Abstract: A hitch assembly adapted for securement in a tube receiver connected to a towing vehicle below its bumper includes a hitch base with a recessed profile. The hitch base includes a shaft sized for reception in the tube receiver and a draw bar connected to the shaft. The shaft is connected at a first end to an upper portion of the draw bar. The draw bar includes a plurality of pin receiving apertures extending laterally through a lower portion of the draw bar in vertical spaced alignment. The upper portion of the draw bar includes a recessed geometry or reduced profile relative to the lower portion of the draw bar.

Abstract: A weight distributing hitch system for towing a trailer behind a vehicle includes a trailer having a trailer frame and a coupler mounted on the front end of the trailer frame, a hitch ball mount, a spring arm assembly, and a linear actuator assembly. The spring arm assembly includes first and second spring arms, each having a first end connected to a first engaging structure configured to engage with the hitch ball mount, and a second end connected to a second engaging structure configured to serve as an actuator mount. The first engaging structure is configured to slidably engage with the hitch ball mount. The linear actuator assembly comprises a linear actuator having a first end connected to the actuator mount of the spring arm assembly and a second end connected to the trailer frame, wherein the linear actuator applies a load to the spring arm assembly.

Abstract: A hitch assembly adapted for securement in a tube receiver connected to a towing vehicle below its bumper includes a hitch base with a recessed profile. The hitch base includes a shaft sized for reception in the tube receiver and a draw bar connected to the shaft. The shaft is connected at a first end to an upper portion of the draw bar. The draw bar includes a plurality of pin receiving apertures extending laterally through a lower portion of the draw bar in vertical spaced alignment. The upper portion of the draw bar includes a recessed geometry or reduced profile relative to the lower portion of the draw bar.

Abstract: A hitch assembly adapted for securement in a tube receiver connected to a towing vehicle below its bumper includes a hitch base with a recessed profile. The hitch base includes a shaft sized for reception in the tube receiver and a draw bar connected to the shaft. The shaft is connected at a first end to an upper portion of the draw bar. The draw bar includes a plurality of pin receiving apertures extending laterally through a lower portion of the draw bar in vertical spaced alignment. The upper portion of the draw bar includes a recessed geometry or reduced profile relative to the lower portion of the draw bar.

Abstract: A hitch assembly adapted for securement in a tube receiver connected to a towing vehicle below its bumper includes a hitch base with a recessed profile. The hitch base includes a shaft sized for reception in the tube receiver and a draw bar connected to the shaft. The shaft is connected at a first end to an upper portion of the draw bar. The draw bar includes a plurality of pin receiving apertures extending laterally through a lower portion of the draw bar in vertical spaced alignment. The upper portion of the draw bar includes a recessed geometry or reduced profile relative to the lower portion of the draw bar.

Abstract: A weight distributing hitch assembly for towing a trailer behind a towing vehicle is disclosed having spring arms pivotally mounted to a hitch head so that the distal ends of the spring arms may be rotated downward relative to a spring arm support mounted on a side of the trailer for loading the spring arm on the spring arm support. The spring arms are preferably rotated using an actuator connected between the hitch head and at least one of the spring arms for applying a downward rotational force on the spring arm relative to said spring arm support.

Abstract: A hitch assembly adapted for securement in a tube receiver connected to a towing vehicle below its bumper includes a hitch base with a recessed profile. The hitch base includes a shaft sized for reception in the tube receiver and a draw bar connected to the shaft. The shaft is connected at a first end to an upper portion of the draw bar. The draw bar includes a plurality of pin receiving apertures extending laterally through a lower portion of the draw bar in vertical spaced alignment. The upper portion of the draw bar includes a recessed geometry or reduced profile relative to the lower portion of the draw bar.

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 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: 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 hitch structure for connection between a pair of elongated, laterally spaced hydroformed frame members of a vehicle chassis having preformed apertures formed therein. The hitch structure comprises a hitch base adapted to receive a hitch ball member, a pair of side plates connected respectively to opposite ends of said hitch base, a pin sized, positioned, and oriented on each of the side plates to enable reception of the pin member in the preformed aperture of an associated hydroformed frame member, and a pair of clamp members on each side plate to clamp the side plate with an associated frame member at such a location as to position the pin member in alignment with the associated preformed aperture to thereby secure said hitch base in transverse relation between the frame members.

Abstract: An adaptor for reducing the size of an original hole in a frame member to an adaptor hole sized to receive a selected bolt and which permits adjustment of the relative location of the adaptor hole relative to the original hole and the frame member. The adaptor comprises a washer plate having first and second projections extending outward from opposite sides of the washer. The adaptor hole extends through the washer plate and the first and second projections. The location of the adaptor hole relative to the first projection is different from the location of adaptor hole relative to the second projection.

Abstract: A fifth wheel type hitch adapted for engaging a king pin of a trailer comprises a hitch head with downwardly opening pivot saddles which are pivotally supported on pivot bearings on a hitch base such that the hitch head pivots fore and aft relative to the hitch base. Outer portions of the pivot bearings are preferably formed from polyurethane. Latches, secured to the hitch head adjacent each pivot saddle, biasingly engage the pivot bearings when the hitch head is supported on the hitch base to prevent the hitch head from being separated therefrom. Lift handles connected to each latch are graspable by a user and pivotal to advance the latches to an unlatching position such that the hitch head can be separated from the hitch base and such that further lifting on the lift handles lifts the hitch head off of the hitch base. The hitch head comprises an intermediate pivot frame, in which the pivot saddles are formed and a coupler assembly which is adapted to releasably engage the king pin.