Abstract:
A truck towing system is described. The truck towing system provides for a first truck to tow a second truck in a back to front relationship, i.e., the front portion of the second truck (the towed truck) is connected or attached to a rear portion of the first truck (the towing truck). The truck towing system includes an upper member to removably connect with a first truck. A middle member joins the upper member and a lower member in a fixed engagement. The lower member supports a front portion of a second truck. A beam member is removably engaged to the lower member, and the beam member extends and retracts from an interior of the lower member. The beam member connects to a rear portion of the second truck.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a truck towing system and assembly. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    Previous attempts of towing or transporting semi-trucks have used a method called “decking,” in which a first truck tows a second truck with an axle assembly of the second truck positioned over a rear portion or frame of the first truck. The method does not work with many modern trucks that have an increased height, since a top of the second truck will be too high off of the ground resulting in problems passing through tunnels or under over-passes and possible violation of laws or regulations directed to maximum vehicle height. 
         [0003]    Other attempts in towing semi-trucks use a method in which the truck that is being towed is towed in reverse. This method is fuel inefficient, since the towed truck is moving in a direction counter to its aerodynamic design. Further, towing in reverse may damage the suspension or the air fairings of the towed truck 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0004]    A truck towing system and assembly are herein described. The truck towing system and assembly provide for a first truck to tow a second truck in a back to front relationship, i.e., the front portion of the second truck (the towed truck) is connected or attached to a rear portion of the first truck (the towing truck). This allows the first truck to tow the second truck in a fuel efficient manner, as trucks are not generally designed to be aerodynamic when driven in or pulled in a reverse direction. 
         [0005]    The truck towing system and assembly also allows for the towed truck to be maintained at a height where a top surface or a roof of the towed truck is maintained below approximately 13 feet, 6 inches, which is a typical maximum height for safe clearance on most highways and interstates. Many of today&#39;s semi-trucks are built with cabins or condos above and behind the driver&#39;s seat in the cab. These areas may contain a bed or other storage area. These additions to the cab create extra height that must be accommodated by the towing equipment. 
         [0006]    The truck towing system and assembly allows a single driver to move two or more trucks to a destination. This reduces labor and travel costs since two drivers are not required. 
         [0007]    The truck towing system and assembly further provide for the towed truck to have its rear wheels on the ground, while its front wheels are lifted. This provides the driver of the first truck with better control over the second truck. This also reduces the likelihood of the towed trucked to start “snaking,” which may result in a loss of control. 
         [0008]    The truck towing system and assembly further is adjustable to accommodate different sized semi-trucks. The assembly may extend or retract depending on the length of the towed vehicle. 
         [0009]    The truck towing system and assembly further collapses into a collapsed configuration that has a reduced size. In the collapsed configuration, the assembly may be easily lifted with a crane, a hoist, or other lifting apparatus. In the collapsed configuration, a center of gravity of the assembly is positioned approximately in the middle of the collapsed towing assembly, thus allowing an easy two point attachment to the collapsed towing assembly. Further, the collapsed configuration provides for more efficient storage and transportation of multiple towing assemblies. 
         [0010]    In one aspect, a truck towing system is provided. The truck towing system includes an upper member to removably connect with a first truck, a middle member, and a lower member. The middle member joins the upper member and the lower member in a fixed engagement. The lower member supports a front portion of a second truck. A beam member is removably engaged to the lower member. The beam member extends and retracts from an interior of the lower member. The beam member connects to a rear portion of the second truck. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, a truck towing system is provided. The truck towing system includes an upper member to removably connect with a first truck, a middle member, and a lower member. The middle member joins the upper member and the lower member. The lower member supports a front portion of a second truck. A beam member is removably engaged to the lower member to pass through a front opening and a rear opening of the lower member. The lower member defines an interior to receive the beam member. The beam member connects to a rear portion of the second truck. The lower member includes one or more sets of openings that are spaced along the length of the lower member. The beam member includes one or more sets of pin openings that are spaced along the length of the beam member. A locking pin passes through one of the sets of the openings in the lower member and one of the sets of the pin openings in the beam member to lock the beam member and the lower member together. The truck towing system retracts to a collapsed configuration with a portion of the beam member passing through the front opening of the lower member, and the portion of the beam member is below the upper member. 
         [0012]    In another aspect, a method of connecting a truck towing system to a first truck and a second truck is provided. The method includes providing a towing assembly having an upper member that removably connects with the first truck, a middle member, and a lower member. The middle member joins the upper member and the lower member. The lower member supports a front portion of a second truck. A beam member is removably engaged to the lower member. The beam member connects to a rear portion of the second truck. The method further includes extending or retracting the beam member relative to the lower member. The method further includes locking the beam member and the lower member together. The method further includes positioning the second truck over the lower member and the beam member and locking a front axle assembly of the second truck to the lower member. The method further includes locking a rear frame of the second truck to the beam member and lifting the upper member. The method further includes attaching the first truck to the upper member of the towing assembly. 
         [0013]    In another aspect, a method of storing a truck towing system is provided. The method includes providing a towing assembly having an upper member to removably connect with a first truck, a middle member, and a lower member. The middle member joins the upper member and the lower member. The lower member supports a front portion of a second truck. A beam member is removably engaged to the lower member. The beam member connects to a rear portion of the second truck. The method further includes retracting the beam member relative to the lower member through an interior of the lower member and through a front opening of the lower member. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the truck towing system. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the truck towing system. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the truck towing system. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the truck towing system in the collapsed configuration. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a view of the first truck towing the second truck with the truck towing system. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the connection at the rear portion of the second truck. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the connection at the rear portion of the second truck. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the connection at the rear portion of the second truck. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the connection at the rear portion of the first truck. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       [0023]    The truck towing system and assembly will now be described with reference to the FIGURES. A truck towing system  40  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The towing system  40  includes a truck towing assembly  50 . With reference to  FIG. 5 , the assembly  50  connects to a rear portion of a first truck  10  and to a front portion of a second truck  20 . The first truck  10  is the towing truck, while the second truck  20  is the towed truck. The second truck  20  is towed in a forward direction. A third truck may also be towed by the second truck  20  in a similar manner. 
         [0024]    The first truck  10  includes a conventional saddle mount  15 , which receives the towing assembly  50  in a fixed and locking connection. A front axle assembly  23  of the second truck  20  rests on the towing assembly  50 . A rear frame  26  of the second truck  20  is locked, by chains or otherwise clamping, to the assembly  50 . Rear wheels tandem  29  of the second truck  20  are in contact with the ground and roll as the first truck  10  pulls or tows the second truck  20 . Accordingly, the second truck  20  is being pulled in the direction in which the second truck  20  was aerodynamically designed. As such, pulling the second truck  20  in the forward direction results in fuel economy savings as the first truck  10  is performing reduced work verses towing the second truck  20  in a backward manner. 
         [0025]    The towing assembly  50  includes an upper member  100 , a middle member  200 , and a lower member  300 . Each of the members  100 ,  200 , and  300  include a generally linear length of a rigid and strong metal or metal alloy. Each of the members  100 ,  200 , and  300  may be formed from solid, hollow or partially hollow sections of square tubing or stock. The members  100 ,  200 , and  300  may be made from low to medium strength carbon steel. The upper member  100  is connected to the middle member  200 , and the middle member  200  is connected to the lower member  300 . The upper member  100 , the middle member  200 , and the lower member  300  may be fixedly connected to each other, or the members  100 ,  200  and  300  may be an integral structure. In the embodiment shown in the FIGURES, the upper member  100  is welded to the middle member  200 , and the middle member  200  is welded to the lower member  300 . Typically, none of the upper member  100 , the middle member  200 , and the lower member  300  move or pivot relative to each other. 
         [0026]    The upper member  100  is orientated in a range of approximately parallel to the lower member  300  or slightly angling toward a plane of the lower member  300  in an amount of approximately 2 degrees to 5 degrees in the direction attaching toward the first truck  10 . The upper member  100  is separated from the lower member  300  by the middle member  200 . The middle member  200  joins an end of the upper member  100  with an end of the lower member  300 . 
         [0027]    The upper member  100  includes a front portion  120  and a rear portion  160 . The front portion  120  connects to or attaches to the saddle mount  15  of the first truck  10 . In the embodiment shown in the FIGURES, the upper member  100  includes a saddle mount portion  124  that is fixedly connected to the saddle mount  15  of the first truck  10 . The saddle mount portion  124  is positioned or fixed on a bottom surface  122  of the upper member  100 . The saddle mount connection between the saddle mount  15  and the saddle mount portion  124  is a fixed or non-moving engagement. 
         [0028]    The rear portion  160  of the upper member  100  includes a rear end  162  that defines rear surfaces  164 . The rear end  162  and the rear surfaces  164  are fixedly connected by welding or other fasteners to the middle member  200 . The upper member  100  further includes side surfaces  166 . Connecting plates  180  connect the side surfaces  166  of the upper member  100  with side surfaces  222  of the middle member  200 . The connecting plates  180  strengthen or reinforce the connection or bond between the upper member  100  and the middle member  200 . 
         [0029]    The middle member  200  includes an upper portion  220  and a lower portion  260 . The upper portion  220  is fixed or connected to the rear portion  160  of the upper member  100 . The middle member  200  is fixed or connected to the upper member  100  at an angle of approximately 100 degrees to approximately 150 degrees. This range of angles provides for the lower member  300  to be at the proper position for connecting to the second truck  20 . With reference to  FIG. 3 , the upper portion  220  includes an upper surface  210 , the side surfaces  222 , and the rear surface  230 . The upper surface  210  receives angled support plates  280  in a fixed or permanent connection that further connects the middle member  200  with the lower member  300 . 
         [0030]    The lower member  300  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . The lower portion  260  of the middle member  200  is fixed or connected to a front portion  320  of the lower member  300 . The middle member  200  is fixed or connected to the lower member  300  at an angle of approximately 100 degrees to approximately 150 degrees. The lower member  300  includes the front portion  320  and a rear portion  360 . The front axle assembly  23  of the second truck  20  is positioned or mounted on a top surface  332  of the lower member  300 . 
         [0031]    The lower member  300  further includes a front opening  336  and a rear opening  366 . The front opening  336  is positioned below the middle member  200 . A front end  410  of the stinger beam  400  is inserted into the rear opening  366  of the lower member  300 . The stinger beam  400  may be inserted nearly or all the way through an interior  370  of the lower member  300 . The front end  410  of the stinger beam  400  may slide or pass through the front opening  336 , such that a substantial portion of the stinger beam  400  is positioned beneath the upper member  100 . 
         [0032]    The front opening  336  is provided with a reinforcing collar  338  that strengthens the front opening  336 . Likewise, the rear opening  366  is strengthened with a reinforcing collar  368 . The reinforcing collars  338  and  368  may circumscribe or nearly fully surround the front opening  336  and the rear opening  366 , respectively 
         [0033]    The lower member  300  further includes a side surface  334 . The side surface  334  defines pin openings  394 . The pin openings  394  provide for a pin  470  to pass through the lower member  300  of the towing assembly  50  and through the stinger beam  400  in order to lockingly fix the stinger beam  400  in position in the interior  370  of the lower member  300 . The lower member  300  further includes vertical supports  396  that further strengthen the lower member  300 . The vertical supports  396  are welded to a top widened support plate  380  and to a bottom widened support plate  390 . 
         [0034]    The side surface  334  further includes chain mounting members  392  to receive a transport chain  395  or other hoisting or lifting apparatus, which may be used to lift or hoist the assembly  50 . The chain mounting members  392  provide a connection point for chains or other hoisting implements in order for an operator to attach or connect to the towing assembling  50  and lift the towing assembly  50 . 
         [0035]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the top widened support plate  380  is shown. The top widened support plate  380  includes an axle stop  383  and holes  386 . In the embodiments shown in the FIGURES, U clamps  389  pass over the front axle assembly  23  and insert through the holes  386  and are fastened in place with locking nuts, locking pins, etc. The top widened support plate  380  provides a broad surface for the front axle assembly  23  to rest upon. As the top widened support plate  380  widens as it approaches the axle stop  383 , a broad base is provided for the front axle assembly  23  of the second truck  20  that reduces rocking or shaking of the second truck  20  when it is positioned on the top widened support plate  380  of the lower member  300 . 
         [0036]    A lower surface of the top widened support plate  380  is welded to the vertical supports  396 , while an upper surface of the bottom widened support plate  390  is welded to the vertical supports  396 . The vertical supports  396  are further welded to the side surfaces  334  of the lower member  300 . In other embodiments, the front axle assembly  23  may be positioned on the top widened support plate  380  and fastened with chains, bolts, fasteners, or other conventional mechanical apparatus that may be used to attach the front axle assembly  23  to the lower member  300 . 
         [0037]    The stinger beam  400  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 4 . The stinger beam  400  includes the front end  410  and the rear end  450 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , pin openings  430  are positioned on an exterior of the stinger beam  400  and travel through the interior width of the stinger beam  400 . The stringer beam  400  may include an I-beam construction with an upper surface  422  and a lower surface  424 . A vertical support plate  420  further supports the upper surface  422  and the lower surface  424  of the stinger beam  400 . The vertical support plate  420  reinforces and strengthens the stinger beam  400 . 
         [0038]    A crossbar  480  assists in connecting a rear portion of the second truck  20  to the assembly  50 . The rear end  450  of the stinger beam  400  includes a chain receiving member  460  that is fixedly attached to the crossbar  480 . A chain  490  connects lateral portions  482  of the crossbar  480  to the chain receiving member  460 . The crossbar  480  rests on a rear frame  26  of the second truck  20 . Specifically, a bottom surface  484  of the crossbar  480  rests over the top of the rear frame  26 , while the chain  490  holds the stinger beam  400  to the crossbar  480 . The chain receiving number  460  may be attached or integral in a fixed engagement to the rear end  450  of the stinger beam  400 . The chain receiving member  460  includes the chain openings  465  that receive the chain  490 . In other embodiments, the chain receiving member  460  may include other mechanical structure or components to affix to the chain  490 . The length of the chain  490  may be adjusted to raise or lower the rear of second truck  20 . Generally, the front and rear sets of the rear wheels tandem  29  of the second truck  20  should be in contact with the ground to provide better control and braking of the second truck  20 . The length of chain  490  between the crossbar  480  and the chain receiving member  460  may be lengthened to lower the front set of the rear wheels tandem  29 . Likewise, the length of chain  490  between the crossbar  480  and the chain receiving member  460  may be shortened to raise the front set of the rear wheels tandem  29 . 
         [0039]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , the stinger beam  400  is adjustable in length relative to the lower member  300 . The overall length of the towing assembly  50  may be adjusted by extending and withdrawing the stinger beam  400  relative to the lower member  300 . The stinger beam  400  slides in and out of the interior  370  of the lower member  300 . The upper surface  422  and the lower surface  422  of the stinger beam  400  may slide against the interior surfaces of the lower member  300 . The circumference or outer surfaces of the stinger beam  400  should be just smaller than the interior circumference or inner surface of the lower member  300  such that the stinger beam  400  is held in a secure engagement. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the lower member  300  and stinger beam  400  may have box or square cross-sections that provide support and strength to the assembly  40 . The operator may select one of the one or more sets of the pin openings  394  that are spaced along the length of the lower member  300 . The operator may further choose one of the one or more sets of the pin openings  430  along the length of the stinger beam  400 . This allows a range of length of the towing assembly  50  that may be used to accommodate different size or types of semi-trucks. 
         [0040]    Importantly, the stinger beam  400  may be withdrawn through the interior  370  of the lower member  300  and through the front opening  336  such that much of the stinger beam  400  is directly underneath the upper member  100 . This allows the towing assembly  50  to collapse into a more convenient storage size. The towing assembly  50  may further lock in the collapsed configuration. 
         [0041]    The towing assembly  50 , by virtue of the extendable stinger beam  400 , provides a range of extension between 0 and approximately 3 linear feet to accommodate a variety of different semi-trucks. When the towing assembly  40  is in the fully extended configuration, it has an overall length of approximately 18 feet. When the towing assembly  40  is in the collapsed configuration, it has an overall length of approximately 10 feet. 
         [0042]    The semi-trucks that may be towed with the towing saddle system  40  may weigh approximately 5,000 to approximately 10,000 pounds. The towing assembly  50  may weigh approximately 1,600 pounds. The stinger beam  400  includes at least one set of the pin openings  430  and may include up to five or six sets of the pin openings  430 . The lower member  300  includes at least one set of the pin openings  394  and up to approximately five or six sets of the pin openings  394 . 
         [0043]    The method of operation of the towing system  40  will now be described. First, the towing assembly  50  is laid flat on the ground. The stinger beam  400  is extended or retracted relative to the lower member  300  until it is at the proper length for the second truck  20 . The pin  470  is then inserted through the pin openings  394  in the lower member  300  and through the pin openings  430  of the stinger beam  400 . The pin  470  is locked in place via a cotter pin, nut or the like. Next, the second truck  20  is driven over the lower member  300  and the stinger beam  400 . Next, the U clamps  389  are positioned over the front axle assembly  23  and tightened such that the front axle assembly  23  is clamped or fixed to the lower member  300 . Next, the crossbar  480  is passed over the rear frame  26  of the second truck  20 , and the chain  490  connects the crossbar  480  with the chain receiving member  460 . 
         [0044]    A crane, hoist, or other lifting implement next lists the upper member  100  to a sufficient height to where the first truck  10  may back or move underneath the saddle mount portion  124 . Next, the upper member  100  is lowered until the saddle mount portion  124  of the towing assembly  50  is positioned in the saddle mount  15  of the first truck  10 . The saddle mount  15  is then locked to the saddle mount portion  124 . As such, the towing system  40  is now connected to the first truck  10 , and the second truck  20  is supported via the towing system  40 . The rear wheels tandem  29  of the second truck  20  are in contact with the ground, while the front wheels  27  of the second truck  20  are approximately 6″ to approximately 12″ off and above the ground. 
         [0045]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , the towing assembly  50  collapses to a collapsed configuration for efficient storage and convenient maneuverability. The stinger beam  400  is withdrawn or retracted through the interior  370  of the lower member  300  and through the front opening  336  such that much of the stinger beam  400  is directly underneath the upper member  100 . The stinger beam  400  may be locked in place with the pin  470 . In this collapsed configuration, a center of gravity of the towing assembly  50  is positioned approximately in the middle of the collapsed towing assembly  50 . The chain mounting members  392  provide the connection point for chains or other hoisting implements in order for an operator to attach or connect to the towing assembling  50  and lift the towing assembly  50 . Thus, towing assembly may be safely lifted at its middle point without the towing assembly  50  twisting or torqueing on the transport chain  395 . Due to it compact size, up to approximately  25  of the towing assemblies  50  may be stored on a standard flat bed trailer. 
         [0046]    It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is not intended that the invention be limited by the specification; instead, the scope of the present invention is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.