Abstract: The trailer hitch guide includes a V-shaped fence removably attached to a base plate, the base plate being attached to a tow bar by a ball hitch. The V-shaped fence formed by a pair of plates defining a dihedral angle. The fence is temporarily and removably attached to the base plate by a pair of studs extending from the bottom edges of the fence plates. The base plate has a pair of elongated cylindrical tubes which define sockets into which the fence studs may be inserted. In a first embodiment, the base plate has a U-shaped member attached to the sides of the base plate with the crossbar in a plane vertically below the base plate, defining a rectangular collar in conjunction with the base plate having a perimeter slightly larger than the tow bar so that the collar slides over and encircles the tow bar. The elongated cylindrical tubes are attached to the sides of the U-shaped member.

Abstract: A hitch is mounted on the rear end of a rearwardly extending tow bar of a towing vehicle, with the tow bar having a hitch ball secured thereto. The hitch comprises a first plate which is secured at its rearward end to the forward end of the upper clevis element of the towed vehicle. The first plate has a circular-shaped opening formed therein which is adapted to receive the ball sphere of the hitch ball. The first plate also has a slot formed therein which extends forwardly from the circular opening which is adapted to receive the shank of the hitch ball. A second plate is slidably movably mounted on the first plate between rearward and forward positions. The forward end of the second plate has a semi-circular opening formed therein which is positioned beneath the ball sphere of the hitch ball when the second plate is in its forward position. A retaining pin extends through the first and second plates when the second plate is in its forward position to maintain the hitch on the hitch ball.

Abstract: A variable-sized ball hitch assembly for connecting a vehicle with a trailer hitch. The variable-sized ball hitch assembly includes a body, with a first ball and a second ball that are connected together by a stem, each ball having a different diameter. Each ball has a respective outermost end surface. A central axis extends longitudinally through each ball and through the stem. The stem has a cross-sectional dimension which is somewhat less than the diameter of the first ball and the diameter of the second ball. The body has at least one elongate bore which is substantially concentric with the central axis of the body and extends inwardly from the respective outermost end surfaces of the first ball and the second ball. The body is selectively oriented upon the first end of an elongate shaft so as to present one of the two differently sized balls to the vehicle hitch. The second end of the elongate shaft is inserted into and affixed to the trailer hitch.

Abstract: A ball hitch and lock assembly is described in which a hitch ball member is connected to the top of a threaded shaft or bolt, the lower end of which is received into a notch of a locking mechanism. A removable locking pin within the locking mechanism extends from one side of the notch, through a bore in the shaft, and into the other side of the notch. The lower end of the shaft received within the notch includes two opposed flats, with each flat being disposed at a respective one of the two opposing ends of the shaft bore. The flats are separated by a distance less than the diameter of the shaft enabling the lower end of the shaft to be snugly received within the notch such that each of the flats interfaces with a respective side of the notch. The shaft threads above the flats extend beyond the width of the notch to prevent the introduction of a cutting instrument for the locking pin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus, including a combination linch-pin stowage adapter, for positioning a ball mount member of most class 2, 3, & 4 trailer hitches in both an operating and non operating retracted position on a trailer hitch receiver mounted underneath a vehicle is shown.

Abstract: A gooseneck hitch assembly for mounting on a vehicle includes a hitch ball, a housing and a mounting assembly for securing the hitch ball and housing to the frame of a vehicle. The hitch ball is pivotally connected to the housing and includes a conveniently located lubrication fitting, a pivotally mounted security door with a torsion spring to hold the door in fully open and closed positions, and a latch thereon for securing the door in a closed position and the hitch ball in a towing position. A pair of safety chain anchors in alignment with the hitch ball is pivotally connected to the housing such that one of the anchors overlies and protects the lubrication fitting in the storage position.

