Abstract: A hitch system for distributing weight from a trailer to the wheels of a towing vehicle. The system has a hitch head that is pivotally connected to a hitch bar and is pivotable about a hitch head axis with respect to the hitch bar. A hitch pin is rotatably fixed to the hitch head and the hitch pin is rotatable with respect to the hitch head about a hitch pin axis. The hitch pin axis is transverse to the hitch head axis. A single spring is pivotally connected to the hitch head and is pivotable with respect to the hitch head about a spring axis. A distal end of the spring spaced from the spring axis is connectable to the trailer when the trailer is connected to the hitch pin and the spring can provide a biasing force when the distal end of the spring is moved nearer the trailer.

Abstract: A hitch system for distributing weight from a trailer to the wheels of a towing vehicle. The system has a hitch head that is pivotally connected to a hitch bar and is pivotable about a hitch head axis with respect to the hitch bar. A hitch pin is rotatably fixed to the hitch head and the hitch pin is rotatable with respect to the hitch head about a hitch pin axis. The hitch pin axis is transverse to the hitch head axis. A single spring is pivotally connected to the hitch head and is pivotable with respect to the hitch head about a spring axis. A distal end of the spring spaced from the spring axis is connectable to the trailer when the trailer is connected to the hitch pin and the spring can provide a biasing force when the distal end of the spring is moved nearer the trailer.

Abstract: A trailer jack having a low profile which will not interfere with opening of a towing vehicle's tailgate. The jack has tubes telescopically contained within each other. A threaded rod has a threaded tube slidingly placed over it. The threaded tube has slots and a pin in the threaded rod slides within the slots for synchronous rotation. This provides even extension and retractions for the telescoping tubes relative to each other. The jack has a low profile that extends above the trailer tongue a minimal amount when the jack is extended. When the jack is retracted, no parts of the jack are raised above the tongue. Thus, the tailgate of the towing vehicle may be operated without hitting any part of the jack.

Abstract: A trailer jack having a low profile which will not interfere with opening of a towing vehicle's tailgate. The jack has tubes telescopically contained within each other. A threaded rod has a threaded tube slidingly placed over it. The threaded tube has slots and a pin in the threaded rod slides within the slots for synchronous rotation. This provides even extension and retractions for the telescoping tubes relative to each other. The jack has a low profile that extends above the trailer tongue a minimal amount when the jack is extended. When the jack is retracted, no parts of the jack are raised above the tongue. Thus, the tailgate of the towing vehicle may be operated without hitting any part of the jack.

Abstract: A slidable room assembly comprises a vehicle body having an opening formed in an exterior wall, and a reciprocable slideout unit or compartment disposed in the opening and slidable between a retracted position and an extended position. Sliding movement of the slideout unit is controlled by means of a drive mechanism that includes two sets of cabling. The drive mechanism includes a frame installed about the opening in the vehicle body. The frame includes a header, a sill and two pre-assembled jambs. The pre-assembled jambs have a plurality of pulleys with a plurality of cables pre-installed inside the jambs around the pulleys. One end of the cables, attached to the slidable room, is pre-strung through a cable extension hole. The other end of the cables extends out an end of the jamb.

Abstract: A radiator fluid exchanging apparatus including at least one fluid supply tank and a pressure vessel with a pressure generator, the tank and the vessel each including a multi-directional supply coupling in communication with first and second selectively operable fluid control manifolds, one manifold being in communication with a pump for supplying fluid from the supply tank to an influent port of an engine cooling system to be serviced, the other manifold being interposed between the pressure vessel and an effluent port of the engine cooling system, when coupled thereto, for drawing waste fluid into the vessel and resupplying fluid from the fluid supply tank under negative pressure to the engine cooling system as determined by the selective operation of the control manifolds and actuation of the pump and pressure generator.

Abstract: A slidable room assembly comprises a vehicle body having an opening formed in an exterior wall, and a reciprocable slideout unit or compartment disposed in the opening and slidable between a retracted position and an extended position. Sliding movement of the slideout unit is controlled by a drive mechanism that includes two sets of cabling. The drive mechanism includes a frame installed about the opening in the vehicle body. The frame includes a header, a sill and two pre-assembled jambs. The pre-assembled jambs have a plurality of pulleys with a plurality of cables pre-installed inside the jambs around the pulleys. One end of the cables, attached to the slidable room, is pre-strung through a cable extension hole. The other end of the cables extends out an end of the jamb.

Abstract: A fluid servicing apparatus for exchanging fluids with a power steering fluid reservoir including drain and supply conduits with inline pumps coupled to a control board on a cabinet housing new and used fluid receptacles and a remote pump actuator in communication with the control board including a switch selectively operable to actuate either of said pumps to drain and fill the reservoir.

Abstract: A bolt-together trailer frame that can have either a torsion axle or a sprung axle attached thereto without modification of the trailer frame side members. The side frame of the trailer includes at least one axle cut-out with an axle cut-out reinforcement plate attached about the cut-out. A torsion axle is welded to the axle cut-out reinforcement plates. A sprung axle is attached to the trailer frame with a plurality of spring hangers to which leaf springs are connected. The axle of the sprung axle is then attached to the spring hangers.

Abstract: A linear or longitudinal torsion axle where the torsion shaft extends parallel to the longitudinal extent of the vehicle to which the torsion axle is attached. The torsion axle includes two torsion assemblies with the torsion shaft extending into and being supported by both torsion assemblies. Each torsion assembly has a housing enclosing a plurality of resilient torsion rods spaced about the outside of the torsion shaft. The torsion shaft is fixed to a wishbone connector that is positioned between the two torsion assemblies. A wheel spindle is fixed to an outer end of the wishbone connector to accept a wheel and tire assembly.

Abstract: A manifold assembly for use in conjunction with a servicing apparatus for exchanging fluid between a serviceable automobile component and new and used fluid tanks and including a rigid manifold body with a fluid circuit defining a plurality of pathways connecting a plurality of ports whereby fluid is directed through the fluid circuit and ports by selectively operating first and second valves and circulated using a common pump to exchange fluid, recirculate fluid, and drain both the used and new fluid tanks as desired.

Abstract: A servicing apparatus for exchanging fluid between a serviceable automobile component and new and used fluid tanks and including a manifold with a fluid circuit defining a plurality of pathways connecting a plurality of ports whereby fluid is directed through the fluid circuit and ports by selectively operating first and second valves and circulated using a common pump to exchange fluid, recirculate fluid, and drain both the used and new fluid tanks as desired.

Abstract: A reinforcing bracket for trailer frame-member butt joints comprises a first flange adapted to be parallel to the face of the frame members, a second flange extending perpendicularly from the first flange, and a third flange extending from the second flange parallel to the first flange. The first flange includes a plurality of dimples that correspond to dimples in the frame members. Each dimple in the first flange has an aperture therein that corresponds to an aperture in the corresponding frame-member dimple. In operation, the bracket is bolted to the frame members forming the joint. The present invention also describes a trailer frame utilizing the reinforcing bracket.

Abstract: A manifold assembly for use in conjunction with a servicing apparatus for exchanging fluid between a serviceable automobile component and new and used fluid tanks and including a rigid manifold body with a fluid circuit defining a plurality of pathways connecting a plurality of ports whereby fluid is directed through the fluid circuit and ports by selectively operating first and second valves and circulated using a common pump to exchange fluid, recirculate fluid, and drain both the used and new fluid tanks as desired.

Abstract: A fluid servicing apparatus for exchanging fluids with a power steering fluid reservoir including drain and supply conduits with inline pumps coupled to a control board on a cabinet housing new and used fluid receptacles and a remote pump actuator in communication with the control board including a switch selectively operable to actuate either of said pumps to drain and fill the reservoir.

Abstract: A servicing apparatus for exchanging fluid between a serviceable automobile component and new and used fluid tanks and including a manifold with a fluid circuit defining a plurality of pathways connecting a plurality of ports whereby fluid is directed through the fluid circuit and ports by selectively operating first and second valves and circulated using a common pump to exchange fluid, recirculate fluid, and drain both the used and new fluid tanks as desired.

Abstract: A fluid servicing apparatus including a manifold body with a fluid transfer circuit defining a plurality of pathways between a number of ports including first and second pump ports opening into a pump cavity for receiving a pump body coupled to a motor for driving the pump body to circulate fluid in the cavity and through the fluid transfer circuit to exchange fluid between the new and used fluid tanks and a vehicle subsystem fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A slidable room assembly comprises a vehicle body having an opening formed in an exterior wall, and a reciprocable slideout unit or compartment disposed in the opening and slidable between a retracted position and an extended position. Sliding movement of the slideout unit is controlled by means of a drive mechanism that includes two sets of cabling. The drive mechanism includes a frame installed about the opening in the vehicle body. The frame includes a header, a sill and two pre-assembled jambs. The pre-assembled jambs have a plurality of pulleys with a plurality of cables pre-installed inside the jambs around the pulleys. One end of the cables, attached to the slidable room, is pre-strung through a cable extension hole. The other end of the cables extends out an end of the jamb.

Abstract: A multi-stage torsion axle that has a first stage torsion assembly positioned within a second stage torsion assembly. The first stage torsion assembly has a square first stage shaft within a first elastomeric bushing. The second stage torsion assembly has a square tubular second stage shaft within a second elastomeric bushing, the second stage shaft fitting around the first stage torsion assembly. A hollow square tubular housing fits around the second stage assembly. The resilience of the first stage torsion assembly is less than the resilience of the second stage torsion assembly. A stop mechanism directly transfers torque from the first stage shaft to the second stage shaft when the first stage has rotated more than a predetermined amount relative to the second stage shaft.