US3649049A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three point tow bar
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-04-06
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Granted: 1972-03-14
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Expires: 1990-04-06
Abstract
Abstract A pair of elongated arms diverge apart as they extend rearwardly from separate points of connection to a coupler head. Bumper pads at the rear ends of the arms contact the front bumper of a vehicle to be towed. The coupler head is secured to a trailer hitch on a towing vehicle. Two chain side parts are wrapped around and hooked onto two laterally spaced bumper brackets at the front of the rear vehicle. These chain side parts converge together as they extend forwardly. At the coupler head the two chain side parts are connected to a single draw bolt which is shortenable for the purpose of removing slack from the two chain side parts.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles L Woodke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:48
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/48; B60D1/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A tow bar comprising: a coupler head securable to a towing vehicle; a spacer frame having a forward end portion connected to said coupler head and a rear end portion positionable against the bumper of a vehicle to be towed; towing line means including two side parts having rear end portions for connection to two laterally spaced forward frame portions of the vehicle to be towed; and tensioning means on said coupler head for engaging forward portions of both side parts of the line means, said tensioning means being adjustable for the purpose of pulling slack from said side parts, with said side parts in use transmitting the draft forces in the towing line means directly from the vehicle being towed forwardly to the coupler head.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A tow bar comprising: a coupler head securable to a towing vehicle; a spacer frame having a forward end portion connected to said coupler head and a rear end portion positionable against the bumper of a vehicle to be towed; towing line means including two side parts having rear end portions for connection to two laterally spaced forward frame portions of the vehicle to be towed; and tensioning means on said coupler head for engaging forward portions of both side parts of the line means, said tensioning means being adjustable for the purpose of pulling slack from said side parts, with said side parts in use transmitting the draft forces in the towing line means directly from the vehicle being towed forwardly to the coupler head.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
A tow bar according to claim 1, wherein the coupler head includes an upstanding flange having a generally fore-and-aft extending bolt receiving opening therein, and said tensioning means comprises a draw bolt extending through said opening and having means at its rear end connectable to the side parts of the towing line means, and means for moving said bolt forwardly for the purpose of pulling slack from said side parts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A tow bar according to claim 2, wherein said tow line means is made from interlocking link chain and the means connectable to the side parts comprises a member including a pair of slots, each engageable with a link of the chain.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A tow bar according to claim 2, wherein the coupler head includes an upstanding flange located generally between the connection points of the two side arms to the coupler head, and the draw bolt opening is formed in said flange.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
A tow bar according to claim 4, wherein said opening is bounded at its forward end by an adjustment nut seat on the flange which leans rearwardly from vertical, so that in use the two side parts of the chain may extend rearwardly and downwardly from the draw bolt, and under the front bumper of the vehicle in tow.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A tow bar according to claim 2, wherein the towing line means is an oval link chain and the hook portion of the draw bolt comprises a member including a pair of slots, each sized to receive a link of the towing chain means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
127 words
A tow bar comprising: a coupler head securable to a hitch on a towing vehicle, said coupler head including a draw bolt support provided with a generally fore-and-aft directed opening; a draw bolt extending through said opening and having a rearwardly directed hook portion and a forwardly directed threaded portion, and an adjustment nut on said threaded portion; a spacer frame comprising a pair of side arms, each having a forward end connected to said coupler head and a towed vehicle bumper contacting portion at its rear end; and towing chain means for connection to the hook portion of said draw bolt, and including two side parts extendible directly rearwardly from said hook portion for connection to two laterally spaced forward frame portions of the towed vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
127 words
A tow bar comprising: a coupler head securable to a hitch on a towing vehicle, said coupler head including a draw bolt support provided with a generally fore-and-aft directed opening; a draw bolt extending through said opening and having a rearwardly directed hook portion and a forwardly directed threaded portion, and an adjustment nut on said threaded portion; a spacer frame comprising a pair of side arms, each having a forward end connected to said coupler head and a towed vehicle bumper contacting portion at its rear end; and towing chain means for connection to the hook portion of said draw bolt, and including two side parts extendible directly rearwardly from said hook portion for connection to two laterally spaced forward frame portions of the towed vehicle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
A tow bar according to claim 7, wherein the two side arms are connected to the coupler head by pivot pins which in use are generally vertically oriented, so that the side arms can be moved together for stowage and dihedrally apart for use in towing a vehicle, and a cross brace interconnectible between midportions of the side arms, for holding them in a spread position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
A tow bar according to claim 8, wherein the cross brace comprises a pair of elongated members, each having an outer end portion pivotally connected to its side arm and an inner end portion which laps the inner end portion of the other such member, and the inner end portions of the members each include adjustment bolt opening means alignable in a plurality of different positions with the adjustment bolt opening means in the other member, so that the spread of the side arms can be adjusted, and lock bolt assemblies insertable through the openings and tightenable to secure the cross brace parts together.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
A tow bar according to claim 9, wherein each side arm has a bracket plate extending laterally outwardly therefrom, and the means pivotally connecting the outer ends of the brace parts each comprises a pivot pin which extends through both the outer end portion of the cross brace part and the bracket.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-14 | 1975-09-13 | 1976-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-14 | 1979-09-13 | 1980-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-14 | 1983-09-13 | 1984-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |