WO1997022484A1 - Recepteur de systeme d'attelage a verrouillage de la sphere d'attelage - Google Patents

Recepteur de systeme d'attelage a verrouillage de la sphere d'attelage Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1997022484A1
WO1997022484A1 PCT/US1996/018473 US9618473W WO9722484A1 WO 1997022484 A1 WO1997022484 A1 WO 1997022484A1 US 9618473 W US9618473 W US 9618473W WO 9722484 A1 WO9722484 A1 WO 9722484A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
hitch
ball
mount head
ball mount
acircular
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1996/018473
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Mark E. Duvernay
Robert F. Mater, Jr.
James A. Mellow
Original Assignee
Reese Products, Inc.
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 Reese Products, Inc. filed Critical Reese Products, Inc.
Priority to AU10544/97A priority Critical patent/AU1054497A/en
Publication of WO1997022484A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997022484A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • B60D1/01—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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to the towing field and, more particularly, to a trailer hitch receiver including a hitch ball that is locked in position on a ball mount head to prevent relative rotation between the mounting stem of the hitch ball and the ball mount head.
  • Trailer hitches including a hitch ball for connecting a towing vehicle to a trailer have long been known in the art. Examples of such are disclosed in a number of patents including, for example, U.S. Patents 3,482,856 to Reese; 3,694,006 to Goode et al. ;
  • hitch balls are mounted to the ball mount head of a trailer hitch receiver by means of a threaded mounting stem and cooperating locking nut or nut and lock washer. More specifically, the threaded mounting stem extends through an aperture in the ball mount head and the locking nut or nut and locking washer are snugly tightened against the ball mount head to secure the trailer hitch ball in position. While this provides a very adequate connection, many individuals are frustrated when the threaded mounting stem of the hitch ball rotates in the ball mount head when attempting to tighten the securing nut. When this occurs, it is not possible to complete the tightening operation unless tools are employed to prevent it from happening.
  • U.S. Patent 5,040,817 to Dunn One way of addressing this problem is disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,040,817 to Dunn.
  • the pedestal or upper portion of the hitch ball mounting stem includes wrench flats that allow the ball to be held in position with a wrench during the nut tightening operation. While this is a functional solution to the problem, it must be appreciated that this involves the manipulation of two tools, one wrench to secure the hitch ball from rotation and one wrench to tighten the securing nut . Many individuals find the manipulation of two tools inconvenient or difficult. Further, two appropriate tools are not always readily available to allow the connection to be made.
  • a need is hereby identified for an improved structural arrangement whereby a mounting stem of a hitch ball may be secured from rotation relative to the ball mount head during connection of the hitch ball thereto.
  • a primary object of the present invention to provide a system for securing a hitch ball to a ball mount head that prevents rotation of the mounting stem of the hitch ball relative to the ball mount head during the installation operation in a simple and convenient manner overcoming the limitations and disadvantages of the prior art .
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for preventing relative rotation between the mounting stem of a hitch ball and a ball mount head to which the hitch ball is to be attached during the fastening of the hitch ball to the ball mount head.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a trailer hitch wherein the mounting stem of the hitch ball includes a locking element for engaging in an acircular outline define by a mounting aperture in the ball mount head so as to prevent rotation of the mounting stem relative to the ball mount head.
  • the mounting stem of the hitch ball includes a locking element for engaging in an acircular outline define by a mounting aperture in the ball mount head so as to prevent rotation of the mounting stem relative to the ball mount head.
  • the trailer hitch includes a hitch bar adapted for receipt in a receiver box of a trailer hitch receiver of a type well known in the art that is mounted to a towing vehicle .
  • the trailer hitch also includes a ball mount head that is mounted to or integrally formed with the hitch bar.
  • the ball mount head includes a mounting aperture having a sidewall that defines an acircular outline.
  • the trailer hitch includes a hitch ball including a threaded mounting stem carrying a locking element for engaging within an acircular outline defined by the mounting aperture sidewall.
  • this snug male/female interconnection prevents rotation of the hitch ball mounting stem relative to the ball mount head.
  • the trailer hitch also includes a fastener for securing the hitch ball to the ball mount head.
  • the fastener is a lock nut or nut and cooperating lock washer that is received on the threaded mounting stem which depends from the hitch ball.
  • the engagement between the locking element on the mounting stem of the hitch ball and the sidewall of the mounting aperture on the ball mount head prevents rotation of the hitch ball mounting stem as the nut is tightened to secure the hitch ball in position. This prevention of rotation is achieved without the use of any additional tools so that mounting may be completed. This is far more convenient for an individual and, accordingly, the structural arrangement significantly enhances user satisfaction.
  • a method for preventing relative rotation of a hitch ball mounting stem with respect to a ball mount head during the fastening of the hitch ball to the ball mount head.
  • the method comprises the steps of providing an acircular aperture in the ball mount head and a mounting or cooperating acircular locking element on the hitch ball mounting stem. Essentially the locking element nests within and mates or engages with the sidewall that defines the mounting aperture. As described above, this arrangement prevents relative rotation between the hitch ball mounting stem and the ball mount head so that the hitch ball may be easily secured utilizing a single tool for tightening the fastening member.
  • Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the trailer hitch of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a detailed, partially cross-sectional view showing the hitch ball secured in the ball mount head
  • Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the hitch ball showing one configuration of a locking element that may be utilized.
  • the trailer hitch 10 includes a draw bar, generally designated by reference numeral 12.
  • Draw bar 12 comprises an integral ball mount head 14 and hitch bar 16.
  • the ball mount head 14 receives a hitch ball 18 and the hitch bar 16 is adapted for receipt in a trailer hitch receiver of a type well known in the art that is mounted to a towing vehicle.
  • a trailer hitch receiver is, for example, available from Reese Products, Inc. under various trademarks including the Shadow Mount Class I and II Series hitch receivers, the Insta-Hitch Class II series receiver, the Omni II Multifit Class II Series receiver, the Class III and IV 35 and 36 Series receivers and the Titan Class V receiver.
  • the draw bar 12 being shown and described is merely being presented for purposes of illustration and the present invention is not to be limited thereto.
  • the ball mount head 14 and hitch bar 16 may not be integral but may in fact be separate, attachable components.
  • the ball mount head and hitch bar may comprise part of a weight distributing hitch such as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Patent 5,375,867 to Kass et al .
  • the hitch bar 16 may not be adapted for receipt in the receiver box of a trailer hitch receiver. It may simply comprise an integral portion or component of a vehicle mounted hitch having a ball mount head especially adapted to directly receive a hitch ball 18.
  • the ball mount head 14 is provided with a mounting aperture 20 having a sidewall 21 defining an acircular outline.
  • a hexagonal shape is illustrated. It should be appreciated, however, that substantially any acircular shape could be provided including but not limited to square, triangle, pentagon, six point star, eight point star, twelve point spline, rectangle, oval, ellipse, keyed, flat keyed and radius cross.
  • the hitch ball 18 includes a locking element 22.
  • the locking element 22 includes an acircular outline substantially corresponding to but slightly smaller than the acircular outline defined by the mounting aperture 20.
  • the locking element 22 engages within the acircular outline defined by the sidewall 21 of the mounting aperture 20. This serves to prevent rotation of the hitch ball 18 relative to the ball mount head 14 (see also Figure 2) .
  • this simple structure that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture provides added convenience for an individual seeking to secure a hitch ball 18 to a ball mount head 14.
  • the hitch ball 18 includes a mounting stem 24 defined by the locking element 22 and a depending threaded shank 26.
  • the locking element 22 and threaded shank 26 are axially aligned and the sidewall of the locking element 22 radially projects outward beyond the sidewall defined by the threaded shank. Accordingly, sufficient clearance is provided to allow the threaded shank 26 to be inserted through the mounting aperture 20 while the locking element 22 is sized sufficiently large to properly engage and nest against the sidewall 21 of the mounting aperture.
  • the hitch ball 18 may be secured in position by means of a cooperating lock washer 27 and nut 28 being tightened on the threaded shank 26.
  • the individual utilizes one hand to provide a slight downward force on the top of the hitch ball 18. This securely holds the hitch ball 18 down on the ball mount head 14 with the locking element 22 snugly received in the mounting aperture 20.
  • the lock washer 27 is placed on the nut 28 is hand tightened on the threaded shank 26. While maintaining the downward pressure on the hitch ball 18, a wrench or other appropriate tool may then be utilized to properly torque the lock nut 28 thereby securing the hitch ball in position (again see Figure 2) .
  • the depth of the locking element 22 must be equal to or less than the thickness of the sidewall 21 of the mounting aperture 20 in the ball mount head 14.
  • the lock washer and nut 28 must be of sufficient expanse to fully overlap the locking element 22 and engage the ball mount head 14. While a cooperating lock washer 27 and nut 28 are shown for purposes of illustration, it should be appreciated that a lock nut may be utilized with or without a standard washer if desired.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un système d'attelage (10) comportant une barre d'attelage (12), une bride de montage de la sphère (14), la sphère (18) munie d'une tige de fixation filetée (24), et un écrou bloquant la sphère sur la bride (14). Plus précisément, la bride de montage (14) comporte un trou (20) dont la paroi latérale (21) présente un contour non circulaire. La tige de fixation (24) de la sphère (18) comporte pour sa part un élément de verrouillage s'engageant dans la paroi latérale (21) à contour non circulaire. Il résulte de cette relation structurelle que la tige de fixation (24) de la sphère ne peut pas tourner par rapport à la bride de montage (14) de la sphère, ce qui permet d'y fixer facilement l'écrou (28) et de le bloquer pour maintenir la sphère (18) en place.
PCT/US1996/018473 1995-12-20 1996-11-18 Recepteur de systeme d'attelage a verrouillage de la sphere d'attelage WO1997022484A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU10544/97A AU1054497A (en) 1995-12-20 1996-11-18 Trailer hitch receiver with hitch ball lock

