Towing head

• US 5,967,541 A
• Filed: 08/05/1997
• Issued: 10/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Advance Ground Systems Engineering, LLC
• Original Assignee: Stanley Aviation Corp. (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Johansen, Hans Simon
• Primary Examiner(s): DePumpo, Daniel G.
• Application Number:
  US08/906,530
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 280/493, 280/504, 280/508, 280/510, 280/514, 280/515, 280/509, 180/904, 292/126, 292/217, 292/226
• US Class Current: 280/504
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/04 Hook or hook-and-hasp couplings
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/28 for preventing unwanted disengagement, e.g. safety appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 180/904 Traction dollies for aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0932 Lever
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1048 Lever
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1059 Lever

Abstract

A towing head is provided including three primary members. The first member is stationary and includes a channel which receives the tow pin or towing fitting of an aircraft. The second member pivotally attaches to the first member and itself includes a channel which communicates with the channel of the first member. The third member rotatably attaches to the second member and includes a handle for which to place the towing head in either a locked, partially locked, or unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the second member is moved away from interfering with the channel of the first member so that the tow pin or fitting may be freely inserted or removed from within the channel of the first member. In the locked position, the second member is moved to a position so that it interferes with the channel of the first member and prevents the tow pin from being removed from the towing head. The second member may be moved to a partially locked position prior to engaging the tow pin with the towing head which enables an operator to release the towing head once the tow pin engages the towing head because the towing head, while in the partially locked position, can secure the tow pin without locking.

Claims

1. A towing head for attachment to a tow pin on a wheel assembly of a vehicle, said towing head comprising:

a first member including a channel formed thereon;

a second member pivotally attached to said first member and having a channel formed thereon;

a third member pivotally attached to said second member, said second member being positionable with respect to said first member in either a first position wherein said channels form a common opening through which the tow pin may pass, or being positionable in a second position wherein said second member interferes with said opening to block removal of the tow bar from within said opening and said third member is positioned with respect to said first member to lock the tow pin to said towing head; and

a spring interconnecting said second and third members, said spring urging said second member to interfere with said opening and urging said second and third members apart from one another.

2. A towing head, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

an engaging stop attached to said third member for selective engagement with said first member to lock the tow pin in said channels.

3. A towing head, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

an adjustment screw communicating with said spring to enable the force of said spring to be adjusted.

4. A towing head, as claimed in claim 2, further including:

a handle connected to said third member enabling said engaging stop to be brought into and out of selective engagement with said first member by manipulating said handle.

5. A towing head, as claimed in claim 2, further including:

a receiving member including a groove for receiving said engaging stop.

6. A method of attaching a towing head to a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a tow pin;

providing a first member including a channel;

providing a second member including a lip which communicates with said channel;

providing a third member pivotally attached to the second member;

moving said first and second members to contact the tow pin;

pivoting said second member in a first direction enabling the tow pin to be placed fully within the channel;

pivoting the second member in a second direction causing the tow pin to be captured between the channel and the lip; and

lifting the third member upward to lock the towing head to the tow pin.

7. A method, as claimed in claim 6, further including the step of:

pivoting the second member in the first and second directions by means of a handle.

8. A method, as claimed in claim 7, further including the step of:

biasing the pivoting of the second member by a spring.

9. A method, as claimed in claim 8, further including the step of:

varying the force of said biasing step.

10. A towing head for attachment of a tow bar assembly to a tow pin of a vehicle, said towing head comprising:

a first stationary means for connecting including a channel formed thereon for receiving the tow pin, said first means further including a groove spaced from said channel;

a second pivotal means for connecting having first and second ends said first end pivotally attached to said first connecting means, said second connecting means further having a lip which communicates with said channel; and

a pivot block connected to said second connecting means at said second end thereof, said pivot block including an engaging stop attached thereto, said engaging stop being positionable to lock the tow pin within said channel by insertion of said engaging stop within said groove wherein said lip intersects said channel preventing removal of the tow pin.

11. A towing head, as claimed in claim 10, further including:

a spring connected to said second connecting means and urging said second connecting means so that said lip interferes with said channel to block removal of the tow pin.

12. A towing head, as claimed in claim 10, further including:

a handle connected to said pivot block enabling said engaging stop to be raised or lowered by manipulating said handle.

13. A towing head, as claimed in claim 11, further including:

an adjustment means communicating with said spring to enable the force of said spring to be adjusted.

14. A towing head for attachment of a tow pin to a vehicle, said towing head comprising:

a first member including a channel formed thereon;

a second member pivotally attached to said first member and having a channel formed thereon wherein said second member is positionable so that said channels form an opening through which the tow pin may pass, or said second member being positionable so that said second member interferes with said opening to block removal of the tow pin from within said opening;

a third member pivotally attached to said second member, said third member including an engaging stop which communicates with said first member to place said towing head in a locked, partially locked, or unlocked position; and

a spring interconnecting said second member and said third member to urge said second member so that it interferes with said opening and to urge said third member away from said second member.

15. A towing head for attachment to a tow pin on a wheel assembly of a vehicle, said towing head comprising:

a first stationary member including a channel formed thereon;

a second pivotal member having first and second ends, said second pivotal member attached to said first stationary member at said first end thereof, said second pivotal member being pivotal with respect to said first stationary member about said first end, said second pivotal member further having a lip which communicates with said channel;

a third pivotal member attached to said second pivotal member at said second end thereof, said third member being pivotal about said second member at said second end thereof; and

a spring interconnecting said second pivotal member and said third pivotal member, and to urge said second pivotal member to interfere with said channel.

16. A towing head, as claimed in claim 15, wherein:

said second pivotal member secures the tow pin within said channel by rotation in a clockwise direction, said tow pin being removable from said channel by rotation of said second pivotal member in a counter-clockwise direction, and said third pivotal member being rotated in a clockwise direction to lock the tow pin within said channel and being rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to unlock.

17. A towing head, as claimed in claim 15, wherein:

said spring urges said second and third pivotal members apart from one another.

18. A towing head, as claimed in claim 15, further including:

an adjustment screw communicating with said spring to enable the force of said spring to be adjusted.

19. A towing head, as claimed in claim 15, further including:

a handle connected to said third pivotal member enabling said third pivotal member to be brought into and out of selective engagement with said first stationary member by manipulating said handle to lock or unlock the towing pin within said channel.

20. A towing head, as claimed in claim 15, further including:

an engaging stop attached to said third pivotal member for selective engagement with said first stationary member to lock or unlock the tow pin in said channel.

21. A towing head, as claimed in claim 20, wherein:

said first stationary member includes a groove for receiving said engaging stop.