GB1314849A - Ball couplings for trailers - Google Patents

Abstract

1314849 Ball-and-socket trailer couplings K J BERNDES 23 Dec 1970 [24 Dec 1969] 61186/70 Heading B7T A ball-and-socket trailer coupling comprises a housing 1 having its front end shaped to form a first part of the socket and pivoted thereto on a pin 5 a second socket part 3 movable between a ball retaining position and a ball released position by a handle 6, handle parts 46, extending into the housing and being formed with slots 14 which retain a pin 15 also movable in slots 17 of the housing, and the pin 15 in the material such as P.V.C.-coated nylon fabric and comprises: a cover portion 1 in the shape of a box having a rectangular base part 2 and sides 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d extending therefrom, intended for use with the base part 2 uppermost ; a flap 4 forming an extension of one side 3d; means 11, 12 adapted to attach the flap 4 to the base of the luggage rack; and means 16, 17 attached to the cover portion 2 adapted to secure the cover portion in position over the articles on the rack and simultaneously secure the articles on the rack. The flap 4 extends from side 3d which in use faces the front of the vehicle, and has a channel 5 formed in its outer end to receive an elongated elastic member 11 having a hook 12 at each end adapted to engage opposite lower members of the rack. Reinforcing strips 13 and 14 are attached along the diagonals of the base part 2 and have rings 15 at their ends to which are attached elongated elastic members 16 carrying hooks 17 adapted to engage the rack. Eyelets 18 are provided ' along the lower edges of the sides 3a, 3b and 3c so that they may be roped to the rack if required. The elastic members 11 and 16 are preferably formed of stranded rubber covered with an abrasion resistor cover. Joints in the cover portion may be formed by stitching or welding. ball retaining position of the socket part 3 engaging the edges 24 of lugs 4, which extend rewardly from part 3, and being biased to said engaging position by a spring 18 mounted on a pivot 9 by which the handle is mounted on the housing. To release a ball from the socket the handle is moved vertically upwards utilizing the slots 14 and 10 through which the pin 15 and pivot 9 extend and then pivoted anticlockwise about pivot 9 so that pin 15 is released from engagement with edges 24 and the socket part 3 can pivot about pin 5 under the action of spring 2. If the handle is then released the pin 15 will engage edges 34 of the lugs 4 thus locking the socket part 3 in its ball released position. Projections 56 on the handle prevent pivoting of the latter until it has been raised. A U-section member 7 riveted to housing 1 forms the end bearings for pivot 9.