DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to tow hook in vehicles and more particularly, but not exclusively to robust tow hook assembly in tractors.

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, a tow hook is a device mounted to a vehicle for towing or pulling any vehicle. Tow hook in tractors or other similar vehicles are used for towing trailers, or auxiliary equipments and the like. Conventional tow hook in tractors or other similar vehicles are susceptible to jaw opening failure and, wear and tear of the jaw plates of the tow hook due to friction between the jaw plates and a drawbar of the trailer that is towed by the vehicle. Further, the aforementioned tow hook provides lower articulation angle to the trailer thereby restricting the vehicle and the trailer to have shorter turning radius which in turn leads to difficulty in taking sharp turns and increased effort of the driver thereby causing discomfort to the driver or the operator driving the vehicle. Furthermore, the aforementioned tow hook doesn’t permit precise height adjustment for the drawbar of the trailer which in turn affects the drawbar pull of the trailer.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a tow hook assembly for a vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a robust tow hook assembly for a vehicle, which comprises a plurality of gussets for restricting the vertical movement (opening) of base members (jaws) of the tow hook assembly.
[005] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a tow hook assembly for a vehicle, which comprises a plurality of spacers for restricting wear and tear of corresponding base member (jaws) of the tow hook assembly.
[006] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a tow hook assembly for a vehicle, which provides higher articulation angle (270 degree) to a trailer that is towed by the vehicle thereby enabling the vehicle and the trailer to have shorter turning radius.
[007] A further object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a tow hook assembly for a vehicle, which is interchangeable and enables precise height adjustment for drawbar of a trailer towed by the vehicle.
[008] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[009] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of a tow hook assembly for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0011] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the tow hook assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the tow hook assembly and mounting bracket assembly in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0013] FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the tow hook assembly and mounting bracket assembly in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0015] The embodiments herein achieve a robust tow hook assembly for a vehicle, which comprises a plurality of gussets for restricting the vertical movement (opening) of base members (jaws) of the tow hook assembly. Further, embodiments herein achieve a tow hook assembly for a vehicle, which comprises a plurality of spacers for restricting wear and tear of corresponding base member (jaws) of the tow hook assembly. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of a tow hook assembly 100 for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the tow hook assembly 100 includes a plurality of side members 102, a plurality of base members 104, a plurality of gussets 106, a plurality of spacers 108, a plurality of stiffener members 110 and a plurality of back plates 112. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the tow hook assembly 100 is explained herein below with reference to towing or pulling a trailer (not shown). It is also within the scope of the invention to use the tow hook assembly 100 for towing any other vehicle or auxiliary equipments/machines.
[0017] Each side member 102 is used for supporting the base members 104. In an embodiment, each side member 102 includes an opening O (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 4) disposed 25 mm from a horizontal plane P (as shown in fig. 4) of corresponding side member 102 thereby enabling the tow hook assembly 100 to have precise height adjustment for a drawbar (not shown) of the trailer (the tow hook assembly 100 is interchangeable i.e., by indexing the tow hook assembly 100 by 180 degree or by swapping or reversing the position of base member 104 on a mounting bracket assembly B (as shown in fig. 3 and fig. 4) enables the tow hook assembly 100 to have precise height adjustment for the drawbar of the trailer). The opening O of each side member 102 receives fastener (not shown) or any other locking element therein to removably connect the tow hook assembly 100 to the mounting bracket assembly B. Each side member 102 is connected to corresponding ends of each base member 104 by welding. It is also within the scope of the invention to connect each side member 102 with corresponding ends of each base member 104 by riveting, adhesive bonding, fastening or through any other means. In an embodiment, each side member 102 is substantially transverse to the base members 104.
[0018] The plurality of base members 104 is used to facilitate mounting of the drawbar (not shown) of the trailer (not shown) thereby connecting the trailer (not shown) to the vehicle. In an embodiment, the plurality of base members 104 includes a first base member 104f and a second base member 104s. In an embodiment, an entirety of each base member 104 (first base member 104f and second base member 104s) is disposed external to each side member 102 to provide predefined articulation angle for the trailer adapted to be towed by the vehicle thereby enabling the vehicle and the trailer to have shorter turning radius. In an embodiment, the predefined articulation angle of the trailer (not shown) is at least 270 degree. In an embodiment, a distance between the first base member 104f and the second base member 104s is at least 98 mm thereby enabling the base members 104 to accommodate heavy duty eye bolt (not shown), wherein the eye bolt is used for locking the drawbar (not shown) of the trailer with the tow hook assembly 100. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other type of locking elements or any other means for locking the drawbar (not shown) of the trailer with the tow hook assembly 100. In an embodiment, the first base member 104f and the second base member 104s defines a portion J adapted to receive or accommodate the drawbar (not shown) of the trailer. The first base member 104f is disposed below the second base member 104s. In an embodiment, the first base member 104f includes a spacer receiving portion C (as shown in fig. 1) and an opening O (as shown in fig. 1). In an embodiment, the spacer receiving portion C of the first base member 104f is a cavity adapted to receive corresponding spacer 108. In an embodiment, the opening O of the first base member 104f is used to receive the eye bolt (not shown) adapted for removably connecting the drawbar of the trailer with the tow hook assembly 100. In an embodiment, the ends of the first base member 104f are connected to corresponding side member 102 by welding. It is also within the scope of the invention to connect the ends of the first base member 104f to corresponding side member 102 by riveting, adhesive bonding, fastening or through any other means. The second base member 104s is disposed above the first base member 104f. In an embodiment, the second base member 104s includes a spacer receiving portion (not shown) and an opening O (as shown in fig. 1). In an embodiment, the spacer receiving portion (not shown) of the second base member 104s is a cavity adapted to receive corresponding spacer 108. In an embodiment, the opening O of the second base member 104s is used to receive the eye bolt (not shown) adapted for removably connecting the drawbar of the trailer with the tow hook assembly 100. In an embodiment, the ends of the second base member 104s are connected to corresponding side member 102 by welding. It is also within the scope of the invention to connect the ends of the second base member 104s to corresponding side member 102 by riveting, adhesive bonding, fastening or through any other means. The second base member 104s is substantially parallel to the first base member 104f.
[0019] The plurality of gussets 106 includes a plurality of first gussets 106f and a plurality of second gussets 106s. Each first gusset 106f is adapted to be disposed below the first base member 104f. Each first gusset 106f is connected to the first base member 104f and corresponding side member 102. Each first gusset 106f is adapted to restrict a downward vertical movement of the first base member 104f thereby restricting the enlargement of the portion J during impact of the drawbar of the trailer with first base member 104f. Each second gusset 106s is adapted to be disposed above the second base member 104s. Each second gusset 106s is connected to second base member 104s and corresponding side member 102. Each second gusset 106s is adapted to restrict an upward vertical movement of the second base member 104s thereby restricting the enlargement of the portion J during impact of the drawbar of the trailer with second base member 104s. In an embodiment, each gusset 106 (106f and 106s) is having a triangular shape. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide each gusset 106 with rectangular shape or any other shape without otherwise deterring the intended function of each gusset 106 as can be deduced from the description.
[0020] In an embodiment, each spacer 108 is adapted to restrict wear and tear of corresponding base member 104 during engagement of the drawbar of the trailer with the tow hook assembly 100. Each spacer 108 is received by the spacer receiving portion C of corresponding base member 104. In an embodiment, each spacer 108 is removably connected to corresponding base member 104 by spot welding. In another embodiment, each spacer 108 is removably connected to corresponding base member 104 by fasteners (not shown). It is also within the scope of the invention to connect each spacer 108 with corresponding base member 104 by riveting, adhesive bonding or through any other means. In an embodiment, each spacer 108 is replaceable. In an embodiment, each spacer 108 includes an opening (not show) adapted to receive the eye bolt adapted for removably connecting the drawbar of the trailer with the tow hook assembly 100. In an embodiment, each spacer 108 is having a circular cross-section. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide each spacer 108 with rectangular cross-section or any other cross-section without otherwise deterring the intended function of each spacer 108 as can be deduced from the description.
[0021] The plurality of stiffener members 110 is used to provide stiffness to corresponding base member 104 and corresponding side member 102. Each stiffener member 110 is connected to corresponding base member 104 and corresponding side member 102.
[0022] The plurality of back plates 112 are adapted to facilitate mounting of the tow hook assembly 100 to the mounting bracket assembly B (as shown in fig. 3 and fig. 4), wherein the mounting bracket assembly B is mounted to the rear portion (not shown) of the vehicle. Each back plate 112 includes a plurality of openings O (as shown in fig. 1) adapted to receive fasteners (not shown) therein to facilitate mounting of the tow hook assembly 100 to the mounting bracket assembly B.
[0023] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A tow hook assembly 100 for a vehicle, said tow hook assembly 100 comprising:
a plurality of side members 102;
a plurality of base members 104 comprising, a first base member 104f; and a second base member 104s disposed above said first base member 104f, said first base member 104f and said second base member 104s defines a portion J; and
a plurality of gussets 106 comprising, a plurality of first gussets 106f adapted to be disposed below said first base member 104f; and a plurality of second gussets 106s adapted to be disposed above said second base member 104s, each of said gusset 106 is adapted to be connected to corresponding said base member 104 and corresponding said side member 102,
wherein
an entirety of each of said base member 104 is disposed external to each of said side member 102 to provide predefined articulation angle for a trailer adapted to be towed by the vehicle thereby enabling the vehicle and the trailer to have shorter turning radius; and
each of said first gusset 106f is adapted to restrict a downward vertical movement of said first base member 104f and each of said second gusset 106s is adapted to restrict an upward vertical movement of said second base member 106s thereby restricting the enlargement of the portion J during impact of a drawbar of the trailer with corresponding said base member 104.

2. The tow hook assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, further comprising, a plurality of spacers 108 adapted to restrict wear and tear of corresponding said base member 104.

3. The tow hook assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, further comprising, a plurality of stiffener members 110 adapted to provide stiffness to corresponding said base member 104 and corresponding said side member 102.

4. The tow hook assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, further comprising, a plurality of back plates 112 adapted to facilitate mounting of said tow hook assembly 100 to a mounting bracket assembly B.

5. The tow hook assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predefined articulation angle of the trailer is at least 270 degree.

6. The tow hook assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein a distance between said first base member 104f and said second base member 104s is at least 98 mm thereby enabling said base members 104 to accommodate heavy duty eye bolt adapted for locking the drawbar of the trailer with said tow hook assembly 100.

7. The tow hook assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said side member 102 defines an opening O disposed 25mm from a horizontal plane P of corresponding said side member 102 thereby enabling said tow hook assembly 100 to have precise height adjustment for the drawbar of the trailer (said tow hook assembly 100 is interchangeable i.e., by indexing the tow hook assembly 100 by 180 degree or by swapping or reversing the position of base member 104 on a mounting bracket assembly B enables said tow hook assembly 100 to have precise height adjustment for the drawbar of the trailer).

8. A tow hook assembly 100 for a vehicle, said tow hook assembly 100 comprising:
a plurality of side members 102;
a plurality of base members 104 comprising, a first base member 104f; and a second base member 104s disposed above said first base member 104f, said first base member 104f and said second base member 104s defines a portion J;
a plurality of gussets 106 comprising, a plurality of first gussets 106f adapted to be disposed below said first base member 104f; and a plurality of second gussets 106s adapted to be disposed above said second base member 104s, each of said gusset 106 is adapted to be connected to corresponding said base member 104 and corresponding said side member 102; and
a plurality of spacers 108 adapted to restrict wear and tear of corresponding said base member 104;
wherein
an entirety of each of said base member 104 is disposed external to each of said side member 102 to provide higher articulation angle for a trailer adapted to be towed by the vehicle thereby enabling the vehicle and the trailer to have shorter turning radius; and
each of said first gusset 106f is adapted to restrict a downward vertical movement of said first base member 104f and each of said second gusset 106s is adapted to restrict an upward vertical movement of said second base member 106s thereby restricting the enlargement of the portion J during impact of a drawbar of the trailer with corresponding said base member 104.
9. The tow hook assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first base member 104f defines a spacer receiving portion C, wherein the spacer receiving portion C is a cavity adapted to receive corresponding said spacer 108.

10. The tow hook assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein said second base member 104s defines a spacer receiving portion, wherein the spacer receiving portion is a cavity adapted to receive corresponding said spacer 108.