Vehicle Towing Apparatus and Method of Towing a Vehicle in a Test

摘要

A vehicle tow bar assembly having a latch assembly and a remotely operated actuator for unlatching the tow bar assembly from a tow line. The latch assembly may have a pivot lever that is retained by a latch pin until released. Alternatively, the latch assembly may have a pair of jaws that are opened by a linear motor and a set of cams. A method of towing a vehicle with a tow bar assembly that is unlatched and released when the vehicle is moving at a selected speed in a test procedure.

主权项

1. A tow bar assembly for a land vehicle comprising:
a tow bar attached to the vehicle; a latch assembly supported by the tow bar and having a latched position and an unlatched position; an actuator operatively connected to the latch assembly for shifting the latch assembly from the latched position to the unlatched position; and a switch disposed in a remote location relative to the latch assembly for controlling the actuator.