Abstract: A trailer coupling for motor vehicles able to be moved from a working position to a resting position and the reverse. To increase safety, a motion of the trailer coupling is allowed only if the velocity of the motor vehicle is <=5 Km/h, if the rear window or tailgate is open and if no trailer is fastened on the coupling. The motion is stopped if the torque of the drive motor exceeds a specifiable reference value.

Abstract: A towbar for storage carts includes an adjustable width base which may be expanded to attach to vertically positioned frame members of a storage cart, and also includes a tongue assembly which attaches to the base and pivots such that the tongue assembly may be raised or lowered to accommodate attachment of the towbar for storage carts to motorized vehicles having differing heights.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a hitch to a vehicle. The apparatus may include a base connected to the vehicle. A mount, having a fastening portion and a main portion, may also be included. The fastening portion may receive a plurality of hitches thereon. The main portion may pivotably engage the base to provide a pivoting motion of the mount with respect to the base between a stowed position and a towing position distinct from the stowed position. A pivot may connect the main portion to the fastening portion to provide rotation therebetween. The apparatus may also include a hitch system having a first ball hitch monolithically formed to have a shank. A second hitch may be monolithically formed to have an aperture therein. The aperture of the second ball hitch may be shaped to axially receive and engage the shank of the first ball hitch.

Abstract: A trailer, comprising a trailer coupler portion, a trailer frame attached to the trailer coupler portion, and at least one caster wheel attached to the trailer frame. The trailer coupler portion comprises a trailer hitch including a proximal hitch portion, a distal hitch portion, a hinge link connecting the proximal hitch portion to the distal hitch portion, and a hitch locking mechanism adapted for locking the distal hitch portion in position with respect to the proximal hitch portion. The caster wheel(s) include a spindle attached to and adapted for swiveling with respect to the trailer frame. The trailer may further include a caster locking system adapted for preventing the spindle from swiveling with respect to the trailer frame. The caster locking system includes a drum attached to the spindle of the caster wheel(s) and further includes a hitch pin lock having a body and a pin. The drum has a pin aperture through which the pin may extend to prevent the spindle from swiveling.

Abstract: A load hauling trailer assembly adapted for on and off road use includes a towable mobile chassis, a storage container body mounted on the mobile chassis and having an open top, a top cover having an outer side and being mountable on the storage container body and movable between opened and closed positions relative to the open top of the storage container body, and a carrier rack mounted on the outer side of the top cover and adapted to carry gear thereon when the top cover is mounted on the storage container body and moved to the closed position. The mobile chassis includes a frame structure, a pair of wheel subassemblies, and suspension and frame structure height adjustment subassemblies mounted to and extending transversely of the frame structure and mounting the wheel subassemblies to the frame structure.

Abstract: A heavy equipment (such as a tractor loader backhoe) transporter is disclosed. The transporter apparatus includes a tongue assembly and a rear axle assembly. The tongue assembly is adapted to connect to the front of the heavy equipment and the rear axle assembly is adapted to connect to the rear of the heavy equipment. When the assemblies are connected to the heavy equipment, a new unitary trailer is formed.

Abstract: A trunnion, adapted to fit in a receiver, attached to a vehicle as a receiver-type hitch system, provides selective deployment and stowage of a hitch. An optional base secured to the trunnion may receive a pivot. A mount, secured by the pivot to the base, swings between a deployed and a stowed position. Alignments are one-dimensional, typically circumferentially positioning a locking pin aperture and a corresponding locking pin about a radius with respect to a pivot axis. A platform of the mount may contain an aperture for operating as a pin hitch aperture, or for receiving a stud or bolt for securing a ball hitch, or two hitches. In certain embodiments, multiple ball hitches may be attached at once to the platform. Selection of ball hitch sizes, and positioning of the ball hitch altitude may also be accomplished by pivots built into the mount.

Abstract: A trailer hitch is provided for releasable attachment to a trailer frame. At least one aperture is defined in the trailer frame. The trailer hitch includes an elongated cross member having a first end and a second end, a first side member extending from the first end of the elongated cross member to a coupler and a second side member extending from the second end of the elongated cross member to the coupler. At least one aperture is defined in the trailer hitch in a position of coaxial alignment with the aperture defined in the frame when the trailer hitch is in a towing position A removable lock pin is adapted to extend through the apertures in the frame and the trailer hitch to secure the cross member in a fixed position relative to the frame.

Abstract: A trailer hitch alignment apparatus designed to be used with an existing trailer hitch that includes a hollow frame tube mounted transversely on the rear of a towing vehicle. The apparatus includes a first leg member that slides into an end opening on the transversely aligned frame tube attached to the frame on the towing vehicle. Attached to the distal end of the first leg member is a joint bracket with a ratchet mechanism disposed therein. Pivotally attached to the distal end of the joint bracket is a second leg member. The ratchet mechanism is coupled to the second leg member enabling the user to forcibly pivot the second leg member around the first leg member. Attached inside the rear surface of the first leg member is a cable assembly containing a cable wound onto a spool. Attached to the spool is a locking, tightening mechanism that allows the cable to be forcibly wound and unwound from the spool. Extending from the distal end of the second leg member is a telescopic extension arm.

Abstract: A dual mode trailer hitch that operates in both a “vehicle-tow” mode and a “manual tow” mode. In the vehicle-tow mode of operation, the trailer hitch is configured such that a trailer can be pivotally coupled to and towed by a towing vehicle, such as a tractor. In the manual-tow mode of operation, the trailer hitch is configured to not articulate, so that the trailer can be towed manually by a person. The trailer hitch includes bar pivot attachment member, a connecting link, a handle attachment fitting, at least one side plate, a tow bracket, and a vehicle coupling pin 23. In the preferred embodiment, the side plates are coupled on both sides of the tow bracket. The combined side plates and tow bracket are pivotally coupled to both the bar pivot attachment member and one end of the connecting link by a first pivot pin. The handle attachment fitting is pivotally coupled to the other end of connecting link by a second pivot pin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safe automobile towing structure, which contains a connecting rod with a flashing alarm at each side. On each end of the connecting rod is an extension rod, which end is installed with a rotational base. At the connection, the rotational base and the extension rod are mutually installed with a rotational axle. The rotational path between the rotational base and the extension rod is installed with corresponding bumpers. An adjusting rod is installed at the end of the rotational base. At the connection, the adjusting rod and the rotational base are mutually installed with a revolving axle that is perpendicular to the rotational axle. Besides, the vertically rotational path is installed with corresponding bumpers. The end of the adjusting rod is installed with a steel rope base.

Abstract: A multi-use motorcycle apparatus and method therefor capable of being easily transported and configured into any of three different apparatuses usable for motorcycles: (a) a towing trailer for a motorcycle where the trailer is dimensioned to be coupled to a vehicle receiver hitch; (b) a frame lift for lifting and supporting the frame of a motorcycle; and (c) a motorcycle lock.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a towing vehicle to a towed vehicle. 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 retractable hitch is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle, such as in the bed of a pickup truck. The hitch includes a ball piece for releasable engagement with a coupling mechanism secured to a trailer as known in the art. The hitch has a frame secured to the vehicle, and the frame provides a substantially flat upper surface with a sleeve opening extending below the upper surface. The ball piece moves in the sleeve between an operative position, wherein it extends above the upper surface, and a retracted position wherein the ball piece is positioned below the upper surface. A raising/lowering control moves the ball piece within the sleeve. The raising/lowering control is mechanically coupled to the ball piece with a raising/lowering control linkage, which accesses the ball piece through a bottom and a vertically extending slot in the sleeve. The raising/lowering control linkage contacts a bottom bearing surface of the ball piece to raise the ball piece upward.

Abstract: A retractable hitch is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle, such as in the bed of a pickup truck. The hitch includes a ball piece for releasable engagement with a coupling mechanism secured to a trailer as known in the art. The hitch has a frame secured to the vehicle, and the frame provides a substantially flat upper surface with a sleeve opening extending below the upper surface. The ball piece moves in the sleeve between an operative position, wherein it extends above the upper surface, and a retracted position wherein the ball piece is positioned below the upper surface. A raising/lowering control moves the ball piece within the sleeve. The raising/lowering control is mechanically coupled to the ball piece with a raising/lowering control linkage, which accesses the ball piece through a bottom and a vertically extending slot in the sleeve. The raising/lowering control linkage contacts a bottom bearing surface of the ball piece to raise the ball piece upward.

Abstract: A retractable hitch is made to mount onto the rear of a towing vehicle, and lower the hitch ball to a desired level. A housing is attached to the towing vehicle, and has side walls and a bottom wall, the hitch bar is slidably mounted in the housing, and slides between a working position wherein an outer end carrying a hitch ball is extended from the vehicle, and a retracted position wherein the hitch ball is inside the housing. A spring-loaded lever holds the hitch ball in its retracted position, and is releasable to let the hitch bar out to its working position.

Abstract: An expandable utility trailer system that included multiple trailer bed sections that are attached together to form a utility trailer of the desired size and disconnectable for storage in a small area. The expandable utility trailer system including a main trailer bed assembly, a front bed assembly, a back bed assembly; a number of side barrier sections, a brake light/turn signal circuit including a turn signal reverse operation switch, and a trailer tongue assembly.

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: A coupling device which is adapted to couple a towed vehicle such as a trailer to a towing vehicle such as a truck. The coupling device is designed to be used with many conventional receiver structures that are mounted to towing vehicles, the receiver structures being of the type that normally receive an elongated square insertion member which carries a ball hitch. The coupling device of the present invention is adapted to be inserted into the same receiver structure and is designed to carry a ball hitch, but the coupling device has many advantages over the conventional receiver insertion member because it is extendable in a longitudinal as well as lateral direction so that the towing vehicle does not have to be perfectly aligned with the hitch of the towed vehicle in order to couple the two together.

Abstract: A tow bar apparatus, that allows a towing vehicle to tow a towed vehicle, has a hitch member, a pair of tow bars, and a pair of socket members. The hitch member is adapted to engage a tow bar receiver of the towing vehicle. The pair of socket members are adapted to be attached to the towed vehicle. Each of the pair of tow bars includes a plate ball member at a first end for pivotally engaging one of the pair of socket members. Each of the pair of tow bars further includes a second end, the second ends of the pair of tow bars being joined to form a hitch ball member that pivotably and rotatably engages the hitch member.

Abstract: At least one limited articulating female hitch mechanism and trailer for mounting to a conventional trailer hitch male connection member mounted on a towing vehicle. The hitch mechanisms are pivotal in only the vertical plane. The combination comprises a trailer having a horizontally disposed load supporting frame mounting of swivel (or 360 degree horizontally rotating) wheel assemblies about 360 degrees. This arrangement, coupled with the hitch mechanism, assures the trailer tracks the towing vehicle so that the sides of the towing vehicle and the sides of the trailer remain constantly parallel to each other Reduced trailer size and weight, reduced storage requirements, ease of backup maneuvering and avoidance of road hazards, vehicles, pedestrians and objects is thus facilitated by such arrangement.

Abstract: A trailer tongue that can be rolled to an extended and retracted position. The present trailer tongue comprises a housing having and interior portion and an exterior portion. At least one track is located along the interior portion of the housing. In a particularly preferred embodiment, two tracks are welded to on the interior portion of the housing. The trailer tongue further includes a rollaway mechanism that preferably includes at least one wheel for rolling along the track. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the rollaway mechanism includes two wheels for rolling along the tracks welded to the interior portion of the housing. The wheels are positioned to cooperate with the tracks so that the slide mechanism rolls easily along the tracks from an extended position to a retracted position.

Abstract: A towing bracket for attachment to the rear frame of a bicycle, to be used for towing a trailer behind the bicycle. The towing bracket has a hanging member that attaches to the hub nut of the rear wheel of the bicycle, and may have a disk with an attached tab that mates with a slot in the rear frame, with the disk having a number of holes that mate with raised nubs in the hanging member, to prevent rotation of the hanging member about the nut. A collar on the hanging member attaches to a trailer linkage, which in turn attaches to a trailer.

Abstract: A retractable hitch is made to mount onto the rear of a towing vehicle, and lower the hitch ball to a desired level. A housing is attached to the towing vehicle, and has side walls and a bottom wall, the hitch bar is slidably mounted in the housing, and slides between a working position wherein an outer end carrying a hitch ball is extended from the vehicle, and a retracted position wherein the hitch ball is inside the housing. A spring-loaded lever holds the hitch ball in its retracted position, and is releasable to let the hitch bar out to its working position.

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: The present invention is a trailer tongue that can be rolled to an extended and retracted position. The present trailer tongue comprises a housing having and interior portion and an exterior portion. At least one track is located along the interior portion of the housing. In a particularly preferred embodiment, two tracks are welded to on the interior portion of the housing.

Abstract: A trailer hitch drawbar 1 having a cam bar 4 mounted along one side such that rotating the cam bar extends or retracts the side of the cam bar 4a along the side of the drawbar. This cam action firmly wedges the drawbar inside a receiver tube 9. An adjustment set screw 2 is provided to set the cam for optimum expansion force in a given receiver tube. A locking pin 5 extends from the drawbar when the cam bar is rotated to the lock position. The locking pin is operated by a second cam surface 4b on the cam bar moving against the inner end of the locking pin. The pin extends into the standard locking pin hole 11 in the receiver tube to prevent longitudinal slippage of the drawbar in the receiver tube. An adjustable drawbar stop 13 sets the penetration depth of the drawbar into the receiver tube to align the locking pin with the locking hole in the receiver tube. This allows instant insertion and locking of the drawbar without searching for pin alignment.

Abstract: A towing device for vehicles is connected with a connection pin for a holding on the vehicle body and a hook-in eye connected with the pin, the connection pin having a fastening section as well as a lug part forming the hook-in eye. In a towing position and in an inoperative position, the connection pin is held in a support part of the vehicle body so that it cannot be lost, and, in the towing position, the connection pin with the fastening section can be fixed in a tension-resistant and pressure-resistant manner in a holding element of the support part and, in the inoperative position, can be fixed in the holding element by way of a locking device arranged adjacent to the hook-in eye.

Abstract: A tractor and trailer combination, the trailer having a cover for covering a load support surface thereof and a frame assembly is provided which includes a roller and a plurality of solar cell lengths for extending along the cover, the solar cell lengths being movably connected to one another for rolling up of the solar cell lengths about the roller and the roller being removably rotatably mounted relative to the frame assembly. The tractor and trailer combination is a type of vehicle having a planar surface for protectively covering a load carrying surface of the vehicle and collectively flexible solar cell lengths disposable as the outwardly facing side of the planar surface which may additionally include a gas motor fueled by cryogenic fuel, a climate control arrangement supplied with the cryogenic fuel, and a solar thermal energy system for cooling operations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing logs from a forestry site. The apparatus and method includes a primary mobile machine having means attached to a rearward portion thereof for holding a first end of a first log cluster. The apparatus and method also includes a first secondary mobile machine with a first end having means for holding a second end of the first log cluster, and a second end having means for holding a first end of a second log cluster. The primary mobile machine and the first secondary mobile machine are interconnected by the first log cluster.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a receptacle mounted at a predetermined location for storing various tow hitch apparatuses and assemblies. Behind the mounting surface, the area may be hollow such as a standard dwelling wall or solid such as a brick or concrete wall found in a basement. Furthermore, the invention may be mounted on a floor or wall of a vehicle storage compartment. The dimensions of the invention are such that it can in one embodiment receive the standard two inch male connector and in other embodiments receive other standard male portions of a tow hitch apparatus. In particular, the invention is designed to receive the various racks that have become popular for carrying sports equipment. These rigid racks attach to the standard trailer hitch receptacle found on many vehicles.

Abstract: A trailer with an extension member pivotally mounts to a hinge attached to the tongue or frame of the trailer. Front and rear retainers bolt and clamp onto the tongue and frame. The extension member is retained by the forward retainer and extends substantially parallel to the trailer tongue and beyond the trailer tongue. The forward end of the extension member includes a receiver element for mounting to the hitch of a towing vehicle and for extending the trailer further behind the towing vehicle. The extension member pivotally swings rearward to the storage position where it is retained for travel.

Abstract: A vehicle hitch for interconnecting a pair of all terrain vehicles includes a pair of bars with socket couplers at one end of each bar for connecting the bars to the balls of conventional trailer hitches; and a damping mechanism releasably interconnecting the other ends of the bars and limiting longitudinal movement of the bars relative to each other. The bars are releasably locked together by a generally C-shaped pin, the arms of which are inserted through one end of a shaft extending out of one of the bars.

