CA2512381A1 - Anti-wobble device for receiver-type trailer hitch - Google Patents
Anti-wobble device for receiver-type trailer hitch Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2512381A1 CA2512381A1 CA 2512381 CA2512381A CA2512381A1 CA 2512381 A1 CA2512381 A1 CA 2512381A1 CA 2512381 CA2512381 CA 2512381 CA 2512381 A CA2512381 A CA 2512381A CA 2512381 A1 CA2512381 A1 CA 2512381A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- shim
- mount
- sleeve
- sleeve shim
- receiver
- 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
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
- B60D1/58—Auxiliary devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
- B60D1/01—Traction couplings or hitches characterised by their type
- B60D1/06—Ball-and-socket hitches, e.g. constructional details, auxiliary devices, their arrangement on the vehicle
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
- B60D1/48—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by the mounting
- B60D1/52—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by the mounting removably mounted
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
- B60D1/58—Auxiliary devices
- B60D1/60—Covers, caps or guards, e.g. comprising anti-theft devices
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Protection Of Pipes Against Damage, Friction, And Corrosion (AREA)
Abstract
A sleeve shim for use with receiver-type trailer hitches that comprise a receiver tube and a mount for reducing wobbling and seizing, the sleeve shim defining a mount-receiving end for receiving the mount and a leading end for leading it into the receiver tube, wherein the sleeve shim has a thickness adapted for the sleeve shim to telescope snugly with the mount and the receiving tube, and wherein the sleeve shim prevents mount-to-receiving tube contact and is made of non-rusting material.
Description
ANTI WOBBLE DEVICE FOR RECEIVER-TYPE TRAILER HITCH
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to receiver-type trailer hitches, and more specifically to a device for eliminating rattling due to movement of connecting parts in the hitch.
s BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In receiver-type hitches, in order to avoid seizing of the mount inside the receiver tube, the mount and receiver tube are adapted to engage each other loosely-the receiver tube is made wider or the mount is made narrower. Due to the receiver tube receiving the mount non-frictionly, there will consequently result a io wobbling movement between the mount and the receiver tube causing vibrations and rattling noises.
Various devices and methods have been invented to deal with this problem.
Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,656 issued May 7, 2002, to Johnson, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,989 issued August 22, 2000, to Linger, U.S.
is Pat. No. 5,988,667 issued November 23, 1999, to Young; U.S. Pat. No.
6,010,143 issued January 4, 2000, to Stein; U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,938 issued October 17, 2000, to Speer; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,539 issued April 7, 1998, to Kravitz.
Although these devices and methods inhibit wobble movement of the mount 2o inside the receiver tube, they all require a considerable amount of skill and effort, and they are all time consuming. Therefore, there is a need for an easy-to-use, quick-to-install, anti-wobble receiver-type trailer hitch device.
i SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In response to this need, the present invention provides a sleeve shim for use with receiver type trailer hitches that comprise a receiver tube and a mount for reducing wobbling and seizing, the sleeve shim defining a mount-receiving end s for receiving the mount and a leading end for leading into the receiver tube, wherein the sleeve shim has a thickness adapted for the sleeve shim to telescope snugly with the mount and the receiving tube, and wherein the sleeve shim prevents mount-to-receiving tube contact and is made of non-rusting material.
io The present invention provides the advantage of inhibiting wobbling movement of the mount inside the receiving tube without requiring much effort or time to install.
The present invention also provides the advantage preventing the seizing of the hitch components.
is Other advantages will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention, its organization, construction and operation will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken into conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
2o Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to receiver-type trailer hitches, and more specifically to a device for eliminating rattling due to movement of connecting parts in the hitch.
s BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In receiver-type hitches, in order to avoid seizing of the mount inside the receiver tube, the mount and receiver tube are adapted to engage each other loosely-the receiver tube is made wider or the mount is made narrower. Due to the receiver tube receiving the mount non-frictionly, there will consequently result a io wobbling movement between the mount and the receiver tube causing vibrations and rattling noises.
Various devices and methods have been invented to deal with this problem.
Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,656 issued May 7, 2002, to Johnson, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,989 issued August 22, 2000, to Linger, U.S.
is Pat. No. 5,988,667 issued November 23, 1999, to Young; U.S. Pat. No.
6,010,143 issued January 4, 2000, to Stein; U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,938 issued October 17, 2000, to Speer; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,539 issued April 7, 1998, to Kravitz.
