US4057265A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Towing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-11-24
•
Granted: 1977-11-08
•
Expires: 1996-11-24
Abstract
Abstract A towing apparatus useful for moving mobile homes includes a vehicle having a frame movable to adjusted positions along a linear path of motion parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, a support mounted on the frame so as to be movable to an adjusted vertical position and a hitching ball mounted on the support so as to be movable in lateral direction with respect to the vehicle to an adjusted position.
Inventors
- 👤 Bud W. Grace
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:26
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/42; B60D1/36; B60D1/46; B60D1/465
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A combination comprising: a towing vehicle having a frame, forward wheels and rear wheels mounted on said frame, said wheel means being adapted to engage the ground; a hitching frame mounted on the vehicle so as to be movable from a forward position toward a rearward position with respect to the vehicle along a first path of motion, and first power means connected to the hitching frame for moving it along said first path of motion; a support member carried on the hitching frame so as to be movable from a lower position toward an upper position along a linear, generally vertical path of motion, and second power means for moving the support member along said vertical path of motion, independently of the motion of the hitching frame along said first path of motion, the second power means being operative to engage the support member with the ground to raise the rear wheel means above the ground when the forward wheel means are engaged therewith; and a hitching ball suited for coupling to a second vehicle to be towed by said towing vehicle and means mounting the hitching ball on the support member for motion therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A combination comprising: a towing vehicle having a frame, forward wheels and rear wheels mounted on said frame, said wheel means being adapted to engage the ground; a hitching frame mounted on the vehicle so as to be movable from a forward position toward a rearward position with respect to the vehicle along a first path of motion, and first power means connected to the hitching frame for moving it along said first path of motion; a support member carried on the hitching frame so as to be movable from a lower position toward an upper position along a linear, generally vertical path of motion, and second power means for moving the support member along said vertical path of motion, independently of the motion of the hitching frame along said first path of motion, the second power means being operative to engage the support member with the ground to raise the rear wheel means above the ground when the forward wheel means are engaged therewith; and a hitching ball suited for coupling to a second vehicle to be towed by said towing vehicle and means mounting the hitching ball on the support member for motion therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, including third power means being operative to move the vehicle in a lateral direction at such times as the rear wheels of the vehicle are raised above the ground.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, in which the first power means is operative to move the towing vehicle in a forward direction with respect to the ball when the ball is engaged with the ground and the rear wheel means are raised above the ground.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, in which the first power means is operative to move the towing vehicle in either a forward direction away from the ball or in a rearward direction toward the ball when the ball is engaged with the ground and the rear wheel means are raised above the ground.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, including an elongated link having one end connected to the second power means for movement therewith, the opposite end of the link being pivotally connected to the support to raise the support according to the motion of the second power means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A combination as defined in claim 5, including a connecting member connected to the second power means for substantially horizontal motion therewith, said connecting member being connected to the link to move the support in a generally vertical motion as said connecting member is being moved in a horizontal motion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
169 words
A combination comprising: a towing vehicle; a hitching frame mounted on said towing vehicle so as to be movable from a forward position toward a rearward position with respect to the vehicle along a first path of motion, and first power means connected to the hitching frame for moving it along said first path of motion: guide means mounted on the hitching frame; a support member connected to the guide means for vertical motion therealong from a lower position toward an upper position, and second power means for moving the support member along said vertical path of motion, independently of the motion of the hitching frame along said first path of motion; an elongated link having one end pivotally connected to the support as the opposite end of the link is being moved by the second power means; and a hitching ball suited for coupling to a second vehicle to be towed by said towing vehicle, and means mounting the hitching ball on the support member for motion therewith.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
169 words
A combination comprising: a towing vehicle; a hitching frame mounted on said towing vehicle so as to be movable from a forward position toward a rearward position with respect to the vehicle along a first path of motion, and first power means connected to the hitching frame for moving it along said first path of motion: guide means mounted on the hitching frame; a support member connected to the guide means for vertical motion therealong from a lower position toward an upper position, and second power means for moving the support member along said vertical path of motion, independently of the motion of the hitching frame along said first path of motion; an elongated link having one end pivotally connected to the support as the opposite end of the link is being moved by the second power means; and a hitching ball suited for coupling to a second vehicle to be towed by said towing vehicle, and means mounting the hitching ball on the support member for motion therewith.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
A combination as defined in claim 7, including a second support member carried by the hitching frame for motion therewith, the second support member being movable to an adjusted position along a second, horizontal path of motion at right angles to said first path of motion, the hitching ball being connected on said second support member for motion therewith.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
A combination as defined in claim 7, in which the vehicle has forward wheel means and rear wheel means, said wheel means being adapted to engage the ground, and the second power means is operative to engage the support member with the ground to raise the rear wheel means above the ground when the forward wheel means are engaged therewith.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1432066A
Cited
US4000911A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-11-07 | 1981-05-09 | 1981-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-11-07 | 1985-05-09 | 1985-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-11-07 | 1989-05-09 | 1989-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |