초록 ▼

A hitch, which can be rigidly yet removably attached to a vehicle-mounted sleeve, comprises a longitudinally extending member which is configured to slide into the sleeve and which locks therewith with a transverse locking device in a conventional manner. The member is divided into two sections alon

A hitch, which can be rigidly yet removably attached to a vehicle-mounted sleeve, comprises a longitudinally extending member which is configured to slide into the sleeve and which locks therewith with a transverse locking device in a conventional manner. The member is divided into two sections along a plane which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the member. The sections are connected together by a bolt threading into one section while being operable from the outside of the other section. Due to the inclined plane separating both sections, tightening of the bolt causes the sections to slide in opposite directions within the sleeve until they abut and press on opposite inner walls of the sleeve, thereby eliminating play between the member and sleeve. The hitch is conceived such to prevent a user to drive without the locking device in place.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A hitch for use in cooperation with a vehicle mounted sleeve, said sleeve comprising a longitudinal opening and a pair of aligned mounting holes configured to receive a locking device, said hitch comprising: a) a member adapted to be slidingly received into said sleeve, said member comprising: i)

1. A hitch for use in cooperation with a vehicle mounted sleeve, said sleeve comprising a longitudinal opening and a pair of aligned mounting holes configured to receive a locking device, said hitch comprising: a) a member adapted to be slidingly received into said sleeve, said member comprising: i) a first section comprising a first extremity and a second extremity, said second extremity of said first section defining a first plane inclined relatively to a longitudinal axis of said member, said first section comprising aligned mounting holes adapted to be alignment with said mounting holes of said sleeve and configured to receive said locking device when said member is received into said sleeve;ii) a second section comprising a first extremity and a second extremity, said first extremity of said second section defining a second plane inclined relatively to said longitudinal axis of said member, said first extremity of said second section being configured for sliding engagement with said second extremity of said first section along said first and second inclined planes, said second section comprising a bracket extending outwardly therefrom and configured to be received into said first section, said bracket comprising a threaded portion;b) a bolt extending in said first section, said bolt comprising a threaded end, said threaded end being configured to engage said threaded portion of said bracket;wherein said bolt is configured to cause said first and second sections to slide is opposite directions along said first and second inclined planes only when said locking device is received into said mounting holes of said sleeve and said mounting holes of said first section, and when said threaded end abuts on said locking device. 2. The hitch of claim 1, wherein said threaded portion is a fastener mounted to said bracket. 3. The hitch of claim 2, wherein said fastener is a nut. 4. The hitch of claim 1, wherein said second extremity of said first section and said first extremity of said second section are coated with a friction reducing material. 5. The hitch of claim 4, wherein said friction reducing material is grease, polytetrafluoroethylene, ultra-high molecular weight (“UHMW”) polyethylene, or low coefficient of friction film. 6. The hitch of claim 1, wherein said locking device is a locking pin. 7. The hitch of claim 1, wherein said first extremity of said first section comprises an attachment portion. 8. The hitch of claim 1, wherein said bolt extends outside of said first section when said threaded end abuts on said locking device. 9. A method to install a hitch as claimed in claim 1 into a vehicle-mounted sleeve comprising aligned mounting holes, said method comprising: a) inserting said member into said sleeve until said mounting holes of said first section are in alignment with said mounting holes of said sleeve;b) inserting a locking device into said mounting holes of said sleeve and of said first section;c) screwing said bolt into said threaded portion until said threaded end abuts on said locking device;d) screwing said bolt to cause said first and second sections to slide in opposite directions along said first and second inclined planes until said first and second sections frictionally engage said sleeve. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said locking device is a locking pin. 11. A hitch for use in cooperation with a vehicle mounted sleeve and a locking device, said sleeve comprising a longitudinal opening and a pair of aligned mounting holes configured to receive said locking device, said hitch comprising: a) a longitudinally extending member comprising: i) a first section comprising aligned mounting holes adapted to be in alignment with said mounting holes of sleeve and configured to receive said locking device when said member is received into said sleeve, andii) a second section comprising a bracket extending outwardly therefrom and configured to be received onto said first section, said bracket comprising a threaded portion,wherein said first section and said second section comprise opposing extremities which are configured for sliding engagement along a plane inclined relative to a longitudinal direction of said member;b) a bolt extending in said member and comprising a thread end operatively connectable to said threaded portion,wherein said bolt is operable to cause said first and second sections to slide in opposite directions along said inclined plane to make frictional retentive engagement with said sleeve only when said locking device is received in said mounting holes of said sleeve and of said first section and when said threaded end of said bolt abuts against said locking device. 12. The hitch of claim 11, wherein said threaded portion is a threaded fastener. 13. The hitch of claim 11, wherein said opposing extremities of said first and second sections are coated with a friction reducing material. 14. The hitch of claim 13, wherein said friction reducing material is grease, polytetrafluoroethylene, ultra-high molecular weight (“UHMW”) polyethylene, or low coefficient of friction film. 15. The hitch of claim 11, wherein said locking device is a locking pin. 16. The hitch of claim 11, wherein said first section comprises an attachment portion. 17. The hitch of claim 11, wherein said bolt extends outside of said first section when said threaded end abuts on said locking device. 18. A method to install a hitch as claimed in claim 11 into a vehicle-mounted sleeve comprising aligned mounting holes, said method comprising: a) inserting said member into said sleeve until said mounting holes of said first section are in alignment with said mounting holes of said sleeve;b) inserting a locking device into said mounting holes of said sleeve and of said first section;c) screwing said bolt into said threaded portion until said threaded end abuts on said locking device;d) screwing said bolt to cause said first and second sections to slide in opposite directions along said inclined plane until said first and second sections frictionally engage said sleeve. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said locking device is a locking pin.