US3897879A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle towing apparatus
Assignee: Vulcan Equipment Co Ltd
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Filing: 1973-08-13
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1993-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle towing apparatus is provided which includes a cantilever mounted extendable boom with a swivable connection to a vehicle-engaging cradle. The cantilever reduces the necessary weight of the towing vehicle and the extendable feature permits the towed vehicle to be secured in a much closer stable relationship to the towing vehicle than heretofore. The swivel connection to the vehicle-engaging apparatus permits a wide range relative position between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle which permits lifting and towing in situations where there is relatively little manoeuvrability.
Inventors
- 👤 Leslie Bubik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:55
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/12; B60P3/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
Apparatus for lifting and towing vehicles comprising: a boom support adapted to be mounted on a towing vehicle, a boom of variable length pivotally mounted on said boom support for movement about a horizontal axis, said boom being positionable to extend from the rear end of the towing vehicle, sling support means connected to the boom, flexible sling means connected to and depending from said sling support means, a rigid member extendable across and beneath a vehicle to be towed and engageable with said towed vehicle, means on said rigid member and on said sling means for securing said rigid member to said sling means forwardly and rearwardly of the wheels and outwardly thereof at one end of the towed vehicle, first power means for moving said boom about said axis to lift said one end of the towed vehicle off the ground when said rigid member is secured to said sling means by said securing means, second power means for varying the length of said boom so as to move said lifted one end of said towed vehicle towards the towing vehicle, and a rigid tow bar connectible between said rigid member and said towing vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
Apparatus for lifting and towing vehicles comprising: a boom support adapted to be mounted on a towing vehicle, a boom of variable length pivotally mounted on said boom support for movement about a horizontal axis, said boom being positionable to extend from the rear end of the towing vehicle, sling support means connected to the boom, flexible sling means connected to and depending from said sling support means, a rigid member extendable across and beneath a vehicle to be towed and engageable with said towed vehicle, means on said rigid member and on said sling means for securing said rigid member to said sling means forwardly and rearwardly of the wheels and outwardly thereof at one end of the towed vehicle, first power means for moving said boom about said axis to lift said one end of the towed vehicle off the ground when said rigid member is secured to said sling means by said securing means, second power means for varying the length of said boom so as to move said lifted one end of said towed vehicle towards the towing vehicle, and a rigid tow bar connectible between said rigid member and said towing vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
Towing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said rigid member is engageable with said towed vehicle wheels forwardly thereof, and including a further rigid member extendable across the towed vehicle and engageable with said towed vehicle wheels rearwardly thereof, said means on said rigid member and on said sling means being operable to secure said rigid members in engagement with said wheels and said sling means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
Towing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sling support means includes a beam swivably carried by the boom and positionable transversely across and over the towed vehicle, and said sling means includes flexIble elements extending downwardly from each opposite end of the beam down to said securing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
Towing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said rigid member is engageable with said towed vehicle wheels forwardly thereof, and including a further rigid member extendable across the towed vehicle and engageable with said towed vehicle wheels rearwardly thereof, said sling support means including a beam swivably carried by the boom and positionable transversely across and over the towed vehicle, and said sling means including a pair of flexible elements extending downwardly from each opposite end of the beam for engagement with the respective rigid members by said securing means.
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) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |