GB2278586A - Self aligning tow hitch mounting - Google Patents
Self aligning tow hitch mounting Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2278586A GB2278586A GB9310379A GB9310379A GB2278586A GB 2278586 A GB2278586 A GB 2278586A GB 9310379 A GB9310379 A GB 9310379A GB 9310379 A GB9310379 A GB 9310379A GB 2278586 A GB2278586 A GB 2278586A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- hitch
- mounting member
- mounting
- hitch member
- ball
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
- B60D1/24—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions
- B60D1/36—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers, visual guide means, signalling aids
- B60D1/40—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers, visual guide means, signalling aids involving a temporarily extensible or alignable member
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Agricultural Machines (AREA)
Abstract
The mounting device comprises a mounting member 2 and a hitch member 6. The hitch member 6 is attached to one part of a vehicle coupling, eg. a ball 4 of a ball and socket connection, and the mounting member 2 is attached to a vehicle. The hitch member 6 is extendible between a retracted and an extended position, and the ball 4 is pivotable when the hitch member 6 is in the extended position. This allows connection of a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle when the two have not been accurately aligned. Reversing the vehicle retracts the hitch member 6, and latching means 10 may be provided for securing the hitch member 6 in the retracted position with respect to the mounting member 2 during a towing operation. Intermediate pivotal members may be provided between the mounting member 2, and the hitch member 6. Also, the hitch member may be constrained to pivot in one plane only, eg horizontally. <IMAGE>
Description
TOW HITCH
The present invention relates to tow hitches.
The most common form of tow hitch comprises a ball and socket joint. The ball usually has an integral mounting plate which is bolted on to a mounting bracket on the towing vehicle. This mounting bracket is secured to the towing vehicle in order to give the necessary strength. The socket of the ball and socket joint is attached to the towed vehicle, such as a caravan, trailer or horse box, for example. In the following description the word "trailer" is used to indicate any form of towed vehicle.
In the prior art, the hitch elements (the ball and socket) are usually fixed relatively to their respective vehicles. The socket is usually provided with a locking device to enable the socket to be secured firmly onto the ball (once the ball and socket have been brought together) and also to be released from it.
Before hooking up the trailer to the towing vehicle, it is usual to reverse the towing vehicle and to attempt to align the ball and socket as closely together as possible. It is then necessary to manoeuvre the trailer, by hand, such that the socket is accurately aligned with the ball, and then the two can be latched together. However, such manhandling may only be possible for relatively light trailers.
When a heavy trailer is to be latched to a towing vehicle, it may not be practical to manoeuvre the trailer by hand. To make latching easier, the trailer may be provided with a jockey wheel. This enables the end of the trailer having the hitch element to be raised and lowered by winding the jockey wheel up or down. The weight of the leading portion of the trailer can be supported by the jockey wheel. Also, the jockey wheel can be pivoted and can be used to steer the trailer in a chosen direction, so as to line up the ball and socket. This is still only practical if the trailer is not too heavy to push or pull.
A common way to hitch a very heavy trailer is to raise the tow hitch using the jockey wheel and then to reverse the towing vehicle such that the ball of the towing vehicle is situated directly beneath the socket of the trailer. Using the jockey wheel, the socket hitch can be lowered on to the ball hitch thereby completing the connection without the need to push or pull the trailer at all. However, it takes considerable skill to reverse the towing vehicle with sufficient accuracy to align the ball and socket in this way. It may therefore take numerous attempts to line up correctly the two vehicles, wasting time and effort, especially if there is no-one extra present to give guidance to the driver of the towing vehicle.
According to the present invention there is provided a tow hitch mounting device comprising a mounting member for attachment to a towing vehicle or to a towed vehicle, and a hitch member for receiving a hitch element, the mounting member and the hitch member being connected together for relative longitudinal displacement, with respect to the direction of transfer of towing forces in normal operation, between an extended position, in which the hitch member is pivotable relatively to the mounting member, and a retracted position, in which such pivotal movement is prevented, releasable latching means being provided for retaining the hitch member in the retracted position.
Preferably, the mounting member is adapted for attachment to a towing vehicle, and the hitch element may comprise the ball of a ball and socket type tow hitch connection.
Pivotal movement of the hitch member relatively to the mounting member may be limited to relative movement in one plane only. Preferably the pivotal movement is in a substantially horizontal plane. The mounting member may comprise an elongate member having an upper and a lower portion and side portions, a channel being defined by the member, the channel extending lengthwise of the elongate member and terminating at an opening in one end of the member. Preferably, the channel diverges outwardly, in the horizontal plane, towards the open end. The hitch member may then comprise a tapered shaft, which is adapted to be received for a tight fit within the channel.The hitch member may have a guide member and the mounting member may have a guide passage such that the guide member is received in the guide passage so as to limit the relative longitudinal displacement between the mounting member and the hitch member. The hitch member and the mounting member may both be provided with a substantially vertically oriented opening, the two openings being substantially aligned when the hitch member is in the retracted position.
The latching means may comprise a retaining member which is adapted, in a latched position, to pass through the openings in the hitch member and the mounting member to retain the hitch member in the retracted position. Preferably, the retaining member is resiliently biased towards the latched position such that when the openings align, latching automatically occurs.
The device may be designed such that the hitch member is not received directly within the mounting member. Instead, there may be provided one or more intermediate elements. Thus, the mounting member may be connected to an intermediate element for relative longitudinal displacement between an extended position, in which the intermediate element is pivotable relatively to the mounting member, and a retracted position, in which such pivotal movement is prevented, and the hitch member may be connected to the, or another, intermediate element for relative longitudinal displacement between an extended position, in which the hitch member is pivotable relatively to the intermediate element, and a retracted position, in which such pivotal movement is prevented. If there is more than one intermediate element, they may be adapted for relative longitudinal displacement relatively to each other.
For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows, from above, one embodiment of a tow hitch mounting device in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 shows the tow hitch mounting device of
Figure 1, from underneath;
Figure 3 shows the latching means of the mounting device shown in Figure 1 and 2;
Figure 4 shows a side view of the mounting device of Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 5 shows the opposite side view to that of
Figure 4;
Figure 6 shows, from above, an alternative embodiment of a tow hitch mounting device in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 7 shows, from underneath, the mounting device of Figure 6; and
Figure 8 shows a side view of the mounting device shown in Figure 6 and 7.
The mounting device shown in Figure 1 comprises a mounting member 2 for attachment to a towing vehicle (not shown). A ball hitch 4 is attached to a hitch member 6 which is adapted for longitudinal displacement, between an extended and a retracted position, relatively to the mounting member 2. The greater the extension of the hitch member 6 relatively to the mounting member 2, the greater the relative pivotal movement that is permitted between the ball hitch 4 and the mounting member 2. This relative pivotal movement is represented by the arrows 8. Thus, the ball hitch 4 can be moved relatively to the mounting member, and thus relatively to the towing vehicle, to facilitate alignment with socket hitch of the towed vehicle (not shown). Latching means 10 is provided to secure the hitch member in a retracted state relatively to the mounting member 2 during towing.
As can be seen in Figure 1, the mounting member 2 comprises an elongate member which diverges, in the horizontal plane, towards an open end 12. The hitch member 6 has an elongate shape, which tapers in the horizontal plane, one end of which is received in the open end 12 of the mounting member 2. The other end of the hitch member 6 is provided with a mounting plate 14 which is secured to the mounting surface 16 of a ball hitch 4 by means of nuts 18 and bolts 20. The hitch member 6 is provided with an opening 22 near the mounting plate end of the hitch member 6.
The mounting member 2 is adapted for securement to the towing vehicle by means of a mounting bracket 24, shown diagrammatically in Figure 1.
The mounting member 2 has a channel 26, the shape of which corresponds largely to the shape of the hitch member 6. The upper and lower boundaries of the channel are parallel, and the vertical height of the channel corresponds with the vertical depth of the hitch member 6. There is therefore very limited freedom of movement of the ball hitch in the vertical direction.
The mounting device is shown from underneath in
Figure 2. The mounting member 2 is provided with a guide passage 28. The hitch member 6 is provided, at the end away from the mounting plate 14, with a guide element 30, in the form of a bolt with washers, which projects downwardly from the hitch member 6 into the guide passage 28. The cooperation between the guide 30 and the guide passage 28 gives rise to limitation of the possible relative longitudinal displacement between the hitch member 6 and the mounting member 2. The guide passage 28 diverges towards the open end 12 of the mounting member 2. Thus, as the hitch member is extended relatively to the mounting member 2, there is freedom for both lateral as well as pivotal movement.
Clearly the guide passage 28 could be of uniform width, if only pivotal movement is desired or required.
The latching arrangement is shown in Figure 3, and the construction of the mounting member can be seen in greater detail. As can be seen, the mounting member 2 comprises an upper wall 32 and a lower wall 34 which are connected by side walls 36. The side walls 36 diverge towards the open end of the mounting member 2 so as to define a wedge-shaped channel 26.
The latching means 10 comprises a retaining pin 38 which passes through a guide ring 40 and which is pivotally attached to a lever arm 42. The retaining pin 38 is vertically aligned, by means of the guide ring 40, with openings 31,33 provided in the upper wall 32 and the lower wall 34 of the mounting member 2 respectively. The lever arm 42 is movable between an upper position (not shown), in which the retaining pin 38 does not enter the channel 26, and a lower position (as shown in Figure 3) in which the retaining pin 38 passes through the openings 31,33 provided in the upper and lower walls 32,34. A spring 44 extends between the lever arm 42 and a support plate 46 and is connected to the support plate 46 by a clip 48. The spring 44 biases the lever arm 42 towards the lower position, thereby urging the retaining pin 38 through the openings 31,33.
The hitch member is not shown in Figure 3, but it is to be appreciated that the opening 22 in the hitch member must be vertically aligned with the openings 31,33 in the upper and lower walls 32,34 of the mounting member 2 in order to enable the retaining pin to pass through the mounting member 2.
The support plate 46 has, at its upper region, a slot 50 which supports an end region of the lever arm 42, the base of the slot 50 acting as a fulcrum about which the lever arm 42 is pivoted. The lever arm 42 is operated by means of a handle 52.
Both sides of the mounting device shown in Figures 1 to 3 are shown in Figures 4 and 5 respectively. The hitch member 6 is shown, in each case, in the retracted position, with the retaining pin 38 passing through the openings 31,33 provided in the mounting 2 and the opening 22 provided in the hitch member 6. In this way, relative longitudinal displacement is prevented between the hitch member 6 and the mounting member 2.
In an alternative form of the mounting device, there may be provided one or more intermediate elements, such that the hitch member 6 is not received directly within the mounting member 2, but by means of one or more intermediate elements. Figure 6 shows the construction of a mounting device according to the present invention, in which a single intermediate element is used.
The mounting member 2 is of similar construction to the mounting member 2 of the embodiment of the mounting device shown in Figures 1 to 5. However, the channel 26 of the mounting member 2 receives an intermediate element 54. The intermediate element 54 is connected to the mounting member 2 for longitudinal movement between an extended and a retracted position, the coupling between the intermediate element 54 and the mounting member 2 being similar to the coupling between the mounting member 2 and the hitch member 6 of the embodiment of the mounting device shown in Figures 1 to 5. Thus, the intermediate element 54 comprises an elongate body which is tapered such that the outer shape of the body corresponds largely to the shape of the channel 26 of the mounting member 2.As the intermediate member 54 is moved towards the extended position, there is greater freedom for relative pivotal movement between the intermediate element 54 and the mounting member 2. This freedom for pivotal movement is represented diagrammatically by the arrows 56.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the intermediate element 54 also comprises an upper and a lower portion which are connected by side walls. A channel 58 is thus defined by the intermediate element 54 and the channel 58 is open at the end of the intermediate element 54 nearer to the ball hitch 4.