Abstract: A safety connector for securing a trailer to a towing vehicle having a trailer hitch mounting member. The safety connector includes a trailer hitch adapted to be secured to the trailer hitch mounting member of the towing vehicle. The trailer hitch has a lower portion adapted to extend a distance below the trailer hitch mounting member when the trailer hitch is secured to the trailer hitch mounting member. A spool is connected to the lower portion of the trailer hitch such that the spool is positionable below the trailer hitch mounting member. The spool has a first shoulder portion spaced a distance away from the trailer hitch mounting member, and a medial portion positioned in between the first shoulder portion and trailer hitch mounting member. The medial portion has a diameter less than the diameter of the first shoulder portion. A base plate is connectable to the trailer. The base plate has a thickness less than a length of the medial portion, and a slot formed therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for aligning the trailer hitch ball on the towing vehicle, and for lifting the trailer hitch on and off the ball. The device comprises a swiveling vertical post assembly in close proximity to the hitch ball. The swiveling vertical post assembly pivots at its attachment point with the towing vehicle, thereby allowing the user to load or unload a trailer from the vehicle even when the trailer is not perfectly aligned directly behind the vehicle. The swiveling vertical post assembly has a pivotal arm which can be moved from an upper pivot point position to a lower pivot point position. In both the upper position and the lower position, the pivotal arm is allowed to rotate from a generally vertical position to a rearwardly inclined position in order to provide a moving cable guide that helps determine the location and direction of movement of the cable and hence the forces exerted on the tongue end.

Abstract: A trailer hitch includes a cylindrical receiver perpendicularly mounted on a horizontal laterally extending tube attached to a vehicle. The receiver carries a slider movable between a first, retracted position substantially entirely disposed beneath the vehicle bumper and a second, extended position wherein the slider projects rearwardly of the vehicle bumper and carries a hitch ball for attachment to a towed object. A cam slot and cam follower are cooperatingly formed on the slider and the receiver, with the cam slot having angularly disposed ends for rotation of the slider between first and second angularly disposed position simultaneous with translation of the slider between first and second retracted and extended positions. A decorative cover overlays the exposed portions of the horizontal tube and the slider when the slider is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A passive capture joint with three degrees of freedom is presented wherein two structural elements are joined together solely by moving the two elements into position, and which when joined together have rotation in all three axes. The inventive apparatus is comprised of two halves: 1) a joint ball mounted on a stem as in a common trailer hitch, and; 2) a socket. The socket consists of a base having an exterior wall and forming an interior chamber, the chamber having a top end and a bottom end, and an interior wall. The chamber is open at the top end, and forms a spherical cup at the bottom end. The socket base's interior chamber is sized to accept the joint ball. The base also forms at least one bore at an acute angle away from the interior chamber's open end. The bores have a first opening in the interior wall of the chamber, and a second opening in the exterior wall of the base.

Abstract: A hitch guide for use in guiding a gooseneck trailer hitch into alignment with a hitch ball mounted in the bed of a truck with the gooseneck trailer hitch including a substantially vertically disposed post having a substantially horizontally disposed plate secured to the lower end thereof which has an opening formed therein for receiving the hitch ball. The hitch guide is pivotally secured to the support plate at the lower end of the post and is funnel-shaped to assist in aligning the trailer hitch with the hitch ball.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly includes an interchangeable ball having a first bore for removably receiving a stub shaft attached to the towing vehicle. Both the ball and stub shaft have transverse bores that can be aligned with one another to receive a removable pin for securing the ball to the stub shaft during normal use. When the ball is not on the stub shaft, a clip can be inserted into the first bore of the ball to removably engage the pin and prevent the pin from being withdrawn from the ball. This feature helps to prevent the pin from becoming lost or misplaced while the ball is in storage.

Abstract: A trailer hitch locking assembly for locking a trailer hitch to a vehicle to prevent theft. The trailer hitch locking assembly includes a plate member with front and back sides and a pair of opposite ends. The plate member is positionable over a hitch ball coupled to a rear bumper of a vehicle. The plate member has a pair of apertures extending through it. The apertures of the plate member are alignable with holes extending through the rear bumper. A pair of threaded fasteners extend through the apertures of the plate member and the holes of the rear bumper. A pair of nuts are threadedly coupled to the threaded fasteners.

Abstract: A tool includes opposed drawbar engaging surfaces and opposed ball flat engaging surfaces. The tool is provided for use with a draw-bar assembly including a draw-bar having an end with a hole defined therethrough and a surface, and a hitchball having opposed ball flats and a shank extending therefrom. When the tool is engaged with the end of the draw-bar the opposed draw-bar engaging surfaces are adjacent the end and the opposed ball flat engaging surfaces are adjacent the opposed ball flats.

Abstract: A step assembly (10) including a top step plate (12) for mounting to a ball mount tongue (32), and clamped thereto by means of a pair of adjustable clamp plates (14) releasably secured to top plate (12) by four carriage bolt assemblies (20). Top plate (12) includes a central channel (29) that allows top plate (12) to straddle tongue (32) and clamp plates (14) include step-downs (46, 48, 50), which engage the side edges of tongue (32) and thereby securely clamp top plate (12) to the tongue.

