Vehicle coupling device
View Patent ↗A vehicle coupling device 10 for coupling a vehicle to another vehicle. The coupling device 10 comprises a mount 12 for mounting the coupling device 10 to the vehicle. The device 10 also comprises a first coupling 14 and a second coupling 16 . Each of the first and second couplings 14, 16 is connected to a support 18 and movable relative to the mount 12 between an operative position and an inoperative position.
1. A vehicle coupling device for coupling a vehicle to another vehicle, the coupling device comprising:
a mount for mounting the coupling device to the vehicle; and
a first coupling and a second coupling, each of the first and second couplings being connected to a support and movable relative to the mount between an operative position and an inoperative position, the first and second couplings and support defining a coupling body, and the coupling body being pivotably movable relative to the mount,
wherein the coupling body is pivotably movable relative to the mount between two positions, comprising a first position corresponding to an operative position for the first coupling and an inoperative position for the second coupling, and a second position corresponding to an operative position for the second coupling and an inoperative position for the first coupling,
the coupling body being pivotably movable relative to the mount about a pivot axle which, in use, is orientated generally horizontally and extends generally transversely of the vehicle, and wherein pivotable movement of the coupling body relative to the mount about the pivot axle between the first position and the second position is less than 90°, and
wherein the first coupling and second coupling are different coupling types.
2. A vehicle coupling device according to claim 1 , wherein the support comprises a support frame.
3. A vehicle coupling device according to claim 1 , comprising a securing means for releasably securing the coupling body to the mount in each of the first and second positions to prevent rotation of the coupling body relative to the mount.
4. A vehicle coupling device according to claim 3 , wherein the releasable securing means comprises at least one of a screw threaded fastener and a pin for receiving in substantially aligned apertures provided in each of the coupling body and mount when the coupling body is in each of the first position and the second position.
5. A vehicle coupling device according to claim 1 , wherein the first coupling comprises one of a pin coupling, a hook coupling, and a ball coupling.
6. A vehicle coupling device according claim 5 , wherein the first coupling comprises a ball coupling.
7. A vehicle coupling device according to claim 1 , wherein the second coupling comprises one of a pin coupling, a hook coupling, and a ball coupling.
8. A vehicle coupling device according to claim 7 , wherein the second coupling comprises a pin coupling.
9. A vehicle coupling device according to claim 1 , wherein the mount comprises a vehicle chassis mount for mounting to the vehicle chassis.
10. A vehicle coupling device according to claim 9 , wherein the mount is configured for receipt between and within a pair of facing channels of respective vehicle chassis rails.
11. A vehicle comprising a vehicle coupling device according to claim 1 .
12. A vehicle coupling device for coupling a vehicle to another vehicle, the coupling device comprising:
a mount for mounting the coupling device to the vehicle; and
a first coupling mount for mounting a first coupling and a second coupling mount for mounting a second coupling, wherein each of the first and second coupling mounts is provided on a support and is movable relative to the mount between an operative position and an inoperative position, the support being pivotably movable relative to the mount,
wherein the support is pivotably movable relative to the mount between two positions, comprising a first position corresponding to an operative position for a first coupling when mounted to the first coupling mount and an inoperative position for a second coupling when mounted to the second coupling mount, and a second position corresponding to an operative position for the second coupling and an inoperative position for the first coupling,
the support being pivotably movable relative to the mount about a pivot axle which, in use, is orientated generally horizontally and extends generally transversely of the vehicle, and
pivotable movement of the support relative to the mount about the pivot axle between the first position and the second position is less than 90°, and
wherein, in use, the first coupling and second coupling are different coupling types.
13. A vehicle comprising a vehicle coupling device according to claim 12 .