U.S. patent application number 14/869196 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-21 for dual function tow hook.
The applicant listed for this patent is FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. Invention is credited to Richard Howard.
Application Number | 20160016447 14/869196 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54867078 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160016447 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Howard; Richard |
January 21, 2016 |
DUAL FUNCTION TOW HOOK
Abstract
A dual function tow hook includes a body forming a tow hook and
an integral step formed in the body. The integral step is recessed
in an upper surface of the body and includes a first end wall and a
second end wall. Further the integral step includes a grooved tread
face between the first and second end walls.
Inventors: |
Howard; Richard; (Brighton,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54867078 |
Appl. No.: |
14/869196 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14330310 |
Jul 14, 2014 |
|
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14869196 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/495 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 3/00 20130101; B60D
1/58 20130101; B60D 1/04 20130101; B60D 1/488 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60D 1/58 20060101
B60D001/58; B60R 3/00 20060101 B60R003/00; B60D 1/48 20060101
B60D001/48 |
Claims
1. A dual function tow hook, comprising: a body forming a tow hook;
and an integral step recessed into an upper surface of said
body.
2. The dual function tow hook of claim 1 wherein said integral step
lies in a different plane than said upper surface of said body.
3. The dual function tow hook of claim 1 wherein said integral step
lies in a plane confined within said upper surface and a lower
surface of said body.
4. The dual function tow hook of claim 1, wherein said integral
step includes a first end wall and a second end wall.
5. The dual function tow hook of claim 4, wherein said integral
step includes a grooved tread face between said first end wall and
said second end wall.
6. The dual function tow hook of claim 5, wherein said body
includes an arcuate inner surface between said first and second end
walls of said integral step.
7. The dual function tow hook of claim 1, wherein said integral
step includes a grooved tread face.
8. A method to aid in servicing of a vehicle, comprising: equipping
said vehicle with a tow hook including an integral step that
functions to provide a secure foothold above ground from which an
individual may inspect and service engine compartment
components.
9. The method of claim 8, including providing said integral step
with end walls to better secure a foot of an individual
thereon.
10. The method of claim 9, including providing a grooved tread face
on said integral step between said end walls.
11. A vehicle incorporating the dual function tow hook of claim
1.
12. A vehicle incorporating the dual function tow hook of claim
2.
13. A vehicle incorporating the dual function tow hook of claim
3.
14. A vehicle incorporating the dual function tow hook of claim
4.
15. A vehicle incorporating the dual function tow hook of claim
5.
16. A vehicle incorporating the dual function tow hook of claim
6.
17. A vehicle incorporating the dual function tow hook of claim 7.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/330,310 filed on 14 Jul. 2014.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This document relates generally to the automotive vehicle
field and, more particularly, to a dual function tow hook that also
serves as a convenient step for inspecting and servicing components
in the engine compartment of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Tow hooks are often employed on an automotive vehicle, such
as a truck, to allow a user to attach an article utilizing a tow
strap or a chain. Typically, the tow hook is provided on a front
end of the vehicle. The tow hook may be attached to an object that
is to be towed by the vehicle or the vehicle with the tow hook may
be attached to another vehicle or wench if the vehicle is to be
towed or pulled when, for example, it is stuck in heavy mud or
under other such conditions.
[0004] Typically, tow hooks are provided on larger more powerful
vehicles such as trucks that have substantial towing capacity. Such
vehicles are generally larger and taller often making it difficult
to access the engine compartment in order to conduct servicing or
repairs including, for example, checking and topping off fluid
levels such as windshield washer fluid, transmission fluid, brake
fluid, radiator fluid and engine oil.
[0005] This document relates to a dual function tow hook including
an integral step with a safe non-slip foothold for easy, elevated
access to the engine compartment of the vehicle.
SUMMARY
[0006] In accordance with the purposes and benefits described
herein, a dual function tow hook is provided. The dual function tow
hook comprises a body forming a tow hook and an integral step
formed in the body. In one possible embodiment the body includes a
first free end and a second free end. The integral step is formed
in the body between the first and second free ends.
[0007] In one possible embodiment the integral step is recessed in
an upper surface of the body and includes a first end wall and a
second end wall. Further the integral step includes a grooved tread
face between the first end wall and the second end wall. In
addition the body includes an arcuate inner surface between the
first and second end walls of the integral step.
[0008] In accordance with an additional aspect, a method is
provided for aiding in the servicing of a vehicle. That method
includes equipping the vehicle with a tow hook including an
integral step that functions to provide a secure foothold above the
ground from which an individual may inspect and service engine
compartment components.
[0009] The method further includes recessing the step so as to
provide end walls to better secure a foot of an individual thereon.
Still further the method includes providing a grooved tread face on
the recessed step between the end walls.
[0010] In accordance with an additional aspect a vehicle is
provided incorporating the dual function tow hook described.
[0011] In the following description, there is shown and described
several preferred embodiments of the dual function tow hook. As it
should be realized, the dual function tow hook is capable of other,
different embodiments and its several details are capable of
modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from
the dual function tow hook as set forth and described in the
following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should
be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The accompanying drawings incorporated herein and forming a
part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the
present invention and together with the description serve to
explain certain principles thereof. In the drawings:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pickup truck incorporating
two dual function tow hooks upon which an individual is standing
while inspecting the engine compartment of the vehicle.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the dual function
tow hook.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the dual function tow hook.
[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiment of the dual function tow hook, as illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Reference is now made to FIG. 1 illustrating a truck T
including two dual function tow hooks 10 symmetrically positioned
about the centerline of the truck in two recesses 12 of the bumper
assembly 14.
[0018] Reference is now made to FIGS. 2 and 3 which are detailed
illustrations of a dual function tow hook 10. As illustrated, the
tow hook 10 comprises a body 16 produced from high strength steel
or other appropriate material. In the illustrated embodiment, the
body 16 includes a first free end 18 and a second free end 20.
First free end 18 includes a first mounting aperture 22, while the
second free end 20 includes a second mounting aperture 24 and a
third mounting aperture 26. These mounting apertures are positioned
to match mating apertures in the frame (not shown) of the trunk T
to which they are secured by cooperating bolts and fasteners (not
shown). The bolts and fasteners provide a secure connection between
the tow hook 10 and the frame of the vehicle V with adequate
strength to safely allow towing using the tow hooks.
[0019] As further illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the body 16
includes an integral step 28 at a point intermediate and
substantially opposite the free ends 18, 20. As illustrated,
integral step 28 is recessed in the upper surface of the body 16 so
as to lie in a different plane then the free ends 18, 20. As
illustrated, the integral step 28 includes a first end wall 30 and
a second, opposite end wall 32. A grooved tread face 34 extending
across the top of the step 28 between the first and second end
walls 30, 32 provides a nonslip surface for an individual I to
place his foot thereon and provide easy, elevated access to the
engine compartment under the open hood H of the vehicle (see also
FIG. 1). For purposes of this document, the terminology "grooved
tread face" should be given its broadcast possible meaning so that
it includes and covers any form of grooving or roughened surface
provided for the specific purpose of improving foot traction. This
includes patterned and random traction features.
[0020] As should be further appreciated from viewing FIG. 3, the
inner surface 36 of the step 22 between the end walls 30, 32 facing
the free ends 18, 20 is arcuate. During towing, this arcuate
surface 36 serves a self-centering function so that towing chains
or straps tend to move toward the center of the arcuate surface
directly between the end walls 30, 32.
[0021] In accordance with an additional aspect, it should be
appreciated that a method is provided to aid in the servicing of a
vehicle. The method comprises equipping a vehicle V with a dual
function tow hook 10 including an integral step 22 that functions
to provide a secure foothold above ground from which an individual
I may inspect and service engine compartment components. Still
further the method includes recessing the step 22 so as to provide
end walls 30, 32 to better secure a foot of an individual thereon.
Further the method includes providing a grooved tread face 34 on
the recessed step 22 between those end walls 30, 32. Significantly,
the end walls 30, 32 of the step 22 are spaced just wider than the
shoe of an operator and function with the grooved tread face 34 to
provide a safe and secure foothold which is slip resistant.
Accordingly, an individual I may conveniently and confidently use
the dual function tow hook 10 on either side of the vehicle to
inspect, access and service components within the engine
compartment under the hood H of the vehicle. This would be
difficult or impossible to do in the absence of the dual function
tow hooks 10 because the overall height of the vehicle limits
access to engine compartment components.
[0022] The foregoing has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teachings. For example, while the illustrated tow hook 10 has two
free ends 18, 20, it should be appreciated that it could have a
single mounting lug. All such modifications and variations are
within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in
accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and
equitably entitled.
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