US4616970A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tow bar block and tow bar assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-10-12
•
Granted: 1986-10-14
•
Expires: 2004-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A spacer block for a tow bar which has a central support having an opening therethrough to receive the tow bar and a plurality of faces disposed around the central support. Each face has a different configuration adapted to conform to the shape of support elements provided on the underside of a vehicle. The faces are connected to the central support by a plurality of webs which absorb impact, forces which would otherwise be transmitted to the automobile by the towing apparatus while the vehicle is being towed.
Inventors
- 👤 James L. Lewis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/12; B60P3/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A tow bar block for supporting a vehicle on a tow bar by engaging support surfaces on said vehicle, said tow bar block comprising: a central opening therethrough for receiving a tow bar; a plurality of faces spaced from said central opening and being oriented outwardly therefrom, at least two of said faces having differing configurations adapted to receive differing shapes of support surfaces on different vehicles, whereby a tow bar can be positioned within said opening in said tow bar block and can be employed to tow a vehicle with said block supporting said vehicle, one of said configured faces engaging a support surface on said vehicle; said faces are integrally formed with one another and said faces extend peripheraly around said central support.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A tow bar block for supporting a vehicle on a tow bar by engaging support surfaces on said vehicle, said tow bar block comprising: a central opening therethrough for receiving a tow bar; a plurality of faces spaced from said central opening and being oriented outwardly therefrom, at least two of said faces having differing configurations adapted to receive differing shapes of support surfaces on different vehicles, whereby a tow bar can be positioned within said opening in said tow bar block and can be employed to tow a vehicle with said block supporting said vehicle, one of said configured faces engaging a support surface on said vehicle; said faces are integrally formed with one another and said faces extend peripheraly around said central support.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 1 wherein said opening is defined by a central support, said faces being spacedly connected to said central support by a plurality of web members, whereby a vehicle supported by one of the faces is cushioned by the flexing of said web members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 2 wherein said central support, faces and web members are integrally formed with one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 3 wherein said block is made of a tough, polymeric material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 4 wherein said block is made of an ionomeric material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 5 wherein web members comprise a planar central web extending outwardly from said central support and lying on a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of said opening through said central support and a plurality of lateral webs generally perpendicular to said central web located on each side of said central web and extending from said central support to said faces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 6 wherein said faces are integrally formed with one another and extend as a band continuously around said central support.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 7 wherein all of said faces have configurations different from the other of said faces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 8 wherein one of said faces is configured so as to provide a stop projecting outwardly from said one face to prevent sliding of said block relative to said support surface in at least one direction along said one face.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 9 wherein a second face is provided with a grooved surface for gripping a vehicle support surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 10 wherein third face has a depression therein for supporting a correspondingly configured support element on a vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 11 wherein a fourth of said faces is planar.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 1 wherein one of said faces is configured so as to provide a stop projecting outwardly from said one face to prevent sliding of said block relative to said support surface in at least one direction along said one face.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 13 wherein a second face is provided with a grooved surface for gripping a vehicle support surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 14 wherein a third face has a depression therein for supporting a correspondingly configured support element on a vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 15 wherein a fourth of said faces is planar.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
The tow bar block of claim 16 wherein at least two of said faces are differentially spaced from said central opening whereby one can accommodate vehicles having differing clearance distances below their support surfaces by orienting different ones of said faces upwardly for receiving said vehicle support surfaces.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The tow bar block of claim 15 wherein at least two of said faces are differentially spaced from said central opening whereby one can accommodate vehicles having differing clearance distances below their support surfaces by orienting different ones of said faces upwardly for receiving said vehicle support surfaces.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
The tow bar block of claim 14 wherein at least two of said faces are differentially spaced from said central opening whereby one can accommodate vehicles having differing clearance distances below their support surfaces by orienting different ones of said faces upwardly for receiving said vehicle support surfaces.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
The tow bar block of claim 13 wherein at least two of said faces are differentially spaced from said central opening whereby one can accommodate vehicles having differing clearance distances below their support surfaces by orienting different ones of said faces upwardly for receiving said vehicle support surfaces.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
48 words
The tow bar block of claim 9 wherein at least two of said faces are differentially spaced from said central opening whereby one can accommodate vehicles having differing clearance distances below their support surfaces by orienting different ones of said faces upwardly for receiving said vehicle support surfaces.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
48 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 1 wherein one of said faces is configured so as to provide a stop projecting outwardly from said one face to prevent sliding of said block relative to said support surface in at least one direction along said one face.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
The tow bar block of claim 22 wherein at least two of said faces are differentially spaced from said central opening whereby one can accommodate vehicles having differing clearance distances below their support surfaces by orienting different ones of said faces upwardly for receiving said vehicle support surfaces.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 1 wherein one of said faces is provided with a grooved surface for gripping a vehicle support surface.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
48 words
The tow bar block of claim 24 wherein at least two of said faces are differentially spaced from said central opening whereby one can accommodate vehicles having differing clearance distances below their support surfaces by orienting different ones of said faces upwardly for receiving said vehicle support surfaces.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 1 wherein one of said faces has a depression therein for supporting a correspondingly configured support element on a vehicle.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
48 words
The tow bar block of claim 26 wherein at least two of said faces are differentially spaced from said central opening whereby one can accommodate vehicles having differing clearance distances below their support surfaces by orienting different ones of said faces upwardly for receiving said vehicle support surfaces.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
120 words
A tow bar block for supporting a vehicle on a tow bar by engaging support surfaces on said vehicle, said tow bar block comprising: a central opening therethrough for receiving a tow bar; a plurality of faces spaced from said central opening and being oriented outwardly therefrom; at least two of said faces being configured so as to be adapted to engage support surfaces on a vehicle and being spaced differentially from said central opening whereby one can be accommodate vehicles having differing clearance distances below their support surfaces by orienting different ones of said faces upwardly for receiving said vehicle support surfaces; said faces are integrally formed with one another and said faces extend peripherally around said central support.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
120 words
A tow bar block for supporting a vehicle on a tow bar by engaging support surfaces on said vehicle, said tow bar block comprising: a central opening therethrough for receiving a tow bar; a plurality of faces spaced from said central opening and being oriented outwardly therefrom; at least two of said faces being configured so as to be adapted to engage support surfaces on a vehicle and being spaced differentially from said central opening whereby one can be accommodate vehicles having differing clearance distances below their support surfaces by orienting different ones of said faces upwardly for receiving said vehicle support surfaces; said faces are integrally formed with one another and said faces extend peripherally around said central support.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 28 wherein said opening is defined by a central support, said faces being spacedly connected to said central support by a plurality of web members, whereby a vehicle supported by one of the faces is cushioned by the flexing of said web members.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 29 wherein said central support, faces and web members are integrally formed with one another.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tow bar block as recited in claim 30 wherein said block is made of a tough, polymeric material.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for supporting a vehicle on a tow bar by engaging support surfaces on said vehicle with a tow bar block comprising: providing a tow bar block with a central opening therethrough for receiving a tow bar; providing said block with a plurality of faces spaced from said central opening and being oriented outwardly therefrom, at least two of said faces having differing configurations adapted to receive differing shapes of support surfaces on different vehicles; positioning a tow bar within said opening in said tow bar block with said block alternately oriented so that one of said configured faces engages a support surface on said vehicle said faces are integrally formed with one another and said faces extend peripherally around said central support.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for supporting a vehicle on a tow bar by engaging support surfaces on said vehicle with a tow bar block comprising: providing a tow bar block with a central opening therethrough for receiving a tow bar; providing said block with a plurality of faces spaced from said central opening and being oriented outwardly therefrom, at least two of said faces having differing configurations adapted to receive differing shapes of support surfaces on different vehicles; positioning a tow bar within said opening in said tow bar block with said block alternately oriented so that one of said configured faces engages a support surface on said vehicle said faces are integrally formed with one another and said faces extend peripherally around said central support.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method as recited in claim 32 wherein a central support is provided surrounding said opening, connecting said faces to said central support by a plurality of web members, whereby a vehicle supported by one of the faces is cushioned by the flexing of said web members.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as recited in claim 33 wherein said central support, faces and web members are integrally formed with one another.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 34 wherein said block is made of a tough, polymeric material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 35 wherein said block is made of an ionomeric material.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method as recited in claim 36 wherein web members comprise a planar central web extending outwardly from said central support and lying on a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of said opening through said central support and a plurality of lateral webs generally perpendicular to said central web located on each side of said central web and extending from said central support to said faces.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as recited in claim 37 wherein said faces are integrally formed with one another and extend as a band continuously around said central support.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as recited in claim 38 wherein all of said faces have configurations different from the other of said faces.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as recited in claim 39 wherein one of said faces is configured so as to provide a stop projecting outwardly from said one face to prevent sliding of said block relative to said support surface in at least one direction along said one face.