Deployable towbar system

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to a deployable towbar system (140) for a vehicle (101), the deployable towbar system (140) comprising: a towbar (105) for towing a trailer behind a vehicle (101), wherein the towbar (105) is movable between a deployed position and a retracted position, and a towbar drive system (135) configured to move the towbar (105) between the deployed and retracted positions, wherein the towbar (105) comprises: a towing attachment point (115) for coupling a trailer to the towbar (105) for towing, a first safety tether attachment point (125A) for coupling the trailer to the towbar (105) by way of a first safety tether (145A), and a second safety tether attachment point (125B) for coupling the trailer to the towbar (105) by way of a second safety tether (145B), wherein each of the towing attachment point (115) and the first and second safety tether attachment points (125A, 125B) are distinct and separate attachment points on the towbar (105).

Description

[0001] DEPLOYABLE TOWBAR SYSTEM

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a deployable towbar system. Aspects of the invention relate to a deployable towbar system, and to a vehicle comprising said deployable towbar system.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] It is known to provide a vehicle 1 with a towbar 5 at its rear to allow the vehicle 1 to tow a trailer (not shown) behind. To provide the coupling between the towbar 5 and the trailer, the towbar 5 is provided with a towing attachment point 15, typically in the form of a tow ball (as shown in Figure 1).

[0006] In recent years, deployable towbars 5 have become increasingly popular. A deployable towbar 5 is a towbar that is actuated between a deployed position in which a trailer can be attached to the towing attachment point 15 for towing, and a retracted position in which the towbar 5 is stowed away behind the bumper of the vehicle 1 . This beneficially allows the towbar 5 to be hidden from view when towing of a trailer is not required.

[0007] In certain jurisdictions around the world, there are safety regulations determining how towing must be performed. Such regulations are, for example, in place to ensure safety if a trailer and a vehicle become accidentally uncoupled during towing.

[0008] For example, in Australia, in addition to the trailer being connected to the vehicle 1 via the towing attachment point 15, there is a requirement that the trailer must also be connected to the vehicle 1 via two separate safety chains (not shown), so as to ensure a backup coupling between the vehicle 1 and the trailer in case of an accidental decoupling at the towing attachment point 15 (see Sections 13.4 and 13.4.3 of ADR 62 / 02 Mechanical Connection). To provide this additional backup coupling, two separate and distinct safety chain attachment points 25A, 25B are provided on the rear crossbeam 20 of the chassis of the vehicle 1 , and a user secures each safety chain to exactly one of these attachment points 25A, 25B and to the trailer. In use, if the trailer is accidentally decoupled from the towing attachment point 15, the safety chains between the trailer and the safety chain attachment points 25A, 25B ensure the trailer remains safely coupled to vehicle 1 .

[0009] Because of such an arrangement of the safety chain attachment points 25A, 25B on the rear crossbeam 20, a deployable towbar 5 in Australia has to be actuated around the two safety chain attachment points 25A, 25B to avoid a clash therewith when moved between the retracted and deployed positions.

[0010] To this end, the towbar 5 must take the flight path 30 shown in Figure 2 when moved from the retracted position to the deployed position. In more detail, the towbar 5 is first moved down, before then being rotated about a rotation axis and under the two safety chain attachment points 25A, 25B. Finally - after having rotated around the two safety chain attachment points 25A, 25B - the towbar 5 is moved up into position in front of the two safety chain attachment points 25A, 25B, ready for attachment to a trailer. Once the towbar 5 is no longer needed, the towbar 5 takes the flight path 30 in reverse (i.e., from the deployed position to the retracted position). To achieve such movements of the towbar 5, a towbar drive system 35 with at least two motors is required: at least one first motor to provide lateral translation of the towbar 5 and at least one second motor to provide rotation of the towbar 5.

[0011] It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a deployable towbar system and a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims.

[0014] According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a deployable towbar system for a vehicle, the deployable towbar system comprising: a towbar for towing a trailer behind a vehicle, wherein the towbar is movable between a deployed position and a retracted position, and a towbar drive system configured to move the towbar between the deployed and retracted positions, wherein the towbar comprises: a towing attachment point for coupling a trailer to the towbar for towing, a first safety tether attachment point for coupling the trailer to the towbar by way of a first safety tether, and a second safety tether attachment point for coupling the trailer to the towbar by way of a second safety tether, wherein each of the towing attachment point and the first and second safety tether attachment points are distinct and separate attachment points on the towbar.

[0015] By arranging the first and second safety tether (or chain) attachment points on the deployable towbar itself, the flight path of the towbar between the deployed and retracted positions can be simplified, and yet the Australian safety requirements for towing are still met. In one embodiment, the towbar is rotated about one axis only between the deployed and retracted positions. Usually, such a flight path would clash with the two safety chain attachment points when they are arranged on the rear beam of the chassis, but because they are now arranged on the towbar itself, no clash can occur during deployment (and stowing away) of the deployable towbar. Since the movement of the towbar can now be simpler, the towbar drive system is cheaper, simpler and less prone to failures. The safety tether (e.g., a safety chain) provides a back-up coupling between the vehicle and the trailer in the case that the trailer is accidentally uncoupled from the towbar attachment point during towing.

[0016] The towbar drive system may move the towbar between the deployed and retracted positions in dependence on user input. To this end, a user input system (in the form of e.g. two buttons) may be provided in a boot of a vehicle, which when operated by the user causes the towbar drive system to move to one of the deployed and retracted positions. When the towbar is arranged in the deployed position, the trailer can be coupled to the towbar for towing, whereas when the towbar is arranged in the retracted position (e.g., upside down and behind the bumper within the vehicle), the trailer cannot be coupled to the towbar for towing.

[0017] In an embodiment, for each position of the towbar, the towbar extends in a plane and the first safety tether attachment point is offset from the plane on a first side of the plane and the second safety tether attachment point is offset from the plane on a second side of the plane opposite the first side.

[0018] Additionally or alternatively, the towbar extends along a longitudinal axis and the first safety tether attachment point is offset from the longitudinal axis on a first side of the longitudinal axis and the safety tether attachment point is offset from the longitudinal axis on a second side of the longitudinal axis opposite the first side.

[0019] Additionally or alternatively, the first and second safety tether attachment points may extend orthogonally away from the plane and / or longitudinal axis on either side of the towbar.

[0020] The plane has a first orientation when the towbar is arranged in the deployed position and second orientation, optionally different to the first orientation, when the towbar is arranged in the retracted position.

[0021] In an embodiment, for each position of the towbar, the first and second safety tether attachment points are symmetrically arranged about the plane.

[0022] Additionally or alternatively, for each position of the towbar, the first and second safety tether attachment points are symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal axis.

[0023] In an embodiment, each of the first and second safety tether attachment points comprises a projection portion and an aperture extending through the projection portion between opposite sides thereof.

[0024] The towbar may comprise a towbar body. The projection portions may extend from the towbar body. Each safety tether attachment point may take the form of a lug on the towbar body.

[0025] In an embodiment, for each of the first and second safety tether attachment points, a recess is defined in the projection portion to provide a step therein, the aperture opening into the recess.

[0026] In this way, the recess may define an opening suitable for securely housing a D-shackle, which is often used to connect the safety tether to the towbar. The opening advantageously prevents the D-shackle from rattling around.

[0027] Additionally or alternatively, a recess may be defined in the projection portion where the aperture meets one of the outer sides of the projection portion, said recess providing a step in the projection portion. In one embodiment, a step is defined in the projection portion where the aperture meets each of the outer sides of the projection portion. In an embodiment, the towbar comprises a first end proximal to the towbar drive system and a second end distal to the towbar drive system. The first and second safety tether attachment points may be arranged at the first end and the towing attachment point may be arranged at the second end.

[0028] It is possible to provide more material for the towbar body at the first end of the towbar. Moreover, since this is closer to the vehicle, this position on the towbar body provides a stronger back-up coupling between the trailer and the vehicle.

[0029] An electrical socket for providing electricity of the trailer may be provided between the towing attachment point and the safety tether attachment points.

[0030] In an embodiment, the towbar is a unitary towbar. In other words, the towbar may be integrally formed. To this end, the towbar may be made from a single forging and may be formed together without the use of e.g., bolts. Hence, a very strong and robust towbar is achieved.

[0031] In an embodiment, the towbar drive system is configured to move the towbar between the deployed and retracted positions by rotating the towbar about one axis only.

[0032] In one embodiment, the only way in which the towbar is moved, is by rotation about one axis. The towbar drive system may be provided with a motor that may be configured to rotate the towbar around the one axis. In this way, the movement of the towbar is simpler compared to other towbar systems of the prior art.

[0033] In an embodiment, the towbar drive system comprises a single motor. In this way, it will be understood that only one motor may be used in the towbar drive system. Since only one motor is needed to rotate the towbar about one axis, the deployable towbar system is simpler, cheaper and less prone to failure.

[0034] Optionally, the towbar further comprises a breakaway cable attachment point for coupling the trailer to the towbar by way of a breakaway cable.

[0035] A breakaway cable may be a cable that is designed to bring the trailer to a halt in the event that the trailer ever becomes uncoupled from the towing attachment point. To this end, the breakaway cable may be attached to the breakaway cable attachment point on the towbar and to the brake system on the trailer, and if the trailer ever becomes detached from the vehicle while towing, this cable may actuate the brake system of the trailer, causing the brakes of the trailer to engage and stop the trailer. The use of a breakaway cable and breakaway cable attachment point during towing is a legal requirement in the EU.

[0036] The breakaway cable attachment point is distinct and separate from the towing attachment point and the first and second safety tether attachment points. This breakaway cable attachment point may be arranged near the towing attachment point and under the towbar when the towbar is arranged in the deployed position. Optionally, the towing attachment point is in the form of a tow ball.

[0037] In an embodiment, the towbar is curved. The towbar may have a swan neck.

[0038] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising the deployable towbar system described above.

[0039] In an embodiment, the vehicle comprises a rear crossbeam. The towbar drive system may be securely attached to the rear crossbeam.

[0040] The rear crossbeam may be a horizontal crossmember of the chassis of the vehicle and may refer to the rearmost crossbeam of the vehicle. The towbar drive system may be configured to hold the towbar and to move into position. The towbar may therefore be securely attached to the rear crossbeam via the towbar drive system.

[0041] In an embodiment, the vehicle comprises a bumper. In the retracted position, the towbar may be concealed from view behind the bumper of the vehicle.

[0042] Safety tether attachment points can therefore also be hidden from view when the towbar is arranged in the retracted position, and so this prevents users from using the safety tether attachment points for other unsuitable purposes when the towbar is not being used for towing. In the retracted position, the towbar may be stowed away such that the towbar (and the safety tether attachment points) cannot be seen by an end user standing outside the vehicle.

[0043] Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

[0044] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The following figures, Figures 1 and 2, have already been described above by way of background to the invention, in which:

[0046] Figure 1 (prior art) is a perspective view of a deployable towbar and a rear crossbeam of a vehicle, wherein safety chain attachment points are provided on said rear crossbeam; and

[0047] Figure 2 (prior art) is a view of the flight path of the deployable towbar of Figure 1 when moved from a retracted position to a deployed position. One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0048] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a vehicle comprising a deployable towbar in accordance with the invention, where the deployable towbar is arranged in a deployed position;

[0049] Figure 4 is a first perspective view of the deployable towbar of Figure 3, where the deployable towbar is arranged in a deployed position;

[0050] Figure 5 is a first perspective view of the deployable towbar of Figure 3, where the deployable towbar is arranged in a retracted position;

[0051] Figure 6 is a second perspective view of the deployable towbar of Figure 4, where the deployable towbar is arranged in a deployed position;

[0052] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of safety tether attachment points of the deployable towbar of Figure 4, where no D-shackles are secured to said safety tether attachment points;

[0053] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of safety tether attachment points of the deployable towbar of Figure 4, where D- shackles are secured to said safety tether attachment points;

[0054] Figure 9 is a second perspective view of the deployable towbar of Figure 4, where the deployable towbar is arranged in a retracted position; and

[0055] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the deployable towbar of Figure 4, where the deployable towbar is arranged in a position between the deployed and retracted positions.

[0056] In the drawings, as well as in the following description, like features are assigned like reference signs. Throughout this description, terms such as ‘upper’ and ‘lower’, and other directional references, are used with reference to the orientation of the deployable towbar system 140 as shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it will be appreciated that such references are not limiting and that the deployable towbar system 140 according to the invention can be used in any orientation.

[0057] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] A deployable towbar system 140 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying Figure 3. As shown, the deployable towbar system 140 is installed in a vehicle 101 .

[0059] Referring to Figure 4, the deployable towbar system 140 comprises a towbar 105 for towing a trailer (not shown) behind a vehicle 101. The towbar 105 is movable between a deployed position (shown in Figures 3 and 4) and a retracted position (shown in Figure 5). The deployable towbar system 140 further comprises a towbar drive system 135 configured to move the towbar 105 between the deployed and retracted positions. The towbar 105 comprises a towing attachment point 115 for coupling a trailer to the towbar 105 for towing, a first safety tether attachment point 125A for coupling the trailer to the towbar 105 by way of a first safety tether (not shown), and a second safety tether attachment point 125B for coupling the trailer to the towbar 105 by way of a second safety tether (not shown). Each of the towing attachment point 115 and the first and second safety tether attachment points 125A, 125B are distinct and separate attachment points on the towbar 105. A safety tether (e.g., a safety chain) provides a back-up coupling between the vehicle 101 and the trailer in the case that the trailer is accidentally uncoupled from the towbar attachment point 115 during towing. In Australia, the safety regulations for towing require that - in addition to the trailer being connected to the vehicle 101 via the towing attachment point 115 - the trailer must also be connected to the vehicle 1 via two separate safety tethers (see Sections 13.4 and 13.4.3 of ADR 62 / 02 Mechanical Connection).

[0060] By arranging the first and second safety tether (or chain) attachment points 125A, 125B on the deployable towbar 105 itself, the flight path 130 of the towbar 105 between the deployed and retracted positions can be simplified compared to the prior art (e.g., as described in the background section above), while still ensuring the Australian safety requirements fortowing are met. In one embodiment, the towbar 105 is only rotated about one axis R between the deployed and retracted positions.

[0061] Before now, the two tether chain attachment points 125A, 125B have been arranged on a rear crossbeam 120 of the vehicle 101 , and so a simplified flight path 130 (i.e., only rotation about one axis) would not have been possible because the towbar 105 would have clashed with the two safety chain attachment points 125A, 125B during the simplified flight path 130. However, by now arranging the two tether chain attachment points 125A, 125B on the towbar 105 itself, the tow bar 105 can no longer clash with the points 125A, 125B during deployment (and stowing) thereof.

[0062] Moreover, since the movement of the towbar 105 of the invention can now be simplified, the towbar drive system 135 can be manufactured cheaper and simpler and it can be less prone to failures.

[0063] More details about the deployable towbar system 140 will now be provided.

[0064] The deployable towbar 105 is configured to move in the 3-D dimensional space made up of the X-, Y- and Z- cartesian axes. Hence, to describe its structure, one particular position and orientation of the towbar 105 will be considered. In particular, the towbar 105 will be described when it is in the position shown in Figures 4 and 6, i.e., where the towbar 105 is arranged in the deployed position. When the towbar 105 is arranged in the deployed position, it is arranged such that a trailer can be connected to the towbar 105 for towing.

