An improved trailer hitch is presented. The tractor trailer has a main trailer frame, the main trailer for hauling cargo. To help couple a trailer cab to the trailer frame a swivel box having a spring-loaded locking pin and a permanent hinge pin is coupled to a tongue that is used to couple the trailer cab and the trailer frame. The swivel box swivels or swings the tongue to a position to accommodate a misaligned trailer cab easing the coupling process.

An improved trailer hitch is presented. The tractor trailer has a main trailer frame, the main trailer for hauling cargo. To help couple a trailer cab to the trailer frame a swivel box having a spring-loaded locking pin and a permanent hinge pin is coupled to a tongue that is used to couple the trailer cab and the trailer frame. The swivel box swivels or swings the tongue to a position to accommodate a misaligned trailer cab easing the coupling process.

An article of manufacture for providing a theft-proof trailer hitch tongue is disclosed. The trailer hitch tongue has two or more mating receivers coupled to a trailer each of the two or more mating receivers having a plurality of locking notches about an inside surface of each mating receiver in a specific orientation, two or more removable arms for engaging the two or more mating receiver, each of the removable arms having a hitch tongue end and a connecting end and together form a split tongue of the trailer hitch, a plurality of locking pegs arranged on each of the two or more removable arms, the plurality of locking pegs being configured to simultaneously engage the plurality of locking notches when the hitch tongue end of the removable arms are inserted in the corresponding mating receiver, and locking latches components on the connecting end of each of the removable arms, the locking latches couple together after the hitch tongue end of the removable arms are inserted in the corresponding mating receiver.

An article of manufacture for providing a theft-proof trailer hitch tongue is disclosed. The trailer hitch tongue has two or more mating receivers coupled to a trailer each of the two or more mating receivers having a plurality of locking notches about an inside surface of each mating receiver in a specific orientation, two or more removable arms for engaging the two or more mating receiver, each of the removable arms having a hitch tongue end and a connecting end and together form a split tongue of the trailer hitch, a plurality of locking pegs arranged on each of the two or more removable arms, the plurality of locking pegs being configured to simultaneously engage the plurality of locking notches when the hitch tongue end of the removable arms are inserted in the corresponding mating receiver, and locking latches components on the connecting end of each of the removable arms, the locking latches couple together after the hitch tongue end of the removable arms are inserted in the corresponding mating receiver.

A materials handling vehicle comprising a hitch system, and a drive mechanism. The hitch system comprises a hitch and a hitch controller. The hitch comprises a latch, one or more sensors, an actuator, and a receiving member. The latch is positionable between open and closed positions. The actuator is positionable between retracted, intermediate, and extended positions. The receiving member is configured to lead a cart hook to engage the latch when in the closed position. The one or more sensors are configured to detect a position of the latch and a presence of the cart hook received within the receiving member. The hitch controller is configured to position the actuator in one of the retracted position, the intermediate position, and the extended position, and to position the latch in one of the open position and the closed position in response to signals received from the one or more sensors.

A materials handling vehicle comprising a hitch system, and a drive mechanism. The hitch system comprises a hitch and a hitch controller. The hitch comprises a latch, one or more sensors, an actuator, and a receiving member. The latch is positionable between open and closed positions. The actuator is positionable between retracted, intermediate, and extended positions. The receiving member is configured to lead a cart hook to engage the latch when in the closed position. The one or more sensors are configured to detect a position of the latch and a presence of the cart hook received within the receiving member. The hitch controller is configured to position the actuator in one of the retracted position, the intermediate position, and the extended position, and to position the latch in one of the open position and the closed position in response to signals received from the one or more sensors.

The invention relates to a trailer coupling for a motor vehicle (11), in particular a passenger car, comprising a retainer (20), which is arranged on or can be fastened to the motor vehicle (11), and a retainer part (30), which can be detachably fastened to the retainer (20) and which has a retainer insertion projection (33) for inserting into a retainer insertion receptacle (24) of the retainer (20), wherein the retainer part (30) has an integrated locking device (70) having at least one locking body (71) and has an actuation body (73), which is supported in the retainer part (30) so as to be movable in order to actuate the at least one locking body (71) into a locking position (R), wherein the at least one locking body (71) interlockingly engages in a locking receptacle (72) on the retainer (20) in the locking position (R) and is moved out of the locking receptacle (72) in a detaching position (L), the retainer insertion projection (33) of the retainer part (30) therefore being interlockingly locked in the retainer insertion receptacle (24) of the retainer (20) in the locking position (R) of the at least one locking body (71) and being removable from the retainer insertion receptacle (24) of the retainer (20) in the detaching position (L), wherein the retainer part (30) is provided for forming a coupling arm (15), which has a coupling part (60) having a coupling element (65), in particular having a coupling ball, for coupling a load carrier (200) or a trailer, or is provided for directly coupling a load carrier (200). According to the invention, the retainer part (30) has a receiving sleeve (40) having a tubular coupling insertion receptacle (41) for inserting a coupling insertion projection (66; 266) of the coupling part (60) or of the load carrier (200).

The invention relates to a trailer coupling for a motor vehicle (11), in particular a passenger car, comprising a retainer (20), which is arranged on or can be fastened to the motor vehicle (11), and a retainer part (30), which can be detachably fastened to the retainer (20) and which has a retainer insertion projection (33) for inserting into a retainer insertion receptacle (24) of the retainer (20), wherein the retainer part (30) has an integrated locking device (70) having at least one locking body (71) and has an actuation body (73), which is supported in the retainer part (30) so as to be movable in order to actuate the at least one locking body (71) into a locking position (R), wherein the at least one locking body (71) interlockingly engages in a locking receptacle (72) on the retainer (20) in the locking position (R) and is moved out of the locking receptacle (72) in a detaching position (L), the retainer insertion projection (33) of the retainer part (30) therefore being interlockingly locked in the retainer insertion receptacle (24) of the retainer (20) in the locking position (R) of the at least one locking body (71) and being removable from the retainer insertion receptacle (24) of the retainer (20) in the detaching position (L), wherein the retainer part (30) is provided for forming a coupling arm (15), which has a coupling part (60) having a coupling element (65), in particular having a coupling ball, for coupling a load carrier (200) or a trailer, or is provided for directly coupling a load carrier (200). According to the invention, the retainer part (30) has a receiving sleeve (40) having a tubular coupling insertion receptacle (41) for inserting a coupling insertion projection (66; 266) of the coupling part (60) or of the load carrier (200).

A method for automatically verifying a coupling between a tractor and a first trailer unit, the method comprising engaging a wheel brake on the first trailer unit, generating a propulsion torque by the tractor, determining a first coupling force between the tractor and the first trailer unit, and verifying the coupling between the tractor and the first trailer unit based on the determined first coupling force.

A ball coupling device includes a socket assembly, configured to assume an operative condition in which it defines a socket to capture a tow ball such that there is formed a sliding fit, permitting relative rotation, between the tow ball and socket or assembly and to assume an inoperative condition whereby the tow ball and assembly can be decoupled. The assembly being configured to define in the operative condition an opening, disposed about a neck via which the tow ball is supported, having a width, parallel to a rotational axis extending centrally through the tow ball and perpendicular to a central axis of the tow ball that extends top-to-bottom therethrough, sufficient that the neck passes through the opening, and a length sufficient to permit relative displacement between the neck and assembly and thus relative rotation between the tow ball and the assembly or device about the rotational axis.