Abstract: Coupling and uncoupling of a vehicle trailer hitch is controlled from a safe location spaced rearwardly from and laterally of the hitch assembly between the vehicle and the forward end of the trailer through a pair of remote control actuating cables. By means of the cables extending through a curved guide tube, an operator may control a pivoted locking element and releasable latch associated with the hitch assembly.

Abstract: The ball element of a ball type trailer hitch is separated along a horizontal plane of bisection and into two substantially hollowed out ball halves. The threaded outer perimeter of a wheel type vertical load measuring transducer is threaded to the inside of the ball halves at the horizontal plane of bisection. The base of the trailer hitch has a vertical stud which extends through a vertical cylindrical bore in the lower ball half and is attached to the center of the transducer. The ball element moves vertically downward under loading. This movement causes elastic bending of the spokes of the transducer. Such elastic bending is measured by strain gauges attached to the spokes.

Abstract: A bore extends radially inward from the top side of the ball component of a ball and socket trailer hitch coupling and removably receives the stem projecting from the underside of a thin pad of plastic material having a low coefficient of friction, whereby when the socket component is coupled to the ball the pad is interposed between their confronting surfaces. The pad may be formed as a hollow segment of a sphere approximately matching the radius of the ball, or it may be flat but sufficiently flexible to be bent to conform to the spherical surface of the ball when the ball and socket components are coupled together.

Abstract: A cycle rack for a trailer hitch the construction being such as to easily mount and dismount the cycle rack at the same time allowing for the normal function of the trailer hitch.

Abstract: A repair part for a small ball joint is provided in the form of a sleeve open at least at one end and having a flattened section extending from that one end toward its middle. A slot extends lengthwise of the flattened section and is open at the one end of said sleeve to embrace the shank of the ball part of the joint. A retainer member extends inwardly from the wall of the sleeve at a location generally opposite the end of said slot, for engaging the socket part of the joint and holding the sleeve around the assembled joint.

Abstract: Trailer hitch apparatus is disclosed of the type having a ball and socket coupling wherein the ball includes an upper cap and lower ball section with opposing overlying faces in which electrical contacts are incorporated and wherein the upper cap section is suspended in the socket coupling and contoured to seat with the lower ball section to provide an unlimited universal-type action to insure positive electrical contact regardless of tilting and rotational movements.

Abstract: An oscilation absorbing device for use in trailer hitches includes a ball connected to a rear support which is joined to a tractor and a receptor chamber for receiving the ball. The receptor chamber is mounted on a trailer and arranged to turn around the ball. A cover plate encompasses the receptor chamber which is provided with a horizontal pivot. The receptor chamber is pivotally mounted with respect to the ball to permit free angular displacement of the cover plate around the horizontal pivot. The device is also provided with a damping device operatively connected to the ball and including a fluid chamber having a housing with diametral wings and diametral scoops radially outwardly extending from the central axle of the housing.

Abstract: A quick release trailer and hitch apparatus has a container mounted on a pair of wheels with a pair of pull bars attached for being adjacent to the outer front corner regions of the container. The pull bars being gradually and continuously together with their remote ends attached to a connecting member. The connecting member has a center gripping portion and a rigid attachment portion with an orifice therethrough. A swivel member, permanently coupled on a ball member and freely rotatable thereabout, has a hitch portion with a first passageway for receiving the rigid attachment portion and a second passageway intersecting the first passageway. A spring loaded pin is provided to extend through the second passageway and the orifice in the rigid attachment portion to hold the swivel member and the connecting member immovable relative to each other. The ball member is attached to the bicycle in any appropriate way, such as with a bracket.

Abstract: A mount is recessed mounted in the load bed of a pick-up truck and defines an upwardly opening recess. A hitch member is pivotally mounted in the recess for oscillation between an operative position projecting upwardly from the recess and an inoperative position with a portion of the hitch member substantially flush with the upper end of the recess. Also, latch means is operatively associated with the hitch member and the mount for releasably retaining the hitch member in the operative position thereof.

Abstract: A removable ball guiding attachment to the tongue of a trailer hitch having two diverging members guiding the ball of the trailer hitch in correct position with respect to the clamp on the tongue of the hitch.

Abstract: A trailer coupling part which comprises a housing with a ball entry opening in the housing through which in use a towing ball is entered into the housing to complete the trailer coupling. A lever, provided with a handle, is pivotal in the housing between open and closed positions. A tongue, complementary contoured to the shape of the towing ball, is pivotal on the lever. When the towing ball is in position within the housing and the lever is in its closed position, the tongue contacts the towing ball to retain the latter in position within the housing. In the absence of a towing ball within the housing, and with the lever in an open position, the tongue automatically pivots through the ball entry opening in the housing. Moving the lever to the closed position causes the tongue to take up a position closing the ball entry opening.

Abstract: An attachment bolt extends upwardly through a support member and threadedly engages the ball component of a coupling apparatus. A locking member extends downwardly through the ball component and cammingly engages the attachment bolt with the pitch different than the threaded engagement between the ball component and the attachment bolt. Engagement of the ball component within a complemental coupler component prevents access to and removal of the locking member.

Abstract: The invention includes a plate which is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the base of the trailer tongue in a substantially horizontal position. The plate has a pair of oppositely disposed arcuate slots therethrough in concentric relationship to the socket axis. The vehicle frame upon which a ball is mounted is also provided with a pair of vertical pins secured thereto which extend upwardly through the slots in the plate. Cotter keys are provided to maintain the vertical pins in the plate slots in the event of hitch failure.

Abstract: A standard ball and socket type of trailer hitch assembly is modified so as to provide means for automatically and positively locking the trailer hitch each time the trailer hitch ball is inserted into the trailer hitch socket. The socket receptacle of the trailer hitch is modified to receive a push rod which is actuated by contact with the ball of the hitch and in turn causes the latch to positively lock in place without requiring the operator to remember to move the latch into a positive locking position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a towing device comprising a towball and latching means releaseably operable to, in use, secure the towball to the draw bar of a vehicle.

Abstract: The invention is a protector for a trailer hitch assembly having a trailer hitch ball supported on a trailer hitch neck. The protector includes an integral covering member having an outer covering member surface and an inner covering member surface. The inner covering member surface defines an internal region capable of receiving the trailer hitch ball. An aperture in the covering member is defined by a plurality of resilient covering member fingers to receive the trailer hitch ball within the internal region of the integral covering member. The covering member fingers resiliently engage the trailer hitch neck to position the covering member relative to the trailer hitch assembly. The outer covering member surface may be established in the shape of a commercial product, such as an oil container, an outboard motor power head or the like. Written or color indicia may be included on the outer covering member surface distinctive of a trademark of the commercial product.

Abstract: An attachment for bicycles which allows a wheeled shopping cart to be towed behind a conventional bicycle with universal pivoting and turning means to take care of uneven terrain, cornering and other movements which a vehicle-towed device may be subject to.

Abstract: A trailer assembly for a two-wheel vehicle including a compact body portion carried and supported by wheels, an easily attachable and detachable connector assembly for attaching the trailer to the vehicle, and a kick-stand unit for facilitating ease of handling of the trailer.

Abstract: A bicycle trailer for towing behind a bicycle includes a box-like chassis having a forward end with a tow bar extending forward therefrom for connecting by a universal adjustable hitch means to the saddle post of a bicycle and includes a pair of independent torsion bars for suspending or supporting wheels independently to either side of the chassis with axles extending into and riding in the slot found on the side of the chassis.

Abstract: A ball-joint coupling comprises a male coupling member and a female coupling member. The male coupling member includes a ball to which a layer of elastomeric material is bonded. A part-spherical cap is received on the ball over said elastomeric layer and is bonded to such layer. The female coupling member has a part-spherical socket to receive the cap. Retaining means are operative between the cap and the female coupling member to prevent relative rotation of the cap in the socket at least in the horizontal plane, so that relative movement between the male and female coupling member results in deformation of the elastomeric layer and consequent damping of the movement.

Abstract: A ball coupling includes a tractor drawbar mounted hitch ball, substantially englobed by a cap assembly which is slidable on the hitch ball. The cap assembly includes a cap having a frusto-conical surface which non-rotatably engages a frusto-conical through opening in an implement drawbar attached adapter. A lockable fastener abuts the adapter and protrudes into the smaller base of the adapter opening and threads into a threaded hole in the smaller base of the cap to draw the cap assembly into the adapter.

Abstract: An articulated boat trailer for transporting small boats to and from launching sites. After the boat is launched, the trailer can be folded up onto the rear of the towing automobile without having to remove it from the hitch. Thus, the towing automobile and trailer, can be parked in a normal parking space.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly including a tow-carrying upstanding ball and an adaptor removably mounted on the ball to increase the effective diameter of the ball. The socket of a coupler of a trailer is mounted over the adaptor.

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.