Patent ID: 12187234

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Many different types of external equipment racks are used to carry equipment that is too large to fit inside a vehicle, or to allow items to be carried outside the vehicle to save space in the interior. These types of equipment racks commonly include bicycle racks, scooter platforms, and cargo carriers, though other types of equipment, such as lift devices, anvils, or similar types of equipment may also be mounted to a vehicle. Many of these types of equipment racks are attached the rear of a vehicle by means of a receiver socket provided on the rear end of the vehicle. The positioning of the equipment rack near the rear of the vehicle often causes the equipment rack itself, or the equipment loaded on it, to interfere with the operation of a tail gate, lift gate, hatchback, or trunk of the vehicle. Even if the equipment rack or loaded equipment do not interfere with the operation of the vehicle's doors or tailgate, they may prevent a person from accessing those areas once the door or tailgate is open, simply due to the location of the equipment rack.

As a result of the interference of the equipment rack with the use of the vehicle, users may need to remove equipment from the equipment rack, or even remove the equipment rack from the vehicle in order to access the rear entries to the vehicle. This can be a time-consuming, difficult process depending on the type of equipment rack and the equipment stored thereon. It may require tools that are not available, or the ability to lift and pull heavy equipment and the equipment rack. In order to allow a user to access the rear entries on a vehicle to which an equipment rack is attached, pivoting support devices are used to allow an equipment rack to be moved away from the rear of the vehicle to allow access to the vehicle entry points without removing the equipment rack from the vehicle, or the equipment from the equipment rack.

The pivoting hitch device, also referred to as a pivoting rack support device, described herein provides an improved device for pivoting an equipment rack away from the rear of a vehicle to allow easier access to the rear entries of the vehicle. It is provided with automatic latching capabilities so that a user need not touch the mechanism to lock it into a desired position. It also is provided with a quick release mechanism so that a user can quickly unlatch the device to pivot it to an open or closed position. Referring generally to the figures with reference to the following description, various views of an embodiment of the pivoting rack support device100are depicted.

The pivoting support device100is designed for attachment to a vehicle using the attachment point to which an equipment rack would otherwise be attached, such as a receiver tube of a receiver hitch type attachment point. Current versions of this type of attachment comprise metal tubes with a substantially square cross-section that are attached to the rear of the chassis of a vehicle. The invention described herein is adaptable for use with other versions of a vehicle mounting system or attachment systems that may be developed in the future.

In current receiver hitch systems, the receiver tube, attached to a vehicle, receives a drawbar that supports a ball hitch or similar type attachment for a trailer, or a drawbar attached to an equipment rack may be inserted into the receiver tube and secured therein by various means such as cross-axis bolts or pins. Thus for embodiments of the pivoting rack support device100designed for attachment to a receiver tube, the device100is provided with or attached to a drawbar102for inserting into the receiver tube. In other embodiments of the device100, the drawbar102may be replaced by a different method of attachment for a vehicle, such as attachment to a chassis or other part of the vehicle structure, or some other method or device as may be adopted in the future. The drawbar and other current and future methods of attachment to a vehicle are referred to as a vehicle attachment member.

In the depicted embodiment the vehicle attachment member is a drawbar102capable of being inserted into a receiver hitch tube. The first end116of the drawbar102is inserted into the receiver hitch tube194on a vehicle193, and secured there by bolts, pins, clamps, or other types of attachments. The second end118of drawbar102extends outwardly away from the vehicle193to which the drawbar102is attached.

In the depicted embodiment, drawbar102provides support to a first support member104. The first support member104may be attached to or formed unitarily with the drawbar102. The first support member104may be welded, bolted, screwed, casted with, or otherwise attached to drawbar102. In the depicted embodiment a support plate120and support brace122are attached to the drawbar102and first support member104to provide additional strength and rigidity to the connection between the components. In other embodiments different arrangements of support plates or braces may be provided.

The depicted first support member104extends substantially perpendicularly to the drawbar102, although in other embodiments the first support member104may extend at a different angle to the drawbar102. The first support member104extends toward one side of the vehicle193to which it is attached by drawbar102as depicted inFIGS.16and17. In the depicted embodiment, a bottom surface of the first support member104is attached to a top surface of drawbar102so that the first support member104is above the drawbar102. In other embodiments the first support member104may be attached to an end of drawbar102so that the first support member104and drawbar102are in the same horizontal plane, or a top surface of first support member104may be attached to a bottom surface of the drawbar102, or an end of first support member104may be attached to a side wall of drawbar102.

