Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
280511000 | Ball and socket | 65 |
20080272574 | Hitch ball hole. - The Hitch Ball Hole is intended to provide added security from theft of existing hitch balls. An appropriate-size hole will be drilled, machined, or bored completely through the threaded portion of the shank to allow a padlock or similar locking mechanism be attached to prevent the nut securing the hitch ball from being unbolted. | 11-06-2008 |
20090026730 | BALL MOUNT AND HITCH BALL ASSEMBLY - An assembly provides for a ball mount, a hitch ball and means for securing the hitch ball to the ball mount. It also provides means for preventing rotation of the hitch ball during attachment of the hitch ball to the ball mount. This rotation-preventing means comprises a geometrically-profiled aspect of both the ball mount and the hitch ball such that the relative position of the two elements is maintained during attachment of the hitch ball to the ball mount as well as when the hitch ball is removed from the ball mount. | 01-29-2009 |
20090039619 | TOW HITCH - A tow hitch comprises an elongated tubular shank of rectangular cross-section having four side walls; and at least one tow ball mounted to an adjacent side wall of the shank with a mounting shank extending from a base of the tow ball through a first hole in the adjacent side wall and a second hole in a side wall opposite the adjacent side wall. | 02-12-2009 |
20090079164 | Multi-Function Anti-Rotational/Anti-Theft Hitch Ball Assembly - The Multi-Function Anti-Rotational/Anti-Theft Hitch Ball Assembly of the present invention provides a trailer hitch assembly that includes an anti-rotational hitch ball mechanism that can also serve as an anti-theft hitch ball mechanism and can further simultaneously function as an attachment method for securing additional hitch accessories to the ball mount. The invention provides an engagement method for interlocking the hitch ball with the ball mount preventing rotation of the hitch ball relative to the ball mount. The interlocking engagement assembly may also be locked in place preventing the hitch ball from being removed from the ball mount if the hitch ball fastener is removed. In addition, a component of the assembly can serve as an attachment method for securing additional accessories to the ball mount. | 03-26-2009 |
20090108568 | Adjustable trailer coupler - A trailer coupler and a method for securing a trailer coupler to a trailer frame are disclosed. The trailer coupler has an attachment portion for securing the trailer coupler to a towing vehicle. The trailer coupler is adjustable and movable from a first position to a second position. The sides of the trailer coupler are at a first angle at the first position and at a second angle at the second position. | 04-30-2009 |
20090115166 | Trailer Coupler - A new and improved trailer coupler which is spring loaded, and connected to the hitch ball of a towing vehicle is provided. Moreover, the new and improved trailer coupler has a latch activated from the top of the trailer coupler that is connected to a means for grasping and securing the hitch ball on a tow vehicle such that the trailer coupler does not unhitch from the ball of the tow vehicle. Further, the present invention provides a new and improved trailer coupler having a latch apparatus that facilitates engagement and disengagement of the trailer coupler to the hitch ball of the tow vehicle wherein the latch apparatus has a secondary locking mechanism in the form of a locking pin wherein the locking pin is placed in a position within the latch apparatus wherein the locking pin penetrates an opening within the latch such that the latch apparatus may not be manually or accidentally unlatched without prior removal of the locking pin. | 05-07-2009 |
20090218789 | LOW MOVEMENT TRAILER HITCH - A rigid trailer hitch is disclosed that uses pressure produced by a wedge into force against trailer hitch receiver walls, while still retaining a retaining pin as a backup. The wedge can be driven by rotary force translated through a compound miter or a split wedge across a retaining pin. | 09-03-2009 |
20090267323 | Interchangeable hitch ball assembly - An interchangeable hitch ball assembly that may be easily interchangeable with the hitch of a towing vehicle and that may prevent a trailer socket from being connected to the hitch ball prior to securing the hitch ball to the hitch bar. The hitch ball assembly may include a ball member, a body, a passageway, at least one locking member, an elongated member located within the passageway and biased toward the at least one locking member, and a plunger capable of being moved by the elongated member between a locked position and an unlocked or release position. The plunger may be moved toward the locking member to force at least a portion of the locking member outside of the body to lock the assembly. The plunger may be moved away from the locking member to allow the locking member to retreat into the body and unlock the assembly. | 10-29-2009 |
20090295125 | FIFTH WHEEL HITCH SYSTEM - A precision, light weight, high strength hitch for coupling a trailer or other vehicle to a towing vehicle. The hitch includes a mounting ball attached to a portion of the trailer or other vehicle and a ball socket attached to the towing vehicle. The mounting ball and the ball socket have compatible surfaces that permit seating of the two components regardless of the axial, transverse or longitudinal angular or rotational orientation of the two vehicles. | 12-03-2009 |
20090302576 | Trailer Coupler with Sight Hole - A coupler assembly for coupling a trailer to a towing vehicle hitch ball includes a coupler housing with an interior that defines a coupler socket adapted to receive a hitch ball. The coupler housing also includes a sight hole that communicates with the coupler socket and allows a user to see into the coupler socket to confirm proper engagement of the hitch ball and coupler. | 12-10-2009 |
20100007116 | Maximum Security/Maximum Versatility Ball Mount Assembly - The maximum security/maximum versatility ball mount assembly provides an assembly for securing a ball mount or other accessory shank to a receiver hitch on automotive vehicles, tractors, ATVs, and other vehicles equipped with a receiver-type hitch. As the shank of a hitch accessory or implement is inserted into a receiver, dual retractable hitch pins automatically engage the receiver when the pins align with the two hitch-pin apertures in the receiver tube, thereby securing the ball mount/accessory's shank to the vehicle's receiver. A shank end cap shields the hitch pin assembly's internal components from dirt and/or rust particles, and the end cap also serves as an innovative and useful alignment aid when inserting the shank into a vehicle's receiver. | 01-14-2010 |
20100044999 | HITCH-MOUNTED LAWN AND GARDEN TRACTOR/ATV ACCESSORY SYSTEM - The hitch-mounted Lawn and Garden Tractor/ATV Accessory System provides an assembly for the attachment of one or more accessories, attachments, or implements to a lawn and garden tractor and/or ATV. The hitch-mounted support base of the accessory system accommodates the attachment of numerous accessories. With no restrictions to equipment brands and models, the accessory system is easily transferable from one equipment brand to the next as well as between lawn and garden tractors and ATVs, resulting in maximum versatility in accessory choice and use. | 02-25-2010 |
20100090442 | Coupler Assembly With Guided Ball Clamp - A coupler assembly for coupling a trailer to a towing vehicle hitch ball has a housing with an interior that defines a coupler socket adapted to receive a hitch ball. A ball clamp is disposed within the interior of the coupler housing and is movable toward and away from the coupler socket. The ball clamp has a clamping portion that retains the hitch ball within the coupler socket with the ball clamp positioned toward the coupler socket in a hitch ball retention position. A guide ramp is disposed within the coupler housing rearward of the coupler socket. The guide ramp projects toward the ball clamp and slopes upward and forward toward the coupler socket. A lateral guide member is disposed on the ball clamp rearward of the guide ramp. The lateral guide member cooperates with the guide ramp surface to limit forward movement of the ball clamp into the coupler socket. | 04-15-2010 |
20100148471 | Configurable trailer hitch apparatus - The present invention is a configurable trailer hitch that provides an extended towing position for transferring a tractor force to a load, and a retracted storage position for safely stowing the hitch under a towing vehicle. The trailer hitch has a spring loaded retaining pin which engages a hitch receiver when the trailer hitch is placed in the towing position, and a storage latch adapted to hold the hitch receiver when the trailer hitch is placed in the storage position. | 06-17-2010 |
20100308560 | INTERCHANGEABLE HITCH BALL - An interchangeable hitch ball assembly is provided having hitch post, a removable hitch ball, and a connector pin. The hitch post defines an annular groove proximate to the top end that is sized to receive spaced-apart prongs of the connector pin along opposing sides of the hitch post. Removable hitch ball defines a pin recess aligned with the annular groove of the hitch post. The user can remove the hitch ball by extracting the connector pin. In this manner, the user can utilize hitch balls of different sizes, as needed. | 12-09-2010 |
20110031719 | TOW BALL - The present invention relates to a tow ball device adapted to connection to a tow bar of a vehicle having a substantially horizontal surface and a vertical aperture, the tow ball device including a solid ball with a shaft extending to a flange, the flange including an underside surface adapted to abut with the tow bar horizontal surface, and at least two upright, parallel flat surfaces to provide an engagement surface for a gripping tool above the tow bar. The tow ball device further includes a threaded shaft extending downwardly from the flange through said tow bar aperture, and a correspondingly threaded nut adapted for engagement with the threaded shaft below the tow bar when the flange is rotated using the gripping tool. | 02-10-2011 |
20110068559 | Fork Lift Receiver Hitch - A fork lift hitch receiver has a trailer attachment side and a fork lift receiving side separated by an insert guard. Top, middle and bottom structural layers on the fork lift receiving side are provided with apertures which form a rod reception path. The fork lift receiving side is inserted into a receiving cavity of the forklift where an attachment rod of the forklift is inserted through the rod reception path. The insert guard covers the receiving cavity and assists in orienting the fork lift receiving side to a location within the cavity where the attachment rod can be inserted through the reception path. A guide path formed in the top layer on the receiving side of the fork lift hitch receiver further aids in guiding the attachment rod to the reception path. A ball and a ball support member are attached to the trailer attachment side. | 03-24-2011 |
20110181022 | TOW HITCH - A tow hitch comprises an elongated tubular shank of rectangular cross-section having four side walls; and at least one tow ball mounted to an adjacent side wall of the shank with a mounting shank extending from a base of the tow ball through a first hole in the adjacent side wall and a second hole in a side wall opposite the adjacent side wall. | 07-28-2011 |
20110193320 | Coupling Device And Method - A coupling device is provided including a first coupling member or portion and second coupling member or portion where the second coupling member is configured to releasably engage the first coupling member. The second coupling member includes a locking sleeve or locking sleeve assembly slideably mounted on a cup body with the sleeve capable of being shifted toward an opening of the cup body to an unlocked position that permits insertion of the first coupling member into the second coupling member. The sleeve has an inner surface that covers and protects a fastening element positioned within bores of the cup body in both the locked and unlocked positions thereof. In one form, the locking sleeve assembly includes a locking device which restricts the sleeve from inadvertently shifting toward the unlocked position. | 08-11-2011 |
20110193321 | HITCH BALL MOUNT - A hitch device for a trailer mount is provided. The hitch device includes a mounting portion, a receiver sleeve receiving the mounting portion, wherein the receiver sleeve includes a cross-section having a quadrilateral shape. In one aspect, the mounting portion includes a plurality of walls, wherein each of the walls projects towards internal corners of the receiver sleeve. In another aspect, the walls includes a concave portion and a convex portion. In yet another aspect, a center distance between each of first center portions of a first pair of opposing walls is less than an edge distance between each of two first edge portions, and a second center distance between each of second center portions of a second pair of opposing walls is less than a second edge distance between each of two second edge portions. | 08-11-2011 |
20110233899 | Coupler Assembly with Guided Ball Clamp - A coupler assembly for coupling a trailer to a towing vehicle hitch ball is provided. The assembly includes a housing with a coupler socket adapted to receive a hitch ball. A ball clamp is disposed within the interior of the coupler housing and is movable toward and away from the coupler socket. The ball clamp has a clamping portion that retains the hitch ball within the coupler socket with the ball clamp positioned toward the coupler socket in a hitch ball retention position. A guide ramp is disposed within the coupler housing rearward of the coupler socket. The guide ramp projects toward the ball clamp and slopes upward and forward toward the coupler socket. A lateral guide member is disposed on the ball clamp rearward of the guide ramp. The lateral guide member cooperates with the guide ramp surface to limit forward movement of the ball clamp into the coupler socket. | 09-29-2011 |
20110285108 | HITCH MECHANISM - An improved hitch mechanism is provided that includes an elongated shaft for connecting with a ramp or trailer, and a mating member for connecting with a tow ball of a tow hitch. The mating member includes a chamber disposed therein for housing the tow ball in a first position and in a second position. When the tow ball is in the first position in the chamber, the mating member and the elongated shaft are rigid relative to the tow hitch. When the tow ball is in the second position in the chamber, the mating member and the elongated shaft are non-rigid relative to the tow hitch. | 11-24-2011 |
20110309600 | Coupling Device - A coupling device for coupling a first vehicle to a second towed vehicle, the coupling device including a pillar ( | 12-22-2011 |
20120068439 | Fast Hook-Up Hitch - A hitch attached to a tow vehicle includes a plate slideably engaged within a plate receiver and having a ball mounted thereon. To attach the tow vehicle to a trailer, the tow vehicle is positioned such that the plate having the ball mounted thereto is placed in the vicinity of a ball receiver attached to the trailer. The plate is then repositioned manually until the ball is positioned directly under the ball receiver and the ball receiver is lowered onto the ball. After attachment of the ball to the ball receiver, the tow vehicle reverses causing the plate to advance into the plate receiver until a retainer pin locks the plate to the plate receiver thereby preventing the plate from moving relative to the plate receiver. | 03-22-2012 |
20120200068 | RAISED RAILS HITCH - A hitch device for a trailer mount. The hitch device includes a mounting portion for being received within a receiver portion attached to a vehicle. The hitch device includes a tongue portion secured to the mounting portion. The tongue portion includes an upper face, a lower face and a through-hole for receiving a lower portion of a hitch ball. At least one of the upper and lower faces includes a pair of raised rails. | 08-09-2012 |
20120211967 | Trailer Hitch Systems and Methods - A hitch system comprises a housing, a hitch plate, and an actuator system. The housing is secured to a hitch post, and the housing defines a housing opening and a housing chamber. The hitch plate is rotatably attached to the housing, and the hitch plate defines a first ball opening. The actuator system displaces the hitch plate relative to the housing such that the hitch system operates in an unhitched configuration in which the first ball opening is aligned with the housing opening and a hitched configuration in which the first ball opening is not aligned with the housing opening. A ball portion is inserted into the housing chamber and removed from the housing chamber when the hitch system is in the unhitched configuration. The ball portion is substantially secured within the housing chamber when the hitch system is in the hitched configuration. | 08-23-2012 |
20120217725 | DUAL TOW BALL COUPLING APPARATUS - A coupling apparatus includes a base, an arm extending from the base, a first tow ball extending from a first side of the arm, and a second tow ball extending from an opposite second side of the arm. The base is configured to be removably attached to a vehicle in opposite first and second positions such that the first tow ball is in an upright orientation when the base is attached to a vehicle in the first position, and the second tow ball is in an upright orientation when the base is attached to a vehicle in the second position. Each of the first and second end portions of the base includes a respective post, and a retainer assembly is configured to be removably attachable to each post. | 08-30-2012 |
20120217726 | TOWING DEVICE FOR A TOWING VEHICLE - A towing device, for a towing vehicle, with a coupling shaft attached to the towing vehicle, a ball head mounted on the coupling shaft so that the ball head can rotate about a vertical axis, which can be coupled to a coupling counterpart of a trailer vehicle, and with an angle-measuring device by which rotation of the ball head about the vertical axis, relative to the coupling shaft, can be determined, and a force-measuring device by which force exerted by the ball head on the coupling shaft in the direction of the vertical axis can be determined. | 08-30-2012 |
20120261905 | GOOSENECK HITCH ASSEMBLY - A hitch assembly including a hitch ball and a socket is disclosed. The socket is generally cylindrical and has an inner diameter being at least as large as an outer diameter of a hitch ball mounting portion. A pin receiving groove is formed in a vertical direction on the hitch ball. Additionally, at least one engagement groove encircles the diameter of the hitch ball mounting portion. The hitch ball mounting portion also includes a flattened portion. The assembly also includes a retaining pin configured for sliding in the pin receiving groove. The socket has a bottom plate including a through hole configured to receive the retaining pin when the hitch ball has been rotated so as to allow the retaining pin to slide through the through hole. | 10-18-2012 |
20120274049 | TRAILER COUPLING - The invention relates to a trailer coupling ( | 11-01-2012 |
20120280473 | VEHICLE FRAME FOR TRAILER COUPLER SYSTEM - A coupling mechanism for attaching a fifth wheel RV trailer to a truck for towing. A fifth wheel towball interface which provides unobstructed gimbal action into the connection between truck and trailer. A fifth wheel base having a lightweight structure made from a lightweight material and/or engineered design with lightweight in mind. | 11-08-2012 |
20130001923 | SELF LOCKING TRAILER HITCH - A ball latch | 01-03-2013 |
20130001924 | TRAILER TOWING DEVICE FOR A TRACTOR VEHICLE - A trailer towing device for a tractor vehicle ( | 01-03-2013 |
20130093163 | HITCH BALL MOUNT AND METHOD OF FORMING THE HITCH BALL MOUNT - A hitch ball mount is shown and described. The hitch ball mount may include a generally tubular body having first and second end portions, the first end portion engageable with a hitch receiver of a towing vehicle, and a drop portion monolithic with the tubular body and formed between the first and second end portions of the tubular member. The hitch ball mount may further include a hitch ball mounting portion monolithic with the drop portion and tubular body, the hitch ball mounting portion formed at the second end portion of the tubular member and extending from the drop portion, where a hitch ball is selectively attachable to the hitch ball mounting portion. | 04-18-2013 |
20130127137 | INTERCHANGEABLE HITCH BALL ASSEMBLY - A hitch ball assembly generally includes a ball member and a body connected to the ball member. A passageway extends longitudinally within the body and at least one locking member may be in communication with the passageway to lock the hitch ball in place. An elongated member within the passageway is biased to engage the locking member. The body further includes an opening arranged transverse to the passageway. A release mechanism is positioned within an opening in the body transverse to the passageway. The release member is in communication with the elongated member to move the elongated member between a locked position and an unlocked position. | 05-23-2013 |
20130175788 | Hitch Apparatus With Reduced Wear - An implement hitch tongue apparatus has a nodular cast iron tongue member defining a vertical drawpin hole. A bottom recess is defined in a bottom surface of the tongue member forward of the drawpin hole, and a pin hole recess is defined in a front portion of the drawpin hole. The recesses are filled with hard surfacing welding electrode material by welding with a hard surfacing welding electrode. A grease conduit can provide grease to the bottom surface of the tongue member. A solid one-piece ball insert member can be removably installed in the drawpin hole instead of hard surfacing. The ball insert can provide different drawpin hole sizes, and can extend down below the tongue to support the tongue weight on the ball insert with the ball insert rotating with respect to the tongue during turns. | 07-11-2013 |
20130307250 | TRAILER HITCH SYSTEM - A trailer hitch system for improving the speed and safety of attaching the trailer to a tow vehicle. The hitch may include a shank that may be attached to the trailer through a ball hitch. A receiver may be provided on the tow vehicle such that attachment of the trailer to the tow vehicle may be accomplished by introducing the shank into the receiver when the tow vehicle is backed to the trailer. A funnel shaped guide member may be provided to facilitate aligning the shank with the receiver. Also, friction reducing rollers may be used with the shank or the receiver. Moreover, a height adjustment and visual guidance system may be included to facilitate connecting the trailer to the tow vehicle. | 11-21-2013 |
20130334793 | Trailer Hitch Plate Systems and Methods - A hitch system for coupling a hitch post to a ball portion employs a control system configured to operate in a service mode and a master mode. The control system operates in the master mode upon entry of a master code. Entry of the master code is not required to operate the control system when the control system is in the service mode. Entry of the master code is required to operate the control system when the control system is in the master mode. | 12-19-2013 |
20130341888 | Trailer Coupling - The invention relates to a trailer coupling for motor vehicles, comprising a coupling ball carrier which can be mounted on a vehicle body and a coupling ball with a ball body which has a ball surface extending between a ball attachment and an upper end surface of the ball body, with which the ball surface comprises a sensor zone for recognizing a body located close to or on the coupling ball, several detection locations different from one another are located in the sensor zone, a sensor unit arranged stationarily in the ball body beneath the ball surface is associated with each detection location and each sensor unit is designed such that it detects a body present in a close-proximity area above the ball surface at the respective detection location. | 12-26-2013 |
20140054877 | Method And System For Towing A Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle - The present invention is directed to a towing system for towing a first vehicle behind a second vehicle. The towing system comprises a first vehicle comprising a receiver hitch, a second vehicle comprising a hitch lift, and a link. The link may be secured to the receiver hitch and a hitch. The towing system tows a rear end of the first vehicle behind a rear end of the second vehicle without the use of a trailer or excessive fasteners and connections. | 02-27-2014 |
20140091554 | Multi-Task Trailer Hitch Assembly - A multi-function, anti-rotational, power-sports utility hitch receiver assembly includes a four-sided hollow receiver tube having a forward end configured to attach to a tow vehicle and a rearward end configured to house an attachment of an accessory shank. Aligned apertures are present in the opposing sidewalls between the forward end and the rearward end for securing a hitch accessory shank within the receiver tube by inserting a hitch-pin through apertures. A removable, adjustable tightening bar is attachable to an underside of the hitch receiver tube for maintaining the receiver tube in a stationary position when the receiver tube is installed on a tow vehicle by abutting a surface on the tow vehicle. The assembly further includes a tow loop, e.g., for attaching tow chains, straps, bungee cords, tow hooks and the like to the receiver. | 04-03-2014 |
20140103619 | HITCH BALL ANGLE SENSOR - A hitch ball assembly includes a hitch ball supported on a housing, a bore within the hitch ball and housing, and a pin rotatable with respect to the hitch ball and housing. The pin is configured to engage a trailer coupler and rotate therewith. An angle sensor measures rotation of the pin to determine rotational movement of the trailer. | 04-17-2014 |
20140110918 | OVERLOAD INDICATOR - An overload indicator is shown and described. The overload indicator may include a compression ring located between a portion of a hitch and a hitch ball, the compression ring calibrated to withstand up to a selected vertical force limit. The compression ring collapsing or flattening when applied with a force equal to or greater than the selected vertical force limit. | 04-24-2014 |
20140131979 | Self Actuated Trailer Ball Hitch - A ball clamp | 05-15-2014 |
20140327229 | Tongue Weight Donut Scale - A tongue weight donut scale includes a tongue weight donut scale body having an upper planar surface, a lower planar surface, and a central opening having an inner diameter, a weight sensor coupled to the tongue weight donut scale body and generating a signal representative of a weight on the tongue weight donut scale, an indicator box converting the signal from the weight sensor into a weight value and providing a weight value output, and a display window displaying the weight value output. The tongue weight donut scale detects the tongue weight of a trailer attached to a trailer hitch ball, when the tongue weight donut scale is installed between the base of the trailer hitch ball and the ball support of a trailer hitch. | 11-06-2014 |
20140375020 | Removable Ball Hitch - A ball hitch has an actuator substantially disposed in a towing ball member. The actuator includes a pivotable handle, which in the stowed position forms part of the outer profile of the ball, but which can be pivoted upward to be used to rotate a shaft portion of the actuator. As the shaft rotates, it rotates a paddle with a cam surface housed in a support base for the ball hitch, which pushes on two interference balls. In the stowed position, the cam surface maintains the interference balls projecting outward from openings in the support base to secure the ball hitch into the towing vehicle. When the actuator turns the shaft, the cam surface allows the balls to retract into the support base without changing elevation of the shaft and cam surface. | 12-25-2014 |
20150069737 | BALL MOUNT FOR MEASURING TONGUE WEIGHT OF A TRAILER - A ball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer is disclosed. The ball mount can comprise a ball portion for interfacing with a ball configured to couple with a tongue of a trailer, a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle, and a load measurement device associated with the hitch portion. The hitch portion can be configured to pivot relative to the hitch receiver about a fulcrum in response to a downward force on the ball, with the hitch receiver resisting rotation of the hitch portion about the fulcrum thereby inducing a load on the hitch portion. The load measurement device can be configured to determine a magnitude of the downward force on the ball based on the load on the hitch portion. | 03-12-2015 |
20150102584 | UNDERBED SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR FIFTH WHEEL AND GOOSENECK HITCH SYSTEMS - An apparatus for attaching either a gooseneck trailer hitch or a fifth wheel trailer hitch to a truck bed can include a single cross-member, a gooseneck ball receiver and a plurality of mounting pads. The single cross-member can be attached to first and second truck longitudinal frame rails. The gooseneck ball receiver can be coupled to the single cross-member and aligned with a gooseneck hitch opening in the truck bed. The plurality of mounting pads can be spaced apart from the single cross-member and can be attached to the frame rails independent of the single cross-member. The plurality of mounting pads can be aligned with a corresponding plurality of access openings in the truck bed. The single cross-member can be a suspension cross-member supporting at least first and second suspension members. | 04-16-2015 |
20150137486 | SPHERICAL PLAIN BEARING FOR AN ARTICULATED JOINT - A spherical plain bearing is configured for use within an articulated joint in an articulating vehicle. The spherical plain bearing includes an outer member defining an exterior surface and an interior surface which defines an interior engagement surface, and an inner member is encircled at least partially by the outer member. The inner member has an interior surface defining a bore therethrough, and an exterior surface defining an exterior engagement surface. A radial gap extends between the interior engagement surface and the exterior engagement surface. A lubricant is disposed in the radial gap and a diamond chromium composite matrix hard coating is disposed on the interior engagement surface and the exterior engagement surface. | 05-21-2015 |
20150328945 | COUPLER - A channel mount coupler is shown and described. The channel mount may include a body, a socket extending from the body and configured to accept a hitch ball, and a channel mount extending from the body. The channel mount may include a first flange, the first flange including at least one aperture and at least one recess generally circumscribing the aperture, the recess being generally acircular, and a second flange spaced from the first flange. The channel mount may also include an engagement member engaged with the recess, and a fastener engageable with the engagement member and the at least one aperture, where engagement of the engagement member and recess prevents rotation of the engagement member during engagement of the fastener with the engagement member, whereby the first and second flanges are engageable with a towed vehicle. | 11-19-2015 |
