Towing adapter

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.

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. 1shows a front wheel assembly of an airplane fitted with a torque link assembly10. The torque link assembly10can include two struts12,14that connect to the wheel assembly about the wheel16and axle18. The torque link assembly10is shown in a storage position for operation of the airplane without towing. The struts12,14are elongated metal arms that are connected to one another about a central pivot point20. The lower strut arm14is connected to a lower portion of the vertical plane axle at a lower connection point22. The upper strut arm12is connected to an upper portion of the vertical plane axle at an upper connection point24. The lower connection22permanently connects the torque link assembly10. The lower strut14can rotate up and down about the lower connection22.

In the storage position, the struts12,14are folded up and the top strut12is connected to the vertical axle of the wheel assembly at the upper connection point24. The torque assembly10is thereby locked to the aircraft and does not move. The torque assembly10is moved to the operating position when the airplane needs to be towed. Here, the top strut12is released from the upper connection point24and lowered downward. The central pivot point20allows the strut arms12,14to rotate with respect to one another, so that the arms12,14can be lowered down and properly positioned for attachment to a tow vehicle. The torque assembly10can only move in the up and down directions. The torque assembly10itself 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 assembly10is that the lower connection22and/or the pivot connection20can over-rotate. And, the torque links are unsupported and unrestrained. Consequently, the strut arms12,14can lower all the way down until the upper strut arm12hits 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 struts12,14. 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 struts12,14. 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.

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. 2shows the towing adapter100of the present invention. The towing adapter100generally includes a first support member110and a second support member150. The two support members110,150are elongated and are formed as a unitary, one-piece member having an L-shaped cross-section (as best shown inFIG. 6) formed by a top flat platform112,152and a downward extending longitudinal side114,154, respectively. The sides114,154are formed along the outer longitudinal end of the support members110,150. The top platform112,152is integrally formed with the respective side114,154at a right angle thereto. The towing adapter100is shown upside-down in the embodiment ofFIG. 2, to better illustrate the features of the device.

Each of the support members110,150are bent at their center transverse axis to form respective left/right support members110a,110b,150a,150b. As best shown in the side view ofFIG. 5, the top platform112,152of the left support members110a,150aare at a desired predetermined angle with respect to the top platform112,152of the right support members110b,150b. 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 members110,150can be straight and not bent.

The first and second support members110,150are 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 assembly115a,155aat a first distal end of each of the support members110,150, and a second cross-support assembly115b,155bat a second distal end of each of the support members110,150, respectively. The cross-support assemblies115,155are each formed by two narrow elongated L-shaped arms defining a short base116,156and an elongated cross-member117,157. The base116,156of each arm is connected to the side114,154of the support members110,150, such as by welding or being integrally molded.

The bases116,156extend beyond the top surface of the top platforms112,152, so that the cross-members117,157are spaced apart and above the top platforms112,152. The support members110,150are configured to be substantially parallel with one another and are spaced apart to form a gap therebetween. Each of the cross-support assemblies115a,115b,155a,155bhave two cross-members117,157that are parallel with and spaced apart from one another to form an elongated slot therebetween. The cross-members117,157extend in a transverse direction to bridge the gap between he support members110,150so that the distal ends of each cross-member117,157overlap. Thus, at least a portion of the two cross-members117a, battached to the first support member110overlap with at least a portion of the cross-members157a, battached to the second support member110. For instance, the first cross-members117a, bcan be aligned to extend over the top surface of the second cross-members157a, b, respectively.

One or more wing nuts118are positioned in the elongated slot located between the cross-members117,157. The head of the bolt engages the underside of the lower cross-support member157, and the bolt extends through the slot. The wing nut engages the threaded bolt and engages the top side of the upper cross-support member117. Thus, the wing nuts118couple the overlapping cross-members117a,157aand117b,157btogether. Accordingly, the first support member110can be positioned at a variable distance apart from the second support member150. Once a desired distance is obtained, the support members110,150can be locked together by use of the wing nuts18. To adjust the distance between the support members110,150, the wing nuts18can be loosened slightly and the support members110,150slid along the cross-members117,157to the new distance. The wing nuts18are then retightened to again lock the support members110,150together. Though two support assemblies115a, band155a, bare shown, more than one support assembly can be provided, or only a single support assembly can be provided.

Referring now toFIG. 3, the bottom of the towing adapter100is shown. A tough rubber coating is coated over the bottom surface of the top platform112,152and the inside surface of the sides114,154. The rubber coating provides a softer surface that contacts the metal surfaces of the torque assembly10. That avoids a metal-on-metal contact that might create noise or a spark.

The two support members110,150and the cross-support assemblies115,155are made of a rigid material, preferably a metal such as Stainless Steel and Powder Coated Steel. As further shown inFIG. 3, each of the support members110,150have a straight inner edge that faces the opposite support member110,150. The support members110,150can be narrower at the distal ends (approximately 1⅝ inches) and wider in the middle (approximately 2 5/32 inches). The platform112,152can be about 12 inches long and 0.34 inches thick. The support members110,150can be separated by a distance from 0-2½ inches.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 4, two first fastening straps170a,172aare coupled to the first support member110by two rivets176a,174a, respectively. The straps are elongated and positioned transversely across the support members110,150. The straps are preferably connected inside the cross-support assemblies115, though any suitable location can be utilized. The first straps170a,172ahave an open distal end. Two second elongated fastening straps170b,172bare transversely coupled to the second support member150by two rivets176b,174b, and aligned with the first straps170a,172a. The distal ends of the second straps170b,172bhave a coupling loop173,175. The loop173,175receives the open distal ends of the first straps170a,172a, which then wraps back around and fastens to the surface of the straps170a, b,172a, bat the top of the support members110,150. The straps170,172preferably comprise Velcro straps so that the distal ends of the first straps170a,172acouple to the top surface of the straps170,172.

The operation of the towing adapter100will now be discussed with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8. As shown, the towing adapter100connects to the first and second struts12,14of the torque link assembly10. The upper strut12is removed from the upper connection24, and then lowered into position. The towing adapter100is then placed over both of the arms, with the bend in the towing adapter100aligned with the pivot point20of the torque link assembly10. If needed, the wing nuts can be loosened, the support members110,150widened apart or narrowed together to fit the width of the struts12,14, and then the wing nuts can be tightened to lock the towing adapter100.

The bottom rubber-coated surface of the top platforms112,152lie against the top surface of at least a portion of each of the first and second struts12,14. The downward-extending sides114,154of the towing adapter100extend downward over the sides of the first and second struts12,14. Accordingly, the sides114,154prevent the struts12,14from coming free from the towing adapter100.

Once the towing adapter100is in place over the struts12,14, the first Velcro straps170a,172aare extended around the underside of the struts12,14, looped through the O-shaped rings175,173, and wrapped back around to fasten on the top of the straps170,172. The Velcro straps170,172lock the towing adapter100to the struts12,14and lock the struts12,14at a fixed angle with respect to one another. Accordingly, the upper strut12is prevented from falling down with respect to the lower strut14to avoid damage or injury. The torque link assembly10is thereby easier to handle and use, and facilitates attachment to a towing vehicle. Thus, the towing adapter100is easy to use and remove. It also does not interfere with the general use and operation of the torque link assembly10.

Turning toFIG. 9, an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown. Here, the towing adapter does not have two separate elongated supported members110,150as inFIGS. 2-8. Rather, a single uniform support member is provided having a fixed width. This embodiment is suitable for many standard-sized struts12,14, though the adapter ofFIGS. 2-8can form a more customized fit to a wider range of struts12,14.

It is noted that the invention is described and shown as a separate adapter100that connects to the struts of the towing assembly10. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention need not be an adapter but can be a member formed integrally with the torque link assembly10. Thus, the invention can be any device that restricts the movement of the struts12,14when the upper connection24is 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.