A trailer hitch assembly better secures a trailer to a vehicle trailer hitch. By restricting vertical travel of the trailer coupling, a hitch ball on a draw bar is better engaged by the trailer coupling as any vertical dislodgement of the trailer coupling from the hitch ball is restricted by the und
A trailer hitch assembly better secures a trailer to a vehicle trailer hitch. By restricting vertical travel of the trailer coupling, a hitch ball on a draw bar is better engaged by the trailer coupling as any vertical dislodgement of the trailer coupling from the hitch ball is restricted by the underlying trailer hitch assembly. The underlying trailer hitch assembly cannot travel upward when locked into position as the draw bar obstructs its upward travel, thus preventing the trailer coupling from disengaging the hitch ball. The trailer hitch assembly is lockably pivotable away from the underside of the draw bar in order to allow controlled disengagement of the trailer coupling from the hitch ball. The trailer hitch assembly may act as a support when placed in the vertical or downward position with a wheel, pad, or skid providing support for the accompanying trailer and its load. Additionally, a new trailer hitch ball system is detachably attachable to the draw bar without a shank, nut, or washer.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. A trailer hitch assembly, comprising: a coupler mounting bracket adapted to be operatively coupled to a trailer coupling; a locking support pivotably coupled to said coupler mounting bracket; and a ground-engaging support coupled to said locking support; whereby said locking
What is claimed is: 1. A trailer hitch assembly, comprising: a coupler mounting bracket adapted to be operatively coupled to a trailer coupling; a locking support pivotably coupled to said coupler mounting bracket; and a ground-engaging support coupled to said locking support; whereby said locking support is pivotable to a first lock position and a second support position, such that in said first lock position said locking support is secured in place projecting forwardly relative to said coupler mounting bracket and below said trailer coupling to entrap a hitch ball therebetween and such that in said second support position said locking support is oriented to enable said ground-engaging support to contact said ground with said trailer coupling detached from said hitch ball. 2. A trailer hitch assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said coupler mounting bracket further comprises: first and second side panels coupled to said locking support by a pivotable locking rod; said first side panel having a forward hole, a rearward hole, and an upper hole, said rearward and upper holes generally disposed at right angles to each other with respect to said forward hole; said locking rod engaging said forward and rearward holes to lock said locking support in said first lock position and engaging said forward and upper holes to lock said locking support in said second support position. 3. A trailer hitch assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said locking rod further comprises: a central extended post passing through said forward hole and said locking support; a cross member coupled to said central extended post; and a locking arm coupled to said cross member, said locking arm passing trough said rearward hole and said locking support to lock said locking support in said first lock position and passing through said upper hole and said locking support to lock said locking support in said second support position, said locking support generally pivoting upon said central extended post. 4. A trailer hitch assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said coupler mounting bracket further comprises: a biasing member coupled to said pivotable locking rod and biasing said pivotable locking rod in a locked position to maintain said locking support in either said first lock position or said second support position, bias of said biasing member generally overcome by directed manual engagement to enable said locking support to change from said first lock position to said second support position and vice-versa. 5. A trailer hitch assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein said coupler mounting bracket flitter comprises: a nut coupled to an end of said pivotable locking rod; and said biasing member being a spring and being entrapped between said nut and said second side panel. 6. A trailer hitch assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said locking support further comprises: a proximal end pivotably couplable to said coupler mounting bracket; a circumscribing extension projecting away from said proximal end, said circumscribing extension defining an aperture; and a distal end coupled to said circumscribing extension and generally oppositely opposed to said proximal end such that said proximal end, said circumscribing extension, and said distal end are generally co-linear, said distal end adapted for coupling with said ground-engaging support. 7. A trailer hitch assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said locking support further comprises: said proximal end having a generally central pivot axis generally adjacent said aperture, said pivot axis generally perpendicular to an axis defined by said co-linear proximal end, circumscribing extension, and said distal end; said proximal end having a rearward locking aperture generally adjacent an end of said proximal end opposite that of said aperture with respect to said pivot axis. 8. A trailer hitch assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein said locking support further comprises: said pivot axis defined by structures selected from the group consisting of: channels traveling from one side of said locking support to an opposite side, channels established by a cross member, a pair of co-axial holes, and/or a combination thereof. 9. A trailer hitch assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein said locking support further comprises: said locking support constructed from material configurations selected from the group consisting of: solid stamped metal, sheet stamped metal, forged metal, appropriately configured bar metal, appropriately configured bar metal with a cross member co-axial with said pivot axis, and/or a combination thereof. 10. A trailer hitch assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said ground-engaging support further comprises: a ground-engaging support selected from the group consisting of wheels, pads, plates, supports, and/or a combination thereof. 11. A trailer hitch assembly, comprising: a coupler mounting bracket adapted to be operatively coupled to a trailer coupling and having first and second side panels; said first side panel having a forward hole, a rearward hole, and an upper hole, said rearward and upper holes generally disposed at right angles to each other with respect to said forward hole; a locking support pivotably coupled to said coupler mounting bracket, said locking support having a proximal end, a circumscribing extension, and a distal end, said proximal end pivotably couplable to said coupler mounting bracket, said circumscribing extension projecting away from said proximal end, said circumscribing extension defining an aperture, and said distal end coupled to said circumscribing extension and generally oppositely opposed to said proximal end such that said proximal end, said circumscribing extension, and said distal end are generally co-linear, said distal end adapted for coupling with said ground-engaging support; said proximal end having a generally central pivot axis and a rearward locking aperture, said pivot axis generally adjacent said aperture and generally perpendicular to an axis defined by said co-linear proximal end, circumscribing extension, and said distal end, and said rearward locking aperture generally adjacent an end of said proximal end opposite that of said aperture with respect to said pivot axis; said pivot axis generally defined by structures selected from the group consisting of: channels traveling from one side of said locking support to an opposite side, channels established by a cross member, a pair of co-axial holes, and/or a combination thereof; said locking support constructed from material configurations selected from the group consisting of: solid stamped metal, sheet stamped metal, forged metal, appropriately configured bar metal, appropriately configured bar metal with a cross member co-axial with said pivot axis, and/or a combination thereof; a locking rod engaging said forward and rearward holes of said coupler mounting bracket to lock said locking support in a first lock position and engaging said forward and upper holes to lock said locking support in a second support position; said locking rod having a central extended post passing through said forward hole and said locking support, a cross member coupled to said central extended post, and a locking arm coupled to said cross member, said locking arm being generally parallel to said central extended post and passing through said rearward hole and said locking support to lock said locking support in said first lock position and passing through said upper hole and said locking support to lock said locking support in said second support position, said locking support generally pivoting upon said central extended post; said coupler mounting bracket having a spring coupled to said pivotable locking rod and biasing said pivotable locking rod in a locked position to maintain said locking support in either said first lock position or said second support position, bias of said spring generally overcome by directed manual engagement to enable said locking support to change from said first lock position to said second support position and vice-versa; said coupler mounting bracket further having a nut coupled to an end of said pivotable locking rod with said spring entrapped between said nut and said second side panel; a ground-engaging support coupled to said locking support, said ground-engaging support selected from the group consisting of wheels, pads, plates, supports, and/or a combination thereof; whereby said locking support is pivotable to said first lock position and said second support position. 12. A trailer hitch assembly, comprising: a coupler mount adapted to be operatively coupled to a trailer coupling, said coupler mount defining a first hole and a second hole; a locking support pivotably coupled to said coupler mount; a ground-engaging support coupled to said locking support a locking rod configured to pivotably couple locking support to said coupler mount; said locking rod configured to engage said first hole to maintain said locking support in a first lock position and to engage said second hole to maintain said locking support in a second support position, such that in said first lock position said locking support projects forwardly relative to said coupler mounting bracket below said trailer coupling to entrap a hitch ball therebetween and such that in said second support position said locking support is oriented to enable said ground-engaging support to contact said ground with said trailer coupling detached from said hitch ball. 13. A trailer hitch assembly as set forth in claim 12, wherein said ground-engaging support is selected from the group consisting of wheels, pads, plates, supports, and/or a combination thereof. 14. A trailer hitch assembly as set forth in claim 12, wherein said locking support includes a proximal end pivotably coupled to said coupler mount; and a circumscribing extension projecting away from said proximal end, said circumscribing extension defining an aperture sized to receive a nut used to secure said hitch ball in place. 15. A trailer hitch assembly as set fort in claim 12, wherein said locking rod further comprises: a central extended post passing through said coupling mount and said locking support; a cross member coupled to said central extended post; and a locking arm coupled to said cross member, said locking arm configured to selectively engage said first hole and said second hole. 16. A trailer hitch assembly as set forth in claim 12, wherein said locking support further comprises: a proximal end pivotably couplable to said coupler mounting bracket; a circumscribing extension projecting away from said proximal end, said circumscribing extension defining an aperture; and a distal end coupled to said circumscribing extension and generally oppositely opposed to said proximal end such that said proximal end, said circumscribing extension, and said distal end are generally co-linear, said distal end adapted for coupling with said ground-engaging support. 17. A trailer hitch assembly as set forth in claim 16, wherein said locking support further comprises: said proximal end having a generally central pivot axis generally adjacent said aperture, said pivot axis generally perpendicular to an axis defined by said co-linear proximal end, circumscribing extension, and said distal end; said proximal end having a rearward locking aperture generally adjacent an end of said proximal end opposite that of said aperture with respect to said pivot axis. 18. A trailer hitch assembly as set forth in claim 16, wherein said aperture of said circumscribing extension is sized to receive a shank of said hitch ball.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (10)
McCoy Richard ; McCoige Chad A. ; Hanson Marvin L. ; Krager Jon L., Notched end hitch bar.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.