US 7,461,855 B2 · Interlocking device for telescopic tow bar legs

Abstract

One possible embodiment of the invention could comprise an interlocking device for the adjusting the length of at least one telescopic tow bar leg of a tow bar. The telescopic tow bar leg could comprise an inner bar and outer bar, the inner bar being generally movably received by the outer bar. Movement of an outer bar mounted pawl into engagement with inner bar may lock the inner bar in relationship to the outer bar. A pawl release mechanism may be used to either act directly upon the pawl or to rotate a cam that contacts the pawl. Either action generally causes the at least two surfaces of the pawl to move out of contact with the inner bar's pawl engagement area, thus substantially allowing the inner bar to move relative to the outer bar. This could allow a user to adjust the length of the telescopic leg.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A telescopic tow bar leg comprising:

at least one inner bar, the inner bar having a pawl engagement section;
at least one outer bar, the outer bar being configured to slideably receive the inner bar;
at least one pawl, the pawl having an operating area with at least two surfaces, the pawl being rotateably supported and positioned by the outer bar to allow the at least two surfaces to contact the pawl engagement section;
wherein the contact of the at least two surfaces with the pawl engagement section locks the position of the inner bar relative to the outer bar the telescopic tow bar leg further comprising a pawl release mechanism having a rotatable cam which contacts the pawl to bring the pawl out of contact with the pawl engagement section.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Interlocking device for telescopic tow bar legs

Life of this patent

Interlocking device for telescopic tow bar legs

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17