House Trailer Hitch Type Patents (Class 280/406.2)
  • Patent number: 11801719
    Abstract: A weight distribution system used with a hitch on a vehicle and a trailer, the weight distribution system comprising a jack with a foot attached to and configured to raise and lower a front portion of the trailer; a moment bar with a forward end attached to the hitch so as to pivot about a generally vertical axis, and a rearward portion, the moment bar configured to exert a forward moment on the vehicle in response to an upward force on the rearward portion; an engagement member positioned between the jack and the rearward portion, whereby the jack can exert the upward force on the rearward portion; wherein the engagement member comprises at least one arced surface whereby the engagement member maintains the upward force on the rearward portion despite vertical or horizontal pivoting between the vehicle and the trailer is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventor: David R. Hall
  • Patent number: 11337355
    Abstract: A trailer device for an agricultural vehicle includes a frame part and a guide part longitudinally, displaceably mounted in the frame part. The guide part includes a coupling element provided on an end face. The frame part is pivoted by a lifting apparatus for raising and lowering the coupling element relative to a base frame for attaching to a load-bearing vehicle structure. The device includes at least one spring element arranged between the base frame and the frame part such that the spring element exerts a pretensioning force on the frame part for assisting the raising of the coupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Abhijeet Hingne, Amol Adsul, Benjamin Spohn
  • Patent number: 11331970
    Abstract: A trailer hitch is disclosed. A weight distribution hitch includes an attachment member with a forward end which attaches to a vehicle and a rearward end which pivotally connects to a trailer. The weight distribution hitch also includes a moment bar which attaches to the attachment member on one and tension mechanism on the other. The tension mechanism is mounted on a frame of the trailer and provides an upward force on the moment bar which imposes a moment on the attachment member. Center lines of the attachment member, moment bar, and the vehicle are all in a vertical plane. The weight distribution hitch may also include an aperture disposed in the moment bar through which the tension mechanism passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Michael Hall, Chandler Flinders
  • Patent number: 11305597
    Abstract: An apparatus for pulling travel trailers is disclosed. The apparatus for pulling a travel trailer includes an extension arm and a frame. One end of the extension arm is connected to a ball coupler, and another end of the extension arm is connected to the frame. The ball coupler is to be rotatably coupled to a gooseneck ball located on a towing truck. The frame includes a hitch ball to be coupled to a hitch ball receptacle from the travel trailer. A pair of mounting arms is extended from the frame, and a pair of clamping brackets is rotatably connected to the pair of mounting arms via a pair of hinges, respectively. The clamping brackets are configured to secure to an A-frame of the travel trailer via a set of pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventor: Michael Blaschke
  • Patent number: 11267301
    Abstract: A weight distributing trailer hitch and associated method are described. The weight distributing trailer hitch can include a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle. The weight distributing trailer hitch can also include a ball portion to facilitate coupling with a tongue of a trailer. In one embodiment, the weight distributing trailer hitch can further include a spring bar vertically pivotal relative to the hitch portion, and an adjustment mechanism actuatable to selectively adjust a tilt angle of the spring bar relative to the hitch portion to vary preload on the spring bar and adjustably distribute weight of the trailer relative to the vehicle. In another embodiment, the weight distributing trailer hitch can further include a spring bar for distributing weight of the trailer relative to the vehicle, and a load measurement device to determine a magnitude of a downward force on the hitch ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Weigh Safe, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin McAllister, Morgan McAllister, Todd Mendenhall, Brandon Doman
  • Patent number: 11247518
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: B & W Custom Truck Beds, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Works, Travis M. McCall
  • Patent number: 11167606
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods of towing, hitching, and connecting devices. In particular, this disclosure relates to tow devices, hitches, and connections for towing item containers behind vehicles, both autonomous and manually guided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Leung Man Shiu, Edward F. Houston, Anthony B. Taylor, Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Patent number: 10899403
    Abstract: A hitch equipment storage mount. The hitch equipment storage mount is sized and shaped to secure to a portion of hitch equipment, such as a trailer hitch or trailer hitch tongue, and comprises a main body. The main body is sized and shaped to secure to, for example, the trailer hitch tongue. The main body is configured to receive and hold, for example, a hitch bar or spring bar used in a hitch system and comprises two arm-like appendages separated by a space and terminating in a bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Hitchport, LLC
    Inventor: Gary E. Bussell
  • Patent number: 10875368
    Abstract: A weight distributing anti-sway trailer hitch has a pair of spring arms extending rearwardly from the head unit and a pair of hookup brackets for connecting a remote end of each spring arm to a trailer. The hookup brackets have a hookup plate and a hookup strap that sandwich a trailer frame therebetween to secure the bracket to the trailer, and further have a clamp that can be opened and closed to secure the remote end of the spring arm to the trailer frame during towing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Camco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Andrew Angel, Steven L. Spencer
  • Patent number: 10710421
    Abstract: A towed implement for use with a work machine includes a main frame having a pivot hole and at least one hitch mounting hole. A hitch frame is coupled with the main frame and includes a towed end. The hitch frame is pivotable relative to the main frame about a pivot axis at the pivot hole. The hitch frame includes a chamber having an interior periphery with a plurality of notches. A height adjustment arrangement is associated with the main frame and the hitch frame for adjusting a height of the hitch frame. The height adjustment arrangement includes a stop key positioned within the chamber of the hitch frame. The stop key has a hole arranged for receiving a fastener associated with the at least one hitch mounting hole, a cam surface, and at least one tooth extending from the cam surface. Each tooth is received in a corresponding notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Barbara De Craemer
  • Patent number: 10675931
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing sway between a towing vehicle and a trailer is disclosed. The apparatus may comprise a bracket assembly that attaches to a tongue of a trailer. The bracket assembly may include a surface for supporting a spring arm extending from a weight distribution hitch installed on a tow vehicle. The bracket assembly may include a clamp that is able to apply a frictional force to thereby oppose movement of the spring arm. The clamping force applied by the clamp may be variable to ensure proper operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: PROGRESS MFG. INC.
    Inventor: Jed Anderson
  • Patent number: 10336145
    Abstract: A multiple hitch member assembly is described for connecting a trailer to a tow vehicle where a hitch member is rotatably with respect to a main hitch member that is connected to a hitch receiver on the tow vehicle, where the hitch member carries a plurality of hitch elements (e.g., ball hitches of varying sizes) and where with the main hitch member secured to the hitch receiver the hitch member is rotatable to position a desired hitch element to be connected to a trailer or the like such that the hitch member cannot be removed from the main hitch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: The Delta Company, LLC
    Inventor: Clinton J. Dunn
  • Patent number: 10183536
    Abstract: A weight distribution system is shown and described. The weight distribution system may include a spring arm configured to be operatively engaged between plate members of a ball mount, and a pin member inserted into the spring arm, the pin member configured to secure the spring arm with the ball mount. The weight distribution system may also include an attachment mechanism configured to selectively place the spring arm in mechanical communication with a towed vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Marvin Hanson
  • Patent number: 10173302
    Abstract: A work holding device, such as a vice, includes first and second jaws and a spindle connected between them to change the distance between the jaws for holding a work piece. An elongated connection member extends from the first jaw and is shaped to fit into a receiver member of a receiver hitch on a vehicle. Adjustable projections are provided on the elongated connection member for reducing movement of the vice in the hitch. The adjustable projections may be set screws. An end cap is provided on the end of the elongated connection member. The work holding device may be mounted in a receiver member or bracket on a workbench or other work area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: JPW Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Barry M. Schwaiger, Charles Weber, Timothy Scott Onello
  • Patent number: 9662947
    Abstract: A coupling assembly is provided for coupling an implement to a vehicle having a pickup hitch. The pickup hitch has a drawbar which is slidable in a pivotal drawbar housing. A coupler frame is attached to the implement, and has a socket which receives a ball mounted to the drawbar. Side members are attached to the coupler frame. Recesses are formed on the sides of the drawbar. In a coupled position, the side members are received by the recesses and are held between the drawbar housing and the drawbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Tony J. Huegerich
  • Patent number: 9620845
    Abstract: An antenna bracket that enables relatively easy alignment of an antenna on a support structure such as a utility pole or tower. The bracket provides for low profile antenna attachment. The bracket includes a first bracket member that is joined to the support structure, a second bracket member that is coupled to the antenna, and a bracket interface member that is coupled to the first bracket member. An alignment device formed with a coupling body and a curved member extending from the coupling body is retained between the bracket interface member and the first bracket member and is secured to the second bracket member. The curved member enables fine movement of the antenna in any selectable direction to ensure its alignment with respect to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Wireless Construction, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sullivan, Kyle Purington, Clement J. Salek, Todd Boothby
  • Patent number: 9327565
    Abstract: A single-axle tractor for moving trailers and wheeled cargo. The single-axle tractor of the present disclosure provides a compact, efficient, reliable, cost-effective means of moving cargo from one place to another using torque generated by an on-board motor. The tractor includes a structure to provide rigidity to a tractor-trailer combination while providing reasonable roll compliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventor: Mark Lyon
  • Patent number: 9132708
    Abstract: An inverted bent bar weight distributing trailer hitch including a mono trunnion with a shank rotatably mounted therein. The mono trunnion is positioned on a base that contains a resistance member that engages the bottom portion of the trunnion. A biasing member is adjustably attached to the exterior of the base. By engaging the biasing member, the resistance member restricts the rotation of the mono trunnion about the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Camco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Angel, Steven L. Spencer
  • Patent number: 8919802
    Abstract: My weight transferring tow dolly is releasably attachable to a receiver hitch of a towing vehicle such as a pickup truck and generally provides a dolly frame formed of plural structurally interconnected box beams having a height adjustable suspension carrying an axle with wheels and tires at opposing end portions, and a support frame to partially support the weight of a carried load and to move the center of gravity of a loaded towing vehicle forwardly to increase the stability of the towing vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventor: Kenneth Lee Knight
  • Patent number: 8696130
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a vehicle mounted display device which can be easily attached to a vehicle and is removable. The projector can conveniently be plugged into the trailer light power source to give the device power to project an image onto a vehicle. The projector may be digital allowing the owner to choose an image from inside the vehicle. A magnetic or adhesive screen may be placed on the vehicle to allow the image to function properly and effectively on dark paint or other finishes that prevent a clean image. The apparatus comprises an adjustable mounting unit, an adjustable arm, and a projector which can all be adjusted to provide an efficient angle to project the image onto the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Trevor Seal
  • Patent number: 8186702
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Cequent Trailer Products Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Michael A. Hoopes
  • Patent number: 8070176
    Abstract: A trailer hitch is disclosed having a spacer in the form of a fastener or stopper that limits the travel of a spring clip so as to allow complete removal of the safety pin from the associated weight distribution rod, but does not allow the clip to extend to a position where the pin's end passes the entrance of the hitch's outer surface. The fastener/stopper thus prevents the user or vibration/wear from allowing the clip to overextend to the point where the pin may become separated from the hitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Austin Su
  • Patent number: 7690687
    Abstract: A trailer mounted crash attenuation system has an impact head assembly, a bursting tubular trailer frame member, and a breakaway axle assembly. Upon impact by a vehicle, the head assembly is urged forward bursting the tubular frame of the trailer. As the impact continues, the head assembly contacts an axle accelerator rod which results in the disengagement of the axle, trailer tire, and fenders from the trailer frame member. Impact energy is dissipated by the controlled deceleration of the vehicle as it moves forward through the attenuator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Safety By Design Co.
    Inventors: John D. Reid, John R. Rohde, King K. Mak, Dean L. Sicking
  • Patent number: 7631817
    Abstract: A lock assembly operable to secure a lift linkage associated with moving a boom assembly between a lowered, operative position and a raised, inoperative position is provided. The lock assembly includes a lock pin mounted at a carrying frame interconnected between a lift linkage and the boom assembly. The lock assembly also includes a lock plate mounted at the lift linkage. In the raised position of the lift linkage, the lock plate includes a slot configured to align so as receive the lock pin. Once aligned, the boom is pivoted toward the folded, stowed position. As the boom pivots, the boom pushes the lock pin through the slot. The lift linkage is then lowered to seat the lock pin in the slot and thereby secure the lift linkage and supported boom in the raised, folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dennis G. Thompson, Dennis W. Chahley
  • Patent number: 6883820
    Abstract: An offset coupler device for coupling a gooseneck trailer with a gooseneck hitch ball is provided. The coupler has a first member spaced apart from a second member by an offset plate. A ball coupler is provided at a lower end of the second member. In use, the first member is partially received in a trailer coupler tube of the trailer and a gooseneck hitch ball is partially received in the ball coupler. The offset coupler effectively increases the relative distance between the gooseneck trailer and the tow vehicle during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: PopUp Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John G. Freeman
  • Patent number: 6869093
    Abstract: A trailer comprises two elongate panels as loading ramp panels. A wheel assembly supports the panels and a trailer drawbar having a first end for connection with a draft vehicle and a second end which is secured with the wheel assembly by a first fastener and a second fastener secures the panels to the drawbar at a point spaced from the wheel assembly. A kit for utilizing two panels in a trailer comprises a wheel assembly, a drawbar and first and second fasteners for securing, respectively, the second end of the drawbar with the wheel assembly and the panels to the drawbar at a point spaced from the wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: HMS Lift, LLC
    Inventor: Harold M. Schilling
  • Patent number: 6725855
    Abstract: A raisable and lowerable platform that houses a removable charcoal or gas grill and a removable cooler chest, with a storage compartment between the two, a telescoping flagpole mounted to the platform, and a fold down table attached on both ends of the platform to provide more cooking area. In the preferred embodiment the platform is connected to a wheeled scissors lift system that is used to raise and lower the platform. The apparatus is carried and transported via a rollered receiver hitch assembly that is an integral part of the scissors lift system and that is conventionally mountable on a transport vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Daniel A. Brennan
  • Patent number: 6722682
    Abstract: A weight distributing hitch system is provided with a shank and a head which is angularly adjustable relative to the shank. The head includes a plurality of adjustment teeth which are engaged by a toothed caster having corresponding teeth. The toothed caster has a mounting hole which is offset relative to a center of the tooth configuration so as to allow the toothed caster to be rotated 180 degrees in order to allow for angular adjustment of the head relative to the shank. In addition, the head is provided with both, mounting holes for receiving round spring bars and receptor grooves on a lower surface of an upper flange for receiving a trunnion-type spring bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Cequent Towing Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Valliere, Michael Kutzscher, Allan C. Schnurr
  • Patent number: 6575155
    Abstract: A raisable and lowerable platform that houses a removable charcoal or gas grill and a removable cooler chest, with a storage compartment between the two, a telescoping flagpole mounted to the platform to display team colors, and a fold down table attached on both ends of the platform to provide more cooking area. In the preferred embodiment to date the platform is connected to a wheeled scissors lift system that is used to raise and lower the platform. The apparatus is carried and transported via a rollered receiver hitch assembly that is an integral part of the scissors lift system and that is conventionally mountable on a transport vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel A. Brennan
  • Patent number: 6419257
    Abstract: A weight distributing hitch assembly for towing a trailer behind a towing vehicle includes a ball mount head, a pair of spring bars, a pair of adjustable length cam arms for supporting projecting ends of the spring bars, a pair of lift units carried on the trailer and a pair of lift chains extending between the cam arms and the lift units. The projecting ends of the spring bars include a cam follower and the distal ends of the cam arms include cooperating cams that function to provide trailer sway control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Reese Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Chad A. McCoige