GB410095A - Improvements in couplings for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

410,095. Ball joints. BROCKHOUSE & CO., Ltd., J., Victoria Works, and DEAR, A. T. C., The Crest, both in Hill Top, West Bromwich. Nov. 7, 1932, Nos. 31315/32 and 12866/33. [Class 65 (ii).] In a readily disconnectible ball - and - socket vehicle coupling device, the ball is held in the socket by a manuallyoperable spring-controlled lever a pivoted to the socket member b<1> and having a shaped part a<2> adapted to be brought into engagement with the ball member at a point or region below the ball centre, the lever preferably being secured against failure of the spring by a safety catch. The lever, which is provided with a handle a<1> enabling the ball to be released and the coupling disconnected by a single operation, is mounted on a pin c in a slot or clearance b' formed in the socket member and is urged into the operative position by a spring f or by a compression spring and plunger located above the pivot c. The safety catch may comprise a trigger m, Fig. 6, released when the handle is gripped, or a pivoted detent j<1>, Fig. 4, which drops behind a projection a<3> on the lever in the event of breakage of the spring. In another form the safety catch comprises a manually operated stop member behind the lever pivoted on a vertical pin on the socket fitting and retained in operative position by engagement of a lug on the under surface with the slot b'. Other forms comprise simple tip-over detents on horizontal pivots. Specification 374,065 is referred to.