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US57541795A 1995-12-20 1995-12-20
US08/575,417 1995-12-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997022484A1 true WO1997022484A1 (fr) 1997-06-26

Family

ID=24300247

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1996/018473 WO1997022484A1 (fr) 1995-12-20 1996-11-18 Recepteur de systeme d'attelage a verrouillage de la sphere d'attelage

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1054497A (fr)
WO (1) WO1997022484A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002034043A1 (fr) * 2000-10-26 2002-05-02 Reese Products, Inc. Accessoire de porte-drapeau destine a un ensemble recepteur
US6908098B2 (en) * 2003-04-01 2005-06-21 James D. Milazzo Non-rotating hitch ball
US7267355B2 (en) 2003-06-26 2007-09-11 Master Lock Company Llc Anti-rotational hitch ball
US7661694B2 (en) 2003-08-18 2010-02-16 Cequent Towing Products, Inc. Towing assembly

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3650546A (en) * 1970-07-22 1972-03-21 Alvin D Koenig Trailer hitch
US4938496A (en) * 1989-01-17 1990-07-03 Thomas Charles B Ball hitch apparatus
US5108123A (en) * 1991-04-08 1992-04-28 Robert Rubenzik Vehicle docking device using sensor matrix

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3650546A (en) * 1970-07-22 1972-03-21 Alvin D Koenig Trailer hitch
US4938496A (en) * 1989-01-17 1990-07-03 Thomas Charles B Ball hitch apparatus
US5108123A (en) * 1991-04-08 1992-04-28 Robert Rubenzik Vehicle docking device using sensor matrix

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002034043A1 (fr) * 2000-10-26 2002-05-02 Reese Products, Inc. Accessoire de porte-drapeau destine a un ensemble recepteur
US6908098B2 (en) * 2003-04-01 2005-06-21 James D. Milazzo Non-rotating hitch ball
US7267355B2 (en) 2003-06-26 2007-09-11 Master Lock Company Llc Anti-rotational hitch ball
US7661694B2 (en) 2003-08-18 2010-02-16 Cequent Towing Products, Inc. Towing assembly
USRE47102E1 (en) 2003-08-18 2018-10-30 Horizon Global Americas Inc. Towing assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU1054497A (en) 1997-07-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
USRE47102E1 (en) Towing assembly
US4302137A (en) Anti-tamper fastening means
US4433854A (en) Interchangeable ball hitch
US5584495A (en) Trailer hitch locking assembly
US4907927A (en) Locking plate for fastening insulation
EP1203164B1 (fr) Dispositif de fixation resistant a la fraude
JPH0686196B2 (ja) マットを保持するための固定部材
CA2223217A1 (fr) Cle a cliquet reversible avec douilles a paroi de faible epaisseur
US5702118A (en) Step bumper hitch with integral receiver box
US6908098B2 (en) Non-rotating hitch ball
US5884931A (en) Self-locking hitch ball
JPH0174004U (fr)
WO1997022484A1 (fr) Recepteur de systeme d'attelage a verrouillage de la sphere d'attelage
US5131796A (en) Security fastener for threaded objects
CA2396608C (fr) Verrou de boule d'attache
US20090026730A1 (en) Ball mount and hitch ball assembly
CA2519843A1 (fr) Systeme de verrouillage avec acces par cle dissimule
US5647732A (en) Universal threaded adapter
US20070138763A1 (en) Lock for trailer hitch
US20030062220A1 (en) Security and safety locking system for a tree stand
JPH0739557Y2 (ja) ダブルナットの締め付け用工具
JPH066273Y2 (ja) ロックナットのロック構造
JPH0424176Y2 (fr)
JPH0647132Y2 (ja) 締結具の盗難防止用錠付きキャップ
US20050097992A1 (en) Fixing tool

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AU CA JP

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

Ref document number: 97522795

Format of ref document f/p: F