Abstract:
A towing apparatus, the apparatus includes two or more parallel wheel assemblies, one or more load-bearing platform, operationally coupled one or more of the wheel assemblies, and an expansion mechanism for changing a transverse distance between the two parallel wheel assemblies to reversibly configure the towing apparatus alternately between a closed state and an open state.

Description:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a towing apparatus and, more particularly, to a towing cart capable of towing vehicles and being compactable. 
         [0002]    In the field of roadside assistance and in-place car servicing, it is common practice for roadside and vehicle service providers to employ mechanics and provide them with mobile capabilities (e.g. a servicing van) with which to provide service to vehicles which have broken down on the side of the road or don&#39;t start when at the place where they were previously parked. These mobile service providers or roadside service providers (RSPs) are typically dispatched by their service centers to provide assistance to subscribers to the service who have called the service center and requested assistance. If the problem is one that obviously requires towing (e.g. significant damage to the vehicle due to collision), then a dedicated tow-truck is dispatched. It is common practice to have dedicated towing trucks to facilitate the removal and transference of vehicles that have experienced mechanical and/or technical problems, which cannot be fixed in-place, to a service station such as a local garage. On the other hand, if the problem is one that can be solved on location, for example, a punctured tire or ‘dead battery’, it is more pertinent to send a roadside service provider to the location, to provide immediate assistance. The decision whether to send a tow truck or a roadside service provider is made at the service center, based on the description of the problem. This decision is based, among other things, on (a) the cost effectiveness of towing a vehicle (often an outsourced service); (b) convenience to the subscriber or caller; (c) cost-effective use of resources, as in: (i) the more people serviced, the great the financial gain; (ii) service provided within reasonable timeframe after request gives the service center a good reputation which will lead to future requests from the original caller as well as his or her friends; (iii) additional service personal, decrease the net gain from each service provided. It is relatively common for the dispatcher to send a RSP to a caller, in response to the description of the problem given by the caller, where the RSP arrives on location and decides that the vehicle in question needs to be towed and cannot be serviced on-location. The service center now has to send a tow-truck, in addition to the RSP that was already sent, to service the caller. In the previously described scenario, due to the RSP&#39;s inability to tow the vehicle himself, there has been a non-cost effective service provided. 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,230,340, 4,165,096 and WO 2007/060670, which are incorporated by reference for all purposes fully set forth herein, all teach compactable, storable trailers. None of the abovementioned trailer systems are suitable for bearing the heavy load or the unique structure of a vehicle. 
         [0004]    The abovementioned towing trailers are compactable in length, longitudinally, from tail end to towing end while remaining the same in width, therefore needing a sufficiently wide storage compartment to store the trailer system. Conventionally used tow-trucks are dedicated vehicles designed specifically for the towing of other vehicles. These tow-trucks are typically large vehicles and consume more gasoline or diesel than the smaller, more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles, which are typically used by RSPs. In addition, the large size of typical, dedicated, tow-trucks makes maneuverability in suburban areas or on congested roadways more difficult. In the later case, a large vehicle is likely to cause additional congestion on the road or highway. This in turn will increase the related fossil fuel pollution produced by the vehicles that spend more time idling, starting and stopping in the congested traffic situations that have been created or compounded. 
         [0005]    Since the towing apparatus of the current invention is capable of being used in the capacity of a regular trailer, it is worthy of note that fixed trailers are often towed even when not in use, up to 50% of the time. This causes significant wear-and-tear which is unjustified. When not in use, a conventional trailer is usually parked in a regular parking space, therefore causing need for an additional parking space. 
