Abstract: A protected tie down strap encapsulates an adjustable tie down strap within a strap housing and includes a fixed tie down strap. An adjustment knob allows a user to turn the knob and take up slack in the adjustable tie down strap. The protected tie down strap utilizes a number of internal components including force plates, a power disc, washers, screw, shaft, etc. Together, they complete the complex task of tightening the tie down strap by powerfully wrapping it around the shaft in response to a user turning the adjustment knob. When the user wishes to release the tension on the tie down strap, he or she simply turns the adjustment knob the other direction (in other embodiments, he or she raises the adjustment knob up to release the strap and untie the load.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly (10) for attachment of a component of a motor vehicle, in particular for attachment of a lining part (35) to a carrier (20), having a first holding part (12) and a second holding part (14), the first holding part (12) having at least one abutment (26) and the second holding part (14) having at least one detent hook (36), and having a locking bar (15) which can be moved between a release position, in which the detent hook (36) can move behind, and be released from, the abutment (26), and a locking position, in which the detent hook (36) is locked behind the abutment (26), the locking bar (15) automatically moving from the release position to the locking position. The invention further relates to a method of mounting and of dismounting said assembly.

Abstract: A collapsible tow hook for a motor vehicle includes a bracket attached to a vehicle structure and having laterally spaced side walls with first and second slots in each of the side walls. A tow loop has laterally spaced arms that straddle the spaced side walls of the bracket. First and second bolts extend through bolt holes in the laterally spaced arms and through the slots of the side walls. A retainer acts between the bracket and the first and second bolts to establish a normal upward position of the tow loop on the vehicle. The retainer yields to allow the first and second bolts to traverse the slots upon the imposition of a load on the tow loop in a direction opposite to the towing direction so that the tow loop is pivoted to a collapsed position relative to the vehicle structure.

Abstract: A method and to a system for controlling a sliding device for a fifth wheel coupling arranged on a towing vehicle, wherein the sliding device includes a substructure having at least one guide rail oriented in the driving direction, a movable slide, which supports the fifth wheel coupling and engages on the guide rail, and a control unit, to which a motorized drive unit for moving the slide and an actuator for fixing the slide relative to the guide rail are connected. The aim was to provide a method and a control system with which a sufficiently large gap width (W) can be set between the towing vehicle and the trailer in a timely manner. This is achieved, among other things, by a method in which a distance measurement is performed to detect an obstruction in front of the towing vehicle, the signal of the measurement is processed into a control signal in the control unit, and a start-up of the motorized drive unit and/or the actuator is initiated therewith.

Abstract: A tow hook assembly that includes a mount bracket, a tow hook having a towing end and a mounting end extending axially along a towing direction and through the mount bracket, a support bracket positioned proximal to the towing end of the tow hook and configured to support the towing end of the tow hook, and a fastener attached to the mounting end of the tow hook. The tow hook assembly is attached between the frame rail and impact beam of a motor vehicle such that the motor vehicle may be towed by the tow hook assembly and such that the tow hook assembly will break away from the motor vehicle upon application of a force which is less than a force required to activate an airbag.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing trailer hitch assembly is provided that includes a receiver tube and an insertion tube. The receiver tube is typically fixedly attached to a motor vehicle and has a set of apertures that affords for a pin to pass therethrough. The tube also has a set of slots adjacent to the apertures, with protrusions between each aperture and its adjacent slot. The insertion tube serves as a trailer hitch and has a set of apertures that align with the set of apertures in the receiver tube. Placement of the insertion tube within the receiver tube affords for a pin to pass through and be held within said apertures. In this manner a trailer may be attached to the trailer hitch and pulled by the motor vehicle. When the trailer is impacted, for example by a rear-end collision, deformation of the pin and/or the protrusions of the receiver tube allow the pin to travel in a forward direction, thereby absorbing energy from the collision.

Abstract: A safe tow strap apparatus is provided in which a tow strap is attached to the towing vehicle and a hook/loop fastener device is used to secure the tow strap to the towed vehicle.

Abstract: A wire reel carrier for use in stringing barbed wire for fencing is designed for attachment to a horizontal cargo rack of an all terrain vehicle. The wire reel carrier includes a pair of spaced frame rails secured by a plurality of clamps to the cargo rack. An elongated rod dimensioned for insertion through the hollow core of a wire roll extends transversely between the frame rails. A pair of retaining plates, each secured by a frictional collar, maintain the wire roll in correct orientation on the transverse rod. A pair of safety latches secure opposite ends of the rod to respective frame rails and include a safety mechanism for releasing the rod from the frame rails upon exertion of an excess force on the rod by a wire being strung from a roll supported on the rod. This prevents the occurrence of severe accidents and possible injury to the ATV operator upon tangling of the wire.

Abstract: A laterally yieldable or "bendable" hitch pole is provided for the steering mechanism of a trailing vehicle to minimize or prevent breakage of the hitch pole during sharp turns negotiated by the draft vehicle, especially during backing of the trailer. The invention is especially applicable to trailers having steering mechanisms of the Ackerman type. The hitch pole is typically swingable between right and left stops and breakage or other damage occurs when the pole encounters one or the other of the stops and turning forces are still applied. The invention provides a two-piece hitch pole having its end-to-end parts connected in such manner as to enable "bending" of the hitch pole in those situations with subsequent recovery of the pole to its normal attitude.

Abstract: A forestry cultivation instrument, particularly a scarifier, is attached to a telescoping carrier. In operation, the carrier is connected to a vehicle and, when an obstacle is encountered, the carrier may telescope outwardly thereby reducing shock loading to both the vehicle and the scarifier. The telescoping members are held contracted by fluid pressure with the telescoping occurring, after the obstacle is encountered, when the obstacle causes fluid pressure to increase beyond the pressure which would occur from normal drawing resistance of the scarifier. The fluid pressure may then be used to aid the operator in clearing the scarifier from the obstacle. Various other forms of forestry equipment may be substituted for the scarifier.

Abstract: An overload coupling member is used as a strut to interconnect the upper link of a tractor lift device with an implement, such as a cultivator. The member includes two portions that are moved towards one another upon overload to allow the implement to pivot upwardly on the other two links. One portion has an inner end sleeve pivoted to a further sleeve on the other portion's inner end and relative movement between the two portions is prevented by a shear pin that extends into an opening of the sleeves. Upon overload, the pin shears and the portions jack-knife until the lift raises the implement past the obstacle and the implement is then lowered. The inner opening end is normally closed by an abutment member, but when the portions are pivoted, the opening is exposed and a severed pin portion falls out. The shear pin can have a number of severable portions and be spring biased to slide in a holder and establish rigid connection between the two portions a number of times.