In the depicted embodiment, the first support member104is permanently attached to the drawbar102, but in some embodiments, the first support member104is removably attached to drawbar102. In some of these embodiments the first support member104may be configured to attach to the drawbar102in either direction from drawbar102, that shown in the figures extending to the right of the drawbar when viewed from the front as shown inFIG.8, but also to the left of drawbar102. In the depicted embodiment, a first end of the first support member104is attached to the drawbar102, though in other embodiments, the first support member104may be attached to the drawbar102at a point along its length.

At some point on the length of the first support member104a pivotal attachment108is provided to support a second support member106. In the depicted embodiment, the pivotal attachment is disposed at a second end of the first support member104, but that need not be the case in all embodiments. A second support member106is attached to the pivotal attachment108as well so that the second support member106may pivot toward and away from the first support member104. In the depicted embodiment the second support member is attached to the pivotal attachment at a first end of the second support member106, however in other embodiments the pivotal attachment108may be attached to a point along the length of second support member106.

The length of first and second support members104and106, and the attachment point of member104to drawbar102, and the location of the pivotal attachment108, all may vary from one embodiment to the other. The selection of these parameters may vary so long as they are selected so that when the second support member106is pivoted as shown inFIG.17or farther, the equipment attached to the device100will be sufficiently positioned to the side so that there is no interference with the operation of the access door to the back of the vehicle193.

In the depicted embodiment, the second support member106is disposed on the same horizontal plane as the first support member104. The back and front views inFIGS.7and8, respectively, depict the arrangement of the first and support members104and106on the same horizontal plane. In other embodiments of the device, either the first or second support member104and106may be above or below the other member, or may be partially above, below, or beside the other member, or totally above the other member, to the side of the other member, or both simultaneously.

The second support member106extends from the pivotal attachment108to a location near the point where the vehicle attachment member, such as drawbar102, would support an equipment rack if used without the inventive device. In the depicted embodiment, the second support member106extends from the pivotal attachment to a point near drawbar102. In this embodiment, the second support member106is disposed in a horizontal plane that is above drawbar102. In other embodiments the second support member may be disposed in a horizontal plane that is below or on the same plane as that of the drawbar102.

An equipment rack attachment device is provided as part of or attached to the second support member106. In the depicted embodiment, the equipment rack attachment device comprises a receiver socket110with an aperture138for receiving a drawbar of an equipment rack designed for attachment to a receiver hitch. The receiver socket110may also be provided with apertures140for bolts, pins, or other devices for securing an equipment rack to the receiver socket110.

In the depicted embodiment the equipment rack attachment device is attached to the second support member106at a point near the second end of the member106, though in other embodiments it may be attached at a point along the length of the second support member106. In the depicted preferred embodiment the receiver socket110is disposed above the drawbar102when the device is in its closed configuration, but it need not be in all embodiments. In the depicted embodiment, the equipment rack attachment device is attached to a side of the second support member106, but in other embodiments it may be attached to the top, end, side, or bottom of the second support member106.

The first support member104, second support member106, equipment rack attachment device110, and other components of the device100may be formed out of any materials that are light and strong enough to support the weight of an equipment rack attached to device110, any equipment attached to the rack, and the weight of device100itself. These materials may include steel, aluminum, or other metals, and alloys of them, or composite materials. The material selection is not limited to those available or known now but as new materials with sufficient strength and rigidity to support the device100, an equipment rack attached to it, and any equipment installed on the rack, those new materials may be utilized to create embodiments of the device100.

When a vehicle to which the device is attached is in motion, the device100is secured in the closed configuration of the device100shown inFIGS.1-12and16. When the vehicle is not in motion, the second support member106may be pivoted from the closed configuration to one or more open configurations, such as those shown inFIGS.13-14and17. In the depicted embodiment, the second support member106pivots through a range starting at 0 degrees in the closed configuration and may extend past 90 degrees, and even to 180 degrees in some embodiments. In some embodiments the range of pivotal motion may only be limited by contact with the vehicle to which the device100is attached.

