Abstract: A snowmobile hitch has a U-shaped mounting bracket for mounting to the tunnel and grab bar of a snowmobile using existing bolt holes in the grab bar. The mounting bracket aerodynamically and aesthetically fits the snowmobile and does not protrude from the snowmobile except when a hitch is attached. A ball mount hitch is slidably received within a ball mount receiver of the mounting bracket, and may be readily attached and removed therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a vehicle towing hitch having a hollow polygonal tubular section with opposing ends and multiple side walls surrounding the hollow portion. Different size towballs are mounted on the radially outward side of at least three of the side walls and a vehicle mounting fixture is provided for connection between a vehicle and the tubular section. Co-operating means of rotatable attachment are located between the mounting fixture and the tubular sections with spring loaded means for releasably holding the mounting fixture and the tubular section in a fixed position one to the other. A pintle hook is mounted on a pintle block with co-operating elements of telescopic engagement between the pintle block and the tubular section.

Abstract: Trailer hitch apparatus including dampening mechanisms to simultaneously dampen vibration and shock in a longitudinal direction and vertical direction. The apparatus consists of a hollow draw bar tube capable of being removably coupled to a vehicle mounted receiving tube. The draw bar tube is adapted to move longitudinally relative to the receiving tube while a biasing means within the draw bar tube provide dampening of shock and vibration in the longitudinal movement. The apparatus further has a ball hitch assembly carried by a transverse support bar attached to an outer portion of the draw bar tube. The ball hitch assembly is biased against vertical movement thereby dampening shock and vibration in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A guide system arrangement for a tow vehicle having a ball. The guide system is universally mountable on the upper surface of a bumper or on the draw bar of the hitch of the tow vehicle by providing non-rotatable pillars to the side and in front of the ball and wings removably attachable to the pillars forming a wide V channel which accepts most couplers attached to a trailer vehicle to position the coupler above the ball as the tow vehicle is driven toward the trailer vehicle. Upon lowering of the coupler onto the ball, the stepped stop formed in the wing portion of the guide system releases any tension that may have been formed during the guide process so that the wings may be removed from the pillars for storage thereby allowing a variety of accessories to be mounted on the pillars for use either while the vehicle is in motion or stationary. If the accessories are too heavy or unstable, a support may be coupled onto the ball to provide a tripod mounting for the accessory.

Abstract: A hitch guide comprises a generally V-shaped member mounted in a horizontal orientation with the base of the V forwardly of the ball and two arms extending rearwardly. The V-shaped guide member is releasably mounted on a horizontal plate underneath the ball by two vertical pins adjustably mounted on the arms which drop into holes in the plate. Thus the guide member is used only when backing up the towing vehicle to the hitch and guides the hitch coupling in the V-shape to a position directly over the ball. When aligned, the guide member is removed for regular towing.

Abstract: The alignment guide assembly includes an alignment guide that is movable between an operative and an inoperative position on the tongue of a trailer without removing any of its parts. The alignment guide assembly also includes a stop bracket on the trailer hitch of a tow vehicle, and in its operative position, the alignment guide is capable of longitudinally aligning a hitch ball on the tow vehicle with a socket on the tongue of the trailer, of locating the hitch ball in vertical alignment with the socket, and of stopping downward movement of the trailer tongue when the socket is in position to be locked to the hitch ball.

Abstract: A new adjustable securing apparatus comprising a frame having a strap, is securely mounted to the bed of a vehicle. The new adjustable securing apparatus further comprises a swing arm, which swing arm is mounted in hinged manner to the frame. The swing arm is thusly capable of swinging to an attachment position complementing the position of a trailer ball secured on the ATV, snowmobile, or other item being secured thereby. The swing arm further comprises a trailer ball coupler providing for attachment of the adjustable securing apparatus to the trailer ball secured on the ATV, snowmobile, or other item being secured. The swing arm further comprises an L-shaped extension providing for a threaded bolt mounted therethrough, which threaded bolt abuts the strap and provides for adjustment of the swing arm relative to the bed of the vehicle after the ATV, snowmobile, or other item is secured to the swing arm.

Abstract: A trailer locking device adapted to be fixedly inserted into the cup of a trailer hitch. The locking device, which can be in the shape of a ball, includes an outer shell made from a plurality of movable plates. Once inserted into the cup of a trailer hitch, a locking mechanism is used to separate or otherwise move the plates apart in order to expand the size of the outer shell. Once locked into position, the trailer locking device becomes lodged within the cup of the trailer hitch preventing a trailer in association with the trailer hitch from being stolen.

Abstract: A trailer ball guard that is lockably connectable about a ball shaft and a mounting nut of a trailer ball and hitch assembly for deterring removal of the ball from the tow bar and theft of the trailer ball assembly and a connected towed vehicle. The trailer ball guard includes a sleeve assembly that is connectable between a tow bar and a mounting nut, a cap that is connectable to the sleeve assembly in a manner to entrap the ball shaft and mounting nut therein, and a locking mechanism securable in connection between the sleeve assembly and the cap.

Abstract: A ball-exchange trailer hitch 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: In combination with a receiver type trailer hitch having telescopically connected vehicle and received components, at least one of which is tubular, the components being maintained in telescopic relationship by a pin component extending through apertures in each of the components, a connection tightening mechanism comprising a bridge element, a spaced pair of flanges secured to and projecting from the bridge element so that the bridge element and the flanges together straddle at least one of the components, the flanges being connected to at least one of the components, and the mechanism including a spaced pair of projections each engaging a different one of the components whereby to tighten the telescopic connection.

Abstract: A trailer hitch guide for facilitating the connection of articulated land vehicles. The trailer hitch guide includes a V-shaped plate having a pair of angularly diverging arm panels for mounting upon a conventional draw bar in surrounding relation to a hitch ball carried on the draw bar. A pair of resilient pads are secured to the V-shaped plate adjacent the hitch ball with each of the pads being secured, respectively, to one of the arm panels.

Abstract: A hitch is provided that is adapted for mounting to a step bumper. The hitch has a body including a mounting skirt, a hitch ball support platform and a facing that joins the mounting skirt and platform. The hitch also includes two laterally spaced reinforcing elements that function with the mounting skirt and define a receiver box. The hitch also includes structures allowing the mounting of a hitch ball to the hitch ball support platform or to the standard step bumper mounting point thereby providing hitch ball height adjustability.

Abstract: A towing apparatus is disclosed which has a hitch receiver that is moveable underneath a tow vehicle between a rearward hitching position and a forward towing position. The apparatus has a stationary guide rail which is longitudinally mounted underneath the tow vehicle rearward of the rear axle. A carriage is slidably engaged on the guide rail and has a rearwardly extending hitch receiver. At the rearward hitch position the hitch receiver is substantially in the conventional towing position at the rear bumper of the tow vehicle. After hitching a towed vehicle to the receiver, the tow vehicle is backed up to move the carriage and receiver forwardly on the guide rail to the towing position which is ideally adjacent to the rear axle. The carriage and receiver with attached hitch are then locked in place at said position. A towed vehicle may be either directly hitched to the receiver or may be hitched by way of an intermediate coupling section.

Abstract: An anti-sway trailer hitch for connecting a trailer to a tow vehicle. The hitch includes a first pivotal element attached to the tow vehicle and a second pivotal element attached to the trailer with a set of a converging link assembly on the first element connecting it to the second element. The converging link assembly projects the effective pivot point forward adjacent the rear axle of the tow vehicle and prevents lateral sway while allowing changes in the angular relationship between the two elements as the tow vehicle and trailer negotiate turns. The second pivotal element includes a yoke attached to the trailer frame. The yoke includes Spaced apart side members with a hitch ball mount in sliding engagement with the side members. The trailer is attached to the hitch ball. A pivotally attached strut extends between the first pivotal element and the-hitch ball mount.

Abstract: The protective guard for protecting against damage to a vehicle during a trailer coupling operation includes an impact absorbing guard body covering at least a portion of the outer surface of the longitudinal end portion of a trailer hitch housing extending away from the trailer. The guard body includes a compressible, resilient material such that the guard body is capable of cushioning the impact of a vehicle with a trailer hitch housing. The guard body thereby protects the vehicle from inadvertent damage. The guard body includes a concave inner surface defining an arcuate slot extending inwardly into the guard body. The arcuate slot is adapted to receive an outwardly projecting, generally horizontal flange which extends about an exterior portion of the longitudinal end portion of the trailer hitch housing.

Abstract: A self-latching trailer coupler for use with a ballhead coupling post is disclosed. The coupler includes a housing having a forward portion that forms a receiving socket, and a rear portion. A latching member is disposed within the rear portion of the housing and is adapted for movement between a latched and a released position, the movement of the latch member being controllably guided along a complex path by guide pins and guide slots. The latching member has a socket which engages the ballhead when the coupler is positioned over a ballhead. Downward force on the coupler, as would be due to the load on the tongue of a trailer, automatically translates and rotates the latch member to a fully engaged locked position. A self-actuating locking device is provided for locking the latching member in its latched position. In connection with the locking device, a lever for releasing the locking device is also provided.

Abstract: A mounting bracket comprises a base and an attachment device for loosely attaching the bracket to a support wherein the bracket is allowed to move relative to the support.

Abstract: A novel carrier hitch is provided for attaching a heavy trailer or the like to a pick-up truck or the like. The hitch can be quickly and easily attached to and detached from the truck without any residual damage to the truck. The hitch includes first and second main beam which are connected at a first end of each beam. A cross member is connected between the main beams at approximately the middle of the beams to form an A-shaped frame structure. A frame mounting member is connected between the main beams at generally a second end of each of the beams. An attachment structure is attached to the hitch for removably attaching the hitch to the truck frame. A connecting structure is attached to the cross member for releasably connecting the trailer to the hitch. A post member extends downwardly from the joined ends of the main beams and is connected to the underside of the truck.

Abstract: A portable quick hitching device connects to a vehicle equipped with a bucket or other attached implement. The base of the device is constructed so as to engage the lip of the bucket and to support a towing ball or wagon hitch pin. A brace attached to an opposing side of the bucket secures the base to the bucket.

Abstract: An adaptor plate generally Y-shaped in plan is provided having a central opening formed therethrough. The adaptor plate is positionable over the step plate of a step bumper with the opening in the plate registered with the central hitch ball mounting shank receiving opening formed in the step plate and the adaptor plate is secured to the step plate through the utilization of the threaded shank of a hitch ball and the attendant nut and washer therefor.

Abstract: A Rotating Multiple Ball Trailer Hitch for mounting to motor vehicles and more specifically to motor vehicles utilizing a receiver type hitch is disclosed. This hitch consists of a U bracket welded to a receiver type hitch insert tube. A rotating platform fits inside the inner surface of the U bracket and is held in place by pivot bolt. This platform is bolted in an off centered position within the U bracket. The platform is further supplied with alternate position lock pin holes on the rear of the platform and trailer ball mounting holes on the front sides of the platform as well as a standard hitch pin hole in the front center of the platform. The rotating platform is held in the U bracket by a pivot bolt and is then further pinned in position with a standard pin and clip. By use of the U bracket and the off center mounting arrangement the strength of the hitch is maximized while its size is minimized. The disclosed hitch may also be modified for mounting directly to the bumper of a vehicle.

Abstract: An angle sensor for measuring an angle .theta. between two rigid bodies rotatably joined at a joint. The angle sensor includes an indicator disk, an anchor strap and a mechanism for reading the indicator disk. Our invention also includes forward and backward motion steering control systems which can employ the angle sensor as a hitch angle sensor to measure the hitch angle between a tow vehicle and a trailer.

Abstract: A trailer hitch particularly for pick-up trucks and other relatively light towing vehicles having an improved hitch assembly including a retractable pin assembly in combination with guide members for limiting angular movement of a trailer behind the towing vehicle. An improved cylinder, pin and restrictor plate assembly provides a rebound or kick back to return or urge the jack-knifed trailer back to a position substantially trailing behind the truck. The cylinder improved in providing positive action in both retraction and extension of the pin.

Abstract: A guide, for guiding the towing tongue on a trailer onto the standard ball type hitch, which consists of vertical oriented plates attached to a horizontal plate which has an aperture that will receive the standard ball type hitch. The horizontal plate has an steel tube extension on it which will fit into the standard box receivers secured to a towing vehicle.

Abstract: This discloses a two part assembly that allows one person from a vehicle to align a trailer onto any size hitch ball on a bumper or a receiver hitch in only one attempt. The first part of the two part assembly, the horizontal steel plate is attached to the bumper by its hitch ball. A similar horizontal steel plate is attached to a receiver hitch by its hitch ball also. The second part of the assembly, the V shaped guide, acts as the guide for the trailer tongue to be guided onto the hitch ball. The V shaped guide fits into the horizontal steel plate by its male dowels which are inserted into the female dowels of the horizontal steel plate. This extended V shaped guide will assist the towing vehicle in backing up to a trailer at any angle, allowing the trailer tongue to be guided onto the hitch ball of a bumper or receiver hitch that has a horizontal steel plate attached. The V shaped guide is then removed after the hitch ball has been locked into place.

Abstract: A coupling system for attaching a utility item to a vehicle trailer hitch is disclosed. The system provides improved ease of attachment and removal of the utility item to the vehicle trailer hitch. Further, the system allows access to the rear of the vehicle without removal of the utility item from the trailer hitch. The system design also provides reduced movement between the trailer hitch and the utility item.

Abstract: An articulated connector for flexibly connecting the adjacent ends of a pair of rail car platforms which are supported on a common truck bolster, the connector comprising a spherical bearing formed integrally with a conventional center plate bearing of one car platform, and spherical elements carried by the other car platform for cooperable engagement with the spherical bearing to transmit vertical, lateral and longitudinal train forces between the adjacent platforms solely through engagement of the mating spherical bearing elements.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly (10) which is mounted on the hitch ball (32) of a gooseneck subassembly (12), is described. The subassembly is mounted in the bed (14A) of a pickup truck (14) such that the subassembly is parallel to the rear axle (16) of the truck and the hitch ball is directly centered over or slightly fore or aft of the axle differential housing (58). A pair of flexible half-shell bearings (39) are positioned on the hitch ball to form a complete bearing (38) completely surrounding the top portion (33) of the hitch ball. A fifth wheel hitch assembly with a permanently mounted adaptor (42) is mounted with the adaptor extending over the complete bearing when the complete bearing is positioned on the hitch ball. A pair of securing rods (52) extend through the adaptor and the complete bearing below the ball (33A) of the top portion of the hitch ball and securing the adaptor on the complete bearing and the hitch ball.

Abstract: A trailer ball lock apparatus includes an externally threaded connecting bolt member which has a longitudinal axis and which includes a first longitudinal slot. A ball assembly includes an internally threaded, longitudinally oriented, connecting-bolt-receiving well and is adapted to receive the connecting bolt member. The ball assembly includes a top ball portion and a base portion. The ball portion includes a pin-receiving well portion located on a first side of the connecting-bolt-receiving well and includes a pin-receiving channel portion located on a second side of the connecting-bolt-receiving well. A locking pin assembly includes a lock pin portion adapted to extend through the pin-receiving channel portion into the pin-receiving well portion of the ball portion. The lock pin portion is placed in registration with the first longitudinal slot of the connecting bolt member for preventing rotation of the connecting bolt member within the ball assembly.

Abstract: A hitch alignment apparatus comprising a mount having a base for engaging an underside of a drawbar of a ball hitch and a latch pins for engaging the ball hitch above the base thereby holding the base to the drawbar, and a ramp member, having a pair of sidewalls, rigidly secured to a front end of the mount at an elevation above the latch pins, the pair of sidewalls converging as they approach the front end of the mount.

Abstract: A scissor coupler, for attaching to a trailer hitch ball having a widest point and a neck, comprising a top plate, a bottom plate, a hinge bolt, and a main spring connected between the top plate and bottom plate. The hinge bolt attaches the top plate and bottom plate so that they can pivot relative to one another from a closed position to an open position. The top plate and bottom plate have top plate and bottom plate bores that have a slightly larger diameter than the widest point of the trailer hitch ball, and are concentric when the top plate and bottom plate are in the open position. The top plate and bottom plate bores are not concentric when the scissor coupler is in the closed position. When the top plate and bottom plate are in the closed position, an elliptical hole is formed therebetween that is narrower than the widest point but wider than the neck of the trailer hitch ball. The main spring biases the scissor coupler to the closed position.

Abstract: A hitch for a goose neck trailer is provided which includes a cross member positionable beneath the cargo bed and between the frame members of a truck. A central opening is provided on the cross member for receiving a socket that is insertable within a sleeve member aligned with the opening. A spring biased pin attached to the sleeve engages a vertical groove formed on the exterior of the socket to secure the ball socket for use. A ball hitch attached to an upper end of the socket protrudes above the cargo bed and is attachable to a goose neck trailer. Removal of the ball hitch and socket is accomplished by aligning the pin with an eccentric groove formed on the socket's exterior, rotating the socket to an area where the groove ends, and pulling upwards. Adjustment means are provided to adjust the hitch to accommodate differing frame and cargo bed configurations found on trucks.

Abstract: A base plate has an aperture which allows the plate to be mounted flatwise on a drawbar under the hitch ball. The base plate has a front integral wall of short height which allows side to side swinging movement of a trailer tongue over the top of it when the tongue is hitched to the ball. A flared trailer tongue guide is removably seated on the base plate in contact with the rear surface of the short front wall. The flared guide is locked in place by a pair of pivotal latch members having latch fingers that engage firmly against the bottom surface of the base plate. The aperture in the base plate is oblong to allow adjustment for the stop position of a trailer tongue as it bottoms out in the flared guide.

Abstract: An apparatus facilitating coupling of a trailer to a tow vehicle includes a barrier against which a hitch ball may be positioned in the first stage of a hitching effort. The barrier includes clamps for barrier attachment to the trailer coupling. Support rods and a support plate on the barrier serve to position the barrier rearwardly adjacent the coupler socket. The barrier support plate may be inclined to abut a trailer frame having an inclined frontal surface. To position the trailer coupler laterally into place above a hitch ball, a lever is provided which utilizes the hitch ball as a fulcrum. An arm on the lever is engageable with the coupler to permit the application of force to move the trailer tongue and coupler into place above the hitch ball. Lowering of a trailer mounted jack results in downward engagement with the coupler onto the hitch ball. The barrier and lever are installed and removed without tools.

Abstract: A hitch lock assembly which is readily attachable to a trailer hitch assembly to provide a means for securing a hitch ball latch assembly from unauthorized removal from a hitch ball member. The hitch lock assembly includes a pair of lock pin members operable with a padlock member to provide means for securing the hitch ball latch assembly about the hitch ball member. Each lock pin member is of a high strength steel rod construction having a vertical hitch lock section mountable within aligned holes through a main hitch housing assembly and a ball contact member to insure that these elements are not movable relative to each other to an unlatched condition. The padlock member is removed from the interconnected lock pin members and the hitck lock sections are removed from the aligned holes to achieve an unlatched condition.

Abstract: An alignment guide 1 is described which aids in aligning and coupling vehicles and trailers and the like. It is adapted for attachment to a first coupling part C1 of a vehicle/trailer coupling device C1, C2. Part C1 may be a towing bar of a vehicle/trailer coupling device, and part C2 may include a socket B1 which engages over a partially spherically-shaped top A1 of the device C1. The alignment guide 1 has a ramp 2 with tapered side wings 3 to guide the part C2 into coupling engagement with the part C1. The alignment guide 1 can be moved to a stored position on part C1 when not in use.

Abstract: A trailer hitch security system has a first audible alarm to alert the driver of a towing vehicle of a loose connection with the trailer, and of a loose connection between the ball of the trailer hitch and the towing vehicle's frame. The system also has two visual indicators alerting the driver of the state of the coupling between the trailer and the vehicle. A second audible alarm is automatically activated if the vehicle's ignition is turned off and an unauthorized removal of the trailer is attempted. The second audible alarm is loud and intermittent, thus alerting the driver of unauthorized unhitching, or theft, of the trailer. The loud alarm may be turned off only from within the cab of the vehicle, as returning the trailer to the towing vehicle's ball will not deactivate it. The second audible alarm is tied to a timer which limits the sounding of the second audible alarm to a preset time interval.

Abstract: A trailer tongue hitch and ball clamp assembly includes a base portion loosely surrounding the hitch ball shank between its sphere and a tow bar transversely of the depending surface of the trailer hitch coupling socket forming member. A bridge portion of the clamp assembly, secured to the base portion, transversely overlies the upper surface of the hitch coupling for impinging it against the base member in surrounding relation with respect to the hitch ball sphere which permits the clamp assembly to move as a unit with the trailer tongue socket forming member in its horizontal and vertical pivoting movement relative to the hitch ball.

Abstract: A trailer hitch cover includes a removable hollow housing and a latch for securing the enclosure to the hitch so that it will remain in place while it is installed on the hitch. The hollow housing has an enclosed body and a tubular neck connected to and protruding from one wall of the enclosed body and being open at its outer end. The neck has a cross sectional size substantially smaller than that of the body. The enclosed body is formed by a pair of identical halves hinged together. Mating parts of the latch are mounted to identical halves of the tubular neck. The halves of the hitch cover are thus releasably secured together in a clam-shell fashion over the hitch so as to be mounted to a portion of the hitch at only the hollow neck of the housing.

Abstract: A ball hitch connector apparatus adapted for use with a conventional ball hitch socket is provided. The ball hitch connector has a lower support base with an upwardly extending stub shaft portion. The connector also includes a generally spherical body with a bore upwardly extending adapted to receive the stub shaft portion of said support base. The spherical body and the stub shaft each have transverse bores that can be aligned to receive a slidable latch pin. A radially expandable retention ring is movably mounted in a groove in the transverse bore of the spherical body which selectively engages the latch pin to prevent withdrawal of the latch pin from the spherical body.

Abstract: An cover for protecting a trailer hitch ball or box beam comprises a resilient body having a wiring connector and wiring cable integrally formed therewith. Moisture, dirt and physical damage of the trailer hitch ball is minimized through use of the protective cover.

Abstract: A generally spherical hitch ball has a downwardly extending neck and an outwardly extending flange which engages against the trailer hitch of a towing vehicle. A threaded shaft extends downwardly from the flange through an opening in the hitch. The coupling device is fixed to the hitch by a nut which is threaded on the shaft and engages a washer against the hitch. The nut is retained on the threaded shaft and positively prevented from escaping by a cylindrical pin which extends through an inclined hole formed in the hitch ball and the shaft. The pin has a head which is biased upwardly by a spring against the trailer arm where it fits over the ball. When the trailer arm is locked in place the pin head is inaccessible and the nut may not be removed.

Abstract: A trailer hitch for securing a trailer to a towing vehicle includes a holding plate fixed to the end of a vertical column portion of the trailer hitch tongue. The holding plate possesses a first aperture dimensioned to receive a hitch ball. A latch plate mounted for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane underlies the holding plate and possesses a second aperture dimensioned to receive the hitch ball. In a locked position, the apertures of the holding plate and latch plate are misaligned to prevent movement of the hitch ball therethrough. In an unlocked position, the apertures in the holding plate and latch plate are aligned. A conical guide secured to a bottom face of the latch plate guides the hitch ball through the apertures in the latch and holding plates. A coil tension spring biases the latch plate to the locked position. The weight of the trailer, when lowered onto the hitch ball, forces the latch plate to the unlocked position against the bias of the tension spring.

Abstract: A generally plate-like mounting member is provided for rigid securement to a tow hitch area of a towing vehicle and the mounting member is of non-circular configuration in plan shape and includes upwardly convergent inclined peripheral edges. A generally horizontal plate-like fixture is provided and includes a downwardly opening cavity of a shape complimentary to the shape of the mounting member with the side walls of the cavity also being upwardly convergent so as to match the inclination of the peripheral edges of the mounting member. The upper side of the fixture includes a plurality of tow hitch balls projecting upwardly therefrom in horizontally spaced relation and the plan shape of the mounting member and cavity is such that the fixture may be downwardly secured over the mounting member in a plurality of predetermined rotated positions about a vertical axis relative to the mounting member equal to the number of hitch ball members mounted from the fixture.

Abstract: Nearly everyone who drives an automobile has experienced engine failure or other problems with the transmission, cooler lines, drive shaft, differential or electrical components or has run out of gas at one time or another. The disabled car is immobilized until the driver is fortunate enough to obtain outside help to tow or push the car to a place for repair. The present invention comprises an accessory which can be carried in the vehicle trunk and which, when connected to the rear of the vehicle, will push the vehicle to safety. It comprises a motorized wheeled unit controllable from the disabled vehicle which fastens to the rear bumper or to a trailer hitch (if the vehicle has one) or to a temporary, removable type trailer hitch of the disabled vehicle and pushes it while the driver steers in a normal manner.

Abstract: A trailer coupling including a housing, one wall of which forms a first part-spherical coupling surface, a movable coupling element which is movably mounted on the housing and which forms a second part-spherical coupling surface, a control lever pivotally mounted on the housing and operable by an operating handle connected with the control lever, the control lever being engageable with the movable coupling element for displacement of the movable coupling element between an open position, in which the movable coupling element is at a distance from the first coupling surface, and an engaging position, in which the movable coupling element is close to the first coupling surface, where at least one of the coupling surfaces carries friction material, and where resilient pre-loading structure is arranged for constraining the movable coupling element into the engaging position with a pre-loading towards the first coupling surface, the pre-loading structure being arranged between an engaging point on the operating ha

Abstract: For use with a towing vehicle having a hitch ball on a rearwardly extending bar support, a V-shaped guide to facilitate hitching a trailer to the ball in which to position the guide to withstand hitching forces it is mounted vertical in the clearance between adjacent walls and has a notch in a lower edge which also forms a tongue and groove connection with the bar support.

Abstract: A gooseneck hitch structure is arranged in accommodating a trailer with a conventional bumper hitch to a gooseneck type mount in a "fifth wheel" arrangement relative to an associated tow vehicle.

Abstract: An articulated connector for flexibly connecting the adjacent ends of a pair of rail car platforms which are supported on a common truck bolster, the connector comprising a spherical bearing formed integrally with a conventional center plate bearing of one car platform, and spherical elements carried by the other car platform for cooperable engagement with the spherical bearing to transmit vertical, lateral and longitudinal train forces between the adjacent platforms solely through engagement of the mating spherical bearing elements.