초록 ▼

The invention is a tow bar adapter which is attached to the existing fittings of the commonly used tow bar used to tow a vehicle behind a motor coach and selectively elevate the front end of the towed vehicle. The invention is a also a method for providing a tow bar adapter attached to the existing

The invention is a tow bar adapter which is attached to the existing fittings of the commonly used tow bar used to tow a vehicle behind a motor coach and selectively elevate the front end of the towed vehicle. The invention is a also a method for providing a tow bar adapter attached to the existing fittings of a standard tow bar used to tow a vehicle behind a motor coach and selectively elevate the front end of the towed vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. An adapter configured to tow a vehicle behind a motor home, the vehicle having horn-like tabs affixed to and protruding from a front face of the vehicle, and the motor home having fittings to receive a three-point towbar, the adapter comprising: a plate; respective receptacles attached

I claim: 1. An adapter configured to tow a vehicle behind a motor home, the vehicle having horn-like tabs affixed to and protruding from a front face of the vehicle, and the motor home having fittings to receive a three-point towbar, the adapter comprising: a plate; respective receptacles attached to the plate, each configured to receive a respective tab that protrudes from the front face of the vehicle; a means for securing the adapter in a position wherein the respective tabs are positioned within the respective receptacles; an elevator configured to selectively position the adapter, thereby raising a front end of the towed vehicle. 2. The adapter as in claim 1, wherein the elevator comprises a jack. 3. The adapter as in claim 2, wherein the jack includes at least one of a scissors jack, a screw-jack, or an electric jack. 4. The adapter as in claim 2, further comprising an aperture in the plate; a post passing through the aperture; the elevator includes a pair of scissors jacks positioned on opposing sides of the post. 5. The adapter as in claim 1, further comprising an aperture in the plate; and, the elevator includes a jack having a post that passes through the aperture. 6. The adapter as in claim 5, further comprising: a web support extending generally upward from the plate, the web support having an upper plate with a bore positioned above the aperture; and, the elevator has a post that passes through each of the bore and the aperture. 7. The adapter as in claim 1, further comprising a switch configured to selectively activate the elevator. 8. The adapter as in claim 1, further comprising a remote control allowing one to selectively activate the elevator from a location distal the adapter. 9. The adapter as in claim 1, further comprising at least one of: a wheel positioned adjacent a ground-engaging end of the elevator; or a skid positioned adjacent a ground engaging end of the elevator. 10. A method for backing up a motor coach having a towed vehicle attached thereto, the towed vehicle having horn-like tabs affixed to and protruding from its front end, the method comprising the steps of: providing an adapter comprising a plate; respective receptacles attached to the plate, each configured to receive a respective horn-like tab that protrudes from the front face of the vehicle; a means for securing the adapter in a locked position, wherein the respective tabs are positioned within the respective receptacles; positioning the adapter between the vehicle and the motor coach; coupling the adapter to each of the vehicle and the motor coach; attaching an elevator that is coupled to the adapter, the elevator configured to selectively position the adapter between a first position, wherein the front wheels of the towed vehicle touch the ground, and a second position wherein the front of the towed vehicle is elevated relative the ground; and, backing the motor home. 11. The method as in claim 10, wherein the elevator comprises a jack. 12. The method as in claim 11, wherein the jack is at least one of a scissors jack, a screw jack, or an electric jack. 13. The method as in claim 10, further comprising an aperture in the plate; and, the means for elevating includes a jack having a post that passes through the aperture. 14. The method as in claim 13, further comprising: a web support extending generally upward and orthogonal from the plate, the web support terminating in an upper plate having bore positioned above the aperture; and, the elevator includes a post that passes through each of the bore and the aperture. 15. The method as in claim 14, wherein the elevator includes a pair of scissors jacks; and further including the step of positioning the scissors jack on opposite sides of the post. 16. The method as in claim 10, further comprising the step of configuring a switch to selectively activate the elevator. 17. The method as in claim 10, further comprising the step of controlling the elevator from a location distal and remote from the elevator. 18. The method as in claim 10, wherein the elevator is powered by the battery of the towed vehicle, and the method further comprises the steps of hooking up the elevator to the battery by means of electric cables passing through a grille of the towed vehicle. 19. An adapter configured to fit to standard attachments used in the towing of a vehicle behind a motor home, the standard attachments including a common three-point towbar having horn-like tabs that protrude from a front face of the vehicle, and the motor home having standard fittings to receive a three-point towbar, the adapter comprising: a plate; respective receptacles attached to the plate, each receptacle configured to receive a respective tab that protrudes from the front face of the vehicle; a means for securing the adapter in a position wherein the respective tabs are positioned within the respective receptacles; a web support extending generally upward from the plate, the web support having an upper plate with a bore positioned above the aperture; an aperture in the plate; a post passing through the aperture and the bore; an elevator including a pair of scissors jacks configured to selectively position the adapter, thereby raising a front end of the towed vehicle, each scissors jack positioned on opposing sides of the post; at least one of a switch configured to selectively activate the elevator, or a remote control allowing one to selectively activate the elevator from a location distal the adapter; at least one of: a wheel positioned adjacent a ground-engaging end of the adapter; or a skid positioned adjacent a ground engaging end of the adapter.