GB1423499A - Couplings for caravans and trailers to be towed - Google Patents

Abstract

1423499 Vehicle couplings L EVERINGHAM and A PAPP 19 June 1974 [19 June 1973] 27074/74 Heading B7T A vehicle coupling for a vehicle, e.g. a caravan or trailer, to be towed, is of the type comprising a coupling shaft 17 slidably mounted in a ball 16 for longitudinal movement between retracted and extended positions, the ball 16 being universally mounted in a socket formed by plates 14, 15, to enable lateral and vertical movements of a coupling socket assembly 18 when the coupling shaft is in its extended position, the coupling being characterized by the form of a catch assembly 20 which automatically engages and retains a rear-end piece 19 of the coupling shaft 17 when the coupling shaft 17 is fully retracted, the catch assembly 20 comprising locking pieces 24 movable from inoperative positions towards each other to operative positions in which they engage and lock the coupling shaft, a spring 29 urging the locking pieces to their operative positions, and a cam plate 30 movable by a handle 31 to a first position, Fig. 4 (not shown), in which lugs 34 lock the locking pieces in operative positions, to a second position, Fig. 3, to free the locking pieces for movement against the spring 29, and to a third position, Fig. 2 (not shown), in which the cam plate holds the locking pieces in inoperative positions.