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 40 wherein a second face is provided with a grooved surface for gripping a vehicle support surface.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 40 wherein a third face has a depression therein for supporting a correspondingly configured support element on a vehicle.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as recited in claim 42 wherein a fourth of said faces is planar.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as recited in claim 32 wherein one of said faces is configured so as to provide a stop projecting outwardly from said one face to prevent sliding of said block relative to said support surface in at least one direction along said one face.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 44 wherein a second face is provided with a grooved surface for gripping a vehicle support surface.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 45 wherein a third face has a depression therein for supporting a correspondingly configured support element on a vehicle.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as recited in claim 46 wherein a fourth of said faces is planar.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 47 wherein at least two of said faces are differentially spaced from said central opening whereby one can accommodate vehicles having differing clearance distances below their support surfaces by orienting different ones of said faces upwardly for receiving said vehicle support surfaces.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 46 wherein at least two of said faces are differentially spaced from said central opening whereby one can accommodate vehicles having differing clearance distances below their support surfaces by orienting different ones of said faces upwardly for receiving said vehicle support surfaces.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 45 wherein at least two of said faces are differentially spaced from said central opening whereby one can accommodate vehicles having differing clearance distances below their support surfaces by orienting different ones of said faces upwardly for receiving said vehicle support surfaces.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 44 wherein at least two of said faces are differentially spaced from said central opening whereby one can accommodate vehicles having differing clearance distances below their support surfaces by orienting different ones of said faces upwardly for receiving said vehicle support surfaces.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 40 wherein at least two of said faces are differentially spaced from said central opening whereby one can accommodate vehicles having differing clearance distances below their support surfaces by orienting different ones of said faces upwardly for receiving said vehicle support surfaces.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as recited in claim 32 wherein one of said faces is configured so as to provide a stop projecting outwardly from said one face to prevent sliding of said block relative to said support surface in at least one direction along said one face.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 53 wherein at least two of said faces are differentially spaced from said central opening whereby one can accommodate vehicles having differing clearance distances below their support surfaces by orienting different ones of said faces upwardly for receiving said vehicle support surfaces.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 32 wherein one of said faces is provided with a grooved surface for gripping a vehicle support surface.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 55 wherein at least two of said faces are differentially spaced from said central opening whereby one can accommodate vehicles having differing clearance distances below their support surfaces by orienting different ones of said faces upwardly for receiving said vehicle support surfaces.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as recited in claim 32 wherein one of said faces has a depression therein for supporting a correspondingly configured support element on a vehicle.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 57 wherein at least two of said faces are differentially spaced from said central opening whereby one can accommodate vehicles having differing clearance distances below their support surfaces by orienting different ones of said faces upwardly for receiving said vehicle support surfaces.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for supporting a vehicle on a tow bar by engaging support surfaces on said vehicle with a tow bar block comprising: providing a central opening through a tow bar block for receiving a tow bar; providing a plurality of faces spaced from said central opening and being oriented outwardly therefrom; configuring at least two of said faces so as to be adapted to engage support surfaces on a vehicle and spacing said two faces differentially from said central opening whereby one can accommodate vehicles having differing clearance distances below their support surfaces; orienting different ones of said faces upwardly for receiving said vehicle support surfaces; said faces are integrally formed with one another and said faces extend peripherally around said central support.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for supporting a vehicle on a tow bar by engaging support surfaces on said vehicle with a tow bar block comprising: providing a central opening through a tow bar block for receiving a tow bar; providing a plurality of faces spaced from said central opening and being oriented outwardly therefrom; configuring at least two of said faces so as to be adapted to engage support surfaces on a vehicle and spacing said two faces differentially from said central opening whereby one can accommodate vehicles having differing clearance distances below their support surfaces; orienting different ones of said faces upwardly for receiving said vehicle support surfaces; said faces are integrally formed with one another and said faces extend peripherally around said central support.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method as recited in claim 59 wherein said opening is defined by a central support, said faces being spacedly connected to said central support by a plurality of web members, whereby a vehicle supported by one of the faces is cushioned by the flexing of said web members.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as recited in claim 60 wherein said central support, faces and web members are integrally formed with one another.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 61 wherein said block is made of a tough, polymeric material.
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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) | 1989-10-13 | 1990-04-14 | 1990-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-10-13 | 1994-04-14 | 1994-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-10-13 | 1998-04-14 | 1998-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |