GB2383784A

GB2383784A - Load carrying mounting bracket for a vehicle tow ball

Info

Publication number: GB2383784A
Application number: GB0200297A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pete Yates
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-01-08
Filing date: 2002-01-08
Publication date: 2003-07-09
Also published as: GB0200297D0

Abstract

A mounting bracket for a vehicle tow ball (1) to allow loads to be carried comprises a mounting (5) which fits over the tow ball (1) and is secured on tapered spigots (3). The spigots (3) may be tapered headed bolts which mount the tow ball to the vehicle. Smaller bolts (4) may be provided which secure the mounting (5) to the tapered spigots (3).

Description

Vehicle Load-carrying Mounting to fit onto a Tow-ball The carnage of loads external to a vehicle can be useful where the loads are large or inconvenient. Where the vehicle has a tow-ball fitted this can be used as the mounting point to support such loads. This invention provides a convenient method to mount a range of support frames onto the tow-ball.

The fixture of load-carrying devices on the rear of cars fitted with a tow-ball is facilitated with a mounting that locates over the tow-ball and onto a tapered spigot. The mounting allows the load to be supported rigidly in all planes. This allows the mounting to be used to support different load-carrying frames to satisfy a range of user requirements.

The Mounting engages over the tow-ball. One or two tongues extend downwards to engage on a tapered spigot below the plane of the tow-ball. The taper can be male or female in form. The Mounting is locked onto the taper with a thread or cam action. The design can take the form of an enveloping casting or fabrication.

The load carrying frame may be bolted, tongued or otherwise engaged onto the Mounting in any way that allows for convenient interchange of different frames. It may allow a change of position for the frame to provide more convenient carriage.

The bolts that hold the tow-bar flange to the vehicle tow-bracket can be given a tapered form and act as the locating spigot. This may be used with a thread formed in the centre of these bolts to allow the taper to be tightened by a small bolt.

More complex applications of the invention can utilise a modified tow-ball assembly.

This could incorporate a taper below the ball instead of on the tow-ball mounting bolts or an associated cam to tighten the taper engagement or bolt [s] into other parts of the towbar assembly. These techniques may be applied in any combination and engaging parts may be separate from the tow-ball but attached to it, either by its own mounting bolts or other means.

The Mounting can be used to support a range of Loading-frames for items such as bikes, luggage, rubbish, skis, surfboards etc.

Figure 1 shows, by way of example only, an application of the invention that utilises the tow-ball mounting bolts to provide the locating spigots and small bolts into the centre of the tapered bolts to tighten the tapers.

Figure 2 shows, as a further example, another variation using a single spigot below the tow-ball formed as a female taper in the lower part of the tow-ball flange. In this example the Mounting is tightened into the taper by a flat cam.

In figure 1, a taper on the head of the two bolts 3 that attach the tow-ball 1 onto the vehicle-mounted tow-bracket, 2 engage into the Mounting 5. The tapered bolts 3 have a thread up the centre of the head into which fits a small bolt 4 that is used to tighten the Mounting 5 onto the taper. This can work on one or both tow-ball mounting bolts. The support frame 6 attaches by any means to the Mounting.

A number of different techniques are illustrated in figure 2. The flange of the modified tow-ball 7 has a female taper 8. Into this engages a male taper 9-part of the Mounting 5. This is forced into engagement by a circular cam 10 engaging on the tow-ball 7. The support frame 6 attaches by any means to the Mounting.

Claims

1. A Mounting that fits over a tow-ball and tightens onto tapered spigot [s] allowing support in all planes of a load-carrying frame for the carriage of loads external to the vehicle.

2. A Mounting that may use the tow-ball mounting bolts to act as the tapered spigots in claim 1.

3. A Mounting that may use small bolts into the spigots in claim2 to tighten the tapers to ensure complete stability of the Mounting and attached frame.

4. A Mounting that allows the load-carrying frame in claim1 to be attached to it in a range of different ways.

5. A Mounting that may allow the stabilising tapered spigots in claim1 to be tightened by the use of a cam acting on the tow-ball or associated assembly.

6. A Mounting that may allow the tapered spigot to be a part of the tow-ball flange or attached rigidly thereto.

7. A Mounting may have the spigot taper of male or female form.