GB2457289A

GB2457289A - Removable tow ball assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2457289A
Application number: GB0802408A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michiel Som
Original assignee: Terwa BV
Current assignee: Terwa BV
Priority date: 2008-02-08
Filing date: 2008-02-08
Publication date: 2009-08-12
Also published as: GB0802408D0

Abstract

A removable tow ball assembly comprises a ball rod 7 and a ball 10. Co-operating flange plates 8, 9 are fitted to the ball rod 7 and the ball 10. The flange plates 8, 9 can be attached and detached from each other.

Description

1 2457289 Title: Towing hook structure This invention concerns the ball section of a towing hook with a detachable ball.

Towing hooks with a detachable ball are generally known from prior art. They are used because vehicle owners consider the sight of a towing hook's ball section to be unattractive and remove it from the vehicle if the towing hook is not being used. In addition, it is possible to prevent damage to the vehicle (or other vehicles) in this manner. Moreover, all sorts of couplings between the ball section and the remaining part of the towing hook have been considered in prior art. With this invention all sorts of couplings known in prior art can be used for connecting the detachable ball to the towing hook. Such couplings comprise safety structures that can prevent the connection between the ball section and the towing hook not being perfect. In addition, locks and such like can be present to prevent the unwanted removal of the ball section.

However, the field of application of such removable towing hooks has so far been limited.

A large number of motorists still prefer existing fixed towing hook structures for a number of reasons.

It is the aim of this invention further to change the ball section of a towing hook in such a manner that the acceptance -and thus the use -of removable towing hook ball sections is increased.

This aim is achieved with a ball section for a towing hook with a detachable ball comprising a ball rod fitted at one end with an initial coupling device and equipped at the other end with a ball, in which a flange plate is placed between the ball rod and the ball on the ball rod, the ball is fitted with an additional corresponding flange plate and the flange plates are attached to each other and can be detached.

According to this invention, the ball section is made up of a ball rod and a detachable ball attached thereto. On account of this detachable connection, there are innumerable possibilities for fastening addition parts to the flange plate/additional flange plate. Thus between the two flange plates it is possible to place structures that extend and upon which stabilising devices for trailers can be attached. Moreover, it is possible to dispense with the ball and to fit carriers such as a cycle carrier on the flange plate. Due to the presence of preferably two bolts there is a particularly stable mounting. However, it must be understood that it is also possible to place a (cycle) carrier on the ball in the usual manner and to connect a separate support or such like with the connecting devices for the flange plates, such as a bolt used for this purpose. Moreover, it is possible to execute the ball specifically for a (cycle) carrier. This can be achieved, for example, by designing the actual ball as a cylinder with a flat face.

A central pin can possibly extend from the heart of the flat face.

From the above it is apparent that the possibilities for using the detachable towing hook are broadened by this invention.

The invention likewise refers to a towing hook end structure comprising a support for attaching to the frame of the towing hook, which is equipped with a second means of coupling. This second means of coupling can work in a detachable manner with the first means of coupling which is attached to the ball section.

It is possible to effect the coupling in both the vertical and horizontal direction or any direction between these two. As stated above, the locking between the first and second coupling devices can be executed in any of the conceivable and known manners in prior art.

This invention likewise refers to a towing hook which is equipped with the towing hook end part structure described above and the ball section described above respectively.

The invention will now be explained in further detail below with the aid of the embodiment shown in the illustration. This shows: Fig. 1 a towing hook including frame diagrammatically; Fig. 2 ball section connected with the second coupling device in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 3 the ball detached from the rod section and the first coupling device detached from the second coupling device.

In Fig. 1 is a towing hook us shown, consisting of a frame 14 that must be attached to a vehicle in some manner. The frame 14 will be executed depending on the construction of the vehicle. That is to say, there is a specific frame 14 for each vehicle.

A (universal) towing hook end section 2 is connected to this frame 14. This consists of a ball section 4 fitted with an initial coupling device 12 and a second coupling device 13 (Fig. 3). The second coupling device 13 must be connected to the frame 14 with the aid of bolts 3. The first and second coupling devices 12/13 are designed to be attached by bolts and detachable. To this end an adjustment button 5, equipped with a slot 6 or otherwise, is present on the first coupling device 12.

By pushing the two parts together there is an automatic coupling between the parts 12 and 13 with the aid of a click connection and this coupling can be undone once again by operating the adjustment button 5. Such a construction is known as such in prior art.

A ball rod 7 is connected to the first coupling device 12. As distinct from prior art, the actual ball 10 is not directly connected to the ball rod 7. However, from Figures 2 and 3 it is apparent that the ball rod 7 is equipped with a flange plate 8. The actual ball 10 is likewise equipped with a further flange plate 9 and these are both equipped with matching holes through which bolts 11 can be inserted for their fastening.

In Figure 3 the various parts, i.e. the actual ball 10, connected by the ball rod 7 with the first connecting device 12 and the second connecting device 13 are shown detached from each other.

By making the ball 10 detachable in respect of the ball rod 7, it is possible to fix additional structures and/or those that can be attached with bolts 11 between the flange plate 8 and the additional flange plate 9, such as, for example, a stabilisation structure for a trailer to be towed with a towing hook. In addition to this, it is possible to attach a carrier directly to the flange plate 8 or to fit a earner to the ball 10 which is attached to the flange plate 8 by means of a rod or similar and is attached and stabilised with the aid of bolts 11, for example. With the aid of bolts 11 it is likewise possible to fit a support for the safety cable that is present between the trailer and the towing hook.

These and additional constructions are made possible by the baIl 10 of the ball rod 7 being detachable.

After reading through the above specification, direct variants which are obvious and fall within the scope of the attached claims will present themselves to those who are conversant with

prior art.

Claims

Claims 1. Ball section (4) of a towing hook (1) with detachable balI (10) comprising a ball rod (7) fitted at one end with an initial coupling device (12) and at the other end with a balI (10), characterised in that a flange plate (8) is fitted between the ball rod (7) and the ball (10) on the ball rod, the ball (10) is fitted with an additional matching flange plate (9) and that the flange plates (10) are attached to and can be detached from each other.
2. Ball section in accordance with Claim 1, in which the detachable connection comprises two bolts.
3. BalI section in accordance with Claim 2, in which these bolts (11) are fitted following an essentially horizontal line.
4. Ball section in accordance with one of the preceding claims, in which an ancillary structure is clamped between the flange plates.
5. Ball section in accordance with one of the preceding claims, in which the ball is executed to accommodate a (cycle) carrier.
6. Ball section in accordance with Claim 5, in which the ball in use has a vertical cylindrical shell and a flat area.
7. Towing hook end section assembly comprising a support to be attached to the frame of a towing hook fitted with a second coupling device (13) and fastening device (14) for attaching to a vehicle, a ball section in accordance with one of the preceding claims, in which the first and second coupling devices can be fastened to and taken apart from each other.
8. Towing hook end section assembly in accordance with Claim 7, [in which the] position for the insertion/removal direction of the first coupling device is essentially vertical.
9. Towing hook comprising a towing hook frame (14) to be attached to a vehicle, in which a towing hook end section assembly in accordance with one of Claims 7 or 8 is attached.