Abstract: A removable ball goose hitch system. The ball member includes a ball portion and a body portion. A plurality of locking ball bearings in the body portion are engaged by an internal plunger that is actuated by a screw that protrudes from the top of the ball portion. The locking ball bearings are adapted to be engaged with a receiver in the hitch mechanism on the vehicle. When the screw is unthreaded, the ball bearings are allowed to retract and the hitch ball can be removed. All moving parts of the mechanism are located in the ball member and improper hookups are prevented.

Abstract: A step bar cradle and trim channel member. The member includes a curved main body portion connected to a cradle attachment portion. The two portions are attached by a hinge mechanism, such as a living hinge, in order to allow the member to be used in a wide range of mounting systems. The member is positioned between the step bar member and mounting bracket and used to help stabilize the step bar member and also cover the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A hitch assembly generally includes a hitch receiver that retains an insert by a pin. The pin is preferably hook-shaped and includes a primary pin segment and an engagement terminus. The primary pin segment defines a primary axis transverse to the common longitudinal axis of the hitch assembly. When assembled, the primary segment passes through an aperture located in a first wall of the hitch receiver, the insert aperture of the insert and another aperture in the second wall of the hitch receiver. As a fastener is threadably engaged with a threaded portion of the pin, the fastener pulls the primary pin segment through the hitch receiver and drives the engagement terminus through the second aperture against the insert. The fastener thereby introduces tension in the pin to restrict movement of the insert relative to the hitch receiver and minimize free-play therebetween. In one embodiment, a tamper resistant secondary retainer provides a lock which engages a conical end of the pin.

Abstract: An electrical trailer plug device for connecting a trailer electrical system to a tow vehicle electrical system. The trailer plug device includes a first electrical connector configured to connect an electrical current path of the vehicle electrical system to an electrical current path of the trailer electrical system to complete an electrical circuit supplying electricity from the vehicle electrical system to one or more trailer lamps supported on the trailer. The device also includes a current protection device configured to limit current in the circuit when current flow in the circuit exceeds a predetermined value. A first sensor light is connected in the circuit with a combination of circuit elements configured to illuminate the first sensor light when current is flowing in the circuit but has not exceeded the predetermined.

Abstract: A removable trailer hitch ball in which a generally spherical configuration hollow ball with opposed upper and lower vertically aligned bore holes for removable attachment to a stud with a cross bore aligned with transversely aligned holes on opposite sides of the hollow ball. A removable lock pin with a spring loaded detent ball is inserted through the transversely aligned holes of the hollow ball and stud. The spring loaded detent ball is protruded into a cavity between the side of the stud and the inner wall of the hollow ball to detachably secure the hollow ball onto the stud which may be integrally formed at the end of a drawbar for detachable connection to a receiver of a trailer hitch. Different size balls may be detachably secured to a given stud. In one embodiment the stud is formed in a shank integrally at one end of a drawbar.

Abstract: An electrical taillight adapter circuit (6) interfaces a three-lamp vehicle lighting circuitry (2) with a two-lamp trailer lighting circuitry (6). The vehicle lighting circuitry primarily includes a group (10) of three right hand lamps (20, 22, 24) and a group (12) three of left-hand lamps (12). These lamps operate in response to signals generated by the vehicle operator, and are electrically connected to the adapter circuit. The trailer circuit generally includes a group (14) of two right hand lamps (34, 36) and a group (16) of two left-hand lamps (35, 37). The adapter circuitry receives electrical signals from the vehicle circuit (2), processes them, and outputs power to the appropriate trailer lamp. This electrical taillight adapter circuit (4) interfaces the nonconforming taillight circuit of a vehicle with that of a trailer, while providing the trailer lamps with improved output current and protecting the system from short circuit conditions.

Abstract: A bicycle rack adapted to be detachably mounted to a vehicle via a standard trailer hitch receiver with the bicycle rack having a vertical support pivotally connected at its lower end to a base assembly with a bicycle carrier assembly connected to the upper end of the vertical support. The bicycle carrier assembly includes two generally rectangular plates detachably connected together adapted to receive the crossbars of bicycles. A pin releasably locks the vertical support in an upright position. Upon removal of the pin the vertical support pivots rearwardly away from the vehicle. Tail lights are mounted on the carrier assembly.

Abstract: A cargo carrier platform for mounting to a vehicle hitch allowing cargo to be transported outside the vehicle. The cargo carrier includes a drawbar adapted to be received within the vehicle hitch and a cargo platform adjustably attached to the drawbar to facilitate fore and aft adjustment of the platform relative to the rear of the vehicle. The drawbar is provided with a vertical offset to position the platform further from the ground. Markers are mounted on the outer rear corners of the platform to provide the user with a continuous visual indication of the extent of the cargo carrier.

Abstract: A trailer hitch ball in which a tubular member is formed into a generally spherical configuration while being permanently attached to a central stud. The hitch ball may be formed by crimping a tubular member onto a central stud integrally formed from a drawbar shank producing a combined ball and shank for detachable connection to the receiver of a trailer hitch.

Abstract: A gooseneck hitch assembly mounted in the load bed of a pick-up truck. The hitch assembly includes a housing mounted in the bed of the truck, and a hitch ball removably mounted in the housing. The housing includes a spring biased cylindrical locking pin for positively locking together the housing and hitch ball against separation. The cylindrical pin is manually movable to either a locking position wherein the hitch ball is locked in the housing or to an unlocked position whereby the hitch ball can be readily removed from the housing.

Abstract: The lift unit for a weight distributing trailer hitch includes a fixed mounting bracket secured to the trailer tongue and a chain lift bracket that pivots on the mounting bracket to raise and lower a chain for flexing and unflexing a spring bar that distributes weight between the towing vehicle and the trailer with the spring bar in the flexed position. A locking pawl rotatably connected to the lift bracket has a lower arm portion for engagement with a detent in the fixed mounting bracket to releasably latch the lift bracket in a raised position. The locking pawl also includes an upper arm projection. The locking pawl is connected to the lift bracket with the pawl upper arm projection positioned adjacent a tool engagement finger on the lift bracket that is slidably engaged by a tool such as a pipe to aid in raising and lowering the chain lift bracket.

Abstract: A bike rack cargo carrier for mounting to a vehicle hitch allowing bicycles to be transported outside the vehicle. The bike carrier includes a drawbar adapted to be received within the vehicle hitch and a cargo platform adjustably attached to the drawbar to facilitate fore and aft adjustment of the platform relative to the rear of the vehicle. The drawbar is provided with a vertical offset to position the platform further from the ground. A support stanchion is removably secured to the carrier platform to transport a plurality of bicycles in a vertical position. The stanchion is adjustably mounted to the platform to accommodate different numbers of bikes.

Abstract: A cargo carrier platform for mounting to a vehicle hitch allowing cargo to be transported outside the vehicle. The cargo carrier includes a drawbar adapted to be received within the vehicle hitch and a cargo platform adjustably attached to the drawbar to facilitate fore and aft adjustment of the platform relative to the rear of the vehicle. The drawbar is provided with a vertical offset to position the platform further from the ground. Markers are mounted on the outer rear corners of the platform to provide the user with a continuous visual indication of the extent of the cargo carrier.

Abstract: An anti-rattle device (10) for a receiver trailer hitch (30) for reducing undesirable movement, nose, vibration and shock between the shank (40) of a hitch mount (34) and the tubular receiver (32) in which the mount (34) is removably secured by a cross pin (36) includes an elastomeric deformable member (14) deformed into frictional engagement with the shank (40) and the receiver (32) by a slidable plate (12) tensioned against the deformable member (14) by threaded eyebolts (16, 18) anchored to the cross pin (36).

Abstract: A bicycle rack adapted to be detachably mounted to a vehicle via a standard trailer hitch receiver with the bicycle rack having a vertical support pivotally connected at its lower end to a base assembly with a bicycle carrier assembly connected to the upper end of the vertical support. The bicycle carrier assembly includes two generally rectangular plates detachably connected together adapted to receive the crossbars of bicycles. A pin releasably locks the vertical support in an upright position. Upon removal of the pin the vertical support pivots rearwardly away from the vehicle. Tail lights are mounted on the carrier assembly.