Patent classifications
B60D1/46
Weight Distribution Hitch with Pivoting Latch
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.
Spring bar coupling device for a weight distributing trailer hitch
A spring bar coupling device is described for coupling a spring bar of a weight distributing trailer hitch to a trailer frame. The spring bar coupling device can include a spring bar support operable to interface with and support a spring bar of a weight distributing trailer hitch. The spring bar support can have a vertical support arm having a first coupler opening, and a lower spring bar stop extending from the vertical support arm to provide a lower interface for the spring bar. The spring bar coupling device can also include a channel bracket having at least two opposing walls defining a vertically oriented channel operable to receive the vertical support arm, and a second coupler opening in at least one of the two walls. The first and second coupler openings can be configured to be aligned with one another at a first coupling location when the vertical support arm is located at least partially within the vertically oriented channel. In addition, the spring bar coupling device can include at least one coupler operable to extend into the first and second coupler openings to couple the spring bar support to the channel bracket.
Dual tow ring tongue coupler
An improved coupler for a tongue on a towed vehicle that attaches to a tow hook mounted on a towing vehicle to either pull the towed vehicle over a road or to pull the towed vehicle located on an elevated surface. The coupler includes an elongated tongue tube attached to the end of the tongue attached to the towed vehicle. Upper and lower rings are axially aligned and mounted or attached to the front surface of the tongue tube. The rings are spaced apart on the tongue tube to allow the towing vehicle to pull or push the towed vehicle over the same roadway or an elevated surface. Brackets are used between the tongue tube and the trailer tongue to prevent compression, collapse, and fore to aft or aft to fore movements. An adjustable jack is attached to the side of the tongue tube. An optional lid is provided over the top opening of the tongue tube that covers a storage compartment inside the tongue tube. An optional chock holder plate and a pair of compatible chocks may be placed inside the storage compartment.
Equal angle hitch
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.
Equal angle hitch
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.
HYDRAULIC GOOSENECK BALL LIFT SYSTEM AND METHOD
A system and method of raising and lowering a ball hitch for coupling to a gooseneck trailer coupler are provided. A combination of hydraulic pump and hydraulic piston are employed to raise and lower the ball hitch. Both custom and off the shelf parts combine to create a user friendly system to couple and uncouple a gooseneck trailer to the truck. The system described herein replaces the need to raise and lower a gooseneck trailer by hand crank and gear box. A non-rotating free end hydraulic piston device extends and retracts to raise and lower the ball hitch in both coupling and uncoupling of the trailer.
HYDRAULIC GOOSENECK BALL LIFT SYSTEM AND METHOD
A system and method of raising and lowering a ball hitch for coupling to a gooseneck trailer coupler are provided. A combination of hydraulic pump and hydraulic piston are employed to raise and lower the ball hitch. Both custom and off the shelf parts combine to create a user friendly system to couple and uncouple a gooseneck trailer to the truck. The system described herein replaces the need to raise and lower a gooseneck trailer by hand crank and gear box. A non-rotating free end hydraulic piston device extends and retracts to raise and lower the ball hitch in both coupling and uncoupling of the trailer.
STOWABLE STACKED HITCH RECEIVER
A stowable stacked receiver has a fixed drawbar portion that allows affixation to a towing vehicle. Attached to the fixed drawbar portion is a movable stacked receiver that can pivot between a use and a stowed position. In the use position, the stacked receivers can receive a removable drawbar in a plurality of positions, and the stacked receivers are adjacent a flat surface on the fixed drawbar portion. In the stowed position, the stacked receivers are located underneath the fixed drawbar portion. A locking pin can be used to secure the movable stacked receiver in either the use or stowed position.
Pivoting Trailer Hitch
A trailer coupling mechanism includes a first end, a second end, a height adjustment assembly, a first swivel assembly, and a second swivel assembly. The first end is adapted to couple to one of a trailer and a vehicle. The second end is adapted to couple to the other of the trailer and the vehicle. The height adjustment assembly is coupled between the first and second ends and is operative to adjust the relative height between the first and second ends. The first swivel assembly is coupled between the height adjustment assembly and the first end and facilitates rotation of the first end with respect to the height adjustment assembly about a first axis. The second swivel assembly is coupled between the second end and the height adjustment assembly and facilitates rotation of the height adjustment assembly with respect to the second end about a second axis parallel to the first axis.
Pivoting Trailer Hitch
A trailer coupling mechanism includes a first end, a second end, a height adjustment assembly, a first swivel assembly, and a second swivel assembly. The first end is adapted to couple to one of a trailer and a vehicle. The second end is adapted to couple to the other of the trailer and the vehicle. The height adjustment assembly is coupled between the first and second ends and is operative to adjust the relative height between the first and second ends. The first swivel assembly is coupled between the height adjustment assembly and the first end and facilitates rotation of the first end with respect to the height adjustment assembly about a first axis. The second swivel assembly is coupled between the second end and the height adjustment assembly and facilitates rotation of the height adjustment assembly with respect to the second end about a second axis parallel to the first axis.