FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to towing devices, more particularly, but not exclusively, to foldable towing devices.

Towing devices are mechanical devices which are attachable to a vehicle or a platform in need of towing and to a towing vehicle. Such towing devices provide a mechanical link coupling the towed platform or vehicle and the towing vehicle. For example, the towing vehicle may be any motorized vehicle such as a truck, a car, a SUV, a tractor, or any other type of motorized vehicle and the towed vehicle may be another motorized vehicle or a non-motorized platform, such a wheeled platform (which may have two or more wheels) such as a boat carrying platform, a motorcycle carrying platform, an animal carrying platform or wheeled enclosure (such as for example, a horse carrying towable wheeled enclosure). Such mechanical towing devices need to be reasonably strong to be able to withstand forces acting on their parts during towing.

Some towing devices have fixed rigid structures which while providing sufficient strength and rigidity render the towing device quite bulky and cumbersome and therefore quite inconvenient to store in limited spaces such as, for example the trunk of a car.

There is therefore a long felt need for a towing device that may be conveniently stored in the limited space available in a towing vehicle, while maintaining sufficient strength and rigidity during towing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is therefore provided, in accordance with the towing devices of the present application, a foldable towing device. The towing device includes a first arm having a first end detachably attachable to a towing vehicle and a second end. The first arm is connectable to a first end of a first tensioning device and to a first end of a second tensioning device. The towing device also includes a second arm having a first end rotatably and movably attached to the second end of the first arm and a second end detachably attachable to a first docking member of a towed platform. The second arm is connectable to a second end of a first tensioning device. The towing device also includes a third arm having a first end rotatably and movably attached to the second end of the first arm and a second end detachably attachable to a second docking member of the towed platform. The third arm is connectable to a second end of a second tensioning device.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments, the towing device also includes a first tensioning device having a first end attachable to the first arm and a second end attachable to the second arm. The first tensioning device is configured to apply a force pulling the second arm towards the first arm. The towing device also includes a second tensioning device having a first end attachable to the first arm and a second end attachable to the third arm. The second tensioning device is configured to apply a force pulling the third arm towards the first arm.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments, the towing device is foldable by rotating the second arm to lie substantially parallel to a first side of the first arm and by rotating the third arm to lie substantially parallel to a second side of the first arm.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments, the second arm and the third arm are rotatingly attached to the second end of the first arm such that each of the second arm and the third arm may be rotated to lie adjacent a side of the first arm for shortening the length of the towing device when the towing device is in a folded configuration.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments, the second arm and the third arm are rotatingly attached to the second end of the first arm such that each arm of the second arm and the third arm may be rotated for adjusting the angle defined between the second arm and the third arm to fit the distance between the first docking member and the second docking member of the towed platform.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments, in a towing configuration of the towing device, the angle between the second arm and the third arm is in the range of 30°- 60°.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments, the first end of the first arm comprises a towing ring for attaching the first end of the first arm to a towing hook or towing apple of the towing vehicle.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments, the first end of the second arm includes a first connector for attaching the first end of the second arm to the first docking member of the towed platform and the first end of the third arm includes a second connector for attaching the first end of the second arm to the second docking member of the towed platform.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments, the first connector of the second arm includes a first attachment mechanism including a first bolt and a first nut detachably attachable to the first end of the second arm for securing the second arm to the first docking member of the towed platform and the second connector of the third arm includes a second attachment mechanism comprising a second bolt and a second nut detachably attachable to the first end of the third arm for securing the third arm to the second docking member of the towed platform.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments, the towed platform is selected from a vehicle, a motorized vehicle, a mobile home, a wheeled platform for carrying a vehicle, a mobile animal carrier, a wheeled boat carrier, and a wheeled motorcycle carrier. Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments, the device also includes one or more locking mechanisms for locking the second arm and the third arm in place when the towing device is in a folded state.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments, the one or more locking mechanisms are selected from, locking pins insertable into hollow passages formed within a part of the first arm, a part of the second arm and a part of the third arm one or more spring-like U-shaped securing clips for immobilizing the second arm and the third arm with respect to the first arm, and one or more elastic bands for immobilizing the second arm and the third arm with respect to the first arm.

There is also provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the towing kits of the present application, a towing kit including the towing device according to claim 1, a first tensioning device attachable between the first arm and the second arm, and a second tensioning device attachable between the first arm and the third arm of the towing device.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the towing kits of the present application, the first tensioning device and the second tensioning device each comprise a ratchet turnbuckle.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the towing kits of the present application, the first tensioning device and the second tensioning device are selected from, mechanical manually operated tensioning devices, hydraulic tensioning devices, electromechanical tensioning devices, pneumatic tensioning devices.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the towing kits of the present application, the kit also includes instructions for operating the towing device.

There is also provided, in accordance with some embodiments of the methods of the present application, a method for towing a vehicle or a platform using the towing device according to claim 1. The method includes the steps of:

connecting the first end of the second arm to a first docking member of a towed platform and connecting the first end of the third arm to a second docking member of the towed platform, attaching a first tensioning device between the first arm and the second arm and attaching a second tensioning device between the first arm and the second arm,

operating the first tensioning device to apply a first force pulling the second arm towards the first arm and operating the second tensioning device to apply a second force pulling the third arm towards the first arm with the first force being equal to the second force for rigidizing the towing device, connecting the first end of the first arm to a towing vehicle, and towing the towed platform by the towing vehicle. Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the methods of the present application, the step of operating comprises intermittently (or sequentially) operating the first tensioning device and the second tensioning device such that the towing device is rigidized and a longitudinal axis of the first arm is orthogonal to a straight line passing through the second end of the second arm and the second end of the third arm.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the methods of the present application, the step of operating comprises simultaneously operating the first tensioning device and the second tensioning device such that the towing device is rigidized and a longitudinal axis of the first arm is orthogonal to a straight line passing through the second end of the second arm and the second end of the third arm.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the methods of the present application, the method also includes the step of disconnecting the first end of the first arm from the towing vehicle after the step of towing is completed.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the methods of the present application, the method also includes the step of detaching the first tensioning device from the first arm and the second arm and detaching the second tensioning device from the first arm and the second arm.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the methods of the present application, the method also includes the step of disconnecting the first end of the second arm from the first docking member of the towed platform and disconnecting the first end of the third arm to a second docking member of the towed platform.

Finally, in accordance with some embodiments of the methods of the present application, the method also includes the step of folding the towing device by rotating the second arm to lie adjacent to a first side of the first arm and rotating the third arm to lie adjacent a second side of the first arm, wherein the total length of the folded towing device is shorter than the total length of the towing device in a non-folded state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like components are designated by like reference numerals. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings (in which like components are designated by like reference numbers) makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view illustrating a towing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the towing devices of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the towing device of FIG. 1 in a disassembled and folded configuration;

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view illustrating part of the towing device of FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross sectional view of the part of the towing device of FIG. 3 taken along the line IV-IV;

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view illustrating part of a towing device in accordance with another embodiment of the towing devices of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a schematic top view illustrating part of a towing device in accordance with another embodiment of the towing devices of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic isometric view illustrating the second arm of the towing device of

FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 8 is a schematic isometric view illustrating a solid arm of a towing device, in accordance with some embodiments of the towing devices of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of part of another towing device having lockable arms in accordance with some embodiments of the towing devices of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a schematic top view illustrating part of the towing device of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross sectional view of the part of the towing device of FIG. 9 taken along the line XI-XI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to towing devices, more particularly, but not exclusively, to foldable towing devices.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. It is expected that during the life of a patent maturing from this application many relevant tensioning devices will be developed and the scope of the term "tensioning device" is intended to include all such new technologies a priori. As used herein the term "about" refers to ± 10 %. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance or illustration." Any embodiment described as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments.

The word "optionally" is used herein to mean "is provided in some embodiments and not provided in other embodiments." Any particular embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of "optional" features unless such features conflict.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "having" and their conjugates mean "including but not limited to".

The term "consisting of means "including and limited to".

The term "consisting essentially of" means that the composition, method or structure may include additional ingredients, steps and/or parts, but only if the additional ingredients, steps and/or parts do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method or structure.

As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a compound" or "at least one compound" may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases "ranging/ranges between" a first indicate number and a second indicate number and "ranging/ranges from" a first indicated number "to" a second indicated number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-4 and 7. FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view illustrating a towing device in an assembled state, in accordance with an embodiment of the towing devices of the present application. FIG. 2 is a schematic isometric view of the towing device of FIG. 1 in a disassembled and folded state. FIG. 3 is a schematic top view illustrating part of the towing device of FIGS. 1-2. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross sectional view of the part of the towing device of FIG. 3 taken along the line IV-IV. FIG. 7 is a schematic isometric view illustrating the second arm of the towing device of FIGS. 1-2.

Turning to FIG. 1, the towing device 10 may include a first arm 1, a second arm 2 and a third arm 3. The first arm has a first end 1A and a second end IB. The first end of the first arm may be detachably attachable to a towing vehicle (not shown in FIG. 1). For example, in the specific non-limiting example of the towing device 10 of Figs 1-2 the end 1A of the first arm 1 may include or may be suitable attached to a ring-like towing eye (or tow ring) 1C that may be detachably attachable to a suitable standard or non-standard towing hook (not shown) or towing ball (not shown) of a towing vehicle. It is noted that while the end 1A of the first arm of FIG. 1, includes a towing ring 1C, in some embodiments the end 1A of the first arm may include or may be firmly attached to any other suitable connecting mechanism known in the art that may be used for coupling the first arm 1 to a towing hook or towing ball or to any other type of towing mechanism of a towing vehicle.

The second end IB of the first arm 1 may be T- shaped. A first end 2A of the second arm 2 may be rotatably and movably attached to the second end IB of the first arm, for example, by a bolt 5 A (only the head of the bolt 5 A may be seen in Figs 1-2) passing through suitable openings in the second end IB of the first arm 1 and secured within the second end IB by a nut 5C (not shown in FIGS. 1-2 but best seen in FIG. 4) attached to the bolt 5 A. A first end 3 A of the third arm 3 may be rotatably and movably attached to the second end IB of the first arm 1, for example, by a bolt 5B (only the head of the bolt 5B may be seen in Figs 1-2) passing through openings in the second end IB of the first arm 1 and secured within the second end IB by a nut 5D (not shown in FIG. 1-2 but best seen in FIG. 4) attached to the bolt 5B.

Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, the T-shaped second end IB of the first arm 1 is illustrated in detail. In this particular embodiment of the towing device 10, the first arm 1, the second arm 2 and the third arm 3 may be implemented as hollow arms made from steel, aluminum or any other strong suitable material or metallic alloy having a rectangular cross-section. The second end IB includes a first rectangular plate ID and a second rectangular plate IE. The first rectangular plate ID and the second rectangular plate IE are welded to the first arm 1 to form the T-shaped second end IB of the first arm 1. The first plate ID has two open passages 1H and IF formed therein and the second plate IE has two open passages 1L and 1G formed therein. The open passage 1L underlies the open passage 1H and the open passage 1G underlies the open passage IF. The first end 2A of second arm 2 has two open passages 2F and 2E formed therein and the first end 3A of the third arm 3 has two open passages 3F and 3E formed therein. A first bolt 5A passes through the open passages IF, 2F, 2E and 1G and is fastened by a suitable nut 5C to pivotally hold the second arm 2 in place. A second bolt 5B passes through the open passages 1H, 3F, 3E and 1L and is fastened by a suitable nut 5D to pivotally hold the third arm 3 in place. Suitable washers (not shown for the sake of clarity of illustration) may also be (optionally) inserted between the nut 5C and the plate IE and between the nut 5D and the steel plate 5E to securely hold the nuts 5C and 5D against the second plate IE and to prevent the loosening or unscrewing of the nuts 5C and 5D from the bolts 5 A and 5B, respectively. The washers (if used) may be any type of suitable washer, including, but not limited to, belleville washers, cupped spring washers, conical washers, wave washers, curved washers, spring lock washers (split washers), tooth locked washers, serrated washers, or any other suitable type of washers.

In some embodiments, the nuts 5C and 5D may be jam nuts or lock nuts of any suitable type, including but not limited to, nylock nuts (nylon lock nuts) castellated nuts with a split pin or safety wire, elliptical offset nuts, toplock nuts, centerlock nuts, split beam nuts, philidas nuts or any other type of locking nuts, eliminating the need for washers. Some embodiments may use Keps nuts which have integrated washers.

It is noted that in some embodiments rivets may be used instead of the bolts 5A, 5B and the nuts 5C 5D for example, heavy duty solid steel rivets, heavy duty semi-tubular rivets and heavy duty blind rivets or any other suitable type of rivets may be used in some embodiments.

The bolt 5A allows the second arm 2 to rotate around the bolt 5A and the bolt 5B allows the third arm 3 to rotate around the bolt 5B. The rotation directions are schematically indicated by the arrows 6B and 6C for the second arm 2 and by the arrows 6C and 6D for the third arm 3 (see FIG. 1).

It is noted that in FIG. 3 the second arm 2 and the third arm 3 are illustrated as positioned such that the longitudinal axis 2X of the second arm 2 is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis IX of the first arm 1 and the longitudinal axis 3X of the arm 3 is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis IX of the first arm 1. However, the arms 2 and 3 may be rotated around the bolts 5 A and 5B, respectively, over a range of about 180 - 190 degrees until they either contact the first end 1A of first arm 1, or are blocked or stopped by the end IB of the first arm 1 that is disposed adjacent to the bolts 5 A and 5B.

Turning briefly to FIG. 7, the arm 2 is a hollow arm, having a first end 2A and a second end 2B. The first end 2A of the second arm 2 has two open passages IE and 2F formed therein. The open passages 2E and 2F accept the bolt 5A therein to allow the second arm 2 to pivotally rotate around the bolt 5A. A similar structure of the end 3A of the arm 3 (best seen in FIG. 4) allows the third arm 3 to pivotally rotate around the bolt 5B. The second end 2B of the second arm 2 includes two substantially parallel flat members 2G and 2H. An open passage 2J is disposed within the member 2G and the open passage 21 is disposed within the member 2H.

In some embodiments, the towing device 10 may also include two tensioning devices 7 and 8. The tensioning device 7 may include a ratchet operated tensioning mechanism 7E having a ratchet handle 7F. A ring 7D is movably attached to a first end of the tensioning mechanism 7E and a hook 7 A is movably attached to the ring 7D. A ring 7C is movably attached to a second end of the tensioning mechanism 7E and a hook 7B is movably attached to the ring 7C.

The tensioning device 8 may be similar in structure and operation to the tensioning device 7. The tensioning device 8 may include a ratchet type tensioning mechanism 8E having a ratchet handle 8F. A ring 8D is movably attached to a first end of the tensioning mechanism 8E and a hook 8A is movably attached to the ring 8D. A ring 8C is movably attached to a second end of the tensioning mechanism 8E and a hook 8B is movably attached to the ring 8C.

In some non-limiting examples of embodiments of the towing devices of the present application, the tensioning devices 7 and/or 8 may be implemented as cable or chain tensioning devices, such as, for example, the H/H type ratchet turnbuckle with 0.75 inch screw diameter a barrel outer diameter of 1 5 /l 6 inch a ratchet handle length of 12 3/4 inch and a barrel length of 12 inch, commercially available from Dixie Industries, TN, USA. Another usable ratchet turnbuckle may be an eye and eye type ratchet turnbuckle such as the 1x12 type D or a 11/8 Type D ratchet turnbuckle commercially available from Patterson Manufacturing, Pittsburg, PA, USA, to which a ring (or chain link) and hook may be added to each eye.

The arms 1, 2 and 3 may be made from a strong material, such as, for example, iron, steel, aluminum or any other suitable metal or metallic alloy. However, in accordance with some embodiments, the arms 1, 2 and 3 may be made from any other strong material, such as, for example, Kevlar®, a strong composite material such as for example, a carbon fiber based composite material, or other suitably strong material. The bolts 5A and 5B may be made from iron, steel, titanium, or any other suitably strong material. Preferably, but not obligatorily, the first arm 1, the second arm 2 and the third arm 3 may be hollow arms for reducing the weight of the towing device 10. However, in some embodiments, the arms 1-3 may be solid arms. It is noted that while the cross sectional shape of the arms 1-3 illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 is rectangular, this is not obligatory, and in some embodiments of the towing device, the cross- sectional shape of arms 1-3 may be square, rectangular, circular, elliptical, polygonal, or any other suitable cross-sectional shape (with either hollow or solid cross sectional shapes).

The configuration of the attachment of the second arm 2 and the third arm 3 to the second end IB of the first arm 1, allow rotation of the arm 2 in the directions represented by the arrows 6A and 6B and allows rotation of the arm 3 in the directions schematically represented by the arrows 6C and 6D.

The first arm 1 may also include two tensioning device connectors IK and 1M. The tensioning device connector IK may include an attachment ring IN movably attached to a first side of the first arm 1 by a hollow ring retainer 1J which may be fixedly attached to the arm 1 by welding the retainer 1 J to the first side of the first arm 1 or by any other suitable way of attachments of the retainer 1J to the first side of the first arm 1, such as but not limited to, screws, bolts and nuts, rivets or by any other means of attaching the ring retainer 1J to the first side of the first arm 1. The ring IN may be rotated within the ring retainer 1J such that the ring IN may either lie flat against the first side of the first arm 1 or may be orthogonal to the surface of the first side of the first arm 1 or may be inclined at an angle to the surface of the first side of the first arm 1 (as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2).

The tensioning device connector 1M may include an attachment ring IP movably attached to the second side of the first arm 1 (opposite the first side to which the ring IN is attached) by a hollow ring retainer 1R which may be fixedly attached to the arm 1 by welding the ring retainer 1R to the second side of the first arm 1 or by any other suitable way of attachments as disclosed in detail hereinabove for the ring retainer 1J. The ring IP may be rotated within the ring retainer 1R such that the ring IP may either lie flat against the second side of the first arm 1 or may be orthogonal to the surface of the second side of the first arm 1 or may be inclined at an angle to the surface of the second side of the first arm 1 (as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2).

Each of the arms 2 and 3 may have an attachment mechanism or attachment member at an end thereof that may be used to attach each of the arms 2 and 3 to a towed vehicle or towed platform.

For example, in the embodiment of the towing device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second arm 2 may include two spaced apart members 2H and 2G. The member 2H has a hole 21 passing therethrough and the member 2G has a hole 2J passing there through. The members 2H and 2G and the holes 2J and 21 may be used as a connector for attaching the second end 2B to a first docking member (not shown) of the towed vehicle or platform (not shown). The third arm 3 may include a connector 3B having two spaced apart flat members 3H and 3G. The member 3H has a hole 31 passing therethrough and the member 3G has a hole 3J passing there through. The members 3H and 3G and the holes 3J and 31 may be used as a connector for attaching the second end 3B to a second docking member (not shown) of the towed vehicle or platform (not shown). The ends 2B and 3B of the arms 2 and 3, respectively, may be attached to a towed vehicle or towed platform by aligning the ends 2B and 3B with suitable openings or holes (not shown) in the docking members on the towed vehicle or platform and securing the ends 2B and 3B by inserting a suitable first securing pin or securing bolt (not shown) through the holes 21 and 2J of the members 2H and 2G, respectively, of the arm 2 such that the first securing pin passes through the hole (not shown) in the first docking member of the towed vehicle or platform and by inserting a suitable second securing pin (not shown) through the holes 3J and 31 in the members 3G and 3H, respectively, of the third arm 3 such that the second securing pin passes through the hole (not shown) in the second docking member of the towed vehicle or platform.

However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the structure of the ends 2B and 3B is not limited to the specific exemplary structure illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, rather, any type of suitable structure of the ends 2B and 3B may be implemented to securely connect the arms 2 and 3 to a towed vehicle or towed platform.

The second arm 2 of the towing device 10 may include a tensioning device connector 2R which is attached to the outer side 2T of the second arm 2. The connector 2R may include a ring 2L movably attached to the surface of the outer side 2T of the second arm 2 by a hollow ring retainer 2K. The ring retainer 2K may be welded to the second arm 2 (if the arm 2 is made from metal, or may be otherwise attached to the arm 2 by using any other suitable method of attachment (including but not limited to screws, and rivets).

The third arm 3 of the towing device 10 may include a tensioning device connector 3R which is attached to the outer side 3T of the third arm 3. The connector 3R may include a ring 3L movably attached to the surface of the outer side 3T of the third arm 3 by a hollow ring retainer 3K. The ring retainer 3K may be welded to the third arm 3 (if the arm 3 is made from metal, or may be otherwise attached to the arm 3 by using any other suitable method of attachment (including but not limited to screws, and rivets). The rings 3L and 2L may swivel within their respective ring retainers 3K and 2K such that they may assume any angle within the range of 0-180 degrees with respect to the plane of the respective sides 3T and 2T, respectively. The tensioning device connectors 2R and 3R may be similar in construction, attachment manner, and operation to the connectors 1M and IK disclosed hereinabove.

The tensioning device 7 may include a tensioning mechanism 7E, two connecting hooks 7A and 7B and two connecting rings 7C and 7D. The connecting hook 7A may be attached to one side the tensioning mechanism 7E by a connecting ring 7D and the connecting hook 7B may be attached to the other side the tensioning mechanism 7E by a connecting ring 7C. However, in some embodiments of the towing device, the two sides of each one of the tensioning devices 7E and 8E may be attached to the arms 1, 2 and 3 by using any other suitable attachment means, such as, for example, a strong and flexible stainless steel cable with suitable shackles or hooks, a strong chain with hooks and/or shackles at it's ends, or by any suitable connecting means capable of withstanding the tension applied by the tensioning mechanisms 7E and 8E.

Each tensioning device of the tensioning devices 7 and 8 may be detachably attached between the first arm 1 and either the second arm 2 or between the third arm 3 and the first arm 1 for applying a force to the arms between which the tensioning device is connected. For example, the tensioning device 7 may be detachably attached to the first arm 1 and the second arm 2 as illustrated in FIG. 1 by inserting the hook 7B into the ring IN of the tensioning device connector IK of the first arm 1 and inserting the hook 7 A into the ring 2L of the tensioning device connector 2K of the second arm 2 and the tensioning device 8 may be detachably attached to the first arm 1 and the third arm 3 as illustrated in FIG. 1 by inserting the hook 8B into the ring 1M of the tensioning device connector 1R of the first arm 1 and inserting the hook 8A into the ring 3L of the tensioning device connector 3R of the third arm 3.

In operation, when a vehicle or any other mobile platform needs to be towed the second end 2B of the second arm 2 is connected to the first docking member (not shown) of a towed platform or vehicle and the second end of the third arm is connected to a second docking member of the towed platform. For example, a suitable securing pin or bolt (not shown in FIGS. 1-2) may be inserted into the hole 3J in the flat member 3G, may pass through a suitable hole (not shown) or shackle (not shown) or any other suitable passage in a first docking member disposed in the chassis or frame of the towed vehicle/platform, and may also pass through the hole 31 in the flat member 3H to firmly (and detachably) attach the connector 3B to the towed vehicle or platform. Another suitable securing pin or bolt (not shown in FIGS. 1-2) may be inserted into the hole 2 J in the flat member 2G, may pass through another suitable hole (not shown) or shackle (not shown) or any other suitable second docking member disposed in the chassis or frame of the towed vehicle/platform, and may also pass through the hole 21 in the flat member 2H to firmly (and detachably) attach the connector 2B to the towed vehicle or platform. The arms 2 and 3 may in such away be firmly and detachably attached to the towed vehicle or platform.

The first tensioning device 7 may then be attached between the first arm and the second arm by inserting the hooks 7A and 7B into the rings 2L and IN, respectively, and the second tensioning device 8 may be attached between the first arm 1 and the third arm 3 by inserting the hooks 8A and 8B into the rings 3L and IP, respectively.

After attachment the tensioning devices 7 and 8 to the towing device 10, the tensioning device 7 may be operated to apply a first force pulling the second arm 2 towards the first arm 1 and the second tensioning device 8 may be operated to apply a second force pulling the third arm 3 towards the first arm 1. The first force should be equal to the second force for rigidizing the towing device. Practically, the application of the first force and the second force may be intermittently or sequentially applied. For example, if the towing device 10 is to be operated by a single person, one of the tensioning devices (either the first tensioning device 7 or the second tensioning device 8) may first be operated by using the appropriate ratchet handle (either 7F or 8F) to apply a force pulling the respective arms towards each other, until the ratchet handle cannot be further operated. The tensioning of a single one of the tensioning devices 7 and 8 may result in some movement of the first arm 1 towards the side to which the tensioning device being operated is connected (due to the other tensioning having some slack).

The user may then operate the ratchet handle of the other remaining tensioning device to apply a force pulling the other arms towards each other, until the first arm 1 moves back such that the longitudinal axis IX of the first arm is orthogonal to an imaginary straight line passing through the second end of the second arm and the second end of the third arm. At this state, the forces acting on the two sides of the first arm 1 are equal and the towing device 10 is in a rigidized state. Alternatively, if two users are available for operating the tensioning devices 7 and 8, the two users may simultaneously operated until they are maximally tensioned such that the first arm is orthogonal to the imaginary straight line passing through the second end of the second arm and the second end of the third arm, to rigidize and stabilize the towing device 10.

