Abstract: The subject trailer includes a single tubular for-and-aft horizontal tow-bar towed at its front end by a tow ball hitch. Welded vertically to a rear end portion of the tublar tow bar is a tubular mast having pulleys guiding a cable from a winch on said tow bar up and over said mast and connecting to a towing hammock for attaching to a vehicle to be towed. The hammock has a central pair of flanges guiding the hammock vertically on the tubular mast while allowing the mast to rotate 30.degree. on its own axis between the flanges while bolted to the hammock after the latter being hoisted to the vehicle towing level. Welded to the tow bar is a rigidly symmetrically laterally extending tubular axle co-axially rotatably mounting a pair of #15 sized balloon tired wheels on the opposite axle ends, causing the trailer to track straight behind the towing vehicle by flexing, both at the vertical tow-ball socket joint and at the vertical 30.degree. mast-hammock-flange-and-bolt-joint.

Abstract: A carry towing trailer connectable to a towing vehicle and adapted to pass under the front or rear end of a vehicle to be towed. The trailer has small wheels and has means for elevating the load so that, in use, the trailer wheels run under the towed vehicle and between its wheels. The wheels have brake drums operable by slave cylinders fed with hydraulic fluid under pressure from a master cylinder whose plunger is connected to a coupler which is connectable to a draft vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicle towing apparatus comprises a supporting frame adapted to be mounted on the rear and top of a passenger car. The frame includes an upstanding support having a horizontal cross member and an upright slot which opens through the cross member. An elongated boom is disposed in registry with the slot. The boom is carried for longitudinal movement on the cross member for only a portion of its length, a pair of side rails on the boom directly supporting it from the cross member. The frame further includes a guide device spaced from the upstanding support which is mounted on the top of the passenger car. The guide device receives the boom for longitudinal sliding movement and also for swinging movement about a pivot pin in the guide device. An adjustable pin is carried by the upstanding support for spanning the slot and for carrying the boom when it is extended to a position which disengages the boom-supporting rails from the cross member.

Abstract: A demountable hitch for quickly facilitating the engagement, lift and tow of one end of a vehicle which includes a transverse tow bar pivotally connected to a truck and a mounting rib upstanding thereon. The rib is demountably connected to a central portion of the tow bar and adapted for simple interlocking engagement of the towed vehicle rearwardly of the bumper thereon. The rib is encapsulated in a resilient material for increasing the frictional engagement with the bumper or vehicle frame to facilitate immediate towing while reducing the noise associated with the initial hook-up. In this manner a parked vehicle can be hitched and towed in a minimal amount of time and with a minimum of noise, which is particularly advantageous in times of emergency.

Abstract: The rear portion of a load hauling flatbed truck and the front portion of a conventional forklift vehicle are provided with structures facilitating towing of the forklift vehicle by the truck to a remote site so that the forklift vehicle is available for loading and/or unloading materials onto or from the flatbed truck. Basically, left and right rocking levers intermediately pivoted adjacent to left and right front corner portions of the forklift vehicle are hydraulically rocked so that the extending front portions of the rocking members engage about engagement structures secured adjacent to the left and right rear corners of the truck and thereby effect a lifting of the entire front portion of the forklift vehicle when the rocking members are rocked downwardly. Appropriate locking pins are inserted to secure the rocking members to the rear corner portions of the towing truck.

Abstract: A vehicle (10) is adapted for dual and alternative use either as a dump truck or a tow truck and readily converted from one use to the other. The vehicle includes a chassis (12), a bed (14) pivotally mounted on the chassis for locating a boom (50) and end attachment structure (84, 88 and 90) in position for connection to a disabled vehicle (48) when the bed is moved from a first position (FIG. 2) to a second position (FIG. 1). And, a two-way hydraulic cylinder (108) is connected between the chassis and bed to move the bed to the second position; and, then, using the leverage of the bed to return it while lifting the disabled vehicle to the first position. The boom is supported by a vertical support (52) and a cable (54) connected at opposite ends to the bed and boom and entrained therebetween on a wheel (104) mounted on the vertical support.

Abstract: An improved tow truck is provided which comprises a boom pivotally lowerable and raiseable between the truck frame. The boom is telescopic with a rearward end which is extendible, and when fully lowered and extended the rearward end is adjacent the ground and may lift a load, such as a disabled vehicle, about the vehicle wheels. The boom may be retracted and raised to bring the lifted load close to the rear axle of the tow truck.

Abstract: A deformable hitch for towing vehicles having a mechanism thereon for positively urging the hitch into a desired orientation, such that the hitch bottom bar which is connected to a towing vehicle by two arms is urged to remain in a desired position parallel to the rear of the towing vehicle. The mechanism comprises two tensile members and a lever member. The lever member is attached to the bottom bar and extends outwardly therefrom. The tensile members are each attached respectively to a medial point along one of the arms of the hitch and to the lever member, such that the tension on each of the tensile members is equal whenever the bottom bar is in the desired parallel position and thus the hitch is in a state of equilibrium. In addition, the tension on each of the tensile members is different whenever the bottom bar is in a position other than the desired parallel position, thereby urging the bottom bar to return to the desired parallel position.

Abstract: A coupling device for towing a vehicle, the device having a first member; a mount borne by the first member for mounting the first member on a towing vehicle for substantially pivotal movement about a point of reference between alternate inclined and connecting attitudes; a second member adapted to be mounted on a vehicle to be towed and engageable with the first member for movement therealong between positions on opposite sides of the point of reference to move the first member between the inclined and connecting attitudes; and a mechanism for lockably interconnecting the first and second members in the connecting attitude.

Abstract: A cushioning pad for attachment to a sling belt of a towing sling and for positioning between the belt and the bumper of a towed vehicle. The cushioning pad is an elongated sleeve adapted for slidable attachment to the sling belt and includes a bumper retainer at one end of the sleeve for preventing the bumper of the towed vehicle from passing over the sleeve upon a forward lurch of the vehicle. A slide preventor prevents the sliding of the sleeve upon the sling belt when the towing sling is being utilized to tow the vehicle.

Abstract: A self storing tow bar which is connectable to a front wheel drive vehicle for maintaining the front wheels of the vehicle in an elevated position above a roadway while the vehicle is being towed behind another vehicle to minimize wear on the universal joints and transmission of the towed vehicle. The tow bar comprises a tongue portion having an upwardly inclined tongue extension connector secured to the front end thereof and a suspension support beam secured to the opposite end thereof. The tongue extension connector is adapted to receive an adjustable tongue extension piece. The tongue extension piece comprises a clevis to pivotally secure the extension bar to a trailer coupling secured to the outer end thereof which is connectable to a conventional coupling hitch ball on a trailer hitch. The extension bar is movable from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position on the vehicle such that the hitch may be stored in an out of the way position without removing it from the vehicle.

Abstract: A tow bar which is connectable to a front wheel drive vehicle for maintaining the front wheels of the vehicle in an elevated position above a roadway while the vehicle is being towed behind another vehicle to minimize wear on the universal joints and transmission of the towed vehicle. The tow bar comprises a tongue portion having an upwardly inclined tongue extension connector secured to the front end thereof and a suspension support beam secured to the opposite end thereof. The tongue extension connector is adapted to receive a tongue extension piece having a trailer coupling secured to the outer end thereof which is connectable to a conventional coupling hitch ball on a trailer hitch. The suspension support beam has suspension support pins moveably secured to opposite ends thereof adapted to be actuated to engage the front wheel suspension mechanism of a vehicle for maintaining the front wheels of the vehicle elevated above the roadway while the vehicle is being towed.

Abstract: A low profile trailer dolly having separated rear wheels and a forward end draft tongue is adapted to be drawn by a garden tractor. The trailer dolly has a pivoted ramp member at its transverse center upon which the wheelbarrow wheel is rolled to elevate the wheelbarrow and nest its wheel between the ramp member and an adjustable supporting bar on the frame of the trailer dolly. Support platforms for the wheelbarrow legs and a leg locking device are provided adjacent to the inner sides of the wheels of the trailer dolly. The device enables a conventional wheelbarrow to serve the purpose of a small wagon around the home or farm.

Abstract: A secondary towing apparatus particularly suited for a towing vehicle having a conventional fifth wheel coupling device, which towing vehicle is to be made convertible from towing a trailer to towing an alternate type vehicle. The towing apparatus comprises a boom to be mounted on the chassis of the towing vehicle for movement from a stowed position to a towing position, the boom when in the stowed position accommodating normal operation of the coupling device and the boom when in the towing position accommodating towing engagement with the alternate vehicle, and a brace member to secure the boom in the towing position.

