Patent · US Active

Tow bar having compact swivel unit with pin-less stowing lobes

US8690181B1 · kind B1 · utility

7Cited by
23References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 30, 2012
Grant dateApr 8, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 27, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60D2001/546
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A tow bar including a towing vehicle hitch; a towed vehicle hitch; a towing connector releasably connectable to the towing vehicle hitch; a swivel unit having a first portion fixedly secured to the towing connector, a second portion connected to the first portion to pivot about a transverse horizontal axis, a third portion connected to the second portion to pivot about a fore-to-aft horizontal axis; a pair of opposing tow bar legs connected to the third portion to pivot about a vertical axis; and rear leg connectors to releasably connect the aft ends of the tow bar legs to the towed vehicle hitch; wherein the first portion includes an upwardly-extending lobe enabling the tow bar legs to be pin-lessly stowed in a horizontal orientation at the rear of the towing vehicle; and a swivel device for such a tow bar.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.