GB2353507A - Tow hitch mounting arrangement for vehicle load carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

The mounting arrangement allows easy attachment and removal of a load carrier without the need for additional fasteners. The carrier comprises a platform, a tow hitch (3) at the forward end of the platform, a forwardly extending pin (5) located below the tow hitch (3) and a frame (9) securing the pin to the platform. The load carrier is mounted on the tow bar (10) of a vehicle, the pin (5) having an enlarged head which cooperates with a key hole shaped aperture in the plate (2) bolted to the tow bar (10).

Description

t, 2353507 VEHICLE LOAD CAJUUER SNAP HITCH This invention relates to the

unique method ofconnecting: a load carrying device, platforin or such like to a motor vehicle. The snap hitch according to the present invention is the only point of contact with the vehicle and bears all the load. This invention allows the load carrier to be quickly and easily fitted to the vehicle via the tow bar ball and a reaction plate with out the need for any tools, fixings, fastenings, screws, adaptors or clamps. The reaction plate is fitted permanently to the tow bracket of the vehicle in a once and only fitting, no other vehicle modifications are required. The invention thereby allows for a quick and easy method of temporarily increasing the load carrying capacity of the vehicle whether or not it is in the form of a platform, a rack, a carrier for bicycles or any other such load carrier.

The combination of the use of the tow ball and the reaction plate prevent independent movement of the load carrier in relation to the vehicle in all axis of movement. The reaction plate accepts the forces and bending moments generated by the load carrier and directs them into the tow bar bracket which is designed to take such forces.

The fitting and subsequent removal of the load carrier can be completed by one adult person without the need to use any tools, fastenings or fixings.

Many modem motor vehicles lack sufficient load or luggage carrying capacity and also vehicle owners are hesitant to place objects inside a vehicle which will involve subsequent vehicle cleaning. Using a conventional trailer introduces problems such as; trailer storage, vehicle manoeuvring and handling.

Previous similar methods and products have problems in that they have to be connected directly to the vehicle, which means drilling undesirable holes in the vehicle body which may promote corrosion, cause weakness or even invalidate warranty, or that they clanip against parts of the vehicle which are not designed to accept such loads, or that they have parts that cause damage due to rubbing and chaffing against the body parts of the vehicle, or that cannot to be fixed into position without using tools, fastenings or special devises. Previous similar methods and products may prevent the opening of rear doors or boot/trunk space covers. Some previous similar methods and products are perTnanently fixed to the vehicle and can prove to be a hindrance in some vehicle uses, or can spoil the aesthetic looks of the vehicle, or add weight and be detrimental to fuel economy.

Previous similar methods and products rely on the device clamping to the tow ball in a manner that uses friction to stop movement in relation to the vehicle and is subject to wear effecting efficient and safety.

This invention provides a method of temporarily increasing vehicle load or luggage carrying capacity that is light and easy to handle, easy to use and simple to fit to a vehicle.

The method of attaching to the vehicle is by snapping onto the vehicle tow ball without need for any tools, fastenings, adaptors special devises or extra nuts & bolts or other fixings during the fitment. Once fitted, the load carrier is fixed against independent movement in all axis of movement and becomes an integral part of the vehicle and is ready for use. When finished with the load carrier is easily removed from the vehicle without the need for tools and the vehicle tow ball reverts to its original function.

The method of securing the load carrier is by use of a trailer hitch which is integral with the load carrier frame and which engages with the vehicle tow ball, a reaction member or pin fits through a reaction plate and is captivated by the plate and acting with the tow ball prevent independent movement of the load carrier but accept all the loads and stresses. The reaction plate is permanently fitted to the vehicle and sandwhiched between the tow ball and the tow bracket.

An embodiment of the construction of the load carrier allows it to be held in one hand by an adult while the other hand guides the reaction pin into position through the keyhole slot in the reaction plate and by simultaneously lowering the load carrier hitch onto the tow ball at which point the weight of the load carrier is supported by the vehicle tow ball and the reaction plate. The load carrier is locked into position by raising the hitch clamp lever and snapping the whole assembly down onto and over the tow ball simultaneously lowering the reaction pin into the narrow part of the keyhole slot, and then lowering the hitch clamp lever which firmly locks the load carrier into its working position. The combination of the hitch engaging with the tow ball and the reaction pin engaging with the reaction plate secures the load carrier an all axis of movement relative to the vehicle.

The frame ofthe load carrier channels the stresses and strains imposed by the carried load as a bending moment between the tow ball and the reaction plate over the whole width of the reaction plate. These stresses and strains are taken up by the tow bracket of the vehicle.

Preferably the typical load carrier or platform is made of metals and wood, but may instead be made from plastics or other materials to suit a particular application.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- DRAWING 1 shows a side view of a archetypal load carrier or platform as mounted to a vehicle.

DRAWING 2 shows a view of the archetypal load carrier or platform as it would appear just prior to fitting to the vehicle tow bar.

DRAWING 3 shows a side view of the method or path typically taken when fitting the archetypal load carrier platform to the vehicle.

DRAWING 4 shows a front view of the reaction plate.

DRAWING 5 shows a plan view of invention connecting an archetypal load carrier to a vehicle.

DRAWING 1 shows a side view of a archetypal load carrier mounted into its working position on a vehicle with the relative positions of the integral hitch (3) (of known design) and reaction member, in this embodiment a pin (5) spaced vertically below the hitch 3. The archetypal frame (9) connects these two components and bears the load to be carried. The load carriers independent movement is secured in all axis of movement and it has become temporarily integral with the vehicle. The reaction plate (2) is fitted perinanently to the vehicle between the tow bracket (10) (of known design) and the tow ball (4) (of known design to BS AU 113 and other ball couplings). The fitting of the reaction plate does not effect the normal use of the tow ball or require the modification of the tow bracket or tow ball in any way. The typical load bearing surface (1) adds to the load or luggage capacity of the vehicle. The stresses, strains and bending moments applied by the load are directed through the frame (9) to the ball hitch and reaction plate into the vehicle towing bracket which it is designed to cope with when towing caravans, trailers and such like.

DRAWING 2 shows the relative positions of the vehicle and the archetypal load carrier just prior to being fitted. The drawing Illustrates the relative positions whilst the load carrier is being supported by hand and guided into position. To fit the load carrier to a vehicle the invention is manoeuvred into a position that has the integral hitch (3) resting onto the top of the tow ball (4) while simultaneously the reaction pin (5) is guided through the reaction plate (2) keyhole. The lever (8) on the hitch is raised and the whole load carrier lowers onto and engages with the ball hitch (4) and simultaneously the reaction pin lowers into the thin section of the keyhole slot. The lever (8) is then lowered and this locks the ball into the hitch.

No additional fixings, fastenings, adaptors or tools are required to fix the load carrier into a working position. Once finished with, the load carrier can be removed from the vehicle by lifting the lever (8) and raising the invention to a position that disengages the ball (4) from the hitch (3) and allows the load carrier to be removed and simultaneously withdrawing the reaction pin from the keyhole slot on the reaction plate. The load carrier can be removed from the vehicle without need for any tools or releasing any fixings, fasteners or clamps.

DRAWING 3 shows a side view of a load carrier and illustrates the method or path typically taken when fitting the archetypal load carrier into its working position on the vehicle. The broken line represents a typical path taken during fitment and the shaded areas show the final positions of the tow hitch (3a) and reaction pin (5a). Mounting the load carrier to the vehicle is achieved by snapping the hitch (3) which is integral with the load carrier onto the vehicle tow ball (4) and by simultaneously engaging the reaction pin (5) through the key hole slot in the reaction plate (2). The load carrier then has its weight supported by the tow ball and the reaction plate. The hitch lever (8) is then raised and the load carrier lowered so that the hitch full engages over the tow ball and simultaneously the reaction pin slides into the narrow part of the keyhole slot. The hitch lever is lowered which locks the load carrier into its working position.

Removal of the load carrier is achieved by reversing the sequence of operations used to in mounting.

DRAWING 4 shows a front and side view of the reaction plate (2) before permanently fitting to the vehicle towing bracket. The view shows the keyhole slot which accepts the reaction pin during fitment of the load carrier to the vehicle. The bending moment is applied through the frame pressing onto the full width of the reaction plate. The reaction pin prevents any turning or twisting of the load carrier.

The reaction plate is fitted once and for all to the vehicle by being sandwhiched between the ball hitch (4) and the vehicle towing bracket (10) and secured using nuts and bolts of known design.

The view shows the keyhole slot which accepts the reaction pip during fitment of the platform to the vehicle.

DRAWING 5 shows an application where the hitch (3) and the reaction pin (hidden from view) are integral with the frame (9) of a load carrying platform. The invention has allowed the quick and easy mounting of the platform to the vehicle.

In a modified embodiment the frame 9 is such as to locate the reaction plate above the hitch 3 so that the pin is spaced above the hitch 3 and is in tension.

Claims (1)

1. A vehicle load carrier comprising a platform, a tow hitch at the forward end of the platform, a forwardly extending member vertically spaced from the tow hitch, and a frame securing the pin to the platform. 2 A vehicle load carrier as claimed in claim 1, in which the member is below the tow hitch. 3 A vehicle load carrier as claimed in claim 2, in which the pin has a head 4 A vehicle load carrier as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the frame includes a plate from which the pin extends 5 A vehicle load carrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. 6 A vehicle load carrier as claimed in any preceding claim, in combination with a second plate having therein a hole through which the member can pass. 7. A combination as claimed in claim 5, in which the hole is a key hole slot. 8. A combination as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, in which the second plate has bolt holes therein whereby the plate may be secured to the towing bracket of a vehicle.