GB2398052A - A-frame towing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Towing apparatus includes a coupling assembly 39 for coupling the apparatus to a towing vehicle, the coupling assembly being connected by one or more adjustable members 35,36 to a means 33 for attaching the apparatus to a vehicle to be towed. A locking means 38 associated with the or each adjustable member 35,36 is operable between an unlocked state in which the adjustable member 35,36 may be adjusted to enable the coupling assembly 39 to be moved relative to the means for attaching the apparatus to a vehicle to be towed, and a locked state in which the adjustable member is locked in a state in which relative movement of the coupling assembly and means for attaching the apparatus to a vehicle to be towed is substantially prevented. The apparatus may be an A-frame and may include one or more extensible or pivoting members.

Description

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TOWING APPARATUS

This invention relates to towing apparatus, and particularly although not exclusively to A-frame towing apparatus.

A-frame towing apparatus is widely used, particularly for vehicle recovery. When using a standard A-frame between two vehicles one first connects the two free ends ofthe frame to points on the front axel or lower suspension arms ofthe vehicle to be towed. The apex of the A-frame is then attached to the towing vehicle. However, once the A-frame is connected to the vehicle to be towed it is virtually immovable and, in order to effect attachment, the towing vehicle must be carefully reversed to bring a towing ball or pin on the vehicle into a position where it can be engaged with the apex of the frame. Multiple attempts at this alignment may be necessary, resulting in time wasted and an increased exposure of an operator to the danger of passing traffic. With a view to saving time, some users of A-frames have tried to push and pull the A- frame along with an attached broken down vehicle in order to align the A- frame with a towing vehicle. This has resulted in various injuries and compensation claims being awarded against employers of the users.

The present invention seeks to address these issues.

According to the present invention there is provided towing apparatus comprising a coupling assembly for coupling the apparatus to a towing vehicle, the coupling assembly being connected by one or more adjustable members to a means for attaching the apparatus to a vehicle to be towed, and a locking means associated with the or each adjustable member and operable between an unlocked state in which the adjustable member may be adjusted to enable the coupling assembly to be moved relative to the means for attaching the apparatus to a vehicle to be towed, and a locked state in which the ::: ::e eve t:e cec: À . . . À adjustable member is locked in a state in which relative movement of the coupling assembly and means for attaching the apparatus to a vehicle to be towed is substantially prevented.

Provision of an adjustable member enables the apparatus to be fastened between two vehicles with less relative movement of the vehicles than has hitherto been required.

Once the apparatus has been attached the adjustable member can be locked and the apparatus will then function as conventional towing apparatus.

The locking means may be arranged to automatically lock the or each adjustable member in a predetermined configuration.

10One or more of the adjustable members may be an extensible member. The/or each extensible member may comprise a telescopic member. One or more of the adjustable members may be a pivoting member.

The apparatus may be an A-frame. In one embodiment an A-frame comprises two extensible members, one included in or forming each leg of the Aframe. In another embodiment an extensible member connects a towing hitch to the remainder of the apparatus.

Where the apparatus includes one or more extensible members these may comprise a first member from which a second member is extendable; means for preventing said second member being fully removed from said first member; locking means to lock said second member in an extended position relative to said first member; and means to disengage said locking means to allow retraction of said second member into said first member.

Preferably the locking means is arranged to automatically lock the first and :: :e.:. :e ccc: If second members relative to each other on full extension of the extensible member.

Preferably the locking means may be released by means of a manually actuatable lever.

The invention is particularly useful in relation to A-frames as it facilitates connection of the A-frame between two vehicles. It also has applications in relation to other towed vehicles and could, for example, form part of a trailer or caravan. For example an extensible member could be included in part of the chassis of a trailer between the body of the trailer and a towing hitch.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood a specific embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of an A-frame according to the invention, together with wheels and axels of a vehicle to be towed; Figure 2 is a detailed plan, part cut-away, view of part ofthe A-frame according to Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a side view of part of the A-frame shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of an alternative A-frame according to the invention.

Herein the temms "forward" and "rearward" and equivalent temms are used in relation to the normal direction of travel of the A-frame when in use.

Referring to figures one to three of the drawings an A-frame comprises a coupling assembly I to which two legs, generally 2, are pivotally attached.

The coupling assembly comprises a generally cross-shaped plate 3. A ball hitch 4 :: :' .:e:e:: ee.

or other suitable coupling for attachment to a towing vehicle is attached to the forward end of the plate 3. A slot 5 extends rearwardly of the ball hitch 4, and the forward end of each leg 2 is pivotally connected to a respective lateral arm 6 of the plate 3.

The forward end of each leg comprises a sleeve 7, the forward most part of which is flattened and bolted to the plate 3 of the coupling assembly.

