Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Patent
1987-08-13
1988-12-20
Love, John J.
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
280477, 280490R, 280509, B62D 5300, B60D 106
Patent
active
047921510
ABSTRACT:
A trailer hitch comprising a housing mountable on the vehicle, a ramp sloping downwardly and rearwardly from the housing away from the vehicle, and two laterally opposed pivotable jaws having recesses which when closed define a socket or pocket in which the ball coupling of the trailer tongue is retained. The ramp slopes downwardly at about 30.degree., and flares from a narrow neck to a wider lip, and has upstanding side curbs. The jaws pivot horizontally about vertical axes through jaw supports outboard of the housing. The jaws automatically close around the ball as it is moved forwardly along the channel into the socket. Aligned holes in interfitting locking arms of the jaws receive and are locked together and to the housing by a locking pin which drops into place when the jaws are completely closed. A load leveler distributes the trailer's weight between the wheels of the towing vehicle using a V-shaped rod detachably connected at its apex to a pivotable link below the housing. The link pivots about the vertical axis through the center of the ball. The ends of the rod are adjustably attached to a cross beam spanning between the side beams of the trailer tongue.
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Penor Drawing No. B-1-1195.
Penor Drawing No. A-3-1202.
Penor Drawing No. A-3-1191.
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Hill Mitchell J.
Love John J.
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