GB2310643A - Self aligning tow hitch/stabilizing device - Google Patents
Self aligning tow hitch/stabilizing device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2310643A GB2310643A GB9602304A GB9602304A GB2310643A GB 2310643 A GB2310643 A GB 2310643A GB 9602304 A GB9602304 A GB 9602304A GB 9602304 A GB9602304 A GB 9602304A GB 2310643 A GB2310643 A GB 2310643A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- vehicle
- tow hitch
- self aligning
- stabilizing device
- trailer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
- B60D1/24—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions
- B60D1/36—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers, visual guide means, signalling aids
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
- B60D1/24—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions
- B60D1/36—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers, visual guide means, signalling aids
- B60D1/40—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers, visual guide means, signalling aids involving a temporarily extensible or alignable member
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)
Abstract
This device allows a vehicle to be accurately aligned with a trailer/caravan and is purely mechanical. The flexible shaft 2 is withdrawn from the cylindrical outer sleeve 1, and is connected to the vehicle by means of a swivel pin 3 via a metal plate 4 on the vehicle. The vehicle is then reversed until the flexible shaft is fully contracted and hits the stop device 6. The ball and socket connection will then be directly aligned, ready for easy connection. An adjustable friction pad 5 may be provided, to enhance stability during towing.
Description
Self Aligning Tow Hitch/Stabilizing Device
This invention relates to a self aligning tow hitch device and incorporates a stabilizer.
Accurately aligning a vehicle with a trailericaravan in order to connect a tow hitch has proved to be a problem for the vast majority of trailer/caravan users. Especially when attempting to do so single handed.
Any existing devices are relatively expensive and rely on electronically driven winches which pull the trailer/caravan to the back of the vehicle.
According to the present invention there is provided a self aligning tow hitch and stabilizing device which is purely mechanical and allows the user to align the vehicle accurately with the trailer/caravan.
A specific embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 (a) shows the device contracted
(b) shows the device fully extracted and ready for connection with a vehicle
Fig. 2 Illustrates the device fully extended and connected to the vehicle
Fig. 3 Illustrates the vehicle connected to the device (contracted) and ready for coupling
ie. Ball and Socket connection.
Referring to the drawing the self aligning tow hitch device comprises of an outer cylindrical sleeve (1) with a flexible shaft (2) which slides in and out of (1). There is a swivel pin (3) which connects the self aligning tow hitch device to the vehicle via a metal plate (4) this being bolted adjacent to the tow ball on the vehicle.
There is a friction pad (5) which reduces excessive movement and aids stability once the caravan/trailer is in motion and the friction pad has been applied.
There is also incorporated a stop device (6) preventing overide of the ball and sockett connection.
There is an adjustable front mounting block/bracet (7) and a rear mounting bracket (8).
The device is bolted to the trailer/caravan.
In order to operate the self aligning tow hitch device the vehicle is reversed near to the trailer/caravan as shown in Figure 2. The flexible shaft (2) is withdrawn from the cylindrical sleeve (1) and then connected to the metal plate (4). It is secured with the swivel pin (3).
The user then slowly reverses the vehicle until the flexible shaft (2) hits the stop device (6). The socket connection on the trailer/caravan is now directly above the ball connection on the vehicle and the two may then be easily coupled.
Once vehicle and trailer/caravan are coupled the stop device (6) will need to be retracted. The
Friction Pad (5) will need to be applied to the desired level and towing may commence.
To uncouple the vehicle and trailer/caravan the trailer/caravan will need to be raised on its jockey wheel and the swivel pin (3) and metal plate (4) will need to be disconnected by twisting.
Claims (4)
1. The self aligning tow hitch/stabilizing device comprising of an outer cylindrical sleeve in which there is contained a flexible shaft which may be withdrawn enabling it to be connected to a vehicle and secured with a swivel pir. via a plate. This, in turn, enabling a vehicle to reverse and align the tow hitch with the trailer accurately. This device being purely mechanical.
2. The self aligning tow hitch/stabilizing device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a friction pad is provided which reduces excessive movement and aids stability once towing has commenced.
3. The self aligning tow hitch/stabilizing device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein there is provided a stop device preventing overide of the ball and socket connection.
4. The self aligning tow hitch/stabilizing device substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1-3 of the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9602304A GB2310643A (en) | 1996-02-06 | 1996-02-06 | Self aligning tow hitch/stabilizing device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9602304A GB2310643A (en) | 1996-02-06 | 1996-02-06 | Self aligning tow hitch/stabilizing device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9602304D0 GB9602304D0 (en) | 1996-04-03 |
| GB2310643A true GB2310643A (en) | 1997-09-03 |
Family
ID=10788144
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9602304A Withdrawn GB2310643A (en) | 1996-02-06 | 1996-02-06 | Self aligning tow hitch/stabilizing device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2310643A (en) |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4125272A (en) * | 1977-03-14 | 1978-11-14 | Putnam Pattern & Engineering Co. | Self-aligning towing hitch |
| US4178011A (en) * | 1977-02-22 | 1979-12-11 | Kirsch John G | Tapered fit coupling method and apparatus |
| US4792153A (en) * | 1986-09-05 | 1988-12-20 | Emmanuel Galdes | Trailer hitch |
| US5011176A (en) * | 1989-10-23 | 1991-04-30 | Flexi-Hitch, Inc. | Adjustable trailer coupling |
| US5188385A (en) * | 1991-07-02 | 1993-02-23 | Wilson Harold L | Automatic locking proximity trailer hitch |
| WO1993023259A1 (en) * | 1992-05-11 | 1993-11-25 | Ilkka Luukkala | An auxiliary device in combination with a trailer |
-
1996
- 1996-02-06 GB GB9602304A patent/GB2310643A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4178011A (en) * | 1977-02-22 | 1979-12-11 | Kirsch John G | Tapered fit coupling method and apparatus |
| US4125272A (en) * | 1977-03-14 | 1978-11-14 | Putnam Pattern & Engineering Co. | Self-aligning towing hitch |
| US4792153A (en) * | 1986-09-05 | 1988-12-20 | Emmanuel Galdes | Trailer hitch |
| US5011176A (en) * | 1989-10-23 | 1991-04-30 | Flexi-Hitch, Inc. | Adjustable trailer coupling |
| US5188385A (en) * | 1991-07-02 | 1993-02-23 | Wilson Harold L | Automatic locking proximity trailer hitch |
| WO1993023259A1 (en) * | 1992-05-11 | 1993-11-25 | Ilkka Luukkala | An auxiliary device in combination with a trailer |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9602304D0 (en) | 1996-04-03 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |