Abstract:
A towing adapter can be used during towing of an airplane. The adapter is made of rigid steel with a rubber under-coating and includes two Velcro straps. The device is strapped to two folding struts that are folded down from the wheel assembly of the aircraft. It has a specific angle that keeps the struts at a certain angle with respect to each other, so that struts are accessible to users and is prevented from falling down and injuring someone or causing damage. The device can be easily removed when the towing is finished, and the struts are folded back up onto the plane.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to towing devices used to tow airplanes. More particularly, the present invention relates to a towing adapter to maintain the struts of an airplane at a desired configuration during towing. 
     2. Background of the Related Art 
     Airplanes often have to move around an airport by tow vehicles, such as to between gates or to pull into or out of a gate.  FIG. 1  shows a front wheel assembly of an airplane fitted with a torque link assembly  10 . The torque link assembly  10  can include two struts  12 ,  14  that connect to the wheel assembly about the wheel  16  and axle  18 . The torque link assembly  10  is shown in a storage position for operation of the airplane without towing. The struts  12 ,  14  are elongated metal arms that are connected to one another about a central pivot point  20 . The lower strut arm  14  is connected to a lower portion of the vertical plane axle at a lower connection point  22 . The upper strut arm  12  is connected to an upper portion of the vertical plane axle at an upper connection point  24 . The lower connection  22  permanently connects the torque link assembly  10 . The lower strut  14  can rotate up and down about the lower connection  22 . 
     In the storage position, the struts  12 ,  14  are folded up and the top strut  12  is connected to the vertical axle of the wheel assembly at the upper connection point  24 . The torque assembly  10  is thereby locked to the aircraft and does not move. The torque assembly  10  is moved to the operating position when the airplane needs to be towed. Here, the top strut  12  is released from the upper connection point  24  and lowered downward. The central pivot point  20  allows the strut arms  12 ,  14  to rotate with respect to one another, so that the arms  12 ,  14  can be lowered down and properly positioned for attachment to a tow vehicle. The torque assembly  10  can only move in the up and down directions. The torque assembly  10  itself does not move in the left and right direction, but instead moves the plane wheel assembly left and right for towing and positioning. 
     One difficulty with the torque assembly  10  is that the lower connection  22  and/or the pivot connection  20  can over-rotate. And, the torque links are unsupported and unrestrained. Consequently, the strut arms  12 ,  14  can lower all the way down until the upper strut arm  12  hits the ground, an object, or the aircraft, potentially causing injury or damage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a mechanism to prevent unrestricted rotational movement of the torque struts  12 ,  14 . It is another object of the invention to provide a towing adapter that permits the torque assembly to be utilized for towing operations, while at the same time limiting rotational movement of the torque struts  12 ,  14 . It is a further object of the invention to provide a removable towing adapter that can be utilized in the operating mode to permit towing, and can be quickly and easily removed so that the torque assembly can be positioned in the storage mode. 
     A towing adapter can be used during towing of an airplane. The adapter is made of rigid steel with a rubber under-coating and includes two Velcro straps. The device is strapped to two folding struts that are folded down from the wheel assembly of the aircraft. It has a specific angle that keeps the struts at a certain angle with respect to each other, so that struts are accessible to users and is prevented from falling down and injuring someone or causing damage. The device can be easily removed when the towing is finished, and the struts are folded back up onto the plane. 
     These and other objects of the invention, as well as many of the intended advantages thereof, will become more readily apparent when reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the torque link assembly of the prior art; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the towing adapter in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the towing adapter of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the towing adapter of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the towing adapter of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front end view of the towing adapter of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are side views of the towing adapter in use with an aircraft torque link; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the towing adapter in use with an aircraft torque link; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the towing adapter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. Several preferred embodiments of the invention are described for illustrative purposes, it being understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms not specifically shown in the drawings. 
     Turning to the drawings,  FIG. 2  shows the towing adapter  100  of the present invention. The towing adapter  100  generally includes a first support member  110  and a second support member  150 . The two support members  110 ,  150  are elongated and are formed as a unitary, one-piece member having an L-shaped cross-section (as best shown in  FIG. 6 ) formed by a top flat platform  112 ,  152  and a downward extending longitudinal side  114 ,  154 , respectively. The sides  114 ,  154  are formed along the outer longitudinal end of the support members  110 ,  150 . The top platform  112 ,  152  is integrally formed with the respective side  114 ,  154  at a right angle thereto. The towing adapter  100  is shown upside-down in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , to better illustrate the features of the device. 
     Each of the support members  110 ,  150  are bent at their center transverse axis to form respective left/right support members  110   a ,  110   b ,  150   a ,  150   b . As best shown in the side view of  FIG. 5 , the top platform  112 ,  152  of the left support members  110   a ,  150   a  are at a desired predetermined angle with respect to the top platform  112 ,  152  of the right support members  110   b ,  150   b . In accordance with an illustrative, non-limiting example of the invention, the predetermined angle is preferably forty-five to fifty degrees)(45-50°, thereby forming a general V-shape. It should be recognized, however, that any suitable angle can be utilized, and that the support members  110 ,  150  can be straight and not bent. 
     The first and second support members  110 ,  150  are elongated, with two end portions. A cross-support assembly is provided at each of the two distal end portions, such that there is a first cross-support assembly  115   a ,  155   a  at a first distal end of each of the support members  110 ,  150 , and a second cross-support assembly  115   b ,  155   b  at a second distal end of each of the support members  110 ,  150 , respectively. The cross-support assemblies  115 ,  155  are each formed by two narrow elongated L-shaped arms defining a short base  116 ,  156  and an elongated cross-member  117 ,  157 . The base  116 ,  156  of each arm is connected to the side  114 ,  154  of the support members  110 ,  150 , such as by welding or being integrally molded. 
     The bases  116 ,  156  extend beyond the top surface of the top platforms  112 ,  152 , so that the cross-members  117 ,  157  are spaced apart and above the top platforms  112 ,  152 . The support members  110 ,  150  are configured to be substantially parallel with one another and are spaced apart to form a gap therebetween. Each of the cross-support assemblies  115   a ,  115   b ,  155   a ,  155   b  have two cross-members  117 ,  157  that are parallel with and spaced apart from one another to form an elongated slot therebetween. The cross-members  117 ,  157  extend in a transverse direction to bridge the gap between he support members  110 ,  150  so that the distal ends of each cross-member  117 ,  157  overlap. Thus, at least a portion of the two cross-members  117   a, b  attached to the first support member  110  overlap with at least a portion of the cross-members  157   a, b  attached to the second support member  110 . For instance, the first cross-members  117   a, b  can be aligned to extend over the top surface of the second cross-members  157   a, b , respectively. 
     One or more wing nuts  118  are positioned in the elongated slot located between the cross-members  117 ,  157 . The head of the bolt engages the underside of the lower cross-support member  157 , and the bolt extends through the slot. The wing nut engages the threaded bolt and engages the top side of the upper cross-support member  117 . Thus, the wing nuts  118  couple the overlapping cross-members  117   a ,  157   a  and  117   b ,  157   b  together. Accordingly, the first support member  110  can be positioned at a variable distance apart from the second support member  150 . Once a desired distance is obtained, the support members  110 ,  150  can be locked together by use of the wing nuts  18 . To adjust the distance between the support members  110 ,  150 , the wing nuts  18  can be loosened slightly and the support members  110 ,  150  slid along the cross-members  117 ,  157  to the new distance. The wing nuts  18  are then retightened to again lock the support members  110 ,  150  together. Though two support assemblies  115   a, b  and  155   a, b  are shown, more than one support assembly can be provided, or only a single support assembly can be provided. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the bottom of the towing adapter  100  is shown. A tough rubber coating is coated over the bottom surface of the top platform  112 ,  152  and the inside surface of the sides  114 ,  154 . The rubber coating provides a softer surface that contacts the metal surfaces of the torque assembly  10 . That avoids a metal-on-metal contact that might create noise or a spark. 
     The two support members  110 ,  150  and the cross-support assemblies  115 ,  155  are made of a rigid material, preferably a metal such as Stainless Steel and Powder Coated Steel. As further shown in  FIG. 3 , each of the support members  110 ,  150  have a straight inner edge that faces the opposite support member  110 ,  150 . The support members  110 ,  150  can be narrower at the distal ends (approximately 1⅝ inches) and wider in the middle (approximately 2 5/32 inches). The platform  112 ,  152  can be about 12 inches long and 0.34 inches thick. The support members  110 ,  150  can be separated by a distance from 0-2½ inches. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , two first fastening straps  170   a ,  172   a  are coupled to the first support member  110  by two rivets  176   a ,  174   a , respectively. The straps are elongated and positioned transversely across the support members  110 ,  150 . The straps are preferably connected inside the cross-support assemblies  115 , though any suitable location can be utilized. The first straps  170   a ,  172   a  have an open distal end. Two second elongated fastening straps  170   b ,  172   b  are transversely coupled to the second support member  150  by two rivets  176   b ,  174   b , and aligned with the first straps  170   a ,  172   a . The distal ends of the second straps  170   b ,  172   b  have a coupling loop  173 ,  175 . The loop  173 ,  175  receives the open distal ends of the first straps  170   a ,  172   a , which then wraps back around and fastens to the surface of the straps  170   a, b ,  172   a, b  at the top of the support members  110 ,  150 . The straps  170 ,  172  preferably comprise Velcro straps so that the distal ends of the first straps  170   a ,  172   a  couple to the top surface of the straps  170 ,  172 . 
     The operation of the towing adapter  100  will now be discussed with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . As shown, the towing adapter  100  connects to the first and second struts  12 ,  14  of the torque link assembly  10 . The upper strut  12  is removed from the upper connection  24 , and then lowered into position. The towing adapter  100  is then placed over both of the arms, with the bend in the towing adapter  100  aligned with the pivot point  20  of the torque link assembly  10 . If needed, the wing nuts can be loosened, the support members  110 ,  150  widened apart or narrowed together to fit the width of the struts  12 ,  14 , and then the wing nuts can be tightened to lock the towing adapter  100 . 
     The bottom rubber-coated surface of the top platforms  112 ,  152  lie against the top surface of at least a portion of each of the first and second struts  12 ,  14 . The downward-extending sides  114 ,  154  of the towing adapter  100  extend downward over the sides of the first and second struts  12 ,  14 . Accordingly, the sides  114 ,  154  prevent the struts  12 ,  14  from coming free from the towing adapter  100 . 
     Once the towing adapter  100  is in place over the struts  12 ,  14 , the first Velcro straps  170   a ,  172   a  are extended around the underside of the struts  12 ,  14 , looped through the O-shaped rings  175 ,  173 , and wrapped back around to fasten on the top of the straps  170 ,  172 . The Velcro straps  170 ,  172  lock the towing adapter  100  to the struts  12 ,  14  and lock the struts  12 ,  14  at a fixed angle with respect to one another. Accordingly, the upper strut  12  is prevented from falling down with respect to the lower strut  14  to avoid damage or injury. The torque link assembly  10  is thereby easier to handle and use, and facilitates attachment to a towing vehicle. Thus, the towing adapter  100  is easy to use and remove. It also does not interfere with the general use and operation of the torque link assembly  10 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 9 , an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown. Here, the towing adapter does not have two separate elongated supported members  110 ,  150  as in  FIGS. 2-8 . Rather, a single uniform support member is provided having a fixed width. This embodiment is suitable for many standard-sized struts  12 ,  14 , though the adapter of  FIGS. 2-8  can form a more customized fit to a wider range of struts  12 ,  14 . 
     It is noted that the invention is described and shown as a separate adapter  100  that connects to the struts of the towing assembly  10 . It should be appreciated, however, that the invention need not be an adapter but can be a member formed integrally with the torque link assembly  10 . Thus, the invention can be any device that restricts the movement of the struts  12 ,  14  when the upper connection  24  is released. 
     The foregoing description and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. The invention may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is not intended to be limited by the preferred embodiment. Numerous applications of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.