WO1998021057A1 - Improvements relating to coupling between towing and towed vehicles - Google Patents
Improvements relating to coupling between towing and towed vehicles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1998021057A1 WO1998021057A1 PCT/EP1997/006435 EP9706435W WO9821057A1 WO 1998021057 A1 WO1998021057 A1 WO 1998021057A1 EP 9706435 W EP9706435 W EP 9706435W WO 9821057 A1 WO9821057 A1 WO 9821057A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- coupling
- shaft
- elongate member
- axis
- prongs
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
- B60D1/01—Traction couplings or hitches characterised by their type
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
- B60D1/14—Draw-gear or towing devices characterised by their type
- B60D1/145—Draw-gear or towing devices characterised by their type consisting of an elongated single bar or tube
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
- B60D1/24—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions
- B60D1/249—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for damping in the pulling direction and being integrated with the hitch, e.g. resilient dampers integrated with the hitch
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
- B60D1/24—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions
- B60D1/30—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for sway control, e.g. stabilising or anti-fishtail devices; Sway alarm means
- B60D1/34—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for sway control, e.g. stabilising or anti-fishtail devices; Sway alarm means involving springs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
- B60D1/48—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by the mounting
- B60D1/54—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by the mounting collapsible or retractable when not in use, e.g. hide-away hitches
- B60D2001/542—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by the mounting collapsible or retractable when not in use, e.g. hide-away hitches characterised by the number of pivot axis
- B60D2001/548—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by the mounting collapsible or retractable when not in use, e.g. hide-away hitches characterised by the number of pivot axis three pivot axes
Definitions
- THIS invention relates to a coupling between a towing vehicle and a vehicle to be towed, such as a caravan, trailer and the like.
- a coupling having an elongate construction, the coupling comprising first, second and third joints respectively permitting pivotal movement about first, second and third substantially orthogonal axes, the coupling being characterised in that when the coupling is made in use, the first and second joints are located in substantially the same axial position on the coupling and in that the third joint is spaced axially from said same position.
- the first and second axes intersect and the third axis is in line with a longitudinal axis of the coupling.
- the third joint permits pivotal movement about the longitudinal axis and in the event that the third axis extends horizontally, the first axis extends substantially vertically and the second axis substantially horizontally, but mutually perpendicular to the first and third axes.
- the first and second joints may be provided at or near the towing vehicle and the third joint is then spaced rearwardly therefrom.
- the first joint may comprise two spaced lugs provided on a backing plate, the lugs defining registering holes and the backing plate being mountable on the vehicle so that the first axis extends through the registering holes; and a first shaft extending through the registering holes to be rotatable therein about its own longitudinal axis.
- the second joint may comprise a second shaft extending through a transverse aperture in the first shaft, the aperture having as its centre axis said second axis, and an elongate member removably securable to the first shaft by said second shaft extending through said aperture in said first shaft, the elongate member being pivotable about said second axis.
- the elongate member may comprise a fork- shaped head comprising two spaced prongs defining registering apertures for removably receiving said second shaft.
- the prongs straddle said first shaft and the second shaft permits pivotal movement of the elongate member about the second axis.
- the third joint may comprise a sleeve defining a circular bore; and a circular cylindrical region of the elongate member extending through the bore.
- the sleeve is permanently mountable on the vehicle to be towed.
- the bore of the sleeve may be lined with a bush and the sleeve may comprise a flange for mounting same on the vehicle to be towed.
- the sleeve may be sandwiched in an axial direction on the elongate member between said forked shaped head and a stopping member mounted on the elongate member.
- the sleeve may be biased by biasing means away from said forked-shaped head towards a stopping member mounted on the elongate member, so that the sleeve is capable of movement in an axial direction on the elongate member.
- the third joint may comprise a U-shaped member defining registering holes in opposed legs thereof; and a region of said elongate member extending through said holes to be rotatable relative thereto.
- the U-shaped member is permanently mountable on the vehicle to be towed.
- the invention also includes within its scope a kit comprising a coupling as hereinbefore defined.
- a kit for forming a coupling between a towing vehicle and a vehicle to be towed comprising a U-shaped member mountable on the towing vehicle; the U-shaped member defining registering holes in opposed legs thereof; - a first shaft receivable in said registering holes; a second shaft receivable in a transverse aperture defined in said first shaft; an elongate member comprising a shaft region and a forked shaped head comprising two prongs; the prongs defining registering apertures therein; the elongate member being securable to the first shaft with the prongs straddling the first shaft and the second shaft extending through the registering apertures of the prongs and the transverse aperture in the first shaft; and a member mountable on the vehicle to be towed, the member defining a passage way wherein a journal region of the shaft region of the elongate member is receivable to rotate relative to said member.
- figure 1 is a diagrammatic exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a coupling according to the invention
- figure 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a second embodiment of the coupling in an assembled form
- figure 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of the coupling in figure 2, illustrating pivotal movement about a first axis and a third axis of three orthogonal axes
- figure 4 is a diagrammatic side view of the coupling in figure 2, illustrating pivotal movement about a second of said three orthogonal axes
- figure 5 is a diagrammatic exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the coupling according to the invention
- figure 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the coupling in figure 5 in assembled form.
- a coupling according to the invention for coupling a vehicle to be towed (not shown) such as a caravan or trailer to a towing vehicle (also not shown) is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.1 in figure 1 ; 10.2 in figures 2 to 4; and 10.3 in figures 5 and 6.
- the coupling permits pivotal movement about first, second and third mutually orthogonal axes designated X, Y and Z in the figures.
- the coupling is of generally elongate construction and comprises first, second and third joints 12, 14 and 16 (shown in figures 2 and 6 ) for permitting the aforementioned pivotal movement.
- the first and second joints 12 and 14 are located in substantially the same axial position relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupling and the third joint 16 is axially spaced therefrom.
- the first joint 12 comprises two spaced lugs 18.1 and 18.2 formed on a backing plate 20. Lugs 18.1 and 18.2 define registering circular holes 22.1 and 22.2.
- the backing plate 20 is permanently mountable at the rear of the towing vehicle.
- the first joint 12 further comprises a first shaft 24 having a circular cylindrical body 24.1 and a head 24.3.
- Shaft 24 extends through the registering holes 22.1 and 22.2 and is rotatable therein.
- the shaft is preferably permanently locked in this position by a nut 25 cooperating with a thread on body 24.1.
- the second joint 14 comprises a circular transverse aperture 24.2 defined in the body 24.1 of first shaft 24 and a second shaft 26 also having a circular cylindrical body 26.1 and a head 26.2.
- the second joint further comprises a head region 28.1 of an elongate member 28.
- the head region comprises two spaced prongs 30.1 and 30.2.
- the prongs 30.1 and 30.2 define registering circular apertures 32.1 and 32.2 respectively.
- the head region 28.1 and shaft 28.2 of elongate member 28 may be integrally formed as shown in figures 1 to 4 or may be separate and permanently securable to one another as shown in figure 5.
- the third joint comprises a sleeve 34 defining a circular bore 36 and a circular cylindrical journal region of shaft 28.2 of the elongate member 28 extending through the bore, so that the elongate member 28 may rotate about its own longitudinal
- the region 28.2 and the sleeve 34 are also moveable relative to one another in an axial direction.
- a spring 40 is provided on region 28.2 to bias the sleeve 34 away from the head 28.1 and towards a stopper ring 42.
- the stopper ring 42 is permanently and rigidly secured on the elongate member by a screw 43.
- the sleeve 34 is formed on a flange 38 and the flange is permanently mountable on the vehicle to be towed, for example by welding it onto
- the sleeve 34 is substituted by a U-shaped bracket 44 defining registering holes 46.1 and 46.2 in opposed legs thereof.
- the bracket 44 is also permanently mountable by welding 45 on the vehicle 47 to be towed
- the third joint is formed by the shaft 28.1 extending through the holes 46.1 and 46.2 and which shaft is rotatable in said holes about its own longitudinal axis.
- Pivotal movement about the first axis X is illustrated in figure 3 as well as pivotal movement about third axis Z.
- Pivotal movement about second axis Y is illustrated in figure 4.
- the assembly comprising lugs 18.1 and 18.2 and the first shaft 24 is permanently mounted on the towing vehicle.
- Sleeve 34 or U- shaped bracket 42, as the case may be, together with elongate member 28 are permanently mounted on the trailer as described hereinbefore.
- bracket 44 is sandwiched in an axial direction on shaft 28.2 between collars 48 and 50.
- a nut 52 serves to secure the complete assembly on the shaft 28.2.
- shaft 26 is removed from the prongs 30.1 and 30.2, the prongs are then arranged to straddle shaft 24 and then shaft 26 is passed through the registering apertures 32.1 , 24.2 and 32.2. Shaft 26 is then locked in this position by a circlip or the like or a lock 54 shown in figure 5.
- shaft 26 is removed, the head 28.1 is removed from shaft 24 and the shaft 26 is re-inserted into registering apertures 32.1 and 32.2 in head region 28.1.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU55528/98A AU5552898A (en) | 1996-11-13 | 1997-11-13 | Improvements relating to coupling between towing and towed vehicles |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ZA96/9519 | 1996-11-13 | ||
ZA969519 | 1996-11-13 | ||
ZA974778A ZA974778B (en) | 1996-11-13 | 1997-05-30 | Improvements relating to coupling between towing and towed vehicles |
ZA97/4778 | 1997-05-30 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1998021057A1 true WO1998021057A1 (en) | 1998-05-22 |
Family
ID=27143606
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP1997/006435 WO1998021057A1 (en) | 1996-11-13 | 1997-11-13 | Improvements relating to coupling between towing and towed vehicles |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (1) | AU5552898A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1998021057A1 (en) |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2847204A1 (en) * | 2002-11-14 | 2004-05-21 | Germain Dekoninck | Drawbar for coupling trailer and tractor vehicle, has stabilizing unit with two links to tractor vehicle and trailer, respectively, articulation unit in former link to allow angular movement of trailer around axis of roll or pitch |
WO2009018628A1 (en) * | 2007-08-30 | 2009-02-12 | Norman John Hudson | A hitch-and-coupler assembly |
WO2010102322A1 (en) * | 2009-03-10 | 2010-09-16 | John Rodney Allsop | A coupling device |
GB2474418A (en) * | 2009-07-21 | 2011-04-20 | Tugbug Ltd | Towing hitch |
ES2358708A1 (en) * | 2008-03-26 | 2011-05-13 | Pulverizadores Fede, S.L. | Articulated unión device among the covers of an agricultural tractor and trailer. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
WO2013156578A1 (en) * | 2012-04-18 | 2013-10-24 | Zwei Plus Zwei Gmbh | Self-locking compact coupling |
US8656800B2 (en) | 2008-06-24 | 2014-02-25 | Korea Institute Of Science And Technology | Harmonic drive using profile shifted gear |
CN104002631A (en) * | 2014-06-19 | 2014-08-27 | 上汽依维柯红岩商用车有限公司 | Truck body structure capable of conveniently conducting rescue and being conveniently rescued, and heavy truck rescue method |
CN107618567A (en) * | 2016-07-14 | 2018-01-23 | 电子科技大学 | A kind of adaptive suspension system and the dolly with the suspension |
CN109318664A (en) * | 2018-11-13 | 2019-02-12 | 长沙桑铼特农业机械设备有限公司 | A kind of disk type tractor connection buckle with elastic buffer |
CN109429599A (en) * | 2018-08-31 | 2019-03-08 | 芜湖苜邦智能装备有限公司 | A kind of round bale baler mounting traction device |
USD846454S1 (en) * | 2016-07-07 | 2019-04-23 | Ironman 4 X 4 Pty. Ltd. | Shock absorber |
WO2020148470A1 (en) * | 2019-01-17 | 2020-07-23 | Clemente Zanon Zanon | Coupling element for joining a trailer to a towing vehicle |
CN111591145A (en) * | 2020-06-03 | 2020-08-28 | 南京铁道职业技术学院 | Traction motor driving part for subway operation |
CN112406936A (en) * | 2020-11-06 | 2021-02-26 | 康威通信技术股份有限公司 | Traction device and traction method of intelligent inspection robot |
Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
BE385492A (en) * | ||||
GB219086A (en) * | 1923-04-18 | 1924-07-18 | Joseph James Knox Sparrow | Improvements in means for attaching trailers to haulage tractors |
US2425449A (en) * | 1945-04-11 | 1947-08-12 | Wilson Kelly | Tractor hitch |
US2457885A (en) * | 1946-12-05 | 1949-01-04 | Gatch James Earle | Trailer hitch |
CH268351A (en) * | 1947-01-02 | 1950-05-15 | Borel Andre Louis | Automatic locking coupling device for vehicles. |
FR1345770A (en) * | 1962-10-31 | 1963-12-13 | Trailer hitch | |
US3730557A (en) * | 1971-09-07 | 1973-05-01 | R Cox | Universal joint trailer hitch with coupling pin socket aligning and bearing means |
DE3316128A1 (en) * | 1983-05-03 | 1984-11-08 | Gebrüder Holder GmbH & Co, 7430 Metzingen | Trailing device for agricultural tractor vehicles |
AU587579B2 (en) * | 1984-07-09 | 1989-08-24 | Edward James Edge | Hitch |
-
1997
- 1997-11-13 WO PCT/EP1997/006435 patent/WO1998021057A1/en active Application Filing
