US4002353A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Towing vehicle having a cart-hitching mechanism
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1975-08-27
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Granted: 1977-01-11
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Expires: 1995-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A towing vehicle is provided with a hitch mechanism operable by the vehicleperator without leaving his driving station on the vehicle and which will positively clamp a cart which is to be towed by means of a set of movable jaws.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerry Sysyn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:20
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
In a towing driving vehicle; a cart hitch mechanism having upper and lower mutually pivotally mounted jaws movable vertically for releasably clamping a cart to be towed; the pivotal connection being so arranged that said jaws are biased by gravity to a normally closed position; vertically disposed control means connected to said upper jaw and accessible to the operator of said towing vehicle at his driving station for controlling the opening movement of said jaws; means mounted on said vehicle for adjustably supporting and guiding said hitch assembly in a vertical direction so that the jaws are vertically movable to accommodate carts of different heights; means connected to the hitch mechanism and accessible to said operator at his driving station for controlling the vertical position of said hitch assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a towing driving vehicle; a cart hitch mechanism having upper and lower mutually pivotally mounted jaws movable vertically for releasably clamping a cart to be towed; the pivotal connection being so arranged that said jaws are biased by gravity to a normally closed position; vertically disposed control means connected to said upper jaw and accessible to the operator of said towing vehicle at his driving station for controlling the opening movement of said jaws; means mounted on said vehicle for adjustably supporting and guiding said hitch assembly in a vertical direction so that the jaws are vertically movable to accommodate carts of different heights; means connected to the hitch mechanism and accessible to said operator at his driving station for controlling the vertical position of said hitch assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The towing vehicle of claim 1 wherein the upper jaw is pivoted at one end opposite a cart engaging end and said lower jaw is pivoted intermediate its length and connected to the upper jaw.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The towing vehicle of claim 2 wherein a link is pivoted at a point intermediate said upper jaw member and to an end of the lower jaw member opposite the cart-engaging end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a towing vehicle; a cart hitch mechanism having upper and lower pivotally mounted jaws movable vertically for releasably clamping a cart to be towed; a vertically disposed pull chain connected to said hitch assembly and accessible to the operator of said towing vehicle for lifting the upper jaw to pivotally open the jaws; means mounted on said vehicle for adjustably supporting and guiding said hitch assembly in a vertical direction to accommodate carts of different heights; means connected to the hitch mechanism and accessible to said operator for controlling the vertical position of said hitch assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a towing vehicle; a cart hitch mechanism having upper and lower pivotally mounted jaws movable vertically for releasably clamping a cart to be towed; a vertically disposed pull chain connected to said hitch assembly and accessible to the operator of said towing vehicle for lifting the upper jaw to pivotally open the jaws; means mounted on said vehicle for adjustably supporting and guiding said hitch assembly in a vertical direction to accommodate carts of different heights; means connected to the hitch mechanism and accessible to said operator for controlling the vertical position of said hitch assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
A hitch mechanism comprising: a housing; upper and lower movable levers terminating in jaw ends supported within said housing: said upper lever pivoted to said housing at an end opposite said jaw end; said lower lever pivoted to said housing at a point intermediate its ends; and link means pivotally connected to said upper member at a point intermediate its ends and pivotally connected to an end opposite said jaw end; means for pivoting said upper lever to open said jaws; whereby said jaws are balanced to normally assume a closed condition with each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
A hitch mechanism comprising: a housing; upper and lower movable levers terminating in jaw ends supported within said housing: said upper lever pivoted to said housing at an end opposite said jaw end; said lower lever pivoted to said housing at a point intermediate its ends; and link means pivotally connected to said upper member at a point intermediate its ends and pivotally connected to an end opposite said jaw end; means for pivoting said upper lever to open said jaws; whereby said jaws are balanced to normally assume a closed condition with each other.
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) | 1980-01-11 | 1980-07-12 | 1981-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-11 | 1984-07-12 | 1985-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-11 | 1988-07-12 | 1989-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |