Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TRAILER HITCH COUPLING HAVING ANGLED GUIDE WALLS TO
ENCOURAGE ALIGNMENT WITH A HITCH BALL
The present invention relates to a hitch coupling for mounting on a
trailer to engage with a hitch ball mounted on a towing vehicle, and more
particularly
to such a coupling having angled surfaces arranged to encourage alignment
between a receiving socket of the coupler and the hitch ball.
B/ICKGROLIND OF THE INVENTION
With a conventional hitch coupling, it is often necessary to back up the
towing vehicle directly into atignment with the trailer so that the receiving
socket of
the hitch coupling on the trailer directly overiies the connecting ball of the
hitch of the
towing vehicle. This need arises especially when connecting a heavy trailer,
as a
relatively light trailer can likely be shifted manually to the required
aligned position
but it may not be possible to manually maneuver a heavy trailer. Misalignment
requires that the towing vehicle be withdrawn and backed up again until the
alignment is correct. This may require that a driver exit the vehicle a number
of fimes
to check alignment and to move forwards and backwards a number of times to
complete the alignment.
To improve the ease of connecting a trailer and towing vehicle, devices
have been developed to aid in achieving proper aiignment between the hitch
ball of
the vehicle and the bai1 receiving socket of the traiier's hitch coupling.
U.S. Patents 5,114,174 of Lannie et al. and 6,796,573 of Beaudoin
each teach a device for connection to a trailer mounted hitch coupling to
guide a
vehicle carried hitch ball 'towards the receiving socket of the coupling. Each
device
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features to members that horizontally converge toward the receiving socket so
that
the vehicle need be backed up only with enough precision to dispose the ball
hitch
between the members at widely spaced ends thereof. Upon further reversing, the
converging members constrain the hitch ball to enter the socket situated at a
narrower position along the device.
U.S. Patents 4,417,745 of Dortch, 5,779,256 of Vass and 6,976,694 of
Rayl et al. each teach an alignment device that similarly features
horizontally
converging side walls, but mounts on the towing vehicle rather than on the
trailer.
The side walls begin are connected forward of the hitch ball and diverge
extending
rearwardly therefrom so as to guide the hitch coupler on the trailer toward
the hitch
bell as the towing vehicle is reversed toward the trailer,
U.S. Patent 4,$02,686 of Isreal teaches a hitch coupling for mounting
on a trailer which includes a hitch baU reoeiving compartment having two
vertical
side walls horizontally diverging away from a common end of the compartment. A
] 5 generally horizontal top panel covers the ball receiving compartment and
extends
rearward therefrom to cover space between the side walls. The device is
connected
to a#railer at the wider end of the walls to support the receiving compartment
and
covered space between the walls forward of the trailer.- In use, the towing
vehicle is
backed up to position the hitch ball past the receiving compartment between
the side
walls. The trailer is then lowered to rest the top panel on the hitch ball,
the towing
vehicle is driven forward and the side walls guide the moving hitch baU toward
the
receiving compartment. With the hitch ball received in the compartment, a pin
with a
lock lever is used to secure the connection by blocking withdrawal of the bell
hitch.
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SUMMARY OI= THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a hitch
coupling for mounting on a trailer for engagement with a hitch ball mounted on
a
towing vehicle, the hitch coupling comprising:
a hitch ball receiving socket;
a guide body connected to the hitch ball receiving socket and
extending to one side thereof; and
a mounting body extending from the guide body at an end thereof
opposite the hitch ball receiving socket;
the guide body comprising:
two generally vertical side walls being horizontally spaced apart
adjacent the one side of the hitch ball receiving socket and diverging
horizontally
away therefrom; and
a sliding surface defined between the two generally verticai side
walls extending upward away from the mounting body toward the hitch ball
receiving
socket.
The hitch coupling is mountable on a trailer for use in a manner similar
to that of Isrea( and offers, similar benefits over conventional hitch
couplings. Unlike
conventional couplings, the towing vehicle only needs to be backed up with
enough
precision to position the ball hitch somewhere between the spaced apart side
walls
rearward of the receiving socket. The diverging walls provide a target area of
greater length and width than the receiving socket itself. The trailer is
lowered to
rest the coupling atop the hitch ball and the towing vehicle is then driven
forward
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with the side walls guiding the hitch ball toward the receiving socket due to
their
convergence theretoward. The hitch coupling is improved by the sloped sliding
surface which acts as a ramp to further encourage receipt of the hitch ball
into the
receiving socket. When the sliding surface is lowered onto the hitch ball,
weight of
the trailer exerted on the hitch ball at the coupling encourages reiative
sliding
between the sloped surface and hitch ball toward receipt of the hitch ball
into the
receiving socket due to the slope of the sliding surface. Using the trailer's
weight
toward mating of the hitch ball and receiving socket reduces the amount of
external
force, for example the force provided by forward driving of the towing vehicle
or by
manual movement of the trailer, needed to achieve coupling.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is pravided a hitch
coupling for mounting on a trailer for engagement with a hitch ball mounted on
a
towing vehicle, the hitch coupling comprising:
a hitch ball receiving socket;
a guide body connected to the hitch ball receiving socket and
extending to one side thereof; and
a mounting body extending from the guide body at an end thereof
opposite the hitch ball receiving socket;
the guide body comprising:
two generally vertical side walls being horizontally spaced apart
adjacent the one side of the hitch ball receiving socket and diverging
horizontally
away therefrom; and
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a sliding surface defined betweeh the two generally vertical side
walls for sfiding contact of the hitch ball therewith toward the hitch ball
receiving
socket;
and the hitch ball receiving socket comprising a wall extending
5 downward at an end thereof proximate the guide body toward the sliding
surface.
Once the socket has received the hitch ball, its rear wall blocks relative
movement of the hitch ball out of the receiving socket and back along the
sliding
surface Inadvertent withdrawal of the hitch ball from the socket due relative
motion
of the towing vehicle and trailer toward one another is prevented. For
example, with
the ball and socket mated and the towing vehicle parked in a fixed position,
forward
rolling of the trailer toward the vehicle, for example due to a sloped surface
on which
the wheels of the trailer are disposed, is blocked by contact between the
hitch ball
and the rear wall of the socket.
Preferably the sliding surface is defined by a plate supported between
the two generally vertical side walls.
Preferably the sliding surface extends to the end of the guide body
oppose the hitch ball receiving socket.
Preferably the sliding surface extends to the hitch ball receiving socket.
Preferably each generally vertical side walt extends below the sliding
surface at every, point therealong.
Preferably each generally vertical side wall, at every point therealong,
extends below the sliding surface.
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Preferably the guide body further comprises a top plate spanning
between the two generally vertical side walls at top edges thereof.
Preferably the hitch b3ll receiving socket comprises an inner surface
comprising a dome-like contour.
Preferably the hitch ball receiving socket comprises an inner surface
being curved along a top portion thereof. The hitch ball receiving socket may
comprise an inner surface comprising a dome-like contour. or a substantially
hemispherical portion. The curved inner surface better conforms to the shape
of a
conventionai hitch bell which is substantially spherical.
Preferably the hitch ball receiving socket is formed by casting.
Preferably the two generally vert+cal side wells are formed by casting.
The sliding surface may be defined by a metal plate secured between
the two generally vertical side walls by welding.
Preferably the mounting body comprises two generally vertical side
plates and a generally horizontal top plate extending therebetween to form a
rectangular channel extending from the guide body in a direction opposite the
hitch
ball receiving socket.
Preferably at least one passage is defined extending through the two
generally vertical side plates of the mounting body across the rectangular
channel
for receiving at least one fastener.
Preferably at least one passage is defined extending through the top
plate of the mounting body for receiving at least one fastener,
Preferably the at least one passage comprises two passages.
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Preferably there is provided fasteners for securing the mounting body
to the trailer.
