A king pin adaptor is provided for allowing a king pin, intended to connect to a fifth wheel hitch, to be attachable to a ball hitch assembly. A hitch assembly is provided having a plurality of vertical and longitudinal positions for securing a ball member to allow for greater flexibility in attaching to various towed structures. The king pin adaptor and hitch assembly may be used alone or together as components of a towing system for towing a trailer with a king pin or ball mount.

A weight distribution hitch system used with a hitch on a vehicle and a trailer, the system comprising: a jack with a foot and a motor configured to raise and lower a front portion of the trailer; a moment bar with a forward end attached to the hitch so as to pivot about a generally vertical axis, and a rearward portion, the moment bar configured to exert a forward moment on the vehicle in response to an upward force on the rearward portion; an engagement member configured to increase the upward force on the rearward portion of the moment bar upon movement of the jack in one vertical direction and to decrease the upward force upon movement of the jack in an opposite vertical direction; a sensor configured to determine at least one of current and voltage across the motor, to thereby infer the upward force on the rearward portion; and a switch configured to turn the motor on or off depending on the inferred upward force is disclosed.

A weight distribution hitch system comprising a vehicle attachment member comprising a forward end configured to rigidly attach to a vehicle, and a rearward end extending rearwardly toward a trailer, the rearward end comprising an upper portion comprising a trailer attachment member configured to pivotally attach to a coupler of the trailer, and a lower portion configured to receive a moment bar; a moment bar having a modulus of elasticity, the moment bar comprising a moment bar forward end attached to the lower portion of the rearward end of the vehicle attachment member so as to prevent rotation about a horizontal axis, and a moment bar rearward end; a tension member comprising a top end configured to be supported by a frame member of the trailer, and a bottom end configured to support the rearward end of the moment bar; wherein, when the tension member is in tension, it imposes an upward force on the moment bar rearward end, which, in turn, imposes a forward moment on the vehicle; and wherein the modulus of elasticity is low enough that an adjustment range for the moment bar is greater than 0.5 inches is disclosed.

A selectable and height-adjustable hitch apparatus for towing comprising an elongated shank received by a vehicle attached to an upper bracket with pentagonal opposing vertical support arms with pinholes for angular adjustment of the elongate shaft to the upper bracket. An upper tube integral with the upper bracket in telescopic relation to at least one lower or middle tube and adjustable in length by aligned pinholes. A lower bracket integral with a lower tube receiving a ball mount, wherein the ball mount is angularly and height adjustable via the tow-hitch apparatus.

A selectable and height-adjustable hitch apparatus for towing comprising an elongated shank received by a vehicle attached to an upper bracket with pentagonal opposing vertical support arms with pinholes for angular adjustment of the elongate shaft to the upper bracket. An upper tube integral with the upper bracket in telescopic relation to at least one lower or middle tube and adjustable in length by aligned pinholes. A lower bracket integral with a lower tube receiving a ball mount, wherein the ball mount is angularly and height adjustable via the tow-hitch apparatus.

A weight distribution hitch system used with a hitch on a vehicle and a trailer, the system comprising a jack with a foot and a motor configured to raise and lower a front portion of the trailer; a moment bar with a forward end attached to the hitch so as to pivot about a generally vertical axis, and a rearward portion, the moment bar configured to exert a forward moment on the vehicle in response to an upward force on the rearward portion; an engagement member configured to increase the upward force on the rearward portion of the moment bar upon movement of the jack in one vertical direction and to decrease the upward force upon movement of the jack in an opposite vertical direction; a sensor configured to determine at least one of current and voltage across the motor, to thereby infer the upward force on the rearward portion; and a switch configured to turn the motor on or off depending on the inferred upward force is disclosed.

Embodiments relate to a charging dock which allows a mobile robot to self-dock for charging more efficiently and reliably. The charging dock has a pivoting face including a disk fashioned with charging connection points. When a robot encounters the dock, the pivoting face is able to pivot to ensure the charging disk can align with corresponding charging pickup points within the robot's charging receptor. The pivoting face improves efficiency and reliability of the robot's docking procedures.

Hitches are disclosed relating to towing that include a sleeve, a receiver stem, a post and a coupler. The post may slide within the channel allowing the hitch to be adjustable. The coupler may be a socket configured to receive a ball. The post and the coupler may be in alignment. The described hitches may be useful for the towing of vehicles having a receiver tube.

Hitches are disclosed relating to towing that include a sleeve, a receiver stem, a post and a coupler. The post may slide within the channel allowing the hitch to be adjustable. The coupler may be a socket configured to receive a ball. The post and the coupler may be in alignment. The described hitches may be useful for the towing of vehicles having a receiver tube.

A towing system includes a first lifting mechanism comprising a winch, the winch comprising a drum, a strap, and a drive mechanism, the winch configured to connect a first end of a towable object to a driven vehicle, the first lifting mechanism configurable in a first operable configuration, and wherein the drive mechanism rotates the drum and the strap is increasingly spooled around the drum to elevate the first end of the towable object in the first operable configuration; and a second lifting mechanism configurable in a second operable configuration, the second lifting mechanism configured to connect to a second end of the towable object and to elevate the second end relative to a ground surface in the second operable configuration.