CA3044875C - Hitch attachable releasing holder for safety chains - Google Patents
Hitch attachable releasing holder for safety chains Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA3044875C CA3044875C CA3044875A CA3044875A CA3044875C CA 3044875 C CA3044875 C CA 3044875C CA 3044875 A CA3044875 A CA 3044875A CA 3044875 A CA3044875 A CA 3044875A CA 3044875 C CA3044875 C CA 3044875C
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- Prior art keywords
- hitch member
- bolt
- hook
- hitch
- hooks
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Classifications
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- 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
- B60D1/14—Draw-gear or towing devices characterised by their type
- B60D1/18—Tow ropes, chains or the like
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D63/00—Motor vehicles or trailers not otherwise provided for
- B62D63/06—Trailers
- B62D63/08—Component parts or accessories
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
Abstract
A safety chain holder and release apparatus for releasable attachment to a hitch member of the prior art includes a hollow rectangular component with inner width and inner height dimensions selected such that the hollow rectangular component is slidable onto the hitch member from a front end of the hitch member. First and second hangers, each with a hook at a lower end thereof, are attached to corresponding first and second sides of the hollow rectangular component with the corresponding hooks extending outward from the hollow rectangular component, and with the hooks oriented upward such that a selected link of the safety chain can be dropped downward onto each hook. The hooks are each configured to bend to release the selected link from the hook when a force exerted on the hook by the safety chain exceeds a release force.
Description
HITCH ATTACHABLE RELEASING HOLDER FOR SAFETY CHAINS
This disclosure relates to the field of hitches for connecting a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle and in particular a safety chain for towed vehicles.
BACKGROUND
Trailer safety chains are described in United States Patent Numbers 6,179,317 to Hurst, et al. and 6,279,939 Austin. Typically there are right and left safety chains attached at rear ends thereof to the trailer on corresponding right and left sides of the trailer hitch member, and the front end of each chain comprises a hook or the like adapted to attach to the towing vehicle. The two separate chains provide redundancy in case one chain fails.
A problem with safety chains is that the location of the attachment points for the chains on the towing vehicle vary with the different towing vehicles used. The distance from the point where the trailer hitch member engages the hitch member of the towing vehicle can vary considerably from one towing vehicle to another. Thus the chains in some cases can be too short to reach the attachment location on the towing vehicle. To avoid that scenario where the safety chains are too short and the trailer connection cannot be made at all, it is common to make the chains quite long, such that in many cases once attached the chains droop and drag on the ground. This contact with the ground causes the links to wear and weaken the chain such replacement is required.
United States Patent Numbers 5,362,084 to Edwards and 9,079,465 to Sanftleben and address the problem by providing hangers to maintain the chains above the ground. The apparatus of United States Published Patent Application Number 2018/0326802 of the present inventor Olson also maintains the chains above the ground and discloses a chain hanger system which releases the chain when forces exerted on the chain exceed a release force.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure provides a quick attach safety chain securing and releasing apparatus that overcomes problems in the prior art.
In a first embodiment the present disclosure provides a method of releasably supporting a safety chain on a hitch member, the hitch member configured to insert into a substantially horizontally oriented socket mounted on a towing vehicle substantially in alignment with an operating travel direction of the towing vehicle. The hitch member has a rectangular cross-section with a horizontal width dimension and a vertical height dimension, and the hitch member comprises a hitch ball extending upward from a rear end of the hitch member. The method comprises forming a hollow rectangular component with an inner width dimension slightly greater than the width dimension of the hitch member and with an inner height dimension slightly greater than the height dimension of the hitch member, the inner width and inner height dimensions selected such that the hollow rectangular component is slidable onto the hitch member from a front end of the hitch member; attaching first and second hangers, each with a hook at a lower end thereof, to corresponding first and second sides of the hollow rectangular component with the corresponding hooks extending outward from the hollow rectangular component, and with the hooks oriented upward such that a selected link of the safety chain can be dropped downward onto each hook; configuring each hook to bend to release the selected link from the hook when a force exerted on the hook by the safety chain exceeds a release force; sliding the hollow rectangular component onto the hitch member from the front end of the hitch member with the hooks oriented upward;
inserting the front end of the hitch member into the socket; connecting a towed vehicle to the hitch ball; and moving a selected link of the safety chain downward into engagement with each hook.
19004470v1 2 =
In a second embodiment the present disclosure provides a safety chain holder and release apparatus for releasable attachment to a hitch member, the hitch member configured to insert into a substantially horizontally oriented socket mounted on a towing vehicle substantially in alignment with an operating travel direction of the towing vehicle. The hitch member has a rectangular cross-section with a horizontal width dimension and a vertical height dimension, and the hitch member comprises a hitch ball extending upward from a rear end of the hitch member. The apparatus comprises a hollow rectangular component with an inner width dimension slightly greater than the width dimension of the hitch member and with an inner height dimension slightly greater than the height dimension of the hitch member, the inner width and inner height dimensions selected such that the hollow rectangular component is slidable onto the hitch member from a front end of the hitch member. First and second hangers, each with a hook at a lower end thereof, are attached to corresponding first and second sides of the hollow rectangular component with the corresponding hooks extending outward from the hollow rectangular component, and with the hooks oriented upward such that a selected link of the safety chain can be dropped downward onto each hook. The hooks are each configured to bend to release the selected link from the hook when a force exerted on the hook by the safety chain exceeds a release force.
