Variable pivot towing device
US5984616A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 21, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60P3/125
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A towing device, adapted to be mounted to a chassis of a vehicle, features a bi-planar rotation mechanism which allows a telescoping beam to dynamically pivot about two orthogonal axes. The towing device includes a sub-frame mounted to the chassis. An underframe is pivotally attached to the sub-frame to move between a retracted position, adjacent to the sub-frame, and an extended position, distal from the sub-frame. The telescoping beam extends from the underframe and terminates in a carriage, which is adapted to support the wheels of a towed vehicle. In this fashion, the telescoping beam allows the towed vehicle to dynamically pivot about two orthogonal axes which avoids "high centering" of the towing vehicle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.