EP2632745A1

EP2632745A1 - Coupling apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP2632745A1
Application number: EP11778945.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: James Hines-Dedman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-28
Filing date: 2011-10-28
Publication date: 2013-09-04
Also published as: GB2484966A; GB201106781D0; GB2485006A; GB201018233D0; WO2012056241A1

Abstract

A coupling apparatus is described. A coupling apparatus adapted for coupling a vehicle to a load to be coupled to the vehicle; the coupling apparatus comprising a vehicle portion for attaching to the said vehicle and a load portion for fixedly attaching to the said load to be coupled, the vehicle portion including a spool, a crank, and a cable, the cable having a proximal end mounted on the spool and a distal end connected to the load portion, the vehicle portion and the load portion arranged in the extendible communication by the cable, the cable mounted on the spool in a retractable manner such that, in use, the load portion can be connected to a said load to be coupled, and can be winched towards the vehicle portion at the said vehicle. The coupling apparatus enables ease of use and load towing for a user.

Description

Coupling Apparatus

The present invention relates to a coupling apparatus particularly, but not exclusively, to a coupling apparatus for coupling the tow ball or fixing on a vehicle to a hitch of vehicle to be towed, such as a trailer, horse box etc.

It is known to tow a trailer such as a boat trailer, box trailer, horse box or car trailer with a vehicle such as a car or lorry. A tow ball is provided on the vehicle that will be the tow vehicle and a hitch and locking mechanism is provided on the trailer or vehicle to be towed.

It can be difficult to connect a vehicle to be towed with the towing vehicle, usually the driver of the towing vehicle will reverse towards the hitch of the trailer and attempt to line up the hitch tow ball on his vehicle with the towing hitch on the trailer or vehicle to be towed. The correct alignment, height and angle are arrived at through trial and error and the repositioning of the towing vehicle as required. Many people find the alignment procedure to be time consuming and difficult. This is particularly so if the vehicle driver is alone without external guidance or feedback on progress and position.

In addition, once aligned with the hitch on the trailer, the hitch is commonly operated by a handle with a safety lock or catch to manoeuvre the hitch onto the tow ball and make the coupling connection. The movement of the handle of the hitch can be combined with the reversing movement of the tow vehicle to assist alignment and positioning of the load onto the hitch, or towing ball. It can however, be difficult to line and lift up the hitch over the towing ball and difficult to release any safety lock or catch with one hand.

Vehicle owners are put off from towing trailers due to the difficulties mentioned above.

It is desirable to provide an improved apparatus and method for connecting a trailer or load to be towed to a towing vehicle, which provides an alternative to the existing aforementioned technique.

According to a first aspect, the invention comprises a coupling apparatus adapted for coupling a vehicle having a tow point to a load to be coupled to the vehicle;

the coupling apparatus comprising a vehicle portion for attaching to the said vehicle and a load portion for fixedly attaching to the said load to be coupled,

the vehicle portion including a spool, a crank, and a cable, the cable having a proximal end mounted on the spool and a distal end connected to the load portion, the vehicle portion and the load portion arranged in extendible communication by the cable, the cable mounted on the spool in a retractable manner such that, in use, the load portion can be connected to a said load to be coupled, can be winched towards the vehicle portion at said vehicle, and accommodated within the vehicle portion at the vehicle tow point.

The provision of the separable coupling apparatus with both a vehicle portion and a load portion enables the load portion to be coupled more easily to the vehicle. The extendable communication between the load portion and the vehicle portion gives the user the opportunity to connect the load portion to a load to be coupled to the vehicle at a distance away from the vehicle, and without necessarily having an initial correct alignment between the load to be coupled to the vehicle and the vehicle itself. Accommodating the load portion at and within the tow point provides a stable configuration and satisfies safety and vehicle standards regulations.

In an embodiment the vehicle is a first wheeled vehicle and the load to be coupled is a second wheeled vehicle. When the load to be coupled is a second wheeled vehicle it can be particularly problematic to attempt coupling between a towing vehicle and the load to be towed. The coupling apparatus is particularly useful for loads such as wheeled vehicles.

In an embodiment the vehicle portion is rotatably attached to the tow vehicle or said first wheeled vehicle. The rotatable attachment will allow freedom of position of the load to be coupled relative to the tow vehicle. The position limits and the necessity for accurate alignment can therefore be relaxed for the user and this results in ease of operation. In an embodiment the vehicle portion further comprises a tow hitch for attaching to a tow ball of the vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment the tow hitch can provide a compact arrangement of the coupling apparatus with the vehicle to be towed and can allow the user experienced with tow hitches to reliably connect the coupling apparatus to the tow vehicle.

The vehicle acting as a tow vehicle comprises a londitudinal axis along which the load will be pulled. The vehicle portion of the coupling apparatus may be arranged parallel to, or orthogonal to, the longitudinal axis of the said vehicle. In other words the vehicle portion of the coupling apparatus may be arranged at an angle of around 90 degrees to the axis of the vehicle. Alternatively the vehicle portion of the coupling apparatus may be arranged at an angle of around 45 degrees. This arrangement may be used when the coupling apparatus is not required, and can be stowed in that arrangement. Alternatively, the vehicle portion of the coupling apparatus can move through a range of angles around a tow ball of the vehicle, subscribing an arch in doing so.

In an embodiment the load portion comprises a tow ball arranged to be accommodated, in use, within a tow hitch of the load to be coupled. In this arrangement the tow hitch of the load to be coupled can be used to secure the load to be coupled to the tow ball of the load portion. The connection and locking of the tow ball of the load portion with the tow hitch of the load to be coupled can be achieved in a simple and effective manner. The fixing can be achieved without additional fixing means. The tow ball of the load portion and the tow hitch of the load to be coupled can then be reliably and securely winched towards the vehicle to be used to tow the load to be coupled.

The load portion may include a locating member and the vehicle portion may include an outer casing comprising guiding means adapted to cooperate with the locating member. In the arrangement where the locating member comprises the tow ball or other location feature the tow ball of the load portion and the tow hitch of the load to be coupled, once winched towards the vehicle portion can be secured and located within the guiding means and outer casing. In an embodiment the vehicle portion may comprise fixing means for securing and locking the vehicle portion at the said vehicle. With this arrangement the security of the coupling apparatus and the load to be coupled and towed is enhanced and maintained.

In an embodiment the load to be coupled may comprise any one of a box trailer, a horse box, a boat trailer, a car trailer or a caravan. The vehicle may comprise any one of a car, a van, a tractor, a lorry or other towing vehicle. The vehicle tow point in an embodiment is located at a position not more than 500mm from the vehicle. The vehicle tow point in this embodiment is a fixed standard length from a rear surface of the vehicle about which a load can pivot.

According to a second aspect, the invention comprises

a coupling apparatus adapted for coupling a dock to a load to be coupled to the dock;

the coupling apparatus comprising a dock portion for attaching to the said dock and a load portion for fixedly attaching to the said load to be coupled, the dock portion including a spool, a crank, and a cable, the cable having a proximal end mounted on the spool and a distal end connected to the load portion, the dock portion and the load portion arranged in extendible communication by the cable, the cable mounted on the spool in a retractable manner such that, in use, the load portion can be connected to a said load to be coupled, and can be winched towards the dock portion at said dock.

According to a third aspect, the invention comprises

a coupling apparatus adapted for coupling a vehicle to a load to be coupled to the vehicle;

the vehicle portion including a spool, a crank, and a cable, the cable having a proximal end mounted on the spool and a distal end connected to the load portion, the vehicle portion and the load portion arranged in extendible communication by the cable, the cable mounted on the spool in a retractable manner such that, in use, the load portion can be connected to a said load to be coupled, and can be winched towards the vehicle portion at said vehicle.

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with referenced to the accompanying drawings which;

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a coupling apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention attached to a towing vehicle;

Figure 2 shows in detail a part of the coupling apparatus of Figure 1 and towing vehicle;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the coupling apparatus of Figure 1 attached to a towing vehicle;

Figure 4 shows an alternate side view of the coupling apparatus of

Figure 1 attached to a towing vehicle;

Figure 5 shows an end view of the coupling apparatus of Figure 1 attached to a towing vehicle;

Figure 6 shows an end view of the coupling apparatus of Figure 1 attached to a towing vehicle, with a load portion extended away from a vehicle portion;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the coupling apparatus of Figure 1 in a stowed position and attached to a towing vehicle;

Figure 8 shows a perspective view from above of the coupling apparatus of Figure 1 attached to a towing vehicle;

Figure 9 shows a cross sectional view of the coupling apparatus of Figure 1 in a stowed position and attached to a towing vehicle;

Figure 10a shows a plan view of a coupling apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention, in alignment with a towing vehicle and a trailer; and Figure 10b shows a plan view of a towing vehicle and a trailer coupled by the coupling apparatus of Figure 10a.

The coupling apparatus will now be described with specific reference to figures 1 to 4.

The coupling apparatus 1 comprises a load portion 2 for attaching to a load to be coupled and vehicle portion 4 for attaching to a vehicle, a vehicle to tow the load for example. The vehicle portion 4 comprises an outer housing 10, a spool 12, a crank 14 and a cable 16. The crank 14 includes a handle 18 for ease of operation. The cable 16 has a first end mounted on the spool 12 and a second end connected to the load portion 2. The cable 16 is connected with a weld joint or removable fixing or tie as appropriate. In the embodiment the cable 16 is attached to a plate 3 of the load portion 2 and fastened to itself with a fixing such as a clamp 17. The location of the cable at the load portion 2 and entering the vehicle portion 4 and the outer housing 10 is shown in figures 5 and 6.

The load portion 2 and the vehicle portion 4 are arranged in extendible communication with the cable 16. The cable 16 is located in a mounted arrangement on the spool 12 and is capable of being wound from the spool 12 and onto the spool 12 by the crank 14 and handle 18. The action causes the cable 16 and connected load portion 2 to be brought towards, and drawn away from, the vehicle portion 4 in a retractable, repeatable manner. In this way, the cable 16 mounted on the spool 12 provides a connection to the load portion 2. The connection and coupling is such that in use, the load portion 2 is winched towards the vehicle portion 4. The coupling apparatus includes a ratchet mechanism described in further detail below and comprising a selection arm 20 and track 21 .

Referring now to Figure 5, the outer housing 10 comprises a generally rectangular shaped housing delimited by outer walls 22, 24, an upper wall 26 and a lower wall 28. In the illustrated embodiment the housing is made of metal, although other materials could be used providing the material used gave sufficient support and structural integrity to the housing 10. The outer housing 10 and walls 22, 24, 26, 28 are designed to contain and protect the spool 12 and inner crank and ratchet mechanism and crank handle 18. In particular, the cable 16 is housed, when not in use, in a manner wound around the spool 12 and inside the housing 10. In this way, the cable will not be damaged should the coupling apparatus be stored outside and be exposed to cold, wet condition and unfavourable weather elements such as rain. An aperture 29 is located in the upper wall 26 of the outer housing 10. The aperture 29 illustrated in the Figures is circular. In addition other fixings or securing details may be located through the outer housing 10.

The vehicle portion 4 shown in Figures 1 , 3 and 5 to 7 of the illustrated embodiment, comprises a tow hitch 30. The tow hitch 30 includes a handle 32 for clamping to a tow ball 34 provided on the vehicle to which a load is to be coupled. The tow hitch 32 and tow ball 34 are coupled and mated in a known arrangement and can be clamped in a fixed arrangement and secured in a locked arrangement if required. A detailed illustration on the coupling of the tow ball 34 of the tow vehicle with the tow hitch 30 is shown in Figure 2.

As illustrated in Figures 5 to 9 load portion 2 comprises a tow ball 40. The tow ball 40 can be accommodated, in use, within a tow hitch (not shown) of the load to be coupled, for example a trailer or horse box tow hitch. The tow ball 40 comprises a head portion and a dependent neck 41 coupled to plate 3 and fixing portion 43. The plate 3 includes an aperture 44 dimensioned so as to be comparable with a corresponding, in use, aperture 29 in the upper wall 26 of the outer housing 10. The head is mounted and secured to the neck 41 and the fixing portion 43 through the plate 3, a fixing pin 48 may be provided to secure the load portion 2 to the vehicle portion 4.

The securing function of the coupling apparatus 1 will now be described with reference, in particular, to Figures 5 and 6. The outer housing 10 includes a detent 42 comprising a U shaped, when considered in plan view, region of the load portion 2 outer housing 10. As shown in Figure 6, the sides of the detent 42 are proportioned to abut with, and support, the load portion 2. In particular, the detent 42 is arranged to fit around the neck 41 of the tow ball 40 and support and guide plate 3 of the load portion 2. In a similar manner detent 46 is dimensioned to abut and support neck 43 of the load portion 2.

In operation, the load portion 2 is fixedly connected to a tow hitch of a vehicle or load to be coupled (not shown) using the tow ball 40 in a known clamping manner. The cable 16 is extended from the load portion 2 (now fixed to the load to be coupled) to the vehicle (towing vehicle) to which the load is to be coupled. The cable 16 is wound out from the spool 16 to an appropriate length extending between a vehicle and the load to be coupled. The tow hitch 30 of the vehicle portion 4 is attached to a tow ball 34 of the towing vehicle and secured using the handle 32.

The handle 18 of the crank 14 is then used to wind the cable 16 around the spool 12 thus winching the tow ball 40, of the load portion 2, connected to the load to be coupled, in towards the vehicle portion 4 and the vehicle that is to tow the load. Ratchet mechanism and selection arm 20 provide three ratchet engagement options, selected and distinguished by the position of the selection arm 20. The arm 20 is slidebly moveable along the track 21 and within the aperture through three distinct engagement positions.

In a first position, with the arm 20 uppermost in aperture track 21 , the ratchet mechanism is engaged with the spool 12 such that the crank 14 and handle 18 can be rotated clockwise to winch the cable 16 around the spool 12 and bring load portion 2 towards the vehicle portion 4. In a second position, with the arm 20 lowermost in aperture track 21 , the ratchet mechanism is engaged with the spool 12 in the opposite manner, such that the crank 14 and handle 18 can be rotated anticlockwise to unwind the cable 16 from the spool 12 and thus release load portion 2 towards the vehicle portion 4. In a third position, a neutral position, the arm 20 is located centrally within aperture track 21 . In the neutral or disengaged position the cable 16 may be unwound from the spool 12 without engaging the crank 14 and handle 18. The provision of a neutral position means that the load portion 2 can be drawn out towards a load to be coupled without the movement of the handle 18. Thus a user can perform a coupling operation alone, first picking up the load portion 2, moving away from the vehicle portion 4 (with the load portion 2) and extending a length of the cable 16 towards the load to be coupled, attaching the load portion 2 to the load to be coupled, then returning to the vehicle portion 4, adjusting the position of the selection arm 20 within the track 21 to the (first) uppermost engagement position and then rotating the handle and carrying out the winching and coupling operation.

The engaged winching position (uppermost position) and a ratchet mechanism for winching the load portion 2 to the vehicle portion 4 provides a safety feature. When the cable 16 is under tension for example when winching a heavy load attached to the load portion towards the vehicle portion (and a vehicle) the ratchet means that the cable cannot pull back and 'unravel' when under tension. This could be dangerous, particularly when operated by a single user, as a jolt or bump and sudden increase in the tension in the cable (caused for example by winching in and pulling a load over uneven ground) could mean that the handle would be snatched out of the user's hands and the force of the jolt could kickback and cause injury.

As the load portion 2 approaches the outer housing 10 of the vehicle portion 4 the neck 41 of the tow ball 40 and the plate 3 move into location and abutment with detent 42 and the stem 43 with the stem detent 46 of the tow ball 40. In this way, the tow ball 40 and thus the load to be coupled are held securely by, and supported within, the outer housing 10 of the vehicle portion 4 of the coupling apparatus 1 .

Once the load portion 2 and the vehicle portion 4 are nested together as illustrated in Figure 5 and Figure 7. Aperture 29 in outer housing 10 is aligned above aperture 44 in the plate 3. A fixing or securing pin 48 or lock may be used to further secure the load portion 2 at the vehicle portion 4. The pin 48 is threaded through aperture 29 and down through aperture 44 and is accommodated within the vehicle portion 4 as illustrated in Figures 7 to 9. The fixing pin 48 may be secured to the load portion 2 or the vehicle portion 4 by a chain or a wire or a leash (not shown) in order that it is to hand and easily accessible by a user when required during the coupling operation. Once the cable 16 has been winched around the spool 12 the handle 18 and winch mechanism can be locked so that the parts do not become separated or work loose in the transportation of the vehicle and the load. This is particularly important where vibrations may be set up, for example, if the vehicle and load are to be moved by road or across rough ground. In addition, the handle 18 can be removed by un-tightening fixings such as bolts or clamps in order that the coupling apparatus provides a streamlined shape and outer surface during transport and onward travel.

Further fixing and engagement means can be provided. For example bolts, such as bolt 52, inserted at hole 50 between a plate 35 of a vehicle tow ball 34 and a coupling portion of the housing 10 of the vehicle portion 4.

When not in use, the vehicle portion 4 can be stowed at right angles to the vehicle in a manner illustrated in figure 7, using bolts or fixings at hole 50.

The bolts or fixings may be secured to the load portion 2 or the vehicle portion 4 by a chain or a wire or a leash 54 in order that it is to hand and easily accessible by a user when required during a stowing or towing operation.

In this manner, the vehicle portion 4 of the coupling apparatus 1 is arranged close and next to the back of the vehicle and not sticking out form the back of the vehicle. With the coupling apparatus stored, stowed and locked in this close arrangement to the vehicle problems that may be caused when reversing the vehicle are avoided. For example, a driver may have overlooked the fact that the coupling apparatus is attached to the vehicle and thus effectively extends the length of the vehicle, and may collide with our impact obstacles of low height that are not clearly visible to the driver when reversing.

Figure 7 also shows the stowed, out of use, position of the vehicle portion 4 of the coupling apparatus and includes the removal of the handle 18.

In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 10 a coupling apparatus 1000 comprises a load portion 200 and vehicle portion 400. A load to be coupled to a tow point 2000 of a vehicle (shown as V at the far left hand side of Figures 10a and 10b) can be connected to the coupling apparatus 1000 prior to being secured to the vehicle at the tow point 2000. The load portion 200 does not include a tow ball. Instead the load portion 200 comprises an arm 202 suitable for accommodation within the vehicle portion 400. The arm 202 may be winched towards the vehicle portion in a similar manner to that described above for the first embodiment. Figure 10a shows the arm 202 connected to the vehicle portion 400 by any known means such as a bolt, push fit fixings, a friction fit or other methods. Figure 10b shows the arm 202 fixed at the vehicle portion by bolt 206. The arm 202 may have fixed length or can have a length appropriate for the load to be coupled.

In this alternative embodiment the tow point 2000 remains a fixed length from the vehicle regardless of the type of load to be coupled and towed. A fixed standard vehicle tow point may be required in some jurisdictions in order to satisfy road safety standards and vehicle safety standards. A load may then pivot around the tow point as required during towing, movement and relocation.

In addition a stabiliser may be provided to counter any vertical and horizontal tilt at the tow bar point.

Various modifications may be made to the described embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. There may be alternative sizes and orientations of the coupling apparatus to match or cooperate with a particular style of vehicle or load. In addition, there may be any arrangement of fixings or bolts and ties for the load and vehicle portion. The ratchet mechanism may have a number of selection options greater than the three of the illustrated embodiment. There may be alternative shapes and sizes of the ratchet selection arm and the securing pins. Additional security features, such as locks and catches are envisaged. Also a rope or strap or webbing strip may be used as the cable connection between the vehicle and load portions. The webbing may be a webbing strap having a 2 tonne breaking strain. This has the advantage of being lightweight and may be easier to manipulate, whilst maintaining suitable loading and strain properties. The rope may also have a 2 tonne breaking strain and be lightweight.

Claims

1 . A coupling apparatus adapted for coupling a vehicle having a tow point to a load to be coupled to the vehicle;

2. A coupling apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is a first wheeled vehicle and the object to be coupled is a second wheeled vehicle.

3. A coupling apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the vehicle portion is rotatably attached to the said first wheeled vehicle.

4. A coupling apparatus according to Claim 1 , Claim 2 or Claim 3, the vehicle portion further comprising a tow hitch for attaching to a tow ball of the said vehicle.

5. A coupling apparatus according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the vehicle portion is arranged parallel to or orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the said vehicle.

6. A coupling apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the load portion comprises a tow ball arranged to be accommodated, in use, within a tow hitch of the load to be coupled.

7. A coupling apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the load portion includes a locating member and the vehicle portion includes an outer casing comprising guiding means adapted to co operate with the locating member.

8. A coupling apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle portion comprises fixing means for securing and locking the vehicle portion at the said vehicle.

9. A coupling apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the load to be coupled comprises one of the group of: a box trailer, a horse box, a boat trailer, a car trailer and a caravan.

10. A coupling apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle comprises one of the group of: a car, a van, a tractor, a campervan and a lorry.

1 1 . A coupling apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle tow point is located at a position not more than 500mm beyond the vehicle.

12. A coupling apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle tow point is a fixed standard length from a rear surface of the vehicle about which a load can pivot.

13. A coupling apparatus adapted for coupling a dock to a load to be coupled to the dock;

14. A coupling apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the load portion comprises fixing means for securing and locking the load portion at the said load.

15. A coupling apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising fixings for connecting and securing the load portion to the vehicle portion.

16. A coupling apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the cable has a length in the range from 5 to 10 m, preferably 7 m.

17. A coupling apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle potion includes a handle in communication with the spool and cable, for winding the cable onto the spool.

18. A coupling apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle is one from the group; manual operated handle, electrically powered handle, rechargeable battery powered handle.

19. A coupling apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a Triple lock.

20. A coupling apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the load comprises one of the group of; horse box, car, trailer, boat trailer.

21 . A coupling apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.