Cushioned hook for a push-pull type vehicle coupling

Claim 2

A cushioned hook adapted to be mounted to the rear of a vehicle having a frame for providing a pulling connection with a trailing vehicle, comprising a support member rigidly secured to said frame, a hook member having an upper portion and a lower portion, said hook member carried by said support member for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis that extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and is located between said upper and lower portions, said upper and lower portions being located in a vertical plane parallel to said horizontal axis, resilient bumper means supported between the frame and said lower portion below said horizontal axis and in the path of movement of said lower portion for directly cushioning movement of the hook member when the latter is pivoted in one direction above said horizontal axis, and a hook formed on said upper portion above said horizontal axis and adapted to be coupled to said trailing vehicle so as to provide said pulling connection and cause said hook member to pivot in said one direction and be cushioned by said resilient bumper means.

Claim 3

The cushioned hook of claim 1 wherein said lower portion has a trailing edge formed with a rigid bumper which is adapted to be engaged by said trailing vehicle for pivoting said hook member in said one direction.

Claim 4

The cushioned hook of claim 1 wherein said hook member supports a roller for rotation about a transverse axis which is located below said horizontal axis and is parallel thereto.

Claim 5

The cushioned hook of claim 1 wherein said resilient means is an elastomeric member secured to said lower portion of the hook member.

Claim 6

A cushioned hook adapted to be mounted to the rear of a vehicle having a frame for providing a pulling connection for a bail carried by a trailing vehicle, comprising a support member having a pair of laterally spaced upstanding arms rigidly secured to said frame, a hook member positioned between said arms and having an upper portion and a lower portion, pivot means connecting said hook member to said support member for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis that extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and is located intermediate the ends of said hook member, a yieldable bumper mounted on the frame below said horizontal axis in axial alignment with said lower portion and serving to cushion movement of the hook member when the latter is pivoted in one direction above said horizontal axis, a guide bracket rigidly connected to said frame forwardly of said hook member, an inclined upper surface on said guide bracket for guiding said bail into engagement with said hook member, and a hook formed on said upper portion above said horizontal axis and adapted to be engaged by the bail carried by said trailing vehicle so as to provide said pulling connection and cause said hook member to pivot in said one direction.

Claim 7

A cushioned hook adapted to be mounted to the rear of a vehicle having a frame for providing a pulling connection for a bail carried by a trailing vehicle, comprising a support member having a pair of laterally spaced upstanding arms rigidly secured to said frame, a hook member positioned between said arms and having an upper portion and a lower portion, pivot means connecting said hook member to said support member for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis that extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and is located intermediate the ends of said hook member, a yieldable bumper mounted on the frame below said horizontal axis in axial alignment with said lower portion and serving to cushion movement of the hook member when the latter is pivoted in one direction above said horizontal axis, a guide bracket rigidly connected to said frame forwardly of said hook member, an inclined upper surface on said guide bracket for guiding said bail into engagement with said hook member, and a hook formed on said upper portion above said horizontal axis and adapted to be engaged by the bail carried by said trailing vehicle so as to provide said pulling connection and cause said hook member to pivot in said one direction.

Claim 8

A cushioned hook adapted to be mounted to the rear of a vehicle having a frame for providing a pulling connection for a bail carried by a trailing vehicle, comprising a support member having a pair of laterally spaced upstanding arms rigidly secured to said frame, a hook member positioned between said arms and having an upper portion and a lower portion, pivot means connecting said hook member to said support member for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis that extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and is located intermediate the ends of said hook member, a yieldable bumper mounted on the frame below said horizontal axis in axial alignment with said lower portion and serving to cushion movement of the hook member when the latter is pivoted in one direction above said horizontal axis, a guide bracket rigidly connected to said frame forwardly oF said hook member for guiding said bail into engagement with said hook member, and a hook formed on said upper portion above said horizontal axis and adapted to be engaged by the bail carried by said trailing vehicle so as to provide said pulling connection and cause said hook member to pivot in said one direction.

Claim 9

A cushioned hook adapted to be mounted to the rear of a vehicle having a frame for providing a pulling connection for a bail carried by a trailing vehicle, comprising a support member having a pair of laterally spaced upstanding arms rigidly secured to said frame, a hook member positioned between said arms and having an upper portion and a lower portion, pivot means connecting said hook member to said support member for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis that extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and is located intermediate the ends of said hook member, a yieldable bumper mounted on the frame below said horizontal axis in axial alignment with said lower portion and serving to cushion movement of the hook member when the latter is pivoted in one direction above said horizontal axis, a guide bracket rigidly connected to said frame forwardly oF said hook member for guiding said bail into engagement with said hook member, and a hook formed on said upper portion above said horizontal axis and adapted to be engaged by the bail carried by said trailing vehicle so as to provide said pulling connection and cause said hook member to pivot in said one direction.