IP Library Granted Patent US 12,643,353
Granted Patent B2
US 12,643,353 · App. 18/135,177 · Granted Jun 2, 2026

Structural unit for expansion fitting in vehicle frame coupler

Inventor: Yingchun Zhao (Qingdao, CN)
Assignee: WODE GLOBAL (QINGDAO) OUTDOOR CO.LTD
B60D1/36B60D1/52
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,643,353
App. No.
18/135,177
Granted
Jun 2, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present application discloses a structural unit for expansion fitting in a vehicle frame coupler, and relates to the field of vehicle accessories. A technical solution involves: including a tubular body configured for insertion into a tube socket prepared in a towbar, the tubular body being hollow inside, and the tubular body being provided with through openings; an expansion member including two expanding blocks, the two expanding blocks being respectively arranged at openings of tube walls on two sides of the tubular body and both slidably connected to the openings of the tube walls; a driving assembly arranged at an end of the tubular body, and linked with the expansion member through a linkage assembly, to drive each of the expanding blocks to move towards an outer side of the tubular body; and the linkage assembly being arranged inside the tubular body. The present disclosure has the following beneficial effects. According to the solution, the tubular body is provided with movable expanding blocks, and as the tubular body is inserted into a square tube prepared in the towbar, the expanding blocks are driven, through the driving assembly, to move towards an outer side of the tubular body, so as to be pressed against an inner wall of the square tube prepared in the towbar, thereby improving tightness at the joint of the tubular body and realizing expansion fastening of connected structures.

Claims (60)

1 . A structural unit for expansion fitting in a vehicle frame coupler, comprising:

a tubular body configured for insertion into a tube socket prepared in a towbar, the tubular body being hollow inside, and the tubular body being provided with through openings;

an expansion member comprising two expanding blocks, the two expanding blocks being respectively arranged at openings of tube walls on two sides of the tubular body and both slidably connected to the openings of the tube walls;

a driving assembly arranged at an end of the tubular body, and linked with the expansion member through a linkage assembly, to drive each of the expanding blocks to move towards an outer side of the tubular body; and

the linkage assembly being arranged inside the tubular body;

wherein the linkage assembly comprises:

a screw rod rotatably arranged inside the tubular body and having one end extending to outside of the tubular body, and the end being connected to the driving assembly; and

a driving block arranged at one end of the screw rod away from the driving assembly, and connected to the screw rod by thread; two sides of the driving block respectively abutting against one of the expanding blocks; and

wherein the driving block comprises:

a threaded portion connected to the screw rod by thread; and

a pushing portion fixedly connected to the threaded portion, a space being left between the pushing portion and the threaded portion to accommodate the end of the screw rod, and the expanding blocks being arranged on two sides of the pushing portion.

2 . The structural unit for expansion fitting in a vehicle frame coupler according to claim 1 , wherein a side of the driving block facing an expanding block of the two expanding blocks is taken as a first lateral side, and a side of the expanding block facing the inside of the tubular body is taken as a second lateral side; and

at least one of the first lateral side and the second lateral side is an inclined plane.

3 . The structural unit for expansion fitting in a vehicle frame coupler according to claim 1 , wherein the driving assembly comprises:

a screwing member fixedly connected to an end of the screw rod.

4 . The structural unit for expansion fitting in a vehicle frame coupler according to claim 3 , wherein the driving assembly further comprises:

a connection member sleeving the screw rod and located between the screwing member and an end of the tubular body; and

a handle connected to the connection member.

5 . The structural unit for expansion fitting in a vehicle frame coupler according to claim 4 , wherein an anti-slip gasket is arranged between the connection member and the end of the tubular body.

6 . The structural unit for expansion fitting in a vehicle frame coupler according to claim 4 , wherein the connection member is hinged with one end of the handle.

7 . The structural unit for expansion fitting in a vehicle frame coupler according to claim 6 , wherein the tubular body is configured as a square tube, and when the handle bends to be folded relative to the connection member, the handle abuts against an outer side of the tubular body.

8 . The structural unit for expansion fitting in a vehicle frame coupler according to claim 1 , wherein a tube wall of the tubular body is provided with a pin-hole.

9 . The structural unit for expansion fitting in a vehicle frame coupler according to claim 8 , wherein a side of the driving block facing an expanding block of the two expanding blocks is taken as a first lateral side, and a side of the expanding block facing the inside of the tubular body is taken as a second lateral side; and

at least one of the first lateral side and the second lateral side is an inclined plane.

10 . The structural unit for expansion fitting in a vehicle frame coupler according to claim 8 , wherein the driving assembly comprises:

a screwing member fixedly connected to an end of the screw rod.

11 . The structural unit for expansion fitting in a vehicle frame coupler according to claim 10 , wherein the driving assembly further comprises:

a connection member sleeving the screw rod and located between the screwing member and an end of the tubular body; and

a handle connected to the connection member.

12 . The structural unit for expansion fitting in a vehicle frame coupler according to claim 11 , wherein an anti-slip gasket is arranged between the connection member and the end of the tubular body.

13 . The structural unit for expansion fitting in a vehicle frame coupler according to claim 11 , wherein the connection member is hinged with one end of the handle.

14 . A structural unit for expansion fitting in a vehicle frame coupler, comprising:

a tubular body configured for insertion into a tube socket prepared in a towbar, the tubular body being hollow inside, and the tubular body being provided with through openings;

an expansion member comprising two expanding blocks, the two expanding blocks being respectively arranged at openings of tube walls on two sides of the tubular body and both slidably connected to the openings of the tube walls;

a driving assembly arranged at an end of the tubular body, and linked with the expansion member through a linkage assembly, to drive each of the expanding blocks to move towards an outer side of the tubular body; and

the linkage assembly being arranged inside the tubular body;

wherein the linkage assembly comprises:

a screw rod rotatably arranged inside the tubular body and having one end extending to outside of the tubular body, and the end being connected to the driving assembly; and

a driving block arranged at one end of the screw rod away from the driving assembly, and connected to the screw rod by thread; two sides of the driving block respectively abutting against one of the expanding blocks;

wherein the driving assembly comprises:

a screwing member fixedly connected to an end of the screw rod;

wherein the driving assembly further comprises:

a connection member sleeving the screw rod and located between the screwing member and an end of the tubular body; and

a handle connected to the connection member; and

wherein an anti-slip gasket is arranged between the connection member and the end of the tubular body.

15 . A structural unit for expansion fitting in a vehicle frame coupler, comprising:

a tubular body configured for insertion into a tube socket prepared in a towbar, the tubular body being hollow inside, and the tubular body being provided with through openings;

an expansion member comprising two expanding blocks, the two expanding blocks being respectively arranged at openings of tube walls on two sides of the tubular body and both slidably connected to the openings of the tube walls;

a driving assembly arranged at an end of the tubular body, and linked with the expansion member through a linkage assembly, to drive each of the expanding blocks to move towards an outer side of the tubular body; and

the linkage assembly being arranged inside the tubular body;

wherein the linkage assembly comprises:

a screw rod rotatably arranged inside the tubular body and having one end extending to outside of the tubular body, and the end being connected to the driving assembly; and

a driving block arranged at one end of the screw rod away from the driving assembly, and connected to the screw rod by thread; two sides of the driving block respectively abutting against one of the expanding blocks;

wherein the driving assembly comprises:

a screwing member fixedly connected to an end of the screw rod;

wherein the driving assembly further comprises:

a connection member sleeving the screw rod and located between the screwing member and an end of the tubular body; and

a handle connected to the connection member;

wherein the connection member is hinged with one end of the handle; and

wherein the tubular body is configured as a square tube, and when the handle bends to be folded relative to the connection member, the handle abuts against an outer side of the tubular body.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2023
From: ZHAO, YINGCHUN
To: QINGDAO KINGWILD INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 065877/0042 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2023
From: QINGDAO KINGWILD INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
To: WODE GLOBAL (QINGDAO) OUTDOOR CO.LTD
Reel/Frame 065877/0084 →
Priority Claims (1)
CN 202320417624.8 · Mar 7, 2023 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240157740A1 · May 16, 2024
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