Patent Application
20110101645
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/257,249 filed Nov. 2, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety.
The present invention relates generally to vehicle towing and, more particularly, to towing hitch apparatus.
Powered and trailed vehicles are conventionally interconnected for travel by coupling hitches involving fixed locations on the vehicles. Using ball and socket-type universal connections or pin-type connections, the required relative movement during travel is provided. The fixed locations, however, may be difficult to effect, particularly with large vehicles that prevent ready manual alignment for final coupling. In many instances, the receiving hitch of a towing vehicle may be misaligned relative to the tongue of a towed vehicle.
When accurate alignment is not obtained, conventionally the towed vehicle is manually moved to proper position, which may require strength, dexterity and multiple personnel, often with an attendant risk of injury. As the tongue weight of a towed vehicle increases, the skill required and risk associated with coupling the towed vehicle to a towing vehicle may be substantially increased. The problem may be particularly troublesome for large steerable wheel trailers, such as those employed by the military.
Telescoping and pivoting hitches have been proposed to allow coupling between misaligned vehicles. Most are designed for lighter weight trailers and unsuited for heavy load applications. Others provide only a length-dependent articulation reducing the accommodated zone of vehicle misalignment.
It should be appreciated that this Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form, the concepts being further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, a hitch apparatus includes a frame having an arm, and a hitch assembly movable along the arm between retracted and extended positions. The hitch assembly is also pivotable relative to the frame when in any of the extended positions. In some embodiments, an extent to which the hitch assembly can pivot relative to the frame progressively increases as the hitch assembly is progressively extended. Conversely, an extent to which the hitch assembly can pivot relative to the frame progressively decreases as the hitch assembly is progressively retracted. In some embodiments, a spool assembly is movably secured to the arm and is slidable along the arm. The hitch assembly is pivotably secured to the spool assembly. A locking mechanism is operably secured to the frame and is configured to releasably engage the spool assembly to maintain the hitch assembly in a retracted position.
In some embodiments, the hitch assembly includes a plate member and a hitch box. The hitch box is configured to receive a coupling apparatus therein. The plate member has an aperture formed therethrough and a recess or opening formed in an outer surface thereof adjacent to the aperture. The spool assembly is pivotably secured within the aperture of the plate member, and a guide pin located on the frame arm is operably engaged with the recess or opening. A peripheral wall of the recess or opening limits movement of the hitch assembly relative to the frame. The recess or opening has a configuration that guides the hitch assembly as the hitch assembly is retracted, and also limits an extent to which the hitch assembly can pivot relative to the frame. For example, the recess has a configuration such that an extent to which the hitch assembly can pivot relative to the frame progressively decreases as the hitch assembly is progressively retracted.
According to other embodiments of the present invention, a hitch apparatus includes a frame, a spool assembly, and a hitch assembly. The hitch assembly is movably secured to the frame so as to be movable between retracted and extended positions. In addition, the hitch assembly is pivotable relative to the frame when in any of the extended positions. In some embodiments, the frame includes a base with a pair of arms extending away from one side of the base in side by side, spaced-apart relationship, and a member extending away from an opposite side of the base. The member is adapted to couple with a socket member (often referred to as a “receiver” hitch or mount) attached to a vehicle. In some embodiments, the member may be bolted or otherwise attached to a towed vehicle or towing vehicle without the use of a receiver hitch.
A spool assembly is movably secured to elongated guides associated with the arms so as to be slidable along the arms. The hitch assembly is pivotably secured to the spool assembly and is movable relative to the frame between retracted and extended positions via the spool assembly. In addition, the hitch assembly is pivotably relative to the frame when in any of the extended positions via the spool assembly.
A locking mechanism is operably secured to the frame and is configured to releasably engage the spool assembly to maintain the hitch assembly in a fully retracted position. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism releasably engages an aperture in an intermediate portion of the spool assembly. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism includes a biasing member, such as a spring, that compressively biases a locking member toward the spool assembly aperture. In some embodiments of the present invention, to release the hitching assembly from the locking mechanism, a user grips the locking member and pulls the locking member out of the spool assembly aperture.
In some embodiments, the hitch assembly includes a pair of spaced apart plate members. A hitch box for receiving a coupling apparatus therein is sandwiched between the two plate members. Each plate member has an aperture formed therethrough and a recess or opening formed in an outer surface thereof adjacent to the aperture. The spool assembly is pivotably secured within the apertures of the plate members, and a guide pin located on each frame arm is operably engaged with a respective recess or opening. A peripheral wall of the recess or opening limits movement of the hitch assembly relative to the frame and serves the function of properly guiding the hitch assembly as the hitch assembly is being retracted. The recess or opening of each plate member has a configuration that limits an extent to which the hitch assembly can pivot relative to the frame. For example, each recess or opening has a configuration such that an extent to which the hitch assembly can pivot relative to the frame progressively decreases as the hitch assembly is progressively retracted.
According to other embodiments of the present invention, a hitch apparatus includes a plate member having an aperture formed therethrough and a recess or opening formed in an outer surface thereof adjacent to the aperture. A hitch box is secured to the plate member and is configured to receive a coupling apparatus therein. A spool assembly having an end portion is pivotably secured within the aperture. In some embodiments, the recess or opening has a substantially triangular shape with arcuate sides. In some embodiments, the width of the recess or opening decreases in a direction away from the aperture.
According to other embodiments of the present invention, a hitch apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart plate members and a hitch box positioned between and secured to the plate members. The hitch box is configured to receive a coupling apparatus therein. Each plate member has an aperture formed therethrough and a recess or opening formed in an outer surface thereof adjacent to the aperture. The hitch apparatus also includes a spool assembly having opposite end portions. Each end portion of the spool assembly is pivotably secured within an aperture in a respective plate. In some embodiments, each recess has a substantially triangular shape with arcuate sides. In some embodiments, the width of each recess in a plate decreases in a direction away from the respective plate aperture.
It is noted that aspects of the invention described with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated in a different embodiment although not specifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination. Applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to be able to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. These and other objects and/or aspects of the present invention are explained in detail in the specification set forth below.
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the figures, certain features and elements may be exaggerated for clarity, and broken lines illustrate optional features or elements unless specified otherwise. In addition, the sequence of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order presented in the figures and/or claims unless specifically indicated otherwise. Features described with respect to one figure or embodiment can be associated with another embodiment of figure although not specifically described or shown as such.
It will be understood that when a feature or element is referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may be abbreviated as “/”.
Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical” “horizontal” and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.
It will be understood that although the terms first and second are used herein to describe various features or elements, these features or elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one feature or element from another feature or element. Thus, a first feature or element discussed below could be termed a second feature or element, and similarly, a second feature or element discussed below could be termed a first feature or element without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.
The term “vehicle” includes all types of vehicles including, but not limited to, automobiles, trucks, military vehicles, airplanes, trains, etc., and also includes towed vehicles and towing vehicles.
Referring initially to
The illustrated frame 20 has a tuning fork configuration and comprises a base assembly 30 and an arm assembly 40. As illustrated in
A pair of adjacent, spaced-apart walls 36 extend away from the first side 32a of the base 32. Each of the walls 36 includes an aperture 37 formed therethrough. Walls 36 are adapted to couple with the spool assembly 60 and locking mechanism 100, as will be described in detail below.
As illustrated in
Referring to
The U-shaped wall portions 42 and base plate member 44 define a pair of elongated arms 46 (
Embodiments of the present invention, however, are not limited to the illustrated configuration of the frame 20. In some embodiments, the frame 20 may be a unitary article (e.g., may be formed or cast) and a separate arm assembly and base assembly may not be necessary. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the illustrated configuration of each elongated arm 46. Although illustrated as defining a U-shaped chamber 47, each arm 46 may have other configurations. The purpose of each arm 46 is to support a respective guide 48 upon which an end 62a, 62b of the spool assembly 60 is movably secured, as will be described below. Various arm configurations may be capable of serving this purpose.
As illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, a first end 48a (
Each guide pin 52 may be fixedly secured to a respective endcap member 52 in various ways. For example, each guide pin 52 may threadingly engage a respective endcap member 49. Alternatively, each guide pin 52 may be fixedly secured to an endcap member 49 via welding or fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws, threaded rods, rivets, etc.) or a combination of welding and fasteners.
A spool assembly 60, illustrated in
The illustrated spool assembly 60 includes two portions 68 that are substantially identical, as illustrated in
The end portions 62c, 62d of the two spool assembly portions 68 each have an aperture 65 formed therethrough, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
Each plate member 84 has a generally oval shape (although other shapes are possible) with an aperture 86 formed therethrough at one end of the plate member 84, as illustrated. Each plate member 84 also includes a recess 88 formed in an outer surface 84a adjacent to the aperture 86. In some embodiments of the present invention, recess 88 may also be an opening formed completely through each plate member 84 (e.g., opening 88′ in
The illustrated recess 88 in each plate member 84 has a substantially triangular shape with slightly arcuate sides (i.e., portions of the peripheral wall 90 are arcuate). As illustrated, the width of the recess 88 decreases in the direction away from the aperture 86. It is this substantially triangular shape that governs the extent to which the hitch assembly 80 can pivot relative to the frame 20 during extension and retraction thereof. Recess 88 can have various shapes and configurations and is not limited to the illustrated configuration.
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 100 includes a biasing element (not shown), such as a spring, that compressively biases or urges the locking member 102 toward a locking position (i.e., the locking member 102 is urged in the direction of the apertures 37, 67). The illustrated locking member 102 includes a free end portion 104 that is configured to be gripped by a user such that the user can pull the locking member 102 outwardly from the frame 20 and disengage the locking member 102 from the spool assembly 60. The locking member 102 is configured to slide on top of or against a member and then move into engagement with the spool assembly when the hitch assembly is fully retracted.
Operation of the hitch apparatus 10 is illustrated in
In
Peripheral wall portions 90c, 90d converge toward the recess portion 88a and peripheral wall portion 90a. In other words, the width between peripheral wall portions 90c and 90d is greatest adjacent the peripheral wall portion 90b and smallest adjacent the peripheral wall portion 90a. This converging configuration of peripheral wall portions 90c and 90d also causes the extent to which the hitch assembly 80 can pivot (i.e., A2) to decrease as the hitch assembly 80 is retracted and, conversely, also causes the extent to which the hitch assembly 80 can pivot (i.e., A2) to increase as the hitch assembly 80 is extended. In addition, peripheral wall portions 90c, 90d, via contact with the guide pins 52, guide the hitch assembly 80 as it is being retracted to the fully retracted position (
Referring to
Once the ball 204 is properly secured within the hitch socket 302, the towing vehicle and towed vehicle are moved toward each other such that the hitch assembly 80 moves to the fully retracted position. The locking member 100 is then inserted through apertures 37 and 67 to securely retain the hitch assembly 80 in the fully retracted position, as illustrated in
Referring to
The illustrated hitch apparatus 10 of
The illustrated frame 20 has a tuning fork configuration and comprises a base assembly 30 and an arm assembly 40. The base assembly 30 includes an elongated base 32 having opposite first and second sides 32a, 32b, and opposite end portions 32c, 32d. An elongated member 34 extends away from the second side 32b of the base 32 and is adapted to couple with a socket member 202 (e.g., a receiver hitch, etc.) mounted to a vehicle 200 (
As illustrated in
The U-shaped members 42′ define a pair of elongated arms 46 in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship. The arms 46 lie substantially within the same plane, as illustrated. The orientation of arms 46 and member 34 give the frame 20 its tuning fork shape. Each arm 46 has a U-shaped chamber 47 (
As illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, a first end 48a of each elongated guide 48 is secured within a respective bore 38 in the base 32 (
Each guide pin 52 may be fixedly secured to a respective endcap member 52 in various ways. For example, each guide pin 52 may threadingly engage a respective endcap member 49. Alternatively, each guide pin 52 may be fixedly secured to an endcap member 49 via welding or fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws, threaded rods, rivets, etc.) or a combination of welding and fasteners.
A spool assembly 60 (
Each end portion 62a, 62b of the illustrated spool assembly 60 includes a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 70 that is configured to be inserted within, and matingly engage, a respective hitch assembly plate aperture 86 during assembly of the hitch apparatus 10. The outer surface 70a of each peripheral wall 70 serves as a bearing surface to facilitate rotation of the hitch assembly 80 relative to the spool assembly 60. The spool assembly 60 also includes a locking member retaining arm 63 that is secured to the spool assembly intermediate portion 64 (
As illustrated in
Each plate member 84 has a generally oval shape (although other shapes are possible) with an aperture 86 formed therethrough at one end of the plate member 84, as illustrated. Each plate member 84 also includes a larger opening 88′ adjacent to the aperture 86. Each opening 88′ serves the same purpose as recess 88 in the plate members 84 of the hitch apparatus 10 of
The illustrated opening 88′ in each plate member 84 has a substantially triangular shape with slightly arcuate sides (i.e., portions of the peripheral wall 90 are arcuate). As illustrated, the width of the opening 88′ decreases in the direction away from the aperture 86. It is this substantially triangular shape that governs the extent to which the hitch assembly 80 can pivot relative to the frame 20 during extension and retraction thereof. Opening 88′ can have various shapes and configurations and is not limited to the illustrated configuration.
As illustrated in
When the locking member 102 is disengaged from the retaining arm passageway 63a and the hitch assembly 80 is moved to an extended position, the biasing member 101 urges the locking member 102 into contact with the surface of the retaining arm 63.
Referring to
Operation of the hitch apparatus 10 of
However, in some embodiments, a pair of guides, such as elongated rods (not shown), may be supported by the single arm 46 in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship. The pair of side-by-side guides slidably support the spool assembly 60 and allow the spool assembly 60 to move between extended and retracted positions. In this embodiment, a pair of side-by-side passageways (such as passageway 66 illustrated in
The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61257249 | Nov 2009 | US |