Abstract: A truck tow lift for connection to the fifth wheels of opposingly aligned trucks provides a means for towing one such vehicle with the other. The structure comprises an elongate beam member having downwardly extending standard SAE kingpins rigidly mounted on opposing ends, one of which is engaged into the fifth wheel of the tow truck, thereby becoming a horizontally pivotable and vertically rigid boom or extension of the frame thereof. Lifting means are mounted on the beam member and are connected to a lifting bar for raising the rear wheels of the towed truck off the ground. To connect the beam member to the truck to be towed, the operator positions the kingpin of the free end of the beam member over the fifth wheel of the towed truck so that it can be received therein upon lifting and attaches the lifting bar to the rear frame members. Then, the operator hoists the rear wheels of the towed truck off the ground and locks the kingpin into the fifth wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle tow trailer particularly useful for farm vehicles such as tractors or combines having an underslung frame with cradles for receiving the front wheels of the vehicle. The trailer is arranged with steerable wheels which track the angular relationship of a tow bar. Light weight towing vehicles can tow heavy equipment by arranging the cradles to position the axes of rotation of the trailer supported wheels of the towed vehicle ahead of the axis of rotation of the trailer wheels thereby loading the towing vehicle through the tow bar to give it better traction. The towed vehicle is afforded an abutment bar near the center of the cradle supported wheels to prevent the overrun of the towed vehicle on the towing vehicle and to provide a means for securing the towed vehicle to the trailer as by a chain. The underslung trailer body has skids on its underbody to facilitate traversing rough terrain as where a trailer wheel falls into a hole.

Abstract: A motor vehicle towing trailer comprising a main carriage frame having a leading end provided with a hitching member, a trailing end provided with ground engaging wheels on opposite sides thereof, and a support platform on which the front or rear wheels of a motor vehicle to be towed may be supported, the support platform comprising a leading support rod and a trailing support rod extending generally transversely of the carriage frame, and a swivel plate extending beneath the support rods, the support rods being secured to the support plate in the assembled condition thereof with the support plate including structure for selectively securing one of the support rods in a series of different positions from front to rear with respect to the support platform.

Abstract: A towing apparatus for bicycles or the like, comprising a first member; means for attaching the first member to a towing bicycle; a hitch member attached to a towed bicycle; an intermediate member for connecting the hitch member to the first member, adapted to slideably rest on the first member; first means for pivotally and detachably connecting the first member and the intermediate member; and, second means for pivotally and detachably connecting the hitch member and the intermediate member, such that the towed bicycle is towed in an inverted position, with only its rear wheel resting on the ground and its front wheel pivoted and clamped in a rearward position.

Abstract: First and second generally horizontal tow bar arm sections are provided and joined together at one pair of corresponding end portions in generally end aligned relation and for relative angular displacement about a horizontal transverse axis. The free end of one of the sections remote from the other section includes first structure for articulated connection to a towing vehicle and the free end of the other section remote from the aforementioned one section includes second structure for stationary attachment to a towed vehicle. In addition, third structure is operatively connected between the arm sections to forcibly effect relative angular displacement of the arm sections to depress the free ends relative to the joined end portions. The first structure comprises a socket hitch member for removable coupling to a ball hitch member of a towing vehicle and the second structure includes a terminal end shank portion for removable anchoring in an endwise outwardly opening socket member mounted on the towed vehicle.

Abstract: A quick detachable bumper hitch for towing a motorcycle employing manually operated means for raising and lowering the front wheel of the cycle to maintain a given relationship with the road surface on which the rear wheel of the motorcycle is being supported.

Abstract: A highly maneuverable, compact and versatile working vehicle features a tricycle chassis having a single rear steering and traction wheel. The vehicle may be electrically powered. It possesses a low elevation hitching mechanism for engaging various types of automotive vehicles requiring hoisting and towing in tight quarters and at various angles. Cooperating with the hitching mechanism is an upper lifting boom and associated power winch means enabling the lifting of an automobile at one end to an adequate height for towing. The coacting hitch and hoisting means can transfer the load of the hoisted vehicle to the safest and most advantageous towing position on the working vehicle to minimize tipping. A unique hoisting boom extension is provided which imparts to the working vehicle a number of additional capabilities. Ease and convenience of operation and manipulation of components are provided for.

Abstract: A farm implement trailer for towing a farm implement laterally on a highway, dirt road, or the like. The trailer straddling the back of the farm implement and raising the back of the implement above the ground surface. The trailer co-acting with caster wheels mounted on the front of the farm implement thereby allowing the farm implement to be towed on the trailer laterally.

Abstract: A method and train is disclosed for the highway safe transportation of a front loader implement, i.e., a back hoe or a skip loader, with the rear pair of wheels of same cradled above road level between the front and rear axles of a dolly and with the front lip of the scoop of the implement engaging a rearwardly-directed lip hook provided at the fork of a Y-shaped towbar. The two arms of said towbar extend rearwardly under the scoop, each arm with a length of chain and a terminal hook threaded under and behind the scoop, over the lift arms and there secured, each chain to the other, by means of its terminal hook. The forward-directed base of the Y is provided at its terminus with a trailer coupler engaging the trailer hitch of a towing vehicle. The front pair of wheels of the implement are raised above road level by downwardly uncurling the scoop.

Abstract: A vehicle towing apparatus comprised of a rigid metal plate having an elongated midportion, a leading end portion which is bent upwardly relative to the midportion and a trailing end portion which is bent downwardly relative to the midportion, and stiffening webs extending longitudinally along the midportion and the trailing end portion. Apertures are provided in the two end portions to facilitate fastening the towing apparatus to suitable coupling structures on a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle. An alternative embodiment includes a pair of spaced apart upstanding plates or flanges which are secured to the top of the trailing end portion to provide a coupling unit for mating with a similar structure carried by the vehicle to be towed.

Abstract: A hoist frame comprises a planar member having front and rear opposite ends and top and bottom planar surfaces and a pair of extending members comprising a pair of spaced parallel members extending from the bottom surface at the rear end of the planar member perpendicular to the bottom surface. Mounting means pivotally mounts the planar member of the hoist frame to the chassis frame at the bottom surface at the front end of the planar member in a manner whereby the extending members extend beyond and to an area beneath the chassis frame. A jack is affixed to the planar member of the hoist frame at the bottom surface at the rear end thereof equidistantly from the extending members and extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface for pivotally moving the hoist frame about the mounting means thereof.

Abstract: A means for towing a vehicle comprises a towing cushion which is positioned between the towing member and the body structure for preventing the member from engaging the body structure. The towing cushion comprises an elongated yieldable, compressible cushion member extending transversely of the vehicle between the vehicle body and the towing member. The method of the present invention comprises securing a towing member to the vehicle and placing the towing cushion between the towing member and the vehicle to prevent injury to the vehicle body during lifting of the cable.

Abstract: A compact truck-mounted towing crane is constructed with a boom pivoted near the center thereof. A tow bar secured at the rear end of the boom is positioned below the boom pivot, and a power cylinder is connected to the forward end of the boom for raising a vehicle which is to be towed. The boom pivot is at the rear of a base secured to the frame of the towing vehicle and the power cylinder is secured to the front of the base. The relative positions of the boom and power cylinder are such that the power cylinder arm is retracted during the power stroke to lower the front end of the boom, thereby raising the tow bar and the load thereon.The tow bar together with the portion of the boom to the rear of the main pivot are removable as a unit by simply withdrawing a pivot pin which connects front and rear sections of the boom together in the vicinity of the main pivot.

Abstract: Various motorcycle towing devices are presented wherein the connection between the towing vehicle and a motorcycle or a carrier therefor is of a fifth wheel type inclusive of king bolt and turning plate or bolster plate components that permit turning movements about the vertically oriented king bolt while movements about horizontal axes are limited and controlled by the positioning of the bolster plate and the horizontal pivot support provided thereby. Separate embodiments provide a rigid connection from the bolster plate pivot support to the frame of a motorcycle or to the front axle thereof while the rear wheel of the motorcycle remains in contact with the ground to provide trailed support therefor; or alternately, the bolster plate pivot support is used with a trailer component having separate support wheels and a pivot linked frame that receives, supports and carries the motorcycle.

Abstract: An auto towing apparatus including an A-frame attachable to an auto for lifting and supporting a pair of the wheels thereof and having a socket for engaging a novel hitch ball and hoist combination on a towing vehicle, the hoist eliminating the need for precisely positioning the ball under the hitch socket.

Abstract: A two-wheel motorcycle trailer has a curved cradle for receiving the rear wheel of a motorcycle. The cradle is secured to the trailer frame and made horizontally pivotal by a swivel assembly. The frame serves to pivotally support the cradle and to connect the trailer to the towing vehicle by means of a draw bar assembly. The trailer can be disassembled into three parts for transfer or storage in the trunk of a standard size automobile. In alternative embodiment, a trailer having three cradles with a common pivot point is provided to hold up to three motorcycles.

Abstract: The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is directed to a detachable adapter fifth wheel dolly for connection to a fifth wheel trailer style mobile camper for transporting the camper from place to place when the standard connection associated with a pickup truck is not available. The fifth wheel dolly includes a wheeled frame member to be positioned under the forward extended portion of a fifth wheel style mobile camper. An axle and wheel means associated therewith are secured transversely of the direction of movement of the wheel frame and function to provide transport motion of the mobile camper. The power required to transport a mobile camper may be obtained by either a standard trailer type socket and hitch connection associated with an automobile or truck and connected to a trailer hitch socket associated with the fifth wheel dolly.