Trailer coupling with passageway

Claim 2

In combination with trailer and towing vehicles each having an interior for carrying passengers or the like, a coupling comprising a first mounting frame attached to said towing vehicle, a second mounting frame attached to said trailer vehicle, said second mounting frame being vertically spaced from said first mounting frame, pivot support means supporting said second frame from said first frame for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis, and passageway means communicating the interior of said towing vehicle with the interior of said trailer vehicle for permitting passage of persons therebetween.

Claim 3

The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said passageway means is defined by first and second openings in said first and second mounting frames respectively.

Claim 4

The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein said first and second openings are in general vertical alignment with each other and lie along said axis of pivotal movement.

Claim 5

The structure set forth in claim 3 wherein one of said mounting frames includes a circular collar member, the other of said mounting frames including a flange member in sliding engagement with said coller member.

Claim 6

The structure set forth in claim 4 wherein said Other mounting frame includes pivotal fastening means supporting said flange member for pivotal movement thereof about a generally horizontal axis.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 1 wherein said pivot support means also includes means pivotally supporting said second frame from said first frame for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 1 wherein said generally horizontal axis passes at least closely adjacent said generally vertical axis.

Claim 9

A coupling for towing a trailer vehicle, said coupling comprising an upper mounting frame adapted to be connected to the trailer vehicle, a lower mounting frame adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle and underlying said upper mounting frame, said upper and lower mounting frames including upper and lower openings, respectively, disposed in vertical registry with each other, said openings each being of a diameter adapted to receive a person''s body therethrough and together defining a generally vertical passageway through said frames for movement of persons through the coupling, said upper and lower frames including coacting means pivotally mounting said upper frame from said lower frame for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis generally centered relative to said passageway and for pivotal movement of said upper frame relative to said lower frame about a generally horizontal axis passing at least closely adjacent said generally vertical axis and intermediate the upper and lower ends of said passageway.

Claim 10

A coupling for towing a trailer vehicle, said coupling comprising an upper mounting frame adapted to be connected to the trailer vehicle, a lower mounting frame adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle and underlying said upper mounting frame, said upper and lower mounting frames including upper and lower openings, respectively, disposed in vertical registry with each other, said openings each being of a diameter adapted to receive a person''s body therethrough and together defining a generally vertical passageway through said frames for movement of persons through the coupling, said upper and lower frames including coacting means pivotally mounting said upper frame from said lower frame for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis generally centered relative to said passageway and for pivotal movement of said upper frame relative to said lower frame about a generally horizontal axis passing at least closely adjacent said generally vertical axis and intermediate the upper and lower ends of said passageway.

Claim 11

The structure set forth in claim 8 wherein each of said openings is of generally circular configuration, the shape of said passageway means being independent of the relative pivotal angular positions of said upper, and lower mounting frames.

Claim 12

The structure set forth in claim 9 wherein said passageway is defined by a resilient, generally cylindrical member attached at one end to one of the mounting frames about the corresponding opening and having its other end projecting through the other opening.