IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,696,110
Granted Patent B2
US 10,696,110 · App. 15/580,932 · Granted Jun 30, 2020

Trailer coupling having a receiving sleeve

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,696,110
App. No.
15/580,932
Filed
Dec 8, 2017
Granted
Jun 30, 2020
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3611
USPC
280/507
Abstract

The invention relates to a trailer coupling for a motor vehicle ( 11 ), in particular a passenger car, comprising a retainer ( 20 ), which is arranged on or can be fastened to the motor vehicle ( 11 ), and a retainer part ( 30 ), which can be detachably fastened to the retainer ( 20 ) and which has a retainer insertion projection ( 33 ) for inserting into a retainer insertion receptacle ( 24 ) of the retainer ( 20 ), wherein the retainer part ( 30 ) has an integrated locking device ( 70 ) having at least one locking body ( 71 ) and has an actuation body ( 73 ), which is supported in the retainer part ( 30 ) so as to be movable in order to actuate the at least one locking body ( 71 ) into a locking position (R), wherein the at least one locking body ( 71 ) interlockingly engages in a locking receptacle ( 72 ) on the retainer ( 20 ) in the locking position (R) and is moved out of the locking receptacle ( 72 ) in a detaching position (L), the retainer insertion projection ( 33 ) of the retainer part ( 30 ) therefore being interlockingly locked in the retainer insertion receptacle ( 24 ) of the retainer ( 20 ) in the locking position (R) of the at least one locking body ( 71 ) and being removable from the retainer insertion receptacle ( 24 ) of the retainer ( 20 ) in the detaching position (L), wherein the retainer part ( 30 ) is provided for forming a coupling arm ( 15 ), which has a coupling part ( 60 ) having a coupling element ( 65 ), in particular having a coupling ball, for coupling a load carrier ( 200 ) or a trailer, or is provided for directly coupling a load carrier ( 200 ). According to the invention, the retainer part ( 30 ) has a receiving sleeve ( 40 ) having a tubular coupling insertion receptacle ( 41 ) for inserting a coupling insertion projection ( 66; 266 ) of the coupling part ( 60 ) or of the load carrier ( 200 ).

Claims (35)

1. A trailer coupling for a motor vehicle ( 11 ), comprising a retainer ( 20 ) which is fastenable to the motor vehicle ( 11 ), and a retainer part ( 30 ), which is detachably fastenable to the retainer ( 20 ) and which has a retainer insertion projection ( 33 ) for inserting into a retainer insertion receptacle ( 24 ) of the retainer ( 20 ), wherein the retainer part ( 30 ) has an integrated locking device ( 70 ) having at least one locking body ( 71 ) and an actuation body ( 73 ), which is supported in the retainer part ( 30 ) so as to be movable in order to actuate the at least one locking body ( 71 ) into a locking position (R), wherein the at least one locking body ( 71 ) interlockingly engages in a locking receptacle ( 72 ) on the retainer ( 20 ) in the locking position (R) and is moved out of the locking receptacle ( 72 ) in a releasing position (L), so that the retainer insertion projection ( 33 ) of the retainer part ( 30 ) is interlockingly engaged in the retainer projection receptacle ( 24 ) of the retainer ( 20 ) in the locking position (R) of the at least one locking body ( 71 ) and in the releasing position (L) is removable from the retainer insertion receptacle ( 24 ) of the retainer ( 20 ), wherein the retainer part ( 30 ) is provided for forming a coupling arm ( 15 ), which has a coupling part ( 60 ) having a coupling element ( 65 ), for coupling a load carrier ( 200 ) wherein the retainer part ( 30 ) has a receiving sleeve ( 40 ) with a tubular coupling insertion receptacle ( 41 ) for inserting a coupling insertion projection ( 66 ; 266 ) of the coupling part ( 60 ) or of the load carrier ( 200 ), wherein the retainer part ( 30 ) has a bifurcated or ring-shaped attachment ( 27 , 127 ) which holds the receiving sleeve ( 40 ).

2. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving sleeve ( 140 ) is supported on the rear side ( 142 ) thereof facing away from an insertion opening ( 42 ) for the coupling insertion projection ( 66 ) by a flange part ( 152 ) attached to the retainer part ( 30 ).

3. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein the attachment ( 27 , 127 ) has arms ( 28 ) on the sides against which walls of the receiving sleeve ( 40 ) rests.

4. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving sleeve ( 40 ) rests on a base of the attachment ( 27 , 127 ) from which the arms ( 28 ) protrude.

5. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving sleeve ( 40 ) is supported on at least three sides of the attachment ( 27 , 127 ) angled relative to each other.

6. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein the arms ( 28 ) of the attachment ( 27 ) taper towards the free ends thereof.

7. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein in relation to a longitudinal extension (LE) of the arms ( 28 ) of the attachment ( 27 ) a section of the receiving sleeve ( 40 ) protruding from the arms ( 28 ) is shorter than a section of the receiving sleeve ( 40 ) accommodated between the arms ( 28 ).

8. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein a larger cross section of the receiving sleeve ( 40 ) is accommodated in a receiving space ( 29 ) defined by the attachment ( 27 ) than protrudes from the receiving space ( 29 ).

9. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein the retainer insertion projection ( 33 ) and the attachment ( 27 , 127 ) are formed as an integral body.

10. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one locking body ( 71 ) comprises a ball or a rolling element or is formed thereby.

11. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving sleeve ( 40 ) is arranged on the retainer insertion projection ( 33 ) or the retainer part ( 30 ) such that in a state of being assembled on the motor vehicle ( 11 ) the receiving sleeve ( 40 ) protrudes from the retainer insertion projection ( 33 ) towards a bumper ( 16 ) of the motor vehicle ( 11 ).

12. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving sleeve ( 40 ) is arranged on the retainer insertion projection ( 33 ) or the retainer part ( 30 ) such that it protrudes backwards from the retainer insertion projection ( 33 ) counter to a forward direction of travel of the motor vehicle ( 11 ).

13. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving sleeve ( 40 ) is arranged on the retainer insertion projection ( 33 ) or the retainer part ( 30 ) such that it protrudes from the bumper ( 16 ) or a rear end ( 14 ) of the motor vehicle ( 11 ).

14. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling insertion receptacle ( 41 ) has an end stop protruding into an internal cross section ( 44 ) thereof for a free front side of the coupling insertion projection ( 66 ; 266 ) or that a flange stop is provided on the outer circumference of the coupling insertion projection ( 66 ; 266 ) for striking a free front side ( 48 ) of the receiving sleeve ( 40 ).

15. A trailer coupling according to claim 14 , wherein a flange projection for striking the coupling insertion projection ( 66 ; 266 ) is arranged on a free front side ( 48 ) of the receiving sleeve ( 40 ).

16. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving sleeve ( 40 ) is reinforced by at least one reinforcing element.

17. A trailer coupling according to claim 16 , wherein the at least one reinforcing element ( 46 ) comprises a reinforcing ring ( 46 ) arranged on the free front side ( 48 ) of the receiving sleeve ( 40 ).

18. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling insertion projection ( 66 ; 266 ) can be locked to the coupling insertion receptacle ( 41 ) by means of a locking arrangement ( 90 ).

19. A trailer coupling according to claim 18 , wherein the locking arrangement ( 90 ), is arranged on a section of the receiving sleeve ( 90 ) rearwardly from the retainer insertion projection ( 30 ) in a direction of travel of the motor vehicle ( 11 ).

20. A trailer coupling according to claim 18 , wherein the locking arrangement ( 90 ) has a locking element ( 93 ), which is insertable into a locking receptacle ( 91 ) of the receiving sleeve ( 40 ) or can be pushed through the locking receptacle ( 91 ).

21. A trailer coupling according to claim 18 , wherein the locking arrangement ( 90 ) has a locking element ( 93 ), which is pushable through locking receptacles ( 91 , 92 ), which are provided on the coupling insertion projection ( 66 ; 266 ) and the coupling insertion receptacle ( 41 ) and are flush with each other when the coupling insertion projection ( 66 ; 266 ) is inserted into the coupling insertion receptacle ( 41 ).

22. A trailer coupling according claim 1 , wherein the coupling insertion receptacle ( 41 ) and the coupling insertion projection ( 66 ; 26 ) have at least one anti-rotation contour to receive the coupling insertion projection ( 66 ; 266 ) in the coupling insertion receptacle ( 41 ) in rotationally-locked manner.

23. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein an axis of insertion of the coupling insertion receptacle ( 41 ) and an axis of insertion (S 1 ) of the retainer insertion receptacle ( 24 ) of the retainer ( 20 ) are angled relative to each other.

24. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein an axis of insertion (S 2 ) of the coupling insertion receptacle ( 41 ) runs substantially horizontal or an axis of insertion (S 1 ) of the retainer insertion receptacle ( 24 ) runs substantially vertical.

25. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein the actuation body ( 73 ) fits in a channel ( 87 ) so as to be displaceable lengthways in order to move the at least one locking body ( 71 ) between the releasing position (L) and the locking position (R).

26. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein wedge-shaped positive locking contours are provided on the retainer part ( 30 ) and the retainer ( 20 ), which engage when the retainer insertion projection ( 33 ) engages with the retainer insertion receptacle ( 24 ).

27. A trailer coupling according to claim 26 , wherein the retainer insertion projection ( 33 ) protrudes advantageously from the positive locking contours ( 35 ) in the direction of insertion and is substantially cylindrical.

28. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein a manual actuation element ( 77 ) is arranged on the retainer part ( 30 ) for moving the actuation body ( 73 ) towards the releasing position (L) or the locking position.

29. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein the actuation body ( 73 ) or the at least one locking element is loaded by a spring arrangement in a direction of the locking position (R).

30. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein the actuation body ( 73 ) comprises a bolt element ( 74 ) or is formed thereby.

31. A trailer coupling according to claim 1 , wherein the retainer part ( 30 ) has a base part ( 159 ) and a receptacle part ( 158 ) supporting the receiving sleeve ( 40 ), on which a flange part ( 151 , 152 ) is arranged, wherein the flange parts ( 151 , 152 ) support each other with supporting surfaces ( 171 , 171 ) and is attachable together by means of a screw assembly.

32. A trailer coupling according to claim 31 , wherein the flange parts ( 151 , 152 ) are detachably fitted in at least two different longitudinal fitting positions (M 1 , M 2 ) relative to a longitudinal extension (LX) of the supporting surfaces ( 171 , 172 ) thereof so that the receiving part ( 158 ) supporting the receiving sleeve ( 158 ) fits on the base part ( 159 ) at, at least two different distances from a road surface (O).

33. A trailer coupling for a motor vehicle ( 11 ), comprising a retainer ( 20 ) which is-fastenable to the motor vehicle ( 11 ), and a retainer part ( 30 ), which is detachably fastenable to the retainer ( 20 ) and which has a retainer insertion projection ( 33 ) for inserting into a retainer insertion receptacle ( 24 ) of the retainer ( 20 ), wherein the retainer part ( 30 ) has an integrated locking device ( 70 ) having at least one locking body ( 71 ) and an actuation body ( 73 ), which is supported in the retainer part ( 30 ) so as to be movable in order to actuate the at least one locking body ( 71 ) into a locking position (R), wherein the at least one locking body ( 71 ) interlockingly engages in a locking receptacle ( 72 ) on the retainer ( 20 ) in the locking position (R) and is moved out of the locking receptacle ( 72 ) in a releasing position (L), so that the retainer insertion projection ( 33 ) of the retainer part ( 30 ) is interlockingly engaged in the retainer projection receptacle ( 24 ) of the retainer ( 20 ) in the locking position (R) of the at least one locking body ( 71 ) and in the releasing position (L) is removable from the retainer insertion receptacle ( 24 ) of the retainer ( 20 ), wherein the retainer part ( 30 ) is provided for forming a coupling arm ( 15 ), which has a coupling part ( 60 ) having a coupling element ( 65 ), for coupling a load carrier ( 200 ) wherein the retainer part ( 30 ) has a receiving sleeve ( 40 ) with a tubular coupling insertion receptacle ( 41 ) for inserting a coupling insertion projection ( 66 ; 266 ) of the coupling part ( 60 ) or of the load carrier ( 200 ), wherein the receiving sleeve ( 40 ) is welded, glued or screwed to a bifurcate or ring-shaped attachment ( 27 , 127 ) of the retainer part ( 30 ) accommodating the receiving sleeve ( 40 ).

34. A trailer coupling for a motor vehicle ( 11 ), comprising a retainer ( 20 ) which is-fastenable to the motor vehicle ( 11 ), and a retainer part ( 30 ), which is detachably fastenable to the retainer ( 20 ) and which has a retainer insertion projection ( 33 ) for inserting into a retainer insertion receptacle ( 24 ) of the retainer ( 20 ), wherein the retainer part ( 30 ) has an integrated locking device ( 70 ) having at least one locking body ( 71 ) and an actuation body ( 73 ), which is supported in the retainer part ( 30 ) so as to be movable in order to actuate the at least one locking body ( 71 ) into a locking position (R), wherein the at least one locking body ( 71 ) interlockingly engages in a locking receptacle ( 72 ) on the retainer ( 20 ) in the locking position (R) and is moved out of the locking receptacle ( 72 ) in a releasing position (L), so that the retainer insertion projection ( 33 ) of the retainer part ( 30 ) is interlockingly engaged in the retainer projection receptacle ( 24 ) of the retainer ( 20 ) in the locking position (R) of the at least one locking body ( 71 ) and in the releasing position (L) is removable from the retainer insertion receptacle ( 24 ) of the retainer ( 20 ), wherein the retainer part ( 30 ) is provided for forming a coupling arm ( 15 ), which has a coupling part ( 60 ) having a coupling element ( 65 ), for coupling a load carrier ( 200 ) wherein the retainer part ( 30 ) has a receiving sleeve ( 40 ) with a tubular coupling insertion receptacle ( 41 ) for inserting a coupling insertion projection ( 66 ; 266 ) of the coupling part ( 60 ) or of the load carrier ( 200 ), wherein the receiving sleeve ( 40 ) is detachably fastened to the retainer part ( 30 ).

35. A trailer coupling for a motor vehicle ( 11 ), comprising a retainer ( 20 ) arranged on or fastened to the motor vehicle ( 110 ), and a coupling arm detachably fastened to the retainer ( 20 ) wherein the coupling arm has a retainer part ( 30 ) with a retainer insertion projection ( 33 ) for inserting into a retainer insertion receptacle ( 24 ) of the retainer ( 20 ) and a coupling part ( 60 ) with a coupling element ( 65 ), for coupling a load carrier ( 200 ) wherein the retainer part ( 30 ) has an integrated locking device ( 70 ) having at least one locking body ( 71 ) and an actuation body ( 73 ), which is supported in the retainer part ( 30 ) so as to be movable in order to actuate the at least one locking body ( 71 ) into a locking position (R), wherein the locking body ( 71 ) interlockingly engages in a locking receptacle ( 72 ) on the retainer ( 20 ) in the locking position (R) and is moved out of the locking receptacle ( 72 ) in a releasing position (L), so that the retainer insertion projection ( 33 ) of the retainer part ( 30 ) is interlockingly engaged in the retainer projection receptacle ( 24 ) of the retainer ( 20 ) in the locking position (R) of the at least one locking body ( 71 ) and in the releasing position (L) is removable from the retainer insertion receptacle ( 24 ) of the retainer ( 20 ) wherein the retainer part ( 30 ) has a receiving sleeve ( 40 ) with a tubular coupling insertion receptacle ( 41 ) for inserting a coupling insertion projection ( 66 ; 266 ) of the coupling part ( 60 ) or of the load carrier ( 200 ), wherein the receiving sleeve ( 40 ) is integrally formed with the retainer part ( 30 ).