Abstract: A coupling device which is adapted to couple a towed vehicle such as a trailer to a towing vehicle such as a truck. The coupling device is designed to be used with many conventional receiver structures that are mounted to towing vehicles, the receiver structures being of the type that normally receive an elongated square insertion member which carries a ball hitch. The coupling device of the present invention is adapted to be inserted into the same receiver structure and is designed to carry a ball hitch, but the coupling device has many advantages over the conventional receiver insertion member because it is extendable in a longitudinal as well as lateral direction so that the towing vehicle does not have to be perfectly aligned with the hitch of the towed vehicle in order to couple the two together.

Abstract: An improved coupling device for connecting a towed vehicle and a towing vehicle, and includes a draw bar that is adapted to be affixed to the towing vehicle, a tube support structure connected to a distal end of the draw bar, and a tube that is movably connected to the tube support structure. Positioned within the tube are a slide bar, an upper cushion member, and a lower cushion member. The upper cushion member is seated within the tube adjacent to an upper axial end of the tube and the lower cushion member is seated within the tube adjacent to a lower axial end of the slide bar. The present invention also includes a connecting assembly that is affixed to a lower portion of the tube, where the connecting assembly consists of a connecting component configured and arranged to be removably attached to a corresponding connecting component on the towed vehicle. Further, the present coupling device preferably also includes a height adjustment assembly.

Abstract: A trailer hitch including a base that is adapted for connection to a vehicle. A sleeve having a shaft mounted therein is preferably connected to the base. A mounting shank is preferably connected to the base at a location that is offset from the sleeve. A spool is removably mountable on the mounting shank. The trailer hitch also includes a pivotal locking arm that extends transversely outward from the shaft. A reinforcing member is connected to the pivotal locking arm at a location offset from the sleeve. The reinforcing member extends downward from the pivotal locking arm and is arranged such that the reinforcing member can engage the spool to increase the pull strength of the trailer hitch.

Abstract: A coupling device for attaching a towed vehicle, such as a trailer, to a towing vehicle, such as a truck, where the coupling device includes a securing assembly for removably securing the coupling device to the towing vehicle, a generally longitudinally extending inner assembly rigidly affixed to the securing assembly, and a generally longitudinally extending outer assembly. The outer assembly also includes an upper portion and a lower portion, with the upper portion being adapted to be rigidly affixed to the towed vehicle. The outer assembly has an inner diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the inner assembly so that the outer assembly can be coaxially mounted over the inner assembly. The coupling assembly further includes a connecting member for connecting the inner assembly with the outer assembly, and a cushioning member that is positioned between the outer assembly and the inner assembly.

Abstract: Trailer hitch apparatus including dampening mechanisms to simultaneously dampen vibration and shock in a longitudinal direction and vertical direction. The apparatus consists of a hollow draw bar tube capable of being removably coupled to a vehicle mounted receiving tube. The draw bar tube is adapted to move longitudinally relative to the receiving tube while a biasing means within the draw bar tube provide dampening of shock and vibration in the longitudinal movement. The apparatus further has a ball hitch assembly carried by a transverse support bar attached to an outer portion of the draw bar tube. The ball hitch assembly is biased against vertical movement thereby dampening shock and vibration in the vertical direction.

Abstract: An implement carrier for mounting implements such as mower blades, spreader blades, tiller blades or nozzles. The implement carrier includes a deck pivotal about a pivot axis that is generally perpendicular to the deck. The deck defines a slot having an open end and a closed end. The closed end of the slot preferably circumscribes the pivot axis of the deck and the open end of the slot preferably is located at the outer perimeter of the deck. The implement carrier is operable for receiving an obstacle in the slot and pivoting about the obstacle such that the deck can by-pass the obstacle.

Abstract: A ball hitch connector apparatus adapted for use with a conventional ball hitch socket is provided. The ball hitch connector has a lower support base with an upwardly extending stub shaft portion. The connector also includes a generally spherical body with a bore upwardly extending adapted to receive the stub shaft portion of said support base. The spherical body and the stub shaft each have transverse bores that can be aligned to receive a slidable latch pin. A radially expandable retention ring is movably mounted in a groove in the transverse bore of the spherical body which selectively engages the latch pin to prevent withdrawal of the latch pin from the spherical body.

Abstract: A ball hitch connector (10) for use with a conventional ball hitch socket (21). A ball hitch connector (10) includes a spherical body or ball connector (12), a support base (14) for supporting the spherical body (12) on a tow bar (18) or the like, a fastener device (16) for securing the support base (14) to the tow bar (18), and releasable attachment mechanism (20) providing for quick interchanging of ball connectors (12). The releasable attachment mechanism (20) includes a latch pin (70) positioned in transversely extending bores (50, 60) of the support base (14) and the ball connector (12). The latch pin (70) is slidable between a released position wherein the ball connector (12) can be detached/attached to the support base (14) and a locked position wherein the ball connector (12) cannot be so removed.