Abstract: A weight distributing hitch apparatus includes a drawbar assembly, which is interconnected to a tow vehicle and includes an elongate bar and a component that is pivotally interconnected and angularly adjustable relative to the bar. A hitch head assembly includes a ball component attached to a ball coupler on the trailer. A drawbar extension is suspended from the ball component and a height adjustment channel is pivotally interconnected to the drawbar extension. A horn is slidably received by the channel. The horn and the angularly adjustable drawbar component are selectively coupled to interconnect the trailer to the tow vehicle. A dual action, pre-loaded spring interconnects the trailer and the drawbar extension to provide improved dampening and bounce control.

Abstract: A one-piece pintle hitch is disclosed. The one-piece hitch utilizes an integral drawbar that may be engaged with a conventional receiver assembly such as installed along the underside of a vehicle. The one-piece pintle hitch avoids the use of prior art mounting plates that bolt to one another. Accordingly, the problems associated with threaded fasteners such as loosening, fracturing, and corrosion are eliminated. In addition, the one-piece pintle hitch utilizes a unique configuration along its bar portion that results in a significant reduction in weight and materials.

Abstract: A new trailer hitch apparatus for hitching a trailer to a vehicle so that the trailer is in a level state when hitched. The inventive device includes a vertical member coupled to a horizontal member. A securing arm member and a hitching cap member are coupled to the horizontal member. A U-shaped securing bolt is coupled to the securing arm member for permitting the attachment of the hitching shaft of a trailer to the securing arm member. Coupled to the vertical member is a mounting member with a trailer mounting portion designed for mounting a hitch ball thereto.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a trailer hitch extension member 20 mountable on a conventional rear box end receiver trailer hitch mounting arm 14. The extendable rotatable hitch/trailer coupling device 10 which communicates between a conventional vehicle's hitch mounting arm 14 and a trailer tongue 16 having a trailer hitch connecting or securing means on its front tongue 62 permits a single individual to hook up a trailer 16. The present invention 10 extends the conventional hitch mounting arm 14 from a fixed point, to an elliptical connection zone whereby the hitch extension member 20 and swivel head member 18 can be selectively engaged either individually or in concert to extend to the trailer hitch component 16.

Abstract: A trailer hitch ball in which a tubular member is formed into a generally spherical configuration while being permanently attached to a central stud. The hitch ball may be formed by crimping a tubular member onto a central stud integrally formed from a drawbar shank producing a combined ball and shank for detachable connection to the receiver of a trailer hitch.

Abstract: A combination ball and pin trailer hitch for permitting connection to a trailer tongue with either a ball hitch or a pin hitch. The combination ball and pin trailer hitch includes a plate with top and bottom faces, a plurality of side edges, and plurality of corners. The plate has a plurality of bores therethrough extending between the top and bottom faces of the plate. Each of the bores of the plate is positioned adjacent an associated corner of the plate. The plate also has a spaced apart pair of holes therethrough extending between top and bottom faces of the plate. An elongate threaded portion of an attachment bolt is extended through a first of the bores of the plate. A threaded portion of a ball hitch is inserted through another of the bores of the plate. An elongate portion of a pin is inserted through one of the holes of the plate.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly for attachment to a vehicle and trailer is provided with a fixed support member attached to the vehicle. A floating hitch member is attached to the trailer. Variable pressure shock absorbers interconnect the hitch and support. Rollers on the support member engage with guide tracks on the floating hitch member to control movement of the assembly.

Abstract: A ball hitch coupler which provides a simplified structure for coupling a ball hitch mounted on a towing vehicle to a coupler mounted on a trailer. This invention provides an innovative single cam pin locking mechanism, which in combination with a safety pin device and a tension spring provides a strong and secure ball coupler which has a minimum of moving parts and is designed to be easily used by a user by hand.

Abstract: A hitch system is described for a towing vehicle (e.g. a pickup truck) to enable the vehicle to tow a gooseneck trailer. The hitch system includes a mounting bracket to be attached to the frame of the vehicle, a sleeve secured to the mounting bracket and including a vertical slot in the wall and a second slot communicating with the vertical slot, a ball hitch which slides into the sleeve and including a pin which projects outwardly to be received in the vertical slot (after which the pin moves into the second slot when the ball is rotated), and a lock for preventing rotation of the ball when the pin is in the second slot. After the ball has been inserted into the sleeve and rotated, it is locked in position and will not come out during normal use of the hitch system.

Abstract: A ball assembly is intended to be mounted on a stem of a tow vehicle, and to be used in conjunction with a hitch portion of a trailer hitch assembly. The ball assembly, generally, includes a body member which is substantially spherical in shape, the body member having a partial bore formed substantially vertically therein for receiving a stem of a towing vehicle therein, the body member further having first and second transverse registering apertures formed therethrough. The ball assembly also includes a locking pin which is slidably movable in the registering apertures of the body member, and structure for connecting the pin to the body member. In a preferred embodiment, the connecting structure includes an enlarged shoulder portion on the pin, and a stop member disposed in the first transverse aperture of the body member, the stop member preventing the shoulder portion from moving therepast.

Abstract: A coupling device which can be readily transferred to other pairs of powered vehicles and unpowered trailer vehicles for over-the-road towing of the trailer vehicle. The device involves modified male and female contoured members such as complemental ball and socket members which can be easily brought together into mating engagement by a uniform cable member passed through continuous openings in both contoured male and female members and is capable of drawing together the paired vehicles into precise alignment and positively seating the coupled members into mating relation with minimal physical effort.

Abstract: An adaptor is disclosed for use in connection with a hand truck to engage a trailer. The adaptor comprises a support piece and at least one slot mounted on the support piece. The at least one slot has an open end which is adapted to engage a load bearing platform of a hand truck. A tow bar is mounted on the inside of the support piece and extends upwardly at an angle from the inside of the support piece. The tow bar engages a coupler on a trailer.

Abstract: A novel hitch lock device, which can be removably mounted to vehicular ball type towing hitch arrangements for removably locking a ccmmon vehicular pivot ball type coupler to a ball hitch, while enabling hitch function in a plurality of angles and planer orientations.

Abstract: A novel load sensing trailer ball-hitch and drawbar mechanism (30) compatible with industry standard coupling, drawbar receivers and vehicle bumper systems consisting of an upstanding elongated vertical ball-hitch post assembly (4) is provided, featuring the integration of a load sensing device (14) therein. The ball-hitch assembly by means of a threaded stud-bolt (20) received into the threaded lower cavity, is to be attached to industry-standard draw-bar or bumper fittings as used on recreational vehicles, trucks and vans. A drawbar (30), has integrated therein a singular or plurality of load sensing devices (14). Overloading of the force measuring device is achieved by means of a mechanical stop fitting (28). Signals derived from this force measuring device are transmitted to a board computer providing an analog or digital representation of the forces acting upon the ball-hitch drawbar assembly.

Abstract: A fifth wheel ball hitch latching assembly includes a housing, a funnel mounted within the housing and defining a conical-shaped passage for guiding movement of a ball hitch into the funnel through an open bottom end thereof toward an open top end thereof as the housing is lowered onto the ball hitch, a shaft mounted in the housing to undergo movement along a longitudinal axis of the housing between raised and lowered positions, the shaft having a lower end extending through the open top end and into the passage of the funnel and biased toward the lowered position, a pair of latch dogs extending through slots in the funnel and being movable away from and toward the longitudinal axis of the housing between retracted and extended positions, a linkage pivotally connecting the shaft with the latch dogs such that movement of the shaft between the lowered and raised positions causes the latch dogs to correspondingly move between the retracted and extended positions such that insertion of the ball hitch through the

Abstract: A device, or attachment, that allows a person to manually transport small to medium-sized trailers that have a mechanism for receiving a trailer hitch. The device, which attaches to the flat bed portion of a standard dolly, comprises an angled trailer hitch that attaches to the topside of a first substantially flat plate at an obtuse angle with respect to a front end of the first flat plate. There is a second substantially flat plate that is generally parallel to the first flat plate both plates attach to each other at back ends, respectively. The two flat plates are separated by a distance that allows a third flat plate, typically a part of the dolly, to be inserted and secured between them. Once the device is attached to the dolly, a user engages the trailer hitch portion of the present invention to a trailer, and manually transports the trailer using the dolly as the mechanism for directing the trailer.

Abstract: A hitch bar includes an integral post and mounting rack cast from ductile iron. A midline channel in the mounting rack and face cavities in the post significantly reduce the overall mass of the hitch bar. The physical properties of the cast ductile iron material serve to increase the overall towing capacity above that possible with rolled steel hitch bars of prior art design.

