CA2152648A1 - Apparatus for hitching a trailer coupler to a hitch ball - Google Patents

Apparatus for hitching a trailer coupler to a hitch ball

Info

Publication number
CA2152648A1
CA2152648A1 CA002152648A CA2152648A CA2152648A1 CA 2152648 A1 CA2152648 A1 CA 2152648A1 CA 002152648 A CA002152648 A CA 002152648A CA 2152648 A CA2152648 A CA 2152648A CA 2152648 A1 CA2152648 A1 CA 2152648A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
trailer
coupler
barrier
ball
lever
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002152648A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Hubert M. Rines
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA002152648A priority Critical patent/CA2152648A1/en
Publication of CA2152648A1 publication Critical patent/CA2152648A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60DVEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/24Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions
    • B60D1/36Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers, visual guide means, signalling aids
    • B60D1/363Hitch guiding or catching elements, e.g. V-shaped plates partially surrounding a coupling member for guiding the other coupling member
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60DVEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/01Traction couplings or hitches characterised by their type
    • B60D1/06Ball-and-socket hitches, e.g. constructional details, auxiliary devices, their arrangement on the vehicle
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60DVEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/01Traction couplings or hitches characterised by their type
    • B60D1/06Ball-and-socket hitches, e.g. constructional details, auxiliary devices, their arrangement on the vehicle
    • B60D1/065Ball-and-socket hitches, e.g. constructional details, auxiliary devices, their arrangement on the vehicle characterised by the hitch mechanism
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60DVEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/24Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions
    • B60D1/36Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers, visual guide means, signalling aids

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)

Abstract

An apparatus facilitating coupling of a trailer to a tow vehicle includes a barrier against which a hitch ball may be positioned in the first stage of a hitching effort. The barrier includes clamps for barrier attachment to the trailer coupling. Support rods and a support plate on the barrier serve to position the barrier rearwardly adjacent the coupler socket. The barrier support plate may be inclined to abut a trailer frame having an inclined frontal surface. To position the trailer coupler laterally into place above a hitch ball, a lever is provided which utilizes the hitch ball as a fulcrum. An arm on the lever is engageable with the coupler to permit the application of force to move the trailer tongue and coupler into place above the hitch ball. Lowering of a trailer mounted jack results in downward engagment with the coupler onto the hitch ball. The barrier and lever are installed and removed without tools.

Description

APPARATUS FOR HITCHING A TRAILER COUPLER TO A HITCH BALL

The present invention pertains to that class of equipment facili-tating the engagement of a trailer mounted coupler with a hitch ball on a tow vehicle.
In the typical hitching operation of a trailer to a tow vehicle it is common practice to back the tow vehicle to locate a trailer hitch ball on the vehicle directly below a coupler at the forward end of the trailer tongue. Considerable expertise is required to accurately position the hitch ball, both longitudinally and laterally, to permit lowering of the coupler into place on the ball. If not so positioned, substantial physical effort is required to so position the trailer mounted coupler. It is not uncommon for several attempts to be made by the driver of the tow vehicle to locate the hitch ball in a suitable position to receive the coupler.
Attempts to remedy the above hitching problems have included accessories permanently attached to the trailer which are undesirable in view of added weight as well as potential loss by theft or accidental separation from the trailer. Additionally, prior art apparatuses are of a complex nature and hence costly construction, require permanent alteration of hitch components and require a degree of mechanical skill or familiarity with the equipment. An example of such a coupling aid is disclosed in U. S. Patent 4,057,266. U. S. Patent 3,871,535 discloses a hitch assembly to elevate and tow an auto behind a motor home wherein a hitch ball is laterally swingable to facilitate engagement with an auto mounted coupler.
The present invention is embodied within an apparatus for spotting a vehicle attached hitch ball in fore and aft relationship to a trailer coupler and in lever means for laterally manually positioning the coupler into place over the hitch ball.
The present apparatus includes limit stop means temporarily affixed to the trailer coupler, without alteration thereof, to provide a barrier contactable by a trailer hitch ball carried by the tow vehicle. The limit stop means include a barrier having attachment means for temporary engagement with the peripheral flange of a trailer coupler and also barrier supports which support the barrier against horizontally directed loads upon impact of the vehicle mounted hitch ball. The limit stop means includes an adjustable feature to compensate for the different distances between the forward end of a trailer frame, against which the support rests, and a vertical plane containing the socket of the trailer coupler. Accordingly the present apparatus is suitable for use with a wide range of trailer makes and models. The limit stop means, tempor-arily fitted to the trailer coupler during fore and aft positioning ofthe hitch ball, are thereafter removed upon loosening of a couple of clamp components. For lateral positioning of the trailer coupler over the fore and aft positioned hitch ball, lever means is provided including an arm for applying lateral movement to the trailer tongue and coupler 21~26~

the latter into place above the hitch ball. The lever provides adequate leverage to permit such lateral movement of the trailer tongue and coup-ler for a majority of recreational trailers. When not in use both the limit stop means as well as the lever lend themselves to compact storage.
Important objectives of the present invention include the provision of an apparatus comprising a barrier for limiting closing movement between a trailer hitch ball and a trailer mounted coupler to properly locate the ball in transverse vertical plane containing the center of the coupler socket; the provision of lever means engageable with a hitch ball to provide a fulcrum and having a pivoted arm for hooked engagement with a trailer mounted coupler enabling the application of force to position the coupler above the hitch ballj the provision of an apparatus facilitating a hitching operation including limit stop means having a support plate for abutment with vertical or inclined surfaces of a trailer frame member so as to bear loads momentarily imparted during positioning of a hitch ball.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a trailer tongue and coupler thereon with limit stop means of the present apparatus in place;
Figure 2 is an end elevational view taken from the left side of Figure 1 but with lever means engaged with the hitch ball and trailer coupler;
Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1; and 21~26~

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken downwardly along line 4-4 of Figure 2.
With continuing attention to the drawings, wherein applied reference numerals indicate parts similarly hereinafter identified, the reference numeral 1 indicates the tongue of a trailer which may be of the type commonly towed by a light truck or automobile, as for example, a recreational trailer. A trailer jack is at 2, having a crank at 3, which may be horizontally disposed to raise and lower tongue 1. A trailer coupler is at 4 and includes a socket area at 5. Located below tongue 1 is a trailer frame member 6, which terminates at a distance from a vertical plane P containing the center of coupler socket area 5. Additionally, frame member 6 may terminate at a vertical surface 6A or, depending on trailer makes and models, may terminate in an inclined surface as at 6B. A peripheral flange 7 extends in typical fashion about the lower edge of coup~leri4. The foregoing is intended to be a general description of well known current trailer structure.
With attention to the present invention, limit stop means are shown generally at 10 and include a barrier 11, preferably an angular plate to provide a surface 12 for attachment means including clamps at 14, each of which may be clamped to surface 12 and flange 7 of the coupler by wing nuts 15 to firmly attach barrier 11 to the underside of coupler 4. The frontal upright surface llA of barrier 11 will con-stitute a stop for a hitch ball 8 carried by a vehicle draw bar at 16.

21~26~8 Supporting barrier 11 in place against horizontal loads, imparted by ball 8 and bar 16 during a hitching operation, are barrier supports 27, each having a threaded end segment on which is adjustably mounted a barrier support plate 20. Plate 20 defines apertures 20A of a size to loosely receive the bolt-like barrier supports 17 in a manner per-mitting the plate to cant to abut in a flush manner forward ends 6A
or 6B found on different types of trailers. C~operating nut elements 21 permit positioning of barrier support pl!~te 20 to provide such surface engagement with whichever tailer frame end surface is encountered.
Additionally the threaded end segments of barrier supports 17 permit barrier support plate 20 to be adjusted to support barrier 11 in a slightly rearwardly offset manner from a medial plane P of coupler socket 5 so as to properly spot hitch ball B in transverse vertical plane P. Once adjusted for a specific trailer barrier support plate 20 will not require repositioning until used with another make and model of trailer.
In Figure 2, lever means generally at 30 include a lever 31 having a foot 32, having a notch or recess 33 for receiving the neck of hitch ball B. An arm 34 is hingedly mounted at 35 to lever 31 and is preferably of angular configuration with a retainer 36 at its distal end. Retainer 36 projects from the arm end to underlie a portion of coupler 4 to retain arm engagement during application of forces imparted by lever 31 manually positioned during a hitching operation in vertical plane P transverse to the trailer tongue centerline. While - 2~526~8 Figure 2 shows lever 31 in a vertical initial position, the lever may be inclined toward coupler 4, offset to a greater extent than the coupler shown in Figure 2, to move the coupler in the transverse vertical plane P into a location directly above hitch ball B as shown in broken lines of Fiyure 2. Subsequent to positioning of the trailer coupler to the broken line position of Figure 2, the trailer jack is operated to lower the trailer tongue and coupler 4 thereon to effect lowering of coupler socket 5 into place about hitch ball B. The coupler lock (not shown) is then actuated to secure the hitch ball within coupler socket 5.
Removal of lever means 30 is by simple manual positioning of lever 31.
From the foregoing it will be seen that a trailer hitching opera-tion may be accomplished by one person using the described apparatus that is adaptable to a wide range of trailers without reliance on undesired modification of trailer tongues or couplers nor the permanent mounting of any structure thereto. Additionally, the components of the present apparatus do not require high degree of skill in their use, nor is there a risk of injury to the person using the apparatus as no lifting or sudden movements of the trailer structure are encountered.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

Apparatus for engaging the ball of a trailer hitch on a tow vehicle with a coupler in place on a tongue of a trailer, said apparatus comprising, a ball limit stop including a barrier, adjustable clamps for temporary installation of said limit stop on the trailer tongue for limiting travel of the ball of the trailer hitch during a trailer hitching operation, adjustable barrier support means operable with said clamps for positioning the barrier fore and aft relative said coupler, and a manual lever having a foot for temporary engagement with the tow vehicle mounted trailer hitch and an arm pivotally attached to said lever for engagement with the trailer mounted coupler for imparting lateral movement to said coupler to vertically align the coupler with the ball whereupon subsequent lowering of the trailer tongue will engage the coupler with the ball.

The apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said clamps engage a flange on the coupler and said barrier.

The apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said adjustable barrier support menas includes a support plate for rested engagement with a frontal surface of the trailer tongue and barrier supports coupling said support plate to said barrier.

The apparatus claimed in claim 3 wherein said barrier supports are rod shaped, said plate provided with aperatures of a size to loosely receive each of said barrier supports to allow the plate to be inclined from the vertical to abut an inclined trailer frontal surface.

The apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said arm of the lever includes a retainer for temporary hooked engagement with said coupler.

The apparatus claimed in claim 5 wherein said lever is of angular configuration and includes a pivot coupling said arm to said lever and a foot having a recess therein for reception of the ball of the trailer hitch during use of the lever.

Apparatus for engaging the ball of a trailer hitch on a tow vehicle with a coupler in place on a tongue of a trailer, said apparatus com-prising, a ball limit stop including a barrier, clamps for temporary installation of said limit stop on the trailer tongue for limiting travel of the ball of the trailer hitch during a trailer hitching operation, adjustable means for positioning the barrier fore and aft relative said coupler, a manual lever having a foot for temporary engagement with the tow vehicle mounted tailer hitch and an arm pivotally attached to said lever for engagement with the trailer mounted coupler for imparting lateral movement to said coupler to vertically align the coupler with the ball whereupon subsequent lowering of the trailer tongue will engage the coupler with the ball, said adjustable means including a support plate for rested engage-ment with a frontal surface of the trailer tongue, barrier supports coupling said support plate to said barrier, means for locking said support plate at a desired distance from said barrier to enable use of the apparatus on different trailers, and said barrier supports being of rod shape, said plate provided with apertures of a size to loosely receive each of said supports to allow the plate to be inclined from the vertical to abut an inclined frontal surface of said trailer.
CA002152648A 1995-06-26 1995-06-26 Apparatus for hitching a trailer coupler to a hitch ball Abandoned CA2152648A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002152648A CA2152648A1 (en) 1995-06-26 1995-06-26 Apparatus for hitching a trailer coupler to a hitch ball

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002152648A CA2152648A1 (en) 1995-06-26 1995-06-26 Apparatus for hitching a trailer coupler to a hitch ball

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2152648A1 true CA2152648A1 (en) 1996-12-27

Family

ID=4156117

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002152648A Abandoned CA2152648A1 (en) 1995-06-26 1995-06-26 Apparatus for hitching a trailer coupler to a hitch ball

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2152648A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2442717A (en) * 2006-10-14 2008-04-16 John Richard Webster A device for facilitating coupling of a trailer to a vehicle

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2442717A (en) * 2006-10-14 2008-04-16 John Richard Webster A device for facilitating coupling of a trailer to a vehicle

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Discontinued