ES1261774U - REMOVABLE HITCH FOR A VEHICLE (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Detachable hitch for a vehicle comprising a fixed unit (1) configured to be fixed to the rear of the vehicle permanently, a removable unit (6) configured to engage with, and to disengage from, said fixed unit (1); characterized in that the fixed unit (1) comprises a body with a housing (4) and a coupling mechanism, the removable unit (6) comprises a body with a housing (9, 9 '), with a connecting shaft (12) and a coupling mechanism; where the housing (4) of the body of the fixed unit (1) is configured to receive the connection shaft (12) of the removable unit (6); where the housing (9, 9 ') of the body of the removable unit (6) is configured to receive the arm assembly with ball (16) for towing; where by turning the removable unit (6) when the connection shaft (12) is inside the fixed unit (1), the coupling mechanisms of both units cooperate to mount or dismount the coupling according to the direction of rotation.

Description

DESCRIPTION

REMOVABLE HITCH FOR A VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of application of the present invention is within the industrial sector dedicated to the manufacture of trailer parts for automobiles in general. In particular, the present invention refers to a removable hitch system to be placed at the rear of a towing vehicle, generally a car, and to be used to tow a trailer or caravan or similar element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When, when using a motor vehicle, it was impossible to transport inside certain materials, animals, auxiliary means of movement such as bicycles, second home units such as caravans, etc. It was thought of using an additional system to the vehicle itself that, equipped with wheels for sliding, could be dragged by said vehicle that would act as a traction element. In order to be able to join said additional element, trailer or caravan, it was necessary to devise a mechanical coupling system between the vehicle and the towed element.

Said mechanical system is placed at the rear of the vehicle and another part placed on the driven element is attached to it. The mechanical system is currently known by the name of hitch. The hitch includes an arm bent in the shape of a gooseneck and finished in a ball for coupling with the towed element, which we will refer to generically from now on as a trailer. This mechanical element that includes an arm elbowed in the shape of a swan neck and finished in a ball is known by the generic name of "ball".

Initially, and still today, the hitch is sometimes permanently and permanently attached to the rear structure of the vehicle, preventing it from being separated from the vehicle at will. Quickly, it was observed that this type of fixed hitch could have several drawbacks: aesthetic, by making the line ugly; and of operation, since when exceeding, in certain cases, the limits of the rear part of the vehicle could cause accidents while parking the vehicle. On occasion, you can also have legal problems, since the ball can hide part of the license plate of the vehicle when you are not towing the trailer. For this reason, the hitch must be additionally designed according to the vehicle.

Currently, other types of hitches have been developed that can be placed only during the time of use, and then removed from the vehicle. The removable hitches then arise, giving priority to their ease of fitting and disassembling from the vehicle, as well as their safety in use.

The detachable hitch essentially comprises two fundamental mechanical blocks: a fixed unit and a detachable unit. The first fixed unit will be placed integral with the vehicle and permanently attached to it, usually located within the limits of the vehicle itself, in such a way that, preferably, it is not externally detectable. The second removable unit is where the trailer coupling ball is located.

In addition, the assembly must have security systems to prevent the removable part from being separated from the fixed part on the vehicle during the towing period, finally adding a padlock system to prevent its removal or improper manipulation by someone else. .

Finally, depending on the form of coupling between the fixed part and the removable part, these removable hooks can be vertical or horizontal depending on whether the insertion of the removable part in the fixed part is carried out with vertical or horizontal movement of said part. removable.

A problem with current removable hitches, both vertical and horizontal, is that they are made up of numerous mechanical parts that make construction difficult. In addition, its installation is complicated, in some cases giving the impression of a false connection between the fixed and removable blocks, with the risk that this entails for traffic safety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In view of these circumstances, the present invention has been developed, which aims at a removable hitch with the characteristics of the independent claim. Particular or advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

The couplings developed according to the present invention are very simple in design, mechanically not very complex and extremely easy to handle with respect to current couplings.

There are embodiments with enhanced security. There are embodiments of the coupling valid for both vertical and horizontal use, depending on how the removable unit is handled with respect to the fixed unit when the removable unit is placed in the vehicle. It will be "vertical" if the adaptation movement of the removable unit to the fixed unit is carried out vertically and it will be "horizontal" if said movement is carried out horizontally. It is possible to contemplate, with sufficiently resistant materials, an embodiment that serves indistinctly to adapt to both.

The proposed system is composed, as previously mentioned, of two units: fixed and removable.

The fixed unit is made solid with the chassis of the vehicle, for example, by screwing it into two lugs welded to the plate or system for adapting the hitch to the vehicle. It has a housing, generally a cylindrical hole for inserting a connecting shaft, generally in the form of a cylinder, which comes out of the removable unit.

Both units are provided with interlocking mechanisms. Preferably, through adaptation flaps, lugs or lugs that engage with their counterparts in the other unit by rotational movement.

The fixed unit has security elements. Smaller holes go through the body of the fixed unit for the insertion of bolts or screws that prevent the rotation of the connecting shaft of the removable unit once it has been inserted.

The removable unit is provided with a body with a housing or hole for inserting the ball and angle arm assembly. The dimensioning of the hole is according to the dimensions of the end of the ball free arm to which it is attached. The arm and ball assembly, once inserted into the housing that is made in the body of the removable unit for this purpose, can be fixed by means of screws, bolts or pins, making it impossible both to remove it and to rotate it within the mentioned housing. The housing is made in the front part of the body of the removable unit in the vertical version and in the lower part of it in the horizontal version.

As indicated, the removable unit is also provided with elements for coupling with the fixed unit with the same characteristics as the latter, being based on adaptation flaps or pins that interlock with their equivalent elements of the fixed unit by means of rotatory motion.

Additionally, it has an anti-twist and anti-unlock security mechanism. Preferably, by means of a bolt that comes out of the removable unit and is inserted into a hole made in the fixed unit, thus preventing the rotation of one unit with respect to the other. Said bolt is inserted thanks to the pressure of a spring that forces it, in the coupling position, to exert an insertion movement into the hole of the fixed unit.

This removable unit can incorporate a lock that allows, by inserting and turning a key in it, to actuate an associated cam, not only the safety unlocking of the entire coupling of both sections but also by turning the lock. The key also exerts an action on the safety bolt so that, by overcoming the resistance of the aforementioned spring, it is possible to eliminate the rotation safety lock, thus allowing the removable unit to rotate on the fixed unit for its extraction.

In the process of coupling both sections, the manipulation of the security lock is not necessary, which facilitates and simplifies the maneuvers.

Finally, the connection shaft with the fixed unit can be an element added and screwed to the body of the removable unit although preferably it will form a consubstantial part of the body of the removable unit.

The ease of handling is observed both in the assembly and disassembly operation of the detachable hitch.

In short, the security of the detachable hitch that can be incorporated in some embodiments of a triple security system is improved.

The first system consists of the locking lock, since with it in the rest position, any uncoupling maneuver is impossible.

The second security system is related to the actuation of the lock once it has been unlocked with its key since, by allowing it to rotate, its associated cam acts on the rotation locking bolt between the fixed and removable units.

The third security system is carried out by the aforementioned bolt because until it is actuated by the roller of the security lock, the uncoupling movement between the fixed and removable units is not carried out and, therefore, the rotation and subsequent separation is impossible. from the same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be clearly understood with reference to the drawings presented below as illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments, in which:

Figures 1A-1D schematically show various views of the basic components of the fixed unit.

Figures 2A-2D schematically show various views of the basic components of the removable unit.

Figure 3 schematically shows the anti-lock bolt security system and the lock security system.

Figure 4 schematically shows the placement of the ball in the removable unit in the "vertical" version.

Figure 5 schematically shows the placement of the ball in the removable unit in the "horizontal" version.

Figures 6A-6D schematically show the assembly maneuvers of both units.

Figure 7 shows schematically illustrates the two positions of the housings for vertical or horizontal placement in the removable unit.

Numerical references:

(1) fixed unit body

(2) fixed unit flap

(3) through hole in flap for bolt (in fixed unit)

(4) housing (in fixed unit) for connecting shaft

(5) hole for fastening the unit fixed to the vehicle

(6) removable drive body

(7) removable drive flap

(8) spring and bolt housing

(9) housing for vertical version

(9 ') housing for horizontal version

(10) hole for ball locking pin

(11) security bolt.

(12) connecting shaft of removable unit

(13) spring for bolt

(14) lock

(15) cam

(16) ball arm assembly

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As a continuation of all the aforementioned and using the schematic representation of the same shown in drawings 1 to 5, we proceed to the description of some preferred embodiments of the invention.

The device of the invention is composed, as has been repeatedly indicated, of two units that comprise the total system, a fixed unit and another removable unit.

Figures 1A to 1D schematically illustrate the fixed unit (1) that includes a body in one piece, preferably cubic, in which a housing (4) has been made for the insertion of a connecting shaft (12) in one of its faces. On the other side of the body of the fixed unit (1), holes (5) have been made, generally threaded, for the insertion of screws that will serve to permanently fix the fixed unit (1) to the vehicle's mooring system. On the same face where the housing (4) is for inserting the connection shaft (12) of the removable unit, there are first flaps (2) that engage with other second flaps (7) equivalent to the removable unit (6) by turning the latter.

Figures 2A to 2D schematically illustrate the removable unit (6) with its connection shaft (12) being attached to the body, preferably prismatic, of said removable unit. From this removable unit (6) a connection shaft (12) comes out to be inserted into the housing (4) of the fixed unit (1), this connection shaft (12) being able to be part of the removable unit (6) or a piece added and attached to said removable unit (6).

Figure 3 schematically illustrates an anti-twist safety system. To do this, in one of the first flaps (2) of the fixed unit (1) there is a through hole (3) so that a bolt (11) actuated by a spring housed in a housing (8) in the removable unit (6) lock the turning movement when both units are linked.

The arm and ball assembly, as schematically represented in Figures 4 and 5 , are coupled by inserting themselves into a housing (9) or (9 ') illustrated in Figure 7 , of the body, preferably prismatic, of the removable unit (6). Generally, the housing (9) or (9 ') is cylindrical to receive the ball arm (16), which is usually circular in section at the free end.

In the body of the removable unit (6) appears the housing (9) and / or (9 ') that serves to house the arm with ball (16) as seen in figures 4 and 5 in the "vertical" versions "and" horizontal "respectively.

Through holes (10) are made in the body of the fixed unit (1) which serve to hold the arm with the ball (16), making it impossible to rotate it with respect to the removable unit (6).

On the same face of the removable unit (6) in which the connection axis (12) with the fixed unit (1) is located, the second flaps (7) are arranged that engage with their equivalents once the maneuver of coupling, this is with the first flaps (2) of the fixed unit (1). To do this, it rotates the removable unit (6) after the insertion of its connection shaft (12) in the corresponding housing (4) of the fixed unit (1). On one side of the base of the removable unit (6) is placed the anti-rotation security system that incorporates a housing (8) for the bolt (11) and a spring (13).

Returning to Figure 3 , an embodiment of the proposed preferred security system is explained in greater detail. In it you can see the bolt (11) that is inserted into the fixed unit (1), preferably cylindrical in shape, and that being impelled in rest condition to perform an outward movement by the action of the spring (13) is inserted into the through hole (3) of the fixed unit (1) in the coupling position, exerting its safety function. In order to disengage both sections to extract the removable unit (6), the key is inserted into the security lock (14), allowing it to rotate and thus that of the cam (15) joined with the lock. This key, in its movement, forces a cam (15), stem or safety device to enter the housing (8) completely leaving the through hole (3) of the fixed unit (1) and allowing the rotation of the removable unit (6) in the uncoupling maneuver.

Figures 6A to 6D schematically show the maneuvers to assemble and disassemble both units.

The coupling process is carried out in only two steps:

1 ° .- Insertion of the connection shaft (12) of the removable unit (6) in the housing (4) of the fixed unit (1) at the appropriate angle and up to maximum travel.

2.- Turn the removable unit (6) to the operating position of the arm and ball assembly (16).

Similarly, the decoupling process is carried out in only three steps:

1 ° .- Turn the locking key in the lock (14).

2.- Rotation of the removable unit (6) with respect to the fixed unit (1) in the opposite direction to that performed in the coupling maneuver.

3 ° .- Removing the detachable unit (6).

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the removable unit (6) with two housings (9) and (9 ') for vertical or horizontal placement. If the material in which it is made is sufficiently robust, the part could be manufactured with both housings for greater versatility.

As the description made corresponds only to an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention, within its essentiality, variations of detail may be introduced, also protected, that may affect the shapes, size or manufacturing materials of the set or of its parts, without this implying any alteration of the invention as a whole, delimited only by the claims that are provided in the following.

Claims (8)

1. Detachable hitch for a vehicle comprising a fixed unit (1) configured to be fixed to the rear of the vehicle permanently, a removable unit (6) configured to engage with, and to disengage from, said fixed unit (1); characterized by what the fixed unit (1) comprises a body with a housing (4) and a coupling mechanism, the removable unit (6) comprises a body with a housing (9.9 '), with a connecting shaft (12) and a coupling mechanism; where the housing (4) of the body of the fixed unit (1) is configured to receive the connection shaft (12) of the removable unit (6); where the housing (9.9 ') of the body of the removable unit (6) is configured to receive the arm assembly with ball (16) for towing; where By rotating the removable unit (6) when the connection shaft (12) is inside the fixed unit (1), the coupling mechanisms of both units cooperate to mount or dismount the coupling according to the direction of rotation. 2. Hitch according to claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises flaps (2,7) on the body of each unit (1,6) so that once the connection shaft (12) has been inserted into the fixed unit ( 1), by means of the direction of rotation of the removable unit (6) they are coupled or uncoupled from each other. Hitch according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an anti-rotation safety system comprising a housing (8) in the removable unit (6) for a bolt (11) and a spring (13) that presses the bolt (11) to insert it into a through hole (3) made in the flap (2) of the fixed unit (1), blocking both units (1,6). Hitch according to claim 3, further comprising a mechanism with a cam (15) to actuate the bolt (11) of the anti-rotation system. Hitch according to the preceding claim, wherein the mechanism of the anti-rotation system includes a lock (14) to actuate the bolt (11) by means of the introduction and rotation of a corresponding key. Hitch according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein, to couple the ball arm (16), the housing (9) of the body of the removable unit (6) is perpendicular to the connection axis (12 ). Hitch according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein, to engage the ball arm (16), the housing (9 ') of the body of the removable unit (6) is in line with the connection axis (12). Hitch according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein the body of the removable unit (6) has two housings (9.9 ') that form a right angle, to be able to be coupled either vertically or horizontally. with the ball arm (16).