GB2188015A - Adjustable tow bar - Google Patents

Abstract

A towbar comprises a towing hitch (10), an attachment (7) whereby the towbar may be attached to a vehicle to be towed, the hitch and attachment being connected together by two consecutive members (2, 3) joined at a linkage (14, 15), the linkage being arranged so that said members may be joined together immovably at any of a plurality of angular dispositions so that the towbar can pass under a spoiler. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Towbar This invention relates to a towbar for use in towing an automobile or other vehicle.

Conventional towbars extend from a hitch for attachment to the towing vehicle towards a point of attachment to the chassis or axle at the front of the vehicle to be towed.

There is a current trend for vehicles, especially automobiles, to be fitted with spoilers which extend beneath the front bumper towards the ground. Such spoilers make attachment of a conventional towbar difficult or impossible. Damage to the spoiler may occur when towing over an uneven surface.

According to the present invention a towbar comprises a towing hitch, an attachment whereby the towbar may be attached to a vehicle to be towed, the hitch and attachment being connected together by two consecutive members joined at a linkage, the linkage being arranged so that said members may be joined together immovably at any of a plurality of angular dispositions.

Connections of the two members at a plurality of angles enables the towbar to be arranged in a cranked configuration so that it can pass under the skirt of a spoiler. Adjustment to any of a plurality of angular dispositions within a generally vertical plane enables the spoilers of different sizes to be accommodated.

The linkage of a preferred embodiment of this invention comprises a splined shaft connected to a first of the members and a complementarily splined socket connected to the second member.

Alternative embodiments of the invention may incorproate alternative linkages. A shaft having a regular polygonal cross section connected to the first member may be received in a complementarily dimensioned polygonal socket. For example a hexagonal shaft may be received in a hexagonal socket. A further alternative arrangement may incorporate a linkage comprising a plate or web attached to one of the members, and means for attaching the plate or web at any of a plurality of locations to the second member. The plate may have a slot or plurality of apertures arranged to receive a bolt or pin attached to the second member.

The invention is further described by means of example, and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The towbar shown in the Figure comprises a first member composed of two half portions 1, 2 connectable together by means of a locking pin 5. Removal of the pin 5 allows storage of the towbar, for example in the boot of a vehicle. A hitch 10 at the end of the member facilitates attachment to the towing vehicle. A ball hitch or other means of attachment may be provided alternatively.

Two versions of the second member are shown, having alternative means of attachment to the towed vehicle. The first version 3 has a strap 7 and toggle 9 for attachment to a chassis member of the vehicle to be towed.

The second version 4 has a hook mounted on a bar 12. In both versions the secure engagement together of the various components is assured by a strap e.g. 12, 13 which extends from the means of attachment to the towed vehicle to a buckle 8 adjacent the towing hitch 10.

The first and second members e.g. 1, 2 and 4 are connected by cylindrical splined portions arranged horizontally in use of the towbar.

These comprise a splined shaft 14 and socket 15 or 16. The linkage constituted by the splined portions is secured together by a pin 6 which passes through the end of the shaft 14. Removal of the pin allows the splined portions to be separated and re-assembled with the members 2 and 3 or 4 arranged in a different angular disposition. Use of the splined linkage allows choice between a large number of angular dispositions, for example to an angle of up to 54" in increments of 18".

1. A towbar comprising a towing hitch, an attachment whereby the towbar may be attached to a vehicle to be towed, the hitch and attachment being connected together by two consecutive members joined at a linkage, the linkage being arranged so that said members may be joined together immovably at any of a plurality of angular dispositions.

2. A towbar as claimed in claim 1, wherein the linkage comprises a splined shaft connected to a first of the members and a complementarily splined socket connected to the second member.

3. A towbar substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Towbar This invention relates to a towbar for use in towing an automobile or other vehicle. Conventional towbars extend from a hitch for attachment to the towing vehicle towards a point of attachment to the chassis or axle at the front of the vehicle to be towed. There is a current trend for vehicles, especially automobiles, to be fitted with spoilers which extend beneath the front bumper towards the ground. Such spoilers make attachment of a conventional towbar difficult or impossible. Damage to the spoiler may occur when towing over an uneven surface. According to the present invention a towbar comprises a towing hitch, an attachment whereby the towbar may be attached to a vehicle to be towed, the hitch and attachment being connected together by two consecutive members joined at a linkage, the linkage being arranged so that said members may be joined together immovably at any of a plurality of angular dispositions. Connections of the two members at a plurality of angles enables the towbar to be arranged in a cranked configuration so that it can pass under the skirt of a spoiler. Adjustment to any of a plurality of angular dispositions within a generally vertical plane enables the spoilers of different sizes to be accommodated. The linkage of a preferred embodiment of this invention comprises a splined shaft connected to a first of the members and a complementarily splined socket connected to the second member. Alternative embodiments of the invention may incorproate alternative linkages. A shaft having a regular polygonal cross section connected to the first member may be received in a complementarily dimensioned polygonal socket. For example a hexagonal shaft may be received in a hexagonal socket. A further alternative arrangement may incorporate a linkage comprising a plate or web attached to one of the members, and means for attaching the plate or web at any of a plurality of locations to the second member. The plate may have a slot or plurality of apertures arranged to receive a bolt or pin attached to the second member. The invention is further described by means of example, and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. The towbar shown in the Figure comprises a first member composed of two half portions 1, 2 connectable together by means of a locking pin 5. Removal of the pin 5 allows storage of the towbar, for example in the boot of a vehicle. A hitch 10 at the end of the member facilitates attachment to the towing vehicle. A ball hitch or other means of attachment may be provided alternatively. Two versions of the second member are shown, having alternative means of attachment to the towed vehicle. The first version 3 has a strap 7 and toggle 9 for attachment to a chassis member of the vehicle to be towed. The second version 4 has a hook mounted on a bar 12. In both versions the secure engagement together of the various components is assured by a strap e.g. 12, 13 which extends from the means of attachment to the towed vehicle to a buckle 8 adjacent the towing hitch 10. The first and second members e.g. 1, 2 and 4 are connected by cylindrical splined portions arranged horizontally in use of the towbar. These comprise a splined shaft 14 and socket 15 or 16. The linkage constituted by the splined portions is secured together by a pin 6 which passes through the end of the shaft 14. Removal of the pin allows the splined portions to be separated and re-assembled with the members 2 and 3 or 4 arranged in a different angular disposition. Use of the splined linkage allows choice between a large number of angular dispositions, for example to an angle of up to 54" in increments of 18". CLAIMS

1. A towbar comprising a towing hitch, an attachment whereby the towbar may be attached to a vehicle to be towed, the hitch and attachment being connected together by two consecutive members joined at a linkage, the linkage being arranged so that said members may be joined together immovably at any of a plurality of angular dispositions.

2. A towbar as claimed in claim 1, wherein the linkage comprises a splined shaft connected to a first of the members and a complementarily splined socket connected to the second member.

3. A towbar substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.