Abstract: A coupling device includes a coupling device body that includes a coupling pin. The coupling pin projects upward from the coupling device body. The coupling device body includes a support mechanism that supports the coupling pin so as to be freely movable in the direction of one line in a horizontal plane. The coupling device is included in the carrier. During coupling between the carrier and a carried object, the coupling pin is freely movable in the direction of at least one line in the horizontal plane and enabled to smoothly move to a position at which the coupling is performed.

Abstract: A conveying device according to the present invention includes a first connection mechanism provided on an upper surface, a base member provided on the upper surface, a sliding mechanism that relatively and slidably moves a position of the first connection mechanism on a slide axis relative to the base member, and a traveling mechanism that makes the conveying device travel. The first connection mechanism is connected with a carriage at a predetermined connection position. The sliding mechanism slidably moves the first connection mechanism between the connection position and a predetermined conveyance position spaced away from the connection position on the slide axis in a state in which the first connection mechanism is connected with the carriage. The traveling mechanism makes the conveying device travel in a state in which the first connection mechanism is positioned in the conveyance position.

Abstract: A tightening mechanism for a hinge assembly includes a first housing having a pair of outwardly extending spaced apart ears having aligned first bores extending through them. A second housing has a length which allows it to fit between the ears and has a pair of abutting second bores which are tapered inwardly toward one another. Tapered cylindrical bushings are configured to fit within the second bores. The tapered bushings have aligned third bores which are co-axial with one another and with the second bores. A coupling mechanism extends through the third bores and holds the second housing rotatably in the first housing. A clamping mechanism urges the bushings toward one another and inwardly into the second bores against the pin.

Abstract: Described in this application is a tow adapter for coupling a device to be towed to a towing vehicle. The tow adapter includes a bracket adapted to be attached to a vehicle to support a tow adapter; a loop suitable to support a tether to enable the towing vehicle to tow a device to be towed, the loop having a first end portion and a second end portion each adapted to be mounted to the bracket; a hook positioned central of the loop and pivotable relative to the loop; and the loop and hook adapted to enable a tether to thread through the loop and attach to the hook.

Abstract: Sulky apparatus for use behind a self-propelled machine including sulky operator riding apparatus for supporting an operator behind a self-propelled machine that the sulky apparatus is attached to, an upward extending control column adapted to be located near the operator controls for the self-propelled machine, a deployment boom attached to the sulky operator riding apparatus for deploying the sulky operator riding apparatus having a lower portion pivotally attached to the control column for deploying and for retracting the sulky operator riding apparatus to a stored position, and sulky apparatus control apparatus for controlling the operation of the sulky apparatus deployment boom. The control apparatus includes a gas filled cylinder and a chain.

Abstract: For a trailer coupling, the fixing unit has a stationary first toothed segment which is fixedly connected to the pivot bearing base. A first toothed segment which in the working position is connected to the pivot element in a rotationally fixed manner and pivots together with same and is engageable by displacing the pivot element from the pivot position into the fixed position, and is disengageable by displacing the pivot element from the fixed position into the pivot position.

Abstract: A fifth wheel trailer hitch with locking mechanism that includes a pin that extends axially from a pivotal mounting of a platform of a trailer tow bar. The pin is preferably cylindrical and is grooved circumferentially adjacent to its bottom end for fitting into an a key way forward end lip formed in a mounting plate that is attached to a truck bed for prohibiting the pin from lifting from the key way. The pin includes a plug that, by turning a cam rod journaled through the pin, will extend or retract axially from a pin center opening to fit into a plug hole formed in the mounting plate in the center of the key way forward end, preventing, when extended, the pin from sliding therefrom.

Abstract: An architecture is presented that provides a double hinged tow hitch. The tow hitch is attached to a tow vehicle and allows full traction to the ground and complete control of steering. The tow hitch comprises two hinges secured together by a pin positioned at an upper portion of the hinges and a pin positioned at a lower portion of the hinges. The pins secure the hinges together and allow the hinges to flex in two positions. Additionally, the tow hitch comprises springs positioned on either side of the hinges and rubber positioned between the hinges to act as a shock absorber. When pressure is applied to the tow hitch, the springs will collapse into either the upper or lower portions of the hinges, causing the hinges to flex in two positions and pressing against the rubber between the hinges, thus acting as a suspension system for the tow hitch.

