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Towing and carrying systems

  • US 4,438,944 A
  • Filed: 03/03/1981
  • Issued: 03/27/1984
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1981
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A towing connection for connecting a trailer having a pair of wheels toward its rear end only, to a towing vehicle, including in combination:

  • three linear links, including one upper link and two lower links, the lower links being generally horizontal;

    a first corresponding series of spaced-apart ball joints connecting the links to a forward portion of the trailer; and

    a second corresponding series of spaced-apart ball joints connecting the links to a rearward portion of the towing vehicle, said second series of joints being closer together than the first series so that the links converge such that extended lines upon which the links lie approximately intersect a remote forward generally vertical instantaneous turning axis, and approximately intersect a remote forward generally horizontal carrying axis; and

    wherein the ball joint connecting the upper link to the towing vehicle is positioned somewhat aft of a transverse vertical plane passing substantially through the ball joints connecting the lower links to the towing vehicle, such that the trailer front is at the same level when the trailer is in a preselected turning angle in either direction with respect to the towing vehicle as it is when in the normal straight ahead towing position, whereby rise and fall of the trailer front during turning is substantially minimized.

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