| 摘要 |
A coupling device for attaching a towed vehicle, such as a trailer, to a towing vehicle, such as a truck, where the coupling device includes a securing assembly for removably securing the coupling device to the towing vehicle, a generally longitudinally extending inner assembly rigidly affixed to the securing assembly, and a generally longitudinally extending outer assembly. The outer assembly also includes an upper portion and a lower portion, with the upper portion being adapted to be rigidly affixed to the towed vehicle. The outer assembly has an inner diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the inner assembly so that the outer assembly can be coaxially mounted over the inner assembly. The coupling assembly further includes a connecting member for connecting the inner assembly with the outer assembly, and a cushioning member that is positioned between the outer assembly and the inner assembly. The cushioning member is configured and arranged to primarily dampen lateral forces transferred between the inner assembly and the outer assembly. Optionally, the coupling device may also include a secondary cushioning assembly that is configured and arranged to primarily dampen axial forces transferred between the inner assembly and the outer assembly. As an additional option, the coupling device may also include a way of locking the securing assembly in a closed position so that unauthorized removal of the trailer from the truck can be prevented.
|
