Tugger cage cart locking device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10703151-B2
Application number	US-201715850964-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 21, 2017
Priority date	Dec 21, 2017
Publication date	Jul 7, 2020
Grant date	Jul 7, 2020

Abstract

A system and method for securing the connection between carts that are configured to connect to each other to form a train of carts, as well as for securing the connection between a cart and a tugger that tows the carts. The system and method involves providing a spring biased blocking plate that is positioned above the boss of the drawbar when the drawbar is engaged with a hitch plate. The blocking plate limits vertical movement of the drawbar thereby preventing inadvertent disconnection of the drawbar from the hitch plate.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A hitch assembly comprising:
a hitch plate that is configured to extend in a rearward direction, the hitch plate including a vertical aperture;
a drawbar locking assembly positioned above the hitch plate, the drawbar locking assembly including:
a guide assembly positioned above the hitch plate, wherein the guide assembly includes at least two parallel bars that extend rearwardly;
a blocking plate configured to slide rearwardly and forwardly along the guide assembly; and
at least one spring that biases the blocking plate rearwardly.

2. The hitch assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the bars include a coil spring coaxially positioned around each bar.

3. The hitch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the blocking plate includes lower extending flanges which the bars extend through.

4. The hitch assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a kick bar that extends upwardly from the blocking plate.

5. The hitch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the blocking plate is positioned such that it is normally biased in a position that is directly over the aperture in the hitch plate.

6. The hitch assembly of claim 5 , wherein the blocking plate is configured such that when it is sliding rearwardly it is no longer vertically aligned with the aperture in the hitch plate.

7. A cart comprising:
a chassis having a front end and a rear end;
a plurality of wheels connected to the chassis configured to support the chassis;
a drawbar mount extending from the front end of the chassis, the drawbar having a downwardly extending boss at its distal end, the drawbar being pivotally connected to the front end of the chassis;
a hitch connected to the rear end of the chassis, the hitch includes:
a hitch plate that is configured to extend in a rearward direction, the hitch plate including a vertical aperture;
a drawbar locking assembly positioned above the hitch plate, the drawbar locking assembly including:
a plate guide assembly positioned above the hitch plate;
a blocking plate configured to slide rearwardly and forwardly along the plate guide assembly; and
at least one spring that biases the blocking plate rearwardly.

8. The cart of claim 7 , wherein the guide assembly includes two parallel bars that extend rearwardly.

9. The cart of claim 8 , wherein each of the bars include a coil spring coaxially positioned around the bar.

10. The cart of claim 8 , wherein the plate includes lower extending flanges which the bars extend through.

11. The cart of claim 7 , further comprising a kick bar that extends upwardly from the blocking plate.

12. The cart of claim 7 , wherein the blocking plate is positioned such that it is normally biased in a position that is directly over the aperture in the hitch plate.

13. The cart of claim 12 , wherein the blocking plate is configured such that when it is sliding rearwardly it is no longer vertically aligned with the aperture in the hitch plate.

Assignees

• Target Brands Inc

Inventors

• Newman Justin

Classifications

• B60D1/04 Primary

  Hook or hook-and-hasp couplings · CPC title

• B60D1/583

  Holding-down means, e.g. holding-down retainers · CPC title

• B60D2001/005

  for carts, scooters or the like · CPC title

• B62B5/0079

  Towing by connecting to another vehicle · CPC title

• B60D1/363 Primary

  Hitch guiding or catching elements, e.g. V-shaped plates partially surrounding a coupling member for guiding the other coupling member · CPC title