Abstract: An interchangeable hitch ball assembly includes a towing ball with a mounting aperture and an annular race in communication with the mounting aperture. The assembly also includes a post having a base, a threaded axial bore and a plurality of openings in communication with the axial bore. A ball bearing is received in each opening. A threaded plunger includes a first segment of relatively small diameter, a second segment of relatively large diameter and a cam surface extending between and connecting the two segments. The plunger is held in the axial bore of the post and is displaceable between a first position allowing the removal and installation of a hitch ball from/on the post and a second position securing the hitch ball to the post while allowing relative rotation of the hitch ball on the post.

Abstract: A weight distributing hitch for towing a trailer includes a hitch bar, a ball mount head and spring bars for distributing the weight of the trailer relative to a towing vehicle. The spring bars include mounting trunnions and the ball mount head includes cooperating sockets for receiving those mounting trunnions. The spring bars are installed in the ball mount head by inserting a first end of the mounting trunnion in a first cooperating mounting socket, passing a second end of the mounting trunnion through a channel communicating with a second cooperating mounting socket and engaging the second end of the trunnion in the second cooperating mounting socket.

Abstract: A jaw assembly for a fifth wheel hitch includes a support plate, a jaw bolt mounted for relative sliding movement on the support plate between open and closed positions and a trigger for positively holding the jaw bolt in the open position. A spring is connected between the jaw bolt and trigger in such a way as to perform the dual function of biasing the jaw bolt toward the closed position and biasing the trigger into engagement with the jaw bolt so as to hold the jaw bolt open. When the trigger is engaged by a trailer king pin that is to be held in the jaw assembly, the jaw bolt is released and closes under action of the biasing spring.

Abstract: A weight distributing hitch for towing a trailer behind a vehicle includes a hitch bar for mounting to the vehicle and a ball mount head for mounting on the hitch bar at a selected tilt angle. A pair of spring bars are mounted to the ball mount head. These spring bars distribute the weight of the trailer relative to the vehicle. Each spring bar is substantially L-shaped and includes a turned groove at a proximal end received in a cooperating aperture in the ball mount head. A retainer of spring steel engages in the grooves to hold the spring bars in position. The relative tilt angle of the ball mount head is adjusted by means of an eccentric angle adjusting element in the form of a washer. This washer is fixed to one of the ball mount head or hitch bar and includes a cam surface for engaging the other of the two elements.

Abstract: A weight distributing hitch for towing a trailer behind a vehicle includes a hitch bar for mounting to the vehicle and a ball mount head for mounting on the hitch bar at a selected tilt angle. A pair of spring bars are mounted to the ball mount head. These spring bars distribute the weight of the trailer relative to the vehicle. Each spring bar is substantially L-shaped and includes a turned groove at a proximal end received in a cooperating aperture in the ball mount head. A retainer of spring steel engages in the grooves to hold the spring bars in position. The relative tilt angle of the ball mount head is adjusted by means of an eccentric angle adjusting element in the form of a washer. This washer is fixed to one of the ball mount head or hitch bar and includes a cam surface for engaging the other of the two elements. A method of adjusting the tilt angle is also provided.

Abstract: A bicycle rack adapted to be detachably mounted to a passenger vehicle via a standard trailer hitch with the bicycle rack having a vertical support pivotally connected at one end to a base assembly with an upper crossbar assembly pivotally connected to the other end via a removable and reversible crossbar bracket on which a clamp arm is removably mounted. A pull pin releasably locks the vertical tube in an upright position to the base assembly and another pull pin locks the upper crossbar assembly in a horizontal position to the vertical support. Spacers may be removably inserted in downwardly depending flanges of the base assembly to mount it to a relatively narrow trailer hitch.

Abstract: A device for controlling sway of a towed vehicle having a trailer tongue member connected to the trailer hitch member of a towing vehicle. A bar universally pivotally connected to one of the members extends through a brake assembly mounted to the other of the members for pivotal movement relative thereto about only a single axis. Within the brake assembly, the bar is contacted by friction surfaces while being permitted to move in directions parallel to the pivot axis of the assembly.