Pivoting tow hook

• US 9,004,522 B1
• Filed: 09/11/2014
• Issued: 04/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amanda Bent Bolt Company
• Original Assignee: Amanda Bent Bolt Company
• Inventors: Hood, Michael, Gruschow, Robert, Holmes, Wes
• Primary Examiner(s): Rocca, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Scharich, Marc A
• Application Number:
  US14/483,665
• Time in Patent Office: 215 Days
• US Class Current: 280/495
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/04 Hook or hook-and-hasp couplings
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/18 Tow ropes, chains or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/187 characterised by the connection to the towing vehicle or to the trailer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49904 Assembling a subassembly, then assembling with a second subassembly

Abstract

Disclosed is a tow adapter for coupling a device to be towed to a towing vehicle. The tow adapter includes a bracket adapted to be attached to the towing vehicle, a loop suitable to support a tether to enable the towing vehicle to tow the device to be towed, the loop having first and second ends operably mounted to the bracket, a hook operably mounted to the bracket and positioned central of the loop such that at least part of a curved portion of the hook is disposed within the loop, the hook and the loop being pivotable relative to the bracket about a pivot operably attached to the bracket. The tether may be threaded through the loop and attached to the hook to enable the towing vehicle to tow the device to be towed.

Claims

1. A tow adapter for coupling a device to be towed to a towing vehicle, the tow adapter comprising:

a bracket adapted to be attached to the towing vehicle to support the tow adapter;

a loop suitable to support a tether to enable the towing vehicle to tow the device to be towed, the loop having a first end and a second end each operably mounted to the bracket;

a hook operably mounted to the bracket and positioned central of the loop such that at least part of a curved portion of the hook is disposed within the loop, the hook and the loop being pivotable relative to the bracket about a pivot operably attached to the bracket;

and

wherein the loop and the hook are configured to enable the tether to thread through the loop and attach to the hook.

2. The tow adapter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivot comprises a pin.

3. The tow adapter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pin comprises a threaded rod.

4. The tow adapter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loop and the hook are configured to pivot together relative to the bracket.

5. The tow adapter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket comprises a welded assembly and includes a stop configured to limit an extent of travel of the hook and the loop.

6. A kit for a tow adapter suitable for coupling a device to be towed to a towing vehicle, the kit comprising:

a bracket adapted to be fastened to the towing vehicle;

a U-shaped loop having opposite first and second ends each operably mounted to the bracket, the loop for receiving a tether for towing the device to be towed; and

a hook operably mounted to the bracket and positioned central of the opposite first and second ends of the loop such that at least part of a curved portion of the hook is disposed within the loop, the hook and the loop being pivotable relative to the bracket about a pivot operably attached to the bracket, wherein the loop and the hook are configured to enable the tether to thread through the loop and attach to the hook; and

fasteners suitable to fasten the bracket to the towing vehicle.

7. The kit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pivot comprises a pin.

8. The kit as claimed in claim 7, wherein the loop and the hook are configured to pivot together relative to the bracket.

9. The kit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first and second ends of the loop each include an opening for receiving the pin.

10. The kit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pin comprises a threaded rod.

11. The kit as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pin comprises a threaded rod.

12. The kit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bracket comprises a welded assembly including the pivot, and the pivot comprises a pin.

13. The kit as claimed in claim 12, wherein the pin comprises a threaded rod.

14. The kit as claimed in claim 12, wherein where the hook is secured to the pin and includes a stop for limiting rotation of the hook.

15. The kit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the loop and the hook are configured to pivot together relative to the bracket.

16. The kit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first and second ends of the loop each include an opening for receiving the pivot.

17. The kit of claim 6, wherein the bracket comprises a welded assembly and includes a stop configured to limit an extent of travel of the hook and the loop.

18. The kit as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a tether.

19. A method for securing a device to be towed to a towing vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a tow adapter including;

a bracket, a loop having a first end and a second end each operably mounted to the bracket, and a hook operably mounted to the bracket and positioned central of the loop such that at least a portion of the hook is disposed within the loop, the hook and the loop being pivotable relative to the bracket about a pivot operably attached to the bracket;

b. attaching the bracket to the towing vehicle; and

c. attaching a tether to the device to be towed, threading the tether through the loop, and attaching the tether to the hook.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the loop and the bracket are configured to pivot together relative to the bracket.