SELF-ALIGNING HITCH

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention pertains to hitches, and more particularly to self-aligning hitches for coupling two imprecisely aligned vehicles, for example, a towing vehicle and trailer vehicle.

Background

[0002] Hitches are in wide use for towing many kinds of trailer vehicles by towing vehicles. Most traditional hitches comprise the combination of a first coupling means (for example, a ball) attached to one of the vehicles and a second coupling means (for example, a hollow, hemispherical coupler) attached to the other. Since such conventional coupling means are fixedly attached to the vehicles, it is necessary for the vehicles to be brought into precise alignment in order to achieve coupling. This can be a difficult and time-consuming task In circumstances where precise alignment is not achieved, it may be possible to mamally move the trailer vehicule to a position for coupling to the towing vehicle. While this may be acceptable for lightweight trailer vehicles, it is a near-impossible task for heavier trailer vehicles such as loaded airport freight carts. Persons attempting to manually position a heavy trailer vehicle may suffer injuries

[0003] Further, it is desirable to prevent the need for a second person to assist in coupling the towing and trailer vehicles. In general, having a second person, located behind the towing vehicle, to direct the operator of the towing vehicle presents dangerous circumstances. Further, it is inefficient to require two people to achieve a result which could be accomplished by a single person.

[0004] In general, the prior art has attempted to address these problems with the provision of a hitch assembly comprising a tongue or rod which is slidably insertable into a housing mounted on one of the vehicles and which is capable of some longitudinal and lateral movement so that a rearward end of the tongue, fitted with a coupling means, can be manually positioned to engage the corresponding coupling means on the other vehicle. The hitch assemblies of some prior and references provide an automatic locking mechanism which locks the tongue into a "locked" position.

[0005] However, the prior art hitch assemblies may suffer from one or more disadvantages. For example, several prior art hitch assemblies have been designed in such a way that it is only possible far the tongue to move to the "locked" position after the tongue becomes aligned with the vehicles. As a result, after the vehicles are coupled and the towing vehicle is moved forward from a slightly displaced lateral position (relative to the trailer vehicle), the tongue may be susceptible to banging from side to side within the housing until the tongue and the two vehicles achieve precise alignment. This is disadvantageous since in (1) may damage the sides of the housing, ultimately requiring repair or replacement; and (2) may place undue pressure on the pivot pin retaining the proximal end of the tongue within the housing. After a period of time, the pin may become damaged to the point where repair or replacement is necessary.

[0006] Along the same lines, several prior art hitch assemblies are designed in such a way that lateral movement of the tongue is not immediately possible after the locking mechanism is disengaged. Rather the operator is required to with draw the tongue entirely, or nearly so, from within the housing until lateral movement of the tongue is possible. This limits the use of the hitch assembly. In some circumstances, the operator may have backed the towing vehicle into close proximity to the trailer vehicle so that the tongue cannot be fully withdrawn since it will engage the front portion of the trailer vehicle. Since lateral movement is then not possible (since the tongue is not capable of being fully extended from the housing), the operator would be forced to get back into the towing vehicle and move it ahead to create sufficient space between the vehicles to enable full extension of the tongue, and thus, lateral movement of the tongue. This adds unnecessary time and effort into the process, and could be eliminated if one could laterally position the tongue immediately upon disengagement of the locking mechanism.

[0007] Prior art hitch assemblies which may suffer from one or both of the above-noted disadvantages are described in US-A-3,912,119, US-A-2,871,029, US-A-3,860,267, and US-A-4,991,865,

[0008] The hitch assemblies may be susceptible to damage to the housing while the tongue is moving into the housing and towards its locked position from either side-to-side banging of the tongue therein, or from the longitudinal engagement of a proximal end of the tongue on a closed interior of the housing.

[0009] Other prior art hitch assemblies include overly complex mechanisms which may render the hitch assembly too expensive for commercial application or too cumbersome for retrofitting existing towing vehicles. For example, US-A-4,558,883 discloses such a complicated hitch mechanism.

[0010] Some prior art hitch assemblies, such as the one disclused in US-A-5,277,447, disclose housing and tongue designs which allow limited lateral movement of the tongue. This may be disadvantageous if the towing vehicle is sufficiently misaligned relative to the trailer vehicle to be outside the lateral movement range of the tongue. Repeated positioning of the towing vehicle relative to the trailer vehicle would be required to overcome such a limitation.

Summary of Invention

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a hitch for coupling two vehicles, particularly in situations where the vehicles are misaligned.

[0012] in accordance with an aspect of this invention, there is provided a hitch for coupling a first vehicle to a second vehicle, said hitch comprising a tongue housing for attaching to said first vehicle, said tongue housing having a forward end and a rear end, said tongue housing comprising a top wall, a bottom wall spaced apart from said top wall by two spaced apart side walls disposed therebetween, said top, bottom and side walls defining a throat, said throat having an open first end and an open second end, a tongue having a first end and a second end, said tongue being extendable and retractable within said throat, said tongue having a width narrower than the distance between said two spaced apart side walls of said tongue housing, retaining means for preventing said tongue from being removed from said throat, a coupler attached to said second end of said tongue, and lock means for locking said tongue in a fixed position relative to said tongue housing, wherein said tongue is capable of lateral articulation when said tongue is not locked in said fixed position, characterized by a first guide member attached to said housing, comprising a first cam member and a first pocket and a second pocket, said first and second pockets being located on either side of said first cam member, and a second guide member, coplanar with said first guide member and attached to said second end of said tongue, said second guide member comprising a second cam member, a third cam member and a third pocket located between said second and third cam members, wherein said first and second guide members become matingly engaged upon retraction of said tongue within said throat and wherein said first and second guide members cooperate to align said tongue with said first and second vehicles by the mating engagement of said first cam member with said third pocket and said second and third cam members with said first and second pockets, and wherein said lock means is adapted to lock said tongue in a fixed position relative to said tongue housing upon full engagement of said first and second guide members.

[0013] Further advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0014] The cam members and the pockets may be rounded. The second guide member may pivot about either of the first pocket or the second pocket upon the retraction of the tongue from a laterally misaligned position. The bottom wall of the tongue housing may be the first guide member. The side walls of the tongue housing may be centrally rounded to define a generally hourglass shaped throat between the top and bottom walls.

[0015] The top wall of the tongue housing may define a top wall aperture therethrough and the tongue may define a tongue aperture therethrough in a location intermediate to the first and second ends of the tongue, the top wall aperture and tongue aperture being aligned upon full engagement of the first and second guide members. The lock means may be a lock pin insertable throuhg the top wall aperture and tongue aperture. The bottom wall may also define a bottom wall aperture therethrough for insertion of the lock pin, the bottom wall aperture being aligned with the top wall aperture. The hitch may further comprise means for biasing the pin towards insertion into the top wall aperture, tongue aperture and bottom wall aperture. The means for biasing the pin towards insertion into top wall aperture, tongue aperture and bottom wall aperture may be a first spring on the lock pin, the first spring mounted between a top wall of a lock pin housing attached to the top wall of the housing and a spring retaining member mounted on an intermediate portion of the lock pin, the top wall of the lock pin housing further comprising a lock pin housing aperture for insertion of the lock pin, the lock pin housing aperture being aligned with the top wall and bottom wall apertures and wherein the tongue aperture becomes aligned with the top wall aperture, bottom wall aperture and lock pin housing aperture upon full engagement of the first and second guide members. The lock pin housing may comprise opposed, bevelled side walls.

[0016] The coupler may be selected from the group consisting of a devis, a ring and a ball.

[0017] The coupler may be a clevis comprising: an upper arm, the upper arm defining a first upper arm aperture therethrough; a lower arm, the upper and lower arms being spaced apart by a vertical arm support wall, wherein the upper and lower arms define an opening facing away from the first vehicle for the insertion therein of a coupling means of the second vehicle; a hitch pin insertable through the first upper arm aperture, the hitch pin being movable between a first, raised position and a second, lowered position, the hitch being capable of receiving the coupling means of the second vehicle when the hitch pin is in the first, raised position; a release member extending above an upper surface of the upper arm and through a second upper arm aperture defined in the upper arm; a hitch pin engaging member housed between a first shelf and a second shelf within the upper arm, the first shelf and the second shelf being on either side of the first upper arm aperture, the hitch pin engaging member defining a hitch pin engaging member aperture therethrough for accommodating the insertion of the hitch pin, a lower end of the release member contacting a first end of the hitch pin engaging member; a second spring mounted within the first shelf, the second spring contacting the hitch pin engaging member, wherein the bias of the second spring maintains the hitch pin engaging member in an angled position to frictionally engage the hitch pin; and wherein application of downward force upon the release member causes the hitch pin engaging member to move to a substantially horizontal position against the bias of the second spring and frictionally disengage the hitch pin to permit upward vertical movement of the hitch pin within the first upper arm aperture and hitch pin engaging member aperture.

[0018] The vertical arm support wall may abut the tongue housing upon full engagement of the first and second guide members.

[0019] The movement of the hitch pin from the first, raised position to the second, lowered position may be achieved through The application of downward force upon the hitch pin and wherein movement of the hitch pin from the second, loward position to the first, raised position is achieved by lifting the hitch pin after the pin engaging member is frictionally disengaged from the hitch pin through the application of downward force upon the release member, causing the hitch pin engaging member to move to the substantially horizontal position.

[0020] The hitch pin may comprise a sleeve at its lower end and the upper arm may comprise a flange extending into the first upper arm aperture to define a radins smaller than the radius of the sleeve, so that the hitch pin cannot be fully withdrawn from the first upper arm aperture. The lower arm may define a lower arm aperture aligned with the first upper arm aperture. A flange may extend into the lower arm aperture to define a radius smaller than the radius of the sleeve so that the lower end of the hitch pin cannot extend through the lower arm of the clevis.

[0021] The hitch may comprise a vertical wall substantially enclosing a forward end of the tongue housing and defining a slot therein, the slat having a width of at least the distance between the side walls of the tongue housing and having a height of at least the thickness of the tongue. The retaining means for preventing the tongue from being removed from the throat may comprise a trunnion extending through the tongue at a location proximal to the first end of the tongue the trunnion having a height greater than the height of the slot in the vertical wall.

[0022] The hitch may comprise a first square tubing portion attached to and extending from the tongue housing towards the first vehicle, the first square tubing portion having means for attaching the first square tubing portion to a cooperating second square tubing portion attached to and extending from the first vehicle.

[0023] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the tongue housing may comprise a vertical wall for attaching the forward end of the tongue housing to the first vehicles, the vertical wall being attached to and extending substantially perpendicular to the top wall of the tongue housing. In this case, the length of the top wall of the tongue housing may extend beyond the first end of the tongue when the tongue is in the fixed position. The tongue housing may also comprise a third side wall and fourth side wall, the third and fourth side walls being attached to and extending downwardly from the opposite forward side edges of the top wall. The tongue housing may be wider at its forward end than at its rear end.

[0024] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a hitch capable of coupling a first vehicle to a laterally misaligned second vehicle is disclosed. The hitch comprises: a tongue housing for attaching to the first vehicle, the tongue housing comprising two spaced apart side walls defining a throats; a first guide member attached to the housing, comprising a first cam member, a first pocket and a accent pocket, the first and second pockets being located on either side of the first cam member; a tongue having a first end and a second end, the tongue being extendable and retractable within the throat, the tongue having a width narrower than the distance between the two spaced apart side walls of the tongue housing; a second guide member, coplanar with the first guide member and attached to the second end of the tongue, comprising: a second cam member and a third cam member; a third pocket located between the second and third cam members; a coupler attached to the second second end of the tongue; wherein the first and second guide members become matingly engaged in an aligned, locked position upon the full retraction of the tongue within the throat from a laterally misaligned position; and wherein the tongue is guided from the laterally misaligned position into the aligned, locket position through the combination of the mating engagement of the first cam member with the third pocket and the second and third cam members with the first and second pockets; and the guided retractionretraction of the tongue along at least one of the side walls of the tongue housing.

[0025] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the bottom wall may comprise a fourth pocket positioned opposite of the first cam member. In this case, the retaining means for preventing the tongue from being removed from the throat may comprise a trunnion attached to and extending below the tongue at a location proximal to the first end of the tongue, wherein the trunnion engages the fourth pocket upon full extension of the tongue. The cam members and the pockets may be rounded. The bottom wall of the tongue housing may be the first guide member. The side walls of the tongue housing may be centrally rounded to define a generally hourglass shaped throat between the top and bottom walls.

[0026] The top wall of the tongue housing may define a top wall aperture therethrough and the tongue may define a tongue aperture therethrough in a location intermediate to the first and second ends of the tongue, the top wall aperture and tongue aperture being aligned upon full engagement of the first and second guide members. The lock means may be a lock pin insertable through the top wall aperture and tongue aperture. The bottom wall may also define a bottom wall aperture therethrough for insertion of the lock pin, the bottom wall aperture being aligned with the top wall aperture. The hitch may further comprise means for biasing the pin towards insertion into the top wall and tongue apertures. The means for biasing the pin towards insertion into the top wall aperture and tongue aperture may be a first spring on the lock pin, the first spring mounted between a top wall of a lock pin housing attached to the top wall of the tongue bousing and a spring retaining member mounted on an intermediate portion of the lock pin, the top wall of the lock pin housing further comprising a bottom wall aperture for insertion of the lock pin, the bottom wall aperture being aligned with the top wall aperture and wherein the tongue aperture becomes aligned with the top wall aperture and bottom wall aperture upon full engagement of the first and second guide members. The lock pin housing may comprise opposed, bevelled side walls.

[0027] The compler may be selected from the group consisting of a clevis a ring and a ball.

[0028] The compler may be a clevis comprising an upper arm, the upper arm defining a first upper arm aperture therethrough; a lower arm, the upper and lower arms being spaced apart by a vertical arm support wall, wherein the upper and lower arms define an opening facing away from the first vehicle for the insertion therein of a couplin means of the second vehicle; a hitch pin insertable through the first upper arm aperture, the hitch pin being movables between a first, raised position and a second, lowered position, the hitch being capable of receiving the coupling mems of the second vehicle when the hitch pin is in the first, raised position; a release member extending above an upper surface of the upper arm and througt a second upper arm aperture defined in the upper arm; a hitch pin engaging member housed between a first shelf and a second shelf within the upper arm, the first shelf and the second shelf being on either side of the first upper arm aperture, the hitch pin engaging member defining a hitch pin engaging member aperture therethrough for accommodating the insertion of the hitch pin, a lower end of the release member contacting a first end of the hitch pin engaging member; a second spring mounted within the first shelf, the second spring contacting the first end of the hitch pin engaging member, wherein the bias of the second spring maintains the hitch pin engaging member in an angled position to frictionally engage the hitch pin; and wherein application of downward force upon the release member causes the hitch pin engaging number to move to a substantially horizontal position against the bias of the second spring and frictionally disengage the hitch pin to permit upward vertical movement of the hitch pin within the first upper arm aperture and hitch pin engaging member aperture.

[0029] The vertical arm support wall may abut the tongue housing upon full engagement of the first and second guide members.

[0030] The movement of the hitch pin from the first, raised position to the second, lowered position may be achived thought the application of downward force upon the hitch pin and wherein movement of the hitch pin from the second, lowered position to the first, raised position is achieved by lifting the hitch pin after the pin engagement member is frictionnally disengaged from the hitch pin through the application of downward force upon the release member, causing the hitch pin engaging member to move to the substantially horizontal position.

[0031] The hitch pin may further comprise a sleeve at its lower end and wherein the upper arm further may further comprise a flange extending into the first upper arm aperture to define a radius smaller than the radius of the sleeve, so that the hitch pin cannot be fully withdrawn from the first upper arm aperture, and wherein the lower arm defines a lower arm aperture, the lower arm aperture being aligned with the first upper arm aperture and the lower arm further comprises a flange extending into the lower arm aperture to define a radius smaller than the radius of the sleeve so that the lower end of the hitch pin cannot extend through the lower ann of the clevis.

[0032] The hitch may comprise a first square tubing portion attached to and extending from the tongue housing towards the first vehicle, the first square tubing portion having means for attaching the first square tubing portion to a cooperating second square tubing portion attached to and extending from the first vehicle.

[0033] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the tongue housing may comprise a vertical wall for attaching the forward end of the tongue housing to the first vehicle, the second vertical wall being attached to and extending substantially perpendicular to the top wall of the tongue housing. In this case, the lenght of the top wall of the tongue housing may extend beyond the first end of the tongue when the tongue is in the fixed position.

[0034] The tongue housing may also comprise a third side wall and fourth side wall, the third and fourth side walls being attached to and extending downwardly from the opposite foreward side edges of the top wall.

[0035] The tongue housing may bo wider at its forward end than at its rear end. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a hitch, capable of coupling a first vehicle to a laterally misaligned second vehicle, said hitch comprising a tongue housing for attaching to said first vehicle, said tongue housing comprising two spaced apart side walls defining a throat, a tongue having a first end and a second end, said tongue being extendable and retractable within said throat, said tongue having a width narrower than the distance between said two spaced apart side walls of said tongue housing, and a coupler attached to said second end of said tongue, characterized by a first guide member attached to said housing comprising a first cam member and a first pocket and a second pocket, said first and second pockets being located on either side of said first cam member, and a second guide member, coplanar with said first guide member and attached to said second end of said tongue, said second guide member comprising a second cam member, a third cam member and a third pocket located between said second and third cam members , wherein said first and second guide members become matingly engaged in an aligned, locked position upon the full retraction of said tongue within said throat from a laterally misaligned position, and wherein said tongue is guided from said laterally misaligned position into said aligned, locked position through the combination of the mating engagement of said first cam member with said third pocket and said second and third cam members with said first and second pockets, and the guided retraction of said tongue along at least one of said side walls of said tongue housing.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0036] In the drawings which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention, but which should not be construed as restricting the spirit of scope of the invention in any way:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hitch of the present invention illustrating its tongue in a retracted, locked position;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the hitch of Figure 1 illustrating its tongue in an extended, unlocked position;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the tongue of the hitch of Figure 1;

FIGURE 4 is a bottom perspective view of the tongue housing of the hitch of Figure 1 illustrating the side walls of the throat in dotted outline;

FIGURE 5 is a partial cross-section view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 1 illustrating the insertion of the lock pin through the apertures in the tongue, tongue housing and lock pin housing;

FIGURE 6 is a partial cross-section view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 3 illustrating the hitch pin in a slightly lowered position as compared to Figure 3;

FIGURES 7-10 are bottom views illustrating the guided movement of the tongue from an extended, laterally misaligned position to a retracted, aligned and locked position;

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of the coupler illustrated in Figure 3;

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the coupler illustrated in Figure 3;

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of the hitch of Figure 1;

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of the hitch of Figure 1 mounted to a towing vehicle;

FIGURE 15 is a perspective, exploded view of the hitch of Figure 13 with a ball coupler.

FIGURE 16 is a perspective view of third alternative embodiment of the hitch of the invention;

FIGURES 17 and 18 are perspective views of prior art "E" type hitches;

FIGURE 19 is a perspective view of the hitch of Figure 16 mounted to an airport pallet or container carrier,

FIGURE 20 is a perspective view of the hitch of Figure 16 mounted to an airport freight vehicle;

FIGURE 21 is a bottom view of the hitch of the invention with an alternative embodiment of the bottom wall of the tongue housing and illustrating its tongue in an extended, laterally misaligned position;

FIGURE 22 is a bottom view of the hitch of Figure 21 illustrating its tongue in a retracted, aligned and locked position;

FIGURE 23 is a perspective view of the hitch of the invention with an alternative embodiment of the tongue housing and illustrating its tongue in an extended position; and

FIGURE 24 is a bottom view of the hitch of Figure 23 illustrating the tongue in a retracted, aligned and locked position.

Description

[0037] The hitch of the present invention allows the coupling of a towing vehicle to a trailer vehicle and is particularly suited for situations where there is imprecise alignment of the coupling means of the two vehicles. As used herein, the term "towing vehicle" encompasses any vehicle for pulling, towing or otherwise drawing a subsequent vehicle, referred to as a "trailer vehicle", coupled therewith. For example, a towing vehicle could be a truck, an RV, a car or a tractor vehicle used at airports for pulling freight (i.e. luggage, etc.) carts. The term "trailer vehicle", on the other hand, encompasses any vehicle which is designed to be pulled, towed or otherwise drawn by a towing vehicle. For example, a towing vehicle could be a boat trailer, an airport freight cart or an airport pallet or container cart. As will be explained later, "towing vehicle" also encompasses a first trailer vehicle which is used to tow a second trailer vehicle in a multiple trailer vehicle train.

[0038] Figure 1 illustrates a hitch 10, which includes a tongue housing 12 and a tongue 14. Tongue housing 12 is adapted for attachment to a rear end of a towing vehicle, such as, for example, a tractor for pulling freight carts at airports.

[0039] Turning to Figure 4 in conjunction with Figure 1, tongue housing 12 includes a top wall 16 and a bottom wall 18, which are in a substantially parallel relationship and which are spaced apart by a distance at least as great as the thickness of tongue 14. Spaced apart side walls 20, 22 are disposed between top wall 16 and bottom wall 18. Together, top wall 16, bottom wall 18 and side walls 20, 22 form a throat 23. Side walls 20 and 22 are spaced apart such a distance thatthroat 23 has a width greater than the width of tongue 14, thus allowing for lateral articulation oftongue 14. Referring to Figures 4, 7 and 8, side walls 20, 22 have rounded central portions 20a and 22a (illustrated in dotted outline in Figure 8) so that throat 23 is generally hourglass shaped. A vertical wall 24 substantially encloses housing 12 at its forward end 12a. Vertical wall 24 abuts the forward ends of each of top wall 16, bottom wall 18 and side walls 20, 22. Vertical wall 24 has a horizontal slot 26 defined therein, which permits the slidable extension and retraction of tongue 14 within tongue housing 12. Figure 5 illustrates the width of slot 26 between central rounded portions 20a and 22a of side walls 20 and 22. It will be appreciated that slot 26 widens at the forward opening of throat 23, as with the illustrated rear opening of throat 23 in Figure 4.

[0040] Referring to Figure 14, vertical wall 24 may conveniently be welded or fastened (such as by bolting) to a vertical surface 25 on the rear end of a towing vehicle 27 to attach tongue housing 12, and ultimately hitch 10, to towing vehicle 27. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the attachment of hitch 10 via vertical walls 24 and 25 is optional and tongue housing 12 could alternatively be attached to towing vehicle 27 in any suitable manner, such as for example, by welding or fastening bottom wall 18 to a horizontal skirt 29 of a standard vehicle commercial bumper. Hitch 10 can thus be easily retrofitted to existing towing vehicles.

[0041] For proper operation of hitch 10, housing 12 must be attached to towing vehicle 27 so that tongue 14 is capable of extension and retraction without engaging rear wall 25. This may require, for example, attaching hitch 10 so that slot 26 is slightly below the lower-most edge of the rear end of rear wall 25. Alternatively, a slot (not shown) could be cut from a rear wall 25 of the towing vehicle at a location aligned with slot 26 to accommodate the insertion of tongue 14 therethrough.

[0042] Turning to Figure 3, tongue 14 has a first end 28, and a second end 30. Tongue 14 is extendable, retractable and capable of lateral articulation within throat 23. As used herein, the term "extendable" refers to the movement of extending second end 3 0 of tongue 14 away from tongue housing 12. For example, tongue 14 is illustrated in an extended position in Figure 2 relative to the position shown in Figure 1. The term "retractable", on the other hand, refers to the movement of retracting second end 30 of tongue 14 from an extended position towards tongue housing 12. Figure 1 illustrates tongue 14 in its fully retracted position.

[0043] Tongue 14 includes a trunnion 32, in a location proximal to first end 28. Trunnion 32 extends vertically above and below (see Figure 7 for an illustration of the extension of trunnion 32 below tongue 14) tongue 14 and has a height greater than the height of slot 26. Trunnion 32 is thus able to retain first end 28 from being fully removed from housing 12 upon extension of tongue 14 (see Figure 7), and simultaneously permits second end 30 to articulate laterally, relative to first end 28, when tongue 14 is fully extended, so as to allow hitch 10 to couple towing vehicle 27 to an imprecisely aligned trailer vehicle (not shown).

[0044] Tongue 14 has a clevis 36 at its second end 30 for coupling to a cooperating coupler (not shown) operatively secured to the trailer vehicle (not shown). Clevis 36 has a lower arm 38, an upper arm 40, supported by vertical arm support wall 42, and a hitch pin 44. As illustrated in Figure 6, hitch pin 44 is insertable through an aperture 46 in upper arm 40 and partially insertable into aperture 48 in lower arm 38. Clevis 36 further includes a release member 92, having its upper end 92a extending through aperture 93 above an upper surface 40a of upper arm 40, and its lower end 92b in contact with pin engaging member 94. End 92b is shaped to a size larger than aperture 93 so that release member 92 cannot be upwardly withdrawn from upper arm 40 through aperture 93. Pin engaging member 94 has a first end 94a and a second end 94b. First end 94a is in contact with spring 96 and release member 92. Pin engaging member 94 is disposed in shelves 98 and 100 within upper arm 40. Pin engaging member 94 has an aperture 99 intermediate to ends 94a and 94b to accommodate the insertion of hitch pin 44 therethrough. End 94b of pin engaging member 94 rests within shelf 100. A lower end of spring 96 is mounted into sunken portion 98a of shelf 98.

[0045] In operation, hitch pin 44 is normally in a raised position, illustrated in Figure 1, so that it is possible to position a corresponding ring (not shown) of a trailer vehicle (not shown) within clevis 36 (between arms 38 and 40) so that coupling can occur with the downward insertion of hitch pin 44 through the ring. Hitch pin 44 is maintained in its raised position by pin engaging member 94. Specifically, when pin engaging member 94 is in an angled position, as illustrated in Figure 6, there is frictional engagement between an inside edge of pin engaging member 94 (surrounding aperture 99) with the shaft of hitch pin 44 so that hitch pin 44 is maintained in its raised position. Grooves 102 assist in this frictional engagement. When a ring (not shown) is positioned in the clevis between arms 38 and 40, an operator can readily insert hitch pin 44 through the ring (not shown) by applying a downward force on hitch pin 44. This downward force will cause pin engaging member 94 to move to a substantially horizontal position, against the bias of spring 96, so that the shaft of hitch pin 44 frictionally disengages pin engaging member 94, allowing free vertical movement ofhitch pin 44. Once hitch pin 44 is inserted downwardly through the ring (not shown) and the downward force ceases, the bias of spring 96 causes pin engaging member 94 to return to its angled position of Figure 6, again frictionally engaging hitch pin 44 to maintain it in the lowered position. This prevents hitch pin 44 from inadvertently lifting so as to de-couple the trailer vehicle's coupling ring (not shown). Again, grooves 102 assist in the frictional engagement. When de-coupling is desired, the operator applies a downward force to the upper end 92a of release member 92 causing end 94a of pin engaging member 94 to move downwardly so that pin engaging member 94 moves to a substantially horizontal position so that the internal edge of pin engaging member 94 (surrounding aperture 99) frictionally disengages hitch pin 44, allowing vertical upward movement of hitch pin 44 for de-coupling.

[0046] Clevis 36 thus allows for the easy and safe coupling and decoupling of a ring or other coupling means on the trailer vehicle. Coupling is achieved in a straightforward motion by the application of downward force on hitch pin 44. However, clevis 36, and specifically pin engaging member 94, also increase the safety of the entire operation by loclang the ring (not shown) in place, thus minimizing the prospects that inadvertent de-coupling will take place at an inopportune time or place.

[0047] Hitch pin 44 is fitted with a sleeve 104 at its lower end, which in combination with flange 106 on upper arm 40, prevents the upward removal of hitch pin 44 from clevis 36. Flange 106 extends into aperture 46 to define a smaller radius than sleeve 104. Thus, vertical sliding of pin 44 in aperture 46 is possible, but complete removal of pin 44 is prevented. Flange 108 within aperture 48 of lower arm 38 acts in a similar manner to prevent hitch pin 44 from being lowered to a position below lower arm 38, where it would be vulnerable to inadvertent contact by extraneous objects.

[0048] Second end 30 of tongue 14 has attached on its underside a guide member 50. Guide member 50 may be welded (or otherwise fastened) to second end 30 or tongue 14 may be configured so that guide member 50 is integral with it. As illustrated in Figure 7, guide member 50 is "Y-shaped" and comprises rounded cam members 52, 54 which extend away from one another in a diverging relationship to define a central, rounded pocket 56, which generally faces towards tongue housing 12. An aperture 90 is located on tongue 14 in a location intermediate to first end 28 and second end 30, near to pocket 56.

[0049] Turning to Figures 4 and 7, bottom wall 18 of housing 12 comprises a "W-shaped" guide member 60, which in operation matingly receives guide member 50 upon retraction of tongue 14 within housing 12. To accommodate this mating reception, guide members 50 and 60 are coplanar with one another. Guide member 60 comprises rounded central cam member 62 and adjacent rounded pockets 64, 66, which generally face a direction away from tongue housing 12. Outside edges 68, 70 flare outwardly from pockets 64, 66, respectively. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, bottom wall 18 need not necessarily comprise guide member 60. Rather, these could be separate elements whereby bottom wall 18 is identical in shape to top wall 16 and guide member 60 was attached to the underside of that embodiment of bottom wall 18 (it will be understood that in such an arrangement, guide member 50 would be similarly modified so that it remained coplanar with guide member 60). However, bottom wall 18 and guide member 60 are described herein as one integral element.

[0050] Referring to Figures 1 and 5, lock pin housing 72 is attached on the upper surface oftop wall 16 of housing 12. Lock pin housing 72 comprises bevelled side walls 74, 76 and a top wall 78. The bevelled shape of side walls 74, 76 acts to deflect any inadvertent blows to hitch 10. Housing 72 houses lock pin 80, which is biased downwardly by spring 83. Spring 83 is coiled around a vertical shaft 84 of lock pin 80 and between top wall 78 and spring retaining member 82, maintained on shaft 84 by notch 85, which extends through shaft 84. Lock pin 80 is insertable through apertures 86, 88, 90 and 91, found respectively in top wall 78, top wall 16, tongue 14 and bottom wall 18 (see Figure 5). When lock pin 80 is inserted through aligned apertures 86, 88, 90 and 91, tongue 14 is "locked" in a fixed axial and lateral position relative to tongue housing 12.

[0051] Hitch 10 operates in the following manner. Towing vehicle 27, having hitch 10 attached to its rear end as described above and illustrated in Figure 14, is positioned near to the forward end of a trailer vehicle (not shown). At this time, tongue 14 is in its "locked" position of Figure 1 (i.e. guide members 50 and 60 are matingly received and lock pin 80 is inserted through apertures 86, 88, 90 and 91). In order to couple hitch 10 to the trailer vehicle (not shown), lock pin 80 is lifted upwardly against the bias of spring 83 and withdrawn from apertures 91 and 90, of bottom wall 18 and tongue 14, respectively. Lock pin 80 is not, however, removed from apertures 86 and 88. Tongue 14 is then extended from throat 23 and manually positioned so that clevis 3 6 can be coupled to a cooperating coupling means (not shown) provided on a trailer vehicle or alternatively on a draw bar (not shown) attached to the forward end of a trailer vehicle (not shown). This "unlocking" and coupling action is achieved in a straight-forward and timely manner, allowing hitch 10 to be used repeatedly and efficiently by an operator over a period of time. This simple, yet reliable action may be particularly advantageous for coupling an airport tractor to a freight cart, which is done repeatedly and continuously by airport employees during the course of a day.

[0052] Tongue 14 is capable of extension until trunnion 32 engages vertical wall 24 immediately surrounding slot 26. This defines the length of the axial extension of tongue 14. Lateral articulation of tongue 14 is possible to couple imprecisely aligned towing and trailer vehicles. Specifically, tongue 14 is freeto articulate laterally, subject onlyto the lateral constraints of side walls 20, 22 within throat 23, as soon as lock pin 80 is raised from apertures 91 and 90. Very little, if any, axial extension of tongue 14 is required for lateral articulation to be possible, thus permitting coupling of misaligned vehicles which are in very close proximity to one another. When tongue 14 is fully extended, trunnion 32 engages vertical wall 24 of housing 12 as described above and provides a point at which second end 30 of tongue 14 can pivot relative to first end 28. This is illustrated by arrow 7 and the phantom outline of tongue 14 and guide member 5 0 in Figure 7.

[0053] Whenever tongue 14 is not in its "locked position" of Figure 1, lock pin 80 will be downwardly biased by spring 82 so that it rides along the top surface 14a of tongue 14.

[0054] After tongue 14 is manually positioned (axially and/or laterally), clevis 36 can then be coupled to cooperating coupling means, such as a ring (not shown). As explained above, this is accomplished by inserting downward force on hitch pin 44 causing it to be inserted through the ring (not shown). Hitch pin 44 can be downwardly inserted from its position in Figure 1, through a ring member (not shown), until its lower end is at least partially within aperture 48. Pin engaging member 94, through the bias of spring 96, returns to its angled position of Figure 6, frictionally engaging hitch pin 44 and thus preventing any vertical movement of the hitch pin 44 which would allow the inadvertent de-coupling of the ring member (not shown). Grooves 102 assist in this "locking" of hitch pin 44.

[0055] Once this coupling takes place, the towing vehicle 27 is advanced in a forward direction. Very shortly thereafter, the brakes of the towing vehicle 27 are applied. As a result of applying the brakes, the forward inertia of the trailer vehicle (not shown) will cause tongue 14 to retract from an extended position and slide further into throat 23. If the towing and trailer vehicles are precisely aligned upon coupling, this retraction takes place in a simple manner until guide members 50 and 60 matingly engage and lock pin 80 falls through apertures 91 and 90 when aperture 90 becomes aligned with apertures 86, 88 and 91.

[0056] If, however, the towing and trailer vehicles are imprecisely aligned upon coupling, the smooth guided movement of tongue 14 into its locked position of Figure 2 is achieved through: (1) the interaction of guide members 50 and 60, and specifically, the mating reception of cam members 52, 54 and 62 and pockets 64, 66 and 56; and (2) the interaction of tongue 14 with side walls 20 and 22. Figures 7-10 illustrate this progression.

[0057] Turning to Figure 7, tongue 14 is illustrated in an extended, laterally misaligned position. The shape of throat 23 permits tongue 14 to be laterally articulated to a large degree, as illustrated in Figure 7, though it is possible to modify hitch 10 so that the articulation range can meet various operational requirements. This wide range of lateral articulation is advantageous because it permits hitch 10 to couple towing and trailer vehicles from misaligned positions that might not be possible with prior art hitches. Additionally, it permits the movement of tongue 14 to its locked position from any number of laterally misaligned positions.

[0058] Following coupling to the coupling means on a trailer vehicle (not shown), the forward inertia of the trailer vehicle (achieved as described above) causes tongue 14 to retract further into throat 23, as illustrated in Figure 8. During this retraction, an outer edge 54a of cam member 54 engages outside edge 70 of guide member 60. Continued retraction of tongue 14 into throat 23 pulls cam member 54 into engagement with pocket 66 of guide member 60 (see Figure 9). Guide member 50 then pivots about a rounded front portion 54b of cam member 54 and into alignment with guide member 60 as follows. Pocket 56 engages cam member 62 of guide member 60. Cam member 52 then falls into place, first upon the engagement of its inner edge 52c with cam member 62, and second, upon further retraction of tongue 14, by the engagement of a rounded front portion 52b with rounded pocket 64 of guide member 60. When cam members 52, 54 and 62 are fully received by pockets 64, 66 and 56, respectively, aperture 90 becomes fully aligned with apertures 86, 88 and 91, allowing lock pin 80 to be inserted therethrough by the downward bias of spring 83, thus moving hitch 10 to its "locked" position, illustrated in Figure 10. Hitch 10 is "locked" in that tongue 14 is fixed, laterally and longitudinally, relative to tongue housing 12. As illustrated in Figures 7-10, hitch 10 is thus self-aligning in that it operates to facilitate alignment of towing and trailer vehicles.

[0059] The progression of tongue 14 from its position in Figure 7 to its position in Figure 10 is achieved not only by the mating engagement of coplanar guide members 50 and 60, but also through the interaction of tongue 14 with side walls 20 and 22. Referring to Figure 7, the opposite side edges of tongue 14, upon retraction, are slidably engaged by a rear edge 20b of side wall 20 and a front edge 22c of side wall 22. The sliding engagement of tongue 14 within and into throat 23 helps with the smooth, guided movement of tongue 14 from its most laterally articulated position (Figure 7) into its locked, aligned and fully retracted position (Figure 10). It will be appreciated that tongue 14 may be slidably engaged by only one of side walls 20 and 22 from laterally misaligned positions between its lateral articulation range, illustrated in Figure 7.

[0060] Once tongue 14 moves into its locked position of Figure 10, the operator is thus free to move the towing vehicle-trailer vehicle train to its destination. The mating engagement of guide members 50 and 60, as well as the abutment of vertical arm support wall 42 with tongue housing 12 and lock pin housing 72, causes hitch 10 to have a sturdy construction in its locked position. This sturdy construction minimizes the possibility of damage occurring to hitch 10 upon any inadvertent collisions involving the towing or trailer vehicles when hitch 10 is in use.

[0061] It will be appreciated that the engagement of guide members 50 and 60 can occur in the opposite manner as described above. That is, the imprecise alignment of the vehicles may occur in such a manner that it is cam member 52 of guide member 50 which first engages pocket 64 of guide member 60 and then guide member 50 is pivoted until cam member 54 engages pocket 66. This would occur, for example, from the laterally misaligned position as shown in phantom outline in Figure 7. It will also be appreciated that tongue 14 can move from any number of laterally misaligned positions within the lateral articulation range of tongue 14 illustrated in Figure 7 to its locked position, depending upon the positions of the towing and trailer vehicles.

[0062] It will also be appreciated that the arrangement of hitch 10 helps to overcome the previously-discussed problems that prior art hitch assemblies may suffer from. The rounded edges of cam members 52, 54 and 62 and pockets 64, 66, 56, as well as the interaction oftongue 14 with side walls 20 and 22 in throat 23, allow for the smooth, guided transition of tongue 14 from an extended, misaligned position to its locked position. Because of this arrangement of hitch 10, it is not necessary to first align the vehicles before applying the brakes, as it is with some prior art hitches. Rather, the arrangement of hitch 10 allows for the self-alignment of tongue 14 with housing 12 upon the forward inertia of tongue 14 from any number of laterally misaligned positions. This is advantageous in situations where the operator is faced with limited room to operate, thus limiting the ability to move the towing vehicle-trailer vehicle train into aligned arrangement before locking the hitch.

[0063] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice ofthis invention. For example, clevis 36 could be replaced with a ring 110 or a ball 112, illustrated respectively in Figures 11 and 12, or any other suitable means for coupling hitch 10 to a trailer vehicle (not shown). Similarly, hitch 10 could be modified as illustrated in Figure 13 so that the attachment of housing 12 to the towing vehicle 27 could be accomplished by the engagement of square tubing portion 114 with corresponding square tubing portion 116, mounted on the underside of a towing vehicle (not shown). Pin 118 is insertable through apertures 114a and 116a on portions 114 and 116 to maintain portion 114 within portion 116, thus attaching hitch 10 to the towing vehicle 27. In the embodiment of the hitch illustrated in Figure 13, square tubing portion 114 would thus replace lock pin housing 72 from the previously discussed embodiment and would be attached to tongue housing 12 by means ofwelding or the like to a top surface 16a of top wall 16. Figure 15 illustrates this embodiment of the hitch in association with a towing vehicle 27. In Figure 15, clevis 36 has been replaced with ball 112.

[0064] Similarly, it is within the inventive scope herein to utilize hitch 10 not only on the rear of towing vehicle 27, but also on the rear of a trailer vehicle (not shown) where more than one trailer vehicle (not shown) will be pulled by the same towing vehicle. In theory, each trailer vehicle in a multiple trailer vehicle train could be fitted on its rear end with hitch 10 for coupling to a following trailing trailer.

[0065] Similarly, it is within the inventive scope of the invention to attach hitch 10 to the front of a trailer vehicle, rather than to a rear surface of towing vehicle 27. In such an embodiment, tongue 14 would thus extend (after pin 80 is unlocked) away from the trailer vehicle (not shown) and towards towing vehicle 27 for coupling to a coupler attached to the rear of towing vehicle 27. In such an embodiment, it would be guide member 60 which would matingly engage guide member 50 upon the forward inertia of the trailer vehicle (not shown), rather than the opposite as described above.

[0066] Similarly, it would also be possible to modify hitch 10 for use as an intermediate between vehicles having already-installed coupling means. That is, housing 12 could be fitted with a coupling means (not shown) for coupling to coupling means (not shown) attached to a rear end of a towing vehicle. Clevis 36 could then be used to couple to corresponding coupling means (not shown) at the front of a trailer vehicle (not shown) and the operation of hitch 10 would remain the same as described above, except that hitch 10 would be releasably coupled to both the towing vehicle and the trailer vehicle.

[0067] Similarly, it is within the inventive scope of the invention to modify the length of tongue 14, if the need arises.

[0068] The elements of hitch 10 are preferably constructed of a durable steel material, though it will be appreciated that this is not required for operation of hitch 10. Tongue housing 12 and clevis 36 have both been illustrated herein as being of a cast construction. Alternatively, these elements could be constructed of multiple layered, horizontal plates which are fastened (by bolting, welding or any other suitable means) together.

[0069] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the clevis of the invention could be attached directly to a vehicle, apart from hitch 10 as described, for use in coupling other vehicles. This embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 16.

[0070] Hitch 120 is comprised of clevis 136, which is identical in structure and operation to clevis 36 described above and illustrated in Figures 1-3, 6, 13 and 14 except that clevis upper arm 140 is illustrated as being constructed from horizontal plates 140a, 140b and 140c. Plate 140a is integral with vertical arm support wall 142. Plates 140a, 140b and 140c are fastened together by any suitable means (such as welding or bolts). Upper arm 140 could also be of a cast construction, as illustrated for upper arm 40 of clevis 36 in Figure 6.

[0071] Hitch 120 also comprises wall 146, attached to forward portions of upper arm 140, lower arm 138 and vertical arm support wall 142. Wall 146 may be conveniently be bolted (through apertures 148 and 149) to an airport freight vehicle 150, as illustrated in Figure 20, an airport pallet or container carrier 152, as illustrated in Figure 19, or to any other towing or trailer vehicle. Wall 146 could alternatively be attached by welding to the towing or trailer vehicle.

[0072] Figures 17 and 18 illustrate prior art "E" type hitches, which are in common use on airport carts and carriers. Some "E" type hitches, such as hitch 160 illustrated in Figure 17, do not include any mechanism to lock the hitch pin in a lowered position, other than the bias of a spring 162 (when notch 164 is rotated to disengage locking member 166, and the hitch pin is lowered). This is disadvantageous since inadvertent de-coupling can occur if the spring malfunctions and the hitch pin rises, allowing the trailer vehicle's coupling means to be released from hitch 160. Other "E" type.hitches, such as hitch 170, illustrated in Figure 18, include a slotted spring plate 172 that prevents upward or downward movement of the hitch pin from its lowered or raised positions, respectively, unless slot 174 is aligned with locking member 176. The "E" hitch illustrated in Figure 18 is, however, disadvantageous because the unlocking of the hitch can be difficult when the operator is in a hurry. Slot 174 can easily become misaligned relative to locking member 176 so that the operator will be forced to see or manually feel for the alignment of slot 174 and locking member 176, something which may be difficult in dark conditions or inclement weather. Further, "E" type hitches often have a "high" profile so that when used on airport freight vehicles they can interfere with the loading and unloading of the freight vehicles when the hitch pin is inadvertently left in its raised position.

[0073] Hitch 120 overcomes these disadvantages by providing a low profile, easy to manufacture hitch which automatically locks its hitch pin in both its lowered and raised positions, thus increasing the safety of the entire operation. Hitch 120 is also easy and quick to operate.

[0074] Figures 21 and 22 illustrate a hitch 210 having an alternative embodiment of the bottom wall described above and illustrated in Figures 4 and 7-10.

[0075] In contrast to bottom wall 18 (of hitch 10), hitch 210 differs in that bottom wall 218 includes a rounded pocked 219 and two edges 221, 223 adjacent thereto which flare outwardly from one another in a diverging relationship. Rounded pocket 219 faces a direction opposite ofrounded pockets 264, 266 and is located opposite of rounded central cam member 262. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the recess in bottom wall 218 forming rounded pocket 219 results in a different shape for the slot (not shown) of vertical wall 224, as compared to slot 26 defined in vertical wall 24 of hitch 10.

[0076] As illustrated in Figure 21, first end 228 of tongue 214 is capable of being extended into tongue housing 212 when tongue 214 is fully extended. This differs from hitch 10 where first end 28 of tongue 14 is not capable of being extended into tongue housing 12 due to the engagement of trunnion 32 against vertical wall 24 (see Figure 7). To accommodate this extension for hitch 210, trunnion 232 on tongue 214 extends only vertically below tongue 214 and does not extend vertically above tongue 214 as trunnion 32 does above tongue 14 with hitch 10. As a result, tongue 214 is capable of being extended until trunnion 232 engages rounded pocket 219, as illustrated in Figure 21, thus providing additional extension of tongue 214 in comparison to tongue 14 of hitch 10 (see Figure 7). Tongue 214 is prevented from being removed from the throat of hitch 210 by the engagement of trunnion 232 and rounded pocket 219. Rounded pocket 219 also provides a pivot point for tongue 214 to articulate from when tongue 214 is fully extended and hitch 210 is used to couple two laterally misaligned vehicles.

[0077] Bottom wall 218 of hitch 210 does not have an aperture corresponding to aperture 91 in bottom wall 18 of hitch 10. Rounded pocket 219 is aligned with apertures (not shown) in top wall 216 (corresponding to aperture 88 in top wall 16 of hitch 10) and in the top wall of the lock pin housing (corresponding to aperture 86 in top wall 76 of lock pin housing 72 of hitch 10). A lock pin 280 (corresponding to lock pin 80 of hitch 10) locks tongue 214 into the fully retracted, locked position of Figure 22 upon the alignment of the aperture 290 in tongue 214 (corresponding to aperture 90 in tongue 14) and the apertures in top wall 216 and the top wall of the lock pin housing (not shown).

[0078] Hitch 210 is otherwise identical to hitch 10 in terms of structure and operation.

[0079] Figures 23 and 24 illustrate a hitch 310 having an alternative embodiment of the tongue housing described above and illustrated in Figure 1. Tongue housing 312 allows hitch 310 to be attached to a towing (or trailer) vehicle without the tongue 314 being inserted through (as in Figure 14) or underneath the rear surface of the vehicle. Tongue housing 312 has been modified to accommodate the entire retraction range of tongue 314 therein.

[0080] Tongue housing 312 includes a top wall 316, a bottom wall 318, two spaced apart side walls 320, 322 and a vertical wall 324.

[0081] Bottom wall 318, as illustrated in Figure 24, is configured like bottom wall 218 (in that it includes a rounded pocket 319 like rounded pocket 219) except that the outward side edges 318a and 318b flare outwardly in a diverging relationship. It will be appreciated that bottom wall 318 could alternatively be configured similar to bottom wall 18 (i.e. not including a rounded pocket 319), rather than bottom wall 218.

[0082] Side walls 320, 322 are identical to side walls 20, 22 of hitch 10 with the similar exception that the outward side edges thereof flare outwardly in a diverging relationship similar to outside edges 318a and 318b of bottom wall 318.

[0083] Top wall 316 differs from top wall 16 in that it extends a length greater than the length of tongue 214, until it attaches to vertically-extending wall 324. That is, top wall 316 extends beyond first end 328 of tongue 314 when tongue 314 is in its locked position, as illustrated in Figure 24. The outward side edges of top wall 316 flare away from one another in a diverging relationship like bottom wall 318 and side walls 320,322. Lower side walls 325, 327 are attached at the lower, forward edges of top wall 316 and extend downwardly to the depth of bottom wall 318. Tongue housing 312 is thus fan-shaped (in that forward end 312a of tongue housing 312 is wider than rear end 312b) and defines an interior cavity between side walls 325, 327 to accommodate the retraction of tongue 314 from laterally misaligned positions.

[0084] Tongue housing 312 does not include a vertical wall similar to vertical wall 24 as in hitch 10.

[0085] Lock pin housing 372 is not illustrated in Figure 23 with bevelled side walls (as with housing 72 of hitch 10), though it will be appreciated that such a modification could readily be made.

[0086] Tongue housing 312 may also include a bracket 329 for storage of a chain.

[0087] Tongue housing 312 is attached to a vertical surface of a towing (or trailer) vehicle by attaching vertical wall 324 thereto by welding, or any other suitable fastening means (e.g. bolting, e2c.). The full range of motion of first end 328 of tongue 314 is thus within tongue housing 312 and it is not necessary to insert tongue 314 through or underneath the rear wall of the vehicle.

[0088] Otherwise, hitch 310 is identical in operation to hitch 10 and hitch 210 as described above.

[0089] Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A hitch (10; 210; 310) for coupling a first vehicle (27) to a second vehicle, said hitch (10; 210; 310) comprising:

a tongue housing (12; 212; 312) for attaching to said first vehicle (27), said tongue housing (12; 212; 312) having a forward end (12a; 312a) and a rear end (312b), said tongue housing (12; 212; 312) comprising a top wall (16; 216; 316), a bottom wall (18; 218; 318) spaced apart from said top wall (16; 216; 316) by two spaced apart side walls (20, 22; 320, 322) disposed therebetween, said top, bottom and side walls (16, 18, 20, 22; 216, 218; 316, 318, 320, 322) defining a throat (23), said throat (23) having an open first end and an open second end;

a tongue (14; 214; 314) having a first end (28; 228; 328) and a second end (30), said tongue (14; 214; 314) being extendable and retractable within said throat (23), said tongue (14; 214; 314) having a width narrower than the distance between said two spaced apart side walls (20,22; 320, 322) of said tongue housing (12; 212; 312);

retaining means (32; 232) for preventing said tongue (14; 214: 314) from being removed from said throat (23);

a coupler (36; 110; 112; 336) attached to said second end (30) of said tongue (14; 214; 314); and

lock means (80, 88, 90; 280, 290) for locking said tongue (14; 214; 314) in a fixed position relative to said tongue housing (12; 212; 312);

wherein said tongue (14; 214; 314) is capable of lateral articulation when said tongue (14; 214; 314) is not locked in said fixed position;
characterized by
a first guide member (60) attached to said housing (12; 212; 312), comprising a first cam member (62; 262) and a first pocket (64; 264) and a second pocket (66; 266), said first and second pockets (64, 66; 264, 266) being located on either side of said first cam member (62; 262); and
a second guide member (50), coplanar with said first guide member (60) and attached to said second end (30) of said tongue (14; 214; 314), said second guide member (50) comprising a second cam member (52), a third cam member (54) and a third pocket (56) located between said second and third cam members (52, 54);
wherein said first and second guide members (60, 50) become matingly engaged upon retraction of said tongue (14; 214; 314) within said throat (23) and wherein said first and second guide members (60, 50) cooperate to align said tongue (14; 214; 314) with said first and second vehicles by the mating engagement of said first cam member (62; 262) with said third pocket (56) and said second and third cam members (52, 54) with said first and second pockets (64, 66); and
wherein said lock means (80, 88, 90; 280, 290) is adapted to lock said tongue (14; 214: 314) in a fixed position relative to said tongue housing (12; 212; 312) upon full engagement of said first and second guide members (60, 50).

2. The hitch (10; 210; 310) of claim 1 wherein said cam members (62, 52, 54; 262) and said pockets (64, 66, 56; 264, 266) are rounded.

3. The hitch (10; 210; 310) of claim 1 wherein said bottom wall (18; 218; 318) is said first guide member (60).

4. The hitch (10; 210; 310) of claim 1 wherein said side walls (20, 22; 320, 322) are centrally rounded to define a generally hourglass shaped throat (23) between said top and bottom walls (16, 18; 216, 218; 316, 318).

5. The hitch (10; 210: 310) of claim.1 wherein said top wall (16; 216; 316) of said tongue housing (12; 212; 312) defines a top wall aperture (88) therethrough and wherein said tongue (14; 214; 314) defines a tongue aperture (90; 290) therethrough in a location intermediate to said first and second ends (28, 30; 228; 328) of said tongue (14; 214; 314), said top wall aperture (88) and said tongue aperture (90; 290) being aligned upon full engagement of said first and second guide members (60, 50), and wherein said lock means (80, 88, 90; 280, 290) is a lock pin (80; 280) insertable through said top wall aperture (88) and said tongue aperture (90; 290).

6. The hitch (10) of claim 5 wherein said bottom wall (18) defines a bottom wall aperture (91) therethrough for insertion of said lock pin (80), said bottom wall aperture (91) being aligned with said top wall aperture (88).

7. The hitch (10) of claim 6 further comprising means (83) for biasing said lock pin (80) towards insertion into said top wall aperture (88), said tongue aperture (90) and said bottom wall aperture (91).

8. The hitch (10) of claim 7 wherein said means (83) for biasing said lock pin (80) towards insertion into said top wall aperture (88), said tongue aperture (90) and said bottom wall aperture (91) is a first spring (83) on said lock pin (80), said first spring (83) mounted between a top wall (78) of a lock pin housing (72) attached to said top wall (16) of said tongue housing (12) and a spring retaining member (82) mounted on an intermediate portion of said lock pin (80), said top wall (78) of said lock pin housing (72) further comprising a lock pin housing aperture (86) for insertion of said lock pin (80), said lock pin housing aperture (86) being aligned with said top wall aperture (88) and said bottom wall aperture (91) and wherein said tongue aperture (90) becomes aligned with said top wall aperture (88), said bottom wall aperture (91) and said lock pin housing aperture (86) upon full engagement of said first and second guide members (60, 50).

9. The hitch (10) of claim 8 wherein said lock pin housing (72) further comprises opposed, bevelled side walls (74, 76).

10. The hitch (10; 210; 310) of claim 1 wherein said coupler (36; 110; 112; 336) is selected from the group consisting of a clevis (36; 336), a ring (110) and a ball (112).

11. The hitch (10; 210; 310) of claim 1 wherein said coupler (36; 336) is a devis (36; 336) comprising:

an upper arm (40), said upper arm (40) defining a first upper arm aperture (46) therethrough;

a lower arm (38), said upper and lower arms (40, 38) being spaced apart by a vertical arm support wall (42), wherein said upper and lower arms (40, 38) define an opening facing away from said first vehicle (27) for the insertion therein of a coupling means of said second vehicle;

a hitch pin (44) insertable through said first upper arm aperture (46), said hitch pin (44) being movable between a first, raised position and a second, lowered position, said hitch (10; 210; 310) being capable of receiving said coupling means of said second vehide when said hitch pin (44) is in said first, raised position;

a release member (92) extending above an upper surface (40a) of said upper arm (40) and through a second upper arm aperture (93) defined in said upper arm (40);

a hitch pin engaging member (94) housed between a first shelf (98) and a second shelf (100) within said upper arm (40), said first shelf (98) and said second shelf (100) being on either side of said first upper arm aperture (46), said hitch pin engaging member (94) defining a hitch pin engaging member aperture (99) therethrough for accommodating the insertion of said hitch pin (44), a lower end (92b) of said release member (92) contacting a first end (94a) of said hitch pin engaging member (94);

a second spring (96) mounted within said first shelf (98), said second spring (96) contacting said first end (94a) of said hitch pin engaging member (94),

wherein the bias of said second spring (96) maintains said hitch pin engaging member (94) in an angled position to frictionally engage said hitch pin (44); and
wherein application of downward force upon said release member (92) causes said hitch pin engaging member (94) to move to a substantially horizontal position against the bias of said second spring (96) and frictionally disengage said hitch pin (44) to permit upward vertical movement of said hitch pin (44) within said first upper arm aperture (46) and said hitch pin engaging member aperture (99).

12. The hitch (10; 210; 310) of claim 11 wherein said vertical arm support wall (42) abuts said tongue housing (12; 212; 312) upon full engagement of said first and second guide members (60, 50).

13. The hitch (10; 210; 310) of claim 11 wherein movement of said hitch pin (44) from said first, raised position to said second, lowered position is achieved through the application of downward force upon said hitch pin (44) and wherein movement of said hitch pin (44) from said second, lowered position to said first, raised position is achieved by lifting said hitch pin (44) after said pin engaging member (94) is frictionally disengaged from said hitch pin (44) through the application of downward force upon said release member (92), causing said hitch pin engaging member (94) to move to said substantially horizontal position.

14. The hitch (10; 210; 310) of claim 11 wherein said hitch pin (44) further comprises a sleeve (104) at its lower end and wherein said upper arm (40) further comprises a flange (106) extending into said first upper arm aperture (46) to define a radius smaller than the radius of said sleeve (104), so that said hitch pin (44) cannot be fully withdrawn from said first upper arm aperture (46), and wherein said lower arm (38) defines a lower arm aperture (48), said lower arm aperture (48) being aligned with said first upper arm aperture (46), and wherein said lower arm (38) further comprises a flange (108) extending into said lower arm aperture (48) to define a radius smaller than the radius of said sleeve (104) so that said lower end of said hitch pin (44) cannot extend through said lower arm (38) of said clevis (36; 336).

15. The hitch (10; 210) of claim 1 further comprising a vertical wall (24; 224) substantially enclosing a forward end (12a) of said tongue housing (12; 212) and defining a slot (26) therein, said slot (26) having a width of at least the distance between said spaced apart side walls (20, 22) of said tongue housing (12; 212) and having a height of at least the thickness of said tongue (14: 214).

16. The hitch (10) of claim 15 wherein said retaining means (32) for preventing said tongue (14) from being removed from said throat (23) comprises a trunnion (32) extending through said tongue (14) at a location proximal to said first end (28) of said tongue (14), said trunnion (32) having a height greater than the height of said slot (26) in said vertical wall (24).

17. The hitch (10; 210; 310) of claim 1 wherein said tongue housing (12) further comprises a vertical wall (24; 224; 324) for attaching said forward end (12a: 312a) of said tongue housing (12; 212; 312) to said first vehicle (27), said vertical wall (24; 224; 324) being attached to and extending substantially perpendicular to said top wall (16; 216; 316) of said tongue housing (12; 212; 312).

18. The hitch (310) of claim 17 wherein the length of said top wall (316) extends beyond the first end (328) of said tongue (314) when said tongue (314) is in said fixed position.

19. The hitch (310) of claim 18 wherein said tongue housing (312) further comprises a third side wall (325) and a fourth side wall (327), said third and fourth side walls (325. 327) attached to and extending downwardly from the two opposite forward side edges of said top wall (316).

20. The hitch (310) of claim 19 wherein said tongue housing (312) is wider at its forward end (312a) than at its rear end (312b).

21. The hitch (10; 210; 310) of claim 1 further comprising a first square tubing portion (114) attached to and extending from said tongue housing (12; 212; 312) towards said first vehicle (27), said first square tubing portion (114) having means (114a) for attaching said first square tubing portion (914) to a cooperating second square tubing portion (116) attached to and extending from said first vehicle (27).

22. The hitch (10; 210; 310) of claim 2 wherein said second guide member (50) pivots about either of said first pocket (64; 264) or said second pocket (66; 266) upon the retraction of said tongue (14; 214; 314) from a laterally misaligned position.

23. The hitch (210; 310) of claim 1 wherein said bottom wall (218; 318) further comprises a fourth pocket (219; 319) positioned opposite of said first cam member (262).

24. The hitch (210; 310) of claim 23 wherein said retaining means (232) for preventing said tongue (214; 314) from being removed from said throat (23) comprises a trunnion (232) attached to and extending below said tongue (214; 314) at a location proximal to said first end (228; 328) of said tongue (214; 314), wherein said trunnion (232) engages said fourth pocket (219; 319) upon full extension of said tongue (214; 314).

25. The hitch (210; 310) of claim 24 wherein said cam members (262, 52, 54) and said pockets (264, 266, 56, 219; 319) are rounded.

26. The hitch (210; 310) of claim 24 wherein said bottom wall (218; 318) is said first guide member (60).

27. The hitch (210; 310) of claim 24 wherein said side walls (20. 22; 320, 322) are centrally rounded to define a generally hourglass shaped throat (23) between said top and bottom walls (216, 218; 316, 318).

28. The hitch (210; 310) of claim 24 wherein said top wall (216; 316) of said tongue housing (212; 312) defines a top wall aperture (88) therethrough, and wherein said tongue (214; 314) defines a tongue aperture (290; 90) therethrough in a location intermediate to said first and second ends (228, 30; 328) of said tongue (214; 314), said top wall aperture (88) and said tongue aperture (290; 90) being aligned upon full engagement of said first and second guide members (60, 50), and wherein said lock means (80; 88, 90; 280, 290) is a lock pin (280; 80) insertable through said top wall aperture (88) and said tongue aperture (290; 90).

29. The hitch (210; 310) of claim 28 further comprising means (83) for biasing said lock pin (280; 80) towards insertion into said top wall aperture (88) and said tongue aperture (290; 90).

30. The hitch (210; 310) of claim 29 wherein said means (83) for biasing said lock pin (280; 80) towards insertion into said top wall aperture (88) and said tongue aperture (290; 90) is a first spring (83) on said lock pin (280; 80), said first spring (83) mounted between a top wall (78) of a lock pin housing (72; 372) attached to said top wall (216; 316) of said tongue housing (212: 312) and a spring retaining member (82) mounted on an intermediate portion of said lock pin (280; 80), said top wall (78) of said lock pin housing (72; 372) further comprising a lock pin housing aperture (86) for insertion of said lock pin (280; 80), said lock pin housing aperture (86) being aligned with said top wall aperture (88) and wherein said tongue aperture (290; 90) becomes aligned with said top wall aperture (88) and said lock pin housing aperture (86) upon full engagement of said first and second guide members (60, 50).

31. The hitch (210; 310) of claim 30 wherein said lock pin housing (72) further comprises opposed, bevelled side walls (74, 76).

32. The hitch (210; 310) of claim 24 wherein said coupler (36; 110; 112; 336) is selected from the group consisting of a clevis (36; 336), a ring (110) and a ball (112).

33. The hitch (210; 310) of claim 24 wherein said coupler (36; 336) is a clevis (36; 336) comprising:

an upper arm (40), said upper arm (40) defining a first upper arm aperture (46) therethrough;

a lower arm (38), said upper and lower arms (40, 38) being spaced apart by a vertical arm support wall (42), wherein said upper and lower arms (40, 38) define an opening facing away from said first vehicle (27) for the insertion therein of a coupling means of said second vehicle;

a hitch pin (44) insertable through said first upper arm aperture (46), said hitch pin (44) being movable between a first, raised position and a second, lowered position, said hitch (210; 310) being capable of receiving said coupling means of said second vehicle when said hitch pin (44) is in said first, raised position;

a release member (92) extending above an upper surface (40a) of said upper arm (40) and through a second upper arm aperture (93) defined in said upper arm (40):

a hitch pin engaging member (94) housed between a first shelf (98) and a second shelf (100) within said upper arm (40), said first shelf (98) and said second shelf (100) being on either side of said first upper arm aperture (46), said hitch pin engaging member (94) defining a hitch pin engaging member aperture (99) therethrough for accommodating the insertion of said hitch pin (44), a lower end (92b) of said release member (92) contacting a first end (94a) of said hitch pin engaging member (94); and

a second spring (96) mounted within said first shelf (98), said second spring (96) contacting said first end (94a) of said hitch pin engaging member (94), wherein the bias of said second spring (96) maintains said hitch pin engaging member (94) in an angled position to frictionally engage said hitch pin (44);

wherein application of downward force upon said release member (92) causes said hitch pin engaging member (94) to move to a substantially horizontal position against the bias of said second spring (96) and frictionally disengage said hitch pin (44) to permit upward vertical movement of said hitch pin (44) within said first upper arm aperture (46) and said hitch pin engaging member aperture (99).

34. The hitch (210; 310) of claim 33 wherein said vertical arm support wall (42) abuts said tongue housing (212; 312) upon full engagement of said first and second guide members (60, 50).

35. The hitch (210; 310) of claim 33 wherein movement of said hitch pin (44) from said first, raised position to said second, lowered position is achieved through the application of downward force upon said hitch pin (44) and wherein movement of said hitch pin (44) from said second, lowered position to said first, raised position is achieved by lifting said hitch pin (44) after said pin engaging member (94) is frictionally disengaged from said hitch pin (44) through the application of downward force upon said release member (92), causing said hitch pin engaging member (94) to move to said substantially horizontal position.

36. The hitch (210; 310) of claim 33 wherein said hitch pin (44) further comprises a sleeve (104) at its lower end and wherein said upper arm (40) further comprises a flange (106) extending into said first upper arm aperture (46) to define a radius smaller than the radius of said sleeve (104), so that said hitch pin (44) cannot be fully withdrawn from said first upper arm aperture (46), and wherein said lower arm (38) defines a lower arm aperture (48), said lower arm aperture (48) being aligned with said first upper arm aperture (46) and said lower arm (38) further comprises a flange (108) extending into said lower arm aperture (48) to define a radius smaller than the radius of said sleeve (104) so that said lower end of said hitch pin (44) cannot extend through said lower arm (38) of said clevis (36; 336).

37. The hitch (210; 310) of claim 24 further comprising a first square tubing portion (114) attached to and extending from said tongue housing (212; 312) towards said first vehicle (27), said first square tubing portion (114) having means (114a) for attaching said first square tubing portion (114) to a cooperating second square tubing portion (116) attached to and extending from said first vehicle (27).

38. The hitch (210; 310) of claim 24 wherein said tongue housing (212; 312) further comprises a vertical wall (224; 324) for attaching said forward end (12a; 312a) of said tongue housing (212; 312) to said first vehicle (27), said vertical wall (24; 224) being attached to and extending substantially perpendicular to said top wall (216: 316) of said tongue housing (212; 312).

39. The hitch (310) of claim 38 wherein the length of said top wall (316) extends beyond the first end (328) of said tongue (314) when said tongue (314) is in said fixed position.

40. The hitch (310) of claim 39 wherein said tongue housing (312) further comprises a third side wall (325) and a fourth side wall (327), said third and fourth side walls (325, 237) being attached to and extending downwardly from the two opposite forward side edges of said top wall (316).

41. The hitch (310) of claim 40 wherein said tongue housing (312) is wider at its forward end (312a) than at its rear end (312b).

42. A hitch (10; 210; 310) capable of coupling a first vehicle (27) to a laterally misaligned second vehicle, said hitch (10; 210; 310) comprising:

a tongue housing (12; 212; 312) for attaching to said first vehicle (27), said tongue housing (12; 212; 312) comprising two spaced apart side walls (20, 22: 320, 322).defining a throat (23);

a tongue (14; 214; 314) having a first end (28; 228; 328) and a second end (30), said tongue (14; 214; 314) being extendable and retractable within said throat (23), said tongue (14; 214; 314) having a width narrower than the distance between said two spaced apart side walls (20, 22; 320, 322) of said tongue housing (12; 212; 312); and

a coupler (36; 110: 112; 336) attached to said second end (30) of said tongue (14; 214; 314);

characterized by
a first guide member (60) attached to said housing (12; 212; 312), comprising a first cam member (62; 262) and a first pocket (64; 264) and a second pocket (66; 266), said first and second pockets (64, 66; 264, 266) being located on either side of said first cam member (62; 262); and
a second guide member (50), coplanar with said first guide member (60) and attached to said second end (30) of said tongue (14; 214; 314), said second guide member (50) comprising a second cam member (52), a third cam member (54) and a third pocket (56) located between said second and third cam members (52, 54);
wherein said first and second guide members (60, 50) become matingly engaged in an aligned, locked position upon the full retraction of said tongue (14; 214; 314) within said throat (23) from a laterally misaligned position; and
wherein said tongue (14; 214; 314) is guided from said laterally misaligned position into said aligned, locked position through the combination of the mating engagement of said first cam member (62) with said third pocket (56) and said second and third cam members (52, 54) with said first and second pockets (64, 66), and the guided retraction of said tongue (14; 214; 314) along at least one of said side walls (20, 22; 320, 322) of said tongue housing (12; 212; 312).

43. The hitch (310) of claim 1 or 2 wherein
said side walls (320, 322) of said tongue housing (312) are centrally rounded, said tongue housing (312) further comprises a vertical wall (324) for attaching said forward end (312a) of said tongue housing (312) to said first vehicle (27), said vertical wall (324) being attached to and extending substantially perpendicular to said top wall (316) of said tongue housing (312), said throat (23) is generally hourglass shaped, and said top wall (316) defines a top wall aperture (88) therethrough;
said tongue (314) defines a tongue aperture (90) therethrough in a position intermediate to said first and second ends (328, 30) of said tongue (314);
said bottom wall (318) comprises a first guide member (60), said first guide member (60) further comprises:

a fourth rounded pocket (319) positioned opposite of said first rounded cam member (262);

a trunnion (232) is attached to and extends below said tongue (314) at a location proximal to said first end (328) of said tongue (314), wherein said trunnion (232) engages said fourth pocket upon full extension of said tongue (314);

said second guide member (50) is matingly received by said first guide member (60) upon retraction of said tongue (314) within said throat (23), said cam members (262, 52, 54) and said pockets (264, 266, 56, 319) are rounded;
a lock pin housing (72) is attached to said top wall (316) of said tongue housing (312), said lock pin housing (72) comprising a top wall (78) and two opposed side walls (74, 76), said top wall (78) of said lock pin housing (72) defining a lock pin housing aperture (86) therethrough, said lock pin housing aperture (86) being aligned with a top wall aperture (88);
a lock pin (80) is insertable through said top wall aperture (88), said tongue aperture (90) and said lock pin housing aperture (86);
a spring (83) is mounted on said lock pin (80) between said top wall (78) of said lock pin housing (72) and a spring retaining member (82) mounted on an intermediate portion of said lock pin (80), said spring (83) biasing said lock pin (80) towards insertion into said top wall aperture (88), said tongue aperture (90) and said lock pin housing aperture (86);
when said top wall aperture (88), said tongue aperture (90) and said lock pin housing aperture (86) become aligned upon full reception of said second guide member (50) by said first guide member (60) said lock pin (80) is inserted into said top wall aperture (88), said tongue aperture (90) and said lock pin housing aperture (86) to lock said tongue (314) in a fixed position relative to said housing (312); and
the length of the top wall (316) of said tongue housing (312) extends beyond the first end (328) of said tongue (314) when said tongue (314) is in said fixed position.

Ansprüche

1. Anhängerkupplung (10; 210; 310) zum Ankoppeln eines ersten Fahrzeuges (27) an ein zweites Fahrzeug, wobei die Anhängerkupplung (10; 210; 310) aufweist
ein Zugstangengehäuse (12; 212; 312) zur Befestigung am ersten Fahrzeug (27), wobei das Zugstangengehäuse (12; 212; 312) ein vorderes Ende (12a; 312a) und ein rückwärtiges Ende (312b) besitzt und das Zugstangengehäuse (12; 212; 312) eine obere Wand (16; 216; 316) und eine Bodenwand (18; 218; 318), die durch zwei voneinander beabstandete, zwischen diesen angeordnete Seitenwände (20, 22; 320, 322) von der oberen Wand (16; 216; 316) beabstandet ist, aufweist, wobei die obere Wand, die Bodenwand und die Seitenwände (16, 18, 20, 22; 216, 218; 316, 318, 320, 322) eine verengte Aussparung (23) bilden, wobei die Aussparung (23) ein offenes erstes Ende und ein offenes zweites Ende besitzt;
eine Zugstange (14; 214; 314) mit einem ersten Ende (28; 228; 328) und einem zweiten Ende (30), wobei die Zugstange (14; 214; 314) innerhalb der Aussparung (23) ausziehbar und zurückziehbar ist und die Zugstange (14; 214; 314) eine schmalere Breite als der Abstand zwischen den zwei voneinander beabstandeten Seitenwänden (20, 22; 320, 322) des Zugstangengehäuses (12; 212; 312) besitzt;
eine Halteeinrichtung (32; 232), die ein Entfernen der Zugstange (14; 214; 314) aus der Aussparung (23) verhindert;
eine am zweiten Ende (30) der Zugstange (14; 214; 314) befestigte Kupplung (36; 110; 112; 336) ; und
eine Verriegelungseinrichtung (80, 88, 90; 280, 290) zur Verriegelung der Zugstange (14; 214; 314) in einer fixierten Stellung gegenüber dem Zugstangengehäuse (12; 212; 312);
wobei die Zugstange (14; 214; 314) zu einer seitlichen gelenkigen Verbindung in der Lage ist, wenn die Zugstange (14; 214; 314) in der fixierten Stellung nicht verriegelt ist;
gekennzeichnet durch
ein am Gehäuse (12; 212; 312) befestigtes erstes Führungselement (60), das ein erstes Nockenelement (62; 262), eine erste Vertiefung (64; 264) und eine zweite Vertiefung (66; 266) aufweist, wobei die ersten und zweiten Vertiefungen (64, 66; 264, 266) zu beiden Seiten des ersten Nockenelementes (62; 262) angeordnet sind, und
ein koplanar zum ersten Führungselement (60) ausgerichtetes und am zweiten Ende (30) der Zugstange (14; 214; 314) befestigtes zweites Führungselement (50), wobei das zweite Führungselement (50) ein zweites Nockenelement (52), ein drittes Nockenelement (54) und eine zwischen den zweiten und dritten Nockenelementen (52, 54) angeordnete dritte Vertiefung (56) aufweist;
wobei die ersten und zweiten Führungselemente (60, 50) beim Zurückziehen der Zugstange (14; 214; 314) innerhalb der Aussparung (23) in passenden Eingriff miteinander gelangen und wobei die ersten und zweiten Führungselemente (60, 50) zusammenwirken, um die Zugstange (14; 214; 314) zu den ersten und zweiten Fahrzeugen auszurichten, und zwar durch passenden Eingriff des ersten Nockenelementes (62; 262) mit der dritten Vertiefung (56) und der zweiten und dritten Nockenelemente (52, 54) mit den ersten und zweiten Vertiefungen (64, 66); und
wobei die Verriegelungseinrichtung (80, 88, 90; 280, 290) ausgebildet ist, um die Zugstange (14; 214; 314) in einer fixierten Stellung gegenüber dem Zugstangengehäuse (12; 212; 312) bei vollständigem Eingriff der ersten und zweiten Führungselemente (60, 50) miteinander zu verriegeln.

2. Anhängerkupplung (10; 210; 310) nach Anspruch 1, bei welcher die Nockenelemente (62, 52, 54; 262) und die Vertiefungen (64, 66, 56; 264, 266) abgerundet sind.

3. Anhängerkupplung (10; 210; 310) nach Anspruch 1, bei welcher die Bodenwand (18; 218; 318) das erste Führungselement (60) bildet.

4. Anhängerkupplung (10; 210; 310) nach Anspruch 1, bei welcher die Seitenwände (20, 22; 320, 322) in ihrem mittleren Abschnitt abgerundet sind, um eine im wesentlichen sanduhrförmige Aussparung (23) zwischen der oberen Wand und der Bodenwand (16, 18; 216, 218; 316, 318) zu bilden.

5. Anhängerkupplung (10; 210; 310) nach Anspruch 1, bei welcher die obere Wand (16; 216; 316) des Zugstangengehäuses (12; 212; 312) eine Öffnung (88) in der oberen Wand durch diese hindurch bildet und bei welcher die Zugstange (14; 214; 314) eine Zugstangenöffnung (90; 290) durch diese hindurch an einer Stelle zwischen den ersten und zweiten Enden (28, 30; 228; 328) der Zugstange (14; 214; 314) aufweist, wobei die Öffnung (88) der oberen Wand und die Zugstangenöffnung (90; 290) bei vollständigem Eingriff der ersten und zweiten Führungselemente (60, 50) miteinander zueinander ausgerichtet sind; und bei welcher die Verriegelungseinrichtung (80, 88, 90; 280, 290) einen durch die Öffnung (88) in der oberen Wand und die Zugstangenöffnung (90; 290) einsetzbaren Verriegelungsstift (80; 280) bildet.

6. Anhängerkupplung (10) nach Anspruch 5, bei welcher die Bodenwand (18) eine Bodenwandöffnung (91) durch diese hindurch zum Einsetzen des Verriegelungsstiftes (80) bildet, wobei die Bodenwandöffnung (91) zur Öffnung (88) in der oberen Wand ausgerichtet ist.

7. Anhängerkupplung (10) nach Anspruch 6, ferner mit einer Einrichtung (83) zum Vorspannen des Verriegelungsstiftes (80) in Richtung des Einsetzens in die Öffnung (88) der oberen Wand, die Zugstangenöffnung (90) und die Bodenwandöffnung (91).

8. Anhängerkupplung (10) nach Anspruch 7, bei welcher die Einrichtung (83) zum Vorspannen des Verriegelungsstiftes (80) in Richtung des Einsetzens in die Öffnung (88) der oberen Wand, die Zugstangenöffnung (90) und die Bodenwandöffnung (91) eine erste Feder (83) am Verriegelungsstift (80) bildet, wobei die erste Feder (83) zwischen einer oberen Wand (78) eines an der oberen Wand (16) des Zugstangengehäuses (12) angebrachten Verriegelungsstiftgehäuses (72) und einem an einem mittleren Abschnitt des Verriegelungsstiftes (80) befestigten Federhalteteils (82) befestigt ist, wobei die obere Wand (78) des Verriegelungsstiftgehäuses (72) außerdem eine Verriegelungsstiftgehäuseöffnung (86) zum Einsetzen des Verriegelungsstiftes (80) aufweist, wobei die Verriegelungsstiftgehäuseöffnung (86) zu der Öffnung (88) der oberen Wand und der Bodenwandöffnung (91) ausgerichtet ist, und bei welcher die Zugstangenöffnung (90) in Ausrichtung zu der Öffnung (88) der oberen Wand, der Bodenwandöffnung (91) und der Verriegelungsstiftgehäuseöffnung (86) bei vollständigem Eingriff der ersten und zweiten Führungselemente (60, 50) miteinander gelangt.

9. Anhängerkupplung (10) nach Anspruch 8, bei welcher das Verriegelungsstiftgehäuse (72) außerdem gegenüberliegende, schräg verlaufende Seitenwände (74, 76) aufweist.

10. Anhängerkupplung (10; 210; 310) nach Anspruch 1, bei welcher die Kupplung (36; 110; 112; 336) aus der Gruppe, umfassend einen Zughaken (36; 336), einen Ring (110) und eine Kugel (112), ausgewählt ist.

11. Anhängerkupplung (10; 210; 310) nach Anspruch 1, bei welcher die Kupplung (36; 336) ein Zughaken (36; 336) ist mit
einem oberen Arm (40), wobei der obere Arm (40) eine erste Öffnung (46) durch den oberen Arm hindurch aufweist;
einem unteren Arm (38), wobei die oberen und unteren Arme (40, 38) durch eine vertikale Armstützwand (42) voneinander beabstandet sind, wobei die oberen und unteren Arme (40, 38) eine vom ersten Fahrzeug (27) weg gerichtete Öffnung zur Aufnahme einer Kupplungseinrichtung des zweiten Fahrzeuges bilden;
einem durch die erste Öffnung (46) im oberen Arm einsetzbaren Kupplungszapfen (44), wobei der Kupplungszapfen (44) zwischen einer ersten erhabenen Stellung und einer zweiten abgesenkten Stellung bewegbar ist, wobei die Anhängerkupplung (10; 210; 310) zur Aufnahme der Kupplungseinrichtung des zweiten Fahrzeuges in der Lage ist, wenn sich der Kupplungszapfen (44) in seiner ersten erhabenen Stellung befindet;
einem Freigabeelement (92), das sich oberhalb einer oberen Fläche (40a) des oberen Arms (40) und durch eine im oberen Arm (40) gebildete zweite Öffnung (93) des oberen Arms erstreckt;
einem Kupplungszapfeneingriffselement (94), das zwischen einer ersten Aussparung (98) und einer zweiten Aussparung (100) innerhalb des oberen Arms (40) eingefasst ist, wobei die erste Aussparung (98) und die zweite Aussparung (100) zu beiden Seiten der ersten Öffnung (46) im oberen Arm angeordnet sind, wobei das Kupplungszapfeneingriffselement (94) eine Kupplungszapfeneingriffselementöffnung (99) durch dieses hindurch für die Aufnahme des Kupplungszapfens (44) aufweist, wobei ein unteres Ende (92b) des Freigabeelementes (92) ein erstes Ende (94b) des Kupplungszapfeneingriffelementes (94) berührt;
einer innerhalb der ersten Aussparung (98) befestigten zweiten Feder (96), wobei die zweite Feder (96) des erste Ende (94a) des Kupplungszapfeneingriffelementes (94) berührt, wobei die Vorspannung der zweiten Feder (96) das Kupplungszapfeneingriffselement (94) in einer angewinkelten Stellung hält, um einen Reibeingriff mit dem Kupplungszapfen (44) herzustellen; und
wobei eine Beaufschlagung einer abwärts gerichteten Kraft auf das Freigabeelement (92) eine Bewegung des Kupplungszapfeneingriffselementes (94) in eine im wesentlichen horizontale Stellung gegen die Vorspannung der zweiten Feder (96) und eine Lösung des Reibeingriffes mit dem Kupplungszapfen (44) verursacht, um eine aufwärts gerichtete vertikale Bewegung des Kupplungszapfenes (44) innerhalb der ersten Öffnung (46) des oberen Armes und der Kupplungszapfeneingriffselementöffnung (99) zu erlauben.

12. Anhängerkupplung (10; 210; 310) nach Anspruch 11, bei welcher die vertikale Armstützwand (42) bei vollständigem Eingriff der ersten und zweiten Führungselemente (60, 50) miteinander am Zugstangengehäuse (12; 212; 312) anliegt.

13. Anhängerkupplung (10; 210; 310) nach Anspruch 11, bei welcher eine Bewegung des Kupplungszapfens (44) von der ersten erhabenen Stellung in die zweite abgesenkte Stellung durch die Beaufschlagung einer abwärts gerichteten Kraft auf den Kupplungszapfen (44) erzielt wird und bei welcher eine Bewegung des Kupplungszapfens (44) von der zweiten abgesenkten Stellung in die erste erhabene Stellung erzielt wird, indem der Kupplungszapfen (44) angehoben wird, nachdem das Stifteingriffselement (94) durch Beaufschlagung einer abwärts gerichteten Kraft auf das Freigebeelement (92) außer Reibeingriff vom Kupplungszapfen (44) gebracht wird, wodurch sich das Kupplungszapfeneingriffselement (94) in seine im wesentlichen horizontale Stellung bewegt.

14. Anhängerkupplung (10; 210; 310) nach Anspruch 11, bei welcher der Kupplungszapfen (44) außerdem eine Hülse (104) an seinem unteren Ende aufweist und bei welcher der obere Arm (40) außerdem einen Flansch (106) aufweist, der sich in die erste Öffnung (46) des oberen Arms erstreckt, um einen kleineren Radius als der Radius der Hülse (104) zu bilden, so dass der Kupplungszapfen (44) aus der Öffnung (46) des oberen Armes nicht vollständig herausgezogen werden kann, und bei welcher der untere Arm (38) eine Öffnung (48) des unteren Armes aufweist, wobei die Öffnung (48) des unteren Armes zur ersten Öffnung (46) des oberen Armes ausgerichtet ist, und bei welcher der untere Arm (38) außerdem einen Flansch (108) aufweist, der sich in die Öffnung (48) des unteren Armes erstreckt, um einen kleineren Radius als den Radius der Hülse (104) zu bilden, so dass sich das untere Ende des Kupplungszapfens (44) nicht durch den unteren Arm (38) des Zughakens (36; 336) erstrecken kann.

15. Anhängerkupplung (10; 210) nach Anspruch 1, ferner mit einer vertikalen Wand (24; 224), die ein vorderes Ende (12a) des Zugstangengehäuses (12; 212) im wesentlichen umschließt und darin einen Schlitz (26) bildet, wobei der Schlitz (26) eine Breite von mindestens dem Abstand zwischen den voneinander beabstandeten Seitenwänden (20, 22) des Zugstangengehäuses (12; 212) und eine Höhe von mindestens der Dicke der Zugstange (14; 214) besitzt.

16. Anhängerkupplung (10) nach Anspruch 15, bei welcher die Halteeinrichtung (32), die verhindert, dass die Zugstange (14) aus der Aussparung (23) gezogen wird, einen Drehzapfen (32) aufweist, der sich durch die Zugstange (14) an einer Stelle in der Nähe des ersten Endes (28) der Zugstange (14) erstreckt,
wobei der Drehzapfen (32) eine Höhe größer als die Höhe des Schlitzes (26) in der vertikalen Wand (24) besitzt.

17. Anhängerkupplung (10; 210; 310) nach Anspruch 1, bei welcher das Zugstangengehäuse (12) außerdem eine vertikale Wand (24; 224; 324) zur Befestigung des vorderen Endes (12a; 312a) des Zugstangengehäuses (12; 212; 312) am ersten Fahrzeug (27) aufweist, wobei die vertikale Wand (24; 224; 324) befestigt ist an und sich im wesentlichen rechtwinklig erstreckt zu der oberen Wand (16; 216; 316) des Zahnstangengehäuses (12; 212; 312).

18. Anhängerkupplung (310) nach Anspruch 17, bei welcher sich die Länge der oberen Wand (316) über das erste Ende (328) der Zugstange (314) erstreckt, wenn sich die Zugstange (314) in der fixierten Stellung befindet.

19. Anhängerkupplung (310) nach Anspruch 18, bei welcher das Zahnstangengehäuse (312) außerdem eine dritte Seitenwand (325) und eine vierte Seitenwand (327) aufweist, wobei die dritten und vierten Seitenwände (325, 327) befestigt sind an und sich abwärts erstrecken von den beiden gegenüberliegenden vorderen Seitenrändern der oberen Wand (316).

20. Anhängerkupplung (310) nach Anspruch 19, bei welcher das Zugstangengehäuse (312) breiter an seinem vorderen Ende (312a) als an seinem rückwärtigen Ende (312b) ist.

21. Anhängerkupplung (10; 210; 310) nach Anspruch 1, ferner mit einem ersten quadratischen Rohrabschnitt (114), das befestigt an und sich von dem Zugstangengehäuse (12; 212; 312) zum ersten Fahrzeug (27) erstreckt, wobei der erste quadratische Rohrabschnitt (114) eine Einrichtung (114a) zur Befestigung des ersten quadratischen Rohrabschnittes (114) an einem zusammenwirkenden zweiten quadratischen Rohrabschnitt (116) besitzt, welcher befestigt ist an und sich erstreckt von dem ersten Fahrzeug (27).

22. Anhängerkupplung (10; 210; 310) nach Anspruch 2, bei welcher das zweite Führungselement (50) um die erste Aussparung (64; 262) oder die zweite Aussparung (66; 266) bei Zurückziehen der Zugstange (14; 214; 314) aus einer seitlich nicht ausgerichteten Stellung schwenkt.

23. Anhängerkupplung (210; 310) nach Anspruch 1, bei welcher die Bodenwand (218; 318) außerdem eine vierte Aussparung (219; 319) aufweist, die gegenüber dem ersten Nockenelement (262) angeordnet ist.

24. Anhängerkupplung (210; 310) nach Anspruch 23, bei welcher die Halteeinrichtung (232), die verhindert, dass die Zugstange (214; 314) aus der Öffnung (23) entfernt wird, einen Drehzapfen (232) aufweist, der befestigt ist an und sich unterhalb der Zugstange (214; 314) an einer Stelle in der Nähe des ersten Endes (228; 328) der Zugstange (214; 314) erstreckt, wobei sich der Drehzapfen (232) bei vollständiger Erstreckung der Zugstange (214; 314) mit der vierten Aussparung (219; 319) in Eingriff befindet.

25. Anhängerkupplung (210; 310) nach Anspruch 24, bei welcher die Nockenelemente (262, 52, 54; 262) und die Vertiefungen (264, 266, 56, 219, 319) abgerundet sind.

26. Anhängerkupplung (210; 310) nach Anspruch 24, bei welcher die Bodenwand (218; 318) das erste Führungselement (60) bildet.

27. Anhängerkupplung (210; 310) nach Anspruch 24, bei welcher die Seitenwände (20, 22; 320, 322) in ihrem mittleren Abschnitt abgerundet sind, um eine im wesentlichen sanduhrförmige Aussparung (23) zwischen der oberen Wand und der Bodenwand (216, 218; 316, 318) zu bilden.

28. Anhängerkupplung (210; 310) nach Anspruch 24, bei welcher die obere Wand (216; 316) des Zugstangengehäuses (212; 312) eine Öffnung (88) in der oberen Wand durch diese hindurch bildet und bei welcher die Zugstange (214; 314) eine Zugstangenöffnung (290; 90) durch diese hindurch an einer Stelle zwischen den ersten und zweiten Enden (228, 30; 328) der Zugstange (214; 314) aufweist, wobei die Öffnung (88) der oberen Wand und die Zugstangenöffnung (290; 90) bei vollständigem Eingriff der ersten und zweiten Führungselemente (60, 50) miteinander zueinander ausgerichtet sind; und bei welcher die Verriegelungseinrichtung (80, 88, 90; 280, 290) einen durch die Öffnung (88) in der oberen Wand und die Zugstangenöffnung (290; 90) einsetzbaren Verriegelungsstift (280; 80) bildet.

29. Anhängerkupplung (210; 310) nach Anspruch 28, ferner mit einer Einrichtung (83) zur Vorspannung des Kupplungszapfenes (280; 80) in Richtung des Einsetzens in die Öffnung (88) der oberen Wand und die Zugstangenöffnung (290; 90).

30. Anhängerkupplung (210; 310) nach Anspruch 29, bei welcher die Einrichtung (83) zum Vorspannen des Verriegelungsstiftes (280; 80) in Richtung des Einsetzens in die Öffnung (88) der oberen Wand und die Zugstangenöffnung (290; 90) eine erste Feder (83) am Verriegelungsstift (280; 80) bildet, wobei die erste Feder (83) zwischen einer oberen Wand (78) eines an der oberen Wand (216; 316) des Zugstangengehäuses (212; 316) angebrachten Verriegelungsstiftgehäuses (72; 372) und einem an einem mittleren Abschnitt des Verriegelungsstiftes (280; 80) befestigten Federhalteteils (82) befestigt ist, wobei die obere Wand (78) des Verriegelungsstiftgehäuses (72; 372) außerdem eine Verriegelungsstiftgehäuseöffnung (86) zum Einsetzen des Verriegelungsstiftes (280; 80) aufweist, wobei die Verriegelungsstiftgehäuseöffnung (86) zu der Öffnung (88) der oberen Wand ausgerichtet ist, und bei welcher die Zugstangenöffnung (290; 90) in Ausrichtung zu der Öffnung (88) der oberen Wand und der Verriegelungsstiftgehäuseöffnung (86) bei vollständigem Eingriff der ersten und zweiten Führungselemente (60, 50) miteinander gelangt.

31. Anhängerkupplung (210; 310) nach Anspruch 30, bei welcher das Verriegelungsstiftgehäuse (72) außerdem gegenüberliegende, schräg verlaufende Seitenwände (74, 76) aufweist.

32. Anhängerkupplung (210; 310) nach Anspruch 24, bei welcher die Kupplung (36; 110; 112; 336) aus der Gruppe, umfassend einen Zughaken (36; 336), einen Ring (110) und eine Kugel (112), ausgewählt ist.

33. Anhängerkupplung (210; 310) nach Anspruch 24, bei welcher die Kupplung (36; 336) ein Zughaken (36; 336) ist mit
einem oberen Arm (40), wobei der obere Arm (40) eine erste Öffnung (46) durch den oberen Arm hindurch aufweist;
einem unteren Arm (38), wobei die oberen und unteren Arme (40, 38) durch eine vertikale Armstützwand (42) voneinander beabstandet sind, wobei die oberen und unteren Arme (40, 38) eine vom ersten Fahrzeug (27) weg gerichtete Öffnung zur Aufnahme einer Kupplungseinrichtung des zweiten Fahrzeuges bilden;
einem durch die erste Öffnung (46) im oberen Arm einsetzbaren Kupplungszapfen (44), wobei der Kupplungszapfen (44) zwischen einer ersten erhabenen Stellung und einer zweiten abgesenkten Stellung bewegbar ist, wobei die Anhängerkupplung (210; 310) zur Aufnahme der Kupplungseinrichtung des zweiten Fahrzeuges in der Lage ist, wenn sich der Kupplungszapfen (44) in seiner ersten erhabenen Stellung befindet;
einem Freigabeelement (92), das sich oberhalb einer oberen Fläche (40a) des oberen Arms (40) und durch eine im oberen Arm (40) gebildete zweite Öffnung (93) des oberen Arms erstreckt;
einem Kupplungszapfeneingriffselement (94), das zwischen einer ersten Aussparung (98) und einer zweiten Aussparung (100) innerhalb des oberen Arms (40) eingefasst ist, wobei die erste Aussparung (98) und die zweite Aussparung (100) zu beiden Seiten der ersten Öffnung (46) im oberen Arm angeordnet sind, wobei das Kupplungszapfeneingriffselement (94) eine Kupplungszapfeneingriffselementöffnung (99) durch dieses hindurch für die Aufnahme des Kupplungszapfens (44) aufweist, wobei ein unteres Ende (92b) des Freigabeelementes (92) ein erstes Ende (94b) des Kupplungszapfeneingriffelementes (94) berührt;
einer innerhalb der ersten Aussparung (98) befestigten zweiten Feder (96), wobei die zweite Feder (96) des erste Ende (94a) des Kupplungszapfeneingriffelementes (94) berührt, wobei die Vorspannung der zweiten Feder (96) das Kupplungszapfeneingriffselement (94) in einer angewinkelten Stellung hält, um einen Reibeingriff mit dem Kupplungszapfen (44) herzustellen; und
wobei eine Beaufschlagung einer abwärts gerichteten Kraft auf das Freigabeelement (92) eine Bewegung des Kupplungszapfeneingriffselementes (94) in eine im wesentlichen horizontale Stellung gegen die Vorspannung der zweiten Feder (96) und eine Lösung des Reibeingriffes mit dem Kupplungszapfen (44) verursacht, um eine aufwärts gerichtete vertikale Bewegung des Kupplungszapfens (44) innerhalb der ersten Öffnung (46) des oberen Armes und der Kupplungszapfeneingriffselementöffnung (99) zu erlauben.

34. Anhängerkupplung (210; 310) nach Anspruch 33, bei welcher die vertikale Armstützwand (42) bei vollständigem Eingriff der ersten und zweiten Führungselemente (60, 50) miteinander am Zugstangengehäuse (212; 312) anliegt.

35. Anhängerkupplung (210; 310) nach Anspruch 33, bei welcher eine Bewegung des Kupplungszapfens (44) von der ersten erhabenen Stellung in die zweite abgesenkte Stellung durch die Beaufschlagung einer abwärts gerichteten Kraft auf den Kupplungszapfen (44) erzielt wird und bei welcher eine Bewegung des Kupplungszapfens (44) von der zweiten abgesenkten Stellung in die erste erhabene Stellung erzielt wird, indem der Kupplungszapfen (44) angehoben wird, nachdem das Stifteingriffselement (94) durch Beaufschlagung einer abwärts gerichteten Kraft auf das Freigebeelement (92) außer Reibeingriff vom Kupplungszapfen (44) gebracht wird, wodurch sich das Kupplungszapfeneingriffselement (94) in seine im wesentlichen horizontale Stellung bewegt.

36. Anhängerkupplung (210; 310) nach Anspruch 33, bei welcher der Kupplungszapfen (44) außerdem eine Hülse (104) an seinem unteren Ende aufweist und bei welcher der obere Arm (40) außerdem einen Flansch (106) aufweist, der sich in die erste Öffnung (46) des oberen Arms erstreckt, um einen kleineren Radius als der Radius der Hülse (104) zu bilden, so dass der Kupplungszapfen (44) aus der Öffnung (46) des oberen Armes nicht vollständig herausgezogen werden kann, und bei welcher der untere Arm (38) eine Öffnung (48) des unteren Armes aufweist, wobei die Öffnung (48) des unteren Armes zur ersten Öffnung (46) des oberen Armes ausgerichtet ist, und bei welcher der untere Arm (38) außerdem einen Flansch (108) aufweist, der sich in die Öffnung (48) des unteren Armes erstreckt, um einen kleineren Radius als den Radius der Hülse (104) zu bilden, so dass sich das untere Ende des Kupplungszapfens (44) nicht durch den unteren Arm (38) des Zughakens (36; 336) erstrecken kann.

37. Anhängerkupplung (210; 310) nach Anspruch 24, ferner mit einem ersten quadratischen Rohrabschnitt (114), das befestigt an und sich von dem Zugstangengehäuse (212; 312) zum ersten Fahrzeug (27) erstreckt, wobei der erste quadratische Rohrabschnitt (114) eine Einrichtung (114a) zur Befestigung des ersten quadratischen Rohrabschnittes (114) an einem zusammenwirkenden zweiten quadratischen Rohrabschnitt (116) besitzt, welcher befestigt ist an und sich erstreckt von dem ersten Fahrzeug (27).

38. Anhängerkupplung (210; 310) nach Anspruch 24, bei welcher das Zugstangengehäuse (212; 312) außerdem eine vertikale Wand (224; 324) zur Befestigung des vorderen Endes (12a; 312a) des Zugstangengehäuses (212; 312) am ersten Fahrzeug (27) aufweist, wobei die vertikale Wand (24; 224) befestigt ist an und sich im wesentlichen rechtwinklig erstreckt zu der oberen Wand (216; 316) des Zahnstangengehäuses (212; 312).

39. Anhängerkupplung (310) nach Anspruch 38, bei welcher sich die Länge der oberen Wand (316) über das erste Ende (328) der Zugstange (314) erstreckt, wenn sich die Zugstange (314) in der fixierten Stellung befindet.

40. Anhängerkupplung (310) nach Anspruch 39, bei welcher das Zahnstangengehäuse (312) außerdem eine dritte Seitenwand (325) und eine vierte Seitenwand (327) aufweist, wobei die dritten und vierten Seitenwände (325, 327) befestigt sind an und sich abwärts erstrecken von den beiden gegenüberliegenden vorderen Seitenrändern der oberen Wand (316).

41. Anhängerkupplung (310) nach Anspruch 40, bei welcher das Zugstangengehäuse (312) breiter an seinem vorderen Ende (312a) als an seinem rückwärtigen Ende (312b) ist.

42. Anhängerkupplung (10; 210; 310) zum Ankoppeln eines ersten Fahrzeuges (27) an ein seitlich nicht ausgerichtetes zweites Fahrzeug, wobei die Anhängerkupplung (10; 210; 310) aufweist:

ein Zugstangengehäuse (12; 212; 312) zur Befestigung am ersten Fahrzeug (27), wobei das Zugstangengehäuse (12; 212; 312) zwei voneinander beabstandete Seitenwände (20, 22; 320, 322) aufweist, welche eine verengte Aussparung (23) bilden;

eine Zugstange (14; 214; 314) mit einem ersten Ende (28; 228; 328) und einem zweiten Ende (30), wobei die Zugstange (14; 214; 314) innerhalb der Aussparung (23) ausziehbar und zurückziehbar ist und die Zugstange (14; 214; 314) eine schmalere Breite als der Abstand zwischen den zwei voneinander beabstandeten Seitenwänden (20, 22; 320, 322) des Zugstangengehäuses (12; 212; 312) besitzt; und

eine am zweiten Ende (30) der Zugstange (14; 214; 314) befestigte Kupplung (36; 110; 112; 336);

gekennzeichnet durch
ein am Gehäuse (12; 212; 312) befestigtes erstes Führungselement (60), das ein erstes Nockenelement (62; 262), eine erste Vertiefung (64; 264) und eine zweite Vertiefung (66; 266) aufweist, wobei die ersten und zweiten Vertiefungen (64, 66; 264, 266) zu beiden Seiten des ersten Nockenelementes (62; 262) angeordnet sind, und
ein koplanar zum ersten Führungselement (60) ausgerichtetes und am zweiten Ende (30) der Zugstange (14; 214; 314) befestigtes zweites Führungselement (50), wobei das zweite Führungselement (50) ein zweites Nockenelement (52), ein drittes Nockenelement (54) und eine zwischen den zweiten und dritten Nockenelementen (52, 54) angeordnete dritte Vertiefung (56) aufweist;
wobei die ersten und zweiten Führungselemente (60, 50) in passenden Eingriff zueinander in einer ausgerichteten, verriegelten Stellung bei vollständigem Zurückziehen der Zugstange (14; 214; 314) innerhalb der Aussparung (23) aus einer seitlich nicht ausgerichteten Stellung gelangen; und
wobei die Zahnstange (14; 214; 314) aus der seitlich nicht ausgerichteten Stellung in die ausgerichtete, verriegelte Stellung durch die Kombination des passenden Eingriffes des ersten Nockenelementes (62) mit der dritten Aussparung (56) und der zweiten und dritten Nockenelemente (52, 64) mit den ersten und zweiten Aussparungen (64, 66) und des geführten Zurückziehens der Zugstange (14; 214; 314) entlang mindestens einer der Seitenwände (20, 22; 320; 322) des Zugstangengehäuses (12; 212; 312) geführt wird.

43. Anhängerkupplung (310) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, bei welcher
die Seitenwände (320, 322) des Zugstangengehäuses (312) in ihrem mittleren Bereich abgerundet sind, das Zugstangengehäuse (312) außerdem eine vertikale Wand (324) zur Befestigung des vorderen Endes (312a) des Zugstangengehäuses (312) am ersten Fahrzeug (27) aufweist, wobei die vertikale Wand (324) befestigt ist an und sich im wesentlichen rechtwinklig erstreckt zu der oberen Wand (316) des Zugstangengehäuses (312), die Aussparung (23) im wesentlichen sanduhrförmig ausgebildet ist und die obere Wand (316) eine Öffnung (88) durch die obere Wand hindurch aufweist;
die Zugstange (314) eine Zugstangenöffnung (90) durch diese hindurch an einer Stelle in der Mitte zwischen den ersten und zweiten Enden (328, 30) der Zugstange (314) aufweist;
die Bodenwand (318) ein erstes Führungselement (60) aufweist, wobei das erste Führungselement (60) ferner eine vierte abgerundete Aussparung (319) aufweist,
die gegenüber dem ersten abgerundeten Nockenelement (262) angeordnet ist;
ein Drehzapfen (232) befestigt ist an und sich erstreckt unterhalb der Zugstange (314) an einer Stelle in der Nähe zum ersten Ende (328) der Zugstange (314),
wobei sich der Drehzapfen (232) bei vollständigem Auszug der Zugstange (314) in Eingriff mit der vierten Aussparung befindet;
das zweite Führungselement (50) bei Zurückziehen der Zugstange (314) innerhalb der Aussparung (23) vom ersten Führungselement (60) passend aufgenommen wird, die Nockenelemente (262, 52, 54) und die Aussparungen (264, 266, 54, 319) abgerundet sind;
ein Kupplungszapfengehäuse (72) an der oberen Wand (316) des Zugstangengehäuses (312) befestigt ist, wobei das Kupplungszapfengehäuse (72) eine obere Wand (78) und zwei gegenüberliegende Seitenwände (74, 76) aufweist, wobei die obere Wand (78) des Kupplungszapfengehäuses (72) eine Kupplungszapfengehäuseöffnung (86) durch diese hindurch aufweist, und die Kupplungszapfengehäuseöffnung (86) zur Öffnung (88) der oberen Wand ausgerichtet ist;
ein Kupplungszapfen (80) durch die Öffnung (88) der oberen Wand, die Zugstangenöffnung (90) und die Kupplungszapfengehäuseöffnung (86) einsetzbar ist;
eine Feder (83) am Kupplungszapfen (80) zwischen der oberen Wand (78) des Kupplungszapfengehäuses (72) und einem am mittleren Abschnitt des Kupplungszapfens (80) befestigten Federhalteelement (82) befestigt ist, wobei die Feder (83) den Kupplungszapfen (80) in Richtung des Einsetzens in die Öffnung (88) der oberen Wand, die Zugstangenöffnung (90) und die Kupplungszapfengehäuseöffnung (86) vorspannt;
wenn die Öffnung (88) der oberen Wand, die Zugstangenöffnung (90) und die Kupplungszapfengehäuseöffnung (86) bei vollständiger Aufnahme des zweiten Führungselementes (50) im ersten Führungselement (60) zueinander in Ausrichtung gelangen und der Kupplungszapfen (80) in die Öffnung (88) der oberen Wand, die Zugstangenöffnung (90) und die Kupplungszapfengehäuseöffnung (86) eingesetzt wird, um die Zugstange (314) in einer fixierten Stellung gegenüber dem Gehäuse (312) zu verriegeln; und
die Länge der oberen Wand (316) des Zugstangengehäuses (312) sich über das erste Ende (328) der Zugstange (314) hinaus erstreckt, wenn sich die Zugstange (314) in ihrer fixierten Stellung befindet.

Revendications

1. Attelage (10 ; 210 ; 310) destiné à coupler un premier véhicule (27) à un second véhicule, ledit attelage (10 ; 210 ; 310) comprenant :

un logement de flèche d'attelage (12 ; 212 ; 312) destiné à la fixation audit premier véhicule (27), ledit logement de flèche d'attelage (12 ; 212 ; 312) présentant une extrémité avant (12a ; 312a) et une extrémité arrière (312b), ledit logement de flèche d'attelage (12 ; 212 ; 312) comprenant une paroi supérieure (16 ; 216 ; 316), une paroi inférieure (18 ; 218 ; 318) espacée de ladite paroi supérieure (16 ; 216 ; 316) par deux parois latérales espacées (20, 22 ; 320, 322) disposées entre elles, lesdites parois supérieures, inférieures et latérales (16, 18, 20, 22 ; 216, 218 ; 316, 318, 320, 322) définissant une gorge (23), ladite gorge (23) présentant une première extrémité ouverte et une seconde extrémité ouverte ;

une flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314) présentant une première extrémité (28 ; 228 ; 328) et une seconde extrémité (30), ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214; 314) pouvant être étendue et rétractée à l'intérieur de ladite gorge (23), ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314) ayant une largeur plus étroite que la distance entre lesdites deux parois latérales espacées (20, 22 ; 320, 322) dudit logement de flèche d'attelage (12 ; 212 ; 312) ;

des moyens de retenue (32 ; 232) destinés à empêcher ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314) d'être retirée de ladite gorge (23) ;

un coupleur (36 ; 110 ; 112 ; 336) fixé à ladite seconde extrémité (30) de ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314) ; et

des moyens de verrouillage (80, 88, 90 ; 280, 290) destinés à verrouiller ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314) dans une position fixe par rapport audit logement de flèche d'attelage (12 ; 212 ; 312) ;

    dans lequel ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314) est capable d'une articulation latérale quand ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314) n' est pas verrouillée dans ladite position fixe ;
caractérisé par
un premier élément de guidage (60) fixé audit logement (12 ; 212 ; 312), comprenant un premier élément de came (62 ; 262) et une première poche (64 ; 264) et une deuxième poche (66 : 266), lesdites première et deuxième poches (64, 66 : 264, 266) étant situées de chaque côté dudit premier élément de came (62 ; 262) ; et
un second élément de guidage (50), coplanaire avec ledit premier élément de guidage (60) et fixé à ladite seconde extrémité (30) de ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314), ledit second élément de guidage (50) comprenant un deuxième élément de came (52), un troisième élément de came (54) et une troisième poche (56) située entre lesdits deuxième et troisième éléments de came (52, 54) ;
dans lequel lesdits premier et second élément de guidage (60, 50) sont mis en prise de façon accouplée lors de la rétraction de ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314) à l'intérieur de ladite gorge (23) et dans lequel lesdits premier et second éléments de guidage (60, 50) coopèrent pour aligner ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314) avec lesdits premier et second véhicules par la mise en prise par accouplement dudit premier élément de came (62 ; 262) avec ladite troisième poche (56) et lesdits deuxième et troisième éléments de came (52, 54) avec lesdites première et deuxième poches (64, 66) ; et
dans lequel lesdits moyens de verrouillage (80, 88, 90 ; 280, 290) sont adaptés pour verrouiller ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314) dans une position fixe par rapport audit logement de flèche d'attelage (12 ; 212 ; 312) lors de la mise en prise complète desdits premier et second éléments de guidage (60, 50).

2. Attelage (10 ; 210 ; 310) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel lesdits éléments de came (62, 52, 54 ; 262) et lesdites poches (64, 66, 56 ; 264, 266) sont arrondis.

3. Attelage (10 ; 210 ; 310) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite paroi inférieure (18 ; 218 ; 318) est ledit premier élément de guidage (60).

4. Attelage (10, 210, 310) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel lesdites parois latérales (20, 22 ; 320, 322) sont arrondies de manière centrale pour définir une gorge généralement en forme de sablier (23) entre lesdites parois supérieures et inférieures (16, 18 ; 216, 218 ; 316, 318) ;

5. Attelage (10 ; 210 ; 310) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite paroi supérieure (16 ; 216 ; 316) dudit logement de flèche d'attelage (12 ; 212 ; 312) définit une ouverture de paroi supérieure (88) à travers celle-ci et dans lequel ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314) définit une ouverture de flèche d'attelage (90 ; 290) à travers celle-ci dans un emplacement intermédiaire par rapport aux dites première et seconde extrémités (28, 30 ; 228, 328) de ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314), ladite ouverture de paroi supérieure (88) et ladite ouverture de flèche d'attelage (90 ; 290) étant alignées lors de la mise en prise complète desdits premier et second éléments de guidage (60, 50), et dans lequel lesdits moyens de verrouillage (80, 88, 90 ; 280, 290) sont des goupilles d'arrêt (80 ; 280) pouvant être insérées à travers ladite ouverture de paroi supérieure (88) et ladite ouverture de flèche d'attelage (90 ; 290).

6. Attelage (10) selon la revendication 5, dans lequel la paroi inférieure (18) définit une ouverture de paroi inférieure (91) à travers celle-ci pour une insertion de ladite goupille d'arrêt (80), ladite ouverture de paroi inférieure (91) étant alignée avec ladite ouverture de paroi supérieure (88).

7. Attelage (10) selon la revendication 6, comprenant en outre des moyens (83) destinés à solliciter ladite goupille d'arrêt (80) vers l'insertion dans ladite ouverture de paroi supérieure (88), ladite ouverture de flèche d'attelage (90) et ladite ouverture de paroi inférieure (91).

8. Attelage (10) selon la revendication 7, dans lequel lesdits moyens (83) destinés à solliciter ladite goupille d'arrêt (80) vers l'insertion dans ladite ouverture de paroi supérieure (88), ladite ouverture de flèche d'attelage (90) et ladite ouverture de paroi inférieure (91) est un premier ressort (83) sur ladite goupille d'arrêt (80), ledit premier ressort (83) étant monté entre une paroi supérieure (78) d'un logement de goupille d'arrêt (72) fixé à ladite paroi supérieure (16) dudit logement de flèche d'attelage (12) et un élément de retenue de ressort (82) monté sur une partie intermédiaire de ladite goupille d'arrêt (80), ladite paroi supérieure (78) dudit logement de goupille d'arrêt (72) comprenant en outre une ouverture de logement de goupille d'arrêt (86) pour l'insertion de ladite goupille d'arrêt (80), ladite ouverture de logement de goupille d'arrêt (86) étant alignée avec ladite ouverture de paroi supérieure (88) et ladite ouverture de paroi inférieure (91) et dans lequel ladite ouverture de flèche d'attelage (90) devient alignée avec ladite ouverture de paroi supérieure (88), ladite ouverture de paroi inférieure (91) et ladite ouverture de logement de goupille d'arrêt (86) lors de la mise en prise complète desdits premier et second éléments de guidage (60, 50) .

9. Attelage (10) selon la revendication 8, dans lequel ledit logement de goupille d'arrêt (72) comprend en outre des parois latérales biseautées opposées (74, 76).

10. Attelage (10 ;, 210 ; 310) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit coupleur (36 ; 110 ; 112 ; 336) est sélectionné à partir du groupe composé d'un maillon d'attache (36 ; 336), une bague (110) et une bille (112).

11. Attelage (10 ; 210 ; 310) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit coupleur (36 ; 336) est un maillon d'attache (36 ; 336) comprenant :

un bras supérieur (40), ledit bras supérieur (40) définissant une première ouverture de bras supérieur (46) à travers celui-ci :

un bras inférieur (38), lesdits bras supérieur et inférieur (40, 38) étant espacés par une paroi verticale de support de bras (42), dans lequel lesdits bras supérieur et inférieur (40, 38) définissent une ouverture faisant face audit premier véhicule (27) pour l'insertion à l'intérieur de moyens de couplage dudit second véhicule ;

une cheville (44) pouvant être insérée à travers ladite première ouverture de bras supérieur (46), Ladite cheville (44) étant mobile entre une première position soulevée et une seconde position abaissée, Ledit attelage (10 ; 210 ; 310) étant capable de recevoir lesdits moyens de couplage dudit second véhicule quand ladite cheville (44) est dans ladite première position soulevée ;

un élément de libération (92) s'étendant au-dessus d'une surface supérieure (40a) dudit bras supérieur (40) et à travers une seconde ouverture de bras supérieur (93) définie dans ledit bras supérieur (40) ;

un élément de mise en prise de cheville (94) logé antre une première tablette (98) et une seconde tablette (100) à l'intérieur dudit bras supérieur (40), ladite première tablette (98) et ladite seconde tablette (100) étant de chaque côté de ladite première ouverture de bras supérieur (46), ledit élément de mise en prise de cheville (94) définissant une ouverture d'élément de mise en prise de cheville (99) à travers celui-ci destinée à loger l'insertion de ladite cheville (44), une extrémité inférieure (92b) dudit élément de libération (92) étant en contact avec une première extrémité (94a) dudit élément de mise en prise de cheville (94) ;

un second ressort (96) monté à l'intérieur de ladite première tablette (98), ledit second ressort (96) étant en contact avec ladite première extrémité (94a) dudit élément de mise en prise de cheville (94), dans lequel la sollicitation dudit second ressort (96) maintient ledit élément de mise en prise de cheville (94) dans une position en biais pour mettre en prise avec frottement ladite cheville (44) ; et

    dans lequel l'application d'une force vers le bas sur ledit élément de libération (92) contraint ledit élément de mise en prise de cheville (94) à se déplacer vers une position sensiblement horizontale contre la sollicitation dudit second ressort (96) et à débrayer avec frottement ladite cheville (44) afin de permettre un mouvement vertical vers le haut de ladite cheville (44) à l'intérieur de ladite première ouverture de bras supérieur (46) et ladite ouverture d'élément de mise en prise de cheville (99).

12. Attelage (10 ; 210 ; 310) selon la revendication 11, dans lequel ladite paroi verticale de soutien de bras (42) bute contre ledit logement de flèche d'attelage (12 ; 212 ; 312) lors de la mise en prise complète desdits premier et second éléments de guidage (60, 50).

13. Attelage (10 ; 210 ; 310) selon la revendication 11, dans lequel le mouvement de ladite cheville (44) de ladite première position soulevée à ladite seconde position abaissée est réalisé grâce à l'application d'une force vers le bas sur ladite cheville (44) et dans lequel le mouvement de ladite cheville (44) de ladite seconde position abaissée à ladite première position soulevée est réalisé en soulevant ladite cheville (44) après que ledit élément de mise en prise de cheville (94) est débrayé avec frottement de ladite cheville (44) grâce à l'application d'une force vers le bas sur ledit élément de libération (92), contraignant ledit élément de mise en prise de cheville (94) à se déplacer vers ladite position sensiblement horizontale.

14. Attelage (10 ; 210 ; 310) selon la revendication 11, dans lequel ladite cheville (44) comprend en outre un manchon (104) au niveau de son extrémité inférieure et dans lequel ledit bras supérieur (40) comprend en outre une bride (106) s'étendant dans ladite première ouverture de bras supérieur (46) pour définir un rayon inférieur au rayon dudit manchon (104), afin que ladite cheville (44) ne puisse être totalement retirée de ladite première ouverture de bras supérieur (46), et dans lequel ledit bras inférieur (38) définit une ouverture de bras inférieur (48), ladite ouverture de bras inférieur (48) étant alignée avec ladite première ouverture de bras supérieur (46), et dans lequel ledit bras inférieur (38) comprend en outre une bride (108) s'étendant dans ladite ouverture de bras inférieur (48) afin de définir un rayon inférieur au rayon dudit manchon (104) afin que ladite extrémité inférieure de ladite cheville (44) ne puisse s'étendre à travers ledit bras inférieur (38) dudit maillon d'attache (36 ; 336).

15. Attelage (10 ; 210) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre une paroi verticale (24 ; 224) enfermant sensiblement une extrémité avant (12a) dudit logement de flèche d'attelage (12 ; 212) et définissant une fente (26) à l'intérieur, ladite fente (26) présentant une largeur d'au moins la distance entre lesdites parois latérales espacées (20, 22) dudit logement de flèche d'attelage (12 ; 212) et présentant une hauteur d'au moins l'épaisseur de ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214).

16. Attelage (10) selon la revendication 15, dans lequel lesdits moyens de retenue (32) destinés à empêcher ladite flèche d'attelage (14) d'être retirée de ladite gorge (23) comprennent un pivot (32) s'étendant à travers ladite flèche d'attelage (14), au niveau d'un emplacement proximal à ladite première extrémité (28) de ladite flèche d'attelage (14), ledit pivot (32) ayant une hauteur supérieure à la hauteur de ladite fente (26) dans ladite paroi verticale (24).

17. Attelage (10 ; 210 ; 310) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit logement de flèche d'attelage (12) comprend en outre une paroi verticale (24 ; 224 ; 324) destinée à fixer ladite extrémité avant (12a ; 312a) dudit logement de flèche d'attelage (12 ; 212 ; 312) audit premier véhicule (27), ladite paroi verticale (24 ; 224 ; 324) étant fixée et s'étendant sensiblement perpendiculairement à ladite paroi supérieure (16 ; 216 ; 316) dudit logement de flèche d'attelage (12 ; 212 ; 312).

18. Attelage (310) selon la revendication 17, dans lequel la longueur de ladite paroi supérieure (316) s'étend au-delà de la première extrémité (328) de ladite flèche d'attelage (314) quand ladite flèche d'attelage (314) est dans ladite position fixe.

19. Attelage (310) selon la revendication 18, dans lequel ledit logement de flèche d'attelage (312) comprend en outre une troisième paroi latérale (325) et une quatrième paroi latérale (327), lesdites troisième et quatrième parois latérales (325, 327) étant fixées à et s'étendant vers le bas depuis les deux bords latéraux avant opposés de ladite paroi supérieure (316).

20. Attelage (310) selon la revendication 19, dans lequel ledit logement de flèche d'attelage (312) est plus large au niveau de son extrémité avant (312a) qu'au niveau de son extrémité arrière (312b).

21. Attelage (10 ; 210 ; 310) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre une première partie carrée de tubulure (114) fixée à et s'étendant depuis ledit logement de flèche d'attelage (12 ; 212 ; 312) vers ledit premier véhicule (27), ladite première partie carrée de tubulure (114) ayant des moyens (114a) destinés à fixer ladite première partie carrée de tubulure (114) à une seconde partie carrée de tubulure coopérante (116) fixée à et s'étendant depuis ledit premier véhicule (27).

22. Attelage (10 ; 210 : 310) selon la revendication 2, dans lequel le second élément de guidage (50) pivote soit autour de ladite première poche (64 ; 264), soit autour de ladite deuxième poche (66 ; 266) lors de la rétraction de ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314) depuis une position latéralement décalée.

23. Attelage (210, 310) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite paroi inférieure (218 ; 318) comprend en outre une quatrième poche (219 ; 319) positionnée en face du premier élément de came (262).

24. Attelage (210 ; 310) selon la revendication 23, dans lequel lesdits moyens de retenue (232) destinés à empêcher ladite flèche d'attelage (214 ; 314) d'être retirée de ladite gorge (23) comprend un pivot (232) fixé à et s'étendant en dessous de ladite flèche d'attelage (214 ; 314) au niveau d'un emplacement proximal à ladite première extrémité (228 ; 328) de ladite flèche d'attelage (214 ; 314), dans lequel ledit pivot (232) met en prise ladite quatrième poche (219 ; 319) lors de l'extension complète de ladite flèche d'attelage (214 ; 314).

25. Attelage (210 ; 310) selon la revendication 24, dans lequel lesdits éléments de came (262, 52, 54) et lesdites poches (264, 266, 56, 219 ; 319) sont arrondis.

26. Attelage (210 ; 310) selon la revendication 24, dans lequel ladite paroi inférieure (218 ; 318) est ledit premier élément de guidage (60).

27. Attelage (210 ; 310) selon la revendication 24, dans lequel lesdites parois latérales (20, 22 ; 320, 322) sont arrondies de manière centrale afin de définir une gorge généralement en forme de sablier (23) antre lesdites parois supérieure et inférieure (216, 218 ; 316, 318).

28. Attelage (210 ; 310) selon la revendication 24, dans lequel ladite paroi supérieure (216 ; 316) dudit logement de flèche d'attelage (212 ; 312) définit une ouverture de paroi supérieure (88) à travers celle-ci et dans lequel ladite flèche d'attelage (214 ; 314) définit une ouverture de flèche d'attelage (290 ; 90) à travers celle-ci dans un emplacement intermédiaire par rapport aux dites première et seconde extrémités (228, 30 ; 328) de ladite flèche d'attelage (214 ; 314), ladite ouverture de paroi supérieure (88) et ladite ouverture de flèche d'attelage (290 ; 90) étant alignées lors de la mise en prise complète desdits premier et second éléments de guidage (60, 50), et dans lequel lesdits moyens de verrouillage (80, 88, 90 ; 280, 290) sont une goupille d'arrêt (280 ; 80) pouvant être insérée à travers ladite ouverture de paroi supérieure (88) et ladite ouverture de flèche 3' attelage (290 ; 90).

29. Attelage (210 ; 310) selon la revendication 28, comprenant en outre des moyens (83) destinés à solliciter ladite goupille d'arrêt (280 ; 80) vers l'insertion dans ladite ouverture de paroi supérieure (88) et ladite ouverture de flèche d'attelage (290 ; 90).

30. Attelage (210 ; 310) selon la revendication 29, dans lequel lesdits moyens (83) destinés à solliciter ladite goupille d'arrêt (280 ; 80) vers l'insertion dans ladite ouverture de paroi supérieure (88) et ladite ouverture de flèche d'attelage (290 ; 30) est un premier ressort (83) sur ladite goupille d'arrêt (280 ; 80), ledit premier ressort (83) étant monté entre une paroi supérieure (78) d'un logement de goupille d'arrêt (72 ; 372) fixé à ladite paroi supérieure (216 ; 316) dudit logement de flèche d'attelage (212 ; 312) et un élément de retenue de ressort (82) monté sur une partie intermédiaire de ladite goupille d'arrêt (280 ; 80), ladite paroi supérieure (78) dudit logement de goupille d'arrêt (72 ; 372) comprenant en outre une ouverture de logement de goupille d'arrêt (86) pour l'insertion de ladite goupille d'arrêt (280 ; 80), ladite ouverture de logement de goupille d'arrêt (86) étant alignée avec ladite ouverture de paroi supérieure (88) et dans lequel ladite ouverture de flèche d'attelage (290 ; 90) devient alignée avec ladite ouverture de paroi supérieure (88) et ladite ouverture de logement de goupille d'arrêt (86) lors de la mise en prise complète desdits premier et second éléments de guidage (60, 50).

31. Attelage (210 ; 310) selon la revendication 30, dans lequel ledit logement de goupille d'arrêt (72) comprend en outre des parois latérales biseautées opposées (74, 76).

32. Attelage (210 ; 310) selon la revendication 24, dans lequel ledit coupleur (36 ; 110 ; 112 ; 336) est sélectionné à partir du groupe composé d'un maillon d'attache (36 ; 336), une bague (110) et une bille (112).

33. Attelage (210 ; 310) selon la revendication 24, dans lequel ledit coupleur (36 ; 336) est un maillon d'attache (36, 336) comprenant :

un bras supérieur (40), ledit bras supérieur (40) définissant une première ouverture de bras supérieur (46) à travers celui-ci ;

un bras inférieur (38), lesdits bras supérieur et inférieur (40, 38) étant espacés par une paroi verticale de support de bras (42), dans lequel lesdits bras supérieur et inférieur (40, 38) définissent une ouverture faisant face audit premier véhicule (27) pour l'insertion à l'intérieur de moyens de couplage dudit second véhicule ;

une cheville (44) pouvant être insérée à travers ladite première ouverture de bras supérieur (46), ladite cheville (44) étant mobile entre une première position soulevée et une seconde position abaissée, ledit attelage (210 ; 310) étant capable de recevoir lesdits moyens de couplage dudit second véhicule quand ladite cheville (44) est dans ladite première position soulevée ;

un élément de libération (92) s'étendant au-dessus d'une surface supérieure (40a) dudit bras supérieur (40) et à travers une seconde ouverture de bras supérieur (93) définie dans ledit bras supérieur (40) ;

un élément de mise en prise de cheville (94) logé entre une première tablette (98) et une seconde tablette (100) à l'intérieur dudit bras supérieur (40), ladite première tablette (98) et ladite seconde tablette (100) étant de chaque côté de ladite première ouverture de bras supérieur (49), ledit élément de mise en prise de cheville (94) définissant une ouverture d'élément de mise en prise de cheville (99) à travers celui-ci destinée à loger l'insertion de ladite cheville (44), une extrémité inférieure (92b) dudit élément de libération (92) étant en contact avec une première extrémité (94a) dudit élément de mise en prise de cheville (94) ;

un second ressort (96) monté à l'intérieur de ladite première tablette (98), ledit second ressort (96) étant en contact avec ladite première extrémité (94a) dudit élément de mise en prise de cheville (94), dans lequel la sollicitation dudit second ressort (96) maintient ledit élément de mise en prise de cheville (94) dans une position en biais pour mettre en prise avec frottement ladite cheville (44) ;

    dans lequel l'application d'une force vers le bas sur ledit élément de libération (92) contraint ledit élément de mise en prise de cheville (94) à se déplacer vers une position sensiblement horizontale contre la sollicitation dudit second ressort (96) et à débrayer avec frottement ladite cheville (44) afin de permettre un mouvement vertical vers le haut de ladite cheville (44) à l'intérieur de ladite première ouverture de bras supérieur (46) et ladite ouverture d'élément de mise en prise de cheville (99).

34. Attelage (210 ; 310) selon la revendication 33, dans lequel ladite paroi verticale de soutien de bras (42) bute contre ledit logement de flèche d'attelage (212, 312) lors de la mise en prise complète desdits premier et second éléments de guidage (60, 50).

35. Attelage (210 ; 310) selon la revendication 33, dans lequel le mouvement de ladite cheville (44) de ladite première position soulevée à ladite seconde position abaissée est réalisé grâce à l'application d'une force vers le bas sur ladite cheville (44) et dans lequel le mouvement de ladite cheville (44) de ladite seconde position abaissée à ladite première position soulevée est réalisé en soulevant ladite cheville (44) après que ledit élément de mise en prise de cheville (94) est débrayé avec frottement de ladite cheville (44) grâce à l'application d'une force vers le bas sur ledit élément de libération (92), contraignant ledit élément de mise en prise de cheville (94) à se déplacer vers ladite position sensiblement horizontale.

36. Attelage (210 ; 310) selon la revendication 33, dans lequel ladite cheville (44) comprend en outre un manchon (104) au niveau de son extrémité inférieure et dans lequel ledit bras supérieur (40) comprend en outre une bride (106) s'étendant dans ladite première ouverture de bras supérieur (46) pour définir un rayon inférieur au rayon dudit manchon (104), afin que ladite cheville (44) ne puisse être totalement retirée de ladite première ouverture de bras supérieur (46), et dans lequel ledit bras inférieur (38) définit une ouverture de bras inférieur (48), ladite ouverture de bras inférieur (48) étant alignée avec ladite première ouverture de bras supérieur (46), et dans lequel ledit bras inférieur (38) comprend en outre une bride (108) s'étendant dans ladite ouverture de bras inférieur (48) afin de définir un rayon inférieur au rayon dudit manchon (104) afin que ladite extrémité inférieure de ladite cheville (44) ne puisse s'étendre à travers ledit bras inférieur (38) dudit maillon d'attache (36 ; 336).

37. Attelage (210 ; 310) selon la revendication 24, comprenant en outre une première partie carrée de tubulure (114) fixée à et s'étendant depuis ledit logement de flèche d'attelage (212 ; 312) vers ledit premier véhicule (27), ladite première partie carrée de tubulure (114) ayant des moyens (114a) destinés à fixer ladite première partie carrée de tubulure (114) à une seconde partie carrée de tubulure coopérante (116) Fixée à et s'étendant depuis ledit premier véhicule (27).

38. Attelage (210 ; 310) selon la revendication 24, dans lequel ledit logement de flèche d'attelage (212 ; 312) comprend en outre une paroi verticale (224 ; 324) destinée à fixer ladite extrémité avant (12a ; 312a) dudit logement de flèche d'attelage (212 ; 312) audit premier véhicule (27), ladite paroi verticale (24 ; 224) étant fixée et s'étendant sensiblement perpendiculairement à ladite paroi supérieure (216 ; 316) dudit logement de flèche d'attelage (212 ; 312).

39. Attelage (310) selon la revendication 38, dans lequel la longueur de ladite paroi supérieure (316) s'étend au-delà de la première extrémité (328) de ladite flèche d'attelage (314) quand ladite flèche d'attelage (314) est dans ladite position fixe.

40. Attelage (310) selon la revendication 39, dans lequel ledit logement de flèche d'attelage (312) comprend en outre une troisième paroi latérale (325) et une quatrième paroi latérale (327), lesdites troisième et quatrième parois latérales (325, 327) étant fixées à et s'étendant vers le bas depuis les deux bords latéraux avant opposés de ladite paroi supérieure (316) .

41. Attelage (310) selon la revendication 40, dans lequel ledit logement de flèche d'attelage (312) est plus large au niveau de son extrémité avant (312a) qu'au niveau de son extrémité arrière (312b).

42. Attelage (10 ; 210 ; 310) capable de coupler in premier véhicule (27) à un second véhicule décalé latéralement, ledit attelage (10 ; 210 ; 310) comprenant :

un logement de flèche d'attelage (12 ; 212 ; 312) destiné à la fixation audit premier véhicule (27), ledit logement de flèche d'attelage (12 ; 212 ; 312) comprenant deux parois latérales espacées (20, 22 ; 320, 322) définissant une gorge (23) ;

une flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314) présentant une première extrémité (28 ; 228 ; 328) et une seconde extrémité (30), ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314) pouvant être étendue et rétractée à l'intérieur de ladite gorge (23), ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314) ayant une largeur plus étroite que la distance entre lesdites deux parois latérales espacées (20, 22 ; 320, 322) dudit logement de flèche d'attelage (12 ; 212 ; 312) ; et

un coupleur (36 ; 110 ; 112 ; 336) fixé à ladite seconde extrémité (30) de ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314) ;

    caractérisé par
un premier élément de guidage (60) fixé audit logement (12, 212, 312), comprenant un premier élément de came (62, 262) et une première poche (64 ; 264) et une deuxième poche (66 ; 266), lesdites première et deuxième poches (64, 66 ; 264, 266) étant situées de chaque côté dudit premier élément de came (62 ; 262) ; et
un second élément de guidage (50), coplanaire avec ledit premier élément de guidage (60) et fixé à ladite seconde extrémité (30) de ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314), ledit second élément de guidage (50) comprenant un deuxième élément de came (52), un troisième élément de came (54) et une troisième poche (56) située entre lesdits deuxième et troisième éléments de came (52, 54) ;
dans lequel lesdits premier et second élément de guidage (60, 50) deviennent mis en prise de façon accouplée dans une position alignée et verrouillée lors de la rétraction complète de ladite flèche d'attelage (14, 214, 314) à l'intérieur de ladite gorge (23) depuis une position décalée latéralement; et
dans lequel ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314) est guidée de ladite position décalée latéralement à ladite position alignée et verrouillée grâce à la combinaison de la mise en prise par accouplement dudit premier élément de came (62) avec ladite troisième poche (56) et lesdits deuxième et troisième éléments de came (52, 54) avec lesdites première et deuxième poches (64, 66) et la rétraction guidée de ladite flèche d'attelage (14 ; 214 ; 314) le long d'au moins une desdites parois latérales (20, 22 ; 320, 322) dudit logement de flèche d'attelage (12 ; 212 ; 312).

43. Attelage (310) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel
   lesdites parois latérales (320, 322) dudit logement de flèche d'attelage (312) sont arrondies de manière centrale, ledit logement de flèche d'attelage (312) comprend en outre une paroi verticale (324) destinée à fixer ladite extrémité avant (312a) dudit logement de flèche d'attelage (312) audit premier véhicule (27), ladite paroi verticale (324) étant fixée at s'étendant sensiblement perpendiculairement à ladite paroi supérieure (316) dudit logement de flèche d'attelage (312), ladite gorge (23) est généralement en forme de sablier et ladite paroi supérieure (316) définit une ouverture de paroi supérieure (88) à travers celle-ci ;
ladite flèche d'attelage (314) définit une ouverture de flèche d'attelage (90) à travers celle-ci dans une position intermédiaire par rapport aux dites première et seconde extrémités (328, 30) de ladite flèche d'attelage (314)
ladite paroi inférieure (318) comprend un premier élément de guidage (60), ledit premier élément de guidage (60) comprend en outre :

une première poche arrondie (319) positionnée en face dudit premier élément de came arrondi (262) ;

un pivot (232) est fixé à et s'étend en dessous de ladite flèche d'attelage (314) au niveau d'un emplacement proximal à ladite première extrémité (328) de ladite flèche d'attelage (314), dans lequel ledit pivot (232) met en prise ladite quatrième poche lors de l'extension complète de ladite flèche d'attelage (314) ;

    ledit second élément de guidage (50) est reçu de manière accouplée par ledit premier élément de guidage (60) lors de la rétraction de ladite flèche d'attelage (314) à l'intérieur de ladite gorge (23), lesdits éléments de came (262, 52, 54) et lesdites poches (264, 266, 56, 319) sont arrondis ;
un logement de goupille d'arrêt (72) est fixé à ladite paroi supérieure (316) dudit logement de flèche d'attelage (312), ledit logement de goupille d'arrêt (72) comprenant une paroi supérieure (78) et deux parois latérales opposées (74, 76), ladite paroi supérieure (78) dudit logement de goupille d'arrêt (72) définissant une ouverture de logement de goupille d'arrêt (86) à travers celui-ci, ladite ouverture de logement de goupille d'arrêt (86) étant alignée avec une ouverture de paroi supérieure (88) ;
une goupille d'arrêt (80) peut être insérée à travers ladite ouverture de paroi supérieure (88), ladite ouverture de flèche d'attelage (90) et ladite ouverture de logement de goupille d'arrêt (86) ;
un ressort (B3) est monté sur ladite goupille d'arrêt (80) entre ladite paroi supérieure (78) dudit logement de goupille d'arrêt (72) et un élément de retenue de ressort (82) monté sur une partie intermédiaire de ladite goupille d'arrêt (80), ledit ressort (83) sollicitant ladite goupille d'arrêt (80) vers l'insertion dans ladite ouverture de paroi supérieure (88), ladite ouverture de flèche d'attelage (90) et ladite ouverture de logement de goupille d'arrêt (86) ;
   quand ladite ouverture de paroi supérieure (88), ladite ouverture de flèche d'attelage (90) et ladite ouverture de logement de goupille d'arrêt (86) deviennent alignées lors de la réception complète dudit second élément de guidage (50) par ledit premier élément de guidage (60), ladite goupille d'arrêt (80) est insérée dans ladite ouverture de paroi supérieure (88), ladite ouverture de flèche d'attelage (90) et ladite ouverture de logement de goupille d'arrêt (86) pour verrouiller ladite flèche d'attelage (314) dans une position fixe par rapport audit logement (312) ; et
la longueur de la paroi supérieure (316) dudit logement de flèche d'attelage (312) s'étend au-delà de la première extrémité (328) de ladite flèche d'attelage (314) quand ladite flèche d'attelage (314) est dans ladite position fixe.

Drawing