US 12,472,785 B2
Collapsing tow hook assemblies and vehicles including same
Jeremiah T. Hammer, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Assigned to TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., Plano, TX (US); and TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Toyota (JP)
Filed by Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Plano, TX (US)
Filed on Nov. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/986,404.
Prior Publication US 2024/0157741 A1, May 16, 2024
Int. Cl. B60D 1/42 (2006.01); B60D 1/48 (2006.01)
CPC B60D 1/42 (2013.01) [B60D 1/48 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tow hook assembly comprising:
a housing including a side wall defining an asymmetric opening having a cam surface and an end wall;
a receiving member; and
a pin rotatably coupling the receiving member to the housing for movement between an extended position and a rotated position, the pin including an extended portion received within the asymmetric opening of the housing, in the extended position the extended portion abuts against the end wall to inhibit rotation of the receiving member with respect to the housing in a first direction,
upon application of a force exceeding a predetermined threshold on the receiving member, the extended portion abuts and deforms against the cam surface to permit rotation of the receiving member in a second direction opposite the first direction to rotate the receiving member from the extended position towards the rotated position.