Since the device100is utilized on the back of a vehicle that at times is traveling at highway speeds, and will be supporting an equipment rack with substantial weight, plus the equipment (such as 1-4 bicycles) on the equipment rack, it is important that the device100be secure so that accidents do not result from movement or failure of the device100during movement of the vehicle. Thus it is important to provide means of securing the second support member106in the closed configuration. In the inventive device100, an easily releasable actuator allows the user to secure the second support arm106in several different desired positions along its range of pivotal motion. In addition a clamp assembly112may be provided though the clamp assembly112is optional and does not limit the scope of the claimed inventive latch assembly.

In the depicted embodiment an optional clamp assembly112is also provided to secure the second support member106in the closed configuration by pulling it against the top surface of drawbar102. In other embodiments, the clamp assembly112might clamp or pull the second support member106toward or against the first support member104or another component of the device100. In some embodiments the clamp assembly112may be omitted from the device100without departing from the scope of the inventive device100.

In the depicted embodiment, the optional clamp assembly112includes an actuator handle124that a user manipulates to engage and disengage the clamp assembly112. In this embodiment the handle124extends horizontally from the device100when it is in the engaged, as shown inFIGS.7-8. In other embodiments the actuator handle124may extend in any direction, such as upwardly or at an angle. In the depicted embodiment, the actuator handle124is attached to one or more arms125to attach the handle124to the device100. In the depicted embodiment, there are two arms125that extend downwardly from the handle124. A bracket126is provided on the device100and a pivot pin127pivotally attaches the arms125to the bracket126. In the depicted embodiment, bracket126is attached to the second support member106, but in other embodiments it may be attached to other components of the device100or to the drawbar102.

In the depicted embodiment, a cross pin128is attached to the actuator handle124. A clamp bar130depends from the cross pin128. In the depicted embodiment, the clamp bar130is a rod that has been bent into a U shape to extend downwardly from the cross pin128on each side of the actuator handle124. In a preferred embodiment, either the cross pin128is pivotally mounted to the actuator handle124or the clamp bar130is pivotally attached to the cross pin128. Embodiments with one or both of these pivotal connections allow the clamp bar130to depend substantially vertically down from the handle124no matter what position the handle124is in with respect to bracket126. In the depicted embodiment, the ends of clamp bar130are threaded rods that are inserted through holes in cross pin128and secured there by nuts134.

The clamp bar130engages a clamp post132that is attached to another part of the device100or to a separate element such as drawbar102. In the depicted embodiment, the clamp post132is attached to drawbar102. In some embodiments, the clamp post132may be provided with one or more flanges136to create a lip or channel to prevent slippage of the clamp bar130off of the clamp post132. The lip or channel may also be created by features on clamp post132itself instead of a separate component. In the clamped position shown inFIG.9among others, clamp bar130engages with clamp post132to pull downwardly on the second support member106to hold it in place. In some embodiments, the effective length of the clamp bar130is adjusted by rotating nuts134so that the second support member106or receiver socket110, or both, are in contact with the top surface of the drawbar102or a pad attached thereto.

When the actuator handle124is pivoted downwardly, clamp bar130will disengage clamp post132thus releasing the clamp assembly112and allowing the second support member106to pivot with respect to the first support member104.

In the depicted embodiment of the inventive device100, the pivotal attachment108of the first and second support members104and106together is provided by a barrel hinge. In other embodiments, the pivotal attachment108may be another type of hinge or other assembly capable of the described pivotal movement. Referring now to the embodiment depicted in the figures, the pivotal attachment108includes a top plate142and a bottom plate144. The top place142is fixedly attached to the top of first support member104, though in other embodiments it could be attached to the side or end of the member104. The bottom plate144is fixedly attached to the bottom of first support member104, though in other embodiments it could be attached to the side or end of the member104.

In the depicted embodiments the top and bottom plates142and144extend outwardly from the first support member104toward the second support member106. The top and bottom plates142and144are capable of receiving and securing a hinge barrel146between them. In varying embodiments, the hinge barrel146may be able to rotate along its axis while secured by the plates142and144, while in other embodiments it may be fixed with relation to the plates142and144. In some embodiments the top and bottom plates142and144may be provided with an aperture for receiving the hinge barrel146. In some embodiments retaining rings190on the hinge barrel146may be used to hold the hinge barrel146in relation to the top and bottom plates142and144. Other commonly used elements such as bushings or bearings may be used in some embodiments to allow the pivotal motion of the second support arm106.

In other embodiments the hinge barrel146may be a bolt or comprise two separate appendages or pins extending from the top and bottom plates142and144respectively. A person of skill in the art of designing such pivotal attachments and hinges will be able to design many alternative pivotal attachments108that are within the scope of the invention. The pivotal attachment108defines the axis around which second support member106is capable of pivoting when a user releases it and is not limited to the specific structure shown in the figures.

In the depicted embodiment, the second support member106is pivotally retained by the hinge barrel146between the plates142and144by outer hinge barrel147that is fixedly attached to the second support member106. In this embodiment, outer hinge barrel147is substantially a cylinder that receives the cylindrical hinge barrel146. In other embodiments, the outer hinge barrel147may comprise apertures in second support member106or in its internal components, or outer hinge barrel147may extend only partially across the second support member106, it may be two or more segments that are separated from one another, or it may not be present at all.

In other embodiments, the orientation of the pivotal attachment may be reversed, with the top and bottom plates142and144attached to the second support member106, and the other hinge elements described above attached to the first support member104.

When no clamp assembly112is provided, or when the clamp assembly112is disengaged and the second support member106is free to pivot or swing with respect to the device100, it is still desired to have some means of releasably securing the second support member106in one or more desired positions to prevent random or undesired movement of the second support member106due to tilt of the vehicle, accidental contact by a person, as a backup if the optional clamp assembly112is not engaged during vehicle movement, or for other reasons. The inventive device includes a novel mechanism for engaging and releasing a latch to hold the second support arm106at one of several desired positions and to prevent unwanted movement of the second support arm106.

In some embodiments, the latch assembly comprises a latch actuator114and a latch mechanism that is unlatched by user manipulation of the latch actuator114. The latch actuator114may be connected to the latch mechanism by a connecting member such as connecting rod158. In the depicted embodiment, the latch mechanism comprises a latch bar154and a latch member144. The latch bar154is attached to one of the support members that releasably engages a latching feature, such as latching features, or apertures,148, in or on a latch member144attached to the other support member. The apertures148are positioned on the latch member144to engage the latch bar154when the two support members are positioned at certain desired angles with respect to each other. The latch bar154engages, or extends, into the aperture and prevents relative motion of the two support members104and106. In the depicted embodiment, the latch assembly further comprises an actuator that a user manipulates to disengage the latch bar from an aperture in the latch plate or to allow the latch bar to engage with an aperture.

In the depicted embodiments, latching features148comprise apertures, notches, or indentations in the edge of latch member144having a substantially square shape. In other embodiments the apertures148may comprise notches of other shapes, such as triangular, polygonal, or arcuate notches, or holes of various shapes that are not directly on the edge of the latch member144. In other embodiments the latching features may extend outwardly or upwardly from the latch member to provide the same function as the depicted notches, namely to engage the latch bar154to prevent pivotal movement of the two support members104and106with respect to each other.

In various embodiments, the latch mechanism is also provided with a biasing mechanism166to apply force to the latch bar154to cause it to engage an aperture148in the latch member144as soon as they are aligned with one another. The actuator114is connected to the latch bar154by a connecting element158such that when a user manipulates the actuator114, the connecting element158transmits that force to the latch bar154to counteract the force of the biasing mechanism166and disengages, or retracts, the latch bar154from the aperture148in the latch member144.

In the depicted embodiment, several of the components of the inventive latch assembly are largely contained inside the support member. The support member may be hollow or have a cavity or lumen. In other embodiments, some or all of the components of the latch assembly may be disposed on the inside of another component of the device100such as first support member104. In other embodiments, some of the components of the latch assembly may be disposed all or partially outside the first or second support members104and106. In some embodiments, the portions of the latch assembly depicted outside of the second support member106may be disposed inside member106or some other part of device100such as member104.

In the depicted embodiment, the actuator114is pivotally attached to the outer surface of the front side of the second support member106. This actuator114allows a user to release the latch assembly so that the second support member106may be pivoted to a desired position. The depicted embodiment includes an actuator pivot pin160such as a bolt or pin that extends through an aperture in the actuator114and into an aperture (such as a threaded hole) in support member106. The actuator114may then pivot around the pin160from a latched position shown inFIG.11to an unlatched position shown inFIG.12.

In a preferred embodiment the actuator114is located on the support member at a position that is closer to the receiver drawbar102than to the pivotal attachment108. Preferably, the actuator114is within reach of a user standing by the receiver drawbar. In other embodiments the actuator114translates in a different manner then shown in the depicted embodiments. For example, it may pivot outwardly away from the side of support member106from a latched position that is substantially parallel to or flush with the outside surface of the support. Another example is an actuator114that slides back and forth or up and down on or parallel to the outer surface of a support member. Other configurations of actuator114may be utilized in various embodiments of the device.

Movement of the actuator114causes the latch bar154to disengage from the latch member144. Once the second support member106has been pivoted a relatively small angle, the actuator114may be released by the user. If the latch bar154no longer aligns with an aperture148then the latch assembly will not engage and the member106may continue to be pivoted until the latch assembly reaches another automatic latch position. The automatic latch positions occur whenever the latch bar154aligns with one of the apertures144so that the biasing mechanism166can force the latch bar154into the aperture148. The latch assembly then automatically engages or latches to hold the second support member106in the desired position.

FIG.11depicts a cut-away view of an embodiment of the device in a latched configuration. In this view, one side of the second support member106is cut away to show the components of the latch assembly that are substantially inside the member106in this embodiment. In other embodiments some or all of these components may be partially or fully disposed outside of second support member106, inside first support member104, or some other member. In a preferred embodiment the latch assembly components are substantially inside a support member104or106to protect them from the environment, dirt, and other potentially damaging interactions or wear and tear.

As shown inFIG.11, in the depicted embodiment latch bar154is pivotally attached to the second support member106at a pivot axis. In the depicted embodiment the pivot axis is secured by pivot pin172. The pivot pin172may be a bolt, pin, or other similar device for pivotally attaching the latch bar154to the support member105while allowing it to pivot from the latched position shown inFIG.11to the unlatched position shown inFIG.12. In the depicted embodiment, pivot pin172is a bolt inserted through apertures in the second support member106and latch bar154. In other embodiments, the pivot pin172may comprise appendages from latch bar154that engage brackets or sockets in the second support member154, or two separate pins extending outwardly from latch bar154or inwardly from support member106. While the depicted latch bar154is pivotally attached to the second support member106, in other embodiments the latch bar154may be linearly translatable either vertically or axially toward or away from the pivotal attachment. The varying devices and components for attaching the latch bar to the support member are referred to herein as the attachment features of the latch bar. These attachment features may vary between embodiments of the inventive latch assembly and are not limiting of the scope of the inventive device. For example, rails and grooves, or posts and slots (as depicted inFIGS.19A and19B) may be provided as attachment features to allow the latch bar to slide back and forth as necessary for operation of the latch mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment the latch actuator114is adjacent to or in proximity to the receiver socket110or the vehicle attachment point when the second support member106is in the closed position. In a preferred embodiment the latch bar154is adjacent to or in proximity to the pivotal attachment108. In these contexts, “adjacent to” or “in proximity to” mean closer to that point on the support member then to the pivotal attachment108.

A connecting rod158extends from the actuator114to the latch bar154. In the depicted embodiment, the connecting rod158is pivotally connected to both the actuator114and the latch bar154. In some embodiments the attachment of the connecting rod158to the actuator114or the latch bar154may not be pivotal if the rod158is flexible enough to accommodate the movement of the actuator114. In some embodiments the connecting rod158may be a rigid rod, a semi-rigid rod, a wire, a cord, or other similar product such that when the connecting rod158is pulled toward actuator114by a user translating actuator114, that it will have sufficient strength to translate the latch bar154without substantially stretching or breaking. In some embodiments the connecting rod158may be rigid so that pressure on the actuator114toward the latch bar154may exert pressure on latch bar154, but such rigidity is not necessary for the operation of the inventive device.

In the depicted embodiment, a first end of the connecting rod158is attached to the actuator114by a pivot pin162such as a bolt or other suitable attachment, and a second end of the connecting rod158is attached to the latch bar154by an optional bracket164. The depicted bracket164extends from the connecting rod158on both sides of the latch bar154, and is pivotally attached to the latch bar154by a pin or bolt168that extends through apertures in the bracket164and latch bar154. The pin168may be secured on the bracket or bar by one or more threaded nuts, cotter pins, retaining rings, or other similar devices such as nut170.

In the depicted embodiment, the connecting rod158is attached to the actuator114by pivot pin or bolt162. In the depicted embodiment, the connecting rod158has a threaded aperture in the end of a perpendicular portion of first end192for receiving the end of bolt162. In other embodiments, the perpendicular portion of the rod158may be replaced with an extension of pin162or a bracket, or other connection means.

In the depicted embodiment, an elongated aperture163is provided through the side wall of second support member106to allow bolt162to connect to the connecting rod158or vice versa and to move within the slot163as the actuator114pivots to and from the latched and unlatched positions. The ends of aperture163may serve as a motion-limiting stop to prevent motion of the actuator114beyond desired limits by contact between the edge of the aperture and the bolt162, the connecting rod158, or the actuator114.

In some embodiments, the actuator114, latch bar154, and other components may not be attached pivotally to the support member106. In these embodiments, one or more of these components may be linearly translatable on the support member106. For example, actuator114may slide from side to side on support member106on rails or in grooves, instead of pivoting around pin160, such as shown inFIGS.20A and20B. Similarly, latch bar154may be translatable within the support member106in a non-pivotal manner, whether linear or otherwise, such as on support posts as shown inFIGS.19A and19B, or on rails, grooves, or other means of connection that allows for linear movement of the latch bar with respect to the support member106.

The latch bar154releasably engages with the pivotal attachment108to selectively secure the second support member106in one or more desired positions with respect to first support member104. This selective engagement of the latch is provided by apertures148in latch member144. In the depicted embodiment latch member144is incorporated into the bottom plate144of the pivotal attachment108. In other embodiments the latch member144may be disposed inside the second support member106, or comprise part of hinge barrel146. In some embodiments, the apertures148comprise notches that are disposed at varying angles from the lengthwise axis of the first support member104, such as 0, 90, and 120 degrees, although more or fewer notches148may be provided.

In the depicted embodiment, the body174of latch bar154extends downwardly so that the lug176of latch bar154extends through aperture152in the bottom of second support member106and engages notches148in the bottom plate144. The aperture152has dimensions sufficient to allow the latch bar154to move from the latched to the unlatched positions, and vice versa. In the depicted embodiment, the aperture152is elongated to allow the lug portion176of the latch bar154to move back and forth with the pivoting of the latch bar154. In some embodiments the latch bar154may extend upwardly from its point of pivotal attachment to second support member106and extend out an aperture in the top surface of the second support member106.

The apertures (in this embodiment, notches)148receive the lug portion176of latch bar154and prevent it from moving from side to side due to contact between the lug portion176and the edges of the apertures/notches148. In preferred embodiments, the width of the lug176is slightly smaller than the width of the notches148so that the lug176may be received by the notches148without substantial binding, but also without allowing substantial side-to-side movement of lug176when it is disposed in a notch148. The edge150of the bottom plate144between the notches148allows the lug176to slide along the edge until the lug176engages with the next notch148. The edge150of latch member144may be arcuate to mirror the pivotal path of the lug176as the second support member106pivots around the pivotal attachment108.

The latch bar154is attached to the second support member106in a manner that allows it to be translated to move the lug176into and out of the notches148. In preferred embodiments, the latch bar154is pivotally attached to the second support member106in an interior cavity thereof. In the depicted embodiment, the pivotal attachment comprises pivot pin or bolt172. In the depicted embodiment the latch bar154is provided with an aperture178for receiving the bolt172so that latch bar154is pivotally supported by the bolt172. In preferred embodiments, the latch bar154is biased to pivot or translate toward the notches148so that when a user is not holding the actuator114in the unlatched position, the lug176will move into a notch148as soon as it is aligned therewith.

The mechanism for biasing the latch bar154may vary in different embodiments, and may incorporate extension or compression springs attached to the latch bar154, or biasing of the actuator114that is transferred to the latch bar154by connecting rod158. In the depicted embodiment the biasing mechanism comprises a torsion spring166disposed around optional sleeves180that extends outwardly from each side of the latch bar154at or around aperture178. In other embodiments using a torsion spring, the coils184of spring166may be disposed directly around the pivot pin168. In some embodiments, the torsion spring166comprises coils184that store and release the spring energy to bias the latch bar154toward notches148, a first spring lever182that engages the body174of latch bar154, and at least one second spring lever186that contact or are attached to the second support member106. In the depicted embodiment, the spring155has the spring lever182in a middle portion of the spring166, two coils184on either side thereof, and two spring levers186extending from the coils184. In this embodiment the ends of spring levers186contact the inside surface of the second support member106. The torsion on spring166causes the spring levers182and186to push on latch bar154and second support member106, respectively. This force causes latch bar154to pivot as far as possible toward the latch member144, and when aligned with an aperture148the lug portion174will engage the aperture144.

FIG.12depicts an embodiment of the device in an unlatched configuration. The actuator114has been pivoted to the unlatched position, causing the connecting member158to pull the lug portion174out of the aperture148in latch member144. In such unlatched position, the second support arm106may be pivoted to one of several open positions and the latch allowed to engage a different aperture148, as shown inFIG.13, and in a detail view inFIG.14.

FIG.15depicts an exploded view of the components of the latch assembly with the support members removed for the sake of clarity.FIGS.16and17show the device attached to a vehicle in a closed position and an open position, respectively. InFIG.16the second support member is substantially parallel to the first support member along its length though slight variations in the parallelism are acceptable in this embodiment. In other embodiments, the members may not be even substantially parallel in the closed position. In the open position shown inFIG.17, the second support member is shown at a substantially right angle to the first support member, though other angles between the two members are also considered to be an open position of the device.

Additional embodiments of various components are depicted inFIGS.18A-20C, though other embodiments are also within the scope of the claimed invention.FIGS.18A and18Bdepict an embodiment of the inventive system that do not include a connecting rod, and have the actuator combined with the latch bar itself.FIG.18Ais a cross-sectional view of this embodiment in a latched configuration. In this embodiment the latch bar154is pivotally attached to the second support member106by a pivot pin172. The latch bar154has a latch bar shaft extending through aperture152, and a lug176that engages the slots148in member144, just as in other embodiments of the device. However, in this embodiment, an actuator196is attached to or formed unitarily with the latch bar154. In the depicted embodiment the actuator196is a ring with a central aperture, but in other embodiments it may be a extension of the lug176, a trigger shape, a handle shape, or any other shape that allows a user to apply sufficient force to the latch bar154to overcome the biasing mechanism used to urge the latch bar154to the latched position. In the embodiment with the ring, a rope or cord could be attached to the actuator to allow a user to actuate the latch bar154from elsewhere.FIG.18Bdepicts the latch bar154when subject to a force from a user to move the latch bar154to the unlatched position so that it no longer engages a slot148and allows pivoting of the second support member.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS.18A and18B, the biasing mechanism is an extension spring200attached between the latch bar154and the support member106. The spring200may be attached either forward or backward of the latch bar154so long as when it is attached to the latch bar154the spring200applies a force to the latch bar154that biases it toward the latched configuration. In embodiments having a latch bar that moves pivotally with respect to support member106, the end of spring200is preferably attached to the latch bar at a point that is spaced apart from the pivot axis of the latch bar at pin172to have sufficient leverage to apply the desired biasing force to the latch bar154.

In the depicted embodiment, the spring200is attached to the upper end198of latch bar154. The spring200is shown with one end thereof inserted into a hole202, but in some embodiments the end of the spring200may be attached to a screw, post, or pin that is attached to the latch bar154, wrapped around the latch bar154or some feature thereof, or other similar means of attachment. In the depicted embodiment, the other end of the spring200is attached to a support post204that is attached to support member106. In other embodiments, the other end of spring200may be attached directly to the support member106or to another structural component of the device. In this embodiment, the spring200applies a biasing force to the latch bar154sufficient to hold it in the latched position as shown inFIG.18A. When the latch bar in that embodiment pivots to the unlatched position shown inFIG.18Bthe spring200is extended and thus exerts an additional force on the latch bar154that biases or urges the latch bar154to return to the latched configuration as soon as the lug176of the latch bar154is aligned with a slot or aperture148.

In some embodiments the latch bar154may not be pivotally attached to the support member106and may move linearly, instead of pivotally, between the latched and unlatched configurations. InFIGS.19A and19B, one such embodiment is depicted in the latched and unlatched configurations, respectively. In this embodiment the latch bar154is attached to the support member106by two support posts206that are disposed through slots208in the latch bar154. The latch bar154may translate back and forth on the posts206to the extent of the length of the slots208. The depicted embodiment is actuated using the connecting rod158and bracket164similar to other described embodiments. No biasing mechanism is depicted inFIGS.19A and19Bthough it may be provided attached to the connecting member158or to an actuator114. In the depicted embodiment the latch bar154has two lug portions176and extends through apertures152in both the top and bottom surface of support member106. Further, in this embodiment both the top member142and bottom member144of the pivotal attachment108are provided with apertures148for receiving and securing the latch bar154in the latched configuration.

In some embodiments the actuator114may be the end of the connecting member158or a simple attachment to that connecting member158. For example, the embodiment shown inFIG.20Ahas the end192of connecting member158extending out through aperture or slot163so that a user may move it linearly back and forth to actuate any of the embodiments of the latch bar154. In varying embodiments, the actuator may be disposed at one or more different locations on the assembly. Multiple actuators may be provided at different locations so users may actuate the release function from a variety of different locations around the device. The slot for the actuator may be wider for all or a portion of the slot such as portion210, to allow a protrusion or other feature on an actuator to extend into or through the slot210.

FIG.20Bdepicts an embodiment with an actuator212attached to the end192of a connecting member158. This embodiment of actuator212has a protrusion that fits into slot210to allow the actuator212to slide linearly back and forth in the directions indicated by arrow214.FIG.20Cdepicts an embodiment with an actuator212as shown inFIG.20B.FIG.20Cis a top-down cross-sectional view through the actuator212and connecting rod158. The actuator212is attached to the end192of connecting rod158by screw224. The protrusion on the inside surface of the actuator212extends into slot210. In some embodiments a retention member may be attached to the actuator212inside the cavity of the support member106to hold the actuator212in the desired position. In some embodiments, the actuator212may be considered attached to the support member even if it is held onto the support member only by its attachment to the connecting rod158.

The actuator212depicted inFIG.20Calso has a biasing mechanism attached to the actuator212. In this embodiment, the body of the actuator212is provided with a socket218for receiving a compression post or rod216. On a first end the post216has a shoulder and narrower end segment for receiving a compression spring220. The second end of the post216butts against another part of the structure of the device, such as receiver socket110. A bracket or retaining ring222may be attached to either the post216, the structure110, or both, to hold the second end of the post216in place. The compression spring exerts a force against the actuator212and the structure110in opposite directions, and since the structural element110is fixedly attached to support member106, the actuator212will move in response to the force as much as possible. The compression spring220pushes the actuator212away from the structural element110, thus pushing the connecting member158and thereby applying a force to the latch bar154to urge it toward the latched position. In a preferred embodiment, when the assembly is in the latched configuration the spring220will be compressed sufficient to exert some force on the actuator212to resist it leaving the latched position. As a user moves the actuator212toward the member110, it further compresses spring220between the end of socket218and the shoulder on post216, thus increasing the force exerted by the spring220.

Changes may be made in the above methods, devices and structures without departing from the scope hereof. Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative and exemplary of the invention, rather than restrictive or limiting of the scope thereof. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one of skill in the art to employ the present invention in any appropriately detailed structure. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.

“Substantially”, “approximately”, or “about” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particular dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term, such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example, a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles a cylinder but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder, two objects are “substantially parallel” if an axis of one of the objects partially extends in a direction that is 10 degrees or less from a portion of an axis of the other object, and a first object is “substantially inside” a second object if 50% or more of the first object is within the external volume of the second object.

A first component of a device is “adjacent to” or “in proximity to” a second component of the device if the distance between the first component and the second component is 25% or less of the largest dimension of the device in the stated configuration. As an example, the largest dimension of the device depicted inFIG.4extends along the lengthwise axis of the support members106and104from the tip of pivotal attachment108to the far side of drawbar102.

“Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) are used interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to, and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.