After the towing device 10 is rigidized, the user may connect the first arm to the towing vehicle by attaching the ring like structure 1C (the towing ring or towing eye) of the first arm 1 to the towing vehicle using the towing hook (not shown) or any other towing member (not shown) or attachment mechanism of the towing vehicle (not shown). After the attachment of the first arm 1 to the towing vehicle, the towed platform (or towed vehicle) may be safely towed on-road or off- road. After towing is completed, the ratchet handle 7F of the tensioning device 7 and the ratchet handle 8F of the tensioning device 8 may be operated (either intermittently or sequentially or alternatively simultaneously) to increase the length of the tensioning mechanisms 7E and 8E, respectively, to allow removal of the tensioning devices 7 and 8 from the towing device 10. The ends 2B and 3B of the arms 2 and 3, respectively, may then be detached from the first and second docking members of the chassis or frame of the towed vehicle or platform by removing the securing pins or bolts (not shown) and the ring like structure 1C of the first arm 1 is suitably detached from the towing vehicle and the towing device 10 may be folded for storage (either in the towing vehicle or in any other suitable storage space) as illustrated in FIG. 2 hereinafter. It is noted that some of the steps of using the towing device may be performed in an order different than the order described hereinabove. For example, after towing is completed, it is possible to detach the towing device 10 from the towing vehicle first and then to operate the tensioning devices to shorten their length to terminated the tensioning and then to disconnect the second ends 2B and 3B of the arms 2 and 3, respectively from the towed platform or vehicle. Other suitable modifications in the order of steps may also be possible when connecting the towing device to the towed platform/vehicle and to the towing vehicle.

Returning to FIG. 2, when the towing device 10, needs to be folded for storage, the second arm 2 may be rotated towards the first arm 1 until it lies adjacent to a first side of the first arm 1. The third arm 3 may be rotated towards the first arm 1 until it lies adjacent to a second side the first arm 1. The second side of the first arm is disposed opposite to the first side of the first arm. The folding of the arms 2 and 3 results in the folded device being shorter and more compact than in a non- folded state (such as, for example, the non-folded state illustrated in FIG. 1) and facilitates the storage of the folded device. The tensioning devices 7 and 8 may be detached from the first arm 1, the second arm 2 and the third arm 3 as disclosed hereinabove and may also be stored together with the folded towing device 10. Alternatively, the towing device 10 may be folded as detailed hereinabove without detaching the tensioning devices and stored in the folded state with the tensioning devices 7 and 8 still attached thereto.

An advantage of the foldable towing devices of the present application is that they may be quite compact and easy to store in a relatively small space, without compromising the rigidity and performance of the towing devices when they are assembled and tensioned during towing.

It is noted that the tensioning devices 7 and 8 are not limited to the mechanical ratchet type tensioning devices illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and any other suitable type of device capable of tensioning a chain or a cable and/or capable of applying forces pulling the second arm 2 and/or the third arm 3 of the towing device 10 towards the first arm 1 of the towing device 10, may be used in the towing devices of the present application. For example, the tensioning devices 7 and 8 may be electromechanical cable tensioning devices, or electrical-hydraulic cable tensioning devices, which may be operated by direct current drawn from the battery of the towing car or towing vehicle, or pneumatic tensioning devices, or hydraulic tensioning devices.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a schematic top view illustrating part of a towing device in accordance with another embodiment of the towing devices of the present application. FIG. 6 is a schematic top view illustrating part of a towing device in accordance with another embodiment of the towing devices of the present application.

The towing device 20 of FIG. 5 includes a first arm 11, a second arm 2 and a third arm 3. The first arm 11 has a first end (not shown in FIG. 5) that may be similar to the first end 1 A of the first arm 1 (of FIGS. 1-2). However, the second end 1 IB of the arm 11 is different than the second end IB of the first arm 1. While the first and second rectangular plates ID and IE of the arm 1 are rectangular plates that are welded to the arm 1, the plates 1 ID and 1 le (it is noted that only the plate 1 Id is shown in the top view of FIG. 5) of the arm 11 have a different shape as seen in FIG. 5. Another difference between the second end IB of the arm 1 and the second end 1 IB of the arm 11 is that while the rectangular plates ID and IE are welded to the first arm 1, the plates 1 ID and HE of the arm 11 are attached to the arm 11 by three connecting members 22, 24 and 26. The connecting members 22, 24 and 26 may be bolt and nut combinations (similar in structure to the bolt 5A and nut 5C of FIG. 4), but may also be any suitable type of rivet known in the art. It is noted that the holes in the plates 1 ID and 1 IE and in the end of the arm 11 that allow the insertion of the connecting members 22, 24 and 26 are not seen in the top view of FIG. 5.

It is noted that the second arm 2 and the third arm 3 of the towing device 20 are constructed and operable as disclosed in detail in FIGS. 1-4 and 7.

It is noted that in FIG. 5, the second arm 2 is illustrated rotated into a position in which the longitudinal axis 2X of the second arm 2 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 1 lx of the first arm 11 (in this position the second arm is in a non-folded state). The third arm 3 is illustrated rotated into a position in which the longitudinal axis 2X of the second arm 2 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 1 IX of the first arm 11 and the third arm 3 lies alongside the first arm 11 ( in this position the third arm is in a folded state). Each arm of the second arm 2 and the third arm 3 may be continuously rotated between such a non-folded state and a folded state as disclosed hereinabove for the second arm 2 and the third arm 3 of the towing device 10.

Turning to FIG. 6, the towing device 30 includes a first arm 21, a second arm 2 and a third arm 3. The first arm 21 has a first end (not shown in FIG. 6) that may be similar to the first end 1A of the first arm 1 (of FIGS. 1-2). However, the second end 2 IB of the first arm 11 is different than the second end IB of the first arm 1. The second end 2 IB of the first arm 21 includes a first semi-circular plate 2 ID and a second semicircular plate 2 IE (it is noted that only the first plate 2 ID is shown in the top view of FIG. 6). The first semicircular shape 2 ID and the second semicircular plate 2 IE may be welded to the end of the first arm 21.

