Lee M Duncan

US Patent:

50711539, Dec 10, 1991

Filed:

Oct 30, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/428791

Inventors:

Lee H. Duncan - Eugene OR

International Classification:

B60D 100

US Classification:

2804914

Abstract:

A vehicle tow bar includes a transverse cross member which mounts one elongated leg assembly in fixed position at one end of the cross member and a second elongated leg assembly for movement along the cross member between a collapsed condition closely adjacent the first leg assembly and an erected, operative position at the opposite end of the cross member. Stub shafts reinforce the ends of the cross member at the points of maximum stress. The ends of the leg assemblies opposite the cross member are connected to an apex frame which detachably mounts a socket coupler component of a ball and socket trailer hitch. Each leg assembly includes telescopic sections for adjusting the length of the leg assembly, and a locking pin mechanism releasably interconnects the telescopic sections. A limit pin removably connects the telescopic sections of the one elongated leg assembly and functions when interconnecting the telescopic sections to prevent the sections from separating beyond the position of the locking pin, and functions when removed from the leg assembly to allow separation of the telescopic sections beyond the position of the locking pin, to allow collapsing of the leg assemblies to storage position. A stop pin on each assembly prevents the telescopic sections from disconnecting.

US Patent:

52249603, Jul 6, 1993

Filed:

Mar 15, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/669803

Inventors:

Lee H. Duncan - Eugene OR

International Classification:

B60D 100

US Classification:

2804914

Abstract:

A vehicle tow bar includes a transverse cross member which mounts one pivotal, elongated leg assembly in fixed position at one end of the cross member and a second pivotal, elongated leg assembly for movement along the cross member between a collapsed condition closely adjacent the first leg assembly and an erected, operative position at the opposite end of the cross member. Stub shafts reinforce the ends of the cross member at the points of maximum stress. The ends of the leg assemblies opposite the cross member are connected to an apex frame which mounts a socket coupler component of a ball and socket type trailer hitch. Each leg assembly includes telescopic sections for adjusting the length of the leg assembly, and the locking mechanism releasably interconnects the telescopic sections to secure the latter in fully extended, operative towing condition. Flexible protective boots are provided about one of the telescoping leg sections of each leg assembly to protect the telescoping section against the deleterious effects of the surrounding environment and to contain lubricating grease and the like for constant lubrication of the telescoping leg sections.

US Patent:

51470950, Sep 15, 1992

Filed:

Feb 1, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/698742

Inventors:

Lee H. Duncan - Eugene OR

International Classification:

B60D 1300

US Classification:

2804914

Abstract:

An easily and quickly demountable and stowable vehicle tow bar comprises a substantially Y-shaped frame, the angled towing arms of which are pivoted at a base member for lateral movement relative to one another, and the forwardly projecting center arm, or hitch-mounting reach member, is mounted on the base member for releasable sliding movement relative thereto between an inoperative, extended condition and an operative, retracted condition in which its rear end portion extends between the angled towing arms, link members interconnecting the rear terminal end of the reach member and the opposite towing arms to maintain the reach immovably in position extending equidistantly between the arm members when the reach is in locked, retracted condition for towing.

US Patent:

45778833, Mar 25, 1986

Filed:

Jul 13, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/630702

Inventors:

Lee H. Duncan - Eugene OR

International Classification:

B60D 114

US Classification:

280491D

Abstract:

A vehicle tow bar comprises a longitudinally extending, tubular cross bar mounted laterally across the front of the vehicle to be towed, the cross bar mounting for longitudinal movement thereon, pivotal rotation thereabout, and laterally pivotal movement relative thereto, a longitudinally extensible, two section telescoping reach having a hitch coupler mounted on its forwardmost end arranged for connection to an associated hitch ball component on a tow vehicle. A pair of tow chains connect opposite longitudinal ends of the cross bar to the forwardmost end of the reach and are arranged to become taut when the reach is extended to a desired maximum length. A locking screw on the rear section of the reach releasably engages the forward section of the reach to move the latter forwardly in order to tension the chains attached thereto and to prevent inward collapsing of the telescoping sections. When not in use, the reach may be pivoted on the cross bar to a collapsed position whereby it overlies the cross bar and is locked thereon. A chain tray is provided to hold the chains while the assembly is in collapsed, storage position.

US Patent:

54293820, Jul 4, 1995

Filed:

Jun 3, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/253635

Inventors:

Lee H. Duncan - Eugene OR

International Classification:

B60D 1167

US Classification:

2804914

Abstract:

A vehicle tow bar includes a transverse cross member which mounts one pivotal, elongated leg assembly in fifth position at one end of the cross bar and a second pivotal, elongated leg assembly for movement across the cross bar between a collapsed condition closely adjacent the first leg assembly and an erected, operative position at the opposite end of the cross member. The ends of the leg assemblies opposite the cross member are connected to an apex frame which mounts a socket coupler component of a ball and socket type trailer hitch. Each leg assembly includes telescopic sections for adjusting the length of the leg assembly. A spring loaded locking piston in one leg section of each leg assembly is arranged, when the leg sections are extended, to project into a locking socket in the other leg section of the leg assembly, to secure the leg sections in extended condition. A spring loaded release plunger in the locking socket functions by finger pressure to retract the locking piston from the socket when it is desired to retract one leg section into the other. Flexible protective boots are provided about one of the telescoping leg sections of each leg assembly to protect the telescoping section against the deleterious effects of the surrounding environment and to contain lubricating grease and the like for constant lubrication of the telescoping leg sections.