Abstract: A spring-biased mechanism for a trailer coupler to positively connect a trailer to a towing vehicle. The coupler is attached to a tongue of a trailer and adapted to receive a hitch ball of a towing vehicle. A locking assembly mounted within the coupler prevents withdrawal of the hitch ball from the coupler housing to prevent inadvertent separation of the trailer from the towing vehicle. The lock includes a rotatable pin extending transversely through the coupler housing to selectively prevent withdrawal of the hitch ball. The rotatable pin is connected to a spring-biased lever positioned externally of the coupler housing. In addition to pivoting between a locked and an open position to rotate the pin, the lever can be laterally shifted to be held open against the biasing of the spring allowing insertion of the ball. To lock onto the hitch ball, the lever can be pulled outwardly causing the spring to bias the lever to the locked position.

Abstract: A trailer hitch (10) including a pair of clamping jaws (12) and a retractable jaw locking member in the form of a wedge block (84) that is spring biased to move between the jaws (12) in order to lock the jaws in a closed position about a hitch ball. A latch mechanism (94) secures the wedge block (84) in its retracted position away from the jaws (12). A plunger dog (46) is pivoted by a handle mechanism (28) to reposition wedge block (84) and a safety pin mechanism (64) is provided to secure the plunger dog (46) in position and thereby secure wedge block (84) in position.

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 winch driven cable guidance system for coupling trailers to tow vehicles. The system comprises of trailer having a trailer hitch coupler, a tow vehicle having a coupling ball joint, and a cable whereby one end of the cable is connected by means of a cable pulley guidance system and secured to a cable drum of a winch. The winch powers the cable drum to reel in the cable and the attached trailer to assist in connecting the trailer to the towing vehicle, thus effecting a universal joint between the trailer and towing vehicle.

Abstract: The invention is an aligning apparatus which can be removably mounted to or built as an integral part of a towable trailer tongue for vertically aligning the inverted socket of the tongue with the mating ball which is conventionally mounted in cantilevered fashion on the rear end of the towing vehicle. The aligning apparatus includes a horizontally-lying V-shaped guide member having the open end of the V facing the drawbar in the operative position. The V-shaped guide member is positioned relative to the socket such that when the socket is at such a height so as to allow the socket to be positioned above the ball, the vertical center of the legs, the height of each leg constituting a camming surface, is at the height of the drawbar. This tongue height is achieved by use of a standard jack mechanism or pin-height adjustable vertical support pole on the trailer tongue.

Abstract: A self aligning hitch arrangement for attachment to the drawbar of a towing vehicle for lifting and aligning a trailer tongue into place on a towing ball includes a mounting plate attachable to the drawbar and having side members which support a horizontal transverse pivot in front of (i.e. on the vehicle side of) the ball. A ramp member supported by the pivot has a ramp plate with its front edge spaced behind the ball member, and is pivotable between a raised position in which the plate lies at a suitable angle for lifting the trailer tongue onto the ball, and a lowered position in which the plate lies at a steeper angle and allows the tongue to fall onto the ball. The ramp member also has diverging flanges to guide the trailer tongue laterally into position over the ball.

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 assembly for a trailing hitch having a sleeve member mounted on a tongue of a trailer and constituting an extension thereof. A removable coupling member is detachably attached to a hitch, wherein the coupling member slidably engages with the sleeve member and is moveable between a rear locking position and a forward detaching position that detaches the coupling member from the sleeve member. A locking bar pivotally is mounted on the sleeve member, wherein when the coupling member is in the rear locking position and the locking bar is in the closed position, the locking bar lockingly engages the sleeve member and the coupling member. When the locking bar is in the open position and the hitch is detached, the removable coupling member can be detached from the sleeve member and stored.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly that includes a hitch mount member having a chassis mount plate, a hitch mount plate having a plate mounting aperture bored entirely therethrough and four spaced alignment bores formed therein, and an extension arm in connection between the chassis mount plate and the hitch mount plate; a multi-ball hitch unit including a cross-shaped ball support structure including four support arms extending radially outward from a center portion having a structure mounting aperture formed therethrough; three trailer mount balls, each secured to the end of one of the four support arms; and a pintel hook secured to the end of the remaining one of the four support arms; and a positioning mechanism including a bolt assembly including a bolt having a cap portion and a threaded shaft portion; a securing nut threadable onto an end of the threaded shaft portion; a biasing spring; and two alignment pins, the alignment pins extending perpendicularly with respect to two of the four support arms and being pos

Abstract: A self-locking trailer hitch assembly includes an elongated housing attachable to the draw bar of a towed vehicle, and the housing includes an attachment end and an opposite socket which is shaped to receive a vertically-projecting ball member. The ball member is mounted to the draw bar at the rear of the towing vehicle. Disposed within the housing adjacent the socket is a jaw pivotable on a horizontal axis so that the jaw can be pivoted to a ball locking position for holding and retaining the ball member within the socket and also pivotable to a ball releasing position for unlocking and releasing the ball member from the socket so that the towed vehicle can be uncoupled from the towing vehicle. A unique releasing function is provided by a manually-operable latch which disengages the jaw from the ball locking position in order to facilitate removal of the ball member from the socket, but manual operation of the latch is not required to seat and positively lock the ball member within the socket.

Abstract: A self-locking hitch ball assembly includes a hitch ball, a mounting shank extending from the hitch ball and a locking element along the shank for cutting a mating periphery in a hitch ball receiving and carrying member to which the hitch ball assembly is mounted. A fastener is provided for engaging the mounting shank so as to secure the hitch ball assembly in position.

Abstract: A device for aligning the tongue and hitch first portion on a trailer (trailer hitch) with the receiver and hitch second portion (ball) on a towing vehicle, and for lifting the trailer hitch on and off the ball. The device comprises a vertical post on the towing vehicle in front of and in close proximity to the ball. The post has a pivotal arm which can rotate from a vertical position to a rearwardly inclined position. The post has a cable guide at or near its top surface. The pivotal arm also has a cable guide at or near its top surface. The cable guides are for receiving and guiding a cable connected to a winch on the tongue of the trailer. The tongue of the trailer also has a cable guide in front of the winch near the front end of the tongue. The invention has two (2) modes of operation (please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2): 1) on-loading the trailer hitch onto the ball; and, 2) off-loading the trailer hitch from the ball.

Abstract: A ball hitch apparatus comprises a ball portion having a ball connected to a shaft, an aperture longitudinally defined therethrough and a slot communicating with the aperture. A rod is disposed in the aperture and biased toward the ball and a pin is attached to the rod and movable within the slot. A socket portion has a central bore for receiving the shaft and a keyway communicating with the central bore for receiving the pin. The ball portion and socket portion are releasably secured in both a first locking position characterized by the rod extending beyond the ball and a second locking position characterized by the rod positioned substantially flush with the top of the ball.

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: A ball-exchange trailer bitch system having a post for receiving a ball where the ball is removable from the post for exchangeability with different size balls. The system includes at least a double locking feature between the ball and post. The double lock consists of a side pin lock and a ball and cage lock. The system may also include a third lock which includes threads on the post and the ball.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly positioned in the bed of a pickup truck permits a trailer ball hitch to be rotatably moved between a deployed position and a retracted position by utilizing only forces generated manually and by the force of gravity.

Abstract: A dial ball mount (34) for a trailer hitch (36) comprising a main frame (38) having a shank (40) that fits into a box end receiver (42) of the trailer hitch (36). A component (44) is for holding a first end of the shank (40) of the main frame (38) within the box end receiver (42) of the trailer hitch (36). A turret (46) is provided with a plurality of hitch balls (48) radially affixed onto the turret (46). An assembly (50) is for mounting the turret (46) in a rotatable manner to the main frame (38). A facility (52) is for retaining the turret (46) in a stationary manner on the main frame (38), so that any one of the hitch balls (48) can be aligned into position to receive a matching trailer coupler on a tow bar connected to a trailer.

Abstract: In order to improve a trailer coupling for motor vehicles, in particular, passenger vehicles, comprising a coupling ball, a ball neck, wherein the coupling neck can be pivoted with the coupling ball as a result of pivoting about a single pivot axis from an operative position into a rest position and vice versa, such that this no longer affects the ground clearance in its rest position it is suggested that a projection of a coupling ball central axis onto the vertical longitudinal plane undergo a rotation through an angle of at least 80.degree. during pivoting of the ball neck about the pivot axis from the operative position into the rest position and that a lowest point of ball neck and coupling ball in the rest position be at least at the level of a lowest point of the ball neck in the operative position.