It is noted that the second arm 2 and the third arm 3 of the towing device 30 are constructed and operable as disclosed in detail in FIGS. 1-4 and 7.

It is noted that in FIG. 6, the second arm 2 is illustrated rotated into a position in which the longitudinal axis 2X of the second arm 2 is inclined at an angle of 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis 2 IX of the first arm 21. The third arm 3 is illustrated rotated into a position in which the longitudinal axis 2X of the second arm 2 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 2 IX of the first arm 21 and the third arm 3 lies alongside the first arm 21 (in this position the third arm is in a folded state).

It is noted that in all of the towing devices 10, 20 and 30, the rotatability of the second arm and the third arm with respect to the first arm enables varying the distance between the second ends of the second and third arms of the towing device (such as, for example, the distance between the second end 2B of the second arm 2 and the second end 3B of the third arm 3 in the towing device 10) to match the distance between the connecting points on the chassis or framework of the towed vehicle or platform.

Due to the rotatability of the second and thirds arms of the towing devices with respect to the first arm, typically, but not obligatorily, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the first arm and the longitudinal axis of the second arm may be continuously varied in the range of 0-180 degrees and the angle between the longitudinal axis of the first arm and the longitudinal axis of the third arm may also be continuously varied in the range of 0-180 degrees. However, in accordance with some embodiments those angles may even be varied over a larger range (up to an additional 20-30 degrees, depending, among others, on the distance between the axis of rotation of the second arm and the axis of rotation of the third arm, the dimensions of first arm, the length of the second and third arms and other dimensions of parts of the towing device.

It is noted that while the arms of the towing device may be hollow arms to reduce the weight of the towing device, this is not obligatory and in some embodiments of the towing devices, one or more of the arms may be a solid arm that is not hollow.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8 is a schematic isometric view illustrating a solid arm of a towing device, in accordance with some embodiments of the towing devices of the present application. The arm 42 is a solid but made from a solid material (such as for example aluminum, steel and the like) and has two hollow passages 49A and 49B formed therein. The arm 42 may be rotatably attached to the first arm 1 (of FIG. 4) instead of the arm 2 by passing the bolt 5A through the openings IF, the hollow passage 49B and the opening 1G and threading the nut 5C onto the bolt Another bolt (not shown) may be used for attaching the end of the arm 42 to a towing point of a towed vehicle or platform. The solid arm 42 may include a tensioning device connector 42R which is attached to the side of the arm 42. The connector 42R may include a ring 42L movably attached to the surface of the side of the arm 2 by a hollow ring retainer 42K. The ring retainer 22K may be welded to the arm 42 (if the arm 2 is made from metal, or may be otherwise attached to the arm 42 by using any other suitable method of attachment (including but not limited to screws, and rivets).

It is noted that in accordance with some embodiments of the towing devices it may be possible to lock the arms of the towing device in a fixed position while the towing device is in a folded state by using one or more locking mechanisms. Such arm locking mechanisms for securing the second arm 2 and the third arm 3 in the folded position, may be useful in preventing these arms from accidentally opening during storage. This locking feature may be particularly useful when the towing device is stored in a car or vehicle, as the car movements and/or acceleration and deceleration of the car may result in opening of the arms of the device.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 9-11. FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of part of another towing device having lockable arms in accordance with some embodiments of the towing devices of the present application. FIG. 10 is a schematic top view illustrating part of the towing device of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross sectional view of the part of the towing device of FIG. 9 taken along the line XI- XI.

The towing device 40 (shown in FIG. 9 without the tensioning devices 7 and 8, for the sake of clarity of illustration) is similar in construction to the device 10 of FIGS. 1- 2, except that the device 40 also includes locking mechanisms 60 and 62 for securing the second arm 2 in a folded position after folding of the second arm into the folded state and for securing the third arm 3 in a folded position after folding of the third arm 3 into the folded state, respectively.

The locking mechanism 62 includes two hollow passages 16B and 16C formed within the plates ID and IE of the first arm 1, respectively, and two hollow passages 17A and 17B formed in the third arm 3. The locking mechanism 62 may also include a split locking pins 51. The split locking pin 51 may be securely attached to the third arm 3 by a chain 53 for preventing accidental loss of the split locking pin.

The locking mechanism 60 includes two hollow passages 16A and 16D formed within the plates ID and IE of the first arm 1, respectively, and two hollow passages 57 A and 57B (it is noted that the hollow passages 16C, 57A and 57B are not shown in FIGS. 9-11 as they are hidden from view, however, their sizes and positioning may be inferred by referring to the corresponding hollow passages 16C, 17A and 17B as illustrated in FIG. 11). The locking mechanism 60 may also include a split locking pins 52. The split locking pin 52 may be securely attached to the second arm 2 by a chain 54 for preventing accidental loss of the split locking pin 52.

