Patent classifications
B60D1/46
Vibration minimization towing hitch
A vibration minimization towing hitch includes a shank attachable into the receiver tube the towing vehicle, and a separately formed head, such as for supporting a tow ball. The head is pivotable through a partial range of motion relative to the head, such as allowing the tow ball to pivot up to 7° downward or up to 3° upward. One or more compressible inserts are disposed in a pocket between the shank and the head, for resisting the limited pivotal motion of the head relative to the shank. A user performs a part of the assembly using two insertable pins or bolts, with insertion of the second pin compressing a compressible bumper which is separate from the insert(s).
Articulated hitch coupler
An articulated coupler permits vertical displacement of a towed vehicle relative to a towing vehicle while preventing lateral or horizontal displacement of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle. Multiple linkage arms provide coupling for special configuration towed vehicles such as short wheel-mounted lifts that experience torsional forces due to the presence and absence of loads on the lift.
Articulated hitch coupler
An articulated coupler permits vertical displacement of a towed vehicle relative to a towing vehicle while preventing lateral or horizontal displacement of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle. Multiple linkage arms provide coupling for special configuration towed vehicles such as short wheel-mounted lifts that experience torsional forces due to the presence and absence of loads on the lift.
Apparatus and method of installing an internal locking ring to reinforce an adjustable trailer hitch
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.
Apparatus and method of installing an internal locking ring to reinforce an adjustable trailer hitch
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.
Positionable towing hitch
The positionable towing hitch includes a first beam supporting a movable housing assembly and a second beam assembly movable in the housing. The first beam protrudes out of the housing for mounting to a hitch receiver of a vehicle. A first beam driver assembly is coupled to the first beam to selectively extend and retract the housing with respect to the first beam in a horizontal direction. A second beam driver assembly is coupled to a second beam to selectively raise and lower the second beam with respect to the housing in a vertical direction. A ball mount bracket is fixed to the second beam for mounting a ball mount thereon to move with the second beam. The movements of the housing and the second beam facilitate positioning of the ball mount for connection to a trailer to be hitched.
Positionable towing hitch
The positionable towing hitch includes a first beam supporting a movable housing assembly and a second beam assembly movable in the housing. The first beam protrudes out of the housing for mounting to a hitch receiver of a vehicle. A first beam driver assembly is coupled to the first beam to selectively extend and retract the housing with respect to the first beam in a horizontal direction. A second beam driver assembly is coupled to a second beam to selectively raise and lower the second beam with respect to the housing in a vertical direction. A ball mount bracket is fixed to the second beam for mounting a ball mount thereon to move with the second beam. The movements of the housing and the second beam facilitate positioning of the ball mount for connection to a trailer to be hitched.
HITCH ASSEMBLY WITH A RECESSED DRAW BAR
A hitch assembly adapted for securement in a tube receiver connected to a towing vehicle below its bumper includes a hitch base with a recessed profile. The hitch base includes a shaft sized for reception in the tube receiver and a draw bar connected to the shaft. The shaft is connected at a first end to an upper portion of the draw bar. The draw bar includes a plurality of pin receiving apertures extending laterally through a lower portion of the draw bar in vertical spaced alignment. The upper portion of the draw bar includes a recessed geometry or reduced profile relative to the lower portion of the draw bar.
HITCH ASSEMBLY WITH A RECESSED DRAW BAR
A hitch assembly adapted for securement in a tube receiver connected to a towing vehicle below its bumper includes a hitch base with a recessed profile. The hitch base includes a shaft sized for reception in the tube receiver and a draw bar connected to the shaft. The shaft is connected at a first end to an upper portion of the draw bar. The draw bar includes a plurality of pin receiving apertures extending laterally through a lower portion of the draw bar in vertical spaced alignment. The upper portion of the draw bar includes a recessed geometry or reduced profile relative to the lower portion of the draw bar.
Weight distribution hitch with angled moment bar for pre-load adjustment
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 tension member comprising a top end configured to be supported by a frame member of the trailer, and a bottom end, and a moment bar, the moment bar comprising a first end configured to either be attached the lower portion of the rearward end of the vehicle attachment member or to be supported by the bottom end of the tension member, a second end also configured to either be attached to the lower portion of the rearward end of the vehicle attachment member or to be supported by the bottom end of the tension member, a first major face configured to face either generally upward or generally downward, a second major face opposite the first major face and also configured to face either generally upward or generally downward, and a bend between the first end and the second end; wherein, when the tension member is in tension, it imposes an upward force on the end of the moment bar that is supported by the tension member, which, in turn, imposes a forward moment on the vehicle; and wherein a preload on the moment bar is varied depending on whether the first major face faces generally upward or generally downward is disclosed.