US3779407A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle lifting and towing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-05-24
•
Granted: 1973-12-18
•
Expires: 1991-05-24
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for lifting one end of a disabled vehicle and for coupling it to a towing vehicle in which the apparatus itself comprises a wheel supported carriage for assuming the majority of the load of the disabled vehicle and being constructed and connected to the towing vehicle in a manner permitting a relatively light weight towing vehicle to lift and tow a relatively heavy weight disabled vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 L Gillem
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:28
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/12; B60P3/125; B60P3/127
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
In a vehicle lifting and towing apparatus having a wheel supported carriage for over-the-road movement longitudinally of said carriage, and a member on one longitudinal side of the carriage mounted for vertical reciprocation and for attachment to and raising of a vehicle to be towed, and a tow tongue on the opposite side of said carriage for connection to a towing vehicle; the improvement comprising: a pair of arms secured about a vertical axis pivotal joint to said member and providing articulation between the towing and towed vehicles, said arms diverging horizontally from said pivotal joint; a bumper engaging plate having horizontally spaced vertical axis pivotal connection joints to the divergent ends of said arms and having means for securing said plate to the bumper of the vehicle to be towed; and said plate being sectionalized with a vertical axis medial hinge cofunctioning with the aforesaid pivotal joints to cause sections of said plate to conform in shape to and to fit against forwardly pointed bumpers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a vehicle lifting and towing apparatus having a wheel supported carriage for over-the-road movement longitudinally of said carriage, and a member on one longitudinal side of the carriage mounted for vertical reciprocation and for attachment to and raising of a vehicle to be towed, and a tow tongue on the opposite side of said carriage for connection to a towing vehicle; the improvement comprising: a pair of arms secured about a vertical axis pivotal joint to said member and providing articulation between the towing and towed vehicles, said arms diverging horizontally from said pivotal joint; a bumper engaging plate having horizontally spaced vertical axis pivotal connection joints to the divergent ends of said arms and having means for securing said plate to the bumper of the vehicle to be towed; and said plate being sectionalized with a vertical axis medial hinge cofunctioning with the aforesaid pivotal joints to cause sections of said plate to conform in shape to and to fit against forwardly pointed bumpers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
118 words
In a vehicle lifting and towing apparatus having a wheel supported carriage for over-the-road movement longitudinally of said carriage, and a member on one longitudinal side of the carriage mounted for vertical reciprocation and for attachment to and raising of a vehicle to be towed, and a tow tongue on the opposite side of said carriage for connection to a towing vehicle; the improvement comprising: a frame supporting said member for vertical reciprocation; a pair of tool boxes and tongue mounting plates secured to opposite sides of said frame and for adjustable vertical positioning of said plates, said plates having angularly related flanges; and said tow tongue having parts demountably secured for adjusted vertical positioning to said flanges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
118 words
In a vehicle lifting and towing apparatus having a wheel supported carriage for over-the-road movement longitudinally of said carriage, and a member on one longitudinal side of the carriage mounted for vertical reciprocation and for attachment to and raising of a vehicle to be towed, and a tow tongue on the opposite side of said carriage for connection to a towing vehicle; the improvement comprising: a frame supporting said member for vertical reciprocation; a pair of tool boxes and tongue mounting plates secured to opposite sides of said frame and for adjustable vertical positioning of said plates, said plates having angularly related flanges; and said tow tongue having parts demountably secured for adjusted vertical positioning to said flanges.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2, axle bearings mounted on said boxes; an axle journaled in said bearings and having offset wheel spindles; wheels journaled for rotation on said spindles; and spring torsionally connecting said axle and bearings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a vehicle lifting and towing apparatus having a wheel supported carriage for over-the-road movement longitudinally of said carriage, and a tow tongue on one longitudinal side of said carriage for connection to a towing vehicle having a rigid frame, and a member on the opposite side of said carriage mounted for vertical reciprocation and for attachment to and raising of a vehicle to be towed thereby imparting a rotating moment to said carriage and upward thrust of said tongue, the improvement comprising: a rigid part formed for demountable securing to said towing vehicle frame; a universal bearing joint connecting said part and tongue and comprising an upward thrust bearing section mounted on said tongue and a complementary downwardly oriented thrust bearing section on said part; and an elongated spring member connecting said part and tongue and restraining upward bowing of said joint and transferring said upward thrust to said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a vehicle lifting and towing apparatus having a wheel supported carriage for over-the-road movement longitudinally of said carriage, and a tow tongue on one longitudinal side of said carriage for connection to a towing vehicle having a rigid frame, and a member on the opposite side of said carriage mounted for vertical reciprocation and for attachment to and raising of a vehicle to be towed thereby imparting a rotating moment to said carriage and upward thrust of said tongue, the improvement comprising: a rigid part formed for demountable securing to said towing vehicle frame; a universal bearing joint connecting said part and tongue and comprising an upward thrust bearing section mounted on said tongue and a complementary downwardly oriented thrust bearing section on said part; and an elongated spring member connecting said part and tongue and restraining upward bowing of said joint and transferring said upward thrust to said frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said sections are articulated for relative rotation about a vertical axis, and including: a pair of said spring members; means journaling one end of each of said spring members to said part on opposite sides and for rotation about axes parallel to said first named axis; and means mounting The opposite ends of said spring members on said tongue for relative longitudinal displacement therebetween upon articulation of said sections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5, said last named means providing selective spacing of said spring member ends and tongue for selective preloading of said spring members.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |