초록 ▼

A wheel lift apparatus for tow vehicles includes a boom extending from a tow vehicle and a cross arm connected with the boom. The wheel lift apparatus also preferably includes a pair of receivers including an inclined face mounted on opposite end portions of the cross arm and a pair of pivot members

A wheel lift apparatus for tow vehicles includes a boom extending from a tow vehicle and a cross arm connected with the boom. The wheel lift apparatus also preferably includes a pair of receivers including an inclined face mounted on opposite end portions of the cross arm and a pair of pivot members mounted on the end portions. A pair of swing arms, each of which preferably has a swivel leg, a wheel support leg and a distal leg, is mounted on the pivot members. The swing arms are pivotally movable between a storage position in which the wheel support legs each extend between the boom and one of the pivot members and towing position in which the distal legs are spaced apart from the cross arm such that the cross arm, wheel support leg and distal leg, and preferably the inclined face, define a receptacle for receiving and supporting a wheel of a vehicle for lift towing. Methods of wheel lift towing are also provided.

대표청구항 ▼

[ That which is claimed:] [1.] A wheel lift apparatus for tow vehicles, comprising:a tow vehicle;a boom extending from the tow vehicle;means for lifting said boom;a cross arm having a medial portion attached to said boom and a pair of end portions on opposite sides of said medial portion for support

[ That which is claimed:] [1.] A wheel lift apparatus for tow vehicles, comprising:a tow vehicle;a boom extending from the tow vehicle;means for lifting said boom;a cross arm having a medial portion attached to said boom and a pair of end portions on opposite sides of said medial portion for supporting wheels of a vehicle for towing;a pair of pivot members mounted on said pair of end portions; anda pair of swing arms mounted on said pivot members, each of said swing arms having a swivel leg, a wheel support leg and a distal leg, said swivel leg having a first end pivotally mounted to said pivot member and a second end connected to a first end of said wheel support leg, said wheel support leg further including a second end connected to said distal leg;said swing arms being pivotally movable between a storage position in which said swivel legs extend from said pivot members generally perpendicular to said cross arm in a direction towards said tow vehicle and said wheel support legs extend generally parallel to and on a tow vehicle side of cross arm between said boom and a respective one of said pivot members, and a towing position in which said swivel legs extend from said pivot members along said cross arm toward said boom such that said swivel legs overlie and are parallel to said cross arm, and in which said wheel support arms extend away from said tow vehicle and said cross arm from points intermediate said pivots and said boom, and in which said distal legs are spaced apart from said cross arm, such that in the towing position said cross arm, wheel support legs and distal legs define receptacles for receiving and supporting wheels of a vehicle for towing.