Abstract: A collapsible tow hook for a motor vehicle includes a housing attached to a vehicle structure, a bracket pivotally mounted on the housing, a tow loop attached to the bracket and adapted to receive a tow cable that pulls on the tow loop in a towing direction. An interlocking structure acts between the bracket and the housing to normally support the bracket against pivotal movement but is yieldable to permit pivotal movement of the bracket relative the housing 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: An automotive vehicle is provided with a vehicle body and at least one tow hook. The vehicle body has a front end and a rear end. The at least one tow hook is pivotally connected to the front end of the vehicle body and may pivot between a stored position at least partially recessed within the vehicle body and a deployed position extending beyond the vehicle body to facilitate access to the at least one tow hook. The vehicle may further have an actuator to cooperate with the at least one tow hook to pivot the at least one tow hook relative to the vehicle body. The vehicle may further have a pair of tow hooks on the front end and a pair of exhaust members mounted within a pair of exhaust apertures formed in the rear end.

Abstract: A load stabilizer for an automobile is provided. The load stabilizer includes a hitch assembly having an elongate cross member that extends between opposing frame rails of the automobile and that is pivotable about an axis of rotation defined along a length of the cross member in response to a load applied upon the hitch assembly. A first torsion bar is carried on a first end by the cross member and on a second end by the automobile frame for retarding load variations on the hitch assembly.

Abstract: A system for transporting a wheeled container via a connector device linking the wheeled container to a hitch-adapted vehicle, wherein the connector device is adapted on a first end to receive and support the handle of a wheeled container, is adapted on a second end to attach to a hitch ball, and is configured therebetween to efficiently transfer forces.

Abstract: A collapsible tow hook for a motor vehicle includes a housing attached to a vehicle structure, a bracket pivotally mounted on the housing, a tow loop attached to the bracket and adapted to receive a tow cable that pulls on the tow loop in a towing direction. An interlocking structure acts between the bracket and the housing to normally support the bracket against pivotal movement but is yieldable to permit pivotal movement of the bracket relative the housing 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 trailer hitch for a vehicle includes an attachment means for attaching the hitch to a vehicle and a base suspended from the attachment means to allow limited lateral movement of the base with respect to the attachment means. A universal pivot connector, such as a hitch ball, is mounted on the base to move with the base for mating connection to a tongue of a trailer to be connected to the vehicle. The trailer tongue is biased against rotational movement with respect to the pivot connector whereby the allowed lateral movement of the suspended base and the pivot connector and the resistance to rotational movement of the trailer tongue with respect to the pivot connector combine to move the effective pivot point of the tongue on the universal pivot connector approximately to the center of the rear axle of the towing vehicle to simulate the towing movement of a fifth wheel trailer hitch.

Abstract: A hitch assembly to be connected between a tow vehicle and a trailer includes a first shaft adapted to be attached to said tow vehicle, the first shaft being stationary with respect to the tow vehicle, a second shaft for mounting a ball to accept the trailer and being rotatable about the first shaft, wherein the first shaft and the second shaft are rotatable connected to rotate with respect to each other. A hitch assembly adapted to be connected between the tow vehicle and the trailer additionally includes a first shaft adapted to be attached to the tow vehicle, the first shaft being at a fixed relationship with respect to the tow vehicle and to rotate about an axis of the first shaft and a second shaft for mounting a ball to accept said trailer and being rotatable about the first shaft.

Abstract: A tow-bar having a skeletonized tongue portion is described. A stopper is typically includes on the bottom portion of the tongue. A head piece having handles internal to the head piece is connected to one end of the tongue. The handles are typically positioned in a triangular arrangement. The end of the tongue, opposite the end including the head piece, includes a hinging portion that can be connected to the respective cart having the tongue. The hinging portion and the head piece include “keyed” ends so that they can connect to the tongue like puzzle pieces. These keyed portions are welded to the tongue. In this way, the pull points are not straight welds but rather keyed and welded portions thereby able to withstand typical abuse.

Abstract: A connection (1) for a pintle hook tow point having a rearwardly and upwardly extending horn, and which extends rearwardly from a forward mounting plate of the pintle hook tow point. A bracket (2) of the connection (1) carries a transverse roller (3) mounted for rotation about an at eccentric axis. The roller (3) is connected to a handle (11) by which it can be rotated to vary the distance between the side of the roller and forward end feet (12, 13) of the bracket (2). For use, the bracket (2) is placed over the horn, and the feet (12, 13) are urged against the mounting plate of the pintle of the hook tow point or another fixed surface. By this, the connection (1) is locked on the pintle hook tow point.

