This disclosure relates to systems and methods of towing, hitching, and connecting devices. In particular, this disclosure relates to tow devices, hitches, and connections for towing item containers behind vehicles, both autonomous and manually guided.

This disclosure relates to systems and methods of towing, hitching, and connecting devices. In particular, this disclosure relates to tow devices, hitches, and connections for towing item containers behind vehicles, both autonomous and manually guided.

A trailer hitch assembly includes a shank, coupleable to a receiver carried by a towing vehicle. A ball attachment bracket is attachable to the shank. A ball assembly is receivable within the ball attachment bracket, the ball assembly capable of mating with a trailer coupler carried by a trailer to be towed. A distribution block is attachable to one or both the ball attachment bracket or the shank. The distribution block has arm socket attachments to allow coupling of a pair of arm sockets to the distribution block, each of the arm sockets capable of receiving one of a pair of spring arms attachable to the trailer to be towed. The distribution block is removable from each of the ball attachment bracket and the shank while the ball attachment bracket remains operably coupled to the shank for use as a standard ball hitch assembly.

A trailer hitch assembly includes a shank, coupleable to a receiver carried by a towing vehicle. A ball attachment bracket is attachable to the shank. A ball assembly is receivable within the ball attachment bracket, the ball assembly capable of mating with a trailer coupler carried by a trailer to be towed. A distribution block is attachable to one or both the ball attachment bracket or the shank. The distribution block has arm socket attachments to allow coupling of a pair of arm sockets to the distribution block, each of the arm sockets capable of receiving one of a pair of spring arms attachable to the trailer to be towed. The distribution block is removable from each of the ball attachment bracket and the shank while the ball attachment bracket remains operably coupled to the shank for use as a standard ball hitch assembly.

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 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, and a spring, configured to bias the moment bar rearward end toward the frame member of the trailer; and 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 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 releasable tension member comprising a top portion configured to be pivotally supported by a frame member of the trailer and configured to pivot about a horizontal axis, and a bottom portion configured to support the rearward end of the moment bar; and a moment bar preload mechanism configured to push up the moment bar rearward end to thereby preload the moment bar; wherein, when the moment bar rearward end has been preloaded, the releasable tension member can be pivoted between a first angular position and a second angular position below the preloaded 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 is disclosed.

A trailer coupler assembly and methods of use are provided that includes a ball coupler, a rod member having a first end and an opposite second end, a trailer frame, a first pivot connection pivotably connecting the first end of the rod member to the ball coupler, such that the rod member can rotate within a vertical plane relative to the ball coupler, and a second pivot connection pivotably connecting the rod member to the trailer frame, such the trailer frame can rotate around the rod member. The trailer coupler assembly also includes a lock out member that is configured to releasably engage the first pivot connection to thereby restrict pivoting of the rod member relative to the ball coupler.

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a hitch system that couples a vehicle to an implement powered by the vehicle using a driveshaft supplying power from a power output to the implement. The hitch system comprises a front portion and rear portion, with a mid-yaw pivot coupling the front and rear portions. The front portion couples to a drawbar engaged with the vehicle, and the rear portion couples with the implement. The mid-yaw pivot can be disposed substantially equidistant from a power output of the vehicle and a power input to the implement. This arrangement can provide, during operation, for the angle between the power output and driveshaft to be substantially equal to the angle between the power input and driveshaft. This may provide for improved performance in the implement, including reduced vibration, lower weight, and less maintenance.

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a hitch system that couples a vehicle to an implement powered by the vehicle using a driveshaft supplying power from a power output to the implement. The hitch system comprises a front portion and rear portion, with a mid-yaw pivot coupling the front and rear portions. The front portion couples to a drawbar engaged with the vehicle, and the rear portion couples with the implement. The mid-yaw pivot can be disposed substantially equidistant from a power output of the vehicle and a power input to the implement. This arrangement can provide, during operation, for the angle between the power output and driveshaft to be substantially equal to the angle between the power input and driveshaft. This may provide for improved performance in the implement, including reduced vibration, lower weight, and less maintenance.

A vertical tapered trailer hitch coupling adapted for mounting on a vehicle hitch mounting frame. The mounting frame attached to an undercarriage at a rear of a vehicle. The vertical tapered trailer hitch coupling includes a vertical tapered collar with a four, equal sided tapered collar hole. A vertical, four equal sided tapered post is received inside the tapered collar hole. The post can be rotated 90 degrees in the collar hole. Mounted on top of tapered post is a trailer ball plate with a trailer ball. Also, the ball plate can include more than one trailer balls. This design allows for two different heights of drop hitches on a single hitch. The trailer balls are adapted for pulling different types of trailers behind the vehicle.