GB2372489A

GB2372489A - Front bumper mounted tow device

Info

Publication number: GB2372489A
Application number: GB0104799A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin David Griffiths
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-02-27
Filing date: 2001-02-27
Publication date: 2002-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 2021-02-27
Also published as: GB0104799D0; GB2372489B

Abstract

A tow device for comprises a main member (10) of channel section for fitting over the bumper and a back plate (12) for positioning behind the bumper. The main member includes top and bottom flanges (11) having apertures (11a) which align with apertures in the back plate (13) to enable the main member (10) and back plate (12) to be bolted together.

Description

TOW DEVICE FOR FRONT BUMPER MOUNTING

The present invention relates to a device for mounting to the front bumper of a four-wheel drive vehicle, to enable the vehicle to be towed or recovered.

It is commonly necessary for a four-wheel drive vehicle to be towed or recovered, particularly where the vehicle gets into difficulty in rough terrain. A number of devices have been proposed hitherto for fitting to the front bumper of a vehicle, but these have been of limited effectiveness.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a tow or recovery device for mounting to the front bumper of a vehicle, the device comprising a main member of channel-section form for fitting over the front of the bumper, the main member having oppositely-directed flanges projecting from its top and bottom rear edges, and at least one back plate for positioning behind the bumper and arranged for such flanges to seat against, said flanges and back plate being formed with apertures enabling them to be bolted together.

The device accordingly fits securely to the bumper.

Preferably back plates are provided, arranged for fitting against the insides of respective chassis members to which the bumper is mounted, so that the device is restrained against sideways movement. Preferably the apertures in the back plates, for receiving the fixing bolts, are in the form of elongate slots to permit sideways adjustment of the back plates relative to the main member of the device.

Preferably one or more spaces are provided, positioned behind the front wall of the main member of the device and carried on bolts threaded through the front wall of the device: by tightening these bolts, the spaces are urged against the front surface of the bumper to fix the tow device firmly against fore-and-aft movement of the device relative to the bumper.

Preferably one or more towing means are secured to the main member of the device, preferably on its front wall.

Preferably the main member of the device is arranged for such towing means to be removed and replaced by various optional towing means. Preferably the front of the main member of the device is arranged for towing means to be attached at three different locations spaced apart along its length: preferably at each of these locations, a reinforcing plate is welded to the main member of the device and formed with a pair of threaded holes to receive fixing bolts.

Preferably the top wall of the main member of the device is provided with at least one bracket, to which one or more spotlights or a number plate may be attached.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is an exploded view of a device in accordance with the present invention, showing a number of optional attachments ; FIGURE 2 is a view of the device fitted to the front bumper of a vehicle; FIGURE 3 is a similar view of the device fitted with attentive attachments; FIGURE 4 is a view of the device showing a winch mounting for attachment to it; FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view of the main member of the device, provided with reinforcing fillets; FIGURE 6 is a similar view of the main member of the device, provided with reinforcing fillets formed with shackle points; and FIGURE 7 is a view of a bumper fitted with a pair of devices in line with the longitudinal chassis members of the vehicle.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a device for fitting to the front bumper B of a four-wheel drive vehicle. The device comprises a main member 10, which is an elongate, channel-section member having a flat front wall

and flat top and bottom walls extending rearwardly at 900 from the front wall : the main member 10 also has flanges 11 projecting outwardly at 900 from its top and bottom walls, at their rear edges. The main member 10 is formed from a sheet of steel, bent to the cross-sectional shape shown.

The device further comprises a pair of flat, rectangular plates 12, each formed with elongate slots 13 adjacent and parallel to its top and bottom edges.

The device is arranged to be fitted to the bumper B with the top and bottom walls of the main member 10 lying against the top and bottom surfaces of the bumper and the front wall of the main member 10 lying adjacent the front surface of the bumper. The plates 12 are positioned behind the bumper B, for the flanges 11 of the main member 10 to seat against these plates. The device is fixed in position by means of bolts inserted through holes lia in the flanges 11 and through

respective slots 13 of the plates 12 (see for example bolt lib and nut lie) : the plates 12 are positioned with their outer edges against the longitudinal chassis members C on which the bumper B is mounted, so that the device is restrained against moving sideways. One or more spacer plates (not shown) are positioned behind the front wall of the main member 10 and carried on the ends of bolts (not shown) extending through the front wall of the member 10 : these bolts are tightened to urge the spacer plate (s) against the front of the bumper B, so that the device is restrained against fore-and-aft movement relative to the bumper.

Three rectangular reinforcing plates 14 are welded to the front of the main member 10, spaced apart along its length: each of the plates 14 is formed with a pair of threaded holes 14a, for mounting optional attachments.