- 1997-11-13 AU AU55528/98A patent/AU5552898A/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
BE385492A (en) * | ||||
GB219086A (en) * | 1923-04-18 | 1924-07-18 | Joseph James Knox Sparrow | Improvements in means for attaching trailers to haulage tractors |
US2425449A (en) * | 1945-04-11 | 1947-08-12 | Wilson Kelly | Tractor hitch |
US2457885A (en) * | 1946-12-05 | 1949-01-04 | Gatch James Earle | Trailer hitch |
CH268351A (en) * | 1947-01-02 | 1950-05-15 | Borel Andre Louis | Automatic locking coupling device for vehicles. |
FR1345770A (en) * | 1962-10-31 | 1963-12-13 | Trailer hitch | |
US3730557A (en) * | 1971-09-07 | 1973-05-01 | R Cox | Universal joint trailer hitch with coupling pin socket aligning and bearing means |
DE3316128A1 (en) * | 1983-05-03 | 1984-11-08 | Gebrüder Holder GmbH & Co, 7430 Metzingen | Trailing device for agricultural tractor vehicles |
AU587579B2 (en) * | 1984-07-09 | 1989-08-24 | Edward James Edge | Hitch |
Cited By (24)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2004045876A1 (en) * | 2002-11-14 | 2004-06-03 | Germain Dekoninck | Drawbar |
FR2847204A1 (en) * | 2002-11-14 | 2004-05-21 | Germain Dekoninck | Drawbar for coupling trailer and tractor vehicle, has stabilizing unit with two links to tractor vehicle and trailer, respectively, articulation unit in former link to allow angular movement of trailer around axis of roll or pitch |
WO2009018628A1 (en) * | 2007-08-30 | 2009-02-12 | Norman John Hudson | A hitch-and-coupler assembly |
US8118323B2 (en) | 2007-08-30 | 2012-02-21 | Norman John Hudson | Hitch-and-coupler assembly |
AU2008101203B4 (en) * | 2007-08-30 | 2012-04-26 | Hypotec Pty Ltd | A hitch-and-coupler assembly |
ES2358708A1 (en) * | 2008-03-26 | 2011-05-13 | Pulverizadores Fede, S.L. | Articulated unión device among the covers of an agricultural tractor and trailer. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
US8656800B2 (en) | 2008-06-24 | 2014-02-25 | Korea Institute Of Science And Technology | Harmonic drive using profile shifted gear |
WO2010102322A1 (en) * | 2009-03-10 | 2010-09-16 | John Rodney Allsop | A coupling device |
AU2010223836B2 (en) * | 2009-03-10 | 2011-10-20 | John Rodney Allsop | A coupling device |
GB2474418A (en) * | 2009-07-21 | 2011-04-20 | Tugbug Ltd | Towing hitch |
CN104395188A (en) * | 2012-04-18 | 2015-03-04 | 二加二有限公司 | Self-locking compact coupling |
WO2013156578A1 (en) * | 2012-04-18 | 2013-10-24 | Zwei Plus Zwei Gmbh | Self-locking compact coupling |
EP3680160A1 (en) * | 2012-04-18 | 2020-07-15 | Croozer GmbH | Self-locking compact coupling |
EP3309051A1 (en) * | 2012-04-18 | 2018-04-18 | Croozer GmbH | Self-locking compact coupling |
CN104002631A (en) * | 2014-06-19 | 2014-08-27 | 上汽依维柯红岩商用车有限公司 | Truck body structure capable of conveniently conducting rescue and being conveniently rescued, and heavy truck rescue method |
USD846454S1 (en) * | 2016-07-07 | 2019-04-23 | Ironman 4 X 4 Pty. Ltd. | Shock absorber |
CN107618567A (en) * | 2016-07-14 | 2018-01-23 | 电子科技大学 | A kind of adaptive suspension system and the dolly with the suspension |
CN109429599A (en) * | 2018-08-31 | 2019-03-08 | 芜湖苜邦智能装备有限公司 | A kind of round bale baler mounting traction device |
CN109429599B (en) * | 2018-08-31 | 2021-10-01 | 芜湖苜邦智能装备有限公司 | Circle bale bundling machine articulates draw gear |
CN109318664A (en) * | 2018-11-13 | 2019-02-12 | 长沙桑铼特农业机械设备有限公司 | A kind of disk type tractor connection buckle with elastic buffer |
CN109318664B (en) * | 2018-11-13 | 2020-10-16 | 长沙桑铼特农业机械设备有限公司 | Disk tractor connector link with elastic buffering |
WO2020148470A1 (en) * | 2019-01-17 | 2020-07-23 | Clemente Zanon Zanon | Coupling element for joining a trailer to a towing vehicle |
CN111591145A (en) * | 2020-06-03 | 2020-08-28 | 南京铁道职业技术学院 | Traction motor driving part for subway operation |
CN112406936A (en) * | 2020-11-06 | 2021-02-26 | 康威通信技术股份有限公司 | Traction device and traction method of intelligent inspection robot |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU5552898A (en) | 1998-06-03 |
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