Abstract: A device is provided for releasably securing a parked vehicle to an adjacent structure. The device is provided with a first member hingedly mounted for movement between an operative mode and an inoperative mode. When the first member is in an operative mode the distal end thereof will releasably engage a portion of the parked vehicle and retain same in a desired position relative to the adjacent structure. When the first member is in an inoperative mode, it assumes a vehicle-release position. The first member is provided with means for moving same from the inoperative mode to the operative mode. A further means is provided for automatically locking the first member in an operative mode. The further means includes a means for effecting controlled unlocking of the first member whereby the latter will automatically return to its inoperative mode.

Abstract: A three-point tractor hitch system includes a coupling hook structure as the upper link thereof formed with a hook body defining a concave recess for receiving therein in locking engagement a coupling sphere. A locking bolt received within a rectilinear opening extends into the concave recess of the hook body with a curved locking surface adapted to engage the contour of the coupling sphere. The locking bolt is pivotally mounted at its opposite end to a control lever having a generally U-shaped recess formed therein to engage a bearing pin mounted on the hook body. The U-shaped recess has lateral sides arranged so that imaginary extensions thereof will intersect the axis of the locking bolt and bearing means are interposed between the control lever and the hook body on a side of the pivotal coupling of the locking bolt to the hook body opposite the side on which the U-shaped recess is formed.

Abstract: A safety release for water skiing tow lines comprising a U-shaped body having a rearwardly facing slot therein, a mounting bracket for securing the device to a ski pylon, a bolt arm pivotally secured to the body which extends across the slot when the arm is in a vertical position so as to engage the terminal loop of the ski rope. The loop retaining bolt arm is pivotally mounted on the body and is pivotable rearwardly from a first position substantially normal to the plane of the slot opening to a second position substantially free of the slot opening. A manually operable extension is affixed to the bolt arm to move the arm in a forward direction from the second position to the first position. A lever is pivotally mounted on the body to engage the bolt arm to form a bar-like assembly which extends transversely of said opening.

Abstract: A dual ball towing hitch utilizes a first ball member having a first base support portion and a second ball member having a second base support portion which are connected to each other and a vehicle towbar by a common stud engaging each ball member through its support portion. The stud passes through a hole in the towbar whereby the base support portion of each ball member frictionally engages the towbar on opposite sides thereof. A hole in each ball member is adapted to receive a torque wrench and a counter-torque bar, respectively, to tighten the ball members to a predetermined frictional torque.

Abstract: A hitch for connecting a tractor to an agricultural implement, enabling relative angular movement of the two, about three mutually normal axes and characterized by great strength, rigidity and ease of fabrication without machining, from readily obtainable forms and shapes.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling a lunette-type hitch ring to a ball-type trailer hitch is provided comprising an elongate, cylindrical post for receiving a hitch ring, the hitch ring being mounted therearound. The cylindrical post includes an axially extending aperture for receiving a trailer hitch ball. A pair of tubular members are oppositely disposed on the cylindrical post and extend radially outward therefrom. The tubular members define a radial aperture extending through the cylindrical post and a stop means for preventing axial removal of the hitch ring. A shaft extends through the radial aperture and the ball, the shaft pinning the cylindrical post to the ball. One or more tubular sleeves are concentrically mounted with the cylindrical post to vary the inside or outside diameter of the post and thereby accommodate various size balls and hitch rings. Telescoping of the sleeves and the cylindrical post also accommodates balls of varying height.

Abstract: A coupling hook for use in pulling vehicles. The coupling hook is formed with a single shank portion connected to the vehicle through tensile and compression supports for transmitting the pulling force coupled through the hook portion to the vehicle.

Abstract: A tractor of width acceptable for highway travel having a narrow rear body portion between the rear wheels, the width of the body portion being less than the width of each pneumatic tire mounted on the rear wheels. Four or six rear tires which are rotatable on the same axis have the narrow body portion disposed centrally and closely between them, such body portion extending forwardly relatively to the rear wheels with the forward portion of the body, which is substantially wider than the rear portion, mounting an engine near the front wheels. A power transmitting linkage connects the engine with the rear wheels through the rear body portion which, with lateral projections, houses a differential and the necessary shaft bearings. A lifting device extends rearwardly from the rear body portion to behind the rear wheels and then extends laterally where it functions to scrape mud or the like from the treads of the rear tires.

Abstract: A drawbar having at one end thereof a hook member defining a recess into which a coupling member is to be inserted, and including a retaining pin movable in a socket in the hook member between a retaining position in which an outer end of the retaining pin extends from the socket to constrict the mouth of the recess to retain the coupling member in the recess, and a release position in which the retaining pin is retracted wholly into the socket against a spring to enable the coupling member to be removed from and inserted into the recess, and a stop to limit the outward movement of the retaining pin.

Abstract: A portable cement mixer is provided with an improved supporting frame. The supporting frame includes a first, generally triangularly-shaped end frame comprising two upwardly-converging struts and intermediate cross struts. The second end frame comprises a single upright member. A transverse strut connects a central portion of the cross struts of the first end frame with an intermediate portion of the upright strut of the second end frame. The transverse strut is of rectangular cross section but varying in width and thickness from one end to the other. The new supporting frame is of simple construction and is easier to assemble. It is also sturdier and provides a three-point support for the mixer which can be more readily adapted to uneven ground.

Abstract: Apparatus for hitching mobile equipment, such as a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, comprising a U-shaped locking member slidably mounted for lateral movement on the rearwardly extending draw bar of the towing vehicle. The draw bar is provided with a rearwardly opening slot that is adapted to receive therein a pin on the forward portion of the tongue connected to the vehicle to be towed. The rear leg of the U-shaped locking member is movable across the rearwardly opening slot in the draw bar to lock the tongue pin therein. The U-shaped locking member is biased to the closed or locking position by a spring, and a manually operable locking pin is movably mounted on the draw bar to releasably lock the U-shaped locking member in an open or a closed position.

Abstract: A device securably mountable on a ball of the type used to couple with a socket for hitching a trailer to a towing vehicle to provide a coupling element for receiving a coupling member in the form of a terminal eye member attached to the trailer tongue.

Abstract: A hitch unit for pickup trucks which provides--in a somewhat turret-like, rear bumper-mounted, rotary array--three types of hitches (ball, hinged clevis, and rigid clevis) arranged so that a selected hitch may be manually, quickly, and without the use of tools, brought to an exposed or use position projecting rearwardly from the bumper. In each such position, the rotary array of the hitch unit is locked against accidental displacement.

Abstract: The specification discloses a vehicular trailer hitch apparatus for converting ball-type trailer hitches to receive the hitch ring of a Lunette-eye trailer tongue. A pair of matching half cylinders are fitted around the ball member, rest on the support for the ball member, and form an inner cylinder. An outer cylinder, received on and releasably pinned to the inner cylinder, provides a receiving area for the pivotal mounting of the hitch ring. A contoured shoulder on the inside of the inner cylinder contacts the ball member to prevent removal of the cylinders from the ball member. At least one projection on the outer cylinder prevents removal of the hitch ring therefrom. Alternately, smaller hitch rings may be pivotally received around the inner cylinder with the outer cylinder secured in an inverted arrangement to retain the hitch ring on the inner cylinder.

Abstract: A towing vehicle is provided with a hitch mechanism operable by the vehicle perator without leaving his driving station on the vehicle and which will positively clamp a cart which is to be towed by means of a set of movable jaws.

Abstract: A force transmitting connection for interconnecting a pair of members to transmit force therebetween includes a pair of spaced apart brackets secured to one of the members and disposed on opposite sides of the other member with each of the brackets having an open-ended substantially U-shaped slot formed therein. A force transmitting device is connected to and projects outwardly from the other member and is nested within the U-shaped slots. A retainer apparatus bridges the space between the brackets and is removably secured to the brackets and has a pair of spaced projections which are disposed on opposite sides of the other member and extend into the slot embracing the force transmitting device to retain the force transmitting device within the slots.

Abstract: A tow bar and hitch assembly for coupling together industrial carts so they can be towed in train-like fashion. A hitch member is fixed to the bed of a towing cart and receives a tow bar rotatably and slidingly supported by the bed of a towed cart. When not in use, the tow bar can be retracted to a stowed position beneath the towed cart by removing it from the hitch, rotating it to clear an abutment with a stop member which locks the tow bar against movement when extended, and then sliding the tow bar rearwardly.

Abstract: A drawbar on a trailer is provided with a pair of vertically extending coupling arms which are notched at their bottom ends to fit around a round coupling bar mounted for revolving movement in a horizontal plane on a base plate affixed to the rear end of a towing vehicle. The coupling bar is affixed across a mounting ring rotatably supported within a circular opening of a base plate by circular bars bearing against the base plate.

Abstract: This invention provides a dual purpose towing attachment capable of accepting tow-bars with eye type fittings and also incorporating a ball to which a socket type fitting can be attached. The attachment has a pair of parallel flat lugs or plates between which a towing eye may be introduced, the upper plate being surmounted by a spherical boss to which a socket type trailer attachment may be fitted, the boss having a through bore which accepts a pin spanning the two parallel lugs for engagement with eye type tow-bars. The upper surface of the pin has a rounded head which when the pin is fully inserted is flush with the spherical surface of the towing boss, so that the towing attachment has an overall compact size.

Abstract: A duplex trailer hitch which provides a hook and a pivotable closure to receive a lunette, and a ball on the end of the end of the hook to receive a coupler.

Abstract: A coupling between a snow plow and the front of a truck including a housing assembly adapted to be mounted on the truck and a loop and frame member adapted to be mounted on the snow plow. The housing has a convex front surface and a recess in said surface defined by rearwardly converging walls. A hook means is mounted in said recess and is adapted to pivot about an axis between open and closed positions. Means are provided for locking the hook member in its closed position. A frame member is adapted to abut the convex surface on the forward face of the housing member and the loop projects rearwardly from the frame member into the recess where it is held in place by the hook means.

Abstract: The hitch assembly of the invention is comprised of a horizontal member adapted to be secured to a tongue of the object to be drawn or pulled. The horizontal member has first and second spaced apart downwardly projecting elements. The first element has a cross-section suitable for engaging an opening in a drawbar of the tractor or object and the first element has a length less than the second element. A latching element is pivotally secured to the second element in an end region of the second element. The latching element has an upwardly extending arm having a portion extending transverse to the horizontal member. In addition, the latching element has a length such that the transverse portion is held by the force of gravity against the end region of the first element.