Although these devices and methods inhibit wobble movement of the mount 2o inside the receiver tube, they all require a considerable amount of skill and effort, and they are all time consuming. Therefore, there is a need for an easy-to-use, quick-to-install, anti-wobble receiver-type trailer hitch device.
i SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In response to this need, the present invention provides a sleeve shim for use with receiver type trailer hitches that comprise a receiver tube and a mount for reducing wobbling and seizing, the sleeve shim defining a mount-receiving end s for receiving the mount and a leading end for leading into the receiver tube, wherein the sleeve shim has a thickness adapted for the sleeve shim to telescope snugly with the mount and the receiving tube, and wherein the sleeve shim prevents mount-to-receiving tube contact and is made of non-rusting material.
io The present invention provides the advantage of inhibiting wobbling movement of the mount inside the receiving tube without requiring much effort or time to install.
The present invention also provides the advantage preventing the seizing of the hitch components.
is Other advantages will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention, its organization, construction and operation will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken into conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
2o Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The following description shows only preferred embodiments of the present invention. Various modifications are apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is only limited by the s appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments shown and described are only illustrative, not restrictive.
Also, throughout the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention; the invention, however, may be practiced without these particulars. In other instances, well-known io elements have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring of the invention.
Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated in a perspective view, an anti-wobble, anti-seizing receiver-type trailer hitch arrangement (generally indicated by reference numeral 100) in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the is present invention. The hitch arrangement includes a receiver tube 102, which is usually attached to the towing vehicle, a sleeve shim (sometimes referred to hereinafter as "shim") 103, and a mount 101. The mount 101 and the shim 103 telescope with the receiver tube 102, which is hollow. (Specifically, the mount 101 inserts into the shim 103, which inserts into the receiver tube 102).
2o A portion of the top wall of the shim 103 can be curled to form a handle 109. (Of course, other types of handles may be used.) The handle 109 is utilized while inserting the mount 101 into the shim 103 to align the holes 105 and 104, and it also allows the user to hold the mount 101 and the shim 103 in place-that is, against a xial s tiding movement w hich would d isalign t he h oles 105 a nd 2s while pushing the shim 103 and the mount 101 into the receiver tube 102.
When holes 106, 104 and 105 are all aligned, a conventional cross pin (not shown) is inserted through the holes 106,104,105 to hold the three components 102,103,101 together.
Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention. (Like parts have been given the same reference numerals.) In this embodiment, a stopper 209 is s used instead of a handle to align the holes of the shim and mount 104,105:
the stopper 209 is mounted on top of the mount 101 such that when the holes of the shim and mount 104,105 are aligned, it engages the edge 201 of the shim 103 (i.e., d1=d2 in Figure 2) inhibiting the mount 101 from further insertion into the shim 103. Also, while pushing the shim 103 and the mount 101 into the receiver io tube 102, the stopper 209 prevents the shim 103 from sliding backwards-in the direction opposite to the insertion direction-on the mount 101.
To inhibit wobbling, the thickness of the shim 103 is adapted so that the mount 101, the shim itself 103, and the receiver tube 102 telescope snugly. The shim is made of a non-rusting material such as non-ferrous metal (or any other non-is metal material such as plastic), and prevents mount-to-receiving tube contact.
Since the mount 101 and the receiving tube are usually made of metals that rust, doing so-preventing mount-to-receiving tube contact-prevents rust buildup, which in turn prevents seizing.
To facilitate the involved insertions, the shim 103 may comprise a slot 110 in its 2o bottom wall, parallel to its longitudinal axis, for minor adjustments of the girth of the shim. For example, the shim 103 may be adapted to receive the mount 101 loosely. Once the mount 101 is easily inserted (due to the "loosenessness") into the shim 103, the slot 110 would allow the user to push on the sidewalls of the shim 103 inwardly causing the shim to snugly hug the mount 101 before insertion 2s into the receiver tube 102, where the three components 101,103,102 would telescope snugly. Reciprocally, the mount 101 and the receiver tube 102 may also be fitted with longitudinal grooves for furthering the insertion of the components 101, 103, 102. The shim 103 may also have a cut-off corner 108 to facilitate its insertion into the receiver tube 102.
A conventional trailer ball 107 is attached to the other end of the mount 101-the non-inserted end. While the preferred embodiment of the instant invention is s described in reference to a ball mount 101, it can be used without adaptation or with modification in conjunction with a variety of mounts such as hitch mountable bicycle carriers, ski carriers, utility shelf carriers, truck ramps, truck-bed extensions, and other devices mountable to a receiver tube 102 of a receiver-type trailer hitch.
io Other embodiments and uses of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The spec~cation and examples should be considered exemplary only and do not limit the intended scope of the invention.