Abstract: A pivotal hitch assembly (14) includes a housing (22) that is pivotally coupled to mounting plates (57) and (58) that are rigidly attached to a draw bar (60) of a trailer. The housing includes a pair of connector tubes (56) that receive pins (63), (64) that couple the housing (22) to the mounting plates (57), (58). The housing (22) is manufactured from a single blank of material. The connector tubes (56) are formed by bending or rolling a portion of the blank into a generally tubular shape. Bending or folding of the blank forms the housing such that the housing is generally U-shaped.

Abstract: A tow system is disclosed for towing small four-wheel vehicles having handlebars for steering and equipped with a front luggage bar assembly, e.g. an ATV, behind a van or other tractor vehicle. Such tow system includes a tow bar portion that connects to the front luggage bar assembly, a hitch portion that is fixed to the central rear end portion of the tractor vehicle and spring members connected to the left and right handlebars elastically biasing the four wheel vehicle to move straight ahead. The tow bar portion includes an elongated flat metal bar with a lateral bent end and an angle member is adjustably fastened to the metal bar to provide a reception space to hook onto the front luggage bar assembly of the towed four-wheel vehicle. A mounting plate in the hitch portion is fastened the tow bar portion to allow horizontal movement between the flat metal bar and the mounting plate to accommodate turning of the tractor vehicle.

Abstract: A cleaning vehicle which is suitable for holding and transporting containers and devices for the commercial cleaning and disinfection of floors and other surfaces, consists of a main vehicle with wheels and a trailer with wheels and a coupling for connecting the trailer to the main vehicle. The coupling consists of at least one tow-hook and corresponding eyes in which the hook can engage. The shape of the hook and eyes is such that the coupling allows the trailer to rotate about the connecting line of the eyes of the main vehicle and/or the vertical movement of the trailer in relation to the main vehicle, but no movement of the trailer in the plane of travel in relation to the main vehicle. The wheels of the main vehicle do not lock when taking curves and are stable even on uneven surfaces. At the same time the trailer can be properly steered by the main vehicle without any undesired movements of the trailer. The improvement is also simple and economical.

Abstract: A tow bar apparatus is attached to a vehicle to be towed and includes a vehicle attachment assembly which includes a transverse strut member and a pair of connector assemblies, attached to the transverse strut member, for attaching the vehicle attachment assembly to the vehicle to be towed. A first hinge assembly is connected to a first end of the transverse strut member. A second hinge assembly is connected to a second end of the transverse strut member. A first beam member, which includes a proximal end, is connected to the first end of the transverse strut member. A second beam member, which includes a proximal end, is connected to the second end of the transverse strut member. A joint assembly is connected to a distal end of the first beam member and to a distal end of the second beam member. The joint assembly includes a channel portion, and a telescopic beam assembly is received in the channel portion of the joint assembly.

Abstract: A light weight aerodynamically efficient cycling trailer having a single wheel is provided for towing behind a bicycle or motor cycle. The disclosed cycling trailer includes a body enclosure, an overlying lid, a light weight frame, the first end of the frame bending upwardly along the forward surface of the body enclosure to engage with a removable goose-neck tongue, the goose-neck tongue extending upwards along and attaching to the forward surface of the body enclosure, the forward end of the goose-neck tongue extending over the rear wheel of the bicycle and being coupled to a latching universal joint which couples the cycling trailer to the bicycle. The latching universal joint facilitates the easy connecting and disconnecting of the cycling trailer to a bicycle without the need of additional attachments. The cycling trailer is also provided with a removable child carrier, a hanging bar and a cargo shelf.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a front mower driven by a self propelled all terrain vehicle to the rear of the mower and connected by an articulating hitch. The hitch includes a pair of spaced pivot mechanisms to allow the mower to pivot from front to rear relative to the all terrain vehicle and a third pivot mechanism to allow the mower to rotate about a horizontal axis from side to side such that the mower is driven by the all terrain vehicle, but is free to follow the contour of the ground being traversed by the apparatus independent of the all terrain vehicle.

