Abstract: A weight distributing hitch for towing a trailer includes a pair of deflection bars extending rearward from a ball mount head. A distal end of each deflection bar is supported by a deflection bar support connected to the frame by a height adjustable bracket assembly. A first resistance feature on the deflection bar support engages a second resistance feature associated with the deflection bar to restrain the deflection bar from sliding relative to the deflection bar support and thereby preventing swaying of the trailer relative to the towing vehicle. A longitudinal position of the second resistance feature relative to the deflection bar or a longitudinal position of the first resistance feature relative to said deflection bar supported by said deflection bar support is adjustable to position the second resistance feature in engagement with the first resistance feature when the deflection bar is supported on the deflection bar support.

Abstract: A tie-down apparatus securable within a slot of a slotted receiver includes a pedestal, a safety chain connector and a locking member pivotally connected to the safety chain connector. A vertical bore extends through the pedestal and two legs depend from the pedestal body on opposite sides of the bore. Each leg is narrower in width than a width of the slot so that the legs may be inserted widthwise into the slot to prevent the pedestal from rotating in the slot. The safety chain connector includes a bail and a downwardly extending latching member extending through the bore in the pedestal and is rotatable relative to the base to rotate the latching member into engagement with the slotted receiver whereupon the locking member pivots into engagement with the pedestal preventing rotation of the safety chain connector out of latching engagement with the slotted receiver.

Abstract: A hitch ball with a locking bail for use with gooseneck hitch assemblies. The hitch ball includes a hitch ball body having a ball-mount on a first end. A second end forms a base that is insertable into a mating receiver mounted in a tow vehicle. A locking bail is pivotably coupled to the hitch ball body and is moveable from an unlocked orientation overlying the ball-mount to a locked orientation extending generally transversely to the hitch ball body. The locking bail is configured to function as a handle when in the unlocked orientation to provide a clean and easily graspable structure for handling and installing the hitch ball in a tow vehicle. The locking bail prevents coupling of a trailer or hitch assembly with the hitch ball when in the unlocked orientation and provides a visual indication of the locked or unlocked state of the hitch ball.

Abstract: A tie-down apparatus securable within a slot of a slotted receiver includes a pedestal, a safety chain connector and a locking member pivotally connected to the safety chain connector. A vertical bore extends through the pedestal and two legs depend from the pedestal body on opposite sides of the bore. Each leg is narrower in width than a width of the slot so that the legs may be inserted widthwise into the slot to prevent the pedestal from rotating in the slot. The safety chain connector includes a bail and a downwardly extending latching member extending through the bore in the pedestal and is rotatable relative to the base to rotate the latching member into engagement with the slotted receiver whereupon the locking member pivots into engagement with the pedestal preventing rotation of the safety chain connector out of latching engagement with the slotted receiver.

Abstract: A hitch with a force dampening assembly and a kingpin adapter. The hitch includes upper and lower arms coupled via a dampening assembly that includes a resilient member disposed in a passage in the lower arm and an axle coupled to the upper arm and disposed coaxially through the resilient member. Facets or asymmetries on the passage and axle resist rotational movement of the resilient member relative thereto. The resilient member is flexed between the wall of the passage and the axle to enable pivotal movement of the upper arm relative to the lower arm. The kingpin adapter includes a wedge ring disposed on a kingpin and retained thereon by a clamping ring. A housing is coupled to the clamping ring to affix the housing to a trailer and to retain the wedge ring in position. A hitch can be coupled to the housing.

Abstract: A hitch ball with a locking bail for use with gooseneck hitch assemblies. The hitch ball includes a hitch ball body having a ball-mount on a first end. A second end forms a base that is insertable into a mating receiver mounted in a tow vehicle. A locking bail is pivotably coupled to the hitch ball body and is moveable from an unlocked orientation overlying the ball-mount to a locked orientation extending generally transversely to the hitch ball body. The locking bail is configured to function as a handle when in the unlocked orientation to provide a clean and easily graspable structure for handling and installing the hitch ball in a tow vehicle. The locking bail prevents coupling of a trailer or hitch assembly with the hitch ball when in the unlocked orientation and provides a visual indication of the locked or unlocked state of the hitch ball.

Abstract: A hitch ball with a locking bail for use with gooseneck hitch assemblies. The hitch ball includes a hitch ball body having a ball-mount on a first end. A second end forms a base that is insertable into a mating receiver mounted in a tow vehicle. A locking bail is pivotably coupled to the hitch ball body and is moveable from an unlocked orientation overlying the ball-mount to a locked orientation extending generally transversely to the hitch ball body. The locking bail is configured to function as a handle when in the unlocked orientation to provide a clean and easily graspable structure for handling and installing the hitch ball in a tow vehicle. The locking bail prevents coupling of a trailer or hitch assembly with the hitch ball when in the unlocked orientation and provides a visual indication of the locked or unlocked state of the hitch ball.

Abstract: A motorcycle tie-down apparatus for securing a motorcycle for transport. The apparatus includes a base secured to a transport vehicle and a clamp that is clamped to lower frame members of the motorcycle. The clamp includes a telescoping tubular structure and extends outwardly beyond sides of the motorcycle. The base includes a pair of latches with slots that translationally receive respective end portions of the clamp. The slots extend downward to compress the suspension of the motorcycle during engagement of the clamp with the base. Latch plates pivot to capture the clamp in the slots and locking levers and release levers selectively restrict pivoting of the latch plate and thus withdrawal of the clamp from the slot. The locking levers and release levers employ a dual-motion action from a user to release the clamp from the latch plate.

Abstract: An after-market hitch assembly is provided for securing to a cross member of a truck which is specifically adapted for securing a hitch assembly thereto prior to installation of the truck bed. The after-market hitch assembly adapted for securing to the hitch frame after installation of the truck bed without having to remove the truck bed.

Abstract: A hitch ball with a locking bail for use with gooseneck hitch assemblies. The hitch ball includes a hitch ball body having a ball-mount on a first end. A second end forms a base that is insertable into a mating receiver mounted in a tow vehicle. A locking bail is pivotably coupled to the hitch ball body and is moveable from an unlocked orientation overlying the ball-mount to a locked orientation extending generally transversely to the hitch ball body. The locking bail is configured to function as a handle when in the unlocked orientation to provide a clean and easily graspable structure for handling and installing the hitch ball in a tow vehicle. The locking bail prevents coupling of a trailer or hitch assembly with the hitch ball when in the unlocked orientation and provides a visual indication of the locked or unlocked state of the hitch ball.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a support plate for a trailer hitch. The plate has an upper surface adapted to receive at least a portion of a base of a trailer hitch assembly thereon and a lower surface adapted to rest on a loading surface of a pickup truck. The plate may have a longitudinal trough formed therein and the trough may be sized to fit between ridges formed in the loading surface. The invention is designed to transfer downward forces from the trailer hitch assembly to the areas of the truck bed between the ridges to help prevent the hitch assembly from smashing or denting the ridges.

Abstract: A sliding hitch with a self-arming latch is described. The hitch includes a carriage slideably mounted on a base. The base includes a latching pin on a pivot arm that is biased to extend toward engagement with the carriage and a rotatable shaft with an arming member and a locking member. Rotation of the shaft to an unlocked orientation, cams the pivot plate away from the carriage to withdraw the pin and enable sliding of the carriage on the base. An arm of the arming member is also rotated into the path of a protuberance associated with the carriage. Contact between the protuberance and the arm during sliding of the carriage along the base causes rotation of the shaft to a locked orientation enabling extension of the pin toward engagement with the carriage and engaging the locking member with the pivot plate to restrict withdrawal of the pin.

Abstract: An after-market hitch assembly is provided for securing to a cross member of a truck which is specifically adapted for securing a hitch assembly thereto prior to installation of the truck bed. The after-market hitch assembly adapted for securing to the hitch frame after installation of the truck bed without having to remove the truck bed.

Abstract: A sliding hitch with a self-arming latch is described. The hitch includes a carriage slideably mounted on a base. The base includes a latching pin on a pivot arm that is biased to extend toward engagement with the carriage and a rotatable shaft with an arming member and a locking member. Rotation of the shaft to an unlocked orientation, cams the pivot plate away from the carriage to withdraw the pin and enable sliding of the carriage on the base. An arm of the arming member is also rotated into the path of a protuberance associated with the carriage. Contact between the protuberance and the arm during sliding of the carriage along the base causes rotation of the shaft to a locked orientation enabling extension of the pin toward engagement with the carriage and engaging the locking member with the pivot plate to restrict withdrawal of the pin.

Abstract: An adjustable hitch assembly including a mounting collar, a hitch base with a vertical post having a plurality of alternating square sections and circular sections, a hitch ball member having at least one hitch ball and a pivot shaft extending therefrom. The vertical post is slidably and rotatably received through the mounting collar; the pivot shaft is rotatably received in the mounting collar. The mounting collar, to which the hitch ball member is attached, may slide vertically along the vertical post and may rotate about the vertical post to adjust the height and angular position of the hitch ball member. The hitch ball member may have a plurality of variously sized hitch balls that a user may select by rotating the hitch ball member about the pivot shaft. A single rotatable latch pin received by the mounting collar engages and disengages the various components of the hitch assembly to allow adjustability.

Abstract: A self latching trailer coupler includes a housing having a downwardly oriented ball receiver for receiving a head of a hitch ball and a latch member mounted in the housing which is moveable between open and closed positions. In the closed position, the latch member prevents the hitch ball from being withdrawn from the ball receiver. The latch member automatically moves into the closed position upon insertion of the head of the hitch ball into the ball receiver and retains the latch member in the closed position. A lock assembly is mounted in the housing and is selectively engageable to lock the latch member in the closed position.

Abstract: A self latching trailer coupler includes a housing having a downwardly oriented ball receiver for receiving a head of a hitch ball and a latch member mounted in the housing which is moveable between open and closed positions. In the closed position, the latch member prevents the hitch ball from being withdrawn from the ball receiver. The latch member automatically moves into the closed position upon insertion of the head of the hitch ball into the ball receiver and retains the latch member in the closed position. A lock assembly is mounted in the housing and is selectively engageable to lock the latch member in the closed position.

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 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.