Patents by Inventor Robert G. Van Vleet

Robert G. Van Vleet has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Quick change ball hitch apparatus
    Patent number: 4596406
    Abstract: A ball hitch connector (10) for use with a conventional ball hitch socket (21). A ball hitch connector (10) includes a spherical body or ball connector (12), a support base (14) for supporting the spherical body (12) on a tow bar (18) or the like, a fastener device (16) for securing the support base (14) to the tow bar (18), and releasable attachment mechanism (20) providing for quick interchanging of ball connectors (12). The releasable attachment mechanism (20) includes a latch pin (70) positioned in transversely extending bores (50, 60) of the support base (14) and the ball connector (12). The latch pin (70) is slidable between a released position wherein the ball connector (12) can be detached/attached to the support base (14) and a locked position wherein the ball connector (12) cannot be so removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Inventors: Robert D. Van Vleet, Robert G. Van Vleet