 30 comprises on its internal surface around the opening 31 an arrangement to fully accommodate the shoulder 53c when the pin 53 is in the unlocking position so that the shoulder 53c is no longer placed in the housing 30 and does not could interfere with the movement of the lock 50.

Advantageously, the pin 53 is held in the locking position, in the absence of any external stresses, by a pin spring 53b arranged in compression around the pin 53 between the shoulder 53c and a wall of the housing 30, the pin 53b exerting permanent pressure tending to bring pin 53 back into its locking position.

Also advantageously, the locking mechanism comprises a removable safety flap 55, to selectively release or block the movement of the pin 53 and thus prevent it from unintentionally placing itself in the unlocked position, which could lead to release the lock 50. In the first embodiment, the flap 55 positions itself naturally, by simple gravity, behind the locking pin, which prevents its displacement and the release of the lock. The safety flap 55 can be moved manually, here by rotation around a screw 55', to free access to the pin 53 and allow its manual movement to the unlocking position. The presence of this safety flap 55 also makes it possible to have additional safety in the event that the pin spring 53b is defective. It also serves as a visual indicator of the locking position of pin 53.

detailed description of the coupling device according to a second embodiment

Figures 4a and 4b show an overall view of a coupling device, according to a second embodiment, in which the lock is respectively in the open position and in the closed position

For the sake of brevity, only the differences of this second embodiment with the first mode are described here in detail.

In this second embodiment, the locking mechanism does not include a lock spring 52. The lock 50 is manually movable between its open position and its closed position. To this end, the lock 50 is provided at its end oriented towards the hook 4 with a gripping stop 58. This stop 58 has a lateral tongue making it possible to facilitate the manipulation of the lock 50. The tongue also forms the stop which limits the insertion of the lock in the housing 30.

In this embodiment, the housing 30 accommodating the lock 50 does not necessarily emerge on the side of the fixing device, and the presence of a closure cap 51 is therefore not necessary either. The lock 50 can be inserted into the housing 30, then the gripping stop 58 assembled at the end of the lock 50. In this assembled configuration, the lock 50 cannot be completely extracted from the housing 30, the gripping stop 58 blocking the release of the lock 50 by abutting against the free end of the hook.

The blocking geometry 54 is here formed by a circular machining 54 of the lock 4 forming a groove in which the pin 53 can be housed when the lock 50 is in the open position. It is noted that this arrangement in the groove is functional, whatever the angular orientation of the lock 50 within the housing 30. Its angular indexing is therefore not necessary, the lock 50 can be left free to move in rotation around the A axis in the housing. In other words, the longitudinal guide groove 57 and the guide stud 56 of the first embodiment are not necessary.

We note, moreover, that in the closed position of the lock 50, this circular machining 54 makes it possible to accommodate a portion of a coupling ring, to allow it greater freedom of movement when the lock is in the closed position.

The lock 50 also comprises, in this second embodiment, a through hole 59 to allow a padlock to be fixed on the lock 50 when the latter is in the closed position. This is a security against theft, the coupling device cannot be disengaged from the hook 3 in the presence of the padlock.

The manipulation cap 53a of the pin here comprises a groove 53a' to accommodate a portion of the safety flap 55. In this embodiment, the safety flap 55 is housed in the groove 53a' of the manipulation cap 53a to block the movement of the pin 53. The safety flap 55 is advantageously formed of an elastically deformable material, such as metal or a plastic material, allowing such deformation. It takes the form of a deformable tongue 55 which can be manually deformed to disengage the safety flap 55 from the groove 53a', in order to move the locking pin 53. The tongue 55 naturally returns to engage in groove 53a' when the locking pin returns to its rest position.

Use of the coupling device according to the first embodiment :

In the configuration of Figures 2a, 3a in which the lock is in the open position, it is thus possible to engage the coupling member of the driven vehicle to the hook 40. The lock 50 is held in the open position by the pin 53 which is disposed in the locking groove 54 of the lock 50. The pin 53 is held in the locked position by the pin spring 53b as well as by the safety shutter 55 when that is lowered.

When it is desired to move the lock 50 into the closed position to secure the coupling member to the hook 4, the flap 55 is raised ( ) to expose the manipulation cap 53a and the latter is pulled to place the pin 53 in the unlocking position. The latch spring 52 exerts a pressure force on the latch 50 to move it into the closed position on the free end 40 of the hook 4. The pin 53 is released which, by the action of the pin spring 53b, is automatically replaced in locking position. The safety shutter 55 repositions itself naturally, by the simple effect of gravity, behind the pin 53 to block it. When the latch 50 is in such a closed position, the pin 53 is arranged at the rear of the latch 50, between the latch 50 itself and the closure cover 51, and blocks any backward movement if one tries to manually push it back into the housing 30. The coupling member, in particular in the case of a ring-type member, is secure. He can then no longer disengage from the hook 4, blocked by the lock 50.

It will be noted that if the coupling member is of the coupling head type, it is not necessary to position the lock 50 in the closed position, this type of coupling member remaining assembled to the ball joint 40 without the need to close hook 4.

To move the lock 50 into the open position, the reverse steps are carried out. Lift the safety flap 55, pull on the manipulation cap 53a to place the pin 53 in the unlocking position and then manually press the lock 50, while maintaining the pin 53 in the unlocking position, to fully depress the lock 50 in housing. The pin 53 is then released, which moves automatically, by the action of the pin spring 53b in the locked position, in the locking groove 54 of the lock 50. The safety shutter 55 is positioned behind the pin 53 to lock everything again. unwanted movement of this part.

Use of the coupling device according to the second embodiment:

According to the second embodiment, it is necessary to manually move the lock 50 between its open position and its closed position.

When it is desired to move the lock 50 from its open position ( ) to its closed position ( ), the flap 55 is deformed to extract it from the groove 53a' and release the movement of the pin to place it in the unlocking position. The latch 50 can then be moved manually to the closed position, by pulling on the gripping stop 58. The pin 53 is then released which, by the action of the pin spring 53b, automatically returns to the locking position at the rear of the lock 50. The safety flap 55 is also repositioned automatically, by elastic effect, to engage again in the groove 53a'.

To move the lock 50 into the open position, the reverse steps are carried out. The safety flap 55 is moved out of the groove 53a' in order to be able to move the pin 53 into the unlocking position. The lock 50 is then pressed manually until the gripping stop 58 comes close enough to the locking head 3 and the pin 53 is released, which automatically returns to the locking position and lodges in the machining. circular 54. The safety shutter 55 is then replaced in the groove 53a'.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and variant embodiments can be added thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, certain characteristics of the two embodiments described in detail can be combined together without departing from this framework.

It is thus possible to form a hole to accommodate a padlock and/or to produce a blocking geometry in the form of circular machining on the lock of the first embodiment.

Claims (16)

Coupling device (100) for a tractor vehicle comprising:
- a main body (1) comprising a fixing device (2) carrying a locking head (3) and a hook (4), the hook (4) being formed of a free end (40), to receive a member coupling of a driven vehicle, and a hook foot (41);
- a locking mechanism comprising a lock (50) movable between an open position, in which the lock (50) is moved away from the free end (40) of the hook (4) to allow positioning of the coupling, and a closed position, in which the latch (50) is brought closer to the free end (40) of the hook (4) to secure the coupling member to the hook (4);
the coupling device (100) being characterized in that:
- the locking head (3) comprises a housing (30) to accommodate at least a portion of the lock (50);
- the lock (50) is movable in translation in the housing (30) of the locking head (3), along a locking axis (A), to pass between the open position and the closed position. Coupling device (100) according to the preceding claim, in which the free end (40) of the hook (4) is a ball joint (40). Coupling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the lock (50) comprises a hole (59) emerging in order to be able to padlock it. Coupling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the lock (50) carries a gripping stop (58) on the side of the hook (4). Coupling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the locking mechanism comprises a locking pin (53) arranged in an opening (31) of the locking head (3) opening into the housing (30) , the locking pin (53) being movable between a locking position, where it occupies at least a portion of the housing (30) and blocks the lock (50), and an unlocking position, where it is out of the housing ( 30) and does not block the lock (50). Coupling device (100) according to the preceding claim, in which the locking pin (53) is maintained in the locking position by a pin spring (53b) arranged in compression around the pin (53) between a shoulder (53c ) of the pin (53) and a wall of the housing (30). Coupling device (100) according to one of Claims 5 to 6, in which the lock (50) has a blocking geometry (54) making it possible to accommodate, at least in part, the blocking pin (53) when the latch (50) is in the open position. Coupling device (100) according to the preceding claim, in which the locking geometry (54) is a circular machining. A hitch device (100) according to claim 7 wherein the locking geometry (54) is a groove. Coupling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the locking mechanism comprises a longitudinal guide groove (57) formed on an internal surface of the housing (30) to accommodate a guide post (56) of the lock (50) to guide the translational movement of the lock (50) in the housing (30). Coupling device (100) according to one of Claims 5 to 10, in which the locking mechanism comprises a removable safety flap (55) for selectively releasing or blocking the movement of the locking pin. Coupling device (100) according to the preceding claim, in which the safety flap (55) is elastically deformable to engage in a groove (53a') of the locking pin (53). Coupling device (100) according to the preceding claim, in which the flap is positioned by gravity behind the locking pin. Coupling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the locking head (3) comprises a cleaning channel (32) opening into the housing (30). Coupling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the housing (30) forms an opening passing through the locking head (3) and in which the locking mechanism comprises a closing cover (51) of the housing (30) on the side of the fixing device (2). Coupling device (100) according to the preceding claim, in which the locking mechanism comprises a latch spring (52) arranged in compression in the housing (30), between the closure cover (51) and the latch (50).