Tow assembly
US5716066A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 10, 1996 |
| Grant date | Feb 10, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 10, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60D1/565
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tow assembly is provided for use in a vehicle having a generally laterally extending front bumper rail and generally longitudinally extending, opposing first and second side rails. The tow assembly includes first and second bumper mounting brackets each securely attached to the front bumper rail and first and second side mounting brackets each securely attached to the first and second side rails, respectively. The tow assembly further includes first and second detachable coupling members engaging and extending between the bumper and mounting brackets on respective sides of the vehicle. Advantageously, the tow assembly has a coupled condition in which the coupling members couple together the respective bumper and side mounting brackets for flat towing of the vehicle and the tow assembly has a decoupled condition in which the coupling members are removable from the tow assembly such that each of the bumper brackets and side mounting brackets are separate and independent from each other when the vehicle is being driven for minimal effects on vehicle vibration and noise.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.