Patent Application
20060103111
The present invention relates generally to trailer hitches and trailer hitch receivers, and more particularly to arrangements for hitching a trailer to a tow vehicle.
Connecting a tongue of a trailer to a trailer hitch of a tow vehicle using conventional approaches can be difficult. This is particularly true when the trailer cannot be readily manipulated by hand. For example, when the weight of a trailer and/or the orientation of the trailer (e.g., on an incline) is such that the trailer cannot be readily moved by hand for facilitating connection of the tongue of the trailer to the trailer hitch, the tow vehicle must be backed to either a position with the trailer hitch aligned under the tongue of the trailer or a position where only slight manual maneuvering of the trailer is required to align the trailer hitch with the tongue of the trailer.
For several reasons, such conventional approaches for connecting a tongue of trailer to a trailer hitch of a tow vehicle often require two people. Typically, a first person backs the vehicle under direction of a second person. The directions from the second person aid in aligning the trailer hitch to the tongue of the trailer and in precluding the tow vehicle from being accidentally backed into the tongue of the trailer. In some cases, such conventional approaches require two people because one person has to maneuver and hold the trailer in position (i.e., the tongue aligned over the trailer hitch) while a second person lowers the tongue of the trailer (e.g., via a hand crank) onto a ball of the trailer hitch.
Therefore, a trailer hitching apparatus that overcomes limitations associated with conventional trailed hitch assemblies and trailer-hitching approaches would be useful and advantageous.
Briefly described, in a first preferred form the present invention is an attachment that can be added to a vehicle to make it easier to secure a trailer to a trailer hitch. A receiver hitch is mounted to the vehicle, along with a winch. A cable from the winch extends through the receiver tube portion of the receiver hitch and is attached to the receiver stub. The winch can be operated to allow one to draw out the receiver stub from the receiver tube. The receiver stub is then attached to the trailer while extended from the receiver tube. After securing the receiver stub to the trailer, the winch is operated again to draw the receiver stub back into the receiver tube.
Advantageously, this eliminates the need to precisely align the trailer with the hitch. The winch draws the receiver stub back into the receiver tube, despite some misalignment with the trailer.
Preferably, the “nose” of the receiver stub is tapered (and/or the opening in the receiver tube is tapered) to help guide and ease the receiver stub back into the receiver tube despite less than perfect alignment.
Optionally, the winch can be situated to be in line with the receiver tube so that the cable is pulled straight in. Optionally, in order to avoid an under-vehicle spare tire (or for other space considerations), the cable can be diverted by a pulley so that the winch is offset by an angle.
The invention can be provided on new vehicles during manufacturing or can be retrofitted to existing vehicles.
The present invention allows a person to attach a trailer to a vehicle, even if the operator of the vehicle doesn't have the strength to manipulate the trailer into final position (as is often needed in the prior art) and doesn't require precise alignment of the vehicle to the trailer. This makes attaching the trailer easier, safer, and more reliable.
Apparatuses and methods in accordance with embodiments of the disclosures made herein are configured for engaging a trailer hitch with a trailer hitch receiver using a winching device. Such apparatuses and methods are configured for overcoming limitations associated with conventional trailer hitch assemblies and trailer-hitching approaches. The present invention allows a trailer that cannot be moved readily by hand to be connected to a tow vehicle by a single person in a relatively easy, safe and simple manner.
Apparatuses and methods in accordance with embodiments of the disclosures made herein are particularly advantageous and useful when a trailer that needs to be hitched to a tow vehicle cannot be readily manipulated by hand (e.g., manually rolled or pushed). In instances where the weight of the trailer and/or the orientation of the trailer (e.g., on an incline) is such that the trailer cannot be readily moved by hand for facilitating connection of the tongue of the trailer to the trailer hitch, such apparatuses and methods allow a single person to connect the trailer to the tow vehicle easily, safely and simply. Specifically, with the tow vehicle in a backed position achievable by a single person (i.e., backed into an approximate vicinity of the trailer without being directed by a second person), such apparatuses and methods allow the tow vehicle and trailer to be mechanically drawn into engagement with each other. Accordingly, such apparatuses and methods dramatically reduce the potential for damage to the tow vehicle and trailer and the potential for human injury during the trailer hitching process.
In one embodiment of the disclosures made herein, a trailer hitching apparatus comprises a trailer hitch receiver assembly, a winching device and a cable. The trailer hitch receiver assembly includes a receiver tube having a first end, a second end, an opening at the second end, and a passage extending from the opening toward the first end. The cable has a first end thereof configured for being attached to a spool of the winching device and a second end thereof configured for being connected to a receiver stub of a trailer hitch. At least one of the ends of the cable is configured for enabling the cable to be routed through the opening at the second end of the receiver tube thereby enabling the cable to be wound onto the spool of the winch while correspondingly pulling the receiver stub of the trailer hitch into the passage of the receiver tube. The winching device can be mounted on the chassis of the vehicle or the trailer hitch receiver assembly. Optionally, the trailer hitch receiver assembly can include a plurality of guide members mounted within the opening for aiding in engagement of the receiver stub within the receiver tube. A cable guide member is attached to the trailer hitch receiver assembly and the cable is partially wrapped around a circumference of the cable guide member for enabling the cable to be directed toward the spool of the winching device.
