GB2067147A - Trailer coupling for vehicles - Google Patents
Trailer coupling for vehicles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2067147A GB2067147A GB8013764A GB8013764A GB2067147A GB 2067147 A GB2067147 A GB 2067147A GB 8013764 A GB8013764 A GB 8013764A GB 8013764 A GB8013764 A GB 8013764A GB 2067147 A GB2067147 A GB 2067147A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- ball neck
- housing
- ram
- eccentric
- coupling according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 30
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 30
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 30
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 101100400378 Mus musculus Marveld2 gene Proteins 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 208000036366 Sensation of pressure Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005266 casting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005242 forging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003754 machining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
- B60D1/48—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by the mounting
- B60D1/52—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by the mounting removably mounted
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
- Clamps And Clips (AREA)
- Hydraulic Control Valves For Brake Systems (AREA)
- Snaps, Bayonet Connections, Set Pins, And Snap Rings (AREA)
Abstract
A trailer coupling has a housing 2 which is for mounting beneath a motor vehicle rear bumper and into which a ball neck 5 carrying a coupling ball (not shown) is insertable. The housing is open to the rear except at an upper part which has a cylindrical surface 3 for receiving a spherical part 6 of the ball neck 5. The ball neck 5 also includes a ram 16 having a conical end 18 engageable with a slightly offset conical recess 19. The ram 16 is urged resiliently into the recess by a manually operable eccentric tensioner 8. The ball neck 5 has studs 7 engageable in retaining grooves in the housing. The eccentric tensioner 8 and ram 16 are located within the ball neck 5. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Trailer coupling for vehicles
The invention relates to a trailer coupling for vehicles, particularly for motor cars, which has a housing, downwardly open when the coupling is in the installed condition, and a ball neck provided with a coupling ball, which neck is insertable into the housing and detachably lockable thereto.
The underlying aim of the invention is to construct a trailer coupling of this type so that a simplified production with generous tolerances is possible, that powerful forces can be absorbed, and that insensitivity to dirt exists.
It is further an aim of the invention to arrange all those parts which are necessary for inserting the ball neck into the housing or for removing the ball neck out of the housing, on or in the ball neck and to construct said parts so that no maintenance is necessary.
According to the invention there is provided a trailer coupling for vehicles, which includes a housing downwardly open when the cou piing is in the installed condition, and by a ball neck provided with a coupling ball which is insertable into the housing and detachably lockable thereto, the housing being also open to the rear except for an upper guide part, wherein retaining grooves for studs projecting laterally from the ball neck are provided on both sides in the lower part of the housing, and on the ball neck an eccentric tensioner is arranged whereby a ram arranged in the ball neck is forced resiliently against the upper part of the housing so that the studs on the ball neck are locked in the retaining grooves.
With a trailer coupling according to the invention, on the one hand, only a small number of cutting/machining operations are necessary to the housing and also to the ball neck. Any dirt can prejudice neither the insertion nor the release of the ball neck. The locking of the ball neck in the housing is suitable for absorbing extremely heavy loads, and it can be established and released easily.
As an advantageous further development of the trailer coupling, the upper guide part may have a cylindrical guide surface of low height and the upper end of the ball neck may have a corresponding spherical surface. By this measure pivoting and sliding of the ball neck during insertion and release is possible and a secure retention of the ball neck in the housing is nevertheless ensured.
The retaining grooves for the studs on the ball neck may, starting from the rear end of the housing, extend substantially horizontally, and then extend downwards, so that a bayonet fastening type of guide is obtained for the studs on the ball neck during inserting and release.
The eccentric tensioner may include an eccentric mounted in the ball neck and con
nected to a hand lever, and a roller mounted
on the eccentric at the point of maximum
eccentricity in order to eliminate major fric
tion. A pressure plunger co-operating with the
eccentric, may be arranged in the ball neck,
against which plunger the ram is braced
through a packet of disc springs. A compres
sion spring which forces the ram with pres
sure plunger towards the eccentric may also
be provided in the ball neck.
In particularly advantageous manner, the
free end of the ram pressing against the
housing may be of conical construction and a
conical recess be provided in the housing,
located eccentrically to the ram so that the
ball neck is forced by the ram against the
cylindrical guide surface in order to eliminate
any play which may possibly exist in one
direction.
A limit stop which abuts against the pres
sure plunger when the ball neck is locked in
the housing may be arranged on the eccen
tric.
The pivot axis of the eccentric may advantageously be located near the median longitudi
nal axis through the ram and the pressure
plunger, so that with the ball neck locked a
torque about the axis of the eccentric exists
which is taken up by the limited stop. Self
locking is ensured by this means.
Lastly, a spring loaded locking pin may be
arranged on the ball neck, which engages into
a bore in the eccentric when the ball neck is
locked with the housing.
A trailer coupling according to the invention
will now be described by way of example with
reference to the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section
through a housing of a trailer coupling,
Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the
housing made along the line ll-ll from Fig. 1,
Figure 3 shows the housing according to
Fig. 1 with a ball neck inserted, and
Figure 4 shows a section through the ball
neck made along the line IV-IV from Fig. 3.
As shown in Fig. 1, a trailer coupling is
arranged to be mounted beneath a rear
bumper of a motor can in a crossmember
consisting of sheet metal pressings. The trailer
coupling comprises a housing 2 constituted
by a forging or casting which is secured in the
cross-member 1 by screws or bolts. When
mounted on the vehicle the housing 2 is open
downwards, and is also open towards the rear
for a considerable part of its overall height.
The upper closed part contains a cylindrical
guide surface 3 of low height. In the lower
part, as may also be seen from Fig. 2, bayo
netlike retaining grooves 4 are provided on
both sides, which initially extend substantially
horizontally from the rear end of the housing
1 and then curve downwards.
The housing 2 serves, as shown in Fig. 3
for the releasable locking of the ball neck 5 which carries a coupling ball (not shown). The ball neck 5 is equipped at its upper free end with a part adapted to be inserted into the housing 2, the part having a spherical surface 6, the diameter of which corresponds to the diameter of the guide surface 3 in the housing 2. Studs 7 project laterally from the ball neck 5, and engage into the retaining grooves 4 in the housing 2. Locking of the ball neck 5 in the housing 2 is effected by an eccentric tensioner 8. Said eccentric tensioner 8 cornprises an eccentric 11 mounted in the ball neck 5 and pivotable about the axis 10 by a hand lever 9, the eccentric 11 carrying a roller 1 2 at the point af maximum eccentricity. A limit stop 1 3 is also arranged on the eccentric 11.A pressure plunger 14 which is guided in the ball neck 5, and against which a ram 1 6 is braced in turn through a packet of disc springs 15, bears against the eccentric
11. The ram 1 6 and the pressure plunger 14 together with the packet of disc springs 1 5 are forced towards the eccentric 11 by a compression spring 1 7 braced against the ball neck 5.
The upper free end of the ram 16, which protrudes out of the ball neck, is provided with a conical projection 1 8 which engages into a conical recess 1 9 in the housing 2. The recess 1 9 is placed eccentrically to the ram
16, so that the ball neck is always forced in one direction in order to eliminate any possible play between the spherical surface 6 and the cylindrical guide surface 3.
In the assembled position, illustrated in Fig.
3, in which the ball neck 5 is locked in the housing 2, the roller 1 2 on the eccentric 11 is located offset laterally to the axis 10 of the eccentric 11, so that due to the action of the disc springs 1 5 a torque about the axis 10 is absorbed by the limit stop 1 3 abutting against the pressure plunger 14. Consequently it is impossible for the eccentric 11 to move into the unlocked position spontaneously. As additional securing means a locking pin 20 is provided which as shown in Fig. 4 is mounted on the ball neck 5 and engages into a bore 22 on the eccentric 11 by means of th? pressure of a spring 21.
In order to release the locking of the ball neck 5 to the housing 2, the locking pin 20 is withdrawn, and the hand lever 9 is pivoted in the direction of the arrow 23, so that, the eccentric 11 being pivoted conjointly, the disc springs 1 5 are relaxed and the compression spring 1 7 can urge the ram 1 6 with the pressure plunger 14 downwards. In this position of the eccentric tensioner 8, the ball neck 5 can be raised sufficiently in the housing 2, and then pivoted upwards, for its studs 7 to travel along the retaining grooves 4 out of the housing 2. The ball neck can then be with drawn from the housing obliquely to the rear.
The insertion- and locking of the ball neck proceeds in inverse sequence.
Claims (11)
1. Trailer coupling for vehicles, which in
cludes a housing downwardly open when the
coupling is in the installed condition, and a
ball neck provided with a coupling ball which
is insertable into the housing and detachably
lockable thereto, the housing being also open
to the rear except for an upper guide part,
wherein retaining grooves for studs projecting
laterally from the ball neck are provided on
both sides in the lower part of the housing,
and on the ball neck an eccentric tensioner is
arranged whereby a ram arranged in the ball
neck is forced resiliently against the upper
part of the housing so that the studs on the
ball neck are locked in the retaining grooves.
2. A coupling according to Claim 1
wherein the upper guide part has a cylindrical
guide surface of low height and the upper
part of the ball neck has a corresponding
spherical surface.
3. A coupling according to Claims 1 or 2,
wherein the retaining grooves for the studs on 'the ball neck starting from the rear end of the
housing, extend substantially horizontally, and
then extend downwards.
4. A coupling according to Claim 1, 2 or
3, wherein the eccentric tensioner includes an
eccentric mounted in the ball neck and con
nected to a hand lever, and a roller mounted
on the eccentric at a point of maximum eccen
tricity.
5. A coupling according td any one of
Claims 1 to 4, wherein a pressure plunger co
operating with the eccentric tensioner and
against which the ram is braced through a
packet bf disc springs, is arranged in the ball
neck.
6. A coupling according to any one of
Claims 1 to 5, wherein a compression spring,
which urges the ram with pressure plunger
towards the eccentric tensioner, is provided in
the ball neck.
7. A coupling according to any one of
Claims 1 to 6, wherein the free end of the
ram pressing against the housing is of conical
construction and in the housing a conical
recess is provided, which is located eccentri
cally to the ram so that when the ram is urged
into engagement with the recess, the ball
neck is urged in one direction by the ram.
8. A coupling according to any one of
Claims 1 to 7, wherein a limit stop which
strikes against the pressure plunger is ar
ranged on the eccentric tensioner.
9. A coupling according to any one of
Claims 4 to 8, wherein the eccentric tensioner
has a pivot axis located beside the median
longitudinal axis through the ram and the
pressure plunger, so that, with the ball neck
locked, a torque about the axis of the eccen
tric exists which is absorbed by the limit stop.
10. A coupling according to any one of
Claims 1 to 9, wherein a spring loaded lock ing pin, which engages in a bore in the eccentric when the ball neck is locked to the housing, is arranged on the ball neck.
11. A trailer coupling for a motor vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19803000824 DE3000824A1 (en) | 1980-01-11 | 1980-01-11 | TRAILER COUPLING FOR VEHICLES (AK 5) |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2067147A true GB2067147A (en) | 1981-07-22 |
| GB2067147B GB2067147B (en) | 1983-10-19 |
Family
ID=6091850
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8013764A Expired GB2067147B (en) | 1980-01-11 | 1980-04-25 | Trailer coupling for vehicles |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| BE (1) | BE884316A (en) |
| CH (1) | CH644313A5 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3000824A1 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK148770C (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2473428A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2067147B (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1127015B (en) |
| NL (1) | NL8001588A (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2122961A (en) * | 1982-06-28 | 1984-01-25 | Oris Metallbau Kg Riehle H | Trailer coupling for vehicles |
| GB2160838A (en) * | 1984-06-28 | 1986-01-02 | Oris Metallbau Kg Riehle H | Coupling device for motor vehicles |
| EP0169263A1 (en) * | 1983-07-27 | 1986-01-29 | PEKA-Fahrzeugbau GmbH & Co. KG | Detachable ball-hitch with mounting device |
| EP0231551A1 (en) * | 1985-12-20 | 1987-08-12 | Tobo Made B.V. | Detachable towing hook assembly |