Abstract: There is disclosed a modular trailer hitch and tow bar having multiple coupling points at which the trailer may be separated from its towing vehicle. The first is a pivoting coupling on a vehicle mount unit near the horizontal axis of the towing vehicle rear wheels. The second coupling is rearwardly displaced from the first and is a sleeve and bar coupling which is normally used to separate the tow bar into a trailer connector unit and a vehicle mount unit. The third coupling is rearwardly displaced from the second and is arranged to conform to the juncture of the bifurcated arms of a conventional travel trailer tongue. The third coupling operates in conjunction with clamps engaging the tongue to form a rigid and rugged joinder of tow bar to trailer tongue arms. A vehicle mounted tow bar holder holds the truck mount unit portion stationary when the tow bar is disconnected at the second coupling.

Abstract: This invention is a vehicle towing means to be readily mounted between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle requiring a minimum amount of effort, strength, and skill for doing so. The vehicle towing means includes 1) a main support assembly releasably connectable to the towing vehicle; 2) a connector linkage assembly pivotally connected to the main support assembly and having a linkage tube member releasably connectable to the towed vehicle; 3) a main actuator assembly mounted between the connector linkage assembly and the main support frame operable to raise and lower a portion of the towed vehicle; and 4) a towed vehicle connector member secured to the towed vehicle operable to releasably receive the connector linkage assembly mounted thereon.

Abstract: A foldable towing hitch attachable to a vehicle, having a pair of articulately attached arms extendable therefrom, one of said arms being foldable for collapsing both arms against the vehicle for storage, and further having a hitch bracket retaining the extended arms in a converged relationship and attachable to a second towed vehicle.

Abstract: An omnibus in the form of an articulated vehicle with one traction vehicle and one or more trailer towed thereby characterized in that the traction vehicle is coupled with at least one trailer in a modular fashion by a detachable towbar which at its front end has a hitch or coupling pin, which is connected with a self-locking towing coupling provided at the rear of the respective vehicle and further connected via a fifth wheel with the front end of a trailer and which is connected via turnpins in bearing eyes at the end of the main girders of floor framework of the traction vehicle.

Abstract: A trailer is adapted to be hitched to the back of a horse-drawn jogger, the trailer having a frame and a tongue extending forwardly from the frame with a hitch apparatus for attachment to the jogger. The frame supports two spaced-apart wheels and a grill. The grill extends generally transverse to the forward direction of the trailer and is located generally above and rearwardly of the wheels of the trailer. A self-levelling hitch is connected to the jogger, the hitch being connected to swivel about the axis of the jogger wheels. A bracket extends from the hitch and supports a freely turning levelling wheel which contacts the ground rearwardly of the common axis of the jogger wheels. The hitch has a coupling for engaging the trailer.

Abstract: A self-storing hitch for a single rear wheeled vehicle including a generally C-shaped support having opposite ends pivotally attached to the vehicle frame on opposite sides of the single rear wheel. The support carries a hitch plate and is movable between a lowered towing position and a raised stored position. Spring pins lock the hitch in the selected position. In the towing position, the hitch plate extends horizontally rearward of the rear wheel. In the stored position, the rear section of the C-shaped support conforms generally to the contour of an upper rear section of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A tow hitch assembly for connecting a tractor vehicle to a trailer vehicle includes a mounting member adapted to be secured to the frame of one of the vehicles and a tow bar releasably securable to the mounting member at one end and adapted to be secured at its opposite end to the other vehicle. The connection between the tow bar and mounting member is defined by a pair of spaced-apart, parallel disc-shaped knuckles mounted on either side of a tangential flat surface on the mounting member and by a rounded nose forming the end of the tow bar which nose has a pair of flat sidewalls. The nose is sized for close-fitting insertion between the knuckles and has a radius of curvature that is the same as the radius of curvature of the knuckles. The knuckles and the nose have alignable bores so that a pin may be inserted therethrough to releasably secure the tow bar and mounting member together.

Abstract: A hitch and drawbar assembly (10) arranged so that bolts (38) securing the hitch (17) to the drawbar (18) have substantially only tension forces applied thereto in transmitting a pulling force from the vehicle (11) to the hitch. The drawbar of the assembly is pivotally mounted to the frame (12) of the vehicle by suitable pins (15,16) and a support (21) is provided for retaining the drawbar in a desired, generally horizontal, slightly downwardly rearwardly inclined disposition. The support is arranged to permit slight movement of the drawbar longitudinally while maintaining the drawbar against pivotal movement so as to assure the transmission of pulling forces from the vehicle frame to the drawbar substantially solely through the pins. The drawbar may be thusly supported to a casing portion (20) of the vehicle as such mounting assures the prevention of transmission of pulling forces on the casing portion.