The following description shows only preferred embodiments of the present invention. Various modifications are apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is only limited by the s appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments shown and described are only illustrative, not restrictive.
Also, throughout the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention; the invention, however, may be practiced without these particulars. In other instances, well-known io elements have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring of the invention.
Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated in a perspective view, an anti-wobble, anti-seizing receiver-type trailer hitch arrangement (generally indicated by reference numeral 100) in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the is present invention. The hitch arrangement includes a receiver tube 102, which is usually attached to the towing vehicle, a sleeve shim (sometimes referred to hereinafter as "shim") 103, and a mount 101. The mount 101 and the shim 103 telescope with the receiver tube 102, which is hollow. (Specifically, the mount 101 inserts into the shim 103, which inserts into the receiver tube 102).
2o A portion of the top wall of the shim 103 can be curled to form a handle 109. (Of course, other types of handles may be used.) The handle 109 is utilized while inserting the mount 101 into the shim 103 to align the holes 105 and 104, and it also allows the user to hold the mount 101 and the shim 103 in place-that is, against a xial s tiding movement w hich would d isalign t he h oles 105 a nd 2s while pushing the shim 103 and the mount 101 into the receiver tube 102.
When holes 106, 104 and 105 are all aligned, a conventional cross pin (not shown) is inserted through the holes 106,104,105 to hold the three components 102,103,101 together.
Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention. (Like parts have been given the same reference numerals.) In this embodiment, a stopper 209 is s used instead of a handle to align the holes of the shim and mount 104,105:
the stopper 209 is mounted on top of the mount 101 such that when the holes of the shim and mount 104,105 are aligned, it engages the edge 201 of the shim 103 (i.e., d1=d2 in Figure 2) inhibiting the mount 101 from further insertion into the shim 103. Also, while pushing the shim 103 and the mount 101 into the receiver io tube 102, the stopper 209 prevents the shim 103 from sliding backwards-in the direction opposite to the insertion direction-on the mount 101.
To inhibit wobbling, the thickness of the shim 103 is adapted so that the mount 101, the shim itself 103, and the receiver tube 102 telescope snugly. The shim is made of a non-rusting material such as non-ferrous metal (or any other non-is metal material such as plastic), and prevents mount-to-receiving tube contact.
Since the mount 101 and the receiving tube are usually made of metals that rust, doing so-preventing mount-to-receiving tube contact-prevents rust buildup, which in turn prevents seizing.
To facilitate the involved insertions, the shim 103 may comprise a slot 110 in its 2o bottom wall, parallel to its longitudinal axis, for minor adjustments of the girth of the shim. For example, the shim 103 may be adapted to receive the mount 101 loosely. Once the mount 101 is easily inserted (due to the "loosenessness") into the shim 103, the slot 110 would allow the user to push on the sidewalls of the shim 103 inwardly causing the shim to snugly hug the mount 101 before insertion 2s into the receiver tube 102, where the three components 101,103,102 would telescope snugly. Reciprocally, the mount 101 and the receiver tube 102 may also be fitted with longitudinal grooves for furthering the insertion of the components 101, 103, 102. The shim 103 may also have a cut-off corner 108 to facilitate its insertion into the receiver tube 102.
A conventional trailer ball 107 is attached to the other end of the mount 101-the non-inserted end. While the preferred embodiment of the instant invention is s described in reference to a ball mount 101, it can be used without adaptation or with modification in conjunction with a variety of mounts such as hitch mountable bicycle carriers, ski carriers, utility shelf carriers, truck ramps, truck-bed extensions, and other devices mountable to a receiver tube 102 of a receiver-type trailer hitch.
io Other embodiments and uses of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The spec~cation and examples should be considered exemplary only and do not limit the intended scope of the invention.
Claims (10)
1. A sleeve shim for use with receiver-type trailer hitches that comprise a receiver tube and a mount for reducing wobbling and seizing, the sleeve shim defining a mount-receiving end for receiving the mount and a leading end for leading into the receiver tube, wherein the sleeve shim has a thickness adapted for the sleeve shim to telescope snugly with the mount and the receiving tube, and wherein the sleeve shim prevents mount-to-receiving tube contact and is made of non-rusting material.
2. The sleeve shim of claim 1, wherein the non-rusting material is a non-ferrous metal.
3. The sleeve shim of claim 1, wherein the non-rusting material is a plastic.
4. The sleeve shim of claim 1 further comprising a slot in its bottom wall, parallel to its longitudinal axis, for minor adjustments of the girth of the sleeve shim.
5. The sleeve shim of claim 1 further comprising cross-pin holes and aligning means for aligning said cross-pin holes with cross-pin holes of the mount and cross-pin holes of the receiver tube.
6. The sleeve shim of claim 5, wherein the aligning means is a handle.
7. The sleeve shim of claim 6, wherein the handle is achieved by curling a projection part of a wall of said sleeve shim.
8. The sleeve shim of claim 7, wherein the wall is a top wall.
9. The sleeve shim of claim 5, wherein the aligning means is a stopper mounted on top of the mount such that when the cross-pin holes of the shim and the cross-pin holes of the mount are aligned, it engages an edge of the sleeve shim inhibiting the mount from further insertion into the sleeve shim.
10. The sleeve shim of claim 1, wherein the leading end comprises a cut-off corner for facilitating the insertion of the sleeve shim into the receiver tube.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2512381 CA2512381A1 (en) | 2005-07-12 | 2005-07-12 | Anti-wobble device for receiver-type trailer hitch |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2512381 CA2512381A1 (en) | 2005-07-12 | 2005-07-12 | Anti-wobble device for receiver-type trailer hitch |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2512381A1 true CA2512381A1 (en) | 2007-01-12 |
Family
ID=37625907
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2512381 Abandoned CA2512381A1 (en) | 2005-07-12 | 2005-07-12 | Anti-wobble device for receiver-type trailer hitch |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2512381A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10202009B2 (en) | 2016-07-18 | 2019-02-12 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Trailer hitch architecture adaptable to multiple conventional drawbar sizes having drawbar adaptor size-reducing sleeve for attachment pin |
| US11465458B1 (en) * | 2021-06-21 | 2022-10-11 | Viktor Dolinskiy | Anti-rattle device for vehicle hitches |
| USRE49799E1 (en) * | 2018-04-03 | 2024-01-16 | Dock N Stow LLC | Stabilizing accessory system for a trailer frame |
-
2005
- 2005-07-12 CA CA 2512381 patent/CA2512381A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10202009B2 (en) | 2016-07-18 | 2019-02-12 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Trailer hitch architecture adaptable to multiple conventional drawbar sizes having drawbar adaptor size-reducing sleeve for attachment pin |
| USRE49799E1 (en) * | 2018-04-03 | 2024-01-16 | Dock N Stow LLC | Stabilizing accessory system for a trailer frame |
| US11465458B1 (en) * | 2021-06-21 | 2022-10-11 | Viktor Dolinskiy | Anti-rattle device for vehicle hitches |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6609725B1 (en) | Securing device for receiver hitch assemblies | |
| US6409203B1 (en) | Securing device for receiver hitches | |
| US20020145270A1 (en) | Securing device for receiver hitches | |
| US8079613B2 (en) | Hitch pin securing system for receiver mounted assemblies | |
| CA2825911C (en) | Hitch cover including adapter | |
| US7338065B1 (en) | Hitch assembly | |
| US7823904B2 (en) | Hitch bar assembly | |
| CA2528971A1 (en) | Integrated receiver pin and clip | |
| US6095386A (en) | Bicycle lock mounting bracket | |
| US9421836B1 (en) | Hitch mount assemblies including trailer hitch adapter sleeves | |
| US10166827B2 (en) | Multi-function hitch accessory retaining device and method | |
| US11401964B2 (en) | Detachable handle fastening coupling for working implements | |
| WO2019197156A1 (en) | Load carrier | |
| US10654328B2 (en) | Tow hitch | |
| US20060255562A1 (en) | Anti-wobble device for receiver-type trailer hitch | |
| US20080279650A1 (en) | Device for Fastening an Attachment to a Support Page | |
| CA2512381A1 (en) | Anti-wobble device for receiver-type trailer hitch | |
| US6481740B1 (en) | Ball and socket trailer hitch assembly | |
| US10202009B2 (en) | Trailer hitch architecture adaptable to multiple conventional drawbar sizes having drawbar adaptor size-reducing sleeve for attachment pin | |
| US6846002B2 (en) | Hitch ball lock | |
| US9902222B1 (en) | Captive pin apparatus for retention of a drawbar in a trailer hitch receiver | |
| CA2507757A1 (en) | Anti-wobble device for receiver-type trailer hitch | |
| US8220820B2 (en) | Trailer hitch immobilizer | |
| US6189979B1 (en) | Wheel mounting arrangement for a golf club carrier | |
| US20220001709A1 (en) | Aligning hitch pin assembly |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |