Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Patent
1995-11-17
1997-12-16
Hurley, Kevin
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
B60D 136
Patent
active
056976305
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a hitching apparatus.
This invention has particular but not exclusive application to hitching apparatus for use with a conventional ball-type hitch and for illustrative purposes reference will be made to such application. However, it is to be understood that this invention could be used in other applications, such as with hitches other than ball-type hitches.
Whilst self-aligning hitches in general are known, such hitches generally require the provision of a specialized hitch arrangement, such as the self-aligning hitches used on military vehicles and self-aligning couplings for coupling semi-trailers to prime movers. There have been attempts to provide self aligning hitching apparatus for conventional ball-type coupling which will permit a vehicle operator to align for engagement apparatus to be towed such as a trailer, boat-trailer or the like, from the towing vehicle cabin, and to also thereby prevent low speed but damaging impacts between the vehicle and the hitching means of the vehicle to be trailed.
However, this apparatus breaches the requirement of most road laws that the license or registration number plate of the vehicle be visible at all times when driving. In most domestic vehicles the license or registration number plate is located in the region of the tow ball of vehicles equipped with such. Additionally, passive guidance hitching apparatus as proposed, comprising as it does a pair of guidance wings disposed about the vehicle hitch means and adapted to guide the complementary hitching means of the trailer or the like, by its very nature restricts the relative angle developed between the respective vehicles to the included angle between the wings, which is minimised to provide for adequate centering force in the hitching operation.
The present invention aims to substantially alleviate the above disadvantages and to provide hitching apparatus which will be reliable and efficient in use. Other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter become apparent.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention in one aspect resides broadly in hitching apparatus adapted for engagement with hitching means on a vehicle to be towed and including vehicle hitch means and guide means displaceable by hand from an operable configuration wherein said hitching means may be guided to a position adjacent said hitch means and a stowed configuration.
In the context hereinafter, the expression "displaceable by hand" is to be taken to include hand operable apparatus which may be operated by the user without tools, but includes also apparatus which although operable without tools may also be amenable to operation if desired with tools.
Preferably, the vehicle hitch means supported on the vehicle comprises a ball hitch of the type representing the majority of domestic and light commercial hitching arrangements. Such apparatus generally comprises a machined or cast hitching ball having a threaded stud and a bearing flange. The threaded stud is adapted to pass through a drilling through a gooseneck rigidly supported on the vehicle until the bearing flange seats thereto whereupon the ball may be secured thereto by a nut and spring washer. The gooseneck is generally associated with a substantial tow bar frame member bolted securely to the vehicle structure.
The corresponding hitching means generally takes the form of a cast or forged socket arrangement having a spring loaded or threaded locking means within the socket such that when the locking means is disengaged the ball may pass into the socket. The locking means may then be engaged by means of a knurled handle acting on a threaded rod, or by the return action of the spring respectively, the ball being restrained within the socket but able to pivot relative thereto in the manner of a ball joint.
The guide means may take any form consistent with the function of providing a means of guiding the hitching means to a location adjacent the vehicle hitch means whereby the hitching elements may be mutually engaged. Preferably, th
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Thompson Colin Gregory
Thompson Roland Francis
Austvent Pty. Ltd.
Hurley Kevin
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