Abstract: An embellished vehicle trailer hitch-ball assembly (10) that is comprised of an upper ball receptor (12) having an upper surface (14) and a lower surface (16) that is integrally molded to a frame attachment platform (18) from where extends a threaded mounting rod (20). The mounting rod (20) is inserted into a frame bore (28) located on a rear vehicle frame (26) and tightened by a mounting nut (22). On the upper surface (14) of the upper ball receptor (12) is located an embellishment element consisting of at least one LED that is illuminated by a source of electrical power supplied by a vehicle electrical circuit (44). The power applied to the at least one LED is controlled by either a manually operated power switch (64) or when the vehicle's brake pedal is depressed.

Abstract: A ball hitch coupler for use with a towing vehicle having a ball hitch. The ball hitch coupler provides an improved and simplified structure designed to make assembly and coupling to the ball hitch easy, while not compromising coupler strength or security. The ball hitch coupler comprises a coupler housing having a ball hitch cavity, a locking passageway also located in the coupler housing, and a locking rod having a keyed section. The locking rod operates as a restraining mechanism to hold the ball hitch within the ball hitch cavity, thereby resulting in a secure coupling of the ball hitch with the ball hitch coupler. In addition, the locking rod, in conjunction with the locking passageway, also serves as a theft protection feature by operating as an inherent lock-key mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a displaceable ball hitch assembly configured to be mounted in a bed of a truck. The displaceable ball hitch assembly includes a platform track, a displaceable platform, a gate member and a driving mechanism. The platform track defines a track space therein and is configured to be mounted in the bed of the truck. The displaceable platform is configured to be positioned in the track space and includes a ball hitch coupled thereto. The gate member is configured to be coupled to the platform track and includes a gate portion extendable into the track space. The driving mechanism is configured to be operatively coupled to the gate member and is configured to automatically displace the gate portion from the track space to facilitate displacement of the displaceable platform upon manual activation from a cab of the truck.

Abstract: A hitch for presenting different sized ball hitches for towing use. The hitch may include a first ball and pedestal extending in a first direction. A second ball and pedestal may extend in a second direction, distinct from the first direction. The first ball and pedestal and the second ball and pedestal may be homogenously formed of a single material to form a monolith. A stem may connect to the monolith to support and present the first ball and pedestal and the second ball and pedestal for towing use. The stem may extend away from the monolith in a third direction, distinct from both the first and second directions.

Abstract: A multi-hitch apparatus and method includes a movable hitch attachment. More than one hitch is connected to the movable hitch attachment wherein the movable hitch attachment is movable between a first position and a second position. According to one aspect of the invention, the more than one hitch includes more than one ball hitch. According to a further aspect, the more than one hitch includes two ball hitches.

Abstract: A hitch ball assembly includes a towing ball having a mounting aperture and an annular race in communication with the mounting aperture. A post includes a base, an axial bore and a plurality of openings in communication with the axial bore. A ball bearing is received in each of these openings. A plunger is axially displaceable in the post between a first position allowing the towing ball to be removed from or attached to the post and a second position for securing the towing ball to the post while allowing the towing ball to turn on the post. A spring, received in the axial bore, engages an end of the plunger and biases the plunger to the first position.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a towing vehicle to a towed vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base, a mount movably secured to the base and one or more hitches attached to the mount. The mount may rotate, pivot, translate, or otherwise move in relation to the base in order to move the hitch between various positions including one or more towing positions and at least one stored or stowed position. The hitch, or hitches, may also be movably secured to the mount for additional flexibility in configuring the apparatus in the towing and stowed positions. Additionally, when multiple hitches are provided, each of the multiple hitches may be configured as different size or style of hitch such that a user may select one of the hitches depending on the intended use thereof.

Abstract: The invention describes a sensor mechanism for measuring hitch articulation angle. A configuration of the contact face between hitch ball and receiver eliminates the effect of the unwanted trailer motions, such as roll and pitch while accurately registering trailer yaw motion. Also, there is no yaw slippage at the contact that was a major problem during the successive acceleration and brake maneuvers. With the freely rotating ball and shaft, the angle is measured using an angle sensor, such as an optical encoder, potentiometer, or other means. For the case of a relative angle sensor, automatic zero angle calibration can be used to allow an absolute angle measurement.

Abstract: A hitch alignment device for aligning a ball and socket of a ball and socket type hitch is disclosed. The alignment device includes a base with a winch and pivotable cable guide mounted on it. The cable guide includes a plate with an arm extending outwardly from it at an angle and an adjustable leg extending outwardly from the arm. A pulley is mounted on the leg and a cable is connected to the winch at one end, is threaded around the pulley and then through holes in the socket and ball of the hitch and is then secured. The cable is wound onto the winch to draw the ball and socket together. The cable guide can be extended and pivoted so that the pulley and therefore the cable is brought into sufficient alignment with the socket on the trailer that undue strain is not placed on the alignment device as the cable is wound onto the winch.

Abstract: A device for securing the locking nut on trailer hitches. An exemplary embodiment comprises: (1) a protective cup that attaches to a (2) top member, by (3) an internal hinge, so that when the cup and the top member are closed, and locked by (4) a lock, the device encloses the locking nut of the trailer hitch so that the locking nut cannot be loosened or removed.

Abstract: The pressure hitch is operable from the cab of a towing vehicle. The towing vehicle is equipped with a basic ball hitch and a vertically orientable hydraulically operated ram having a rubber pressure stub at its lowermost end in an orientation above the basic ball hitch. The towed vehicle has an inverted cup-shaped socket for coupling (without need for grip tightening) on the basic ball hitch. The ram's rubber pressure stub is vertically movable for pressing against the upper outer surface of the socket and is the sole structure for holding the socket and basic ball hitch together during towing operations. The ideal towing vehicle is a front end loader.

Abstract: An attachment to prevent rotation of a hitch ball assembly where the assembly has a ball supported by a neck on a base and has a mounting shaft. The attachment comprises a plate having top and bottom surfaces and an passageway for receiving the mounting shaft. The top surface of the plate is affixed to the base of the hitch ball. The bottom surface of the plate has a anti-rotation stud. A draw bar is used having a recess for receiving the anti-rotation stud and a passageway for receiving the mounting shaft. A fastener then engages the mounting shaft to secure the assembly in position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using an extrusion, forging, casting and/or machining process to provide an aluminum hitch component with increased strength that eliminates encumbrances, such as rusting and fusing, associated with traditional hitch components. Accordingly, an extruded hitch is provided that includes increased tensile strength, does not rust, is lighter, and is more appealing to consumers.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for hooking a trailer to a towing vehicle. The system has a winch attached to the trailer and a cable that wraps around the ball hitch and is attached to a plate on the trailer. By spacing the cable wide at the plate on the trailer and narrow at the ball of the hitch, the trailer is automatically adjusted to position the tongue of the trailer to center it on the ball hitch.

Abstract: A fifth wheel coupling (4) for coupling a tractor (2) and a semi-trailer (3) of a tractor-trailer unit (1) comprises a coupling device arranged on the tractor (2) for receiving and arresting a king journal fastened to the semi-trailer (3). In order to achieve the best possible swiveling properties at a design of low complexity, there is provided as a fifth wheel coupling a ball-shape coupling (4) with a coupling ball (5) and an associated holding-down device (6) on the one hand and a ball cup (7) enclosing the coupling ball (5) in the coupling position and the attached butt part (8) on the other hand, with the coupling ball (5) and the holding-down device (6) replacing the coupling device and the ball cup (7) and the butt part (8) replacing the king journal.

Abstract: A hitch locking mechanism enables secure retention of a towing vehicle to a towed vehicle. The hitch locking member comprises a shank and a clamp member. The clamp member includes a base, an arm, and a jaw. The jaw is pivotally attached to the base member, and moves relative to the arm between an upright position and an extended position. The shank is securely affixed to the clamp member at multiple points for secure retention of the towing vehicle to the towed vehicle. A first sleeve is positioned about the shank when the shank is retained to the clamp member. The first sleeve enables rotation of the shank relative to the clamp member when the shank is secured within the clamp member.

Abstract: A hitch ball assembly includes a mounting element secured to a vehicle and having an upright post with a cylindrical end portion provided with a key structure and a hitch ball that is keyed to be mated on that end portion in one rotational state. The hitch ball may be rotated to a second rotational state wherein the key structure is trapped in a cavity in the ball. A latch notch is provided in either the ball or the post, and a latch element in provided the other of them. The latch element can move between a latch position to prevent rotation of the ball thereby to maintain engagement and an unlatch position to permit rotation and thereby separation of the ball from the post. A spring clip may be used to hold the latch element in the latch position.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for locking a gooseneck trailer hitch such that a hitch ball cannot be inserted into or removed from the hitch. In one preferred embodiment, the hasp of a lock is passed through the retainer bracket of the hitch and locked with or without passing through the hitch handle. In another embodiment, a lock pin with an eyelet on one end is inserted into the retainer bracket of the hitch, and the hasp of a lock is passed through the eyelet and the hitch handle. In yet another embodiment, a lock pin with an eyelet on one end is inserted into a pair of openings on the cover plate surrounding the hitch handle, and the hasp of a lock is passed through the eyelet and the hitch handle.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a hitch and receiver system provides at least an additional vertical box receiver when a conventional box receiver of the vehicle hitch is in use to provide draw bar support for the hitch ball. In a second embodiment, an additional horizontal box receiver is also provided for the hitch and receiver system. The additional box receivers are used to hold and support various accessory devices. In some cases the hitch ball can be used to tow a trailer without removal of the accessory device. The unique accessory device of this invention includes one of a hitch guide accessory device, an access platform and step accessory device, and a cargo cage accessory device. The combination of a hitch and receiver “system” and an accessory device provides the “assembly” of this invention.

Abstract: A hitch attachment assembly has a female extending tube with a hollow rectangular interior and a pair of side faces. A pair of apertures are aligned with each other on the side faces of the female extending tube of the hitch attachment assembly. A hitch draw bar has a male extending tube with an outer rectangular configuration. The male extending tube is positionable within the female extending tube when in a use orientation. A cylindrical finger has an external end and an internal end coupled with respect to the male extending tube. A diametrical bore is provided through the external end. The finger is positionable within the pair of apertures when in a storage orientation. A locking pin is adapted to pass through the bore of the finger when in the storage orientation.

Abstract: The end connector assembly (12) for a gas spring (44) enables the connector body to be connected with and disconnected from a ball (14) on the end of a ball stud (16) by relatively moving the connector body (26) and ball along a path generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the gas spring (44) to which the connector body (26) is connected. The ball (14) enters the connector body (26) through an opening (32) in the body's front surface, that is, the surface generally perpendicular to the gas spring's longitudinal axis. A slot in the body's bottom surface, that is, the surface facing the ball (14), accommodates the shaft portion (22) of the ball stud (16), adjacent the ball (14), as the ball moves into or out of the connector body (26) through the opening (32).

Abstract: A retractile trailer hitch has a tube shaft fixed on a motor-vehicle frame and an arm having a tubular inner end pivotal on the shaft and an outer ball end. The arm is limitedly axially displaceable on the shaft between locked and unlocked positions. Formations on the frame and on the inner end angularly arrest the arm in its end positions in the locked position of the inner end. The formations are unengageable with each other in the unlocked position of the inner end. A bolt is axially displaceable inside the shaft between a holding position and a freeing position. Balls inside the inner end are coupled to the bolt for axially displacing the arm into the locked position on displacement of the bolt into the holding position and for displacing the arm axially into the unlocked position on displacement of the bolt into the freeing position.

Abstract: A cover shield for a trailer coupler comprising an elongated hollow, tubular shield, internally sized to receive the forward portion of a trailer coupler and coupler means mounted thereon. The shield is preferably of flexible two-ply padded material and impervious to moisture. The shield includes a pouch-like portion sized to snugly encompass and cover the trailer coupler means. A seam means extends longitudinally from an aft opening toward the front opening and may be selectively manually opened to an open mode and closed to a closed mode.

Abstract: A surge brake actuator is disclosed. The actuator includes an actuator housing and a coupler housing movably engaged within the actuator housing. Upper and lower coupler slide channels formed from a plastic material are releasably connected to the coupler housing and contact the actuator housing. The plastic coupler slide channels reduce frictional loss and provides superior brake actuation output when the coupler housing retracts into the actuator housing during braking. The surge brake actuator includes a push rod assembly that also provides superior brake actuation output to the actuator and can engage the actuator during a breakaway event. The surge brake actuator includes a releasably engagable reverse lock that prevents brake actuation while the towing vehicle moves in reverse.

Abstract: A lock assembly for securing a trailer including a hitch ball, a lock housing, a lock washer and a nut. The lock housing is placed over the lock washer and nut to prevent the nut from turning. A threaded portion of the hitch ball is placed through a hole in the lock housing and through the lock washer and nut to secure the hitch ball. When a trailer coupler is locked to the ball portion of the hitch ball, the trailer and hitch ball are secure from theft.

