Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-04
2001-03-27
Hurley, Kevin (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
C280S511000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206400
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to ball type hitch assemblies for removably coupling a boat, utility, or other type of trailer to a structural member or hitch of a towing vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ball type hitches are commonly used in the towing of various types of vehicles, trailers, and the like (hereinafter referred to collectively as “trailers”). Trailers range in size from larger and heavier cargo and camping trailers down to smaller utility trailers. Typically, trailers that are hauled by automobiles are used on an intermittent basis. Therefore, the towing vehicle and the trailer are configured with interlocking hitch components in order to enable coupling and decoupling of the trailer and towing vehicle as required.
Hitch assemblies for trailers generally resemble a ball and socket joint. The ball typically includes a body having a spherical portion that is fixed to a stem. The stem extends through an opening in the structural member or hitch of the towing vehicle. A nut threadably engages the bottom of the stem, thereby affixing the stem to the structural member or hitch of the towing vehicle. The trailer vehicle is typically provided with a hemispherical socket to receive the ball. The socket and the ball are then interlocked to prevent separation of the ball from the socket during use.
Ball and socket dimensions are not standardized. Larger trailers are typically equipped with a socket intended to receive a ball having a spherical diameter of two inches. Smaller trailers are typically equipped with a socket intended to receive a ball having a spherical diameter of one and seven-eighths inches. This lack of standardization requires an individual who may use different trailers to possess a two inch diameter hitch sball and a one and seven-eighth inch diameter hitch ball in order to ensure proper and safe mating with the particular trailer in use. One of the problems presented by this lack of standardization is that the hitch ball that is not in use may become lost or misplaced.
What is needed in the art is a single ball type hitch that can be oriented to present either of two diameters, thereby enabling proper coupling with most types of trailers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a variable sized ball hitch assembly including an elongate stem attachable to the hitch or structural member of a towing vehicle, and a body having two differently sized ball members that is attachable to the elongate stem. The ball hitch assembly may be configured to present either of two differently sized ball portions in order to properly mate with the socket of a trailer.
The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a body, having a first ball and a second ball that are connected together by a stem, each ball having a different diameter. Each ball has a respective outermost end surface. A central axis extends longitudinally through each ball and through the stem. The stem has a cross-sectional dimension which is somewhat less than the diameter of the first ball and the diameter of the second ball. The body has at least one elongate bore which is substantially concentric with the central axis of the body and extends inwardly from the respective end surfaces of the first ball and the second ball. The body is selectively oriented upon the first end of an elongate shaft so as to present one of the two differently-sized ball members to the vehicle hitch. The second end of the elongate shaft is inserted into and affixed to the trailer hitch.
An advantage of the present invention is that trailers requiring ball hitches of different size can be quickly and securely attached to a vehicle.
Another advantage is that the variable sized ball hitch assembly can quickly and easily be oriented so as to present a ball hitch of the appropriate size to securely mate with a trailer requiring a ball hitch of a particular size.
Yet another advantage is that the variable sized ball hitch assembly eliminates the need to maintain an inventory of several ball hitches of various sizes.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4230336 (1980-10-01), Acrea et al.
patent: 4319766 (1982-03-01), Corteg et al.
patent: 4772039 (1988-09-01), Cook
patent: 5085452 (1992-02-01), Janeiro
B. C. Cure, Inc.
Hurley Kevin
McKinley Kevin
Taylor & Aust P.C.
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