Abstract: An improved jack assembly for use with a trailer tongue of a towed vehicle. The jack assembly including telescoping height adjustment of the assembly, a pivot assembly for pivoting between a vertical and horizontal stowed position, and a clip for maintaining a handle assembly in a stowed position when not in use. The jack assembly also includes the use of bushings for the telescoping tubes to enhance the sliding movement between the tubes and aid in maintaining the axial alignment of the tubes thereby extending the life of the jack assembly. The pivot assembly further includes an attachment bracket that may be rotated to accommodate at least two different sizes of trailer tongues.

Abstract: An improved jack assembly for use with a trailer tongue of a towed vehicle. The jack assembly including telescoping height adjustment of the assembly, a pivot assembly for pivoting between a vertical and horizontal stowed position, and a clip for maintaining a handle assembly in a stowed position when not in use. The jack assembly also includes the use of bushings for the telescoping tubes to enhance the sliding movement between the tubes and aid in maintaining the axial alignment of the tubes thereby extending the life of the jack assembly. The pivot assembly further includes an attachment bracket that may be rotated to accommodate at least two different sizes of trailer tongues.

Abstract: A mounting adapter for mounting a jack to a trailer coupler and/or a trailer frame is described. The mounting adapter may permit the jack to mount to the trailer coupler while retaining both vertical and axial adjustability. The mounting adapter may include a flange and a collar. The flange may include an opening for receiving the jack and at least one mounting aperture for attachment with the trailer frame. The collar may extend outward from the flange and have at least one aperture for attachment with the jack. The collar may also include a rib located for engagement with a slot on the jack. The trailer coupler and frame may include apertures alignable to the mounting apertures, whereby the mounting apertures may permit orientation of the jack to be forward, left, right or rear facing. The mounting adapter may also be vertically adjustable to the jack.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus, systems, and methods for distributing the weight of a trailer to a towing vehicle and controlling the sway of that trailer relative to the towing vehicle. An embodiment of the present invention includes a spring arm coupled to the towing vehicle and an attachment mechanism for selectively placing the spring arm in mechanical communication with the trailer. The attachment mechanism includes a bracket assembly reversibly attachable to the trailer; a shoe bracket reversibly attachable to the bracket assembly; and a friction pad coupled to the shoe bracket.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other examples associated with a hitch ball coupler are described herein. In one example, a coupler includes a body and a cap. The body and cap are pivotally connected on a first end. The body includes a first recess and a shoulder. The cap is selectively moveable between a closed position and an open position. The cap includes a second recess that selectively forms a socket with the first recess, and an arm extending from a second end that engages the shoulder when the cap is in the open position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus for a winch assembly. The winch assembly may be secured to a towing trailer and arranged to assist in loading and unloading cargo from the trailer. The winch assembly may include mechanisms, systems, and features to make the winch assembly easy to assemble and use, increase the service life of the winch assembly, and improve the consistency of the performance of the winch assembly. Embodiments of a winch assembly disclosed include novel drive systems, novel ratchet and pawl systems, novel systems for guiding a winch strap, novel systems for securing the winch assembly to a towing trailer, and a novel frame member for a winch assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other examples associated with a hitch ball coupler are described herein. In one example, a coupler includes a body and a cap. The body and cap are pivotally connected on a first end. The body includes a first recess and a shoulder. The cap is selectively moveable between a closed position and an open position. The cap includes a second recess that selectively forms a socket with the first recess, and an arm extending from a second end that engages the shoulder when the cap is in the open position.

Abstract: A surge brake actuator having a coupler housing telescopically engagable with an actuator housing is provided. The surge brake actuator incorporates an improved reverse lockout assembly that prevents movement of the coupler housing with respect to the actuator housing during reverse movement of a towing vehicle. The reverse lockout assembly is capable of moving to an operating position upon forward movement of the towing vehicle. A breakaway cam effectuates actuation of a braking system of a towed vehicle if the towing vehicle breaks away from the towed vehicle.

Abstract: A retention assembly for a jack is disclosed. The retention assembly includes a housing, a bushing, a shaft, a gear, a pin, and a spring. The housing includes a housing aperture, into which the bushing is positioned. The shaft, which includes a shaft aperture, extends through the bushing such that the portion of the shaft defining the shaft aperture is positioned within the housing. The gear, which includes a gear aperture, is positioned on the shaft such that the gear and shaft apertures align to accommodate the pin. The spring is positioned on the shaft and within the housing such that a first end of the spring applies a force to the bushing to retain the bushing in the housing aperture and a second end of the spring engages the pin to retain the pin within the shaft and gear apertures.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a trailer tongue pivot hinge are described herein. In an embodiment, a pivot assembly for a tongue of a towing trailer includes a trailer arm adapter, a coupler arm adapter, and a pivot member. The trailer arm adapter includes an engagement face positioned at an angle, along with a pivot hinge member and a coupling hinge member extending from the engagement face, where the coupling hinge member is opposed to the pivot hinge member. The coupler arm adapter includes an engagement face positioned at an angle, along with a pivot hinge member and a coupler hinge member extending from the engagement face, where the second coupling hinge member is opposed to the second pivot hinge member. The pivot member is positioned to pivotally engage the trailer arm adapter to the couple arm adapter.

Abstract: A trailer coupler pivot assembly comprising a pivot mount member connected to a trailer frame member and a hinge bracket connected to a trailer tongue arm. The hinge bracket is pivotally connected to the pivot mount member so that the trailer tongue arm is pivotal relative to the trailer frame member between an open position and a closed position. However, either of the pivot mount member or the hinge bracket comprises a single, prefabricated component to make assembly more efficient and cost effective. With both the pivot mount member and the hinge bracket being single, prefabricate components, the trailer coupler pivot assembly can be more easily installed with fewer components and welds and by less skilled labor.

Abstract: A trailer coupler pivot assembly comprising a pivot mount member connected to a trailer frame member and a hinge bracket connected to a trailer tongue arm. The hinge bracket is pivotally connected to the pivot mount member so that the trailer tongue arm is pivotal relative to the trailer frame member between an open position and a closed position. However, either of the pivot mount member or the hinge bracket comprises a single, prefabricated component to make assembly more efficient and cost effective. With both the pivot mount member and the hinge bracket being single, prefabricate components, the trailer coupler pivot assembly can be more easily installed with fewer components and welds and by less skilled labor.