The hitch member 6 is then received by the channel 58 of the intermediate element 54. The channel 58 of the intermediate element 54 also diverges towards its open end such that the shape of the channel 58 corresponds largely with the shape of the hitch member 6. The hitch member 6 can move longitudinally relatively to the intermediate element 54 between an extended and a retracted position and, again, as the hitch member 6 is moved towards the extended position relatively to the intermediate element 54 there is greater freedom for pivotal movement of the hitch member 6 relatively to the intermediate element 54. This freedom of relative pivotal movement is represented by the arrows 60.
As in the embodiment of the mounting device shown in Figures 1 to 5, there is very limited freedom for relative movement in the vertical direction.
Latching means for retaining the hitch member 6 in the retracted position relatively to the intermediate element 54, and for retaining the intermediate element 54 in the retracted position relatively to the mounting member 2, is not shown. However, the latching means may correspond to that shown in Figure 3, with the retaining pin 38 passing through openings provided in the mounting member 2, the hitch member 6 and the intermediate element 54, which openings align when the ball hitch 4 is fully retracted relatively to the mounting member 2.
The mounting device of Figure 6 is shown, from underneath, in Figure 7. The mounding device 2 has a guide passage 28 which receives a guide member 62 provided at the end of the intermediate element 54 which is furthest away from the ball hitch 4. Thus, the cooperation between the guide element 62 and the guide passage 28 provides a limitation to the relative longitudinal displacement between the mounting member 2 and the intermediate element 54. Similarly, the intermediate element 54 has a guide passage 64 which receives the guide 30 provided on the hitch member 6.
The cooperation between the guide 30 and the guide passage 64 provides limitation to the relative longitudinal displacement between the intermediate element 54 and the hitch member 6.
The mounting device of Figures 6 and 7 is shown in side view, in Figure 8. The guide 30 can be seen to be located in the guide passage 64, and the guide element 62 is seen to be located in the guide passage 28. The guide 30 extends downwardly from the hitch member 6 into the guide passage 64, but does not extend beyond the lower surface of the intermediate element 54.
Thus, the guide 30 does not interfere with the relative movement between the intermediate element 54 and the mounting member 2.
The operation of the device in accordance with the present invention will now be described.
Turning firstly to the two-piece construction shown in Figures 1 to 5, during normal use of the towing vehicle, the hitch member 6 will be in the retracted position relatively to the mounting member 2.
Owing to the alignment of the opening 22 provided in the hitch member and the openings 31, 33 in the mounting member 2, the retaining pin 38 is driven, by means of the spring 44, through the openings to secure the hitch member 6 in the retracted position. The device will be in this state when towing or alternatively when the towing vehicle is being used for normal use (namely without towing). When it is desired to latch a trailer to the towing vehicle, the towing vehicle is reversed towards the trailer and the driver attempts to align the ball and socket as closely as possible. This operation may involve the driver estimating the correct lateral position of the towing vehicle and reversing gently until contact is made between the ball hitch 4 and the trailer.The driver may then pull forward by a distance corresponding to the amount by which the hitch member 6 can extend, such as to utilise the maximum pivotal movement of the ball hitch 4 relatively to the mounting member 2 when hooking up the trailer. In order to extend the ball hitch 4, the lever arm 42 is lifted by means of the handle 52 with the result that the retaining pin 38 is lifted out of the opening 22 provided in the hitch member 6. The ball hitch 4 can then be pulled back relatively to the towing vehicle and as the ball hitch 4 is pulled back it enjoys greater freedom of pivotal movement relatively to the mounting member 2, as shown by arrows 8. Movement of the ball hitch 4 relatively to the mounting member 2, and therefore relatively to the towing vehicle, enables an error in judgement by the driver in attempting to align the ball and socket to be overcome.The driver then latches the ball and socket together.
Before towing the vehicle it is necessary to bring the hitch member 6 back to the retracted position, such that the hitch member 6 is automatically latched into this position, so that the ball hitch 4 is fixed relatively to the towing vehicle. In order to achieve this, the driver may pull forward a small distance in order to cause alignment of the hitch member 6 with the mounting member 2, and then he may simply reverse the vehicle a sufficient distance to enable the hitch member 6 to be accommodated within the channel 28 of the mounting member 2. The latching means 10 then automatically drives the retaining pin 38 through the aligned openings 31,33 and 22. The driver does therefore not need to get out of his vehicle again in order to ensure that the hitch member 6 is correctly latched into its retracted position.Preferably, the sound of the latching means 10 will be distinctive such that the driver will know when latching has taken place.
The embodiment of the mounting device shown in
Figures 6 to 8 operates in a very similar way to that shown in Figures 1 to 5. However, as a result of the three piece construction, greater freedom for pivotal movement between the ball hitch 4 and the mounting member 2 is obtained. Furthermore, the length of the mounting device may be significantly shorter in order to attain the same overall extension of the ball hitch from the mounting member 2. This may be desirable when, for example, there is limited space between the rear axle of a vehicle (or some other components such as the petrol tank) and the desired position for the ball hitch 4. However, the preferred use of the device according to the present invention will be in the field of heavy duty vehicles, where there will not normally be such a problem with regard to lack of space.
Although a three piece construction is shown in
Figures 6 to 8, any number of intermediate elements 54 may be used in order to achieve greater extension of the ball hitch and greater freedom of pivotal movement.
However, the greater the number of components used, the more play that is likely to be unavoidable between the ball hitch 4 and the mounting member 2.
The mounting device will preferably be designed such that the mounting plate 14 is suitable for receiving a variety of standard ball hitches 4. Also, an alternative type of connection could be envisaged other than a ball and socket type connection.
The latching means 10, as shown in Figure 3, may be of a variety of different constructions, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the-position of the latching means 10 may be designed to suit the particular vehicle to which the mounting device is to be attached.
In both embodiments of the mounting device described herein, the pivotal movement of the ball hitch 4 is restricted to a single, horizontal plane.
However, it may be desirable for the ball hitch 4 to enjoy freedom of movement in both the horizontal and vertical planes. This possibility will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Claims (15)
1. A tow hitch mounting device comprising a mounting member for attachment to a towing vehicle or to a towed vehicle, and a hitch member for receiving a hitch element, the mounting member and the hitch member being connected together for relative longitudinal displacement, with respect to the direction of transfer of towing forces in normal operation, between an extended position, in which the hitch member is pivotable relatively to the mounting member, and a retracted position, in which such pivotal movement is prevented, releasable latching means being provided for retaining the hitch member in the retracted position.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the mounting member is adapted for attachment to a towing vehicle.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the hitch element comprises the ball of a ball and socket tow hitch connection.
4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which pivotal movement of the hitch member relatively to the mounting member is limited to relative movement in a substantially horizontal plane.
5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the hitch member comprises a tapered shaft.
6. A device as claimed in claim 5, in which the shaft tapers in a substantially horizontal plane in a direction away from the hitch element.
7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the mounting member comprises an elongate body having an upper and a lower portion and side portions, a channel for receiving the hitch member being defined between the upper and lower portions and between the side portions, the channel extending lengthwise of the body and terminating at an opening in one end of the body.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7, in which the channel tapers in a substantially horizontal plane in a direction away from the opening.
9. A device as claimed in claim 8, when appendant to claim 6, in which the shaft is adapted to be received for a tight fit within the channel.
10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the hitch member has a guide member, and the mounting member has a guide passage, such that the guide member is received in the guide passage so as to limit the relative longitudinal displacement between the mounting member and the hitch member.
11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the hitch member and the mounting member are both provided with a substantially vertically oriented opening, the two openings being substantially aligned when the hitch member is in a retracted position.
12. A device as claimed in claim 11, in which the latching means comprises a retaining member which is adapted, in a latched position, to pass through the openings in the hitch member and the mounting member to retain the hitch member in the retracted position.
13. A device as claimed in claim 12, in which the retaining member is resilient biased towards the latched position such that when the openings align, latching automatically occurs.
14. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the mounting member and the hitch member are connected together through one or more intermediate elements, the mounting member being connected to an intermediate element for relative longitudinal displacement between an extended position, in which the intermediate element is pivotal relatively to the mounting member, and a retracted position, in which such pivotal movement is prevented, the hitch member being connected to the, or another, intermediate element for relative longitudinal displacement between an extended position, in which the hitch member is pivotal relatively to the intermediate element and a retracted position, in which such pivotal movement is prevented.
15. A mounting device substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 5 or Figures 9 and 10 or Figures 11 and 12 of the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9310379A GB2278586A (en) | 1993-05-20 | 1993-05-20 | Self aligning tow hitch mounting |
| PCT/GB1994/001069 WO1994027835A1 (en) | 1993-05-20 | 1994-05-19 | Tow hitch |
| AU67257/94A AU6725794A (en) | 1993-05-20 | 1994-05-19 | Tow hitch |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9310379A GB2278586A (en) | 1993-05-20 | 1993-05-20 | Self aligning tow hitch mounting |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9310379D0 GB9310379D0 (en) | 1993-07-07 |
| GB2278586A true GB2278586A (en) | 1994-12-07 |
Family
ID=10735800
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9310379A Withdrawn GB2278586A (en) | 1993-05-20 | 1993-05-20 | Self aligning tow hitch mounting |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU6725794A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2278586A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1994027835A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7425014B1 (en) * | 2007-08-13 | 2008-09-16 | Van Bradford Palmer | Trailer hitch |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5630606A (en) * | 1995-06-23 | 1997-05-20 | Ryan; John M. | Trailer hitch with extensible throat |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB839387A (en) * | 1957-03-08 | 1960-06-29 | Rex Wilson | Improvements in couplings for road vehicles |
| GB1158640A (en) * | 1966-09-29 | 1969-07-16 | Robert Henry Francis Jeffes | Improvements in or relating to a Telescopic Drawbar |
| GB1358016A (en) * | 1971-08-10 | 1974-06-26 | Everingham L | Coupling for caravans trailers and the like |
| GB1423499A (en) * | 1973-06-19 | 1976-02-04 | Everingham L | Couplings for caravans and trailers to be towed |
| US4125272A (en) * | 1977-03-14 | 1978-11-14 | Putnam Pattern & Engineering Co. | Self-aligning towing hitch |
| GB2170769A (en) * | 1985-02-09 | 1986-08-13 | Rubery Owen Holdings Ltd | Coupling of vehicles for towing |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3099462A (en) * | 1962-05-17 | 1963-07-30 | Hanawai Mfg Company Ltd | Vehicle coupler or hitch |
| US3622182A (en) * | 1969-11-13 | 1971-11-23 | Tony W Grosse Rhode | Wide-range tow hitch |
| US3860267A (en) * | 1973-09-14 | 1975-01-14 | Donald W Lyons | Trailer hitch bar |
-
1993
- 1993-05-20 GB GB9310379A patent/GB2278586A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1994
- 1994-05-19 AU AU67257/94A patent/AU6725794A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1994-05-19 WO PCT/GB1994/001069 patent/WO1994027835A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB839387A (en) * | 1957-03-08 | 1960-06-29 | Rex Wilson | Improvements in couplings for road vehicles |
| GB1158640A (en) * | 1966-09-29 | 1969-07-16 | Robert Henry Francis Jeffes | Improvements in or relating to a Telescopic Drawbar |
| GB1358016A (en) * | 1971-08-10 | 1974-06-26 | Everingham L | Coupling for caravans trailers and the like |
| GB1423499A (en) * | 1973-06-19 | 1976-02-04 | Everingham L | Couplings for caravans and trailers to be towed |
| US4125272A (en) * | 1977-03-14 | 1978-11-14 | Putnam Pattern & Engineering Co. | Self-aligning towing hitch |
| GB2170769A (en) * | 1985-02-09 | 1986-08-13 | Rubery Owen Holdings Ltd | Coupling of vehicles for towing |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7425014B1 (en) * | 2007-08-13 | 2008-09-16 | Van Bradford Palmer | Trailer hitch |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9310379D0 (en) | 1993-07-07 |
| WO1994027835A1 (en) | 1994-12-08 |
| AU6725794A (en) | 1994-12-20 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |