Adjustable device for towing vehicles with vertical lift

An apparatus for towing vehicles that is fixedly attached to the towing vehicle, so as to provide a longitudinally retractable load bar extension with provisions for coupling to the towed vehicle, and a vertically rotatable load bar to maintain vertical lift of the towed vehicle during movement. The vehicle to be towed is fitted with a mounting bar having inverted coupling seats compatible for towing attachment with the coupling box mounted to the rearward extending end of the load bar extension, such that the operation of the towed vehicle, when uncoupled from the towing apparatus, is not impeded by the mounting bar remaining in place.

BACKGROUND--FIELD OF INVENTION 
This invention relates to vehicle towing apparatus, and more particularly, 
a means of towing vehicles with a larger vehicle such as a truck, bus, or 
motor home, where a partial vertical lifting of the towed vehicle is 
desirable, but where the towing means can remain on the towing vehicle in 
an out-of-the-way fashion, when not needed. 
BACKGROUND--DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
Although there have been many attempts to design apparatus for towing 
vehicles, both with and without vertical lift capability for the towed 
vehicle, many of these devices have not effectively addressed the need to 
tow vehicles such as passenger automobiles, jeeps, and other recreational 
vehicles to be used in conjunction with a larger towing vehicle, such as a 
motor home, touring bus, military conveyance, and the like. Many prior art 
designs have combined a towing hitch that has been permanently and rigidly 
attached to the towing vehicle, and that provided a conventional ball 
hitch to which could be coupled a tow behind trailer, or other towing 
apparatus. Such devices could be selectively attached to the towing 
vehicle when needed, and used in conjunction with the rigidly attached tow 
hitch and ball on a towing vehicle. Prior art examples include patents 
issued to Kniff (U.S. Pat. No. 3,758,135); Kniff (U.S. Pat. No. 
3,885,815); Kniff (U.S. Pat. No. 3,831,980); Nutt (U.S. Pat. No. 
3,664,687); and Youngblood (U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,755). 
While providing some flexibility and adaptability to the occasional towing 
of passenger vehicles, the owner or user of prior art devices had the 
disadvantage of adapting the towing apparatus each time a particular 
vehicle was to be towed. Furthermore, the user was required to detach the 
towing apparatus from the towing vehicle after use, and store the towing 
apparatus until it was next needed. This is a significant disadvantage 
where storage space, such as a garage, is limited. Prior art devices also 
created problems where the towed vehicle was used on a trip under 
circumstances requiring the towing vehicle such as a motor home, and the 
towing apparatus, to be stored or left in a parking lot, campground, or 
other unprotected area during use of the towed vehicle such as a jeep or 
passenger car. 
Other prior art towing devices with vertical lift capability have required 
complicated construction, and movable members to achieve vertical lift, 
balancing, and load leveling of the towed vehicle with respect to the 
towing vehicle. In addition to requiring greater complexity in 
construction, manufacture, and use, these devices presented potential 
hazards to the user through the existence of pinch points and to the 
motoring public through improper leveling of the towed vehicle. Examples 
of such prior art references include patents to Duncan (U.S. Pat. No. 
4,577,883); Lind (U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,237); Sebby (U.S. Pat. No. 
4,113,272); and Mathisen (U.S. Pat. No. 3,649,046). 
Another disadvantage of prior art references for towing vehicles with 
vertical lift of a portion of the vehicle involves the manner in which the 
towing apparatus couples with the vehicle to be towed. In situations where 
the towing device is not itself a trailer riding on the road surface, the 
towing apparatus required coupling with the vehicle to be towed through 
the front axles, front suspension system, or other portions of the towed 
vehicle where adjustments were required for each towing, and where there 
was a potential for damage to critical portions of the towed vehicle from 
improper connection. 
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
The object of the subject invention is to provide a means for towing 
vehicles such as passenger cars, jeeps, and other recreation vehicles 
behind larger motor homes, trucks, buses, or military vehicles where the 
towing vehicle has sufficient road clearance and weight to sustain a 
partial vertical lifting to the towed vehicle, through the use of 
apparatus that is adjustably attached to the towing vehicle, but which can 
be retracted in an out-of-the-way configuration on the towing vehicle when 
not in use. By using a device as described herein, a vehicle can be towed 
to a desired location, such as to a vacation site, area of deployment, or 
other area where use of the towed vehicle is to be expected. Once the 
toward vehicle has been decoupled from the towing device, there is no 
additional apparatus to be stored or left behind, and both the towing 
vehicle and towed vehicle can be used as intended without the hinderance 
of a towing apparatus that is not currently in use. 