Abstract: A tow bar for attaching two bicycles in tandem arrangement consisting of a hollow rod, tube, or pipe having an attaching strap traversing the length of the interior of the rod or pipe, with the strap being secured to frame members of each bicycle via a friction clamp at each bicycle without the need for tools. Further, the tow bar consists of an assembly of four or more segments that have removeable couplings by which each such segment is attached to an adjacent segment, thereby facilitating ease of assemble and disassembly of the tow bar. Such segments, when disassembled, can be easily stored in a conventional bicycle pouch that can be attached to a frame member of the bicycle.

Abstract: A folding trailer is described including a wheeled first frame portion having a tongue secured thereto which extends forwardly therefrom for connection to a hitch adapter which is mounted on the hitch of the an all-terrain vehicle. A second frame portion is pivotally secured to the rearward end of the wheeled frame portion and a rear frame portion is pivotally secured to the rearward end of the second frame portion in such a manner that it may be pivotally moved upwardly from a horizontally disposed position on the rearward end of the second frame portion to an upwardly extending position. The rear frame portion may be folded onto the second frame portion with those frame portions being folded upon the wheeled frame portion. The trailer may then be pivotally moved upwardly and secured to the rack of the all-terrain vehicle.

Abstract: A trailer hitch for attachment to a towing vehicle comprises an elongated cross-beam which is secured to the frame of the vehicle and which has a hitch receiver extending rearwardly therefrom at the center thereof. The hitch receiver is adapted to removably receive an elongated tow bar therein to enable the vehicle to tow a trailer or the like. A tow bar support is secured to the cross-beam for removably receiving and supporting the tow bar therein when the tow bar is removed from the hitch receiver so that the longitudinal axis of the tow bar is disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cross-beam.

Abstract: A gooseneck hitch assembly for mounting on a vehicle includes a hitch ball, a housing and a mounting assembly for securing the hitch ball and housing to the frame of a vehicle. The hitch ball is pivotally connected to the housing and includes a conveniently located lubrication fitting, a pivotally mounted security door with a torsion spring to hold the door in fully open and closed positions, and a latch thereon for securing the door in a closed position and the hitch ball in a towing position. A pair of safety chain anchors in alignment with the hitch ball is pivotally connected to the housing such that one of the anchors overlies and protects the lubrication fitting in the storage position.

Abstract: A trailer hitch includes a cylindrical receiver perpendicularly mounted on a horizontal laterally extending tube attached to a vehicle. The receiver carries a slider movable between a first, retracted position substantially entirely disposed beneath the vehicle bumper and a second, extended position wherein the slider projects rearwardly of the vehicle bumper and carries a hitch ball for attachment to a towed object. A cam slot and cam follower are cooperatingly formed on the slider and the receiver, with the cam slot having angularly disposed ends for rotation of the slider between first and second angularly disposed position simultaneous with translation of the slider between first and second retracted and extended positions. A decorative cover overlays the exposed portions of the horizontal tube and the slider when the slider is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A stable lightweight cargo trailer for a bicycle with a demountable bicycle type wheel having a collapsible frame assembly, the trailer including an upper elongate frame member defining an upper limit of a cargo compartment and a lower frame member having a portion defining a lower limit of the cargo compartment, the upper frame member and the lower frame portion being pivotally connected by intermediate end and side members such that the upper frame member is foldable from an extended position to a collapsed position allowing the upper frame member to collapse to overly said lower frame member into a compact configuration.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly includes an interchangeable ball having a first bore for removably receiving a stub shaft attached to the towing vehicle. Both the ball and stub shaft have transverse bores that can be aligned with one another to receive a removable pin for securing the ball to the stub shaft during normal use. When the ball is not on the stub shaft, a clip can be inserted into the first bore of the ball to removably engage the pin and prevent the pin from being withdrawn from the ball. This feature helps to prevent the pin from becoming lost or misplaced while the ball is in storage.

Abstract: An extension for trailer for increasing the cargo-carrying capacity of a trailer. The extension for trailer includes a generally A-shaped frame with a pair of straight arm members oriented in a generally V-shaped configuration and a cross member extending between the arm members. Inner ends of the arm members is coupled to a bottom of a trailer. Outer ends of the arm members come together at a coupler. The coupler is adapted for mounting on a ball hitch of a towing vehicle.