Interchangeable fixed or damped towing system
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorDavis L. Hemmings
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An A-frame trailer front end construction configured to alternately accept non-dampered connector for co-action with the towing vehicle or a damped connector without structural modification of the A-frame. Switch over between the damped and non-damped towing modes can be accomplished very quickly by the loosening and unloosening of mounting bolts between the connector and A-frame. The system enables the human operator to select the type of connection most conducive to human driver comfort, minimum inertial loading between the towed and towing vehicle, and lessened load forces on the vehicle brakes and suspension.
Claims2
In a trailer that comprises a horizontal A-frame at the trailer front end;
- said A-frame including two forwardly convergent rails of channel cross-section arranged with their flange walls extending toward one another, said rails having their front ends spaced apart to define an open zone therebetween, and a transverse bridge element connecting the rails at points rearwardly spaced from the rail ends:
- the improvement comprising a first non-damped towing mechanism, and a second damped towing mechanism, said mechanisms being constructed to be interchangeably bolted to the forward end of the A-frame in the aforementioned open zone;
- each towing mechanism including an upright mounting plate having a central plate area sized to extend transverse to the A-frame longitudinal axis at the rail front ends, said mounting plate also including end areas acutely angled to the central plate area for facial engagement with outer surface areas of the convergent rails;
- each towing mechanism also including a horizontal base plate arranged to extend from the aforementioned mounting plate rearwardly into overlapping relationship with the aforementioned bridge element;
- first bolt-nut means for securing one of the mounting plate end areas to one of the rails;
- second bolt-nut means for securing the other mounting plate end area to the other rail;
- and third bolt-nut means for securing the rear end of the base plate to the bridge element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.