[0065] The towbar 105 comprises an elongate towbar body 150 that extends in plane P defined by Y- and Z- cartesian axes. The towbar body 150 extends away from the rear of the vehicle 101 in a rearward direction to allow a trailer to connect thereto.

[0066] At a first endpoint of the towbar 105, the towbar body 150 is connected to the towbar drive system 135, whereas at the second end point of the towbar 105, the towbar body 150 defines the towbar attachment point 115 in the form of a tow ball (although other suitable towbar attachment points are also possible). A trailer may be configured to connect with the tow ball 115 for towing in a conventional way.

[0067] As shown in Figure 6, the towbar body 150 curves between the first and second endpoints of the towbar 105 so that the towbar attachment point 1 15 is able to extend upward for coupling with a trailer. To this end, the towbar 105 extends downwards from the towbar drive system 135 along the Z-axis, and then curves towards the Y-axis in the rearward direction, and then upwards again along the Z-axis to define the tow ball. In this way, the towbar 105 can be understood as having a “swan neck” or being U-shaped.

[0068] The first and second safety tether attachment points 125A, 125B refer to any suitable connection points arranged directly on the towbar body 150 that allow the safety tethers to be securely fastened thereto. The first safety tether is securely coupled to the first safety tether attachment point 125A at one end thereof and to the trailer at the other end. Likewise, the second safety tether is securely coupled to the second safety tether attachment point 125B at one end thereof and to the trailer at the other end. To this end, the safety tethers may each be provided with D-shackles 155A, 155B for secure attachment to the first and second safety tether attachment points 125A, 125B (although other suitable couplings are possible). In one embodiment, the safety tethers take the form of safety chains.

[0069] In one embodiment, the safety tether attachment points 125A, 125B are arranged at the first end of the towbar 105 (i.e., the end of the towbar 105 nearer the first endpoint where the towbar body 150 is connected to the towbar drive system 135) and are adjacent to said first endpoint of the towbar 105.

[0070] The first safety tether attachment point 125A is offset from plane P on a first side of the plane P and the second safety tether attachment point 125B is offset from plane P on a second side of plane P opposite the first side. To this end, each of the first and second safety tether attachment points 125A, 125B may be defined in a projection portion 160A, 160B that extends orthogonally away from plane P (i.e., along axis X) on either side of the towbar 105. In this way, the first and second safety tether attachment points 125A, 125B can be symmetrically arranged about the plane P (i.e., mirror-imaged), although other configurations are possible.

[0071] It is beneficial to arrange the first and second safety tether attachment points 125A, 125B at the first end of the towbar 105 because this end can be provided with more material than the other, and because here it is closer to the vehicle 101 . As such, this position on the towbar body 150 can provide a stronger coupling between the trailer and the vehicle 101 compared to other positions on the towbar 105.

[0072] To allow a safety tether to be coupled to each safety tether attachment point 125A, 125B, each projection portion 160A, 160B comprises an aperture 165A, 165B that extends all the way through the projection portion 106A, 160B between opposite sides thereof. In this way, each safety tether attachment point 125A, 125B can be understood as a lug on the towbar body 150. Each aperture 165A, 165B may extend along axis Z through respective projection portion 160A, 160B between the upper and lower sides of the projection portion 160A, 160B. This arrangement assists the user in securing each safety tether to its respective safety tether attachment point 125A, 125B when the towbar 105 is in its deployed position.

[0073] As best seen in Figure 7, a recess 170A, 170B is defined in each projection portion 160A, 160B where the aperture 165A, 165B meets the upper side of said projection portion 160A, 160B. This recess 170A, 170B is arranged immediately adjacent to the aperture 165A, 165B such that the recess 170A, 170B defines a step 175A, 175B in the projection portion 160A, 160B and the aperture 165A, 165B can be understood to open into the recess 170A, 170B. The recess 170A, 170B may extend at least partially or all the way around the outside of aperture 165A, 165B (such that each recess 170A, 170B and aperture 165A, 165B are concentrically arranged).

[0074] The recess 170A, 170B defines an opening that is suitable for securely housing and holding the D-shackle 155A, 155B of a safety tether (as shown in Figure 8). In this way, the recess 170A, 170B advantageously prevents the D-shackle 155A, 155B from rattling around, which can otherwise be distracting for a driver of the vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, such a recess 170A, 170B may be formed in the lower side of each projection portion 160A, 160B for the same purpose.

[0075] In addition to the safety tether attachment points 125A, 125B, the towbar 105 may further comprise a breakaway cable attachment point 180 that allows the trailer and the towbar 105 to be coupled by way of a breakaway cable (not shown).

[0076] A breakaway cable is a cable that is designed to bring the trailer to a halt in the event that the trailer ever becomes uncoupled from the towing attachment point 115. To this end, the breakaway cable may be attached to the breakaway cable attachment point 180 on the towbar 105 and to a brake system (not shown) on the trailer, and if the trailer ever becomes detached from the vehicle 101 while towing, this cable actuates the brake system of the trailer, causing the brakes of the trailer to engage and stop the trailer. The use of a breakaway cable and breakaway cable attachment point 180 during towing is a legal safety requirement in the European Union (EU).

[0077] The breakaway cable attachment point 180 is distinct and separate from the towing attachment point 115 and the first and second safety tether attachment points 125A, 125B. Typically, the breakaway cable attachment point 180 is arranged in the second end of the towbar body 150 near to the second end point of the towbar body 150 (where the towbar 105 defines the towing attachment point 115) and is hence arranged adjacent to the towing attachment point 115. In Figure 6, the breakaway cable attachment point 180 is shown as a lug that is integral with the towbar body 150 and is arranged on the underside of the towbar 105 and extends in plane P.

[0078] The towbar 105 may further be provided with at least one electrical socket 185 for providing electricity of the trailer. Said at least one electrical socket 185 may be provided between the towing attachment point 1 15 and the safety tether attachment points 125A, 125B, and around halfway between the first and second ends of the towbar 105.

[0079] The towbar 105 is a unitary towbar, i.e. it is integrally formed, such that the towbar body 150, the safety tether attachment points 125A, 125B and the optional breakaway cable attachment point 180 can all be formed out of a single forging. In this way, a very strong and sturdy towbar 105 is achieved.

[0080] As stated above, the towbar drive system 135 is configured to move the towbar 105 between the deployed and retracted positions, thereby changing the orientation of plane P that the towbar 105 extends in. When the towbar 105 is arranged in the retracted (or stowed) position (as shown in Figures 5 and 9), a trailer cannot be coupled to the towing attachment point 115 for towing. The towing attachment point 115 may be hidden behind a bumper in this position (such that the towbar 105 is concealed from being viewed from outside the vehicle) and / or it may point downward (such that a trailer cannot be coupled thereto).

[0081] Therefore, in the retracted position, the safety tether attachment points 125A, 125B may also be hidden from view / access, i.e., by an end user standing outside the vehicle 101. This has an advantage that it prevents users from using the safety tether attachment points 125A, 125B for other (e.g., unsuitable) purposes when the towbar 105 is not being used for towing.

[0082] In addition to moving the towbar 105 between the deployed and retracted positions, the towbar drive system 135 is also configured to hold / support the towbar 105. To each of these ends, the towbar drive system 135 may comprise exactly one motor (i.e., a single motor) 190, which is securely attached to a rear crossbeam 120 of the vehicle 101 , i.e. the rearmost horizontal crossmember of the chassis of the vehicle 101 . Hence, in this way, the rear crossbeam 120 supports the motor 190 which in turn supports (and drives) the deployable towbar 105. In this way, the safety tether attachment points 125A, 125B are indirectly attached to the rear crossbeam 120 of the vehicle 101 .

[0083] The motor 190 is configured to rotate the towbar drive system 135 about rotational axis R between the deployed and retracted positions. In Figure 10, the towbar 105 is shown in a middle position which it passes through as it is moved between the deployed and retracted positions.

[0084] Due to the arrangement of the safety tether attachment points 125A, 125B on the towbar 105, the towbar drive system 135 needs only to rotate the towbar 105 about one axis R between the deployed and retracted positions, and so only one motor 190 is required. Moreover, since only one motor 190 is needed in the towbar drive system 135, the deployable towbar system 140 is simpler, cheaper and less prone to failure.

[0085] The towbar drive system 135 may be configured to move the towbar 105 between the deployed and retracted positions in dependence on user input. In other words, the towbar 105 can be actuated between deployed and retracted positions in dependence on said user input. To this end, a user input system (in the form of e.g. two buttons) (not shown) may be provided in a boot I trunk 195 of a vehicle 101 , which when operated by the user causes the towbar drive system 135 to move to one of the deployed and retracted positions.

[0086] It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A deployable towbar system for a vehicle, the deployable towbar system comprising: a towbar for towing a trailer behind a vehicle, wherein the towbar is movable between a deployed position and a retracted position, and a towbar drive system configured to move the towbar between the deployed and retracted positions, wherein the towbar comprises: a towing attachment point for coupling a trailer to the towbar for towing, a first safety tether attachment point for coupling the trailer to the towbar by way of a first safety tether, and a second safety tether attachment point for coupling the trailer to the towbar by way of a second safety tether, wherein each of the towing attachment point and the first and second safety tether attachment points are distinct and separate attachment points on the towbar.

2. The deployable towbar system of claim 1 , wherein, for each position of the towbar, the towbar extends in a plane and the first safety tether attachment point is offset from the plane on a first side of the plane and the second safety tether attachment point is offset from the plane on a second side of the plane opposite the first side.

3. The deployable towbar system of claim 2, wherein, for each position of the towbar, the first and second safety tether attachment points are symmetrically arranged about the plane.

4. The deployable towbar system of any preceding claim, wherein each of the first and second safety tether attachment points comprises a projection portion and an aperture extending through the projection portion between opposite sides thereof.

5. The deployable towbar system of claim 4, wherein, for each of the first and second safety tether attachment points, a recess is defined in the projection portion to provide a step therein, the aperture opening into the recess.

6. The deployable towbar system of any preceding claim, wherein the towbar comprises a first end proximal to the towbar drive system and a second end distal to the towbar drive system, and wherein the first and second safety tether attachment points are arranged at the first end and the towing attachment point is arranged at the second end.

7. The deployable towbar system of any preceding claim, wherein the towbar is integrally formed as a single forging.

8. The deployable towbar system of any preceding claim, wherein the towbar drive system is configured to move the towbar between the deployed and retracted positions by rotating the towbar about one axis only.

9. The deployable towbar system of any preceding claim, wherein the towbar drive system comprises a single motor.

10. The deployable towbar system of any preceding claim, wherein the towbar further comprises a breakaway cable attachment point for coupling the trailer to the towbar by way of a breakaway cable.11 . The deployable towbar system of any preceding claim, wherein the towing attachment point is in the form of a tow ball.

12. The deployable towbar system of any preceding claim, wherein the towbar is curved.

13. A vehicle comprising the deployable towbar system of any preceding claim.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the vehicle comprises a rear crossbeam, and wherein the towbar drive system is securely attached to the rear crossbeam.

15. The vehicle of claim 13 or 14, wherein the vehicle comprises a bumper, and wherein, in the retracted position, the towbar is concealed from view behind the bumper of the vehicle.