AU2016203037B2

AU2016203037B2 - An improved utility arm for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: AU2016203037B2
Application number: AU2016203037A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Justin David Rex Fahey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-05-29
Filing date: 2016-05-11
Publication date: 2020-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 2036-05-11
Also published as: AU2016203037A1

Abstract

A utility arm for a vehicle including: a towball attachment collar including a space for fitting snugly over a towball of the vehicle; at least one elongate member extending from the towball attachment collar for supporting an appliance at a distance from the towball; and an angle fixing assembly associated with the attachment collar; wherein the towball attachment collar is arranged to be pivoted about the towball to a desired angle and thence fixed at the desired angle by the angle fixing assembly. 17/17 C\I

Description

17/17

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AUSTRALIA PATENTSACT1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION AN IMPROVED UTILITY ARM FOR A VEHICLE

The following statement is a description of the invention:

AN IMPROVED UTILITY ARM FOR A VEHICLE TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention is directed to an arm that can be conveniently fitted to a vehicle. The arm may be fitted with any one of a number of appliances such as an umbrella or a table top in order that a user may better enjoy picnicking and camping.

BACKGROUND

Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge.

It is common for people with vehicles to enjoy picknicking and camping in pleasant outdoor locations. Where the weather is hot it may be desirable to make use of a shade cover such as an umbrella. Alternatively, people may wish to sit and relax with a drink or snack and in that case it may be helpful they take a small table with them.

It will be realized that setting up an umbrella can be inconvenient and similarly that stowing and packing and unpacking a portable table may be tiresome.

It is an object of the invention to provide a utility arm for a vehicle that may be readily attached to the vehicle and which is capable of holding appliances such as an umbrella or a table top.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a utility arm for a vehicle including: a towball attachment collar including a space for fitting snugly over a towball of the vehicle; at least one elongate member extending from the towball attachment collar for supporting an appliance at a distance from the towball; and an angle fixing assembly associated with the attachment collar; wherein the towball attachment collar is arranged to be pivoted about the towball to a desired angle and thence fixed at the desired angle by the angle fixing assembly.

Preferably the at least one elongate member comprises first and second members moveable relative to each other for extension adjustment of the elongate member.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention a guiding member is provided to assist the second member to slide in and out of the first member.

The guiding member may be terminated with a stop to prevent the second member from being overextended and thereby inadvertently disengaging from the first member.

An extension fixing arrangement may be provided which fixes the extension of the second member relative to the first member. For example, the extension fixing arrangement may comprise a wing headed bolt that is threadedly engaged with the first member and which when tightened forcibly abuts the second member to thereby hold it fast.

Alternatively, the two members may simply overlap each other with a threaded member fastened at an end of one member and a slot formed along the other member to accommodate the threaded member therethrough. Whereupon tightening the threaded member at a desired position clamps the two members to each other.

The angle fixing arrangement may include a first flange extending from the towball attachment collar concentric with the space for fitting over the towball.

The angle fixing arrangement may include a second flange mounted fast with a base of the towball whereby corresponding radial openings in the first and second flanges register for fixing the arm at any one of a number of angles.

Alternatively, the angle fixing arrangement includes a threaded member that extends through the collar and which may be tightened to abut the towball and thereby hold the arm in place at a desired angle.

Preferably the elongate member includes a passage therethrough formed toward a remote end thereof.

The passage may be formed with a key slot to assist in correctly orientating an insert of complementary cross section for a shaft.

In an embodiment of the invention the passage receives a lower end of a shaft.

A mounting adapter may be fastened to an upper end of the shaft.

Preferably the mounting adapter includes a first clamp for receiving the shaft and one or more clamps for attachment of shafts of one or more additional appliances.

The mounting adapter may comprise three clamps in the form of three tubes, each fitted with a threaded hole and a corresponding wing headed bolt.

It is preferred that the first and second members are made of square section steel extrusion though other shapes, for example circular tube may also be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. Any dimensions that appear in the drawings are non-limiting of the invention since they are for purposes of understanding the preferred embodiments described herein. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

Figure 1 is a partially cutaway side view of a vehicle utility arm according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is top plan view of the vehicle utility arm of Figure 1 showing internal components in phantom outline. Figure 3 is a side view of the arm in use fitted to a vehicle towball and having a shaft for bearing an appliance fitted at a remote end of the arm. Figure 4 is a top plan view corresponding to Figure 3. Figure 5 is an isometric view of a guiding member of the utility arm. Figure 6 is an isometric view of a second member of the utility arm. Figure 7 is an isometric view of a first member of the utility arm in which the second member can slide. Figure 8 is an exploded view of a collar and two flanges of the utility arm. Figure 9 is a first cross section the collar and two flanges, mounted upon a towball. Figure 10 is a second cross section through the collar and two flanges, mounted upon a towball. Figure 11 is an isometric view of the utility arm in use. Figure 12 is a side and partially cutaway view of the utility arm in use. Figure 13 is a top plan and partially cutaway view of the utility arm in use. Figure 14 is a front plan and partially cutaway view of the utility arm in use. Figure 15 is a close up isometric view of an adapter clamp that may be used as part of the utility arm in some embodiments.

Figure 16 illustrates the utility arm in use, attached to the towball of a vehicle and supporting an umbrella. Figure 17 is a side view of a utility arm for a vehicle according to a second and preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 18 is a top plan view of the utility arm of Figure 17 with table removed. Figures 19 and 20 are views of sliding members of the utility arm of figure 17. Figures 21 and 22 are views of a holder of the utility arm of Figure 17. Figures 23 and 24 are views of a table support tube or stem of the utilty arm of Figure 17. Figure 25 is an isometric view of the underside of the utility arm of Figure 17. Figure 26 is an isometric view of the topside of the utility arm of Figure 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to Figure 1 and Figure 2, there are depicted side and top views of a utility arm 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figures 3 and 4 show the utility arm in use. As shown in Figure 1, the utility arm 1 includes a towball attachment collar 3 which is formed with a central space 4 dimensioned to fit snugly over a towball 5 (Figure 3) of a vehicle. The towball preferably has a diameter of 50mm though variations may be made in the dimensioning of the collar to accommodate towballs of other sizes. As will be explained, the towball attachment collar 3 is able to be pivoted about the towball 5 for fixing at any one of a number of angles.

An elongate member 7 extends from the towball attachment collar in a substantially horizontal plane. An appliance attachment formation, in the form of a passageway 9, for receiving a shaft of an appliance, such as an umbrella or a table top member is formed at a remote end of the elongate member 7.

The elongate member 7 comprises a first member 11 and a second member 13 that is movable within the first member 11 for extension adjustment.

A guiding member 15 is disposed along the interior of the first member to assist the second member 13 to properly align for sliding in and out of the first member. The guiding member 15 is shown in more detail in Figure 5. Near and far end plates 19 and 21 are fastened at either end of the guiding member 15. The shaft 14 of guiding member 15 passes through holes formed in near and far square washers 23 and 25. The near square washer 23 is welded inside the proximal end of the first member 11.The far square washer 25 is welded inside the proximal end of the second member 13. The near and far square washers respectively capture the near and far end plates 19 and 21 which are too oversized to proceed through the holes in the square washers.

The near and far end plates 19 and 21 effectively operate as stops to prevent the second member 13 from being overextended and thereby inadvertently disengaging from the first member 11 in use.

Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, an extension fixing arrangement is provided in the form of a wing headed bolt 23 which can be turned to fix the extension of the second member 13 relative to the first member 11. The wing headed bolt 22 is threadedly engaged with the first member 11 in a hole 28 (shown in Figure 7) formed therethrough. When tightened the wing headed bolt 22 forcibly abuts the second member 13 to thereby hold it fast.

As best seen in Figures 8 and 9, an angle fixing arrangement is provided that comprises a first flange 27 which extends from the towball attachment collar 3 concentric with the central towball space, in the form of bore 4, of the collar 3.

The angle fixing arrangement includes a second flange 29 that is mounted fast with a base of the towball 5. Corresponding radial openings 31, 33 are formed through the first flange 27 and through the second flange 29 (as shown in Figure 10). By rotating the collar 3, and hence the first flange, which is bolted or otherwise fixed to the collar, the corresponding holes 31, 33 of the first and second flanges 27, 29 are brought into register for fixing the arm at any one of a number of angles. For example a pin may be inserted through two registered holes of the first and second flanges for fixing the arm at a desired angle.

As previously mentioned, the formation for receiving the appliance in the presently described preferred embodiment comprises a passageway 9 formed toward a remote end of the second member 13.

The passageway 9 may be shaped to define a key slot 35 (shown in Figure 6) which assists in correctly orientating an insert for a shaft (e.g. insert 44 for shaft 47 as shown in Figure 11) of complementary cross section. For example, the shaft 47 may be that of an umbrella, table top or other appliance to be fitted to the utility arm 1.

Figure 11 shows a pair of table tops 37, 39, which each have table top attachment members 41, 43. The table top attachment members are each received into a mounting adapter 45. The mounting adapter 45 includes a first clamp for receiving the shaft and one or more clamps for attachment of shafts of one or more additional appliances.

As best seen in Figure 15 the mounting adapter 45 comprises three clamps in the form of three tubes, 49, 51, 53 each fitted with a threaded hole 55, 57, 59 and a corresponding wing headed bolt (shown in Figure 12). A shaft 47 terminates downwardly into the passageway 9 and upwardly into the mounting adapter. Consequently it is possible to attach more than one appliance to the end of the elongate member 7 if required by using the adapter 45.

It is preferred that the first and second members are made of square section steel extrusion as shown in Figures 6 and 7, though other shapes, for example circular tube may also be used.

Referring now to Figure 17 and 18 there is shown a utility arm according to a second and preferred embodiment of the invention. The first member 11 terminates in the collar 3 which is integrally formed therewith. The collar 3 has a threaded opening 18 formed through its side. The collar 3 is fitted over the towball 5 the threaded opening 18 is positioned adjacent the base of the towball 5. The first member 11 is fixed at any one of a number of angles on a horizontal plane. To lock the angle and fasten the first member 11 a fastener in a form of a thumb screw 17 is inserted into the threaded opening 18 and maybe tightened so that its end abuts the towball 5 thereby forcibly locking first member 11.

The first member 11 has an elongated slit 20 (figure 18) on the bottom side in the middle of the plane which terminates 50 mm away from each of the endings of the first member 11. The second member 13 is inserted into the first member 11 and a fastener in a form of a thumb screw 16 is passed through the elongated slit 20 and into the hole 25 (figure 17). The thumb screw 16 operates as a stop to prevent the second member 13 from being over extended and thereby inadvertently disengaging from the first member 11.

The second member 13 can be positioned within the first member 11 at a desired distance and then locked in position by tightening the thumb screw so that it forcibly abuts the second member 13 and holds it fast.

First and second sliding members of the utility arm 100 are depicted in Figures 19 and 20. The holder that is shown at the remote end of the utility arm 100 in Figures 19 and 20 is depicted in isometric views in Figures 21 and the pipe, which acts as a stem to support the table top, is illustrated in Figures 23 and 24.

Figure 25 is an isometric view of the underside of the utility arm of Figure 17 whereas Figure 26 is an isometric view of the topside of the utility arm of Figure 17. It will be realised that the embodiment of Figure 17 is more readily manufactured than the utility arm of the first embodiment. In particular, the machining that is necessary to produce the angle selection arrangement, illustrated in Figure 8, of the first embodiment is not required.

USE FOR THE INVENTION

The above description identifies at least one specific, substantial and credible use for the invention. In particular, the above description identifies a utility arm that is arranged to be conveniently mounted to a vehicle and which may be used for attachment of appliances such as umbrellas and table tops. For example figure 16 illustrates a utility arm in according to an embodiment of the invention in use, attached to the towball of a vehicle and supporting an umbrella. The arm finds use where people are engaged in outdoor recreational activities and also where they are providing mobile trade services and need protection against natural elements while working from the back of their vehicle.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term "comprises" and its variations, such as "comprising" and "comprised of" is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

Any embodiment of the invention is meant to be illustrative only and is not meant to be limiting to the invention. Therefore, it should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A utility arm for a vehicle including: a. a towball attachment collar configured for fitting snugly over a towball of the vehicle;

b. a first elongate member extending from the tow ball attachment collar, and a second elongate member, the first elongate member and second elongate member being telescopically movable relative to each other for extension adjustment in a horizontal direction, and being configured for supporting an appliance at a distance from the towball; and

c. an angle fixing assembly associated with the attachment collar; wherein the towball attachment collar is arranged to be pivoted about the towball to a desired angle and thence fixed at the desired anglebytheangle fixing assembly.

2. A utility arm according to claim 1, including a guiding member to assist the second member to slide in and out of the first member.

3. A utility arm according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the angle fixing arrangement includes a first flange extending from the towball attachment collar concentric with the space for fitting over the towball, and a second flange mounted fast with a base of the towball whereby corresponding radial openings in the first and second flanges register for fixing the arm at any one of a number of angles.

4. A utility arm according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the angle fixing arrangement includes a threaded member that extends through the collar and which may be tightened to abut the towball and thereby hold the arm in place at a desired angle.

5. A utility arm according to claim 1, wherein the second elongate member includes a passage therethrough formed toward a distal end thereof, the passage being configured for receiving a shaft of an accessory.