US4073506A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle towing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-03-26
•
Granted: 1978-02-14
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Expires: 1996-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle towing apparatus comprised of a rigid metal plate having an elongated midportion, a leading end portion which is bent upwardly relative to the midportion and a trailing end portion which is bent downwardly relative to the midportion, and stiffening webs extending longitudinally along the midportion and the trailing end portion. Apertures are provided in the two end portions to facilitate fastening the towing apparatus to suitable coupling structures on a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle. An alternative embodiment includes a pair of spaced apart upstanding plates or flanges which are secured to the top of the trailing end portion to provide a coupling unit for mating with a similar structure carried by the vehicle to be towed.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul E. Pressley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:46
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/14; B60D1/145; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/12; B60P3/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A vehicle towing apparatus comprising a rigid plate including; an elongated midportion having a top surface and a bottom surface; a leading end portion which is deflected upwardly relative to the longitudinal dimension of said midpoint at a first angle between 20° and 25°; and a trailing end portion which is deflected downwardly relative to the longitudinal dimension of said midportion at a second angle between 30° and 35°; stiffening web means connected to and extending longitudinally along a majority of the length of said midportion and connected to said trailing end portion; and means associated with said leading end portion for coupling the apparatus to a towing vehicle and means associated with said training end portion for coupling the apparatus to a towed vehicle whereby the coupled end of said towed vehicle is carried in an elevated position above its normal resting position and is supported in such elevated position by the towing vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A vehicle towing apparatus comprising a rigid plate including; an elongated midportion having a top surface and a bottom surface; a leading end portion which is deflected upwardly relative to the longitudinal dimension of said midpoint at a first angle between 20° and 25°; and a trailing end portion which is deflected downwardly relative to the longitudinal dimension of said midportion at a second angle between 30° and 35°; stiffening web means connected to and extending longitudinally along a majority of the length of said midportion and connected to said trailing end portion; and means associated with said leading end portion for coupling the apparatus to a towing vehicle and means associated with said training end portion for coupling the apparatus to a towed vehicle whereby the coupled end of said towed vehicle is carried in an elevated position above its normal resting position and is supported in such elevated position by the towing vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A vehicle towing apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said coupling means associated with said trailing end portion includes a pair of apertures disposed proximate the distal end of such portion for receiving bolt means for fastening same beneath and behind the bumper of the towed vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Vehicle towing apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said web means are affixed to the bottom surface of said midportion and the bottom surface of said trailing end portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A vehicle towing apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said trailing end portion terminates in an upturned laterally extending flange having means for coupling same to the frame of the towed vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
A vehicle towing apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for coupling said trailing end portion to the towed vehicle includes a pair of upstanding spaced apart flanges rigidly secured to the upper surface of said towed end portion and wherein said stiffening webs are affixed to the top surface of said midportion and the facing surface of the nearest upstanding flange, said flanges including means for attaching same to the towed vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
130 words
A rigid vehicle towing apparatus comprising: an elongated midportion; a leading end portion formed integral with one end of said midportion and deflected upwardly relative thereto at a first angle between 20° and 25°; and a trailing end portion formed integral with the opposite end of said midportion and deflected downwardly relative thereto at a second angle between 30° and 35°, whereby when said leading end portion is affixed to a towing vehicle in a generally horizontally extending disposition and said trailing end portion is affixed to a towed vehicle with its longitudinal dimensions extending generally parallel to the frame of the towed vehicle, the coupled end of the towed vehicle will be held in an elevated position by said towing apparatus and will be supported by the towing vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
130 words
A rigid vehicle towing apparatus comprising: an elongated midportion; a leading end portion formed integral with one end of said midportion and deflected upwardly relative thereto at a first angle between 20° and 25°; and a trailing end portion formed integral with the opposite end of said midportion and deflected downwardly relative thereto at a second angle between 30° and 35°, whereby when said leading end portion is affixed to a towing vehicle in a generally horizontally extending disposition and said trailing end portion is affixed to a towed vehicle with its longitudinal dimensions extending generally parallel to the frame of the towed vehicle, the coupled end of the towed vehicle will be held in an elevated position by said towing apparatus and will be supported by the towing vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vehicle towing apparatus as recited in claim 6 and further comprising stiffening web means affixed to said midportion and said trailing end portion and extending along substantial portions of the longitudinal lengths thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A vehicle towing apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said web means is affixed to the lower surface of said midportion and said trailing end portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A vehicle towing apparatus as recited in claim 5 and further comprising stiffening web means affixed to said midportion and said trailing end portion, and wherein said trailing end portion includes an upturned flange which is adapted to be secured to a towed vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1981-02-13 | 1981-08-15 | 1982-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-13 | 1985-08-15 | 1986-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-13 | 1989-08-15 | 1990-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |