GB2169863A

GB2169863A - Protecting bodywork during vehicle coupling

Info

Publication number: GB2169863A
Application number: GB08530889A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Bradley Stow
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-01-18
Filing date: 1985-12-16
Publication date: 1986-07-23
Also published as: GB8530889D0; GB2169863B; GB8501321D0

Abstract

A tow-bar assembly for a towing vehicle comprises a tow-bar 3, tow- ball 5 and a shield 1 positioned between the bar and the ball. The shield 1 consists of a strong metal plate with a reinforcing rib 2 extending from the surface of the plate facing the ball and at least partly enclosing a substantial proportion of the surface. The shield is provided preferably with wing portions to which pre-wired electric sockets can be fixed. The shield 1 protects the towing vehicle bodywork if the trailer towbar coupling socket overshoots the ball 5 during attempted coupling. A removable weatherproof cover 8 is also provided. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to a tow bar assembly This invention relates to an improved tow-bar assembly. More particularly it relates to an assembly which protects a car or other towing vehicle from damage when a caravan or other form of trailer is being connected to or disconnected from the vehicle.

The adaption of a vehicle to enable it to tow a caravan is carried out by fixing a towbar to the rear of the vehicle. A tow-bar comprises a strong girder which is welded or otherwise secured transversely to the vehicle via a strong part of its structure such as the chassis. A solid metal ball which is to form part of a ball and socket connection with the caravan forms the end of a short arm extending outwards and upwards from the centre of the tow-bar. The caravan is provided with a towing arm terminating in a socket which is dimensioned to fit the ball on the tow-bar.

The socket incorporates a lever operated lock which prevents the ball jumping out of the socket when the vehicle and caravan are in motion. In order to connect a caravan to the vehicle a normal practice involves backing the vehicle slowly toward the caravan until the ball on the tow-bar of the vehicle is positioned adjacent to the socket on the towing arm of the caravan. The caravan is then tilted back slightly on its wheels thus raising the socket.

The caravan is then swivelled slightly so as to bring the mouth of the socket in register with the ball. The caravan is then tilted forward and the socket settles down to to the ball which is then locked into position by releasing the locking lever.

In principle the connecting process is not difficult to carry out. However in practice problems can occur. For example either because of inexperience on the part of the operator or because of difficulties caused by the terrain, the correct positioning of the ball with respect to the socket may be difficult to achieve. Consequently the operator will be required to pull the caravan into the correct position and especially for those who are not accumstomed to handling heavy weights this can prove a difficult operation. One unsatisfactory situation that can arise is when the operator advances the caravan towards the vehicle and then loses control.Under these circumstances instead of the movement of the socket being arrested when the socket has reached the ball the socket continues to move and, in so doing, it passes the ball and hits the body of the vehicle behind the ball thereby necessitating costly repairs. One of the purposes of the present invention is to protect the vehicle from this situation.

Accordingly this invention provides a tow bar assembly for a vehicle comprising a tow bar, a tow-ball and a shield comprising a plate member adapted to be connected to the assembly between the bar and the ball the plate member being provided with a rib at least partly enclosing a substantial proportion of the area of the surface of the plate member directed towards the ball.

This invention is illustrated by but not restricted by the following drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of one form of shield used in the invention assembly.

Figure 2 shows a side view in vertical section of a tow-bar assembly according to the present invention incorporating the shield shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 shows a front view of an alternative form of shield.

In Fig. 1 a heavy metal plate (1) having a thickness of about 8mm is provided with a rib (2) having the same thickness as that of the plate but projecting about 17mm from the surface of the plate. The rib serves two purposes. Firstly it provides reinforcement for the shield to prevent it fracturing or becoming deformed when the shield is struck by the socket on the towing arm of the caravan and secondly if the shield is struck a glancing blow the rib will tend to prevent the shield from sliding off the shield onto the body of the vehicle. The shield is provided with two bolt holes (3 and 4) to enable it to be fastened to the tow-bar.

In the assembly shown in Fig. 2, Numberals 1 and 2 show the form of shield illustrated in Fig. 1. The shield, the tow bar (3) and the member (4) terminating in the tow-ball (5) are secured to the chassis of the vehicle by a pair of common bolts (7) of which one only is shown. These bolts pass through holes (3 and 4) in the shield shown in Fig. 1. The same bolts also secure a stabiliser bracket (6).

When not in use the whole of the assembly can be covered by a weatherproof cover (8).

It will be seen from the drawing that if the towing arm of a caravan is advanced to make connection with ball (5) and fails to stop the socket on the arm will strike the shield plate (1) thus saving the vehicle from damage.

In the alternative form of the shield illustrated in Fig. 3, numerals 1, 2, 3 and 4 represent the same features as those illustrated in Fig. 1. The shield is provided with two wing portions (5 and 6) for supporting electrical sockets (not shown) particularly those known to the trade as 12 N and 12 S. These are secured to the wing portion by screws which engage with screw holes (7) and cables pass from the vehicle through apertures (8) to the caravan. This shield possesses not only all the advantages of the one shown in Fig. 1 but in addition the slits (9) enable the sockets to be wired up prior to being presented to their locations and fixed.

Claims

1. A tow-bar assembly for a vehicle comprising a tow bar, a tow-ball and a shield comprising a plate member adapted to be connected to the assembly between the bar and the ball the plate member being provided with a rib at least partly enclosing a substantial proportion of the area of the surface of the plate member directed towards the ball.

2. A tow-bar assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the shield is adapted to have an electric socket secured thereto.

3. A tow-bar assembly according to either of Claims 1 or 2 wherein the shield is provided with a slit extending to the edge of the plate member.

4. A tow-bar assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the shield is provided with at least one wing portion adapted to have an electric socket secured thereto.

5. A shield for use in a tow-bar assembly comprising a plate member, a rib extending from one surface of the member and enclosing at least partly a substantial proportion of the area of a surface thereof and at least one wing portion adapted to have an electric socket secured thereto and a slit in the wing portion extending to the edge thereof for accommodating electric wiring for the socket.

6. A shield as claimed in Claim 5 in combination with cover therefor.

7. Tow-bar assemblies as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

8. Tow-bar assemblies as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. Shields for tow-bar assemblies as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

10. Shields for tow-bar assemblies substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.