Towing Device For Small Planes

• US 20120193928A1
• Filed: 01/28/2011
• Published: 08/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jeff Schiedegger
• Original Assignee: Jeff Schiedegger
• Inventors: Schiedegger, Jeff
• Application Number:
  US13/016,652
• Publication Number:
  US 20120193928A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 294/82.1
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/22 for handling aircraft

Abstract

The present invention is a tow device for small aircraft and the like. The tow device includes a hook or hook-like mechanism that is removably secured to the nose fork of the front wheel of an aircraft. The hook or hook-like mechanism is constructed and arranged to be easily secured to and removed from a nose fork of the front wheel of an aircraft by an individual. No tools or special equipment is required to secure the present invention to the nose fork. The hook or hook-like mechanism is designed such that by securing a rope or other towing device to one point on the hook, the wheel of the aircraft can be moved and steered in any direction. The hook or hook-like mechanism can also be coated with a material which will prevent it from slipping on the nose fork when it is pulled or moved in different directions.

Claims

1. A hook for moving aircraft having at least one front wheel mounted between two tines of an aircraft nose fork comprising:

a hook member constructed and arranged to engage the radius of a nose fork of an aircraft extending between the tines and the nose strut attachment, said hook being substantially U-shaped in a horizontal plane section, so that one tine engages said radius on each side of said nose strut attachment;

said hook including a first end, said first end being constructed and arranged to engage a connection member for applying a pulling force to said hook, said pulling force distributed to said tines to cause said nose fork to align with said force;

said tines forming a central portion and a second end of said hook, each said tine of said second end of said hook including a C-shaped hook, each said C-shaped hook extending below said horizontal plane, each said C-shaped hook having an inward angle of inclination with respect to an orthogonal plane of said hook member to engage said radius at an angle that is substantially perpendicular with respect to the point of contact with said radius, whereby the aircraft is moved in the direction of the force.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said first end of said hook is substantially V-shaped.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said hook is formed from a single piece of material.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said material is substantially circular in cross section.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said hook is coated with a polyurethane material.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said connection member is a ring.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said hook is secured to a nose fork without the use of tools.

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)