US3627352A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drawbar construction
Assignee: SIGNAL TRUCKING SERVICE Ltd
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Filing: 1969-08-25
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Granted: 1971-12-14
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Expires: 1989-08-25
Abstract
Abstract A drawbar construction for a self-propelled vehicle adapted to be towed in tandem from a lead vehicle comprised of angularly disposed struts converging to a point where they support a hitch eye, and having their remote ends rotatably mounted on the frame of the vehicle to be towed. Latch means at the front of the vehicle hold the drawbar in inoperative, substantially vertical position against the front of the vehicle. Pivotally mounted on a crossbar between the struts is a supporting leg adapted to be latched to the drawbar in inoperative position, and rotatable relative to the drawbar into a vertical position where it supports the drawbar hitch eye in position to be engaged automatically with a hitch on the lead vehicle. The supporting leg for the drawbar is vertically adjustable to locate the hitch eye in proper relation for its engagement with the forward hitch.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack Canole
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:48
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/14; B60D1/167
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
A drawbar construction for a self-propelled vehicle to be operated in tandem by a towing vehicle comprising: a pair of angularly disposed struts converging to a point; a hitch eye rigidly secured to and supported by said struts at said point; a pair of substantially horizontal spaced crossbars interconnecting said struts; means pivotally mounting the spaced ends of said struts to brackets rigidly mounted on said first-mentioned vehicle; latch means mounted on said first-mentioned vehicle above said brackets; means on the crossbar adjacent said hitch eye for engaging with said latch means; a supporting leg pivotally mounted on said drawbar for swinging movement from a position parallel to the plane of the drawbar to a position substantially at right angles thereto; means for lockinG said supporting leg in its two positions; means for adjusting the length of said supporting leg to adjust the position of the hitch eye above the ground for automatic engagement in a hitch mounted on the towing vehicle; in which said supporting leg-locking means comprises a latch carried on the leg and engageable with a crossbar on the drawbar to hold the leg in a position substantially parallel to the plane of the drawbar; and a pin and hole arrangement operating with the leg substantially vertical for locking it in a position for holding the hitch eye elevated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
A drawbar construction for a self-propelled vehicle to be operated in tandem by a towing vehicle comprising: a pair of angularly disposed struts converging to a point; a hitch eye rigidly secured to and supported by said struts at said point; a pair of substantially horizontal spaced crossbars interconnecting said struts; means pivotally mounting the spaced ends of said struts to brackets rigidly mounted on said first-mentioned vehicle; latch means mounted on said first-mentioned vehicle above said brackets; means on the crossbar adjacent said hitch eye for engaging with said latch means; a supporting leg pivotally mounted on said drawbar for swinging movement from a position parallel to the plane of the drawbar to a position substantially at right angles thereto; means for lockinG said supporting leg in its two positions; means for adjusting the length of said supporting leg to adjust the position of the hitch eye above the ground for automatic engagement in a hitch mounted on the towing vehicle; in which said supporting leg-locking means comprises a latch carried on the leg and engageable with a crossbar on the drawbar to hold the leg in a position substantially parallel to the plane of the drawbar; and a pin and hole arrangement operating with the leg substantially vertical for locking it in a position for holding the hitch eye elevated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The drawbar construction of claim 1, including: said supporting leg being of telescoping construction with cooperating pins and holes for determining the degree of telescoping and the height at which the hitch eye is held by the leg above the ground.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The drawbar arrangement of claim 1, including: said vehicle-mounted latch means being a spring-biased plunger cooperating with an opening in the crossbar adjacent the hitch eye for locking the drawbar in raised position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The drawbar construction of claim 1, including: an auxiliary bar disposed above said brackets, said latch means being mounted on said auxiliary bar; and means on said auxiliary bar for holding temporary connections between the tandem vehicles out of the way when the drawbar is raised.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
The drawbar construction defined in claim 1, in which said supporting leg-locking means further includes: an ear at the upper end of said leg; an ear depending from said drawbar; means pivoting said ears together for swinging movement of the leg relative to the crossbar; and cooperating holes in said ears in addition to said pivoting means for receiving a pin for locking said leg in its vertical-supporting position at substantially right angles to the plane of the drawbar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
203 words
A drawbar construction for a self-propelled vehicle to be operated in tandem by a towing vehicle comprising: a pair of angularly disposed struts converging to a point; a hitch eye rigidly secured to and supported by said struts at said point; a pair of substantially horizontal-spaced crossbars interconnecting said struts; means pivotally mounting the spaced ends of said struts to brackets rigidly mounted on said first-mentioned vehicle; latch means mounted on said first-mentioned vehicle above said brackets; means on the crossbar adjacent said hitch eye for engaging with said latch means; a supporting leg pivotally mounted on said drawbar for swinging movement from a position parallel to the plane of the drawbar to a position substantially at right angles thereto; means for locking said supporting leg in its two positions; means for adjusting the length of said supporting leg to adjust the position of the hitch eye above the ground for automatic engagement in a hitch mounted on the towing vehicle; and wherein one of the locking means for the leg comprises a spring-biased plunger thereon cooperating with an opening in the crossbar remote from said hitch eye for latching said leg in a position substantially parallel to the plane of the drawbar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
203 words
A drawbar construction for a self-propelled vehicle to be operated in tandem by a towing vehicle comprising: a pair of angularly disposed struts converging to a point; a hitch eye rigidly secured to and supported by said struts at said point; a pair of substantially horizontal-spaced crossbars interconnecting said struts; means pivotally mounting the spaced ends of said struts to brackets rigidly mounted on said first-mentioned vehicle; latch means mounted on said first-mentioned vehicle above said brackets; means on the crossbar adjacent said hitch eye for engaging with said latch means; a supporting leg pivotally mounted on said drawbar for swinging movement from a position parallel to the plane of the drawbar to a position substantially at right angles thereto; means for locking said supporting leg in its two positions; means for adjusting the length of said supporting leg to adjust the position of the hitch eye above the ground for automatic engagement in a hitch mounted on the towing vehicle; and wherein one of the locking means for the leg comprises a spring-biased plunger thereon cooperating with an opening in the crossbar remote from said hitch eye for latching said leg in a position substantially parallel to the plane of the drawbar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The drawbar construction of claim 6, including: said supporting leg being of telescoping construction with cooperating pins and holes for determining the degree of telescoping and the height at which the hitch eye is held by the leg above the ground.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The drawbar arrangement of claim 6, including: said vehicle-mounted latch means being a spring-biased plunger cooperating with an opening in the crossbar adjacent the hitch eye for locking the drawbar in raised position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The drawbar construction of claim 6, including: an auxiliary bar disposed above said brackets, said latch means being mounted on said auxiliary bar; and means on said auxiliary bar for holding temporary connections between the tandem vehicles out of the way when the drawbar is raised.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
82 words
The drawbar construCtion defined in claim 6, in which said locking means for the leg further comprises: an ear at the upper end of said leg; an ear depending from said drawbar; means pivoting said ears together for swinging movement of the leg relative to the crossbar; and cooperating holes in said ears in addition to said pivoting means for receiving a pin for locking said leg in its vertical supporting position at substantially right angles to the plane of the drawbar.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-13 | 1975-06-14 | 1975-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-13 | 1979-06-14 | 1979-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-13 | 1983-06-14 | 1983-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |