US 2003/0116940 A1Published application

Towing device

AssigneeKabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki

InventorMitsumasa Takeda

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Abstract

A towing device for selectively locking a towing load has a support member that pivotably supports a link member at a first pivotal point near the first proximal end. A stopper is located on the support member for regulating a pivotal movement of the link member. A joint member is pivotably coupled to the link member near the first proximal end at a second pivotal point and has a tendency to pivot about the second pivotal point toward the first pivotal point to contact the stopper as the first proximal end pivots toward the stopper about the first pivotal point. A coupling member is connected to the second distal end of the joint member. An interference avoiding unit is located near the joint member for guiding the joint member to maintain a certain distance from the stopper as the link member pivots about the first pivotal point.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A towing device for selectively locking a towing load, comprising:

a support member;
a link member having a first proximal end and a first distal end, the link member being pivotably coupled to the support member at a first pivotal point near the first proximal end;
a stopper located on the support member for regulating a pivotal movement of the link member by contacting the link member between the first pivotal point and the first proximal end;
a joint member having a second proximal end and a second distal end, the joint member pivotably jointed to the link member at a second pivotal point near the first proximal end, the joint member having a tendency to pivot about the second pivotal point toward the support member to contact the stopper as the first proximal end of the link member pivots toward the stopper about the first pivotal point;
a coupling member connected to the second distal end of the joint member for controlling the pivotal movement of the link member;
and
an interference avoiding unit located near the joint member for guiding the joint member to maintain a certain distance from the stopper as the link member pivots about the first pivotal point.

4 more elements

A towing tractor comprising:

a vehicle body including an operator seat and a support member that is located near a rear side of the vehicle body;
a link member having a first proximal end and a first distal end, the link member being pivotably coupled to the support member at a first pivotal point near the first proximal end;
a drawbar pin coupled to the first distal end of the link member, the drawbar pin being located rearward from the vehicle body for locking a towing carriage to the towing tractor;
a stopper located on the vehicle body for regulating a pivotal movement of the link member by contacting the link member between the first pivotal point and the first proximal end;
a joint member having a second proximal end and a second distal end, the joint member pivotably jointed to the link member at a second pivotal point near the first proximal end, the joint member having a tendency to pivot about the second pivotal point toward the support member to contact the stopper as the first proximal end of the link member pivots toward the stopper about the first pivotal point;
a coupling member connected to the second distal end of the joint member;
an operation lever located near the operator seat, the operation lever being coupled to the coupling member for controlling the drawbar pin;
and
an interference avoiding unit located near the joint member for guiding the joint member to maintain a certain distance from the stopper as the link member pivots about the first pivotal point.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.