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.

The present invention provides an articulated safety hitch which is a more secure and flexible replacement for the conventional hitch and ball towing systems long used in light to heavy duty towing, thus improving safety, longevity, strength, serviceability, and ease of manufacture. Instead of a single ball typically used in conventional hitch and ball towing systems, the inventive articulated safety hitch can move in all directions with wide bearing separation and without binding up or slipping off. In addition, the inventive articulated safety hitch is simple to build and uses readily available, off-the-shelf components as wearable items, such as existing trailer tongues and ball coupler designs.

The present invention provides an articulated safety hitch which is a more secure and flexible replacement for the conventional hitch and ball towing systems long used in light to heavy duty towing, thus improving safety, longevity, strength, serviceability, and ease of manufacture. Instead of a single ball typically used in conventional hitch and ball towing systems, the inventive articulated safety hitch can move in all directions with wide bearing separation and without binding up or slipping off. In addition, the inventive articulated safety hitch is simple to build and uses readily available, off-the-shelf components as wearable items, such as existing trailer tongues and ball coupler designs.

Bicycle carriers or racks for attachment to vehicles may be provided with a pivoting mechanism to rotate the rack in a vertical plane to provide access to the rear of the vehicle without removing bicycles from the rack. An actuator may be provided for a user to engage and disengage the pivoting mechanism to respectively secure the rack in a desired orientation or allow it to pivot from one desired orientation to another. The actuator may be coupled to a bar that engages one or more protrusions in the pivoting mechanism to secure the pivoting mechanism at a desired orientation. In some mechanisms the actuator may be actuated by hand or by foot, or both.

Bicycle carriers or racks for attachment to vehicles may be provided with a pivoting mechanism to rotate the rack in a vertical plane to provide access to the rear of the vehicle without removing bicycles from the rack. An actuator may be provided for a user to engage and disengage the pivoting mechanism to respectively secure the rack in a desired orientation or allow it to pivot from one desired orientation to another. The actuator may be coupled to a bar that engages one or more protrusions in the pivoting mechanism to secure the pivoting mechanism at a desired orientation. In some mechanisms the actuator may be actuated by hand or by foot, or both.

An adjustable height trailer hitch may include a shank portion configured and adapted to be installed into a hitch receiver. The hitch may further include a drop bar extending downwardly from the shank portion. The drop bar may further include a plurality of pin receiving holes formed in the drop bar. The hitch may further include a ball support member having a locking pin disposed in a locking-pin bore and an actuator pin disposed in an actuator bore. The hitch may further include a locking ring disposed in an annular groove of a cylindrical sidewall of the actuator bore. The locking ring may prevent backout of the actuator pin.

An adjustable height trailer hitch may include a shank portion configured and adapted to be installed into a hitch receiver. The hitch may further include a drop bar extending downwardly from the shank portion. The drop bar may further include a plurality of pin receiving holes formed in the drop bar. The hitch may further include a ball support member having a locking pin disposed in a locking-pin bore and an actuator pin disposed in an actuator bore. The hitch may further include a locking ring disposed in an annular groove of a cylindrical sidewall of the actuator bore. The locking ring may prevent backout of the actuator pin.

An attachment for use with a safety chain which has a leading link and a following link, the attachment having a clevis with first and second lateral side sections and an opening between the side sections into which a leading end of the leading link is receivable; and a pin receivable by the first and second side sections so as to extend across the opening to couple the leading link to the clevis and a portion of the clevis defined between the first and second sections has a configuration complementary to a configuration of the leading end of the leading link; and/or portions of the first and second side sections have configurations complementary to configurations of portions of a leading end of the following link, such that there is a close fit between the clevis and chain when the leading link is coupled to the clevis by the pin member.

An attachment for use with a safety chain which has a leading link and a following link, the attachment having a clevis with first and second lateral side sections and an opening between the side sections into which a leading end of the leading link is receivable; and a pin receivable by the first and second side sections so as to extend across the opening to couple the leading link to the clevis and a portion of the clevis defined between the first and second sections has a configuration complementary to a configuration of the leading end of the leading link; and/or portions of the first and second side sections have configurations complementary to configurations of portions of a leading end of the following link, such that there is a close fit between the clevis and chain when the leading link is coupled to the clevis by the pin member.

A quick hitch attachment device for coupling the attachment element of a truck bed type system to a quick hitch. The attachment device includes a mounting member tube, a ball hitch assembly and two or more coupling members adapted to mount a mounting member to the quick hitch. The ball hitch assembly includes a stem configured to be slidably received in the tube.