Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-14
2002-04-09
Hurley, Kevin (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
active
06367834
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a simple and convenient, tongue mounted receiving end of a “ball” hitch, of the type commonly used for trailers, recreational vehicles, and boats. The device is also adaptable to general coupling applications, e.g., gate and door fasteners, shelving, and other applications wherein it is desirable to couple two objects together simply and quickly. With regard to hitches in particular, many hitch devices are currently available which connect to the typical hitch ball. However, most of these include unduly complicated mechanisms, with many having a multiplicity of parts. Furthermore, most require manual manipulation of the device during the attachment process. In some, manual input is required to move the device from the open to the closed position.
It is a principal object of this invention to provide an easy-to-use hitch ball receiving mechanism, having an uncomplicated locking mechanism and a minimum of moving parts.
Another object is to provide a mechanism which requires no manual manipulation during the process in which the hitch ball is secured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
My invention is an easy-to-use coupling device having an uncomplicated latching mechanism and a minimum of moving parts. It is particularly suited for receiving a typical trailer hitch ball. My device requires no manual manipulation of the latching mechanism during the attachment of the device to a typical hitch ball.
My invention includes, without implied limitation of the claims, a device comprising a frame, with the frame having a front and rear interior section, and a frame opening, all being generally sized to allow the entry and close reception of a typical round hitch ball. A pivoting ball support has a pivot point attached to the frame such that the pivoting ball support moves in a substantially perpendicular manner with respect to the hitch ball. The face of the pivoting ball support is moved by such pivoting action from a first to a second position, the first position trapping the hitch ball within the frame front interior section, and the second position allowing the hitch ball to pass through the frame opening out of the frame interior.
Pivoting ball support movement resistance means resists movement of the pivoting ball support face from the first position to the second position.
Pivoting ball support forced rotation means allows the pivoting ball support face to be manually moved from the first to the second position.
In an alternative embodiment the pivoting ball support movement resistance means is replaced by pivoting ball support movement prevention means, such that movement of the pivoting ball support face, from its first position to its second position, is prevented.
Many features are contemplated by my invention, and may be included on one or more of the numerous and varied embodiments available.
The pivoting ball support face and pivoting ball support pivot point can be configured, with respect to the frame front interior section, such that hitch ball motion causes the pivoting ball support face to rotate around the pivoting ball support pivot point. In turn, this causes the pivoting ball support face to stay in, or move toward, the first position.
The pivoting ball support movement resistance means can comprise one or more springs positioned against and between the pivoting ball support and the frame interior section interior surface. Compression of the spring or springs would be required to move the pivoting ball support face from its first to its second position. This feature allows a “hands free” attachment since the spring action moves the pivoting ball support face back to its first position, the pivoting ball support face having been previously displaced to its second position by the hitch ball as the hitch ball entered the device.
The device may include a frame lip which is positioned to extend beneath a portion of the hitch ball, when the hitch ball is positioned within the frame front interior section. The frame lip may extend all portions of the front, sides, or both, of the frame front interior section.
The device may include a rear part of the frame front interior section interior surface, which extends downwardly between the front and rear interior sections. When the fully inserted hitch ball tries to move in a rearward direction, substantial portions of the hitch ball will encounter this rear part.
The frame lip and the frame front interior section interior surface rear part can be sized and shaped such that a line passing between the rearmost edge of each, passes below the center of the ball, when the line is drawn on a plane cut through the center of the fully inserted hitch ball.
The frame lip and the frame front interior section interior surface can be shaped and sized such that, during insertion, the hitch ball is urged to a position where a portion of the hitch ball is above the frame lip at the completion of the insertion process.
The frame lip may be of a concave shape, making a frame lip face that lies substantially flush with the fully inserted hitch ball.
The pivoting ball support face may be shaped and sized to closely follow the circumference of the hitch ball, when the circumference is in a plane cut through the center of the fully inserted hitch ball.
The frame opening can have a rear section corresponding generally with the frame rear interior section. The pivoting ball support can be sized and positioned such that its bottom end does not extend below the frame opening rear section.
The pivoting ball support forced rotation means can include a handle being attached to the pivoting ball support such that movement of the handle causes rotation of the pivoting ball support about its pivot point. Various embodiments can include single handles attached to the pivoting ball support pivot point or the pivoting ball support top extension, two handles attached at either end of the pivoting ball support pivot point, respectively, one handle connecting to both ends of the pivoting ball support pivot point, one or more handles disposed in a rearward direction with respect to the frame, one or more handles running in a forward direction with respect to the frame, handles which lie substantially flush to the frame, handles having gripping devices and attachments, and handles having a cross member oriented in a “T” shape.
A handle hook can also be included, which would receive and hold the handle.
One or more handles can also be configured such that the handle lies at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the frame. This angle can be sufficient such that the handle can be gripped even if the frame is substantially flush to a horizontal surface.
The pivoting ball support movement prevention means can include a slot in the top of the frame, through which the pivoting ball support top extension protrudes. A hole in the pivoting ball top extension accepts a pin, and the hole is situated with respect to the frame such that the pin will be against the frame when the pivoting ball support face is in its first position.
The frame can have one or more top extensions which have holes aligning with the pivoting ball support top extension hole when the pivoting ball support face is in its first position. A pin or a lock in these aligned holes will prevent movement of the pivoting ball support.
A pivoting slot plug can be attached to the top of the frame. The slot plug can be rotated into and closely received by the frame slot. When in the frame slot, the slot plug prevents movement of the pivoting ball support.
According to one embodiment, there is provided an apparatus for receiving and securing a ball, comprising: a frame, the frame having an interior, the frame interior having a front section and a rear section, the frame front interior section being shaped and sized for closely receiving portions of a generally round ball, the frame further having an opening, the frame opening being shaped and positioned to allow ball passage into the frame front interior section; a pivoting ball support, the pivoting ball suppo
Gray George S.
Hurley Kevin
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