For example, a pair of tow or recovery brackets 16 may be mounted to the device via the two end plates 14: each bracket 16 is U-shaped in section, having a rear wall formed with two holes 17 to enable it to be bolted to a respective

moL ing plate 14, and parallel, forwardly-projecting top and bottom walls 18 formed with aligned holes 19 to receive a towing pin 20. Alternatively, a tow ball 22 may be bolted to the central mounting plate 14, the tow ball 22 having a flat mounting plate formed with a pair of bolting holes 23 and a forwardly and upwardly projecting stalk formed with a ball 24.

Also referring to Figure 1, a steering guard 26 may be mounted to the lower flange 11 of the main member 10 of the device, to provide protection for the steering gear of the vehicle. The guard 26 comprises a rectangular main plate having a flange 27 projecting from its top edge, for fitting against the lower flange 11 of the main member 10 and having holes 27a to receive the bolts which couple this flange 11 to the rear mounting plates 12. The flange 27 is bent relative to the main plate of the guard, so that this main plate inclines downwardly and rearwardly when fitted in position.

End walls 28 project rearwardly from the opposite ends of the main plate of the guard 26 and are formed with holes 28a for bolting to the vehicle chassis members C.

The top wall of the channel-section main member 10 of the device has a pair of brackets 30 welded to it: each bracket 30 is in the form of an inverted U with oppositely-directed flanges projecting from its lower edges, by which it is welded to the member 10. The top of each bracket 30 is formed with a hole to receive the mounting stalk of a spotlight S.

Figure 2 shows the device mounted to the bumper B of the vehicle. A pair of tow brackets 16 are shown mounted to the main member 10 of the device and a pair of spotlights S are mounted to the brackets 30 on the top of the member 10.

Figure 3 shows the device mounted to the bumper B and with a tow bracket 16 mounted to its centre. Further, a number plate 32 is mounted to the top of the main member 10, the number plate 32 having a flange 33 which is bolted to the top wall of the main member 10 of the device.

Figure 4 shows a winch mounting 34 for mounting to the

device via a pair of tow brackets 16 bolted to its front. The winch mounting comprises a flat, rectangular main plate having a flange projecting downwardly from its rear edge: this flange has a pair of lugs 36 projecting from it, for engagement in the respective brackets 16; the lugs 36 are formed with holes to receive pins 20 passed through the aligned holes in the brackets 16. The main plate of the winch mounting serves to support a winch (not shown) and is formed with a number of holes for bolting the winch in position. The main plate of the winch mounting also has an upstanding flange 38 along its front edge, formed with a longitudinal slot 39 for the winch cable to pass through. The flange 38 is also formed with a pair of holes 39a to enable a rope guide to be bolted to the front of the flange 38.

As shown in Figure 5, reinforcing fillets 40 may be welded to the main member 10 of the device, on its top and bottom walls and against the flanges 11. As shown in Figure 6, the reinforcing fillets 40 may be formed with holes 42, e. g. to receive shackle pins.

Figure 8 shows a pair of devices in accordance with the invention, fitted to the bumper B in line with the longitudinal chassis members C. The two back plates 12 of each device are positioned either side of the respective chassis members C. As shown, the flanges 11 of the device may be interrupted over a middle portion, between the holes for the fixing bolts lib.

Also in this embodiment, the front wall is drilled and tapped, e. g. at lOa, for one or more towing device to be bolted on.

By fitting the devices in line with the longitudinal chassis members C, the middle part of the bumper is made free for the vehicle number plate. Also, all pulling forces will be in line with the chassis members C and less likely to cause distortion of the chassis.

Claims

Claims 1) A tow or recovery device for mounting to the front bumper of a vehicle, the device comprising a main member of channel-section form for fitting over the front bumper, said main member having oppositely-directed flanges projecting from its top and bottom rear edges, and at least one back plate for positioning behind the bumper and arranged for said flanges to seat against, said flanges and back plate being formed with apertures enabling them to be bolted together.
2) A device as claimed in Claim 1, arranged for at least one towing means to be replaceably mounted to said main member.
3) A device as claimed in Claim 2, in which the front of said main member is arranged for selected towing means to be mounted at a plurality of different locations spaced apart along its length.
4) A device as claimed in Claim 3, in which said main member is provided with a reinforcing plate at each said location, said reinforcing plate being formed with a pair of threaded holes to receive fixing bolts for a said towing means.
5) A device as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, in combination with a towing means in the form of a U-shape bracket the opposed legs of which are formed with aligned holes to receive a towing pin.
6) A device as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 5, in combination with a towing means in the form of a tow ball having an upwardly-directed stalk formed with a ball at its top.
7) A device as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising one or more spacers positioned behind the front wall of said main member and carried on bolts threaded through said front wall, such that by tightening said bolts the spacers are urged against the front bumper.
8) A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least one bracket, for the attachment of one or more spotlights or a number plate, are provided on the top wall of said main member.
9) A device substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, Figure 5, Figure 6 or Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.