Coupling means comprising a centering device and a locking mechanism for a motor driven utility unit having a complementary unit

Claim 1

A vehicle of the type having a motor driven vehicle unit and a wheeled complementary unit couplable thereto, comprising: (a) a towing and coupling means between the vehicle unit and the wheeled complementary unit for enabling towing of the complementary unit by the vehicle unit, and operable to draw same together, said towing and coupling means being connected, at a first end, to said complementary unit by an elastic means for enabling pivoting therof, wherein said elastic means is disposed between a retaining member and a draft element; (b) a locking means for securing a second, opposite end of said towing and coupling means to said vehicle unit and forming a pivotal interconnection therebetween; (c) drawing means mounted to said complementary unit for displacing the towing and coupling means, when it is secured to said locking means, between a first, extended, position, wherein said complemetary unit is towable behind said vehicle unit in an articulated manner and a second, retracted, position, wherein said complementary unit is drawn adjacent said vehicle unit and is towable rigidly coupled to said vehicle unit; (d) centering means for centering said vehicle unit relative to said auxiliary hook-up unit, said centering means comprising a first and a second mating conical surfaced centering member which interengage positively, said first centering member being disposed on the vehicle unit, said second centering member being disposed on the complementary unit, said first centering member being operable to guide said towing and coupling means, and said second centering member is securable to said locking means; and (e) securing means for fixedly securing said towing and coupling means in said retracted position and for rendering said elastic means inactive, after said complementary unit has been drawn adjacent said vehicle unit.