GB2175859A - Ball hitch attachment - Google Patents

Abstract

A ball element, secured to a vehicle, has a ball B and horizontally spaced toggle clips or catches D. A ball-engaging member comprises a plate having an aperture A and other plate means appropriately apertured at C, the aperture A being of such diameter as to fit around the ball B equatorially. With the aperture A accommodating the ball B and with the other plate means securely engaged by the clips or catches D, there is a firm and rigid (non-pivotal) connection of the ball element to the ball-engaging member. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A ball hitch attachment This invention relates to a device for rigidly attaching various types of fittings to ball hitches.

Ball hitches are fitted to vehicles for towing all types of trailers where the attachment of necessity needs to swivel in all directions.

According to the present invention there is provided a small modification to the ball hitch, or its fixings, or an adaptor plate, and a bracket which affixes easily, quickly and rigidly to the ball hitch by means of a ring fitting snugly over the ball and a number of toggle clips or similar devices. This allows various loads to be carried without a conventional trailer.

Figure 1 shows a ball hitch and an example of the invention in perspective.

Figure 2 shows the example of the invention in Fig. 1 affixed to the ball hitch. side view.

Figure 3 shows an alternative example of the invention where the ball hitch has an extension plate welded to it. side view.

Figure 4 shows a further alternative of the invention where an extention plate is fitted between the ball hitch and the vehicle. side view.

Figure 5 shows the invention I being used to tow a motorcycle.

Figure 6 shows the invention I being used to carry a motorcycle.

Figure 7 shows the invention I on an agricultural vehicle attaching a small box for carrying food stuffs or small animals.

Figure 8 shows the invention I being used to attach additional luggage capacity to a vehicle.

Referring to the drawings, the ball hitch attachment comprises of a metal ring A and a number of locating holes C.

The ring A fits snugly over the diameter of the ball B and the locating holes C over the toggle clips D.

When the toggle clips or similar devices are locked as in Figs. 2, 3 & 4 D the attachment is rigidly and safely affixed to the ball hitch.

In Fig. 2 the ball hitch B is fixed to the vehcle by the shanks of the toggle clips D.

In Fig. 3 the toggle clips are mounted on an extention plate E welded to or manufactured with the ball hitch.

In Fig. 4 the toggle clips ar mounted on an extention plate E which is seared between the vehicle and the ball hitch.

1. A ball hitch for detachably connecting a device to a vehicle in a rigid manner, said ball hitch comprising a ball element secured to said vehicle and a ball-engaging member secured to said device, the ball element and the ball-engaging member being interconnected by spaced releasable toggle catches.

2. A ball hitch as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the toggle catches are mounted on the ball element and wherein the ball-engaging member includes plate means apertured to permit the detachable engagement of said plate means by said toggle catches.

3. A ball hitch as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the ball-engaging member consists of two parallel plates which are attached to one another at or in the vicinity of corresponding one edges thereof by a first connector which is normal to each of said parallel plates, said parallel plates being additionally connected to one another by a second connector at or in the vicinity of corresponding other edges of said parallel plates, which corresponding other edges are opposite to said corresponding one edges, the second connector being normal to each of said parallel plates, the upper of said parallel plates having an aperture therein in which the ball of the ball element is a snug fit, the second connector being so shaped as to provide a passageway to permit the ball to be moved into and out of engagement with the ball-engaging member, and said second connector constituting said plate means.

4. A ball hitch as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the ball-engaging member consists of an L-shaped integer, said plate means being attached to the free end of one limb of said integer, and additional means being attached to the free end of the other limb of said integer, said additional means being so formed so as to fit snugly over the ball of the ball element.

5. A ball hitch as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the toggle catches are horizontally spaced.

6. A ball hitch as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the ball-engaging member is connected to a load-carrying means.

7. A ball hitch as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the ball-engaging member is connected to frame means adapted to engage a wheel or wheels of a two-, three- or fourwheeled vehicle for towing purposes.

8. A ball hitch constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

9. Any features of novelty, taken singly or in combination, of the embodiments of the invention hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A ball hitch attachment This invention relates to a device for rigidly attaching various types of fittings to ball hitches. Ball hitches are fitted to vehicles for towing all types of trailers where the attachment of necessity needs to swivel in all directions. According to the present invention there is provided a small modification to the ball hitch, or its fixings, or an adaptor plate, and a bracket which affixes easily, quickly and rigidly to the ball hitch by means of a ring fitting snugly over the ball and a number of toggle clips or similar devices. This allows various loads to be carried without a conventional trailer. Figure 1 shows a ball hitch and an example of the invention in perspective. Figure 2 shows the example of the invention in Fig. 1 affixed to the ball hitch. side view. Figure 3 shows an alternative example of the invention where the ball hitch has an extension plate welded to it. side view. Figure 4 shows a further alternative of the invention where an extention plate is fitted between the ball hitch and the vehicle. side view. Figure 5 shows the invention I being used to tow a motorcycle. Figure 6 shows the invention I being used to carry a motorcycle. Figure 7 shows the invention I on an agricultural vehicle attaching a small box for carrying food stuffs or small animals. Figure 8 shows the invention I being used to attach additional luggage capacity to a vehicle. Referring to the drawings, the ball hitch attachment comprises of a metal ring A and a number of locating holes C. The ring A fits snugly over the diameter of the ball B and the locating holes C over the toggle clips D. When the toggle clips or similar devices are locked as in Figs. 2, 3 & 4 D the attachment is rigidly and safely affixed to the ball hitch. In Fig. 2 the ball hitch B is fixed to the vehcle by the shanks of the toggle clips D. In Fig. 3 the toggle clips are mounted on an extention plate E welded to or manufactured with the ball hitch. In Fig. 4 the toggle clips ar mounted on an extention plate E which is seared between the vehicle and the ball hitch. CLAIMS

1. A ball hitch for detachably connecting a device to a vehicle in a rigid manner, said ball hitch comprising a ball element secured to said vehicle and a ball-engaging member secured to said device, the ball element and the ball-engaging member being interconnected by spaced releasable toggle catches.

2. A ball hitch as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the toggle catches are mounted on the ball element and wherein the ball-engaging member includes plate means apertured to permit the detachable engagement of said plate means by said toggle catches.

3. A ball hitch as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the ball-engaging member consists of two parallel plates which are attached to one another at or in the vicinity of corresponding one edges thereof by a first connector which is normal to each of said parallel plates, said parallel plates being additionally connected to one another by a second connector at or in the vicinity of corresponding other edges of said parallel plates, which corresponding other edges are opposite to said corresponding one edges, the second connector being normal to each of said parallel plates, the upper of said parallel plates having an aperture therein in which the ball of the ball element is a snug fit, the second connector being so shaped as to provide a passageway to permit the ball to be moved into and out of engagement with the ball-engaging member, and said second connector constituting said plate means.

4. A ball hitch as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the ball-engaging member consists of an L-shaped integer, said plate means being attached to the free end of one limb of said integer, and additional means being attached to the free end of the other limb of said integer, said additional means being so formed so as to fit snugly over the ball of the ball element.

5. A ball hitch as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the toggle catches are horizontally spaced.

6. A ball hitch as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the ball-engaging member is connected to a load-carrying means.

7. A ball hitch as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the ball-engaging member is connected to frame means adapted to engage a wheel or wheels of a two-, three- or fourwheeled vehicle for towing purposes.

8. A ball hitch constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

9. Any features of novelty, taken singly or in combination, of the embodiments of the invention hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.