FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The invention relates to a movable tow bar. In particular, the invention relates, but is not limited, to a tow bar which moves relative to a vehicle to provide a user with increased manoeuvrability and/or control.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Reference to background art herein is not to be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge.

[0003] Tow bars, also known as a tow or trailer hitch, are commonly used to connect a towing vehicle to a trailer, or the like. Typical standard tow bars used by consumers have an extension member with a tow ball. The tow ball can be received by a coupling on the trailer which securely connects the two together while allowing limited relative movement. Another towing attachment system uses a hook and ring and operates in a similar manner.

[0004] Drivers of non-tow vehicles can often find it difficult to manoeuvre a towed trailer. This is particular the case when travelling in reverse, where the trailer precedes the driven vehicle. Notably, turning the driven vehicle in a particular direction results in the trailer tending towards the opposite direction. Even for experienced drivers this behaviour can present significant manoeuvrability challenges. This can reduce safety, increase time taken, increase frustration, and/or result in an accident that causes damage to the vehicle, trailer, environment, and/or injures nearby people.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is an aim of this invention to provide a movable tow bar which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides a useful alternative. [0006] Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form, there is provided a movable tow bar comprising:

a frame configured to be mounted to a vehicle;

a towing attachment connected to the frame; and

an actuator coupled to the towing attachment;

wherein the towing attachment is movable relative to the frame and actuation of the actuator moves the towing attachment towards a side of the vehicle.

[0008] In another form, there is provided a movable tow bar comprising:

a frame configured to be mounted to a vehicle;

an extension member connected to the frame;

a towing attachment located on the extension member; and an actuator coupled to the extension member such that the actuator can move the extension member relative to the frame.

[0009] Preferably the actuator moves the extension member in a substantially horizontal plane. Preferably the extension member rotates relative to the frame. Preferably the extension member rotates around a vertical axis. In a preferred form the extension member pivots around a pivot pin that connects the extension member to the frame. Preferably the extension member is an elongate member having a longitudinal axis. Preferably the longitudinal axis of the elongate member is located in the substantially horizontal plane.

[0010] The movable tow bar may further comprise a locking assembly. The locking assembly preferably prevents movement between the frame and the towing attachment. In any embodiment the locking assembly prevents movement between the frame and the towing attachment by preventing movement between the frame and the extension member. In a preferred form the locking assembly comprises a locking pin. Preferably the locking pin is received in corresponding locking apertures of the frame and the extension member.

[001 1 ] The actuator may comprise a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, an electric motor, and/or a gearbox. In a preferred form the actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder. Preferably the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the extension member. Preferably the actuator is powered. Preferably the actuator is configured to be powered by the vehicle.

[0012] Preferably the extension member has two opposed ends. Preferably the hydraulic cylinder is connected at or adjacent a first end. Preferably the towing attachment is located at or adjacent a second end. Preferably the extension member is connected to the frame, e.g. by a pivot pin, between the hydraulic cylinder connection and the towing attachment.

[0013] The movable tow bar may further comprise a controller. Preferably the controller operates the actuator. The controller may signal the actuator wirelessly or, alternatively, the controller may signal the actuator electrically over wires or even mechanically. The controller preferably has an interface with controls that an operator can use to direct the actuator. Preferably the controller has one or more sensors and directs the actuator in response to measurements from the one or more sensors.

[0014] Preferably the towing attachment comprises a tow ball. Alternatively, the towing attachment may comprise a different type of towing attachment such as, for example, a tow ring. The towing attachment may be movable within a track of the extension member.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment, there may be no extension member and the towing attachment may be movable within a track of the frame. The track preferably comprises a channel. The channel may be any suitable shape but is preferably substantially linear. The channel preferably extends substantially perpendicularly to a towing axis. The towing attachment is preferably movable in the channel by an actuator. The actuator may comprise an electric motor. The actuator preferably converts rotational movement of the motor into non-rotational movement, such as linear movement. The actuator may comprise a worm drive.

[0016] In an alternative embodiment, the towing attachment may be movable across a rail. Preferably the rail is substantially cylindrical. Preferably the towing attachment is mounted to a sleeve. Preferably the sleeve has a channel that corresponds to the shape of the rail. Preferably the sleeve is slidably mounted on the rail. Preferably the sleeve substantially surrounds a portion of the rail. Preferably the sleeve is movably connected to the rail via a fluid actuated cylinder.

[0017] Preferably the frame comprises a hollow member. Preferably the hollow member comprises a rectangular hollow section (RHS). Preferably the actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder and the hollow member of the frame contains a hydraulic reservoir and/or a hydraulic pump.

[0018] In another form, there is provided a method of manoeuvring a trailer connected to a movable tow bar of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

operating a controller;

actuating an actuator according to operation of the controller; and moving a towing attachment, to which the trailer is connected, with the actuator;

wherein the towing attachment is moved towards a side of the vehicle.

[0019] Preferably the movable tow bar is mounted to a rear end of the vehicle and the controller is operated from inside the vehicle. Preferably the controller is operated by a user of the vehicle. Preferably the towing attachment is moved in a substantially horizontal plane by the actuator. In a preferred form the towing attachment is moved substantially perpendicularly to a towing axis. [0020] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021 ] By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 illustrates a diagrammatic plan view of a movable tow bar according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0023] Figure 2 illustrates a diagrammatic plan view of a movable tow bar according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0024] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a movable tow bar according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0025] Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the movable tow bar illustrated in figure 3; and

[0026] .Figure 5 illustrates a top plan view of the movable tow bar illustrated in figure 3 in various different positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 illustrates a movable tow bar 10 mounted to a vehicle 20 having a rear end 22 and two opposed sides 24. The movable tow bar 10 has a frame 100 mounted to the rear of the vehicle 20 and an extension member 120 connected to the frame 100. The frame 100 is preferably rigidly affixed to a chassis of the vehicle 20 with a support plate 102 adjacent the extension member 120. In a preferred form a pair of support plates 102 are provided. The pair of support plates 102 are preferably aligned in spaced apart parallel planes with the extension member 120 being received between the two support plates 102. [0028] The extension member 120 has a towing attachment, in the form of a tow ball 122, at an end that is distal from the vehicle 20. In the illustrated embodiment the extension member 120 is connected to the frame 100 by a pivot pin 124. The extension member 120 also has a locking assembly in the form of a removable locking pin 126 the also connects the extension member 120 to the frame 100. The pivot pin 124 and locking pin 126 are both receivable in respective apertures in the frame 100 and the extension member 120.

[0029] The extension member 120 is also coupled to an actuator in the form of a hydraulic cylinder 140. The hydraulic cylinder 140 is connected substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the extension member 120 such that extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinder 140 causes the extension member to pivot around the pivot pin 124 when the locking assembly is unlocked, e.g. when the locking pin 126 is removed from the extension member 120 and/or frame 100.

[0030] Figure 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a movable tow bar 10 wherein the tow ball 122 is movable within a rail in the form of a channel 104 in the frame 100. The channel 104 is substantially linear with a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to a towing axis. The actuator (not shown in figure 2) for this arrangement preferably includes an electric motor and gearbox. A worm drive may also be utilised. Although a straight channel 104 is illustrated in figure 2 it will be appreciated that the channel could take other forms such as, for example, a curved channel.

[0031 ] Figures 3 to 5 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a movable tow bar 10 wherein the tow ball 122 is located on a sleeve 150 via bracket 122'. The sleeve 150 is slidably mounted to a rail 160. In the illustrated embodiment the rail 160 is substantially cylindrical, with the sleeve 150 having a correspondingly shaped substantially cylindrical opening of channel running therethrough. The rail 160 is contained between two end stops 162. The sleeve 150 can slide along the rail between the end stops 162 as illustrated in figure 5.

[0032] The sleeve is connected to one end of a concealed hydraulic cylinder (not shown) and the rail is connected to another end of the hydraulic cylinder. As seen in figure 4, hydraulic ports 152 are provided to control the hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic ports 152 can be utilised to connect the hydraulic cylinder to a hydraulic reservoir and pump. In a preferred embodiment, the reservoir and pump (not shown) are contained inside the frame 100.

[0033] In use, the movable tow bar 10 of figure 1 may be used like a normal tow bar with the extension member 120 locked such that its longitudinal axis substantially coincides with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 20. When additional manoeuvrability is required, such as when reversing the vehicle 20 with a towed vehicle such as a trailer attached to the tow ball 122, additional control over the towed vehicle may be obtained by removing the locking pin 126 and actuating the hydraulic cylinder 140.

[0034] The hydraulic cylinder 140 is preferably controlled from a cabin of the vehicle 20, to enable a user to pivot the extension member 120 with tow ball 122 thereon towards either the left or right side of the vehicle. The pivot movement will also bring the tow ball 122 closer to a rear of the vehicle 20. As the tow ball 122 is moved the angle between the vehicle 20 and the towed vehicle is altered. This change in angle can be used to the driver's advantage to direct the towed vehicle in a particular direction to achieve a desired path for the towed vehicle to travel.

[0035] The movable tow bar 10 of figure 2 is operated in a similar manner, with the tow ball 122 being movable with respect to the frame 100 and hence the vehicle 20. As the tow ball 122 is moved in the channel 104, the angle between the vehicle 20 and the towed vehicle is altered and, again, can be used to the driver's advantage to direct the towed vehicle in a particular direction to achieve a desired path for the towed vehicle to travel. [0036] The movable tow bar 10 of figures 3 to 5 is operated in a similar manner, with the tow ball 122 being movable with respect to the frame 100 and hence the vehicle 20 by sliding the sleeve 150 across the rail 160. As a controller is operated, manually or automatically, the hydraulic cylinder slides the sleeve 150 longitudinally along the rail 160 to move the tow ball 122 towards a side of the vehicle to which the movable tow bar 10 is mounted.

[0037] Advantageously, the movable tow bar 10 operates like a normal tow bar during usual towing, but allows the tow ball 122 of the tow bar 10 to be moved when desired. This provides additional control over a towed vehicle during difficult manoeuvres, such as when reversing the vehicle 20. The additional control over the towed vehicle can vastly improve safety by reducing the likelihood of the towed vehicle having a collision with either the environment or bystanders. The movable towbar 10 further provides additional convenience and efficiency during difficult towing manoeuvres.

[0038] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step etc.

[0039] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

[0040] In this specification, the terms 'comprises', 'comprising', 'includes', 'including', or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.