Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MOTOR HOME TOWING AND CARRYING APPARATUS AND METHOD
Background of the Invention
This invention relates to apparatus for securing an
automobile to a motor home, for carrying articles between the
motor home and the automobile for towing behind the motor home,
and for serving as a roadworthy trailer.
Tow bars in common use with motor homes for towing
automobiles and the like have included a frame member having a
suitable attachment means on one end for making a steering
connection with the motor home about an upright axis. A variety
of tow bars are in common use, some employing the usual ball
hitch including a ball and socket connection while others use a
variety of connecting means including those employing an upright
pin such as a pintle hitch. Whether the frame member may be an
A-frame or a single bar, a towing connection is provided at the
rear of the tow bar for securing the automobile against
substantial pivotal movement with respect to the rear end of the
tow bar but permitting vertical pivotal movement about a
horizontal axis. Such tow bars vary in complexity from those
employing a simple rigid frame to those having a frame of the
collapsible or extensible types. The transportation of the wide
variety of articles used by motor home enthusiasts presents a
problem because many bulky items are often included which the
owners of motor homes would prefer not to store on top of or
inside the motor home during transport. Such articles may
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include bicycles, motor bikes, mopeds, motorcycles, all terrain
vehicles (ATV's), camping equipment, etc. It is also desirable
to carry even more bulky items such as golf carts and the like.
Another problem in connection with the use of prior art tow
bars results from instability of the towed vehicle impairing the
stability of entire assemblage. Sometimes, due to the forward
positioning of the rear wheels of the motor home for weight
distribution purposes, a tow bar may result in the towed vehicle
being swung too far out on the turning arc due to the distance
between the wheels and the vehicle resulting in less than ideal
tracking.
Moreover, it is necessary to lift the tow to elevated
position manually to the proper levels for effecting sequential
connections to the motor home and to the towed vehicle.
The following patents contain disclosures which are
illustrative of the state of the art: U.S. Patent Nos.
2,523,210, 3,036,856, 3,214,047, 3,282,603, 3,348,859, 3,797,850,
4,109,811, 4,230,340, 5,137,297 and 5,256,024.
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Summary of the Invention
Accordingly, it is an important object of this invention to
provide a carrier between a motor home and a towed vehicle
utilizing a connecting frame extending rearwardly from and fixed
to a tow bar for supporting a carrier as well as a towing
connection for the automotive vehicle.
Another important object of the invention is the provision
of a carrier in combination with a tow bar including an extension
of the tow bar for carrying a variety of articles between the
motor home and vehicle for avoiding the necessity of storing
articles in and on top of the motor home during transport.
Another important object of the invention is the provision
of an extended towing apparatus which improves stability of the
assemblage of the motor home and towed vehicle, providing better
tracking and greater visibility of the towed vehicle to the
driver of the motor home.
Another important object of the invention is the provision
of a trailer which may be utilized for towing articles behind a
motor home but which has retractable wheels which may be raised
after connecting a tow bar at a front end to the rear of the
motor home providing a roadworthy trailer having a towing
connection at the rear of a carrier platform member for
connection when towing a vehicle.
It has been found that a connecting frame may be fastened
~ adjacent a rear portion of a tow bar with a carrier platform
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member supported in superposed relation thereto, and a towing
connection for an automobile carried adjacent a rear end of the
carrier platform member so as to avoid the necessity for storing
articles in the motor home vehicle while providing a more
roadworthy assemblage of motor home and vehicle towed thereby.
Moreover, hooking up of the assemblage is facilitated by the
provision of wheels which may be retracted during towing or which
provide a roadworthy trailer when a vehicle is not to be towed.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
The construction designed to carry out the invention will be
hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.
The invention will be more readily understood from a reading
of the following specification and by reference to the
accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example
of the invention is shown and wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating an apparatus for
securing an automobile to a motor home and for carrying articles
therebetween during towing constructed in accordance with the
present invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a towing
connection for the automobile;
Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating an apparatus
constructed in accordance with the present invention secured in
towing relation between a motor home and a vehicle to be towed
wherein transversely spaced wheels are in lowered position to
facilitate attachment in the apparatus in towing position;
Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating apparatus
constructed in accordance with the invention in towing position
with the wheels retracted and with an ATV positioned on the
platform preparatory to securement as with chains or other
suitable fastening means for transport;
Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating apparatus
constructed in accordance with the invention attached on one end
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to a ball carried by the motor home for securement to a socket
carried at a forward end of a tow bar, together with a carrier in
superposed relation to a connecting frame with securement thereof
to the front frame of an automotive vehicle;
Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a
connection between the connecting frame and the frame of the
automotive vehicle preparatory to towing;
Figure 7 is a perspective view looking beneath the
connecting frame and carrier platform illustrating means for
securing the pivotally connected wheels in a lowered position
together with means securable for fastening the wheels pivoted
inwardly in retracted raised position;
Figure 8 is a perspective view looking beneath the
connecting frame and carrier platform looking from the inside out
further illustrating the means of securing the wheels in a
lowered position and in an upward retracted position;
Figure 9 is a rear elevational view, with parts omitted,
illustrating downwardly pivotal sides for use with apparatus
constructed in accordance with the present invention in order to
facilitate carrying articles during transport;
Figure 10 is a side elevational view, with parts omitted,
illustrating a modified form of the invention illustrated in
Figure 9 wherein a bicycle rack is employed in lieu of at least
one of the side members;
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Figure 11 i8 a schematic top plan view, with parts omitted,
illustrating a modified form of the invention wherein a towing
connection in the form of a dolly has an intermediate connecting
frame for carrying a carrier platform between the motor home and
the towed vehicle; and
Figure 12 is a schematic side elevation further illustrating
the modified form of the invention including the dolly towing
connection of Figure 11.
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Description of a Preferred Embodiment
The drawings illustrate apparatus for securement of an
automobile to a motor home and for carrying articles between a
motor home and an automobile for towing behind the motor home. A
tow bar A has an attachment device on one end for making a
steering connection to the motor home pivoted about an upright
axis permitting movement of the tow bar in a substantially
horizontal plane about such axis. A connecting frame B is
fastened adjacent a forward end to a rear portion of the tow bar.
A carrier platform member C includes a flat support surface
carried by the connecting frame in superposed relation thereto so
that the tow bar positions a forward end of the carrier platform
member adjacent the motor home. A transversely spaced pair of
retractable wheels D are provided for supporting the carrier
platform member. A towing connection E is carried by the
connecting frame adjacent a rear end of the carrier platform
member for securement of the automobile for towing. The towing
connection includes a substantially horizontal transverse pivotal
connection for securement to the automobile substantially fixing
the automobile against horizontal movement in respect to the
connecting frame but permitting pivotal movement in a vertical
plane during towing. Thus, a carrier platform member is
positioned for hookup between a tow bar pivotally connected to
the motor home and a towing connection to the automobile
providing a carrier accessible for use avoiding storage of
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articles in the motor home and for stabilizing the motor home and
automobile during towing.
Referring more particularly to Figure 1, a suitable
attachment device making a pivotal steering connection to the
automobile is illustrated in the form of a socket connection 10
provided with the usual clamping mechanism ll for manually
securing the socket in firm clamping engagement with a ball
member 12 shown in Figure 5. The tow bar is illustrated in the
shape of an A-frame having diverging longitudinal frame members
13 and 14 secured at the forward end as by welding and the socket
housing illustrated as at 15. The diverging frame members 13 and
14 extend rearwardly forming a connecting frame B which is
integral with the tow bar. The connection between the tow bar A
and the connecting frame B may be articulated as by a horizontal
pivot pin or otherwise secured against horizontal movement. The
connecting frame includes the extension of the members 13 and 14
as at 13a and 14a. The connecting frame B further includes
substantially parallel frame members 16 and 17 together with
intermediate parallel support members 18 and 19 suitably secured
as by welding to adjoining members to form a rigid frame.
Transverse bracing members 18 and l9a may be provided and secured
at their respective ends as by welding to adjoining frame
members. It will be observed that the members 16 and 17 project
outwardly as at 16a and 17a past a rear portion of the carrier
platform C so as to provide a convenient location for the towing
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connection E.
The platform C includes a perimeter frame 20 and a flat
support surface which may be provided by an expanded metal cover
21. The perimeter frame 20 may serve as a rear frame portion of
the connecting frame B as illustrated wherein the perimeter frame
is welded to intersecting portions of the members forming frame B
or a separate rear frame member may be provided. The various
members described above as constituted frame B are welded to form
an integral rigid frame B and carrier platform C. Transversely
aligned spaced wheels D are illustrated in a lowered position for
acting as a trailer or for positioning the apparatus for towing
between a motor home and a vehicle.
Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing details of
the towing connection which is attached to rearward ends of the
connecting frame members 16a and 17a. The towing connection E
includes pins 22 carried by the frame members 16a and 17a
respectively forming a transverse horizontal pivotal connection
for the automotive vehicle. The pin is illustrated as being
carried removably by brackets 23 which are removably connected as
by bolts 24 to the respective frame members. The safety chains
25 are illustrated as being attached on one end as at 26 to the
respective frame members and is shown suspended from a locking
pin 27 for assuring securement of the respective pins 22 for
securing the vehicle. When in running position, the safety
chains are secured by fasteners 28 on respective free ends to
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suitable bolts in the frame of the vehicle being towed. The
fastener has a pivoted latch 28a to facilitate attachment and to
assure retention during towing.
Figures 3-6 further illustrate the mode of attachment of the
apparatus for pivotal steering movement in a horizontal plane to
a motor home 30 on one end and to an automotive vehicle
illustrated at 31 on the other end. In Figure 3 the carrier
platform C is positioned upon the frame carried by the wheels D
which are in lowered position to facilitate securement. Figure 4
is an enlarged perspective view of the apparatus with the wheels
D in a raised position and with the platform C carrying a load in
the form of an ATV 32. Figure 5 illustrates the carrier platform
member C supported by the wheels D to facilitate fastening of the
socket 11 to the ball 12 which is carried by the usual
longitudinal axial support 33 which is suitably secured to the
frame of the motor home. The usual safety chain is illustrated
at 33a. Figure 6 illustrates the use of the towing connection E
for connection to a bracket 34 carried by the vehicle frame for
inserting the pins 22 forming the transverse pivotal connection.
The safety chain 25 is illustrated as extending beneath the
bumper 35 of the towed vehicle for attachment to the frame of the
towed vehicle.
Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views illustrating means for
retaining the wheels D in lowered position for facilitating
attachment of the apparatus between the motor home and vehicle
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for towing or for acting as a roadworthy vehicle in the form of a
cargo or utility trailer when the apparatus is not being utilized
for towing. A wheel has a pair of support members 40 and 41
which are pivoted about horizontal longitlldin~l pivots as at 42.
An upward extension 40a of the frame members 40 overlies the
outside of the frame member 18 and carries a socket member 43 for
receiving an end of a threaded member carried in an internally
threaded member 44 welded as at 45 to the frame member 13a. By
turning the handle 46 the threaded member may be urged to
engagement within the socket 43 for positioning the wheels in
locked lowered position forming a roadworthy trailer.
Figure 8 illustrates a plunger 47 which is spring loaded as
at 48 and manipulated by the handle 49 within a housing 50 welded
as at 51 to the frame member B. The plunger 47 may be retracted
against the force of the spring to permit full elevation or
retraction of the respective wheels bringing a recessed
receptacle 52 into position to receive the plunger 47 in locking
position for maintaining the wheels in elevated retracted
position.
Figure 9 is a schematic rear elevation of the apparatus
illustrating expanded metal sides 53 which may be pivoted
upwardly and downwardly and bolted to the frame as at 54. Figure
10 is a side elevation illustrating the use of a frame having
vertical metal bars 55 providing a bike rack as an alternative to
at least one of the expanded metal racks illustrated in Figure 9.
12
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sulta~le ~l~n1n~ lights are lllustrated as at 56.
Figur~s 11 and 12 illustrat~ a modiried ~orm of th~
invention wh-rein a dolly t~wing eonneetion E i8 provid~d for
reeeiving ~he front wheels of a v~hiele ~or towing. Such a
tion i~ nee~F6~ry on some front drive vehiele~ in order to
aet a~ a proper towing e~no~tlon. Th~ dolly col~.eetion inelude~
~ ~lightly lowered extenelon of the fram~ B illustrated at 58
together with an lnelinod ramp 59 pQrmitting the front wheel~ of
the vshiele to b~ reeeived th~reon ~or y~O~CL alignment by a
~tAn~rd tran~ver~e pivot as ~hown at 60. A ~ r~l ver~ieal
pivot i8 prov~ded at 61 to permit limit~d pivotal movoment in a
horizontal plan~ of th~ platform which ineludes the member 59 and
a tran~verse vertieally pivotal member 62. The pivot 61 per~its
adjustment ~f tho plat~orm to plo~rly r~e~ive the front wheels
o~ a vehiele in a~ignment for towing after havlng been seeured as
by ehain~ to th~ towing platform 62. ~ueh a struct~re i~
amenable to heavy eonstruetion permitting the earry~ng o~ heavy
loads such as golr carts. If de~ired, lateral ramps (not ~hown)
may be provided to facilitate lo~ng.
It i~ thus se~n that a cargo carrying apparatus including a
tow bar A and a c~Qcting ~ram~ ~ ~u~v~Ling a carrier platform
member C has provid~d for co~ ing an automotive vehicle to be
towed to a motor home and the lik~. The rQnn~cting frame B is
pre~erably ri~idly integrally connected to thQ ~ow bar which has
a pivotal ~o-~b~ n to the motor home. A towing connection
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E is provided for hooking up the towed vehicle. The transversely
spaced wheels D facilitate assembly of a motor home and an
automobile by positioning the towing connection for easy
securement to a front frame portion of the automobile. A
vertical support strut, with or without a wheel, may be provided
for this purpose. However, the spaced wheels D are also capable
of converting the apparatus into a trailer when not engaged in
towing. The automotive vehicle which is commonly towed for use
for transportation after the motor home has arrived at its
destination, whether truck, van, automobile and the like are
referred to herein by the term automobile.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been
described using specific terms, such description is for
illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that
changes and variations may be made without departing from the
spirit or scope of the following claims.
