Patent US3758135A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3758135A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automobile tow bar
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-06-21
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1992-06-21
Abstract
Abstract An automobile tow bar for rear-engine vehicles which comprises a central member having an offset area that permits slipping the tow bar under a front axle area into a clip fixed to the center of the frame of an automobile. A cross member is fixed to the longitudinal central member, and the cross member has clevis members which can nest the torsion bar and axle assemblies of the front vehicle suspension to carry the weight of the front of the vehicle off the ground. The forward end of the central longitudinal shaft of the tow bar is equipped with linkage for attachment to a towing vehicle. Lifting the tow bar, to engage the tow vehicle''s hitch, raises the front wheels of the towed vehicle from the ground and supports the weight of the towed vehicle on its torsion rod axle assembly, thus relieving other more critical parts from excessive strain.
Inventors
- 👤 A Kniff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:50
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/14; B60D1/143; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/12; B60P3/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
253 words
A tow bar assembly having tow bar fitting means for coupling with a towing vehicle and adapted for attachment to the frame of an automobile and to its front suspension assembly, which comprises: a. a central shaft member, said central shaft member having a first straight section, a free end of said first straight section and a second offset section formed at an acute angle to said first straight section, said second offset section being contiguous and substantially coplanar with said first straight section, and a third offset section formed substantially parallel to said first section, said second section adapted to form a clearance drop between said first and third sections, said third section having means adapted to be removably attached to an automobile frame, said central shaft member having a top side and a bottom side, said top side adapted to be the side closest to said automobile; b. a cross-shaft member, said cross-shaft member fixed to said central shaft member transversely of the first straight section and adapted to form substantially equal cross-arms; c. a pair of clevis members, each of said clevis members fixed adjacent each end of said cross-shaft member, each of said clevis members having a clevis opening extending substantially parallel in direction to said cross-shaft member, said clevis members adapted to retain the front suspension assembly of said automobile; d. retaining pin members, said retaining pin members adapted to be assembled with said clevis members to prevent removal of said clevis members from said front suspension assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
253 words
A tow bar assembly having tow bar fitting means for coupling with a towing vehicle and adapted for attachment to the frame of an automobile and to its front suspension assembly, which comprises: a. a central shaft member, said central shaft member having a first straight section, a free end of said first straight section and a second offset section formed at an acute angle to said first straight section, said second offset section being contiguous and substantially coplanar with said first straight section, and a third offset section formed substantially parallel to said first section, said second section adapted to form a clearance drop between said first and third sections, said third section having means adapted to be removably attached to an automobile frame, said central shaft member having a top side and a bottom side, said top side adapted to be the side closest to said automobile; b. a cross-shaft member, said cross-shaft member fixed to said central shaft member transversely of the first straight section and adapted to form substantially equal cross-arms; c. a pair of clevis members, each of said clevis members fixed adjacent each end of said cross-shaft member, each of said clevis members having a clevis opening extending substantially parallel in direction to said cross-shaft member, said clevis members adapted to retain the front suspension assembly of said automobile; d. retaining pin members, said retaining pin members adapted to be assembled with said clevis members to prevent removal of said clevis members from said front suspension assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A tow bar assembly according to claim 1 wherein said tow bar fitting means is fixed to the free end of said first straight section of said central shaft member opposite said second section, said tow bar fitting adapted to engage tow fixture means on a towing vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A tow bar assembly according to claim 1 which includes channel clip means, said channel clip means being adapted to be fixed to the underframe of an automobile, said channel clip means being adapted to retain said third section of said central shaft member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A tow bar assembly according to in claim 3 wherein said channel clip means is adapted to engage said third section of said central shaft member for slip installation and slip removal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
A tow bar assembly according to claim 3 which includes a third clevis member, said third clevis member fixed to said top side of said third section of said central shaft member, said third clevis member having a clevis channel facing in the direction of said free end of said first straight section, said third clevis member adapted to slidably engage said channel clip means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tow bar assembly according to claim 5 wherein each of said clevis members has a clevis channel facing parallel to said first straight section of said central shaft member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A tow bar assembly according to claim 5 wherein each of said clevis members has a clevis opening facing in the direction of said free end of said first straight section of said central shaft member, said clevis channels extending substantially parallel to said central shaft member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
102 words
A tow bar assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of said clevis members has a transverse channel, each of said transverse channels opening through one wall of its respective clevis member; a locking lever member mounted to each clevis member; each said locking lever members being pivotally mounted to its respective member for entry through the respective transverse channel, and a locking pin member for each said locking lever member, each said locking member being adapted to engage its respective locking lever members and clevis member to lock the respective said locking lever member in engagement with said front suspension assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
A tow bar assembly according to claim 1 in which said means and the third section comprises a second cross member, said second cross member fixed to said third offset section of said central shaft member, said second cross member having a pair of tongues formed at the opposite extremities of said second cross member, said retaining tongues being adapted to be attached to the frame of said automobile.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 which includes a pair of channel clip members, said channel clip members adapted to be attached to said frame of said automobile for retention of said offset retaining tongues of said second cross member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 which includes said pair of channel clip means being adapted to engage said pair of retaining tongue means of said second cross member for slip installation and slip removal.
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) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |