# US 8,770,613 B1 · Shock protection apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,613 B1 - Document ID: US8770613B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/710,621 - Filed: 2012-12-11 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-21 - Applicants: Frank A. Malec - Inventors: Frank A. Malec - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770613B1 ## CPC - B60D 1/62: involving supply lines, electric circuits or the like - B60D 1/01: Traction couplings or hitches characterised by their type - B60D 1/14: Draw-gear or towing devices characterised by their type - B60D: VEHICLE CONNECTIONS ## Abstract A shock protection apparatus that include, in combination, a machine being towed, a towing vehicle coupled to and for towing the machine being towed, and an electrically insulating insert coupled between the vehicle and machine to prevent the transfer of an electrical shock from the vehicle to the machine. The machine includes a towing tongue and the electrically insulating insert is constructed and arranged in the tongue so as to provide a gap between separate metal portions of the tongue. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A shock protection apparatus comprising, in combination, a machine being towed, a towing vehicle coupled to and for towing the machine being towed, and an electrically insulating insert coupled between the vehicle and machine to prevent the transfer of an electrical shock from the vehicle to the machine, wherein said machine includes a towing tongue and said electrically insulating insert is constructed and arranged in said tongue so as to provide a gap between separate metal portions of said tongue, and wherein the electrically insulating insert is comprised of a series of telescopically arranged tubular pieces. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The combination of claim 1 wherein the machine being towed is a wood chipper machine. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The combination of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is a car or truck. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The combination of claim 3 wherein the vehicle has a tow hitch including a ball, and said tongue has a tow socket. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The combination of claim 1 wherein the electrically insulating insert is constructed of a nonconductive material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The combination of claim 5 wherein the nonconductive material is selected from kevlar or fiberglass. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The combination of claim 1 wherein the series of telescopically arranged tubular pieces are constructed and arranged as a single integral member that is formed by including a binder of fiberglass and an epoxy resin. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The combination of claim 7 wherein the series of telescopically arranged tubular pieces are one of circular and square leaving a center core area filed with a fiberglass mat and an epoxy resin to form said single integral member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The combination of claim 1 wherein the vehicle has a rear mounted pintle plate formed as the electrically insulating insert. ### Claim 10 A shock protection apparatus comprising, in combination, a machine being towed, a towing vehicle coupled to and for towing the machine being towed, and an electrically insulating insert coupled between the vehicle and machine to prevent the transfer of an electrical shock from the vehicle to the machine, wherein said machine includes a towing tongue and said electrically insulating insert is constructed and arranged in said tongue so as to provide a gap between separate metal portions of said tongue, and wherein the separate metal tongue portions are spaced apart and the electrically insulating insert has a length greater than the spacing between the separate metal tongue portions so that respective ends of the electrically insulating insert extend into a center hollow section of respective separate metal tongue portions. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The combination of claim 10 including a collar disposed over the electrically insulating insert and separate metal tongue portions. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The combination of claim 10 including fasteners for securing the collar and electrically insulating insert to the metal tongue portions. ### Claim 13 For a vehicle that tows a trailing machine or the like, an electrically insulating insert that is disposed between a frame of the vehicle and trailing machine to prevent electrical shock signals from passing from the vehicle to the trailing machine, wherein the trailing machine includes a towing tongue and said electrically insulating insert is constructed and arranged in said tongue so as to provide a gap between separate metal portions of said tongue, and wherein the electrically insulating insert is comprised of a series of telescopically arranged tubular pieces. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The insert of claim 13 wherein the series of telescopically arranged tubular pieces are constructed and arranged as a single integral member that is formed by including a binder of fiberglass and an epoxy resin. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The insert of claim 14 wherein the series of telescopically arranged tubular pieces are one of circular and square leaving a center core area filed with a fiberglass mat and an epoxy resin to form said single integral member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The insert of claim 15 including a collar disposed over the electrically insulating insert and separate metal tongue portions, and fasteners for securing the collar and electrically insulating insert to the metal tongue portions.