Tow device for automated guided vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11167606-B2
Application number	US-202016883132-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 26, 2020
Priority date	May 28, 2019
Publication date	Nov 9, 2021
Grant date	Nov 9, 2021

Abstract

This disclosure relates to systems and methods of towing, hitching, and connecting devices. In particular, this disclosure relates to tow devices, hitches, and connections for towing item containers behind vehicles, both autonomous and manually guided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tow device, the tow device comprising:
a main body comprising a top portion and a bottom portion
a plurality of legs comprising a fixed leg, a first pivot leg, and a second pivot leg;
wherein a first end of the fixed leg is coupled to the main body such that the fixed leg is immobile in relation to the main body;
wherein a first end of each of the first and second pivot legs are rotatably coupled to the main body; and
wherein each of the plurality of legs comprises a longitudinal portion extending from the first end of each of the plurality of legs to a second end of each of the plurality of legs, and wherein the second end of each of the plurality of legs comprises a mating portion extending transversely from the longitudinal portion of each of the plurality of legs.

2. The tow device of claim 1 , wherein the top portion comprises at least two apertures formed therein, wherein the bottom portion comprises at least two apertures formed therein, and wherein each of the at least two apertures of the top portion are positioned coaxially with one of the at least two apertures of the bottom portion to define at least two pivot axes.

3. The tow device of claim 2 , wherein the first end of each of the first and second pivot legs comprises a joint having an aperture, wherein each aperture of each joint is positioned coaxially with one of the at least two pivot axes and between the top portion and the bottom portion, and wherein each joint is rotatably coupled to the main body by a clevis pin and a cotter pin.

4. The tow device of claim 1 , wherein the top portion comprises a handle which comprises a vertical portion and a grasping portion, wherein the vertical portion extends perpendicularly from a longitudinal plane of the top portion, and a grasping portion extends transversely from the longitudinal axis of the vertical portion.

5. The tow device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second pivot legs are configured to rotate to a position adjacent the fixed leg for compact storage with the tow device.

6. The tow device of claim 3 , wherein the first and second pivot legs are each configured to be removed by removing the clevis and cotter pins.

7. A tow device, the tow device comprising:
a main body comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a plurality of positioning apertures;
a plurality of legs comprising a fixed leg, a first pivot leg, and a second pivot leg;
wherein a first end of the fixed leg is coupled to the main body such that the fixed leg is immobile in relation to the main body;
wherein a first end of each of the first and second pivot legs are rotatably coupled to the main body;
wherein a locking member is positioned between the first end and a second end of each of the first and second pivot legs, wherein each locking member is configured to interface with the plurality of positioning apertures of the main body such that the first and second pivot legs are configured to be disposed in at least a first position and a second position; and
wherein each of the plurality of legs comprises a longitudinal portion extending from the first end of each of the plurality of legs to the second end of each of the plurality of legs; and wherein the second end of each of the plurality of legs comprises a mating portion extending transversely from the longitudinal portion of each of the plurality of legs.

8. The tow device of claim 7 , wherein the top portion comprises at least two apertures formed therein, wherein the bottom portion comprises at least two apertures formed therein, wherein each of the at least two apertures of the top portion are positioned coaxially with one of the at least two apertures of the bottom portion to define at least two pivot axes, wherein the first end of each of the first and second pivot legs comprises a joint having an aperture, wherein each joint is positioned coaxially with one of the at least two pivot axes and between the top portion and the bottom portion.

9. The tow device of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of positioning apertures are disposed on the top portion.

10. The tow device of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of positioning apertures comprise a pair of outer positioning apertures and a pair of inner positioning apertures, wherein the outer positioning apertures are configured to position the first and second pivot legs in an outer position, defining an outer angle, when each locking member is interfacing with the outer positioning apertures, and wherein the inner positioning apertures are configured to position the first and second pivot legs in an inner position, defining an inner angle that is smaller than the outer angle, when each locking member is interfacing with the inner positioning apertures.

11. The tow device of claim 7 , wherein each of the locking members extend transversely from the longitudinal portion of each of the first and second pivot legs.

12. The tow device of claim 7 , wherein the first and second pivot legs are configured to rotate to a position adjacent the fixed leg with the locking members disengaged from the plurality of positioning apertures.

13. The tow device of claim 8 , wherein the first and second pivot leg are each configured to be removed by removing the clevis and cotter pins.

14. A tow device, the tow device comprising:
a fixed leg comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a first mating portion and the second end comprises a second mating portion, and wherein the first and second mating portions extend transversely from a longitudinal direction of the fixed leg;
a pivot leg comprising a first end and second end, the first end of the pivot leg being rotatably coupled proximate to the first end of the fixed leg and the second end of the pivot leg comprising a second mating portion, wherein the second mating portion of the second end of the pivot leg extends transversely from a longitudinal portion extending between the first and second ends of the pivot leg; and
a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion and bottom portion are coupled to the fixed leg such that the top portion and bottom portion are offset from each other, wherein the first end of the pivot leg is positioned between the top portion and bottom portion, and wherein the first end of the pivot leg is rotatably coupled to the fixed leg by a pin extending through the first end of the pivot leg, top portion, and bottom portion.

15. The tow device of claim 14 , wherein the pivot leg comprises an aperture on the first end through which the pin is inserted, and wherein the pin is coupled to the top portion and bottom portion.

16. The tow device of claim 14 , wherein an offset distance between the top and bottom portions is greatest where the pivot leg is disposed between the top and bottom portions.

17. The tow device of claim 14 , wherein the fixed leg and/or the pivot leg comprises an extrusion that extends transversely from a longitudinal direction of the respective leg from which the extrusion extends, and wherein the extrusion is configured to prevent the second ends of the fixed leg and pivot leg from touching.

18. The tow device of claim 14 , wherein the pivot leg is configured to rotate to a position proximate the fixed leg for compact storage.

19. The tow device of claim 14 , wherein a handle is positioned on the first end of the fixed leg, and wherein the handle comprises a vertical portion that extends in a direction opposite the mating portion of the first end of the fixed leg.

Assignees

• United States Postal Service

Inventors

• Shiu Leung Man
• Houston Edward F
• Taylor Anthony B
• Bombaugh Scott R

Classifications

• B60D1/481

  adapted for being mounted to the front and back of trailers, carts, trolleys or the like to form a train · CPC title

• B60D1/167 Primary

  consisting of articulated or rigidly assembled bars or tubes forming a V-, Y- or U-shaped draw gear · CPC title

• B60D2001/006

  comprising a handle · CPC title

• B60D1/54

  collapsible or retractable when not in use, e.g. hide-away hitches · CPC title

• B60D1/141 Primary

  Arrangements or frames adapted to allow the connection of trailers to tractor three-point hitches · CPC title