I PIVOTING HITCH ASSEMBLY FIELD The present disclosure relates to the field of hitch assemblies for use with towing vehicles. It particularly relates to a shock-load towing device suitable for connecting a towing belt 5 to a commercially available tubular trailer hitch receiver. BACKGROUND During the course of operating a vehicle, it may be necessary to tow the vehicle for one reason or another, for example if the vehicle were to break down, to slide off a road into a ditch, to get stuck in mud or snow, or to get stuck in any number of other types of terrain 10 (i.e., as with an off-road vehicle such as an ATV or snowmobile). In these situations, it is desirable to have a means of simply and safely dislodging the vehicle if it is stuck and towing it to a desired location (i.e., to a garage, back onto the road, etc.). It can be difficult to position the tow vehicle properly in order to perform the towing operation, for example where the other vehicle is stuck in a difficult terrain. More 15 importantly, however, there is always a danger, particularly in a situation where the vehicle to be towed is heavy or is firmly stuck, that the towing apparatus will snap or break, or become dislodged (i.e., as with a hook) when it experiences a shock load. In this event a heavy component of the towing apparatus could hit a person inside one of the vehicles or standing nearby, or a vehicle or other property. In fact, individuals have been 20 killed or severely injured when towing belts or shackles have broken, or when hooks have become dislodged. There is a need in the art for a strong and sturdy hitch assembly that can be used as a towing device, which is easy to use and which will not break under most circumstances. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been 25 included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. DMSLegaI\052922\00007\ 943857v 2 SUMMARY Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, 5 integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. In a first aspect, the present invention provides a clevis pin combination comprising: a) a clevis made of aluminum alloy, the clevis comprising: a first clevis end, a first clevis aperture at the first clevis end, 10 a second clevis end, a second clevis aperture at the second clevis end, the first clevis aperture at the first clevis end being axially aligned with the second clevis aperture at the second clevis end; and b) a pin made of steel that extends through the first clevis aperture at the first 15 clevis end and the second clevis aperture at the second clevis end. In a second aspect, the present invention provides, in combination: (a) a clevis made of aluminum alloy, the clevis further comprising: a first clevis leg having a first clevis aperture in a first clevis end; a second clevis leg having a second clevis aperture in a second clevis end; 20 a curved end connecting the first clevis leg and the second clevis leg; wherein the first clevis aperture and the second clevis aperture are axially aligned; and (b) a pin made of steel, wherein the pin extends through both the first clevis aperture and second clevis aperture. 25 Disclosed herein is a hitch assembly that is strong and lightweight, relatively safe, and of cheap and simple construction. The hitch assembly may be used when it is desired to tow a vehicle with another vehicle, and it is particularly suitable for use as a shock-load towing device. The hitch assembly disclosed herein is used to connect a towing member, such as a towing belt, to a trailer hitch receiver, and the towing member is in turn connected to a 30 second vehicle, which may be either the tow vehicle, or the vehicle being towed.
3 There is also disclosed herein a hitch assembly comprising: (a) a coupling tongue with a first end and a second end, and a top and a bottom, the coupling tongue further comprising a first aperture sized to engage a coupling pin at the first end, and second aperture sized to engage a 5 hitch pin at the second end, the second aperture extending between the top and the bottom of the coupling tongue; (b) a U-shaped clevis with a first clevis end and a second clevis end, the clevis being significantly wider than it is thick along a majority of its length and hence substantially flat in cross section; the clevis further comprising an 10 aperture at the first clevis end and an aperture at the second clevis end, the aperture at the first clevis end being positioned above the second aperture of the coupling tongue and the aperture at the second clevis end being positioned below the second aperture of the coupling tongue, said U-shaped clevis being pivotally coupled to the second end of the coupling tongue 15 with the hitch pin; and (c) an opening formed by the coupling tongue and the clevis, sized to receive a towing member. In one embodiment, the hitch pin is comprised of 4140 hot-rolled steel. In another embodiment, the hitch assembly further comprises a wear plate at either end of the clevis. 20 In another embodiment the hitch assembly further comprises a sling adapter disposed in said clevis. In another embodiment, the hitch assembly further comprises a support material lining the apertures of the clevis, or one or both of the apertures of the coupling tongue. In yet another embodiment, the hitch assembly is comprised partially of aluminum alloy. In yet another embodiment the coupling tongue is comprised of 25 aluminum alloy. In yet another embodiment, the clevis is comprised of aluminum alloy. In yet another embodiment, the coupling tongue and the clevis are comprised of aluminum alloy. Also disclosed herein is the use of the hitch assembly discussed above in combination with a towing belt, to tow a vehicle.
