Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-14
2001-03-13
Mar, Michael (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
C280S511000, C280S416100, C280S504000, C280S507000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199890
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to the towing field and, more particularly, to a new and simple gooseneck hitch assembly for installation on a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Ball hitches of the gooseneck type wherein the hitch ball is mounted in the bed of a pick-up truck between the rear wheels of the truck are well known in the art. Examples of such gooseneck hitches are presented in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,256,324 to Hamilton; 4,657,274 to Mann et al.; 5,143,393 to Meyer; 5,435,585 to Chambers; and 5,472,222 to Marcy. The primary goal of these designs is to provide as much of the gooseneck hitch assembly as possible beneath the bed of the pick-up truck. Necessarily, the hitch balls themselves are all removable or retractable so that when the hitch is not in use, the hitch ball may be removed or retracted so as not to obstruct the bed of the pick-up truck in any significant manner.
With primary emphasis placed on storing/removing these hitch assemblies so as to avoid obstructions within the truck bed, hitch assemblies have generally overlooked the importance of placement of maintenance fittings and typically only include such fittings in inconvenient locations, such as under the bed of the truck. Of course, a lubrication fitting under the bed of a truck is so inconvenient as to often go unutilized. This neglect often results in damage to the mechanism over time. Accordingly, a need is therefore also identified for a gooseneck hitch assembly that may be easily and conveniently lubricated so as to maintain the moving parts of the hitch ball pivotal connection in peak operating condition at all times.
In addition, little if any attention has been provided to the placement of the numerous differing embodiments of safety anchors associated with such ball hitches or to the additional utilitarian value possibly provided by such anchors. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,143,393 to Meyer and 5,571,270 to Larkin both disclose safety anchors specifically designed not to obstruct the bed of the pick-up truck in any significant manner. Accordingly each set of safety anchors are placed towards the rear of the hitch assembly. Unfortunately, however, this positioning allows the safety chains to bind under certain operating conditions such as when maneuvering and negotiating tight turns. Therefore, a need is identified for properly placing the safety anchors to avoid binding of the safety chains during difficult and tight maneuvering.
Further, ball hitches of the gooseneck type described above, wherein the ball hitch is pivotally mounted to a frame or housing, are typically difficult to operate with one hand. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,540,194 to Dane and 5,755,452 to Tambornino each disclose pivotal hitch balls having a locking pin that extends through the shank of the ball hitch and engages the frame or housing for securing the ball hitch in a towing position. Accordingly, an operator must grasp and raise the security door portion of the housing that encloses the ball hitch in the stowed position with one hand and simultaneously pull the release mechanism/finger loop with a second hand in order to stow the ball hitch. Clearly, this two step two handed operation can be cumbersome if not difficult in situations where the locking mechanism sticks or binds or when two operators or both hands are not available. Accordingly, a clear need is identified for a ball hitch assembly including a pivotally mounted ball hitch having a quick release single hand operable release means for releasing the hitch ball for movement from a towing position to a stowed position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a gooseneck trailer hitch assembly for overcoming the above-described limitations and disadvantages of the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is is to provide an improved gooseneck hitch assembly with safety chain anchors that are aligned with the hitch ball substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle so as to provide a better overall geometry that prevents the safety chains from binding during maneuvering and particularly during the negotiation of tight turns.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a gooseneck hitch assembly including a conveniently located lubrication fitting for lubrication of the pivotal connection of the hitch ball with the supporting housing.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a gooseneck hitch assembly including safety chain anchors displaceable between a receiving position and a storage position and for overlying and protecting the lubrication fitting in the storage position.
A further object of the present invention is to provide simple yet reliable operation by means of a quick release security door latch operable with one hand that positively holds the hitch ball in a towing position and a torsion spring that positively biases and holds that security door in fully closed and fully open positions.
Additional objects, advantages and other novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention as described herein, a gooseneck hitch assembly is provided for installation on a pick-up truck or other vehicle. The hitch assembly includes a hitch ball assembly of a type generally known in the art including a housing and retractable hitch ball. Additionally, the hitch assembly includes a mounting subassembly comprising a two-section telescoping framework. Each section of the framework includes an end plate mounted to a pair of elongated tube struts. Each tube strut of a pair is coextensive and parallel with the other of the pair. The tube struts of one section are telescopingly received in the tube struts of the other section. Fasteners are also provided to secure the end plates of the mounting subassembly to the frame of the vehicle.
The hitch ball assembly may be further characterized as including a pivotal connection between the hitch ball and housing whereby the hitch ball is selectively displaceable between an upright towing position and an inclined storage position. Further, a lubrication fitting is provided for lubricating this pivotal connection. Advantageously, the lubrication fitting is carried on the hitch ball and is exposed and easily assessable on an upwardly facing portion of the hitch ball when the hitch ball is in the storage position. This allows convenient lubrication of the pivotal connection so as to insure that the gooseneck hitch assembly is maintained in peak operating order.
In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, the safety chain anchors include means for positively holding those anchors in the safety chain receiving and storage positions. Additionally, it is preferred that the safety chain anchors be carried on the housing substantially in alignment with the hitch ball along a first line substantially perpendicular to a second line corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle to which the gooseneck hitch assembly is mounted. This orientation prevents the safety chains from binding with the trailer and hitch ball connection when maneuvering around tight corners such as commonly occurs in parking lots or trailer campground facilities.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the hitch ball assembly may include a pair of safety chain anchors that are pivotally connected to the housing. Each of the safety chain anchors is selectively displaceable between a safety chain receiving position and a storage position. When in the storage or folded down position, at least one of th
Lindenman Thomas W.
McCoy Richard W.
King and Schickli PLLC
Mar Michael
Reese Products Inc.
To Toan C
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