         [0006]    It would be highly beneficial, therefore, to have a means for the RSP to tow a vehicle at will, whilst said means is not a permanent fixture on the RSP vehicle. Service would further be enhanced if said means was compactable and significantly simple to store in or on the RSP vehicle. The effect on roadway congestion is significantly reduced when using smaller vehicles for towing. This is true for effect on the environment as well as fuel consumption. A storable towing apparatus would also suffer less wear-and-tear than a fixed trailer, which is often not in use but still towed, whereas a storable trailer never needs to be towed unnecessarily. In addition, a fixed trailer, when not in use, takes up parking space that has to be provided therefore, whereas a storable towing apparatus takes up no additional parking spaces. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to the present invention there is provided a towing apparatus including: (a) at least two parallel wheel assemblies, (b) at least one load-bearing platform, operationally coupled to the wheel assemblies, and (c) an expansion mechanism for changing the transverse distance between the two parallel wheel assemblies to reversibly configure the towing apparatus alternately between a closed state and an open state 
         [0008]    In some embodiments the towing apparatus further includes two ramps for operationally moving a vehicle onto and off of the load-bearing platforms. Preferably the towing apparatus comprises two load bearing platforms that are substantially adjacent to each other when the towing apparatus is in the closed state. Preferably the expansion mechanism includes two hydraulic cylinders operationally coupled to the load-bearing platforms. Preferably one of the hydraulic cylinders serves as a gate for securing a towed vehicle. Preferably the apparatus further includes a safety latch for securing the hydraulic cylinder when the hydraulic cylinder serves as a gate 
         [0009]    In some embodiments the towing apparatus includes four load-bearing platforms wherein each of the load-bearing platforms includes two parallel struts where the first strut is positioned behind a wheel of the towed vehicle and the second strut is positioned in front of the same wheel, thereby securing that wheel. The same holds for the other three wheels. Preferably each load-bearing platform includes a mechanism for adjusting the distance between the two parallel struts, allowing for different wheel sizes as well as different wheel lengths. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments the towing apparatus is adapted to be reversibly configured alternately in a lowed state for vehicle entry and exit and in a raised state for unobstructed travel. Preferably the towing apparatus further includes at least one scissor lift for reversibly configuring the towing apparatus alternately in the lowered state and in the raised state. Preferably further including at least one hydraulic cylinder for reversibly configuring the towing apparatus alternately in the lowered state and in the raised state. Preferably, further including two ramps for moving a vehicle onto and off of the load-bearing platforms. Preferably where the load-bearing platforms are configured in the lowered state to lie sufficiently low so as to allow entry and exit of a towed vehicle. Preferably the two ramps are configured to be positioned perpendicular to the load-bearing platforms to secure a towed vehicle. 
         [0011]    Preferably the width, when configured in the closed state, is of a ratio of 50% of the width of the towing apparatus when configured in the open state. More preferably the the width, when configured in the closed state, is of a ratio of 30% of the width of the towing apparatus when configured in the open state. Most preferably, the width, when configured in the closed state, is of a ratio of 10% of the width of the towing apparatus when configured in the open state. In some embodiments, the towing apparatus further includes a winch for operatively moving a vehicle onto and off of the towing apparatus. 
         [0012]    The present invention successfully addresses the shortcomings of the presently known configurations by providing a towing apparatus, which, in a preferred embodiment, is able to bear the load and unique structure of (at least) a towed vehicle. In addition, the invention is compactable in a manner unique from other towing apparatus. Whereas the abovementioned towing trailers are compactable in length, longitudinally, from tail end to towing end while remaining the same in width, the current invention is compactable in width, transversely, from the wheel assembly on one side to the wheel assembly on the other side. This innovation, whereby the width of the towing apparatus is reduced, allows for relatively easy storage in or on a variety of service vehicles. For example, the towing apparatus can be stored on the flat bed of a pickup truck or in the storage compartment of a minivan. 
         [0013]    The present invention discloses an innovative compactably storable towing apparatus capable of towing vehicles as well as other commonly towed elements such as tools or excess baggage. In addition, the invention provides a towing apparatus, which is easily assembled and easily compacted thereby making it relatively easy to store the towing apparatus when not in use and to quickly and easily assemble the towing apparatus when needed. It is therefore not necessary to use a large tow truck for towing vehicles. In addition, the current invention is never towed unnecessarily (because it is easily stored when not in use), reducing the inherent risk of towing a trailer. In addition, there is no unnecessary wear-and-tear on the towing apparatus. Furthermore, the towing apparatus doesn&#39;t need a designated parking space when not in use, as it is storable in the towing vehicle. 
         [0014]    The towing apparatus of the current invention is typically stored in or on a service vehicle, for example, on the flat bed of a pickup truck. When needed, the apparatus is lowered off the towing vehicle, possibly via ramps (also stored in towing vehicle), and opened, either manually, automatically or partially manually and partially automatically, expanding transversely and extending longitudinally in most cases. The apparatus is then coupled to the towing vehicle via the towing assembly. The vehicle that needs to be towed then boards the towing apparatus, either via ramps or when the apparatus is lowered in a manner to allow boarding, and is secured in place. If the vehicle is unable to board the towing apparatus under its own power, it can be winched on. The towing apparatus is then raised (if it was lowered) and towing can commence unobstructed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Various embodiments are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a schematic depiction of an embodiment of the invention in closed storage state; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a is a top view of a schematic depiction an embodiment of the invention in open load-bearing state; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an overview of an embodiment of the invention in use; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an embodiment of the invention in lowered state for vehicle entry and exit; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an embodiment of the invention in raised state for travelling; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a back view of an embodiment of the invention in raised state with an exemplary vehicle thereon; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a schematic top view of a second embodiment of the invention with an exemplary vehicle entering therein. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a schematic side view of the second embodiment of the invention in lowered state. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a schematic side view of the second embodiment of the invention in raised state. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a top view of a schematic depiction of an embodiment of the invention in open load-bearing state with a winch. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    The principles and operation of a towing apparatus (cart) according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. 
         [0027]    The term ‘expand’ as used herein denotes the act or state of separation between two elements, whereas the term ‘extend’ as used herein denotes the act or state of increased overall length of a given element. 
         [0028]    The term ‘transverse’ as used herein refers to the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the towing apparatus moves. 
         [0029]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates, schematically, a top view of a towing cart  102  in compacted, storage state. Towing cart  102  consists of a load-bearing platform  102   a  and a second, parallel, load-bearing platform  102   b , which are operationally coupled together via hydraulic cylinders (not shown) over width W. A vehicle ramp  120  is pivotally mounted on load-bearing platform  102   a  via reinforced hinges (not shown) at the vehicle entry/exit end. A platform extension member  122  is pivotally mounted on load-bearing platform  102   a  via reinforced hinges not shown) at the towing end. A hydraulic cylinder  108   a  is mounted on load-bearing platform  102   a  and operationally coupled to ramp  120  and a second hydraulic cylinder  108   b  is mounted on load-bearing platform  102   a  and operationally coupled to extension member  122 . A similar arrangement of a ramp  120 , an extension member  122  and two hydraulic cylinders  108   a  and  108   b  is found on load-bearing platform  102   b.  A towing crossbar  114  is operationally coupled to towing cart  102  via telescopically extendable crossbars (not shown). Towing crossbar  114  is a significantly freely swiveling cylinder, encased within a slightly wider, fixed cylinder, allowing the crossbar to swivel freely according to need. In the current depiction towing crossbar  114  is shown lying substantially flat on top of load-bearing platforms  102   a  and  102   b.  A coupling device  118  for coupling trailer  102  to an exemplary vehicle (not shown) is operationally coupled to towing crossbar  114  via a towing bar arrangement  116 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  illustrates, schematically, a top view of the cart in fully expanded and extended load-bearing state. Load-bearing platforms  102   a  and  102   b,  in the current embodiment, are intended to bear the load of a towed vehicle. Load-bearing platforms  102   a  and  102   b  are operationally coupled together via two hydraulic cylinders  206 . Hydraulic cylinders  206  are extended to full capacity in order to separate the load-bearing platforms and move them from the fully compacted, storage state, (as depicted in  FIG. 1 ) to the expanded, fully separated, load-bearing state currently depicted, now spanning width W′. Ramp  120  is pivotally mounted on load bearing platform  102   a  via two hinges  210 . Hinges  210  are pivotal over a circumference of at least 225°. Hydraulic cylinder  108   a  is operationally extended to substantially full length, thereby unfolding ramp  120  along a rotational circumference of at least 225° to rest on the ground at a beveled angle. Extension member  122  is pivotally mounted on load-bearing platform  102   a  via two hinges  212 . Hydraulic cylinder  108   b  is operationally extended to substantially full length, thereby unfolding extension member  122  to lie substantially flat, thereby extending the overall length of load-bearing platform  102   a.  A similar arrangement exists on load-bearing platform  102   b.    
         [0031]    Towing crossbar  114  is operationally coupled to two telescopically extendable crossbars  204 . Telescopically extendable crossbars  204  are extended substantially fully, in the current depiction. Towing crossbar  114  is rotated in the direction of a towing vehicle (not shown). 
         [0032]    When using the term ‘towing assembly’ it is to be appreciated that the term refers to towing crossbar  114 , towing bar arrangement  116  and coupling device  118 . In addition, it is to be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the described towing assembly is in no way intending to limit the current invention to a particular configuration but rather to provide an exemplary manner in which the current invention functions. The towing assembly depicted herein is intended to be operationally coupled to a towing vehicle (not shown). 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is an overview of the invention in use where an exemplary vehicle  302  is being towed on towing cart  102  by an exemplary service vehicle  301 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention in lowered state for the purpose of vehicle entry/exit. There is depicted a hydraulically driven scissor lift  402  employed for the purpose of lowering and raising load-bearing platform  102   b  in order to allow for vehicle entry/exit and unobstructed travel respectively. Scissor lift  402  is situated beneath load-bearing platform  102   b  and operationally coupled thereto. Scissor lift  402  is lowered to a substantially collapsed state by retracting a hydraulic cylinder  404  substantially completely, thereby lowering load-bearing platform  102   b  substantially low so as to allow for vehicle entry and exit via ramp  120 . It is to be understood that scissor lift  402  and ramp  120  may be employed independently of each other, as the above description is exemplary. In some embodiments of the invention scissor lift  402  may be employed without ramp  120 , and in other embodiments ramp  120  may be employed without scissor lift  402 . In addition, scissor lift  402  may be configured to lower the entry/exit end only, to allow entry of a towed vehicle. 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 5  there is depicted an embodiment of the invention in raised state for the purpose of traveling, where hydraulically driven scissor lift  402 , which is positioned beneath load-bearing platform  102   b,  is elevated to the fully raised position by extending hydraulic cylinder  404 , which is operationally coupled to thereto, to substantially full extent, thereby raising load-bearing platform  102   b.  Scissor lift  402  is operationally couple to a wheel assembly  406 . A similar scissor lift  402  is located beneath load-bearing platform  102   a  and similarly coupled thereto. Scissor lifts  402  are intended to be raised and lowered in tandem to allow for the smooth raising and lowering of a towed vehicle. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  depicts a schematic, back view of towing cart  102  in raised state with an exemplary vehicle  602  depicted thereon. In the current depiction, ramps  120  are rotated to a position essentially orthogonal to load-bearing platforms  102   a  and  102   b . The abovementioned arrangement serves as an additional safety measure ensuring the safety of exemplary towed vehicle  602  above and beyond the apparatus (not shown) for fastening the vehicle in place. It is to be appreciated that operation of the towing apparatus, in some embodiments, may be executed completely manually, whereas in other embodiments this may be achieved through completely automated means and in still further embodiments some operations may be executed manually whereas others will be executed in an automated fashion. It should further be appreciated, by one skilled in the art, that certain components may be replaced with other similar components, or, in some embodiments, may be discarded completely. 
         [0037]    Another possible embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 7-9 .  FIG. 7  is a top view of a towing apparatus  702 .  FIGS. 8 and 9  are two different side views. A hydraulic cylinder  706  is situated on the towing side and a second pivotable hydraulic cylinder  707  is situated on the vehicle entry/exit side. A load-bearing unit  710  includes the following elements: (a) two struts  714 ; (b) a hinge  716 ; (c) a platform  718 ; and (d) a second platform  720 . A hydraulic cylinder  708  is mounted on a platform  722  and operationally coupled to load-bearing unit  710  via platform  729 . Platform  720  is pivotally coupled to platform  718  via hinge  716 . Platform  718  is operationally coupled to struts  714  via adjustable cogs (not shown). Towing apparatus  702  has four discernable states: (1) closed; (2) opened; (3) raised; and (4) lowered. In state (1), both hydraulic cylinders  706  and  707  axe contracted significantly fully. In state (2) both hydraulic cylinders  706  and  707  are extended significantly fully. In state (3), all four hydraulic cylinders  708  are contracted essentially fully, thereby raising all four load-bearing units  710 . In this state, towing apparatus  702  can travel in an unobstructed manner. In state (4) hydraulic cylinders  708  are extended essentially fully thereby lowering load-bearing units  710 . In this state, struts  714  are lying sufficiently low so as to allow an exemplary vehicle  712  to either enter or exit the towing apparatus in preparation for towing or after towing. Exemplary vehicle  712  is positioned on load bearing units  710  with each wheel of exemplary vehicle  712  positioned between two struts  714 . Struts  714  are horizontally adjusted, via 2 cogs  814  in order to adequately secure each wheel of the towed vehicle. Once exemplary vehicle  712  has entered towing apparatus  702 , hydraulic cylinder  707  is pivotally rotated on a hinge  724  and secured by a safety latch  726 . Hydraulic cylinders  708  are operationally contracted essentially completely, thereby raising load-bearing units  710  as well as exemplary vehicle  712  thereon. A schematic side view of towing apparatus  702  in lowered sate is depicted in  FIG. 8 . A schematic side view of towing apparatus  702  in raised state is depicted in  FIG. 9 . In  FIGS. 8 and 9  a hinge  815  is visible as are adjusting cogs  814 . Hinges  815  are mounted on either end of a wheel assembly  804 . An “L” shaped support  822  for hydraulic cylinder  708  is mounted on either end of wheel assembly  804 . Adjusting cogs  814  are operationally coupled to parallel struts  714 . Struts  714  are horizontally adjustable via cogs  814  to both secure towed vehicles as well as allow for vehicles of different lengths to be towed. A trailer tongue assembly  704  is operationally coupled to a hydraulic cylinder  706 . Trailer tongue assembly  704  is intended to be operationally coupled to a service vehicle (not shown) via conventional means for coupling (e.g. hitch and ball, electric plug etc.). 
         [0038]      FIG. 10  depicts an embodiment of the invention where a winch  1002  is mounted on the towing apparatus. It is to be appreciated that the entry of a towed vehicle onto a towing apparatus is conventionally effected by operationally coupling the towed vehicle to a winch assembly via metal cable which is then ‘winched in’ pulling the towed vehicle onto the towing apparatus. The winch is conventionally situated on the towing vehicle. Alternately, as depicted in  FIG. 10 , winch  1002  is situated on the towing apparatus. While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. Therefore, the claimed invention as recited in the claims that follow is not limited to the embodiments described herein.