In another embodiment of the disclosures made herein, a trailer hitching apparatus comprises a trailer hitch receiver assembly, a winching device, a trailer hitch and a cable. The trailer hitch receiver assembly is mountable on a chassis of a vehicle and includes a receiver tube having a first end, a second end, an opening at the second end, and a passage extending from the opening toward the first end. The winching device is mountable on at least one of the chassis of the vehicle and the trailer hitch receiver assembly. The trailer hitch includes a receiver stub configured for being engaged within the receiver tube through the opening at the second end of the receiver tube. The cable has a first end thereof attached to a spool of the winching device and a second end thereof attached to the receiver stub of the trailer hitch. The cable extends through the opening of the receiver tube. A first end of the receiver stub is tapered for aiding in engagement with the receiver tube.
The receiver stub includes a plurality of pin engaging holes formed therethrough. A first one of the pin engaging holes is positioned adjacent to a receiver tube engaging end of the receiver stub and a second one of the pin engaging holes is positioned adjacent to a tongue mounting end of the receiver stub. The second end of the cable is attached to a pin extending through the second one of the pin engaging holes. The trailer hitch includes a stop member attached thereto for limiting an insertion depth of the receiver stub within the receiver tube such that the first one of the pin engaging holes is approximately aligned with a mating hole at the second end of the receiver tube when the stop member contacts the receiver tube. A cable guide member is attached to the trailer hitch receiver assembly with the cable being partially wraps around a circumference of the cable guide member for enabling the cable to be directed toward the spool of the winching device. When the winch is activated for winding the cable onto the spool of the winch, the receiver stub of the trailer hitch is correspondingly pulled into the passage of the receiver tube.
In another embodiment of the disclosures made herein, a method for engaging a trailer hitch with a trailer hitch receiver comprises extending a cable through a receiver stub opening in a receiver tube of a trailer hitch receiver assembly, attaching a first end of the cable to a winching device, wrapping the cable partially around a circumference of the cable guide member for enabling the cable to be directed toward the spool of the winching device, attaching a second end of the cable to a receiver stub of a trailer hitch and operating the winching device for winding the cable onto the spool of the winching device thereby pulling the receiver stub of the trailer hitch, which is attached to the tongue of the trailer, into the passage of the receiver tube. The receiver tube includes a first end and a second end, and extending the cable through the receiver stub opening includes extending the cable through a passage of the receiver tube that extends from the receiver stub opening toward the first end of the receiver tube.
Turning now to the drawing figures, a trailer hitching apparatus 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosures made herein is depicted in
The winching device 14 is mountable on at least one of the chassis of the vehicle (not specifically shown) and the trailer hitch receiver assembly 12 (e.g., on the first end of the receiver tube 20). As depicted in
The receiver tube 20 has a first end 26, a second end 28, an opening 30 (i.e., a receiver stub opening) at the second end 28, a lock pin hole 32 extending through opposing walls adjacent the second end, and a passage 33 extending from the opening 30 toward the first end 26. The first mounting member 22 is attached to the receiver tube 20 in a transverse orientation adjacent the first end 26 of the receiver tube 20. The second mounting member 24 is attached to the receiver tube 20 in a transverse orientation adjacent the second end 28 of the receiver tube 20.
The trailer hitch 16 includes a receiver stub 34 and a ball mounting flange 36. The ball mounting flange 36 is attached to the receiver stub 34 at a tongue mounting end 38 (i.e., a first end) of the receiver stub 34. A receiver tube engaging end 40 (i.e., a second end) of the receiver stub 34 has tapered faces 42 for aiding in engagement of the receiver stub 34 with the receiver tube 20. As shown in
The receiver stub 34 includes a plurality of pin engaging holes 44 formed through opposing faces of the receiver stub 34. A first one of the pin engaging holes 44 is positioned adjacent to the receiver tube engaging end 40 of the receiver stub 34. A second one of the pin engaging holes 44 is positioned adjacent to the tongue mounting end 38 of the receiver stub 34.
A stop member 46 (e.g., a piece of rectangular bar stock) is attached to the receiver stub 34 and/or to the ball mounting flange 36. The stop member 46 is configured for limiting an insertion depth of the receiver stub 34 within the receiver tube such that the first one of the pin engaging holes is approximately aligned with a mating hole at the second end of the receiver tube when the stop member 46 contacts the receiver tube.
The cable 18 has a first end (not specifically shown) attached to a spool 48 of the winching device 14 and a second end 50 thereof attached to the receiver stub 34 of the trailer hitch. The cable 18 extends through the opening 30 and passage 33 of the receiver tube 20. The second end 50 of the cable 18 is attached within the receiver stub 34 to a pin 52 extending through the second one of the pin engaging holes 44 (i.e., the hole closest to the tongue mounting end 38 of the receiver stub 34).
Cable specifications (e.g., load rating) are dependent on the strength necessary for a given application and/or load. Similarly, specifications for winching devices, lock pins and other physical and mechanical aspects/components of trailer hitching apparatuses in accordance with embodiments of the disclosures made herein are dependent upon requirements for particular applications.
It is contemplated that the cable guiding member 60 may extend partially through an aperture in a wall of the receiver tube 20 at a location between the first and second ends of the receiver tube 20. In this manner, the cable guiding member 60 facilitated the cable 18 to extend through a wall of the receiver tube 20 (e.g., mid way between the first and second ends 26, 28 of the receiver tube 20. Such an arrangement is useful as it increases the number of potential mounting locations for the winching device 14. It is contemplated that the cable guide member 60 may be fixedly mounted (i.e., rotates about a single axis) or pivotally mounted (i.e., rotates about one of a plurality of instant axes). It is contemplated herein that the cable guide member 60 may be mounted within the passage 33 of the receiver tube 20, on the winching device 14 or an ancillary tube (not specifically shown) of the cable hitching apparatus 10.
Turning now to
The receiver tube 220 has an open end 28 (near the rearmost portion of the vehicle), an opening 230 (i.e., a receiver stub opening) at the open end 28, and a passage 233 extending from the opening 230 toward the opposite end. The first mounting member 22 is attached to the receiver tube 20 in a transverse orientation adjacent the first end 26 of the receiver tube 220.
The trailer hitch includes a receiver stub 234 and a ball mounting flange 236. The ball mounting flange 236 is attached to the receiver stub 234 at a tongue mounting end 238 (i.e., a first end) of the receiver stub 34. A receiver tube engaging end 240 (i.e., a second end) of the receiver stub 234 has tapered faces 242 for aiding in engagement of the receiver stub 234 with the receiver tube 220. As shown in this figure, it is contemplated herein that the surfaces of the passage 233 that define the opening 30 may be tapered (shown here with a slight chamfer).
The receiver stub 234 includes a cable pin 250 extending thereacross for capturing the end of the cable 218 using a grommet 255 or swaged nut (or other device). Notably, the cable pin 250 is positioned between the nose end (tapered end) 240 of the receiver stub 234 and the pin hole 244, adding to the stability of the receiver stub 234 as it is drawn back into the receiver tube 220.
Referring now to
In operation, apparatuses in accordance with embodiments of the disclosures made herein provide for a novel useful and advantageous method for engaging a trailer hitch with a trailer hitch receiver to be carried out. The method includes extending a cable through a receiver stub opening in a receiver tube of a trailer hitch receiver assembly, attaching a first end of the cable to a winching device, attaching a second end of the cable to a receiver stub of a trailer hitch and attaching the trailer hitch to the tongue of a trailer. With the receiver stub at a lower height than that of the receiver tube, the winching device is then operated such that the cable is wound onto the spool of the winching device thereby pulling the receiver stub of the trailer hitch, which is attached to the tongue of the trailer, into the passage of the receiver tube. A lock pin may then be inserted through the receiver tube and receiver stub for securing them together. Accordingly, apparatuses and methods in accordance with embodiments of the disclosures made herein allow a trailer that cannot be readily moved by hand to be connected to a tow vehicle by a single person in a relatively easy, safe and simple manner.
Preferably, the winching device of trailer hitching apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosures made herein is mounted on the tow vehicle. However, it is contemplated herein that, in some embodiments of the disclosures made herein, the winching device can be mounted on the trailer. In such embodiments, the cable passes through the receiver stub of the trailer hitch, through the receiver stub opening of the receiver tube and is connected to the trailer hitch receiving assembly or to the chassis of the vehicle. In this manner, an apparatus having such an arrangement is capable of providing trailer hitching functionality in accordance with the disclosures made herein.
An apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the disclosures made herein is designed to facilitate connecting a trailer to a towing hitch. In doing so, such an apparatus provides a user with a wider margin of error when backing a tow vehicle up to a trailer to make a connection. Installation of such an apparatus requires the investment of time and money. However, once installed, such an apparatus is relatively simple and inexpensive to operate. Furthermore, it is capable of being operated by a single person with minimal physical exertion and use of time.
Apparatuses in accordance with embodiments of the disclosures made herein are capable of being fabricated using known fabrication techniques and commercially available materials. For example, steel tubing is a preferred choice for the major components of a trailer hitch receiver assembly and trailer hitch. Such major components may be fabricated using know operations such as cutting, drilling, welding and bending.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and substitutions can be made to the embodiments of the invention herein described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their full scope of equivalents.
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/739,604 filed on Dec. 18, 2003 entitled TRAILER HITCHING APPARATUS, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/456,061 filed Mar. 20, 2003 entitled “Winch-N-Hitch”.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60456061 | Mar 2003 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10739734 | Dec 2003 | US |
| Child | 11235849 | Sep 2005 | US |
| Parent | 10739604 | Dec 2003 | US |
| Child | 11235849 | Sep 2005 | US |
