US 6,981,716 B2
Towing device
Mitsumasa Takeda, Kariya (Japan)
Assigned to Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki, Aichi-Ken (Japan)
Filed on Dec. 13, 2002, as Appl. No. 10/318,840.
Claims priority of application No. 2001-391496 (JP), filed on Dec. 25, 2001.
Prior Publication US 2003/0116940 A1, Jun. 26, 2003
Int. Cl. B60D 1/02 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 280—515 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A towing device for selectively locking a towing load, comprising:
a support member;
a link member having a first proximal end and a first distal end, the link member being pivotably coupled to the support member at a first pivotal point near the first proximal end;
a stopper located on the support member for regulating a pivotal movement of the link member by contacting the link member between the first pivotal point and the first proximal end;
a joint member having a second proximal end and a second distal end, the joint member pivotably jointed to the link member at a second pivotal point near the first proximal end, the joint member having a tendency to pivot about the second pivotal point toward the support member to contact the stopper as the first proximal end of the link member pivots toward the stopper about the first pivotal point;
a coupling member connected to the second distal end of the joint member for controlling the pivotal movement of the link member; and
an interference avoiding unit located near the joint member for guiding the joint member to maintain a certain distance from the stopper as the link member pivots about the first pivotal point, wherein the interference avoiding unit is an interference avoiding member that is located between the joint member and the stopper.