The remainder of each sleeve 7 is substantially cylindrical, save that an internally radially proj ecting shoulder 8 is formed towards the open end of the sleeve to form a stop 8.

Spaced from the stop 8 towards the forward end of each sleeve an aperture is formed in the sleeve and a locking member 9 is slidably mounted in the aperture so that it may be moved in to the sleeve to a locked position and out of the sleeve to an unlocked position. The lock member 9 is resiliently biassed towards the inside of the sleeve by means of a coil spring 10.

The lock member 9 is pivotally connected to a lock release lever 11, which is itself pivotally mounted on a support 12 formed on the outside of each sleeve 7. The lock release levers 11 are each manually operable to retract the lock members 9 from the sleeve 7.

A strut 13 of substantially circular cross-section is slidably mounted in, and extends out of, each sleeve 7. The forward end of each strut 13 includes a portion of increased diameter 14 sufficient so that it will not pass the stop 8, and to give a close sliding fit within the sleeve 7. The length ofthe portion 14 is just less than the distance between the forward end of the stop 8 and the rearmost part of the lock member 9 of the sleeve 7. The diameter of the remainder of each strut 13 is sufficient to give a close ::: ::' e:. :e:: sliding fit in the region of the stop 8 in each sleeve. Thus each strut 13 can slide relative to its associated sleeve 7 and be withdrawn from the sleeve 7 to a maximum extended position at which the portion 14 of the strut 13 contacts the stop 8 of its sleeve. When the strut reaches this position the lock member 9 will be urged into the sleeve 7 locking the strut 13 in position. Each lock member 9 has an angled surface such that the portion 14 of the strut 13 will raise the lock member 9 to clear the lock member 9 as the strut 13 is withdrawn from the sleeve 7.

The rear end of each strut 13 extends into a tubular member 15 to which it is secured by a pin 16 extending through the tubular member and strut.

A socket 17 is fastened on to the rear end of each tubular member 15.

The socket 17 and coupling assembly 1 are connected to the intermediate portion of leg 2 at an angle such that the plate 3 and socket 17 extend generally in parallel, spaced apart planes, to accommodate the typical difference in height between points of connection of a towing vehicle, and vehicle to be towed.

A centralising strut 18 is pivotally connected to the rear of each sleeve 7 and to the slot 8 of the coupling assembly plate 3, along which it may slide. A third strut 19 extends between each sleeve 7.

Axel attachment legs 20 extend into each socket 17, in which they are retained by a pin 21. The rear ends of each axel attachment leg 20 are provided with means for attaching the leg to a vehicle to be towed. This comprises a swivel pin 22 connected to a chain 23 which is then connected to a webbing strap 24 which may be tensioned by means of a ratchet buckle 25 bolted to each socket 17. This arrangement is conventional and so will not be described further.

::: ;:' i:. ':e:': In use the axel attachment legs 20 of the A-frame are slid under the front of a vehicle to be towed and the rear ends of the legs 20 attached to the front axels or track control arms 26 of a vehicle to be towed in a conventional way.

A towing vehicle is then reversed up to the A-frame to bring its tow ball or pin near to the hitch 4 of the A-frame.

If necessary the lock release levers 1 1 are operated to allow the sleeves 7 to move relative to the struts 13. This allows the hitch 4 to be moved relative to the vehicle to be towed to enable it to be easily coupled to the towing vehicle.

The towing vehicle can then be driven away. As this happens the sleeves 7 will be pulled away from the struts 13 until the lock members 9 lock the struts in position, making the leg 2 rigid, like a conventional A-frame.

Upon completion of a towing job the hitch 4 may be detached from the towing vehicle, the lock release levers 11 may be depressed, thus raising the lock members 9 and allowing the struts 13 to be retracted back into the sleeves 7. The A-frame may then be detached from the vehicle that has been towed, and owing to the frame's more compact size may be stored and transported with ease.

Referring to figure four ofthe drawings an alternative A-frame comprises a swivel plate 27 connected by means of a pivot 28 to the approximate midpoint of an elongate positioning bar 29. A series of spaced apart holes 30 are formed at each end of the positioning bar 29 and two sliding members 31 are mounted on the positioning bar, one each side of the swivel plate 27. Each sliding member 31 may move along the positioning bar 29 between the swivel plate 27 and the end of the positioning bar 29. Each sliding member includes a locking means arranged to engage in one of the holes 30 in the ::: e:.:' :.

positioning bar 29 in order to lock the sliding member 31 relative to the positioning bar 29. The locking means could comprise a spring loaded pin, or a bolt. Each locking means is arranged to additionally pivotally connect a respective axel attachment leg 32 to the positioning bar 29. The end of each axel attachment leg 32 remote from the S positioning bar 29 is provided with attachment means 33 for attaching it to the axel of a vehicle to be towed.

Two spring loaded locking pins 34 are mounted on and extend through the swivel plate 27. The pins 34 are resiliently biased so that they are urged into a position where they protrude from under the swivel plate 27, that is the side of the plate to which the positioning bar 29 is attached. The pins 34 are located towards opposite edges of the swivel plate 27 so that both pins can only extend below the plate when the longitudinal axis of the swivel plate 27 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the positioning bar 29. Thus, to enable the swivel plate 27 to be pivoted in either direction relative to the positioning bar 29 one of the locking pins 34 must be lifted out of the swivel plate sufficiently so that it will ride over the positioning bar 29 when the swivel plate 27 is pivoted relative to the positioning bar 29. When both locking pins protrude from the underside ofthe swivel plate the telescopic arm is locked relative to the positioning bar.

Extending from the front end of the swivel plate is a telescopic arm comprised of a first tubular member 35 fastened to the swivel plate and extending into a second tubular member 36 with a sliding fit. A locking means 38 with a locking handle is provided on the second tubular member operative to lock the first tubular member 35 relative to the second tubular member 36, in the manner of the telescopic axel attachment legs 20 of the :e: ;:' eve:. .'I: first described embodiment of the invention. A towing hitch 39 is attached to the forward end of the first tubular member.

In use the axel attachment legs 32 of the A-frame are slid under the front of a vehicle to be towed and the rear ends ofthe legs attached, using the attachment means 33 in a conventional manner, to the front axels or track control arms of a vehicle to be towed.

A towing vehicle is then reversed up to the A-frame to bring its tow ball or pin near to the hitch 39 of the A-frame.

If necessary the lock 38 is released to allow the inner tubular member 35 to move relative to the outer tubular member 36. Additionally or alternatively one of the spring loaded pins 34 can be raised to allow the telescopic member to be pivoted relative to the positioning bar 29. Either action allows the hitch 39 to be moved relative to the vehicle to be towed to enable it to be more easily coupled to the towing vehicle.

The towing vehicle can then be driven away. As this happens the telescopic member will be extended into a fully extended position at which the locking means 38 will automatically lock the arm in that position. Also, as the towed vehicle is pulled in a straight line the telescopic arm will be pulled so that it is substantially perpendicular relative to the position bar 29, at which point the raised spring loaded pin 34 will fall locking the swivel plate 27 relative to the positioning bar 29. Once both the telescopic arm and swivel plate 27 are locked the A-frame becomes rigid, like a conventional A- frame.

Upon completion of a towing job the hitch 29 may be detached from the towing vehicle, the lock 38 may be released and/or the swivel plate 27 pivoted facilitating ::e ':e c.t:e removed of the A-frame from the vehicle that has been towed.

The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the invention. r r

Claims (11)

1. t' 1, #,, , À À t., t t t Claims 1. Towing apparatus comprising a coupling

   assembly for coupling the apparatus to a towing vehicle, the coupling assembly being connected by one or more adjustable members to a means for attaching the apparatus to a vehicle to be towed, and a locking means associated with the or each adjustable member operable between an unlocked state in which the adjustable member may be adjusted to enable the coupling assembly to be moved relative to the means for attaching the apparatus to a vehicle to be towed, and a locked state in which the adjustable member is locked in state in which relative movement of the coupling assembly and means for attaching the apparatus to a vehicle to be towed is substantially prevented.
2. 2. Towing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the locking means is arranged to automatically lock the or each adjustable member in a predetermined configuration.
3. 3. Towing apparatus as claimed in either claim 1 or 2 wherein one or more of the adjustable members is an extensible member.
4. 4. Towing apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the or each extensible member comprises a first member from which a second member is extendable; means for preventing said second member being fully removed from said first member; locking means to lock said second member in an extended position relative to said first member; and means to disengage said locking means to allow retraction of said second member into said first member.
5. 5. Towing apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the locking means is arranged to r c.' it: t, :: automatically lock the first and second members relative to each other on full extension of the extensible member.
6. 6. Towing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one or more of the adjustable members is a pivoting member.
7. 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the locking means is arranged to automatically lock the pivoting member relative to the remainder of the apparatus when the pivoting member adopts a predetermined position relative to the remainder of the apparatus.
8. 8. Towing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the apparatus forms an 1 0 A-frame.
9. 9. Towing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 comprising two extensible members, one included in or forming each leg of the A-frame.
10. 10. Towing apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3 to 8 wherein an extensible member connects a towing hitch to the remainder of the apparatus.
11. 11. Towing apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to figures 1 to 3 or 4 of the accompanying drawings.