20160052354 | HIGH-LOAD TOWING EYE - A high-load towing eye for a vehicle trailer includes a hemispherical receiving socket for receiving a coupling ball, a fastening flange for fastening to the vehicle trailer, and a straight shaft that connects the receiving socket to the fastening flange, wherein the receiving socket has a collar on the open side and the inside diameter of the collar corresponds to the inside diameter of the receiving socket. The height of the inside of the collar is greater on the first side of the receiving socket facing the shaft than on the second side of the receiving socket facing away from the shaft. | 02-25-2016 |
20160052355 | Ultimate Cart Dolly Systems - A cart and dolly system designed to traverse walkways with heavy loads such as air-conditioning units. | 02-25-2016 |
280512000 | Pivoted jaw or retainer | 10 |
20120043738 | Methods and Apparatus for Ball and Socket Coupling - Methods and apparatus may permit a ball and socket coupling arrangement. A rotary interference member ( | 02-23-2012 |
20120306180 | TRAILER COUPLER - A trailer coupler may be provided with an opening and socket for a hitch ball, and a clamping bar in an internal channel for locking the coupler and hitch together. The internal channel may extend horizontally and be positioned above the opening and below the socket. The channel may include a laterally-facing aperture adjacent the second end, out of which one end of the clamping bar may extend. That end of the clamping bar may include a bracket with an open channel to fit over a flange on the coupler body. The coupler may be assembled by inserting a first end of the clamping bar through the laterally-facing aperture, and moving the first end of the clamping bar into the coupler body channel while fitting the bracket over the flange at the open channel of the clamping bar. | 12-06-2012 |
20130307251 | APPARATUS FOR COUPLING A TRAILER TO A TOWING VEHICLE - The invention relates to an apparatus for improved ease and reliability of coupling a trailer to a tow-ball of a towing vehicle through a straight connection of a support member with a tow-ball. The support member is configured to abut a posterior portion of the tow-ball at a first abutting portion. A pivot arm is configured to pivot over the tow-ball to a position where a second abutting portion is adjacent an anterior portion of the tow-ball. A pivot plate connected to the support member at a first pivot and to the pivot arm at a second pivot is configured to bias the first abutting portion towards the second abutting portion to securely contact the posterior portion and the anterior portion of the tow-ball respectively. | 11-21-2013 |
20140117646 | HITCH APPARATUS FOR VEHICLES - A hitch apparatus includes a an elongated hitch member having a distal free end and an opposite proximal end. The hitch member is configured to be movably secured within a hitch receiver of a vehicle, and movable between retracted and extended positions relative to the hitch receiver. A first locking mechanism is operably secured to the hitch receiver and releasably engages the hitch member to maintain the hitch member in a retracted position. A housing is attached to the hitch member distal end. The housing includes an opening formed through a portion thereof, and a shaft is movably secured within the housing and is axially rotatable within the housing. A second locking mechanism is operably secured to the housing that releasably engages the shaft to prevent rotation of the shaft. An elongated coupler arm extends through the housing opening and is secured to the shaft such that the coupler arm rotates with the shaft. | 05-01-2014 |
20140265252 | Gooseneck Hitch Ball - A hitch ball is shown and described. The hitch ball may include a ball member, a body extending from the ball member, and a locking member in communication with the body. The hitch ball may also include a first release mechanism positioned in the ball member, the first release mechanism operatively coupled with the locking member, where positioning the first release mechanism in an first direction positions the locking member in a disengaged position, and a second release mechanism positioned in the body, the second release mechanism operatively coupled with the locking member, where positioning the second release mechanism in a second direction positions the locking member in the disengaged position. | 09-18-2014 |
20140300084 | TRAILER COUPLER - A trailer coupler may be provided with an opening and socket for a hitch ball, and a clamping bar in an internal channel for locking the coupler and hitch together. The internal channel may extend horizontally and be positioned above the opening and below the socket. The channel may include a laterally-facing aperture adjacent the second end, out of which one end of the clamping bar may extend. That end of the clamping bar may include a bracket with an open channel to fit over a flange on the coupler body. The coupler may be assembled by inserting a first end of the clamping bar through the laterally-facing aperture, and moving the first end of the clamping bar into the coupler body channel while fitting the bracket over the flange at the open channel of the clamping bar. | 10-09-2014 |
20140353944 | NON-REGULAR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION PATTERNS FOR TREATING NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS - Systems and methods for stimulation of neurological tissue and generation stimulation trains with temporal patterns of stimulation, in which the interval between electrical pulses (the inter-pulse intervals) changes or varies over time. The features of the stimulation trains may be selected and arranged algorithmically to by clinical trial. These stimulation trains are generated to target a specific neurological disorder, by arranging sets of features which reduce symptoms of that neurological disorder into a pattern which is effective at reducing those symptoms while maintaining or reducing power consumption versus regular stimulation signals. Compared to conventional continuous, high rate pulse trains having regular (i.e., constant) inter-pulse intervals, the non-regular (i.e., not constant) pulse patterns or trains that embody features of the invention provide increased efficacy and/or a lower than average frequency. | 12-04-2014 |
20150360528 | HITCH BALL WITH LOCKING BAIL - A hitch ball with a locking bail for use with gooseneck hitch assemblies. The hitch ball includes a hitch ball body having a ball-mount on a first end. A second end forms a base that is insertable into a mating receiver mounted in a tow vehicle. A locking bail is pivotably coupled to the hitch ball body and is moveable from an unlocked orientation overlying the ball-mount to a locked orientation extending generally transversely to the hitch ball body. The locking bail is configured to function as a handle when in the unlocked orientation to provide a clean and easily graspable structure for handling and installing the hitch ball in a tow vehicle. The locking bail prevents coupling of a trailer or hitch assembly with the hitch ball when in the unlocked orientation and provides a visual indication of the locked or unlocked state of the hitch ball. | 12-17-2015 |
20150375585 | Trailer Coupling and Load Carrier Arrangement For A Trailer Coupling - In order to improve a trailer coupling for motor vehicles, including a ball neck which is mountable on a rear part of a motor vehicle so as to be fixed to the vehicle by means of a ball neck carrier by way of a first end and on a second end carries a coupling ball, in such a manner that load carriers can be mounted and held securely in a simple manner, it is proposed that, for positioning a load carrier holding device, which is loadable onto the coupling ball and the ball neck, at least one first positioning body is arranged on the ball neck at a defined spacing from the coupling ball, that the at least one first positioning body is arranged on a ball neck portion of the ball neck which adjoins a ball attachment of the ball neck which carries the coupling ball and in particular, proceeding from the ball attachment, extends along the ball neck over a distance which corresponds to a maximum of one and a half times the diameter of the coupling ball, and that the at least one first positioning body extends transversely with respect to a development of the ball neck portion which carries said positioning body and away from said ball neck portion. | 12-31-2015 |
20160152103 | TRAILER COUPLER | 06-02-2016 |
280513000 | Reciprocating jaw or retainer | 3 |
20110241312 | Self-Latching Trailer Coupler - A self-latching trailer coupler has a fixed body, a displaceable slide and a biasing member. The body includes a slide slot in which the slide is displaceable in reciprocating first and second displacement directions. The biasing member biases the slide in one of the displacement directions. A biasing chamber and a retention chamber are formed within a side of the slide. The biasing chamber has at least two sides enclosing the biasing member. The coupler additionally has a retention member attached to the body which extends into the biasing chamber and engages an end of the biasing member. The retention member further extends into the retention chamber to define the displacement limits of the slide. | 10-06-2011 |
20140210186 | Trailer Coupling and Load Carrier Arrangement for a Trailer Coupling - In order to improve a trailer coupling for motor vehicles comprising a ball neck, which is mountable at a first end on a rear part of a motor vehicle to be fixed to the vehicle by means of a ball neck holder and which carries a coupling ball at a second end, in such a manner that load carriers can be mounted and securely held in a simple manner, it is proposed that at least one positioning body is arranged on the ball neck at a defined spacing from the coupling ball to position a load carrier holding arrangement attachable to the coupling ball and the ball neck. | 07-31-2014 |
20150035256 | TRAILER COUPLING - A trailer coupling with a ball support and a coupling ball arranged at a free end of the ball support. A coupling ball holder is fitted onto and can rotate on the coupling ball. A locking element is provided on the coupling ball holder by which the coupling ball holder is secured against being inadvertently removed from the coupling ball. An angle measuring device, provided on the coupling ball, comprises sensors which can detect rotation of the coupling ball holder relative to the coupling ball about a rotation axis. The position of the locking element, relative to the coupling ball, can be determined using the sensors. | 02-05-2015 |