Abstract: A cam locking removable hitch assembly apparatus and system is described. The apparatus generally includes a hitch-ball shank in engagement with a shank sleeve that is in engagement with an outer sleeve. A nut is in threaded engagement with a lower portion of the hitch-ball shank securing the outer sleeve around the shank sleeve. Shank lugs, on a lower portion of the hitch-ball shank, engage with shear lugs internal to the shank sleeve when the hitch-ball shank is rotated with respect to the shank sleeve. Cam's on the upper portion of the hitch-ball shank engage with cam grooves on an upper portion of the shank sleeve, thereby locking the hitch-ball shank within the shank sleeve. The hitch assembly apparatus can be connected to a frame that is secured in a bed of a truck forming a cam locking removable hitch assembly system.

Abstract: A hitch ball assembly includes a towing ball having a mounting aperture and an annular race in communication with the mounting aperture. A post includes a base, an axial bore and a plurality of openings in communication with the axial bore. A ball bearing is received in each of these openings. A plunger is axially displaceable in the post between a first position allowing the towing ball to be removed from or attached to the post and a second position for securing the towing ball to the post while allowing the towing ball to turn on the post. A spring, received in the axial bore, engages an end of the plunger and biases the plunger to the first position.

Abstract: A flag mast holder assembly that can accommodate the three most popular trailer hitch ballmount bore diameters BD, namely, 1.0 inch, 0.874 inch and 0.75 inch. Mast holder assembly includes a central bore for receiving the mast of a flag or pennant and is preferably made of aluminum. The mast holder assembly is provided with stainless steel flat washers, lock washer and securing nut. The provision of stainless steel components with the aluminum mast body will be highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation and thus provide an attractive addition to anyone's vehicle. The preferred material is aluminum with stainless components as described above, however, the entire assembly and attaching hardware could be made of nylon, Teflon or suitable non-corrosive plastic materials.

Abstract: A trailer hitch having a tubular column between a hitch ball and a towing vehicle. A mating shaft with a horizontal retaining plate has a mating shaft fitting removably within the tubular column. A pin through mating openings in the shaft and tubular column maintain the retaining plate above a trailer arm socket mounted on the hitch ball. A guide with a pair of tapered vertical walls forming a horizontal V-shape has a mating shaft which fits alternately in the tubular column to guide a trailer arm into engagement with the hitch ball.

Abstract: An attachment to prevent rotation of a hitch ball assembly where the assembly has a ball supported by a neck on a base and has a mounting shaft. The attachment comprises a plate having top and bottom surfaces and an passageway for receiving the mounting shaft. The top surface of the plate is affixed to the base of the hitch ball. The bottom surface of the plate has a anti-rotation stud. A draw bar is used having a recess for receiving the anti-rotation stud and a passageway for receiving the mounting shaft. A fastener then engages the mounting shaft to secure the assembly in position.

Abstract: A hitch ball assembly includes a towing ball having a mounting aperture and an annular race in communication with the mounting aperture. A post includes a base, an axial bore and a plurality of openings in communication with the axial bore. A ball bearing is received in each of these openings. A plunger is axially displaceable in the post between a first position allowing the towing ball to be removed from or attached to the post and a second position for securing the towing ball to the post while allowing the towing ball to turn on the post. A spring, received in the axial bore, engages an end of the plunger and biases the plunger to the first position.

Abstract: An invertible gooseneck trailer hitch mechanism is provided. A frame supports a housing having an opening therein for receiving a hitch member in an upright use position or in inverted storage position. A base portion of the hitch member has a circumscribing groove therein to permit cooperation with a pin of a retaining assembly. A user may selectively extend or retract the pin from receipt in the groove by rotating a spaced apart handle when the ball is in either the use or storage positions to retain the hitch member in the opening.

Abstract: A tow bar apparatus has a pair of socket members adapted to be attached to a towed vehicle and a pair of ball rod end joints adapted to be attached to a towing vehicle. The pair of socket members each includes a girdle around a sidewall, the girdle being adapted to support the sidewall to prevent the sidewall from bending out of shape under the stress of towing; the girdle further including a first bolt aperture opposite the bar slot of the sidewall for pivotal attachment of the socket member to the towed vehicle. The ball rod end joint includes an external ring attached to the second end of one of the tow bars, and an internal ring pivotally mounted within the external ring. The internal ring is adapted to be mounted on a post of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using an extrusion, forging, casting and/or machining process to provide an aluminum hitch component with increased strength that eliminates encumbrances, such as rusting and fusing, associated with traditional hitch components. Accordingly, an extruded hitch is provided that includes increased tensile strength, does not rust, is lighter, and is more appealing to consumers.

Abstract: A hitch locking mechanism enables secure retention of a towing vehicle to a towed vehicle. The hitch locking member comprises a shank and a clamp member. The clamp member includes a base, an arm, and a jaw. The jaw is pivotally attached to the base member, and moves relative to the arm between an upright position and an extended position. The shank is securely affixed to the clamp member at multiple points for secure retention of the towing vehicle to the towed vehicle. A first sleeve is positioned about the shank when the shank is retained to the clamp member. The first sleeve enables rotation of the shank relative to the clamp member when the shank is secured within the clamp member.

Abstract: A towing device has a ball neck equipped with a ball head that can be moved by a spindle adjusting element back and forth from an operative position into an inoperative position. The ball neck is arranged in a rotary block which is swivellably held in a carrier part. For supporting the ball neck in all possible loading directions, supporting surfaces, a torsion stop as well as a detent pawl are provided so that a movement of the coupling neck is avoided when forces act upon it, and a precise position is ensured in the operative position.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle is made up of a pickup truck, a camper which is releasably mounted on the pickup truck and includes an accessway between the cab of the pickup truck and the camper, and a trailer which communicates with the camper through an articulated passage or walkway to permit movement of occupants between the camper and trailer while the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: A device for closing the socket of a trailer hitch, generally called a coupler lock, generally comprises a locking bar and a base having a plug member, a locking bar-receiving aperture, and an integral locking means for lockingly engaging the locking bar within aperture. When the coupler lock is attached to a trailer coupler, the trailer hitch socket is not accessible without removing the coupler lock with the appropriate key. Thus, theft of an unattended trailer is deterred due to the difficulty in attempting to remove the locking device. Providing a coupler lock having an integral locking mechanism better deters the tampering with or removal of the locking mechanism to remove the coupler lock from the trailer hitch as is possible in the art.

Abstract: A trailer hitch that is capable of measuring or sensing the weight of trailer coupled thereto, or “tongue weight” is disclosed and described. In one aspect, the trailer hitch may include a ball slidably coupled to a post member and fastened thereto with a fastener that also acts as a weight indicator. In another aspect, the weight indicator may be provided as a separate mechanical output. Further, a trailer hitch which allows at least 365° rotation of a ball about a post member to which the ball is coupled is disclosed and described.

Abstract: An interchangeable hitch ball assembly includes a mounting element to be secured to a vehicle and a hitch ball element to be secured to the mounting element. A post is on one of the mounting element and the hitch ball element, and a cavity is formed in the other. The post has a threaded head that screws past a threaded entryway in the cavity so as to reside in an interior chamber. The hitch ball can freely rotate relative to the mounting element when assembled, but it cannot be separated by axial movement. A fastener may be included to further secure the two members together. Several differently sized hitch balls may form a set to adapt to differently sized trailer tongues.

Abstract: A ball hitch has a hitch tube which fits within a hitch receiver of a towing vehicle. The trailing end of the hitch tube is perpendicular cut. A hitch tongue has a contact face adjoined to the hitch tube and an exposed face opposite the contact face. A hitch tube receiving recess is defined in the contact face, with the hitch tube receiving recess receiving the perpendicular cut trailing end of the hitch tube therein. The exposed face of the hitch tongue is preferably disposed at an angle relative to the abutment surface of the hitch tube receiving recess which contacts the cut at the trailing end of the hitch tube.

Abstract: A tractor having a cargo box and an axle mounted hitch ball in which the hitch ball projects upward through an opening in the cargo box floor. This arrangement enables the ball to be used when the cargo box is mounted to the tractor.Furthermore, since the ball is mounted to the axle and not the cargo box, greater load carrying capacity is achieved and the hitch can be used when the box removed from the tractor.

Abstract: A fifth wheel coupling (4) for coupling a tractor (2) and a semi-trailer (3) of a tractor-trailer unit (1) comprises a coupling device arranged on the tractor (2) for receiving and arresting a king journal fastened to the semi-trailer (3). In order to achieve the best possible swiveling properties at a design of low complexity, there is provided as a fifth wheel coupling a ball-shape coupling (4) with a coupling ball (5) and an associated holding-down device (6) on the one hand and a ball cup (7) enclosing the coupling ball (5) in the coupling position and the attached butt part (8) on the other hand, with the coupling ball (5) and the holding-down device (6) replacing the coupling device and the ball cup (7) and the butt part (8) replacing the king journal.

Abstract: A ball hitch has a hitch tube which fits within a hitch receiver of a towing vehicle. The trailing end of the hitch tube is perpendicular cut. A hitch tongue has a contact face adjoined to the hitch tube and an exposed face opposite the contact face. A hitch tube receiving recess is defined in the contact face, with the hitch tube receiving recess receiving the perpendicular cut trailing end of the hitch tube therein. The exposed face of the hitch tongue is preferably disposed at an angle relative to the abutment surface of the hitch tube receiving recess which contacts the cut at the trailing end of the hitch tube.

Abstract: The coupling interconnects a trailer and a conventional hand-held two-wheeled cart. The coupling includes a frame to which a ball of a ball and socket joint is connected. The frame has a recess which is adapted to removably receive the forward portion of a lower plate of the cart. The coupling is connected to the cart by inserting the forward portion into the recess. The coupling is then positioned such that its ball is beneath the socket on the hitch of the trailer. When the cart is tipped backward, the ball rises and enters the socket and lifts the hitch thereby permitting the trailer to be moved by the cart.

Abstract: A trailer system is provided in which the trailer system can include a frame having a front end, a rear end, opposing sides between the front end and the rear end and a hitching mechanism coupled to the front end of the frame. The trailer system can also include a wheel assembly coupled to the frame in which the wheel assembly contains at least two wheels and a stabilizing mechanism coupled to the frame and the wheel assembly. The trailer system can also include a plurality of wheel assemblies and stabilizing mechanisms. Further, the frame of the trailer system can have at least one first support member extending from the front end section to said rear end section and at least one second support member extending from said first support member towards one of said side sections. Each stabilizing mechanism can be coupled to the rear end, front end or one of the opposing sides of the frame. In addition, each stabilizing mechanism can be coupled to one of the first or second support members of the frame.

Abstract: A trunnion, adapted to fit in a receiver, attached to a vehicle as a receiver-type hitch system, provides selective deployment and stowage of a hitch. An optional base secured to the trunnion may receive a pivot. A mount, secured by the pivot to the base, swings between a deployed and a stowed position. Alignments are one-dimensional, typically circumferentially positioning a locking pin aperture and a corresponding locking pin about a radius with respect to a pivot axis. A platform of the mount may contain an aperture for operating as a pin hitch aperture, or for receiving a stud or bolt for securing a ball hitch, or two hitches. In certain embodiments, multiple ball hitches may be attached at once to the platform. Selection of ball hitch sizes, and positioning of the ball hitch altitude may also be accomplished by pivots built into the mount.

Abstract: A selectively remotely actuated coupler which comprises a coupler for trailers, automatic locking mechanism to secure said trailer to a towing vehicle ball, a remotely actuated release assembly for unlocking said automatic locking mechanism attached to said trailer and powered by a battery. The coupler comprising an automatic locking means connected to said trailer for locking said trailer to said ball hitch as said trailer is lowered onto said ball hitch, a selectively activated unlocking means connected to said trailer for releasing said ball hitch from said trailer, and a remote control in communication with said unlocking means for selectively activating said unlocking means. It is further contemplated that said locking mechanism provides a manual release handle.

Abstract: A gooseneck trailer hitch offset system for increasing the turning radius possible with a gooseneck trailer. The gooseneck trailer hitch offset system is most suitable for use with a vehicle having a bed that contains a hitch ball and a trailer with a cantilevered gooseneck section containing a down tube. The system includes a hitch offset assembly that offsets the axis of the down tube of the gooseneck section of the trailer from the axis of the hitch ball of the hitch of the towing vehicle. The hitch offset assembly comprises a coupler portion to couple to a hitch coupler device, an upright portion designed for coupling to the down tube of the gooseneck structure of the trailer hitch, and an offset portion that extends between the coupler portion and the upright portion.

Abstract: A removable ball goose hitch system. The ball member includes a ball portion and a body portion. A plurality of locking ball bearings in the body portion are engaged by an internal plunger that is actuated by a screw that protrudes from the top of the ball portion. The locking ball bearings are adapted to be engaged with a receiver in the hitch mechanism on the vehicle. When the screw is unthreaded, the ball bearings are allowed to retract and the hitch ball can be removed. All moving parts of the mechanism are located in the ball member and improper hookups are prevented.