In a third embodiment the present disclosure provides a safety chain holder and release apparatus for releasable attachment to a hitch member, the hitch member configured to insert into a substantially horizontally oriented socket mounted on a towing vehicle substantially in alignment with an operating travel direction of the towing vehicle. The hitch member has a rectangular cross-section with a horizontal width dimension and a vertical height dimension, and the hitch member comprises a hitch ball extending upward from a rear end of the hitch member. The apparatus comprises a U-shaped bracket comprising first and second legs extending upward from corresponding first and second ends of a base, wherein a distance between inner faces of the first and second legs is at least equal to the width dimension of the hitch member such that the legs are slidable along corresponding first and second sides of the hitch member. First and second 19004470v1 3 laterally aligned bolt apertures are defined in upper portions of the corresponding first and second legs, and a distance from an inner face of the base to a lower edge of each bolt aperture is at least long as the height dimension of the hitch member.
First and second hangers each comprise a bolt opening in an upper end thereof and a hook at a .. lower end thereof configured to insert through a selected link of a safety chain. A bolt has a nut configured to be threaded on an end of the bolt. The U-shaped bracket is movable upward on the hitch member forward of the hitch ball with the first and second legs moving along corresponding first and second sides of the hitch member such that the inner face of the base contacts a bottom side of the hitch member, and when the base contacts the bottom side of the hitch member, the bolt is insertable through the bolt opening of the first hanger, the bolt aperture of the first leg, then the bolt aperture of the second leg, then through the bolt opening of the second hanger such that the nut can be threaded onto the bolt to secure the U-shaped bracket and hangers to the hitch member.
When the U-shaped bracket and hangers are attached to the hitch member, first and second hooks of the corresponding first and second hangers extend upward and laterally away from the hitch member. The hooks are configured to support the safety chain a desired distance above a road surface and are configured to bend to release the selected link from the hooks when a force exerted on one of the hooks by the safety chain exceeds a release force.
A simple and economical holder for safety chains is provided with chain hooks that bend to releases the chains when some event occurs that causes the safety chain to exert a release force on the hooks of the holder. In many cases the hooks can then simply be bent back into shape, or if damage is excessive the hangers or entire holder can be replaced with little cost. The holder is easily attachable with no tools.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in 19004470v1 4 conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:
Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a hitch member of the prior art in position to be inserted into a socket mounted on a towing vehicle;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view along line 1-1 in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a schematic end view of an embodiment of the safety chain holder and release apparatus of the present disclosure with phantom lines indicating the position of the hitch member when installed;
Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of Fig. 3 in position to be installed on the hitch member of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of Fig. 3 installed on the hitch member and the hitch member installed on the towing vehicle, and a towed vehicle connected to the hitch ball, and with the safety chain installed;
Fig. 6 is a schematic end view of an alternate embodiment of the safety chain holder and release apparatus of the present disclosure with phantom lines indicating the position of the hitch member when installed;
Fig. 7 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of Fig. 6 installed on the hitch member and the hitch member installed on the towing vehicle;
Fig. 8 schematically illustrates side views of the hangers and the U-shaped bracket of the embodiment of Fig. 6.
19004470v1 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
Figs. 1 and 2 schematically illustrate a hitch member 3, such as is well known in the art, that is configured to insert into a substantially horizontally oriented socket 5 mounted on a towing vehicle 7 substantially in alignment with an operating travel direction T of the towing vehicle 7. The hitch member 3 has a rectangular cross-section with a horizontal width dimension WD and a vertical height dimension HD, and a hitch ball 3' extends upward from a rear end of the hitch member 3.
Figs. 3 - 5 schematically illustrate an embodiment of a safety chain holder and release apparatus 1 of the present disclosure for releasable attachment to the hitch member 3.
The apparatus 1 comprises a hollow rectangular component 9 with an inner width dimension WD+ slightly greater than the width dimension WD of the hitch member and with an inner height dimension HD+ slightly greater than the height dimension HD
of the hitch member 3. The inner width and inner height dimensions WD+, HD+
selected such that the hollow rectangular component 9 is slidable onto the hitch member 9 from a front end 3A of the hitch member 3.
First and second hangers 11A, 11B, each with a hook 13 at a lower end thereof, are attached, typically by welding, riveting, or the like, to corresponding first and second sides of the hollow rectangular component 9 with the corresponding hooks 13 extending outward from the hollow rectangular component 9. The hooks 13 are oriented upward such that a selected link 15A of the safety chain 15 can be dropped downward onto each hook 13.
The hooks 13 are a relatively weak material compared to the chain 15 and thus are each configured to bend to release the selected link 15A from the hook 13 when a force exerted on the hook 13 by the safety chain 15 exceeds a release force. The hangers can for example be formed from a cylindrical hook rod with a diameter that is less than about one half of a diameter of a cylindrical chain rod forming the links of the chain 15.
19004470v1 6 The hollow rectangular component 9 is then slid onto the hitch member 3 with the hooks 13 oriented upward, and the front end 3A of the hitch member 3 is inserted into the socket 5 and locked in place with a pin 17. A towed vehicle is connected to the hitch ball 3', and a selected link 15A of each of the typical right and left safety chains 15 is dropped downward into engagement with each hook 13. One fairly common mishap that operators encounter is forgetting to lift the selected chain links 15A off the hooks 13 when disconnecting the safety chain 15 from the towing vehicle, and then driving away.
With the present apparatus 1 the hooks 13 simply bend releasing the links 15A
and the towing vehicle 7 can carry on.
Figs. 6 - 8 schematically illustrate an alternate embodiment of a safety chain holder and release apparatus 101 of the present disclosure for releasable attachment to the hitch member 3. The apparatus 101 comprises a U-shaped bracket 109 comprising first and second legs 119A, 119 B extending upward from corresponding first and second ends of abase 121. The distance between inner faces of the first and second legs 119A, 119B is equal to the width dimension WD+, slightly greater than the width dimension WD
of the hitch member 3 such that the legs 119 are slidable along corresponding first and second sides of the hitch member 3.
First and second laterally aligned bolt apertures 123 are defined in upper portions of the corresponding first and second legs 119. The distance BD from an inner face 125 of the base 121 to a lower edge of each bolt aperture 123 is equal to the height dimension HD+, slightly greater than the height dimension HD of the hitch member 3. First and second hangers 127A, 127B each comprise a bolt opening 129 in an upper end thereof and a hook 131 at a lower end thereof configured to insert through a selected link 15A of the safety chain 15.
The U-shaped bracket 109 is movable upward on the hitch member 3 forward of the hitch ball 3' with the first and second legs 119A, 119B moving along corresponding first and 19004470v1 7 second sides of the hitch member 3 such that the inner face 125 of the base 121 contacts a bottom side 2 of the hitch member 3. When the base 121 contacts the bottom side 133 of the hitch member 3, a bolt 135 is insertable through the bolt opening 129 of the first hanger 127A, the bolt aperture 123 of the first leg 119A, then the bolt aperture 123 of the second leg 119B, then through the bolt opening 129 of the second hanger 127B
such that a nut 137 can be threaded onto the bolt 135 to secure the U-shaped bracket 109 and hangers 127 to the hitch member 3.
The nut 137 may conveniently be a lock nut operative to resist rotational movement with respect to the bolt 135. The nut 137 can thus be tightened to a desired position where the upper ends of the legs 119 remain slightly greater than the width dimension WD
of the hitch member 3. The U-shaped bracket 109 in combination with the bolt 135 then essentially form the rectangular component 9 described above and simply be slid onto the hitch member 3 as described above.
The illustrated hooks 131 are formed from cylindrical hook rod with a diameter DH that is less than about one half of a diameter CH of a cylindrical chain rod forming the links of the chain 15. The hooks 131 are economically manufactured by bending a length of the cylindrical hook rod to form the bolt openings 129 and hooks 131. Thus when a hook 131 has been bent into the position 131' shown in Fig. 6 and the selected link released, the hook 131 can either be simply bent back into the desired operating position, or can be removed and replaced at little cost.
The present disclosure provides a method of releasably supporting a safety chain 15 on a hitch member 4, the hitch member 3 configured to insert into a substantially horizontally oriented socket 5 mounted on a towing vehicle 7 substantially in alignment with an operating travel direction T of the towing vehicle 7. The hitch member has a rectangular cross-section with a horizontal width dimension WD and a vertical height dimension HD, and the hitch member 3 comprises a hitch ball 3 extending upward from a rear end of the hitch member 3. The method comprises forming a hollow rectangular component 9, 19004470v1 8 with an inner width dimension WD+ slightly greater than the width dimension WD
of the hitch member 3 and with an inner height dimension HD+ slightly greater than the height dimension HD of the hitch member, the inner width and inner height dimensions WD+, HD+ selected such that the hollow rectangular component is slidable onto the hitch member from a front end of the hitch member; attaching first and second hangers 11A, 11B, 127A, 127B, each with a hook 13, 131 at a lower end thereof, to corresponding first and second sides of the hollow rectangular component 9, 109 with the corresponding hooks 13, 131 extending outward from the hollow rectangular component 9, 109, and with the hooks 13, 131 oriented upward such that a selected link 15A of the safety chain 15 can be dropped downward onto each hook 13, 131; configuring each hook 13, 131 to bend to release the selected link 15A from the hook when a force exerted on the hook 13, 131 by the safety chain 15 exceeds a release force; sliding the hollow rectangular component 9, 109 onto the hitch member 3 from the front end 3A of the hitch member 3 with the hooks 13, 131 oriented upward; inserting the front end 3A of the hitch member 3 into the socket 5; connecting a towed vehicle 39 to the hitch ball 3'; and moving a selected link 15A of the safety chain 15 downward into engagement with each hook.
The presently disclosed apparatus and method provide a simple, economical, and easily attachable holder for safety chains that requires no tools to install on the hitch member and also releases the chains when some event occurs that causes the safety chain to exert a release force on the hooks of the holder.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.
19004470v1 9
This disclosure relates to the field of hitches for connecting a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle and in particular a safety chain for towed vehicles.
BACKGROUND
Trailer safety chains are described in United States Patent Numbers 6,179,317 to Hurst, et al. and 6,279,939 Austin. Typically there are right and left safety chains attached at rear ends thereof to the trailer on corresponding right and left sides of the trailer hitch member, and the front end of each chain comprises a hook or the like adapted to attach to the towing vehicle. The two separate chains provide redundancy in case one chain fails.
A problem with safety chains is that the location of the attachment points for the chains on the towing vehicle vary with the different towing vehicles used. The distance from the point where the trailer hitch member engages the hitch member of the towing vehicle can vary considerably from one towing vehicle to another. Thus the chains in some cases can be too short to reach the attachment location on the towing vehicle. To avoid that scenario where the safety chains are too short and the trailer connection cannot be made at all, it is common to make the chains quite long, such that in many cases once attached the chains droop and drag on the ground. This contact with the ground causes the links to wear and weaken the chain such replacement is required.
United States Patent Numbers 5,362,084 to Edwards and 9,079,465 to Sanftleben and address the problem by providing hangers to maintain the chains above the ground. The apparatus of United States Published Patent Application Number 2018/0326802 of the present inventor Olson also maintains the chains above the ground and discloses a chain hanger system which releases the chain when forces exerted on the chain exceed a release force.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure provides a quick attach safety chain securing and releasing apparatus that overcomes problems in the prior art.
In a first embodiment the present disclosure provides a method of releasably supporting a safety chain on a hitch member, the hitch member configured to insert into a substantially horizontally oriented socket mounted on a towing vehicle substantially in alignment with an operating travel direction of the towing vehicle. The hitch member has a rectangular cross-section with a horizontal width dimension and a vertical height dimension, and the hitch member comprises a hitch ball extending upward from a rear end of the hitch member. The method comprises forming a hollow rectangular component with an inner width dimension slightly greater than the width dimension of the hitch member and with an inner height dimension slightly greater than the height dimension of the hitch member, the inner width and inner height dimensions selected such that the hollow rectangular component is slidable onto the hitch member from a front end of the hitch member; attaching first and second hangers, each with a hook at a lower end thereof, to corresponding first and second sides of the hollow rectangular component with the corresponding hooks extending outward from the hollow rectangular component, and with the hooks oriented upward such that a selected link of the safety chain can be dropped downward onto each hook; configuring each hook to bend to release the selected link from the hook when a force exerted on the hook by the safety chain exceeds a release force; sliding the hollow rectangular component onto the hitch member from the front end of the hitch member with the hooks oriented upward;
inserting the front end of the hitch member into the socket; connecting a towed vehicle to the hitch ball; and moving a selected link of the safety chain downward into engagement with each hook.
19004470v1 2 =
In a second embodiment the present disclosure provides a safety chain holder and release apparatus for releasable attachment to a hitch member, the hitch member configured to insert into a substantially horizontally oriented socket mounted on a towing vehicle substantially in alignment with an operating travel direction of the towing vehicle. The hitch member has a rectangular cross-section with a horizontal width dimension and a vertical height dimension, and the hitch member comprises a hitch ball extending upward from a rear end of the hitch member. The apparatus comprises a hollow rectangular component with an inner width dimension slightly greater than the width dimension of the hitch member and with an inner height dimension slightly greater than the height dimension of the hitch member, the inner width and inner height dimensions selected such that the hollow rectangular component is slidable onto the hitch member from a front end of the hitch member. First and second hangers, each with a hook at a lower end thereof, are attached to corresponding first and second sides of the hollow rectangular component with the corresponding hooks extending outward from the hollow rectangular component, and with the hooks oriented upward such that a selected link of the safety chain can be dropped downward onto each hook. The hooks are each configured to bend to release the selected link from the hook when a force exerted on the hook by the safety chain exceeds a release force.
In a third embodiment the present disclosure provides a safety chain holder and release apparatus for releasable attachment to a hitch member, the hitch member configured to insert into a substantially horizontally oriented socket mounted on a towing vehicle substantially in alignment with an operating travel direction of the towing vehicle. The hitch member has a rectangular cross-section with a horizontal width dimension and a vertical height dimension, and the hitch member comprises a hitch ball extending upward from a rear end of the hitch member. The apparatus comprises a U-shaped bracket comprising first and second legs extending upward from corresponding first and second ends of a base, wherein a distance between inner faces of the first and second legs is at least equal to the width dimension of the hitch member such that the legs are slidable along corresponding first and second sides of the hitch member. First and second 19004470v1 3 laterally aligned bolt apertures are defined in upper portions of the corresponding first and second legs, and a distance from an inner face of the base to a lower edge of each bolt aperture is at least long as the height dimension of the hitch member.
First and second hangers each comprise a bolt opening in an upper end thereof and a hook at a .. lower end thereof configured to insert through a selected link of a safety chain. A bolt has a nut configured to be threaded on an end of the bolt. The U-shaped bracket is movable upward on the hitch member forward of the hitch ball with the first and second legs moving along corresponding first and second sides of the hitch member such that the inner face of the base contacts a bottom side of the hitch member, and when the base contacts the bottom side of the hitch member, the bolt is insertable through the bolt opening of the first hanger, the bolt aperture of the first leg, then the bolt aperture of the second leg, then through the bolt opening of the second hanger such that the nut can be threaded onto the bolt to secure the U-shaped bracket and hangers to the hitch member.
When the U-shaped bracket and hangers are attached to the hitch member, first and second hooks of the corresponding first and second hangers extend upward and laterally away from the hitch member. The hooks are configured to support the safety chain a desired distance above a road surface and are configured to bend to release the selected link from the hooks when a force exerted on one of the hooks by the safety chain exceeds a release force.
A simple and economical holder for safety chains is provided with chain hooks that bend to releases the chains when some event occurs that causes the safety chain to exert a release force on the hooks of the holder. In many cases the hooks can then simply be bent back into shape, or if damage is excessive the hangers or entire holder can be replaced with little cost. The holder is easily attachable with no tools.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in 19004470v1 4 conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:
Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a hitch member of the prior art in position to be inserted into a socket mounted on a towing vehicle;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view along line 1-1 in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a schematic end view of an embodiment of the safety chain holder and release apparatus of the present disclosure with phantom lines indicating the position of the hitch member when installed;
Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of Fig. 3 in position to be installed on the hitch member of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of Fig. 3 installed on the hitch member and the hitch member installed on the towing vehicle, and a towed vehicle connected to the hitch ball, and with the safety chain installed;
Fig. 6 is a schematic end view of an alternate embodiment of the safety chain holder and release apparatus of the present disclosure with phantom lines indicating the position of the hitch member when installed;
Fig. 7 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of Fig. 6 installed on the hitch member and the hitch member installed on the towing vehicle;
Fig. 8 schematically illustrates side views of the hangers and the U-shaped bracket of the embodiment of Fig. 6.
19004470v1 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
Figs. 1 and 2 schematically illustrate a hitch member 3, such as is well known in the art, that is configured to insert into a substantially horizontally oriented socket 5 mounted on a towing vehicle 7 substantially in alignment with an operating travel direction T of the towing vehicle 7. The hitch member 3 has a rectangular cross-section with a horizontal width dimension WD and a vertical height dimension HD, and a hitch ball 3' extends upward from a rear end of the hitch member 3.
Figs. 3 - 5 schematically illustrate an embodiment of a safety chain holder and release apparatus 1 of the present disclosure for releasable attachment to the hitch member 3.
The apparatus 1 comprises a hollow rectangular component 9 with an inner width dimension WD+ slightly greater than the width dimension WD of the hitch member and with an inner height dimension HD+ slightly greater than the height dimension HD
of the hitch member 3. The inner width and inner height dimensions WD+, HD+
selected such that the hollow rectangular component 9 is slidable onto the hitch member 9 from a front end 3A of the hitch member 3.
First and second hangers 11A, 11B, each with a hook 13 at a lower end thereof, are attached, typically by welding, riveting, or the like, to corresponding first and second sides of the hollow rectangular component 9 with the corresponding hooks 13 extending outward from the hollow rectangular component 9. The hooks 13 are oriented upward such that a selected link 15A of the safety chain 15 can be dropped downward onto each hook 13.
The hooks 13 are a relatively weak material compared to the chain 15 and thus are each configured to bend to release the selected link 15A from the hook 13 when a force exerted on the hook 13 by the safety chain 15 exceeds a release force. The hangers can for example be formed from a cylindrical hook rod with a diameter that is less than about one half of a diameter of a cylindrical chain rod forming the links of the chain 15.
19004470v1 6 The hollow rectangular component 9 is then slid onto the hitch member 3 with the hooks 13 oriented upward, and the front end 3A of the hitch member 3 is inserted into the socket 5 and locked in place with a pin 17. A towed vehicle is connected to the hitch ball 3', and a selected link 15A of each of the typical right and left safety chains 15 is dropped downward into engagement with each hook 13. One fairly common mishap that operators encounter is forgetting to lift the selected chain links 15A off the hooks 13 when disconnecting the safety chain 15 from the towing vehicle, and then driving away.
With the present apparatus 1 the hooks 13 simply bend releasing the links 15A
and the towing vehicle 7 can carry on.
Figs. 6 - 8 schematically illustrate an alternate embodiment of a safety chain holder and release apparatus 101 of the present disclosure for releasable attachment to the hitch member 3. The apparatus 101 comprises a U-shaped bracket 109 comprising first and second legs 119A, 119 B extending upward from corresponding first and second ends of abase 121. The distance between inner faces of the first and second legs 119A, 119B is equal to the width dimension WD+, slightly greater than the width dimension WD
of the hitch member 3 such that the legs 119 are slidable along corresponding first and second sides of the hitch member 3.
First and second laterally aligned bolt apertures 123 are defined in upper portions of the corresponding first and second legs 119. The distance BD from an inner face 125 of the base 121 to a lower edge of each bolt aperture 123 is equal to the height dimension HD+, slightly greater than the height dimension HD of the hitch member 3. First and second hangers 127A, 127B each comprise a bolt opening 129 in an upper end thereof and a hook 131 at a lower end thereof configured to insert through a selected link 15A of the safety chain 15.
The U-shaped bracket 109 is movable upward on the hitch member 3 forward of the hitch ball 3' with the first and second legs 119A, 119B moving along corresponding first and 19004470v1 7 second sides of the hitch member 3 such that the inner face 125 of the base 121 contacts a bottom side 2 of the hitch member 3. When the base 121 contacts the bottom side 133 of the hitch member 3, a bolt 135 is insertable through the bolt opening 129 of the first hanger 127A, the bolt aperture 123 of the first leg 119A, then the bolt aperture 123 of the second leg 119B, then through the bolt opening 129 of the second hanger 127B
such that a nut 137 can be threaded onto the bolt 135 to secure the U-shaped bracket 109 and hangers 127 to the hitch member 3.
The nut 137 may conveniently be a lock nut operative to resist rotational movement with respect to the bolt 135. The nut 137 can thus be tightened to a desired position where the upper ends of the legs 119 remain slightly greater than the width dimension WD
of the hitch member 3. The U-shaped bracket 109 in combination with the bolt 135 then essentially form the rectangular component 9 described above and simply be slid onto the hitch member 3 as described above.
The illustrated hooks 131 are formed from cylindrical hook rod with a diameter DH that is less than about one half of a diameter CH of a cylindrical chain rod forming the links of the chain 15. The hooks 131 are economically manufactured by bending a length of the cylindrical hook rod to form the bolt openings 129 and hooks 131. Thus when a hook 131 has been bent into the position 131' shown in Fig. 6 and the selected link released, the hook 131 can either be simply bent back into the desired operating position, or can be removed and replaced at little cost.
The present disclosure provides a method of releasably supporting a safety chain 15 on a hitch member 4, the hitch member 3 configured to insert into a substantially horizontally oriented socket 5 mounted on a towing vehicle 7 substantially in alignment with an operating travel direction T of the towing vehicle 7. The hitch member has a rectangular cross-section with a horizontal width dimension WD and a vertical height dimension HD, and the hitch member 3 comprises a hitch ball 3 extending upward from a rear end of the hitch member 3. The method comprises forming a hollow rectangular component 9, 19004470v1 8 with an inner width dimension WD+ slightly greater than the width dimension WD
of the hitch member 3 and with an inner height dimension HD+ slightly greater than the height dimension HD of the hitch member, the inner width and inner height dimensions WD+, HD+ selected such that the hollow rectangular component is slidable onto the hitch member from a front end of the hitch member; attaching first and second hangers 11A, 11B, 127A, 127B, each with a hook 13, 131 at a lower end thereof, to corresponding first and second sides of the hollow rectangular component 9, 109 with the corresponding hooks 13, 131 extending outward from the hollow rectangular component 9, 109, and with the hooks 13, 131 oriented upward such that a selected link 15A of the safety chain 15 can be dropped downward onto each hook 13, 131; configuring each hook 13, 131 to bend to release the selected link 15A from the hook when a force exerted on the hook 13, 131 by the safety chain 15 exceeds a release force; sliding the hollow rectangular component 9, 109 onto the hitch member 3 from the front end 3A of the hitch member 3 with the hooks 13, 131 oriented upward; inserting the front end 3A of the hitch member 3 into the socket 5; connecting a towed vehicle 39 to the hitch ball 3'; and moving a selected link 15A of the safety chain 15 downward into engagement with each hook.
The presently disclosed apparatus and method provide a simple, economical, and easily attachable holder for safety chains that requires no tools to install on the hitch member and also releases the chains when some event occurs that causes the safety chain to exert a release force on the hooks of the holder.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.
19004470v1 9
Claims (11)
1. A method of releasably supporting a safety chain on a hitch member, the hitch member configured to insert into a substantially horizontally oriented socket mounted on a towing vehicle substantially in alignment with an operating travel direction of the towing vehicle, wherein the hitch member has a rectangular cross-section with a horizontal width dimension and a vertical height dimension, and the hitch member comprises a hitch ball extending upward from a rear end of the hitch member, the method comprising:
forming a hollow rectangular component with an inner width dimension slightly greater than the width dimension of the hitch member and with an inner height dimension slightly greater than the height dimension of the hitch member, the inner width and inner height dimensions selected such that the hollow rectangular component is slidable onto the hitch member from a front end of the hitch member;
attaching first and second hangers, each with a hook at a lower end thereof, to corresponding first and second sides of the hollow rectangular component with the corresponding hooks extending outward from the hollow rectangular component, and with the hooks oriented upward such that a selected link of the safety chain can be dropped downward onto each hook;
configuring each hook to bend to release the selected link from the hook when a force exerted on the hook by the safety chain exceeds a release force;
sliding the hollow rectangular component onto the hitch member from the front end of the hitch member with the hooks oriented upward;
inserting the front end of the hitch member into the socket;
connecting a towed vehicle to the hitch ball; and moving a selected link of the safety chain downward into engagement with each hook.
forming a hollow rectangular component with an inner width dimension slightly greater than the width dimension of the hitch member and with an inner height dimension slightly greater than the height dimension of the hitch member, the inner width and inner height dimensions selected such that the hollow rectangular component is slidable onto the hitch member from a front end of the hitch member;
attaching first and second hangers, each with a hook at a lower end thereof, to corresponding first and second sides of the hollow rectangular component with the corresponding hooks extending outward from the hollow rectangular component, and with the hooks oriented upward such that a selected link of the safety chain can be dropped downward onto each hook;
configuring each hook to bend to release the selected link from the hook when a force exerted on the hook by the safety chain exceeds a release force;
sliding the hollow rectangular component onto the hitch member from the front end of the hitch member with the hooks oriented upward;
inserting the front end of the hitch member into the socket;
connecting a towed vehicle to the hitch ball; and moving a selected link of the safety chain downward into engagement with each hook.
2. The method of claim 1 comprising forming the hangers from cylindrical hook rod with a diameter that is less than about one half of a diameter of a cylindrical chain rod forming the chain links.
3. The method of any one of claims 1 and 2 comprising attaching the hangers by one of welding and riveting.
4. The method of any one of claims 1 ยจ 3 comprising:
forming the hollow rectangular component by forming a U-shaped bracket with first and second legs extending upward from corresponding first and second ends of a base;
forming first and second laterally aligned bolt apertures in upper portions of the corresponding first and second legs located a distance from an inner face of the base to a lower edge of each bolt aperture that is at least as long as the height dimension of the hitch member;
forming a bolt opening in an upper end of each of the first and second hangers;
inserting a bolt through the bolt opening of the first hanger, then through the bolt aperture of the first leg, then through the bolt aperture of the second leg, then through the bolt opening of the second hanger;
threading a lock nut onto the bolt to secure the hangers to the U-shaped bracket and secure the bolt as au upper side of the hollow rectangular component.
forming the hollow rectangular component by forming a U-shaped bracket with first and second legs extending upward from corresponding first and second ends of a base;
forming first and second laterally aligned bolt apertures in upper portions of the corresponding first and second legs located a distance from an inner face of the base to a lower edge of each bolt aperture that is at least as long as the height dimension of the hitch member;
forming a bolt opening in an upper end of each of the first and second hangers;
inserting a bolt through the bolt opening of the first hanger, then through the bolt aperture of the first leg, then through the bolt aperture of the second leg, then through the bolt opening of the second hanger;
threading a lock nut onto the bolt to secure the hangers to the U-shaped bracket and secure the bolt as au upper side of the hollow rectangular component.
5. The method of claim 4 comprising forming the hangers by bending a length of the cylindrical hook rod to form the bolt openings and hooks.
6. A safety chain holder and release apparatus for releasable attachment to a hitch member, the hitch member configured to insert into a substantially horizontally oriented socket mounted on a towing vehicle substantially in alignment with an operating travel direction of the towing vehicle, wherein the hitch member has a rectangular cross-section with a horizontal width dimension and a vertical height dimension, and the hitch member comprises a hitch ball extending upward from a rear end of the hitch member, the apparatus comprising:
a hollow rectangular component with an inner width dimension slightly greater than the width dimension of the hitch member and with an inner height dimension slightly greater than the height dimension of the hitch member, the inner width and inner height dimensions selected such that the hollow rectangular component is slidable onto the hitch member from a front end of the hitch member;
first and second hangers, each with a hook at a lower end thereof, attached to corresponding first and second sides of the hollow rectangular component with the corresponding hooks extending outward from the hollow rectangular component, and with the hooks oriented upward such that a selected link of the safety chain can be dropped downward onto each hook;
wherein the hooks are each configured to bend to release the selected link from the hook when a force exerted on the hook by the safety chain exceeds a release force.
a hollow rectangular component with an inner width dimension slightly greater than the width dimension of the hitch member and with an inner height dimension slightly greater than the height dimension of the hitch member, the inner width and inner height dimensions selected such that the hollow rectangular component is slidable onto the hitch member from a front end of the hitch member;
first and second hangers, each with a hook at a lower end thereof, attached to corresponding first and second sides of the hollow rectangular component with the corresponding hooks extending outward from the hollow rectangular component, and with the hooks oriented upward such that a selected link of the safety chain can be dropped downward onto each hook;
wherein the hooks are each configured to bend to release the selected link from the hook when a force exerted on the hook by the safety chain exceeds a release force.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 comprising forming the hangers from cylindrical hook rod with a diameter that is less than about one half of a diameter of a cylindrical chain rod forming the chain links.