| FR2627726A1 (en) * | 1988-02-26 | 1989-09-01 | Oris Metallbau Kg Riehle H | TRAILER HITCH FOR VEHICLES, IN PARTICULAR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES |
| CN110588260A (en) * | 2019-08-27 | 2019-12-20 | 江苏大学 | Connecting ball head and connecting system of anti-loosening pulling type motor home |
Families Citing this family (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3013408A1 (en) * | 1980-04-05 | 1981-10-08 | Peka-Fahrzeugbau Gmbh + Co Kg, 7500 Karlsruhe | DETACHABLE BALL ROD WITH BRACKET |
| EP0047961B1 (en) * | 1980-09-11 | 1984-11-21 | Westfalia-Werke Knöbel GmbH & Co. | Ball-neck coupling for motor vehicles |
| DE3204024C2 (en) * | 1982-02-05 | 1983-12-08 | Daimler-Benz Ag, 7000 Stuttgart | Trailer coupling for vehicles |
| DE3207522A1 (en) * | 1982-03-03 | 1983-09-08 | Oris-Metallbau KG Hans Riehle, 7141 Möglingen | Trailer coupling for vehicles |
| DE3223719C2 (en) * | 1982-06-25 | 1986-11-13 | Daimler-Benz Ag, 7000 Stuttgart | Trailer coupling for vehicles |
| DE3230364A1 (en) * | 1982-08-14 | 1984-02-16 | Oris-Metallbau KG Hans Riehle, 7141 Möglingen | Coupling device, in particular for passenger cars |
| DE3317453C2 (en) * | 1983-05-13 | 1986-10-02 | Daimler-Benz Ag, 7000 Stuttgart | Trailer coupling for vehicles |
| DE3842901A1 (en) * | 1988-12-16 | 1990-06-21 | Dickmann Thomas | Towing device |
| DE4235843C2 (en) * | 1992-10-23 | 1996-07-11 | Mvg Metallverarbeitunggesellsc | Trailer coupling |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE288119C (en) * | ||||
| US2978260A (en) * | 1959-06-08 | 1961-04-04 | Hebeisen Ulrich | Dismountable trailer hitch |
| US3037791A (en) * | 1961-02-24 | 1962-06-05 | Ralph L Travis | Drawbar attached traction booster for towing vehicles |
| DE1630928B2 (en) * | 1967-05-02 | 1976-06-16 | Peka-Fahrzeugbau Eberhardt Kg, 7500 Karlsruhe | HANGING DEVICE |
| BE792007A (en) * | 1971-11-30 | 1973-03-16 | Poole Harold G | IMPROVEMENTS TO TOWING LINKS |
-
1980
- 1980-01-11 DE DE19803000824 patent/DE3000824A1/en active Granted
- 1980-03-18 NL NL8001588A patent/NL8001588A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1980-03-27 IT IT48273/80A patent/IT1127015B/en active
- 1980-04-10 FR FR8008067A patent/FR2473428A1/en active Granted
- 1980-04-15 CH CH289480A patent/CH644313A5/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1980-04-25 GB GB8013764A patent/GB2067147B/en not_active Expired
- 1980-04-30 DK DK190480A patent/DK148770C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1980-07-15 BE BE0/201409A patent/BE884316A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2122961A (en) * | 1982-06-28 | 1984-01-25 | Oris Metallbau Kg Riehle H | Trailer coupling for vehicles |
| EP0169263A1 (en) * | 1983-07-27 | 1986-01-29 | PEKA-Fahrzeugbau GmbH & Co. KG | Detachable ball-hitch with mounting device |
| GB2160838A (en) * | 1984-06-28 | 1986-01-02 | Oris Metallbau Kg Riehle H | Coupling device for motor vehicles |
| EP0231551A1 (en) * | 1985-12-20 | 1987-08-12 | Tobo Made B.V. | Detachable towing hook assembly |
| FR2627726A1 (en) * | 1988-02-26 | 1989-09-01 | Oris Metallbau Kg Riehle H | TRAILER HITCH FOR VEHICLES, IN PARTICULAR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES |
| BE1002018A4 (en) * | 1988-02-26 | 1990-05-22 | Oris Metallbau Kg Riehle H | TRAILER HITCH FOR VEHICLES, PARTICULARLY FOR MOTOR VEHICLES. |
| CN110588260A (en) * | 2019-08-27 | 2019-12-20 | 江苏大学 | Connecting ball head and connecting system of anti-loosening pulling type motor home |
| CN110588260B (en) * | 2019-08-27 | 2022-11-18 | 江苏大学 | Connecting ball head and connecting system of anti-loosening pulling type motor home |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE3000824C2 (en) | 1988-02-11 |
| IT1127015B (en) | 1986-05-21 |
| DK148770C (en) | 1986-03-10 |
| GB2067147B (en) | 1983-10-19 |
| CH644313A5 (en) | 1984-07-31 |
| FR2473428B1 (en) | 1983-09-09 |
| FR2473428A1 (en) | 1981-07-17 |
| DE3000824A1 (en) | 1981-07-16 |
| BE884316A (en) | 1980-11-03 |
| DK148770B (en) | 1985-09-23 |
| DK190480A (en) | 1981-07-12 |
| NL8001588A (en) | 1981-08-03 |
| IT8048273A0 (en) | 1980-03-27 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19930425 |