Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-26
2001-01-16
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
C280S491100, C403S011000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173985
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of trailer hitch balls. More specifically, the present invention discloses a trailer hitch ball assembly that uses a removable clip to hold the fastening pin in the ball while the ball is not in use.
2. Statement of the Problem
Various types of trailer hitches have been used for many years. One common type of trailer hitch uses a generally spherical metal ball mounted on a stub shaft extending upward from a member attached to the towing vehicle. A corresponding hitch socket assembly carried by the trailer is coupled to the ball to connect the trailer to the towing vehicle.
Unfortunately, several different trailer hitch ball sizes have come into common usage, resulting in incompatibility problems. Several approaches have been used in the past to allow balls of various sizes to be substituted interchangeably. For example, the “Adapt Hitch Ball” hitch marketed by Titan Industries, Inc. of Wyandotte, Mich., employs a ball with a vertical hexagonal bore that receives a corresponding hexagonal stub shaft. Transverse bores extend through both the ball and shaft. After the ball has been placed over the shaft with the transverse bores in proper alignment with one another, a removable pin is inserted through the transverse bores to secure the ball to the shaft. This allows balls of different sizes to be quickly and easily substituted by removing the pin, lifting the ball of the stub shaft, placing a different ball on the shaft, and reinserting the pin through the ball and shaft. However, the pin is relatively small and can be easily misplaced or lost when it is removed from the ball. This is particularly a problem while extra balls are in storage, since each ball is usually equipped with its own pin.
One approach to this problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,596,406 (Van Vleet et al.). Van Vleet et al. include retention means in the transverse bore of the ball to prevent the pin from being completely withdrawn from the ball. This keeps the pin from becoming lost, but adds complexity and increases manufacturing costs.
SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM
The present invention solves the shortcomings associated with the prior art discussed above by employing a removable clip to hold the pin in the ball while the ball is not being used on the stub shaft. This clip can be very inexpensive and prevents the pin from becoming lost or misplaced while the ball is in storage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides a trailer hitch assembly with an interchangeable ball having a first bore for removably receiving a stub shaft attached to the towing vehicle. Both the ball and stub shaft have transverse bores that can be aligned with one another to receive a removable pin for securing the ball to the stub shaft during normal use. When the ball is not on the stub shaft, a clip can be inserted into the first bore of the ball to removably engage the pin and prevent the pin from being withdrawn from the ball.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a trailer hitch assembly with an interchangeable ball that reduces the chance that the pin might become lost or misplaced while the ball is in storage.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a trailer hitch assembly with an interchangeable ball that can be manufactured inexpensively and is easy to use.
These and other advantages, features, and objects of the present invention will be more readily understood in view of the following detailed description and the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 285287 (1986-08-01), Tannar
patent: 3922006 (1975-11-01), Borges
patent: 3963266 (1976-06-01), Thelin
patent: 4433854 (1984-02-01), Smith
patent: 4434996 (1984-03-01), Wallace
patent: 4568098 (1986-02-01), Landry, Jr.
patent: 4596406 (1986-06-01), Van Vleet et al.
patent: 4844498 (1989-07-01), Kerins et al.
patent: 4889356 (1989-12-01), Morris
patent: 4938496 (1990-07-01), Thomas et al.
patent: 4989892 (1991-02-01), Kerins et al.
patent: 5116072 (1992-05-01), Swenson
patent: 5290057 (1994-03-01), Pellerito
patent: 5419576 (1995-05-01), Van Vleet
patent: 5511814 (1996-04-01), Floyd
patent: 5975553 (1999-11-01), Van Vleet
Titan Industries, “Adapt Hitch Ball, Interchangeable Trailer Hitch Ball System,” Brochure, Wyandotte, Michigan 48192.
Johnson Brian L.
Rader & Fishman & Grauer, PLLC
Valley Industries LLC
Yeagley Daniel
LandOfFree
Trailer hitch assembly with an interchangeable ball does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Trailer hitch assembly with an interchangeable ball, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Trailer hitch assembly with an interchangeable ball will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2511482