Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
A device for connecting a vehicle to be towed to the lift mechanism of a tow truck comprising: a pair of cradle arms; support plate means for supporting said cradle arms at one end thereof for pivotal motion about a substantially vertical axis relative to the tow truck; means for attaching said support plate means to said tow truck for limited two degree freedom; wheel tray members for receiving the wheels of a vehicle to be towed attached to the ends of each of said cradle arms opposite to said one ends thereof; cross member means interconnecting said cradle arms at points therealong intermediate the ends thereof; means for adjusting the length of said interconnecting cross member means and thus the separation between said cradle arms; bracket means mounted on said cross-member means; pull means attached at one end thereof to said vehicle to be towed and extending through said bracket means; said bracket means having lift means under which said pull means runs; the other end of said pull means being attached to said lift mechanism; whereby when said lift mechanism is operated to provide lifting action on said lift means, said pull means draws a wheel of said vehicle onto each of said trays and then lifts said cradle arms upwardly to draw one end of said vehicle into a towing position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
224 words
A device for connecting a vehicle to be towed to the lift mechanism of a tow truck comprising: a pair of cradle arms; support plate means for supporting said cradle arms at one end thereof for pivotal motion about a substantially vertical axis relative to the tow truck; means for attaching said support plate means to said tow truck for limited two degree freedom; wheel tray members for receiving the wheels of a vehicle to be towed attached to the ends of each of said cradle arms opposite to said one ends thereof; cross member means interconnecting said cradle arms at points therealong intermediate the ends thereof; means for adjusting the length of said interconnecting cross member means and thus the separation between said cradle arms; bracket means mounted on said cross-member means; pull means attached at one end thereof to said vehicle to be towed and extending through said bracket means; said bracket means having lift means under which said pull means runs; the other end of said pull means being attached to said lift mechanism; whereby when said lift mechanism is operated to provide lifting action on said lift means, said pull means draws a wheel of said vehicle onto each of said trays and then lifts said cradle arms upwardly to draw one end of said vehicle into a towing position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 and further including means for adjusting the longitudinal extent of each of said cradle arms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said pull means comprises a pair of chains, said chains each being attached to an opposite side of thE front under-portion of said vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 3 and further including retainer fork means placed over said chains where they pass through said bracket means to arrest movement thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 and further including wheel stop means removably retained in said cradle arms adjacent to said trays for arresting movement of said vehicle towards the tow truck.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said wheel stop means comprises a plate member having an arm portion thereon, said cradle arms having receptacles therein for receiving said plate member arm portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said means for attaching said support plate means to said tow truck comprises a ball and socket joint.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said means for permitting longitudinal adjustment of said cradle arms comprises telescopic cradle arm sections and means for setting said cradle arms telescopically in any one of a number of relative positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said means for adjusting the length of said cross member means comprises telescopically fitted sections and means for positioning said sections telescopically in any one of a number of predetermined relative positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said cradle arms are attached to said support plate at opposite surfaces thereof and at oppositely positioned points, said arms crossing each other to arrive at these respective points.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said cross-member means are pivotally connected to said cradle arms.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said lift means comprises bar members extending across said bracket means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said bracket means is attached to said cross arm member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said support plate means is attached to said tow truck at a point directly to the rear of the differential thereof.