Tow adapter

• US 9,114,679 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 08/25/2015
• 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:
  US13/838,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20140265249A1
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 241/145, 241/15, 241/28, 241/29, 248/304, 248/305, 248/307, 248/339, 248/340, 280/480, 280/480.1, 280/495, 294/26, 294/82.1, 294/902, 294/904, 403/206, 403/213
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/04 Hook or hook-and-hasp couplings
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/14 Draw-gear or towing devices characterised by their type
• 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: B60D 1/565 having an eyelet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49959 Nonresilient fastener

Abstract

Disclosed is a tow adapter suitable for coupling a device to be towed to a towing vehicle. The tow adapter includes a bracket for attachment to the towing vehicle and a loop and hook for receiving a tether attached to the bracket, the hook attached to the bracket central of the loop. The tether is threaded through the loop and attached to the hook, thereby enabling the towing vehicle to tow the device.

Claims

1. A tow adapter suitable 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 having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are each attached to the bracket, and

a hook having a base attached to the bracket central of the loop and having a curved portion which extends away from the base of the hook in a first direction, curves downwardly through and below the loop, and then extends in a second direction opposite the first direction,

wherein the loop and the hook are configured to receive a tether threaded through the loop and attached to the hook to enable the towing vehicle to tow the device to be towed.

2. The tow adapter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hook is attached to the bracket such that the hook faces toward the towing vehicle when the tow adapter is attached to the towing vehicle.

3. The tow adapter as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a tether, wherein the tether is a strap.

4. The tow adapter as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a tether, wherein the tether is a chain.

5. The tow adapter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the loop is made of metal.

6. The tow adapter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hook is oriented transverse to the loop.

7. 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 attached to the towing vehicle to support the tow adapter and fasteners configured to fasten the bracket to the towing vehicle,

a loop having a first end and a second end each attached to the bracket, and

a hook having a base attached to the bracket central of the loop and having a curved portion which extends away from the base of the hook in a first direction, curves downwardly through and below the loop, and then extends in a second direction opposite the first direction,

wherein the loop and hook are configured to receive a tether threaded through the loop and attached to the hook.

8. The kit as claimed in claim 7, wherein the hook is attached to the bracket such that the hook faces toward the towing vehicle when the tow adapter is attached to the towing vehicle.

9. The kit as claimed in claim 7, wherein the loop is made of metal.

10. 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 attached to the towing vehicle to support the tow adapter,

a loop having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are each attached to the bracket,

a hook having a base attached to the bracket central of the loop and having a curved portion which extends away from the base of the hook in a first direction, curves downwardly through and below the loop, and then extends in a second direction opposite the first direction, and

a tether capable of being threaded through the loop and attached to the hook to enable the towing vehicle to tow the device to be towed.

11. The kit as claimed in claim 10, wherein the hook is attached to the bracket such that the hook faces toward the towing vehicle when the tow adapter is attached to the towing vehicle.