Abstract: An anti-theft coupler device obstructs a trailer hitch coupler to prevent undesired coupling to the tow ball of a towing vehicle. The device comprises a lock body cooperating with and obstructing front and rear facing portions of a trailer hitch coupler, a ball coupler having a resilient, smooth circular face for receipt by the trailer hitch coupler, a locking pin that locks the coupler device to the trailer hitch coupler, and a lock device for preventing access to the locking pin and the ball coupler. The lock body has upright sides with one upright side having an aperture aligned with the trailer hitch coupler for receiving the locking pin, such that the coupler device cooperates with the trailer hitch coupler to prevent undesired coupling. The lock device comprises a padlock that prevents access to the lock pin and undesired removal of the lock body from the trailer hitch coupler.

Abstract: This trailer hitch uses a disk with ball connectors of varying sizes and an attachment hole on a circle near the circumference of the disk. Opposed horizontal upper and lower bars pivotally support a vertical shaft through the disk center. A number of locking holes on a circle near the center of the disk are sized to receive a locking rod. A locking hole is located exactly oppose each ball connector and attachment hole. A locking rod extends slideably downward through a hole in the upper bar and opposite the locking hole circle. The locking rod is spring loaded to extend the rod through an aligned locking hole in the disk, and secure the opposite ball or attachment hole in a rearward position for attachment to a trailer. Pulling upward on the handle frees the disk to permit rotating the disk to select a different size trailer connector.

Abstract: A golf car towing hitch system for towing a three or four wheeled golf car behind a passenger vehicle or light truck with the rear two wheels of the golf car elevated off of the ground. A hoist mounted on a rotable mast for lifting the rear of the golf car is included. Receiver or bar hitches may be used.

Abstract: An improved ball and socket-type coupling adapted to provide a tamperproof coupling between a tow arm of a towed vehicle and a support member of a towing vehicle, the socket thereof having a dome shaped portion adapted to embrace the ball in a conventional manner, said ball being connected to said support member by a bolt means, said bolt means having an upper non-threaded shank, a lower non-threaded shank, an intermediate threaded portion, and a bolt head connected to said lower shank remote from said intermediate threaded portion, said upper shank defining a transverse aperture therethrough passing through the axis of rotation of said bolt, a nut means having threads corresponding with said intermediate threaded portion of said bolt adapted to mesh therewith so as to sandwich said support member between said bolt head and said nut means, said ball defining a partially hollow interior opening downwardly, said ball further defining a transverse aperture therethrough intersecting said hollow interior at a righ

Abstract: A trailer hitch guide with a first portion to be mounted on a tractor vehicle, and a second portion to be mounted on a trailer vehicle. The first portion having a guide telescopically mounted to the tractor such that it can be viewed by the tractor operator while the vehicle is in motion. The second portion having a hood telescopically mounted to the trailer drawbar at a height equal to that of the guide. The relative spacial relation between the hood and guide emulating the relative spacial relation between the tractor hitch ball and trailer drawbar, such that when the operator is attempting to couple the tractor to the trailer, he can position the tractor for coupled engagement with the trailer by viewing the relative spacial relation of the two portions of the trailer hitch guide.

Abstract: An anti-theft ball assembly for a ball and socket hitch is disclosed where the mounting bolt and retaining nut that clamp the ball assembly to a tow bar are covered by a cup-shaped cover that combines with the socket to prevent access to the mounting bolt and mounting nut.

Abstract: An adjustable ball hitch having a shank received in a towing bracket on a towing vehicle, a pair of horizontally spaced vertical support arms connected eccentrically with respect to the shank, a rotatable ball support consisting of a triangular yolk having a triangular opening therethrough and three horizontally extending external surfaces, a radial spoke centrally attached to each of the three surfaces and extending outwardly from the yolk, a ball mounted on the distal end of each spoke, the balls being of three respectively different sizes, first and second pairs of aligned triangular openings provided in the arms, the second pair of aligned triangular openings being vertically offset from the first pair of triangular openings, all of the triangular openings being of the same size, a triangular pin having an outer triangular cross-sectional shape slightly smaller than the triangular openings adapted to be inserted through the first pair of aligned openings and through the opening in the yolk and also adapte

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly for installation to the frame or chassis of a pick-up truck and for use with a gooseneck trailer is herein provided, the trailer hitch assembly comprising a detachable ball hitch including a stem attached at one end thereof, a mounting frame which includes means for attaching the mounting frame to the chassis of the truck, and receiving means for securing the stem of the ball hitch to the mounting frame, and integrated locking means for locking the stem of the ball hitch in the receiving means in an operative, locked position. This invention provides the distinct advantage of using integrated locking means which do not include a lock washer, such that the tendency of the lock washer to rip and tear the mounting plate with continued tightenings and loosenings is obviated. The hitch assembly is completely concealed when not in use, leaving the truck bed with a flush floor.

Abstract: A coupling device intended to be applied on a vehicle, and which includes an attachment portion and a coupling portion, one of said portions including a tube shaped female element and the other one a longitudinal male element intended to be received in the female element. A movable piston, sidewardly spring biased towards the female element, is able to be introduced a side recess in the male element, the piston being kept pressed into the side recess by an abutment element in a first mutual position of engagement between the piston and the abutment element.

Abstract: A fifth-wheel extension adapter is provided for coupling a fifth-wheel trailer to a ball hitch assembly which is mounted in the bed of a truck. The fifth-wheel extension adapter comprises generally an extension frame, a ball coupler assembly for releasably and rotatably connecting the extension frame to the ball hitch assembly through a horizontal insertion, the ball coupler assembly being integrally attached to the bottom end of the extension frame, and a fifth-wheel trailer attachment assembly for connecting the extension frame to the fifth-wheel trailer, the fifth-wheel trailer attachment assembly being integrally attached to the top end of the extension frame.

Abstract: A trailer lock for preventing the use of a conventional trailer tongue hitch on an unattached trailer vehicle. The lock comprises a towing ball securely fastened to a chain which, in a preferred embodiment, is installed in the socket of a trailer tongue to prevent an unattached trailer from being attached to an unauthorized towing vehicle.

Abstract: A trailer hitch comprising, a hitching ball for a vehicle having an annular groove below the ball, a hitching member for a trailer having a pair of spaced openings extending therethrough, an elongated U-bolt for passage through the openings and in the groove to retain the hitching member to the ball, and a device for clamping the U-bolt to the hitching member.

Abstract: An adaptor allows a trailer coupling designed to be used with an annular eye-type trailer drawbar to be quickly and easily changed into a standard ball-type coupling. The adaptor includes a crossbar that mates with the arcuate surface located at the inside bottom portion of the pintle. The adaptor includes parallel side-by-side vertical mounting plates that fit over the pintle and have aligned holes extending through them. A bore is placed in the body of the trailer coupling coaxially with the holes in the mounting plates when the adaptor is mounted on the coupling. A pin is inserted through the aligned mounting holes and bore, securing the coupling to the adaptor. The existing latch on the trailer coupling will engage the top of the pintle and prevent the unintended or accidental uncoupling of the adaptor from the coupling. The adaptor may easily be removed and the coupling returned to its former configuration.

Abstract: A hitch structure is arranged for securement in a stable relationship of a trailer in mounting the trailer and associated cargo to a horizontal support post to impart stability to the trailer organization during transport thereof.

Abstract: A towing hitch ball mount is adapted for telescopic use with a conventional towing hitch ball mounted receiver for automatically controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle. A pulley system having a flexible line or cable is mounted within the ball mount so that the cable is drawn into the ball mount as the towing vehicle is braked to simultaneously apply the brakes of the towed vehicle.

Abstract: A ball hitch assembly consisting of: a center pin mountable on a tow bar and having an axial extent; a hitch ball with a central opening mountable on the center pin; a cooperating locking pin and groove structure provided one on the center pin and the other on the hitch ball, with the groove having an entryway through which the locking pin can pass as the center pin is directed into the hitch ball central opening, with the locking pin being movable within the groove to allow the hitch ball to be placed in an operative position on the center pin; and locking structure defined cooperatively by the locking pin and groove for preventing the hitch ball in its operative position from being disassembled from the center pin by drawing the hitch ball in one axial direction and turning the hitch ball in either direction of rotation about the axis of the center pin.

Abstract: A self aligning trailer hitch, used by a driver alone without creating any personal lifting force, to couple and decouple a towing vehicle and a trailer, has a multiple piece assembly of a socket for securement to a towing vehicle, having a rotatable claw, which has a spherical recessed surface adapted to receive a portion of a lower ball of a vertical dual ball assembly, which is secured to a towed vehicle. Upon hitching the vehicles together, the rotatable claw contacts the lower ball, when this socket is moving horizontally, during movement of a towing vehicle toward the towed vehicle, causing the lower ball to be repositioned upwardly and over center, while being guided in a vertical plane, and then held in the radially upwardly repositioned spherical recessed surface of the rotatable claw. A three dimensional ramp guides the lower ball to fully contact the spherical recessed surface of the rotatable claw.

Abstract: A plate member is formed of a generally triangular configuration, with a rear edge arranged for mounting to an associated vehicular bumper, including a central opening and spaced, longitudinally aligned slots positioned on opposed sides of the central opening for permitting lateral adjustment of the plate relative to the bumper upon removal of a central fastener directed relative to the central bore. A plurality of openings mounted through the plate adjacent a forward apex of the plate are arranged for multiple positioning of a trailer hitch ball. A modification of the invention includes the selector plate arranged for selective mounting through a forward opening adjacent the apex, wherein the selector plate includes a plurality of trailer hitch ball members for securement to a respective trailer hitch ball permitting selective rotation of the selector plate relative to the forward opening permitting utilization of various sized trailer hitch balls.

Abstract: A novel trailer towing apparatus for an AGV whereby downwardly applied, vertically oriented towing loads are substantially, directly imposed upon the drive wheels of the AGV, thereby increasing wheel to ground frictional forces and resulting towed load capacity. The towing apparatus is attached to the top of the AGV thereby allowing the AGV to turn through a 360.degree. radius without moving the trailer.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a trailer coupler such as a ball and socket coupler having a release handwheel. The locking mechanism includes a shelf which in one embodiment, surrounds the handwheel to prevent accidental or unauthorized rotation of the release handwheel. In other embodiments, the shelf covers or abuts the handwheel. A padlock may be used to lock the locking shelf in position.

Abstract: An improved tow bar assembly used to tow cars or trailers located on uneven terrain. The assembly uses two tow bars. One end of each tow bar is attached to a bumper housing. Each bumper housing is removably clamped to the bumper of a disabled vehicle by a chain which has one end secured to the undercarriage of the vehicle and the other end engaged to a chain hook member. The chain is pulled tight by tightening wing nuts threaded onto the upper end of a bolt which causes a spring located between the wing nuts and the top of the bumper housing to pull the chain tight. A socket member located where the other ends of the tow bars join together engages a ball member mounted on a supporting structure of a tow vehicle providing a universal-type joint. The socket member is secured to the ball member by a rotating latch member which uses a pin to prevent the latch member from rotating relative to the socket member, effectively locking the socket member to the ball member.

Abstract: A novel force measuring device of simple design is provided with complementary stop surfaces protecting the device against over-loading. Alternatively, overloading is prevented by duplicating the force measuring device with two portions operating in opposite directions of force application. Such force measuring devices are advantageously incorporated in couplings between a motor driven vehicle and a further vehicle to be coupled thereto. Signals derived from these force measuring devices are used in a board computer for controlling the operation of the motor driven vehicle and the further vehicle coupled thereto.

Abstract: A clear bed gooseneck trailer hitch is provided. The trailer hitch is comprised of a wide metal plate, or disc, supported on a truck bed and having a standard long shank hitch ball fixedly connected perpendicularly therethrough. The threaded shaft of the shank hitch ball attaches to a threaded hole provided in a steel plate or channel of suitable design affixed underneath the truck bed to the frame rails of a pickup truck over the rear axle area. The plate has two handles on its top side located near the edge of the disc for use in turning the disc manually or by a torque bar upon attachment to or removal from the truck bed. Once the disc is removed, the truck bed remains clear and unobstructed for use in other conventional manners. The disc is used with a rubber bed mat, or a rubber washer, having a circumference slightly larger than the disc.

Abstract: An improved gooseneck trailer hitch assembly mounting to the frame and underneath the bed of a pick-up truck. Only the hitch extends into the cargo carrying space overlying the bed of the pick-up. The ball hitch is removable from its mounting when not in use to clear the bed of any obstructions. The mounting assembly for the hitch is adjustable to provide easy mounting to virtually any pick-up truck irrespective of frame width.

Abstract: A trailer hitch coupling includes a spindle axially and rotatably movable in a coupling base. The spindle carries a plurality of trailer hitch balls and is rotatable in the base to present a selected one of the trailer hitch balls in towing relation to a trailer hitch. The spindle and base provide alignable openings for receiving a pin for fixing the spindle relative to the base. The spindle is axially movable to juxtapose a plurality of interdigitating slots and shoulders to facilitate alignment of the spindle and base to receive the pin.

Abstract: A ball joint type trailer hitch which comprises a ball assembly and a ball receiving assembly comprising a body forming a ball receiving end having formed therein a generally spherical cavity truncated at the bottom thereby forming a passage for the shaft when the ball is in the cavity, a ball insertion and removal opening intersecting the cavity thereby forming a passage between the opening and the cavity for permitting the ball to be inserted into the opening and moved distally into the cavity, ball locking means supported in the passage for selective movement from an unlocked position adjacent the proximate end of the body to a locked position in engagement with the ball in the cavity, and means for selectively fixing the ball locking means in engagement with the ball.

Abstract: A post and ball type hitch apparatus intended for use with a conventional hitch socket is disclosed. The apparatus includes a post formed of a generally elongate cylindrical member having a top portion, a central portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion of the post is adapted to attach to a bumper or frame of a vehicle, and the top portion of the post includes an annular groove therein. The apparatus also includes a ball having a cylindrical channel formed therein, for insertion thereof over the top portion of the post, and a cylindrical bore formed therethrough which intersects the cylindrical channel in such a manner that the bore of the ball is co-extensive with a portion of the annular groove of the post when the post is inserted into the cylindrical channel. The apparatus also includes a cylindrical pin which can be inserted through the bore and which becomes engaged with a portion of the annular groove of the post in order to secure the post in the cylindrical channel of the ball.

Abstract: A device that facilitates the coupling of a trailer to a vehicle that tows the trailer. The device enables a single unaided individual to back a vehicle equipped with a hitch device of the type having a hitch ball into a trailer tongue coupling of the type having a socket that receives the hitch ball. The bottom of an angled deflection plate that is wide at its leading end and narrow at its trailing end drives the hitch ball downwardly, compressing the vehicle's springs, as the vehicle backs up. Guide members that depend from opposite edges of the deflection plate converge toward one another and constrain the hitch ball to enter into an opening formed in the device that is in registration with the socket. The vehicle's springs then urge the hitch ball upwardly so that the ball extends through the opening and into the socket.

Abstract: A novel trailer towing apparatus for an AGV whereby downwardly applied, vertically oriented towing loads are substantially, directly imposed upon the drive wheels of the AGV, thereby increasing wheel to ground frictional forces and resulting towed load capacity. The towing apparatus is attached to the top of the AGV thereby allowing the AGV to turn through a 360.degree. radius without moving the trailer.

Abstract: A vehicle docking device includes a matrix of sensors arranged in a planar array of rows and columns spaced apart from one another. The matrix of sensors is mounted proximate the hitch ball of the towing vehicle in a horizontal plane. An activator is supported in a predetermined position relative to the towing hitch of the vehicle to be towed for activating one of the sensors closest thereto. The activator is positioned to be directed at the center point of the sensor matrix when the hitch ball is directly under the towing hitch. The sensor matrix is electrically coupled to a corresponding array of indicators disposed near the driver of the towing vehicle. Each indicator is associated with a corresponding sensor. By observing the array of indicators, the driver can determine whether the hitch ball and towing hitch are aligned, or in what direction correction is required.

Abstract: A multiple hitch apparatus consisting of a drawbar plate and rotating plate mounted thereon, designed to accommodate various sized hitch balls, a pintle hook and an auxiliary hitching apparatus for connecting a motor vehicle to a load. This multiple hitch apparatus may be used with a variety of trucks and motor vehicles to connect most trailers and other types of loads currently in existence. The pintle hook makes this multiple hitch apparatus applicable to heavier industrial and commercial loads.

Abstract: Provided is an articulable spherical connection for a railway coupling arrangement. The connection includes a male connection member having a spherical connection portion secured to one end of a body portion and a female connection member having a split body portion. Each body portion of such femal connection member having a spherical cavity formed therein to receive a portion of the spherical connection portion of the male connection member therein. A securing device is provided to secure such split body portion together around the spherical connection portion of the male member.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly for use in the bed of pickup trucks and the like and including a trailer hitch supporting member secured to the underside of the pickup truck bed, a readily removable trailer hitch for seated and assembled relationship within the trailer hitch supporting member, and a spring-biased cylindrical rod for locking together the trailer hitch and the trailer hitch supporting member against vertical separation from each other while enabling the trailer hitch to be freely rotated relative to the trailer hitch supporting member, the cylindrical rod being manually movable against its spring-bias to a position to enable ready removal of the trailer hitch from the trailer hitch supporting member.

Abstract: In a trailer hitch device for a motor vehicle wherein a trailer hitch is mounted on a member beam, the improvement comprising the fact that the member beam has both its ends respectively fixed to right and left rear bumper stays and is covered with a rear bumper face, and that the trailer hitch is fixed to the member beam and has its coupling bowl portion at its distal end protruded rearward of the vehicle body of the vehicle through an opening provided in the bumper face.

Abstract: A coupling device for converting a three-point hitch to either a ball or pin type hitch. The coupling device includes a main longitudinally extending support member having a forward end and a rearward end. The forward end has a ball or pin secured thereto. The forward end is designed to be secured to the forward ends of the two side arms of a three-point hitch. The device also includes a locking member secured at the rear section of the main support member. The locking member comprising a cross support member which terminates in a pair of lateral spaced ends, which have a projection extending therefrom. Each of the projections having a hole that is in axial alignment so as to receive a first locking pin therethrough. The projections have a length such that when the device is mounted on two arms of a three-point hitch, the first locking pin passes through said aligned holes in the projections so as to capture the two arms between the cross support member and pin.

Abstract: An anti-theft, safety device is disclosed for use with ball and socket trailer hitches comprising a base plate clamped to the tow bar near the ball, a post attached at one end to the base plate that extends vertically from the tow bar adjacent to the ball and socket, an upper plate through which the post extends that moves vertically and rotates with respect to the post, a bushing with an opening in register with the opening in the upper plate through which the post extends, both the post and the bushing having transverse openings through which a lock bolt may be passed when the holes are aligned so that the upper plate will be held over the socket to prevent the socket from being disconnected from the ball.

Abstract: A tractor ball assembly to be mounted on the tongue at the rear end of the tractor having a plurality of balls to match the variously-sized sockets commonly used. The ball is mounted on a base which rests on the tractor tongue. Frusto-conical sections of identifical size and shape diamatrically opposed are cut in each ball and the upper side of the base has a surface complementary to the surface of one of the frusto-conical sections. A bolt, the under side of the head of which is a surface complementary to the ball frusto-conical surfaces fits into aligned holes in the ball, base and tongue and upon being tightened keeps the ball from slipping with respect to the base and/or the bolt.

Abstract: A ball and socket hitch between a towing vehicle and a towed trailer which is self-aligning and self-connecting. The hitch ball is provided with an underlying base supporting an upstanding housing having rearwardly diverging walls which guide the tongue on the towed vehicle to align the ball socket on the tongue with the hitch ball. A slide plate is operatively associated with the base and oriented in a vertically inclined position and has a bifurcated forward end engaging the hitch ball. The slide plate combined with the housing walls guides and lifts the tongue of the towed vehicle upwardly into overlying, aligned relation to the hitch ball. The slide plate pivots to a generally horizontal position as the ball socket on the tongue moves into overlying aligned relation to the hitch ball and then drops downwardly towards the base plate to enable the ball socket to drop downwardly onto and thus be connected with the hitch ball.

Abstract: A safety cable trailer coupler having a steel cable loop for encircling the shank of a ball hitch. The cable is fed through a slidable sleeve and the ends of the cable are pressed into a ferrule, and the ferrule may be bolted to a trailer tongue immediately behind the trailer coupler.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multiple ball trailer hitch comprising a bumper mount and a hitch plate provided with a plurality of different sized hitch balls. The hitch plate is settable on the bumper mount in a plurality of different hitch ball presenting positions according to desired hitch ball size. The overall trailer hitch has a pulling axis and the hitch plate is secured to the bumper mount by at least two securing posts in line with the pulling axis with the hitch ball in use being supported from beneath by the bumper mount.

Abstract: An improved trailer hitch assembly to be attached to a drawbar for towing a trailer, the assembly including an upright elongated hitch post threaded at the lower end by which it is attached to a drawbar, the upper end being of cylindrical external configuration and the post having a central passageway therein communicating with the bottom end, a grease fitting threadably received in an opening in the bottom end communicating with the passageway and the upper end of the passageway communicating with the external cylinder surface, and a ball having an opening therethrough rotatably received on the hitch post and a keeper ring secured to the upper end of the hitch post to retain the ball in position, grease being deposited from the grease fitting through the passageway to lubricate the cylindrical surface between the hitch post and the ball.

Abstract: A cover for a trailer hitch, to prevent inadvertent injury to personnel when the hitch is not being used. An upstanding dome is provided for use with hitches of the type having a ball. The dome incircles the ball, and in addition provides a clearance space above the top of the ball, such that the cover can yield when jarred by the knee or leg of a person, thereby preventing injury. The cover has a base which is preferably oversize with respect to the dimensions of the hitch bar, and is provided with internal ribs or other cushinong structures that are yieldable. The ribs engage the surface of the bar such that when the cover is inadvertently bumped, the ribs yield, again preventing injury to the leg of a person. The cover also serves to protect parts of the hitch from corrosion.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly which includes a hitch ball which is selectively positioned within a retention sleeve mounted below and through the cargo bed of a vehicle and which further includes a locking pin which secures the hitch ball either in a first upright position within the sleeve wherein the ball is elevated with respect to the cargo bed or in an inverted position wherein the base of the hitch ball is mounted flush with the cargo bed.

Abstract: A locking device at a trailer coupling, including a first part (1), which is adapted to be attachable to a towing vehicle, and a second part (2), which is adapted to be coupled to a trailed vehicle and to be releasably attachable to the first part (1). The first part (1) includes an opening (8), into which the second part (2) is introducable, and a locking bolt (10), which is displaceable in its axial direction into the opening (8) in the first part (1) to lock the second part (2) by engagement in a locking recess (11) therein in the position thereof where it is introduced in the opening (8) of the first part (1). The locking bolt (10) is urged by a spring (20) in a direction towards the opening (8) in the first part and manually operable in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A hitch ball (20) with a mating first set of shells (25a and 25b) and optionally a second set of shells (27a and 27b) to increase the diameter of the ball to accommodate various sized hitch assemblies (11) are described. In a preferred form detents (25e and 25f) in the first set of shells are provided in a recess (23) in the ball. Detents (27c and 27d) are provided on the detents (25e and 25f) of the first set of shells. The invention provides safe and effective mounting of the sets of shells on the hitch ball and prevents the shells being used on a conventional hitch ball which might not be rated for the increased capacity provided by the larger ball size.

Abstract: An improved trailer hitch is disclosed for coupling a towing vehicle and a trailer. The invention is suitable for accommodating both ball and socket-type couplings and ring and pintle-type couplings. The integral body of the trailer hitch has the known elements of a rear mount for attaching the body to a towing vehicle, a ball housing with a bore for mounting a removable ball stud, a plate for mating with the attachment means of a towed vehicle, and a passage for connecting a latching arm. The improvement comprises four elements. First, the latching arm has a head, having a front face and a rear face, and a pair of substantially parallel legs integrally attached to opposite sides of the head and extending beyond the faces of the head. Each leg has an aperture for mating with the passage of the integral body and engaging a pin. Second, to prevent rotation of the latching arm, a notch on the integral body seats the rear face of the latching arm.

Abstract: A tow bar assembly used to tow cars located on uneven terrain. The assembly uses two tow bars. One end of each tow bar is attached to a bumper housing. Each bumper housing is removably clamped to the bumper of a disabled vehicle by a chain which has one end secured to the undercarriage of the vehicle and the other end engaged to a chain hook member. The chain is pulled tight by tightening wing nuts threaded onto the upper end of a bolt which causes a spring located between the wing nuts and the top of the bumper housing to pull the chain tight. A socket member located where the other ends of the tow bars join together engages a ball member mounted on a supporting structure of a tow vehicle providing a universal-type joint. The socket member is secured to the ball member by a rotating latch member which uses a pin to prevent the latch member from rotating relative to the socket member, effectively locking the socket member to the ball member.

Abstract: A cover for a trailer hitch, to prevent inadvertent injury to personnel when the hitch is not being used. An upstanding dome is provided for use with hitches of the type having a ball. The dome encircles the ball, and in addition provides a clearance space above the top of the ball, such that the cover can yield when jarred by the knee or leg of a person, thereby preventing injury. The cover has a base which is preferably oversize with respect to the dimensions of the hitch bar, and is provided with internal ribs or other cushioning structures that are yieldable. The ribs engage the surface of the bar such that when the cover is inadvertently bumped, the ribs yield, again preventing injury to the leg of a person. The cover also serves to protect parts of the hitch from corrosion.

Abstract: The present invention is a ball hitch connector for use with a conventional ball hitch socket. The ball hitch connector includes a spherical body having a polygonally shaped bore to receive a generally cylindrical stud, where the upper section of the stud has a polygonal shape complimentary to the bore of the spherical body. The stud attaches to a generally conical collar, by means of a latch pin through two bored holes, one located in the lower section of the stud and one located in the base of the collar. The stud and attached collar are insertable within a base plate. The base of the collar is polygonal in shape. The base plate is a ring which has an inner cavity of corresponding shape to the collar. The collar and attached stud are held in place by means of the complimentary configured base plate cavity. The stud is secured to the base plate by a fastening means such as a nut and washer.

Abstract: A load carrying apparatus that attaches to the trailer hitch or receiver of a vehicle that provides a secondary hitch or receiver on the apparatus to enable the towing vehicle to carry a load on the carrying apparatus while still being able to tow a trailer or boat-trailer or the like.