Tow bar quick-release mechanism

US11110763B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Army · US

Inventors

• Kirill Pavlov · Southfield, US
• William E. Johnson · Crawfordsville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 11, 2019
• Grant date: Sep 7, 2021
• Expiry date: Jan 10, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F41H7/02
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

One example embodiment is a tow bar retention mechanism for a vehicle tow bar of a combat vehicle. The tow bar retention mechanism includes a tow bar retention arm, an elongated locking beam, a quick-release locking mechanism, and a quick-release safety mechanism. The quick-release locking mechanism locks the tow bar retention arm in a locked position placing the vehicle tow bar in a stowed position. The quick-release locking mechanism also unlocks the tow bar retention arm allowing the tow bar retention arm to move to an unlocked position allowing the vehicle tow bar to move to a tow position. The quick-release safety mechanism may be placed in a first position preventing the quick-release locking mechanism from moving from the locked position. The quick-release safety mechanism may also be placed in a second position allowing the quick-release locking mechanism to move from the locked position.