Functionality of the subject invention is achieved by providing a 
selectively retractable load bar extension fitted into a load bar and axis 
assembly that is attached to pivot in a vertical plane, to the chassis of 
the towing vehicle. So constructed, the load bar extension, to which is 
attached a first coupling means, such as a coupling box, can be retracted 
into the load bar, and the load bar pivoted upward to the bottom of the 
towing vehicle chassis, and thus be placed out of the way when towing is 
not necessary. Safety chains used to insure connection of the towed 
vehicle to the towing vehicle can be wrapped around chassis extension 
members to insure that the load bar extension and load bar do not become 
accidentally dislodged while operating the towing vehicle with the subject 
apparatus in retracted position during non-use. 
Attachment of the first coupling means and load bar/load bar extension 
combination to the vehicle to be towed is achieved through connection with 
a second coupling means, such as a towing ball, attached to a mounting 
bar, which is in turn fixedly, but removably, mounted to the undercarriage 
of the towed vehicle, so that the second coupling means is in a downward 
orientation in relation to the towed vehicle. Once installed, the second 
coupling means and mounting bar assembly may remain on the towed vehicle 
even after being removed from a towing arrangement, without adversely 
affecting ground clearance, functionality, or aesthetics of the towed 
vehicle. When desired, the second coupling means may be removed while 
leaving the mounting bar in place on the towed vehicle, until such time 
that towing is again necessary. 
A further advantage of the subject invention is interchangeability of towed 
vehicles fitted with a mounting bar and coupling assembly as described, in 
relation to other towing vehicles that have been fitted with the subject 
vertical lift towing apparatus. It is suggested that this 
interchangeability can provide great utility and benefits in connection 
with industrial, recreational, military, and heavy construction uses of 
the towing device. The subject invention will permit the towing of 
vehicles with vertical lifting of the forward or rearward wheels of the 
towed vehicle, depending upon the characteristics of the towed vehicle and 
other circumstances. 
Simple and effective vertical adjustability is achieved through the use of 
vertically arranged bearing seats on the pivot bearing plates, as well as 
vertical adjustment pin seats arranged on the rear load bar supports. The 
load bar extension may be adjusted in a longitudinal relationship to the 
load bar, through the use of integral positive locking means in 
conjunction with a pin seat located on the load bar, and a plurality of 
pin seats compatibly located on the load bar extension. 
By eliminating an integral vertical lift means in the towing apparatus, 
space, and weight can be saved, and the utility of the device, enhanced. 
In situations where the towing device will be used in conjunction with 
recreational vehicles, busses, construction vehicles, and military 
vehicles, the towing vehicle will in most cases already carry with it a 
vertical lift means such as a hydraulic or mechanical jack. This can be 
used to pivotally lift the load bar and load bar extension assembly into 
position after coupling with the towed vehicle, without unnecessarily 
complicating the towing apparatus, or duplicating the function to be 
performed by the jack (FIGS. 8 and 9). In circumstances where vertical 
lift means such as a jack would not normally be carried by the towing 
vehicle, a vertical lift means can be incorporated into the apparatus to 
pivotally lift the load bar and load bar extension into position, or 
reverse the process in order to disengage the towing vehicle, after 
coupling (FIG. 7). 
By configuring and orienting the second coupling means, such as a towing 
ball, on the mounting bar in a downwardly direction under the vehicle to 
be towed, a wide range of towing movement and flexibility in both the 
forward and reverse directions can be obtained. This flexibility is 
further enhanced by longitudinal adjustability of the load bar extension 
with respect to the load bar, so as to position the towing vehicle a 
desired distance ahead of the towed vehicle, thus increasing the 
permissible turning arc. By locating the pivot point of the mounting bar 
and second coupling means underneath the vehicle to be towed, the turning 
characteristics of the towing and towed vehicle combination are enhanced 
to facilitate parking, forward, and backward operation of the coupled 
vehicles. 
In addition to being simple and inconspicuous, as well as providing for a 
quick and easy coupling and decoupling, the subject apparatus provides for 
stable towing with a three-point hitch comprising the first coupling means 
and second coupling means assembly, and the two wheels of the towed 
vehicle that operate along the pavement or driving surface. When using the 
subject invention with a portion of the towed vehicle in a vertically 
lifted position, a smoother, shimmy free ride is achieved when compared to 
towing without vertically lifting a portion of the towed vehicle, 
particularly in turns. 
The subject apparatus also provides for the ability to tow, with a 
particular towing vehicle of sufficient size, a wide range of vehicles 
fitted with mounting bar assemblies configured for the particular 
characteristics of the towed vehicles. This is of particular value where 
the towing vehicle will remain constant, but the need or desire to tow 
differing vehicles may change as circumstances dictate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
In a preferred embodiment, the subject apparatus is used in conjunction 
with a towing vehicle that has a mass, road clearance, and balance 
characteristics to permit the towing, with partial vertical lift, of the 
towed vehicle. Onto the chassis of the towing vehicle 1 are fastened a 
plurality of pivot brackets 7, such that the free ends of said pivot 
brackets point in a downward orientation with respect to the bracket 
attachment to the chassis of the towing vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the 
pivot brackets 7 will be mounted onto the outside edges of the chassis 1 
so that a pivot axle 2 mounted between said brackets will be perpendicular 
to the longitudinal center line of the towing vehicle. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the pivot brackets 7 are equipped with means for 
vertical adjustment of the pivot axle 2 in relation to the driving 
surface, which in a preferred embodiment take the form of pivot bearing 
seats 8 located through the thickness of the pivot bearing plate 9, which 
is, in turn, fixably mounted to the pivot bracket 7. Referring to FIG. 5, 
the pivot axle 2 is fixably fitted at each end with a pivot axle end plate 
3 having female threads compatible with the partially threaded bolt 4. The 
pivot axle is mounted between the pivot bearing plates with a partially 
threaded pivot bolt 4 and washer 5 assembly fitted at each end of the 
pivot axle. The threaded bolt surface thus threadably connects with the 
pivot axle end plate, leaving the pivot bearing 6 to rotate inside the 
selected bearing seat 8 of the pivot bearing plate 9. 
Fixedly attached to the pivot axle 2 is a load bar 10, such that the load 
bar 10 is perpendicular to the pivot axle 2. In the preferred embodiment 
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the longitudinal center line of the load bar 
10 is equidistant to both ends of the pivot axle 2. The load bar extension 
11 is internally and slideably fitted to the load bar 10 along their 
respective longitudinal axes so as to permit the load bar extension 11 to 
extend rearwardly beyond the free swinging end of the load bar when used 
for towing, and to permit retraction with respect to the load bar 10 in a 
forward orientation, when not in use. 
Detachably connected to the rearwardly extending end of the load bar 
extension 11 is a first coupling means, in the preferred form of a 
coupling box 12. As shown in FIG. 6, the coupling box has an opening 13 
with an upwardly pointing orientation with respect to the driving surface, 
and the preferred second coupling means in the form of the towing ball 14. 
Looking at FIGS. 1 and 3, the rearward slideability of the load bar 
extension 11 with respect to the load bar 10 is selectively limited by a 
horizontally oriented pin seat 15 located along the longitudinal axis of 
the load bar, and by a plurality of pin seats 16 oriented horizontally 
along the longitudinal axis of the load bar extension. The longitudinal 
relationship of the load bar 10 to the load bar extension 11 is 
established by aligning the horizontal pin seats 15 and 16 as desired, and 
fixing the positions of these members through the use of integral positive 
locking means. 
In a preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the integral 
positive locking means are comprised of a pin 17 having a locking nub 18 
attached to the open end of said pin, and a handle 19 attached to the 
opposite end of said pin and offset in orientation so as to prevent the 
locking nub from disengaging from the pin seats when the handle is 
pointing downward. A means for preventing loss of the pin when disengaged, 
such as a cable 20, is fixably attached at one end to the handle end of 
the pin, and at the other end to the load bar 20. 
The chassis of the towing vehicle is extended in a rearward direction by 
means which, in the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, employ a 
plurality of extension members 21 fixably attached in a longitudinal 
direction to the chassis. The extension members are joined at their 
rearward extending ends by an inner cross member 22 and an outer cross 
member 23, both of which are perpendicular to said extension members. 
Perpendicularly mounted to the cross members in a downwardly direction as 
illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, are two rear load bar supports 24 
located so as to cradle the load bar 10 when rotated upward toward the 
cross members. On each rear load bar support are located pin seats 25 
configured to accept integral positive locking means 26 as already 
described, and with safety cable 27 attached at one end to the pin offset 
handle, and attached at its fixed end to a rear load bar support. 
The pin seats 25 are located so as to permit the user to selectively lock 
the load bar 10 into a desired vertical position for operation of the 
towing vehicle, thus enabling the user to adjust the vertical orientation 
of the towed vehicle with respect to the driving surface. During operation 
of the towing vehicle, the load bar extension 11 and load bar 10 are 
maintained in an upwardly rotated position on the underside of the towing 
vehicle chassis 1, more or less parallel to the driving surface. 
Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, a margin of safety is achieved through the 
use of chains 28 passing through rings 29 attached to the rearward end of 
the load bar extension 11 and removably attached to identical rings 29 
located on the rear load bar supports 24, so as to prevent the undesired 
disengaging of the load bar extension 11 from the load bar 10 in the event 
that the integral positive locking means 26 should fail. The chains have 
attached to their free ends safety hooks 30 compatible for locking onto 
the hook seats 31 located on the mounting bar 32. 
As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, connection of the towing vehicle to the 
towed vehicle is achieved through the use of the above-described 
apparatus, coupled to a mounting bar 32. The mounting bar 32 will have 
dimensions and configuration to permit removable attachment onto the 
forward or rearward underside of the towed vehicle. Said mounting bar is 
attached with appropriate means to the frame, engine mounts, or other 
structural members of the towed vehicle at points compatible with the 
mounting seats 33 configured for mating to the towed vehicle, said 
mounting seats being located on the mounting bar. The mounting bar will 
preferably have a torsion arresting tab 34 configured for removable 
attachment to a torsion arresting seat 35 mounted on the underside of the 
towed vehicle, or will have other torsion arresting means appropriate to 
the characteristics of the towed vehicle. Removably attached to the center 
of the mounting bar 32 is a second coupling means in the preferred form of 
a towing ball 14 which extends perpendicularly downward from the center of 
the mounting bar. 
The sequence for attachment and vertical lifting of the vehicle to be towed 
is illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. A vehicle to be towed, as fitted with 
an appropriate mounting bar and ball, is located behind the towing vehicle 
at a distance desired for the separation of the vehicles during towing. 
The integral positive locking means are disengaged from the rear load bar 
supports so as to permit the load bar and load bar extension, and thus the 
coupling box, to be lowered to the ground. The load bar extension is then 
positioned longitudinally with respect to the sleeve, so as to achieve the 
desired spacing between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle. Once 
established, this longitudinal relationship between the load bar extension 
and the load bar is fixed through the engagement of positive integral 
locking means with the selected pin seat on the load bar extension and the 
pin seat on the load bar. 
FIG. 9 illustrates the towed vehicle after lifting into vertical 
positioning with respect to the towing vehicle, through the use of a 
removable jack or other lifting means. The load bar and load bar extension 
are pivoted in an upwardly vertical arc until the coupling box attached to 
the load bar extension engages the downwardly extending ball located on 
the mounting bar of the towed vehicle. The towed vehicle is then lifted 
vertically by a mechanical jack (FIGS. 8 and 9) or hydraulic jack (FIG. 7) 
applied to the load bar or load bar extension. Once the desired vertical 
relationship is achieved, the load bar extension and load bar are locked 
into place with the insertion of the pin into the desired vertical 
adjustment pin seats of the rear load bar supports. 
The towed vehicle is disengaged from the towing vehicle by reversing the 
foregoing procedure. Once disengaged, the towed vehicle may be operated 
with the mounting bar, and if desired the ball, in place if future towing 
is anticipated. The towing apparatus attached to the towing vehicle may 
then be forwardly and vertically retracted and fixed through the 
appropriate selection of horizontal and vertical adjustment pin seats, so 
as to place the towing apparatus in an out-of-the-way position until next 
needed. 
It is to be understood that while I have disclosed a specific preferred 
embodiment of my invention, such is illustrative only and the scope of my 
invention as defined in the appended claims is not limited thereto.