Abstract: A drawbar unit for a drawbar governed floor conveyor, in which a drawbar head is coupled to a vertical steering shaft, which optionally co-operates with a swivelling angle transmitter for an electronic steeling of the floor conveyor, wherein the steering shaft can be rotatably and axially fixedly mounted in a stationary bearing arrangement of the floor conveyor, wherein the drawbar head is connected to the upper end of a longitudinal guiding member, on which an upper portion of the steering shaft is axially guided, a lever is pivotably mounted on the guiding member, which engages with one arm into an axis parallel guiding channel on the steeling shaft such that a rotary union is produced, and adjustment means act on the lever in order to selectively bring the arm into clamping engagement with the steering shaft and to couple guiding member and steering shaft even axially.

Abstract: A trailer hitch facilitating proper alignment and connection to the hitch coupler of a trailer. The trailer hitch includes a tow bar assembly and a throat having spaced parallel top and floor panels generally equal in spacing to a vertical thickness of the tow bar and rearwardly diverging side panels. The front of the throat is connected or connectable to an elongated tubular extension or receiver and is sized to be slidably carried within the throat assembly. A slide bar is carried between the tow bar and the throat and includes a stop which limits the distance the tow bar may be extended rearwardly from the throat and, when in the fully or a partially extended position, is movable side-to-side to facilitate proper coupling alignment between the hitch ball and a hitch coupling of a trailer.

Abstract: A tow hitch for a vehicle with adjustments which simplify the coupling process. During coupling a draw bar, slideably positioned in a housing pocket, is afforded continuous adjustment latitude in both a left to right and front to back arc. Even if the vehicles are coupled at an angle, guide pins, confined by openings in the housing, move with the bar and respond to vehicle movement for an aligned locking and tow. An automatic locking pin secures the tow hitch, and a detector device detects the proper coupling.

Abstract: A hitch assembly to be connected between a tow vehicle and a trailer includes a first shaft adapted to be attached to said tow vehicle, the first shaft being stationary with respect to the tow vehicle, a second shaft for mounting a ball to accept the trailer and being rotatable about the first shaft, wherein the first shaft and the second shaft are rotatable connected to rotate with respect to each other. A hitch assembly adapted to be connected between the tow vehicle and the trailer additionally includes a first shaft adapted to be attached to the tow vehicle, the first shaft being at a fixed relationship with respect to the tow vehicle and to rotate about an axis of the first shaft and a second shaft for mounting a ball to accept said trailer and being rotatable about the first shaft.

Abstract: A hitch assembly for connecting a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle include a housing mounted on the towing tongue of the towed vehicle having a tow bar mounted in an internal cavity having a restricted throat. Tow bar can be extended and pivoted to position a hitching eyelet on a variably proximately located towed vehicle. The tow arm coacts with the walls of the cavity to provide a torque on the tongue upon forward or rearward movement of the towing vehicle. Upon rearward movement of the towed vehicle, the tow bar attains an aligned nested position in the cavity and a lock assembly is actuated for locking the tow arm to the housing.

Abstract: In order to provide a trailer coupling for motor vehicles comprising a bearing element, a towing element which can be pivoted in relation to the bearing element between an operative position and a rest position and displaced in the direction of the pivot axis between a pivoting position and a fixing position and a fixing device, with which the towing element can be fixed in position on the bearing element, with a simplified fixing of the towing element on the bearing element it is suggested that the towing element have a bearing member, that the bearing element have a receiving member, in which the bearing member engages at least in the fixing position and in relation to which the bearing member can be moved between the pivoting position and the fixing position in a direction of displacement and vice versa, and that the fixing device have a blocking device which blocks the bearing member with respect to any movement in the direction of displacement relative to the receiving member and has at least one blockin

Abstract: A hitch for presenting different sized ball hitches for towing use. The hitch may include a first ball and pedestal extending in a first direction. A second ball and pedestal may extend in a second direction, distinct from the first direction. The first ball and pedestal and the second ball and pedestal may be homogenously formed of a single material to form a monolith. A stem may connect to the monolith to support and present the first ball and pedestal and the second ball and pedestal for towing use. The stem may extend away from the monolith in a third direction, distinct from both the first and second directions.

Abstract: The gooseneck trailer hitch assembly includes a block tube that is fixed to a trailer frame. A top plate is fixed to the block tube. A vertical shaft is connected to the top plate. A steel spherical member is slidably mounted on the vertical shaft. Two rings are clamped to the spherical member and pivotable about the spherical member center. A tower assembly tube receives on of the two rings and is fixed to the rings. A tube positioning member is fixed to the tower assembly. The positioning member includes a wedge surface that contacts a steel ring and moves the tower assembly tube toward a vertical position as the spherical member is moved toward to the top plate. The positioning member also includes a cylindrical surface that engages the steel ring after the tower assembly tube is vertical. A vibration and force damper is provided between the steel ring and the block tube.

Abstract: A hitch for presenting different sized ball hitches for towing use. The hitch may include a first ball and pedestal extending in a first direction. A second ball and pedestal may extend in a second direction, distinct from the first direction. The first ball and pedestal and the second ball and pedestal may be homogenously formed of a single material to form a monolith. A stem may connect to the monolith to support and present the first ball and pedestal and the second ball and pedestal for towing use. The stem may extend away from the monolith in a third direction, distinct from both the first and second directions.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a towing vehicle to a towed vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base, a mount movably secured to the base and one or more hitches attached to the mount. The mount may rotate, pivot, translate, or otherwise move in relation to the base in order to move the hitch between various positions including one or more towing positions and at least one stored or stowed position. The hitch, or hitches, may also be movably secured to the mount for additional flexibility in configuring the apparatus in the towing and stowed positions. Additionally, when multiple hitches are provided, each of the multiple hitches may be configured as different size or style of hitch such that a user may select one of the hitches depending on the intended use thereof.

Abstract: A trailer hitching apparatus comprises a trailer hitch receiver assembly, a winching device, a trailer hitch and a cable. The trailer hitch receiver assembly includes a receiver tube having a first end, a second end, an opening at the second end, and a passage extending from the opening toward the first end. The cable extends through the opening. The trailer hitch receiver assembly is mountable on a chassis of a vehicle. The winching device is mountable on at least one of the chassis of the vehicle and the trailer hitch receiver assembly. The trailer hitch includes a receiver stub configured for being engaged within the receiver tube through the opening at the second end of the receiver tube. The cable has a first end attached to a spool of the winching device and a second end attached to the receiver stub of the trailer hitch.

Abstract: An adjustable trailer hitch assembly which provides rapid and easy coupling by moving the ball to the tongue, rather than by moving the tongue to the ball. Adjustment is provided in each of three axes. Simultaneous movement in the lateral and vertical directions is provided, which after ball coupling, may be moved to a central locked and fixed position for towing. One embodiment provides selectable locked and fixed vertical positions.

Abstract: A trailer hitching apparatus comprises a trailer hitch receiver assembly, a winching device, a trailer hitch and a cable. The trailer hitch receiver assembly includes a receiver tube having a first end, a second end, an opening at the second end, and a passage extending from the opening toward the first end. The cable extends through the opening. The trailer hitch receiver assembly is mountable on a chassis of a vehicle. The winching device is mountable on at least one of the chassis of the vehicle and the trailer hitch receiver assembly. The trailer hitch includes a receiver stub configured for being engaged within the receiver tube through the opening at the second end of the receiver tube. The cable has a first end attached to a spool of the winching device and a second end attached to the receiver stub of the trailer hitch.

Abstract: A boat trailer having an extendable and retractable tongue. While leaving the trailer connected to the vehicle, a towing pin is pulled and a safety latch is unlocked and the tongue extension is extended until the safety latch pin catches holes for the extended position and the towing pin is reinstalled in already aligned holes. To retract the extension while leaving the trailer connected to the vehicle, the towing pin is pulled out and the safety latch is unlocked and the tongue extension is retracted until the safety latch pin catches holes for the retracted position and the towing pin is reinstalled in already aligned holes.

Abstract: The present invention is an extendable trailer with an extending unit having a controlled release mechanism to be extended to eliminate or reduce the need to back a vehicle to unload. This feature is useful and sometimes even necessary when unloading or loading at a dock or a building, a narrow opening, or on a slope, e.g. a shoreline for loading or offloading a boat.

Abstract: The improved power hitch of the present includes a first cylinder has a tubular extension 16 pivotably mounted at 54 on a transverse cylindrical pin 54 extending between vertical legs 50 and 51 to allow vertical movement, and on a vertical pin 56 to allow limited horizontal movement. Cylinder 10 receives a piston 10 extending outwardly therefrom which receives a universal hitch receiver 14. A second cylinder 60 is also mounted on transversely spaced vertical vertcal legs 50, 51 at 62. an electric motor 30 pumps fluid from reservior 32 into cylinder at 64 to move cylinder 12 up and at 66 to move cylinder 12 down.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a towing device having two retractable pins on opposing sides for engaging within two apertures formed in a receiving member. A first end of the apparatus for attaching a towing device is generally box-like shape and is dimensioned to be received within the receiving member. The second end of the apparatus for attaching a towing device has a towing device attachment for attaching a trailer thereto. Once the first end is slid within the receiver and the pins of the apparatus for attaching a towing device are aligned with the apertures of the receiving member, the pins are then actuated to an extended locked position, thereby securing the apparatus for attaching a towing device to the receiving member. To remove the apparatus for attaching a towing device from the receiving member, the pins are simply actuated to a retracted position, and the apparatus for attaching a towing device is slid therefrom.

Abstract: A device for attaching to a tow hitch. The device includes a draw bar attached to the tow hitch, a winch assembly attached to the draw bar, and a hitch assembly operatively connected to the winch assembly. The draw bar has a first portion and a second portion laterally swively attached to the first portion thereof by interlocking fingers. The winch assembly includes a cable that reeves around main and first rollers and extends between a pair of second rollers. The hitch assembly has a non-coupling portion attached to the end of the cable. When the cable is wound onto the main roller, the non-coupling portion is drawn into the winch assembly. The hitch assembly further has a coupling portion attached to the non-coupling portion thereof. When the non-coupling portion is seated in the winch assembly, the coupling portion remains external thereto.

Abstract: In order to provide a trailer coupling for motor vehicles, comprising a bearing part arranged fixed to the vehicle and a pivotal part mounted on the bearing part and having a ball neck and a coupling ball, the pivotal part being pivotal in relation to the bearing part about an axis between a rest position and an operative position, in such a way that this trailer coupling may be fixed in the operative position securely and simply, it is proposed that the pivotal part has two abutting elements arranged spaced from one another, that the bearing part is provided with two supporting elements and that, to fix the ball neck in the operative position, one of the supporting elements and one of the abutting elements cooperate such that the ball neck undergoes a pivotal movement in a first direction which is countered by the other of the supporting elements and the other of the abutting elements, and that in so doing the abutting elements and the supporting elements are able to abut against one another without play.

Abstract: A vehicle hitch positioning apparatus and method for positioning a vehicle hitch over a trailer ball accurately, without the problems of lifting and positioning the vehicle hitch manually. The vehicle hitch positioning apparatus includes a base plate having a first hole through which the trailer ball is inserted, the base plate being attached to the vehicle by the trailer ball; a guide plate connected to the base plate and made to be in alignment with the base plate, the guide plate having a second hole through which the trailer ball is inserted, and the guide. plate guiding and supporting the trailer hitch into position over the second hole; and a movable catch for holding the guide plate in an apart position from the base plate.

Abstract: A multicombination vehicle and method are provided for transporting a payload, such as a mined metal ore, over the roadways existing in an underground mine. The multicombination vehicle includes a powered towing unit, which may comprise a rigid body truck, and at least one towed unit mechanically coupled to the rigid body truck. The vehicle may also include a plurality of the towed units, with a forward most one of the units coupled to the rigid body truck and each adjacent pair of the towed units being coupled to one another. Each of the units includes a chassis, a plurality of wheeled axles connected to the chassis for supporting the respective unit as the vehicle travels over the roadways of the mine, and a draw frame attached to and extending rearwardly from the corresponding chassis, with a coupling attached to a rear end of the draw frame.

Abstract: An improvement in or relating to a hitch assembly for connecting a trailer to a towing vehicle. The hitch assembly consists of features which are moveable in a telescopic manner and/or in a rotational manner to allow the adjustable repositioning of a coupling member of a trailer for it to be conveniently connected to a tow ball of a towing vehicle. The hitch assembly consists of ratchet type features that when a movement of the trailer is provided by the towing vehicle, the hitch assembly will move towards a condition, substantially automatically, where the connection between the trailer and the vehicle becomes substantially rigid apart from the degrees of freedom of movement normally provided by the coupling. The ratchet type features can be made in operative to allow for a user to manipulate the position of the tow coupling of the trailer so as to achieve a coupling between the trailer and the tow vehicle without the trailer needing to be in an exact location in respect of the tow coupling of the trailer.

Abstract: A hitch for coupling a towing vehicle and a trailer vehicle, particularly in situations where the vehicles are misaligned. The hitch has a tongue housing for attachment to one of the vehicles and a tongue for extension and retraction within a throat defined by the tongue housing. The tongue articulates laterally to couple misaligned vehicles. The tongue has a coupler, such as a clevis, ring or ball, on one end to effect coupling between the two vehicles. The tongue is movable to a locked position where a spring-biased pin is insertable through apertures in the tongue housing and the tongue to lock it in place. The tongue and the tongue housing have cooperating guide members to effect a smooth, guided movement of the tongue from an extended position to its retracted, locked position. The guide members have cooperating, rounded cam members and pockets which facilitate the smooth, guided movement of the tongue to its locked position.

Abstract: A hitch for coupling a towing vehicle and a trailer vehicle, particularly in situations where the vehicles are misaligned. The hitch has a tongue housing for attachment to one of the vehicles and a tongue for extension and retraction within a throat defined by the tongue housing. The tongue articulates laterally to couple misaligned vehicles. The tongue has a coupler, such as a clevis, ring or ball, on one end to effect coupling between the two vehicles. The tongue is movable to a locked position where a spring-biased pin is insertable through apertures in the tongue housing and the tongue to lock it in place. The tongue and the tongue housing have cooperating guide members to effect a smooth, guided movement of the tongue from an extended position to its retracted, locked position. The guide members have cooperating, rounded cam members and pockets which facilitate the smooth, guided movement of the tongue to its locked position.

Abstract: An assembly with a lower steering arm has a strut 1 and an attaching end 16. The attaching end 16 includes a base member 18 and a cover 19. A blocking pawl 34 is supported in the base member 18. The cover 19 is welded to the base member 18. The cover 19 includes a stop face 30 for the end face 10 of the strut 1. Thus, any tolerances in the region of the base member 18 provided in the form of a forging do not affect the position of the stop face 30. The latter can be aligned when connecting the base member 18 and the cover 19. Because of its setting contour, an actuating lever 43 can be used for both the right hand and the left hand lower steering arm.

Abstract: A trailer coupler in which a pair of hitch capturing members, each having a hitch socket are movable relative to one another and to a base member. The base member mounts the hitch capturing members for selective movement between a forwardly extended and open hitch receiving position and a rearwardly retracted and closed hitch capturing position. A hitch positioner member is mounted or is mountable to the hitch capturing members to span the hitch capturing members in the forwardly extended and open hitch receiving position. The hitch positioner member is movably positioned with respect to at least one of the hitch capturing members and is configured to move the hitch capturing members rearwardly in response to engagement by a rearwardly moving hitch. A cam surface and cam actuator serve to close the hitch capturing members from the open hitch receiving position to the retracted hitch engaging position in response to rearward motion of the hitch capturing members.