4 Yet further disclosed herein is a method of towing a vehicle in need of being towed, said method comprising: (a) providing a hitch assembly as defined above, (b) mounting said hitch assembly into a receiver on one of: the vehicle in need 5 of being towed, or a tow vehicle; (c) inserting a towing member through the opening of the hitch assembly; (d) attaching the towing member to the other of: the vehicle in need of being towed or the tow vehicle, and (e) applying sufficient force to the towing member with the tow vehicle, to tow 10 the vehicle in need of being towed. In one embodiment of this method, the towing member is a towing belt. Yet further disclosed herein is a hitch assembly comprising: a coupling tongue comprising: a first end; 15 a second end; a hitch pin aperture at the second end extending between a top and a bottom of the coupling tongue; a U-shaped clevis formed from a rectangular aluminum bar, the clevis comprising: a first clevis leg having a first clevis aperture in a first clevis end; 20 a second clevis leg having a second clevis aperture in a second clevis end, the second clevis leg spaced apart from the first clevis leg; a curved end connecting the first clevis leg and the second clevis leg; the clevis being significantly wider than it is thick along a majority of its length, such that it is flat in cross-section; 25 an open end formed between the first clevis end and the second clevis end; 4a wherein the open end of the clevis is sized to receive the second end of the coupling tongue such that the first clevis leg and the second clevis leg overlie the top and the bottom of the coupling tongue, and the first clevis aperture, the hitch pin aperture, and the second clevis aperture are axially aligned; 5 a hitch pin comprised of steel extending through the axially aligned first clevis aperture, hitch pin aperture, and second clevis aperture, the hitch pin pivotally attaching the coupling tongue and the clevis. DMSLegal\052922\00007\ 943857vI 5 DRAWINGS Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the hitch assembly disclosed 5 herein; Figure 2 is a top elevation view of an embodiment of the hitch assembly disclosed herein with a towing belt mounted thereon; Figure 3 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the hitch assembly disclosed herein; Figure 4 is side perspective view of an embodiment of the hitch assembly disclosed herein, 10 in a slightly bent position; Figure 5 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the hitch assembly disclosed herein; Figure 6 is a top elevation view of an embodiment of the hitch assembly disclosed herein; Figure 7 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of the hitch assembly of Figures 5 and 15 6, with a towing belt mounted thereon; Figure 8 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the hitch assembly disclosed herein; and Figure 9 is side perspective view of an embodiment of the hitch assembly disclosed herein, in a slightly bent position. 20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION Reference will now be made to Figures 1-9, which show various embodiments of the hitch assembly. The hitch assembly 10 disclosed herein is useful for retrieving vehicles that are stuck in a number of terrains (i.e., deep snow, mud, sand), that have driven off the road (e.g., in snowy or icy conditions), or that are otherwise disabled and in need of being 25 retrieved or towed.
6 The hitch assembly 10 comprises a coupling tongue 12 for attachment to a receiver 24 on a vehicle 14, a clevis 16 pivotally attached to the coupling tongue by a hitch pin 18, and an opening 34 which can receive the towing member 20. Coupling tongue 12 is sized for insertion into coupling socket 22 of receiver 24, which is 5 attached to vehicle 14. Such receivers 24 are well known in the art, and are available in different standard shapes and sizes, depending upon the desired towing capacity. The most common receiver 24 is tubular and square in cross section, and may be used, for example, to pull machinery, trailers and such. Therefore, in one embodiment coupling tongue 12 is square in cross section. However it may be any of a number of other shapes 10 in cross section, with polygonal shapes being preferred. Coupling tongue 12 comprises an aperture, which aligns with apertures (not shown) on receiver 24. Coupling tongue 12 may be reversibly attached and locked to vehicle 14 by the insertion of coupling tongue 12 into coupling socket 22 of receiver 24, insertion of a coupling pin 28 through apertures on receiver 24 and corresponding aperture on coupling tongue 12, and by inserting a retainer 15 13, such as a locking clip in apertures at one or both ends of the coupling pin. Coupling tongue 12 is a solid construction of metal, or another material of sufficient strength. Coupling tongue 12 preferably made of steel and more preferably made of aluminum. Clevis 16 is a generally U-shaped element. As such, clevis 16 has two legs, 15 and 17, 20 that are so placed as to overlie coupling tongue 12, on opposite sides of the coupling tongue. Therefore, legs 15 and 17 of clevis 16 are spaced so as to allow coupling tongue to be inserted into, and to pivot, therebetween. In some embodiments coupling tongue fits snugly between legs 15 and 17, to permit very little play between legs 15 and 17, as seen for Example in Figure 8. In other embodiments, the fit is not as snug and there is more 25 play of coupling tongue 12 between legs 15 and 17, as shown for example in Figure 3. A snug fit between tongue 12 and legs 15 and 17 is preferred, as this will avoid significant turning or twisting of the clevis and coupling tongue, independently of one another, about the hitch pin 18. Clevis 16 is pivotally attached, and reversibly locked, to coupling tongue 12. Axially 30 aligned apertures formed in legs 15 and 17 align with a corresponding aperture (not shown) on the coupling tongue, to receive hitch pin 18. Therefore, clevis 16 may be 7 mounted onto coupling tongue 12 by the insertion of coupling tongue 12 between legs 15 and 17, followed by insertion of hitch pin 18 through the apertures on clevis 16 and through the corresponding aperture on coupling tongue 12, thus interlinking clevis 16 with coupling tongue 12. The hitch pin is held in the aperture by use of retainer 13, such as a 5 locking clip or ring, as is well known in the art. When mounted onto coupling tongue 12, clevis 16 will freely pivot about hitch pin 18, so that it may be aligned with the load direction applied to it from the towing member, when hitch assembly 10 is in use. It is important that clevis 16 be able to pivot, as vehicles that are in need of being towed are often not positioned in a straight line from the towing 10 vehicle. Therefore, the clevis may swivel to account for angled loads without unduly stressing the towing member at its connection location. Clevis 16 may be formed of a single piece of suitable solid metal bar stock, such as steel or aluminum bar stock, bent or molded into a desired shape. As such, clevis 16 is weldless and seamless, which may be desired in some applications where greater strength is 15 required. In one embodiment, clevis 16 is formed from a solid, rectangular aluminum bar bent into the desired shape. In some embodiments clevis 16 may be formed by welding two or more pieces of suitable steel bar stock together, however the preferred embodiment is a weldless and seamless clevis 16. As is apparent from all of the Figures, a characteristic feature of clevis 16 is that in cross section it is significantly wider than it is 20 thick, as it is made from a sheet or plate of metal. Therefore, it is flat, or planar, in cross section. Because it is flat, or planar, in cross section, the interaction between legs 15 and 17 and the coupling tongue occurs over a larger surface area than with D-rings or shackles of similar length. Further, a flat or planar clevis permits larger coupling pins to be used to pivotally couple the clevis and coupling tongue, than with D-rings or shackles of similar 25 length. In the embodiments shown in the Figures 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7, clevis 16 may be reinforced by increasing the thickness of the ends of clevis 16 (that is, at the end of each leg 15 and 17), in the area where hitch pin 18 will be inserted. These areas of reinforcement 21, which in this embodiment may be referred to as "wear plates", provide extra strength and durability 30 to a portion of clevis 16 where a great amount of stress may be encountered. For example, in a situation where the vehicle to be towed is not in a direct line (i.e., a direct vertical 8 and/or horizontal line) with the vehicle doing the towing, bending or twisting forces may be applied to hitch assembly 10. This may result in severe stress on clevis 16 at the ends of the clevis in the areas where hitch pin 18 is inserted, and extra thickness in this area may avoid failure of the hitch assembly when in use. Further, the end of coupling tongue 5 12 that is inserted into clevis 16 may damage the inner surface of clevis 16, with repeated use of the hitch assembly. The wear plate therefore, because of its extra thickness, provides added strength to clevis 16 in this region, and increases durability, for if the wear plate is somewhat damaged by binding of coupling tongue 12, the hitch assembly may still be used. The wear plates may be on the inside surface of the ends of clevis 16 as shown in 10 the Figures, or on the outside (opposite) surface of clevis 16 (not shown). As is apparent, hitch 16 may be of uniform thickness throughout, as is shown in embodiment 300 of Figure 9. This embodiment may be easier to manufacture. However, for some applications, this added uniform thickness may add unnecessary weight. Therefore, by providing a smaller area of increased thickness (i.e., wear plates) at the ends 15 of clevis 16, the strength and durability of a larger and heavier hitch assembly may be obtained, without adding too much weight to the total weight of the assembly. Hitch pin 18 and coupling pin 28 may be made of steel that can be of varying strengths, depending on the application in which the hitch assembly will be used. For some applications, hitch pin 18 and coupling pin 28 may be made of AISI 4140 heat treated 20 carbon and alloy steel bar, or hot rolled steel. Hitch pin 18 may be any of a number of sizes, depending on the application. Standard sizes include /2 inch, 5/8 inch and /4 inch diameter, but other diameters may be used. Coupling pin may also be any of a number of sizes, depending on the application, with 2 inch and 5/8 inch being standard sizes. Both hitch pin 18 and coupling pin 28 may have an annular ring 19 pressed onto the pin to aid 25 in the positioning of pins for insertion in their respective apertures. Annular ring 19 may be welded onto the pin, however this not preferred, as welding may be undesirable for some applications because it weakens the strength of the pin. Pins 18 and 28 may be coated with a corrosion resistant material, for example zinc oxide. In one embodiment, the apertures of hitch assembly 10 are lined with a support material 30 23 that functions to reinforce these apertures and to decrease wear. Figures 4 and 9 show this support material in aperture 26, however it is understood that said support material 9 may likewise line apertures 30 or the aperture that corresponds with apertures 30. Particularly preferred is the use of support material in apertures 30 of clevis 16, to provide added strength to clevis 16 in this region and to decrease wear and/or deformation of the aperture. The support material may be an annular ring inserted into the apertures, for 5 example a steel ring such as a stainless steel ring, or a ring made of a suitably strong polymeric or synthetic material such as nylon. Stainless steel is preferred because it is corrosion resistant. Hitch assembly 10 may be formed of suitable steel bar stock- for example AISA 1018 steel. But, other metals and materials having sufficient strength and durability may be 10 used. In one embodiment hitch assembly 10 is constructed partially of aluminum alloy. Further, the inventor has surprisingly found that hitch assembly 10 may be made almost entirely out of aluminum alloy. In tests performed, the maximum load carrying capacity of an aluminum alloy hitch assembly in which only hitch pin 18 was comprised of steel, was greater than that of a steel hitch assembly of the same size. Therefore, aluminum 15 alloy provided a hitch assembly that was lighter in weight than a similarly-sized steel assembly, yet was able to carry higher loads than the steel hitch assembly. Accordingly, in a particularly preferred embodiment, hitch assembly 10 is constructed, except for hitch pin 18, entirely out of aluminum alloy. In one embodiment, the aluminum alloy is 6061 T6511 aluminum alloy. 20 Towing member 20 is a flexible element disposed within opening 34. Opening 34 is an enclosed space that retains towing member 20, so that the towing member cannot slip out of the opening while the hitch assembly 10 is being used. The inside surface 36 of curved end 38 of clevis 16 may be ground and rounded to lessen the probability that towing member 20 will be damaged by abrasion from clevis 16. Towing members 20 may be 25 made of any of a number of materials including synthetic and natural polymeric materials and metal. Towing members typically include ropes, chains, cables and towing belts, with towing belts (straps) being preferred. The hitch assembly 10 is particularly suited for use with a towing belt or other broad towing member, especially when an aluminum clevis 16 is being used, as a towing belt distributes the applied force over a larger area than would a 30 cable or chain.
10 In another embodiment 200, shown in Figures 5-7, the hitch assembly additionally comprises a towing member adapter 32 within opening 34. Towing member adapter 32 functions to spread the load experienced by the towing member 20 over a large curved area, rather than merely at the edges 40 where the towing member 20 comes into contact 5 with clevis 16. This embodiment may avoid breakage of the towing member 20 when very heavy loads are being towed. Towing member adapter 32 may be welded to clevis 16, or it may be formed as part of a unitary construct with clevis 16. The heavy U-bend in combination with the U-shaped towing member adapter cooperate to distribute the load to the towing member by providing a more liberal radius at the location of attachment. This 10 feature is particularly useful when the hitch assembly is being used in combination with a towing belt. Towing member adaptor may be comprised of metal, for example steel or aluminum. Also disclosed herein is a method of towing a vehicle. The method involves the use of a hitch assembly 10 to connect a tow vehicle to a vehicle needing to be towed. According to 15 the method, hitch assembly 10 is coupled to a vehicle 14, by inserting coupling tongue 12 into the coupling socket 22 of receiver 24, followed by insertion of coupling pin 28 through the apertures on receiver 24 and through the corresponding aperture 26 of coupling tongue 12. Retainer 13 is inserted to hold the coupling pin in place. As is apparent, depending upon the particular circumstances, hitch assembly 10 may be attached 20 to the vehicle that is being towed, or to the vehicle that is doing the towing. Towing member 20 may be inserted through opening 34 either before or after the hitch assembly is attached to the vehicle. One way of accomplishing this is to remove clevis 16 from coupling tongue 12 by removing hitch pin 18, inserting the towing member between legs 15 and 17, putting clevis 16 back onto coupling tongue 12 and reinserting hitch pin 18 and 25 retainer 13, to hold the hitch pin in place. The other end of towing member 20 may then be attached to the second vehicle- either the tow vehicle or the vehicle doing the towing (usually the vehicle that is doing the towing). For example, the towing member may comprise a hook for attachment to a bumper or frame. As is apparent, two hitch assembly's 10 may be used in any particular operation. Tension is then applied to the 30 towing member to move the vehicle that is being towed. The hitch assembly 10 is preferably used with a towing belt, because if too much tension is applied during the towing operation, under most conditions the strap will break before the hitch assembly 11 breaks. As it is the strap that breaks and not the hitch assembly itself, there is little possibility of serious damage to nearby people or property. EXAMPLE The performance of maximum load carrying capacity of an aluminum hitch was compared 5 to a steel hitch of the same size. 6061-T6511 aluminum has an ultimate stress level of approximately 46 ksi, a yield stress of 41 ksi according to mill tests. This compares to AISI 1018 steel, which has a value of ultimate stress of 58 ksi, a yield stress of 32 ksi and an elongation of 25%. The yield stress of the aluminum is higher while the ultimate stress is lower as compared to steel. 10 Testing was conducted on a servo-hydraulic testing machine capable of loading to 130,000 lbs. The aluminum hitch was made from 6061-T6511 aluminum alloy. The clevis and coupling tongue were constructed of solid aluminum alloy. These two parts are pivotally attached by a %/ inch diameter AISI hot-rolled steel pin. The coupling tongue was attached to the testing machine using a 5/8 inch diameter AISI hot-rolled steel pin. 15 Failure occurred at the 5/8 inch diameter pin, at a load of 69,430 lbs, which is 15% higher than that obtained for a previous test on the same sized steel hitch (58,900 lbs). The higher load is the result of greater deflections and redistributions of loads transferred to the 5/8 inch diameter pin, allowing it to fail in combined bending and shear. This results in a higher load for failure of the pin, since in the case of the steel hitch assembly, it failed only 20 as a result of shear. While the invention has been described in conjunction with the disclosed embodiments and example, it will be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to these embodiments and example. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the broad 25 general scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.