8. The apparatus of any one of claims 6 and 7 wherein the hangers are attached by one of welding and riveting.
9. A safety chain holder and release apparatus for releasable attachment to a hitch member, the hitch member configured to insert into a substantially horizontally oriented socket mounted on a towing vehicle substantially in alignment with an operating travel direction of the towing vehicle, wherein the hitch member has a rectangular cross-section with a horizontal width dimension and a vertical height dimension, and the hitch member comprises a hitch ball extending upward from a rear end of the hitch member, the apparatus comprising:
a U-shaped bracket comprising first and second legs extending upward from corresponding first and second ends of a base, wherein a distance between inner faces of the first and second legs is at least equal to the width dimension of the hitch member such that the legs are slidable along corresponding first and second sides of the hitch member;
first and second laterally aligned bolt apertures defined in upper portions of the corresponding first and second legs, wherein a distance from an inner face of the base to a lower edge of each bolt aperture is at least long as the height dimension of the hitch member;
first and second hangers each comprising a bolt opening in an upper end thereof and a hook at a lower end thereof configured to insert through a selected link of a safety chain; and a bolt and a nut configured to be threaded on an end of the bolt;
wherein the U-shaped bracket is movable upward on the hitch member forward of the hitch ball with the first and second legs moving along corresponding first and second sides of the hitch member such that the inner face of the base contacts a bottom side of the hitch member, and when the base contacts the bottom side of the hitch member, the bolt is insertable through the bolt opening of the first hanger, the bolt aperture of the first leg, then the bolt aperture of the second leg, then through the bolt opening of the second hanger such that the nut can be threaded onto the bolt to secure the U-shaped bracket and hangers to the hitch member;
wherein when the U-shaped bracket and hangers are attached to the hitch member, first and second hooks of the corresponding first and second hangers extend upward and laterally away from the hitch member;
wherein the hooks are configured to support the safety chain a desired distance above a road surface; and wherein the hooks are configured to bend to release the selected link from the hooks when a force exerted on one of the hooks by the safety chain exceeds a release force.
a U-shaped bracket comprising first and second legs extending upward from corresponding first and second ends of a base, wherein a distance between inner faces of the first and second legs is at least equal to the width dimension of the hitch member such that the legs are slidable along corresponding first and second sides of the hitch member;
first and second laterally aligned bolt apertures defined in upper portions of the corresponding first and second legs, wherein a distance from an inner face of the base to a lower edge of each bolt aperture is at least long as the height dimension of the hitch member;
first and second hangers each comprising a bolt opening in an upper end thereof and a hook at a lower end thereof configured to insert through a selected link of a safety chain; and a bolt and a nut configured to be threaded on an end of the bolt;
wherein the U-shaped bracket is movable upward on the hitch member forward of the hitch ball with the first and second legs moving along corresponding first and second sides of the hitch member such that the inner face of the base contacts a bottom side of the hitch member, and when the base contacts the bottom side of the hitch member, the bolt is insertable through the bolt opening of the first hanger, the bolt aperture of the first leg, then the bolt aperture of the second leg, then through the bolt opening of the second hanger such that the nut can be threaded onto the bolt to secure the U-shaped bracket and hangers to the hitch member;
wherein when the U-shaped bracket and hangers are attached to the hitch member, first and second hooks of the corresponding first and second hangers extend upward and laterally away from the hitch member;
wherein the hooks are configured to support the safety chain a desired distance above a road surface; and wherein the hooks are configured to bend to release the selected link from the hooks when a force exerted on one of the hooks by the safety chain exceeds a release force.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the hangers are formed from cylindrical hook rod with a diameter that is less than about one half of a diameter of a cylindrical chain rod forming the chain links.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the hangers are formed by bending a length of the cylindrical hook rod to form the bolt openings and hooks.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3044875A CA3044875C (en) | 2019-06-03 | 2019-06-03 | Hitch attachable releasing holder for safety chains |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3044875A CA3044875C (en) | 2019-06-03 | 2019-06-03 | Hitch attachable releasing holder for safety chains |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA3044875A1 CA3044875A1 (en) | 2020-12-03 |
| CA3044875C true CA3044875C (en) | 2021-06-22 |
Family
ID=73649922
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3044875A Active CA3044875C (en) | 2019-06-03 | 2019-06-03 | Hitch attachable releasing holder for safety chains |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA3044875C (en) |
-
2019
- 2019-06-03 CA CA3044875A patent/CA3044875C/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA3044875A1 (en) | 2020-12-03 |
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