Patent ID: 7484749

Claim:
A tow-bar adapter for a combat vehicle and trailer permitting opening of a rear ramp door on the vehicle comprising: a pair of bosses configured to be mounted on the rear of the combat vehicle, each said boss having a lateral bore axially aligned with the bore in the other said boss; a pair of longitudinally extending leg members each having first and second end portions, said longitudinally extending leg members being shaped to define an upwardly facing cavity sized and positioned to receive the rear ramp door rotated to the fully open position therein to provide vertical support therefor, each first end portion having a lateral bore axially aligned with the bore in the other said first end portion and said lateral bores in said bosses; a pair of connector pin members axially aligned with each other and each extending through a lateral bore in one of said first end portions and a corresponding lateral bore in one of said bosses; a plurality of lateral cross members extending between and connected to said leg members including said second end portions, said lateral cross members sized to hold each of said first end portions adjacent to a corresponding one of said bosses; a caster-wheel assembly connected to one of said cross members at said second end portions, said caster-wheel assembly being off-set to rotate about a vertical axis juncture and providing vertical support for said leg members, said cross members and any load carried thereon; and a towing pintle mounted on and extending from the aft-most one of said cross members, said towing pintle configured to be connected to a towing ring on the trailer.