In operation, after the towing device 40 is disassembled by detaching the tensioning devices 7 and 8 therefrom and the arms 2 and 3 may be folded as disclosed in detail hereinabove for the towing device 10 (see FIG. 2). As illustrated in FIG. 11, when the third arm 3 is in the folded state and substantially parallel to the side of the first arm 1, the hollow passages 16B, 17A, 17B and 16C of the locking mechanism 62 become aligned along a dashed straight line 55 which enables the insertion of the split locking pin 51 through the hollow passages 16B, 17A, 17B and 16C (in a direction schematically represented by the arrow 30) to lock the third arm 3 in place preventing rotational movements thereof. This locking substantially prevents any rotational movements of the third arm. The second arm 2 may also be locked in place after folding by using the locking mechanism 60 in a similar manner to that described for the third arm 3 and the locking mechanism 62, hereinabove.

The locking mechanisms 60 and 62 have the advantage of preventing rotational movements of the arms 3 and 2 after locking is performed.

It is noted that while the split locking pins 51 and 52 are implemented as captive locking pins attached to the plate ID by the chains 53 and 54, respectively, this is not obligatory and the split locking pins 51 and 52 may be used without the chains 53 and 54.

It is also noted that the locking mechanisms contemplated herein for locking the first and second arms in place after folding, are by no means limited to the locking mechanisms 60 and 62 of FIGS. 9-11. Rather, many other different types of locking mechanisms may be used in some embodiments of the towing devices of the present application. For example, in accordance with some embodiments, the second arm 2 and the third arm 3 may be held alongside the first arm 1 in the folded state by one or more spring-like U shaped securing clips (not shown) that may be captive or non-captive to the towing device. In another example, one or more circular or annular closed bands made from a strong elastic material (such as for example, rubber, synthetic rubber or any other strong elastomer based material) may be used to hold the first arm 1 the second arm 2 and the third arm 3 together in the folded state. Thus, in accordance with some embodiments of the towing device, any suitable type of mechanism(s) or device(s) capable of preventing rotational movements of the second arm 2 and the third arm 3 with respect to the first arm 1 when the device is in the folded state may be used as a locking mechanism. EXAMPLES

Reference is now made to the following example, which together with the above descriptions illustrates some embodiments of the towing device in a non limiting fashion.

EXAMPLE 1

The towing device may be configured as the towing device 10, the first arm 1, the second arm 2 and the third arm 3 are hollow steel or iron arms having a square cross section, having a wall thickness of 3.2 millimeter and outer dimensions of 50X50 millimeters. The length of the arms 1, 2, and 3 is 950 millimeters. The plates ID and IE are welded to the second end of the first arm and each of the plates ID and 1 E is a flat rectangular steel plate having the dimensions of 190 X 80 X 10 millimeter (length X width X thickness). The open passages IF, 1H, 1G and 1L are circular holes having a diameter of 13 millimeter. The distance between the centers of the open passages IF and 1H is 140 millimeter and the distance between the centers of the open passages 1G and 1L is 140 millimeter.

The open passages 2F, 2E, 3F and 3E are circular holes having a diameter of 13 millimeter. The bolts 5A and 5B are steel bolts having a length of 100 millimeter and a diameter of 12 millimeter and the nuts 5C and 5D are matching Nylock nuts with internal diameter of 12 millimeter. The open passages 2J, 21, 3J and 31 are circular holes having a diameter of 16 millimeter. Two bolts having a length of 70 millimeter and a diameter of 15 millimeter with two matching Nylock nuts may be used to attach the ends 2B and 3B to the towed vehicle or towed platform.

It is noted that the above indicated exemplary dimensions and materials are given by way of example only and some or all of the above dimensions and/or materials may be changed if necessary, depending, inter alia, on the strength and other mechanical properties of the materials use for constructing the towing device, the forces applicable by the tensioning devices to the arms of the towing device, the legal requirements for total towing device length (in the rigidized state, during towing) in the country or state in which the towing device is sold and used, and other practical and manufacturing considerations.

It will be appreciated that the towing devices and towing kits disclosed in the present application are suitable for off-road towing as well as for on-road towing and may be used for towing a disabled or malfunctioning vehicle in need of repair by another towing vehicle. The towing devices and towing kits may also be used to tow a functioning platform or vehicle on-road or off-road.

It is noted that the towing devices disclosed in the present application may be commercially marketed in different configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the towing device may include the assembled first, second and third arms without any tensioning devices (for example, the towing device 10 may include the first arm 1 the second arm 2 and the third arm assembled as illustrated in FIG. 2 but not including the tensioning devices 7 and 8). The buyer of the towing device may then separately purchase from a different source two suitable tensioning devices (such as for example, two of the tensioning devices commercially available from Dixie Industries, TN, USA., or from Patterson Manufacturing, Pittsburg, PA, USA., as disclosed hereinabove in detail) and use them for suitably tensioning the arms and rigidizing the towing device during towing. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the towing device product commercially sold may be a towing kit including the three assembled arms and two tensioning devices. For example, the towing kit may include the first arm 1 the second arm 2 and the third arm assembled together as illustrated in FIG. 2 and also includes the tensioning devices 7 and 8). In some embodiments of the towing kits, the tensioning devices included in the towing kit may be ratchet tumbuckles, as disclosed hereinabove. However, in accordance with some embodiments of the towing kit, the tensioning devices may be any of the types of tensioning devices disclosed hereinabove, such as, for example, mechanical manually operated tensioning devices, hydraulic tensioning devices, electromechanical tensioning devices, pneumatic tensioning devices or any other suitable types of tensioning devices.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.