A coupling socket for coupling to a coupling ball. The coupling socket has a concave coupling receiving area with a main insertion direction for the coupling ball, and a substantially semispherical lubricant cap with an end face edge is arranged in the coupling receiving area, wherein the convex exterior of the lubricant cap contacts the inner wall of the coupling receiving area over the surface thereof, and the concave interior of the lubricant cap has a receiving area for the coupling ball. The coupling socket has an insertion aid in the coupling receiving area, the end face edge of the lubricant cap, when viewed in the main insertion direction, is located behind the insertion aid, and the insertion aid completely covers the end face edge of the lubricant cap.

A maintenance-free bearing system having self-lubricating features, seals, grooves and slots for use in a cushion hitch assembly for a hitch pull scraper vehicle. An interconnected bearing linkage system having two or more horizontal two-axis combined journal and thrust bearings with self-lubricating liners therein, two or more vertical single-axis sleeve bearings with self-lubricating liners therein and one or more vertical thrust bearing with self-lubricating liners therein, that cooperate with one another to accommodate vertical and horizontal angular movement relative to one another.

A system is disclosed herein including a tow vehicle including and a trailer. The tow vehicle includes a bed having a first surface and an opposing second surface and a receiver assembly coupled to the bed, the receiver assembly extending through the first surface and the second surface. The receiver assembly includes a hollow cylinder having a first end and a second end, the first end of the hollow cylinder coupled to the bed of the tow vehicle and a ball receiver having a semi-spherical shape, the ball receiver coupled to the second end of the hollow cylinder. The trailer includes a deck, a neck coupled to the deck and a trailer coupler coupled to the neck. The trailer coupler includes a trailer ball configured to engage the receiver assembly of the tow vehicle.

A lubricant applicator for a ball hitch includes a diaphragm assembly, a hollow support structure, and preferably, a removable cover. The diaphragm assembly includes a diaphragm member and may also include a peripheral sidewall. The diaphragm member has a non-permeable top surface having an inner facing surface and an outer facing surface. A central region of the inner facing surface is coated with lubricant that is releasable from the inner facing surface when pressed against an external surface and, optionally, rotated slightly. The hollow support structure has a peripheral sidewall. The diaphragm assembly is positionally secured within the hollow support structure to provide a unitary structure. The lubricant-coated central region of the diaphragm member is configured to deform and partially encapsulate at least an upper portion of the ball hitch when the lubricant applicator is centered over the ball hitch and pressed down over the ball hitch to allow release and transfer of at least a portion of the lubricant from the inner facing surface of the diaphragm member to the at least upper portion of the ball hitch.

A system is disclosed herein including a tow vehicle including and a trailer. The tow vehicle includes a bed having a first surface and an opposing second surface and a receiver assembly coupled to the bed, the receiver assembly extending through the first surface and the second surface. The receiver assembly includes a hollow cylinder having a first end and a second end, the first end of the hollow cylinder coupled to the bed of the tow vehicle and a ball receiver having a semi-spherical shape, the ball receiver coupled to the second end of the hollow cylinder. The trailer includes a deck, a neck coupled to the deck and a trailer coupler coupled to the neck. The trailer coupler includes a trailer ball configured to engage the receiver assembly of the tow vehicle.

The claimed invention relates to a container assembly for applying grease to the ball of a trailer hitch. Specifically, the grease applicator comprises a lower housing with an upper concave surface and an upper housing with an upper concave surface further comprising at least one aperture. Grease is introduced between the upper concave surface of the lower housing and the upper concave surface of the upper housing such that when the two surfaces are pressed together grease is emitted from the at least one aperture in the upper concave surface.

A lubricant applicator for a ball hitch includes a diaphragm assembly, a hollow support structure, and preferably, a removable cover. The diaphragm assembly includes a diaphragm member and may also include a peripheral sidewall. The diaphragm member has a non-permeable top surface having an inner facing surface and an outer facing surface. A central region of the inner facing surface is coated with lubricant that is releasable from the inner facing surface when pressed against an external surface and, optionally, rotated slightly. The hollow support structure has a peripheral sidewall. The diaphragm assembly is positionally secured within the hollow support structure to provide a unitary structure. The lubricant-coated central region of the diaphragm member is configured to deform and partially encapsulate at least an upper portion of the ball hitch when the lubricant applicator is centered over the ball hitch and pressed down over the ball hitch to allow release and transfer of at least a portion of the lubricant from the inner facing surface of the diaphragm member to the at least upper portion of the ball hitch.

A lift assist system for lifting a tow bar and setting a tow bar-actuated brake system. The lift assist system includes a cam that may proportionally counter the moments imposed on the tow bar for a reduced and more uniform exertion force on the tow bar throughout the rotation of the tow bar. A brake actuation system can help provide retention of the tow bar in the upright configuration, eliminating the need for or providing redundancy to conventional latch and hook mechanisms.

A maintenance-free bearing system having self-lubricating features, seals, grooves and slots for use in a cushion hitch assembly for a hitch pull scraper vehicle. An interconnected bearing linkage system having two or more horizontal two-axis combined journal and thrust bearings with self-lubricating liners therein, two or more vertical single-axis sleeve bearings with self-lubricating liners therein and one or more vertical thrust bearing with self-lubricating liners therein, that cooperate with one another to accommodate vertical and horizontal angular movement relative to one another.

The claimed invention relates to a container assembly for applying grease to the ball of a trailer hitch. Specifically, the grease applicator comprises a lower housing with an upper concave surface and an upper housing with an upper concave surface further comprising at least one aperture. Grease is introduced between the upper concave surface of the lower housing and the upper concave surface of the upper housing such that when the two surfaces are pressed together grease is emitted from the at least one aperture in the upper concave surface.