Preferably the fasteners comprise bolts.
Preferably there is provided a locking mechanism operable to at least
partially obstruct an opening to the hitch ball receiving socket.
Preferably there is provided a pin being selectively positionable to
extend across an opening to the hitch ball receiving socket and being lockable
when
so positioned.
Preferably the guide body has a passageway extending transversely
therethrough at the opening to the hitch ball receiving socket through which
the pin
is passable.
Preferably there is provided a closing device supportable on the pin to
obstruct access to the hitch ball receiving socket from below. The closing
device
can thus be installed on the coupling when not mating with a hitch ball so as
to
prevent theft of the trailer by blocking access to the receiving socket by the
hitch ball
on the vehicle of a would-be thief.
. Preferably the closing device is supported on the pin to extend toward
an end of the hitch ball receiving socket opposite the guide body and upward
within
the hitch ball receiving socket.
Preferably the closing device is pivotally supportable on the pin and
dimensioned to limit pivoting about the pin by contact with an interior
surface of the
hitch ball receiving socket.
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$
Preferably the Closing device comprise$ a tubular body through which
a shaft of the pin is passable and a protrusion extending from the tubular
body to
obstruct access to the hitch ball receiving socket from below.
Preferably the closing device comprises a right-angle portion
positionable to extend away from the guide body and upward within the hitch
ball
receiving socket.
Preferably the pin Comprises a stop proximate one end thereof to
prevent passage of the pin in entirety from one side of the coupling an
opposite side.
Preferably the pin has a hole therethrough proximate an end thereof
opposite the stop to receive a lock for cooperating with the stop to prevent
withdrawal of the pin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention:
i5 Figure 1 is an overhead plan view of a hitch coupling in accordance
with the present invention mounted on the tongue of a trailer.
. Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the hitch coupling mounted on the
trailer tongue. -
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the hitch coupling mounted on the
trailer tongue before coupling with a hitch ball, -
Figure 4 is a rear elevational view of the hitch coupling.
Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the hitch coupling.
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Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the hitch coupling and trailer
tongue after coupling with the hitch ball.
Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of an anti-theft assembly for
use with the hitch coupling,
Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the hitch coupling with the anti-
theft assembly in use,
Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of the hitch coupling and anti-theft
assembly of Figure 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTkON
Figure 1 shows a hitch coupling 10 according to one embodiment of
the present invention mounted on the tongue 100 of a trailer. The hitch
coupling 10
features a ball hitch receiving socket 12 at one end and a mounting bracket 14
at the
other. These two components are connected and spaced apart by a guide body 16
such that the receiving socket 12 and guide body 16 are supported past the end
102
of the trailer tongue 100 with the mounting bracket 14 fastened thereto, The
guide
body 16 has two vertical side walls 18, 20 that are horizontally spaced where
they
connect to the receiving socket 12 and extend to one side thereof. The side
wells
18, 20 diverge horizontally as they extend away from the receiving socket 12
toward
the mounting bracket 14 at the opposite end of the coupling. Between the side
walls
18, 20 is a plate 22 sloping upward away from the mounting bracket 14 toward
the
receiving socket 12.
As shown in Figure 3, both the receiving socket 12 and the guide body
16 are open at the bottom to receive a hitch bail 200 supported on a towing
vehicle,
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for example by a drawbar 202. In use of the coupling 10, the end 102 of the
trailer
tongue 100 is extemally supported in'an elevated position in which the coupler
10 is
elevated with respect to the hitch ball 200 and the towing vehicle is backed
toward
the trailer to position the hitch ball 200 somewhere beneath the guide body 16
and
5 then stopped. The extemal support is removed to lower the trailer tongue 100
and
coupling 10 such that the sloped plate 22 is disposed atop the hitch ball 200.
The
towing vehicle is then slowly driven forward, causing the hitch ball 200 to do
the
same as indicated by the arrow in Figure 3. During this forward motion, the
side
waNs 18, 20 guide the hitch ball 200 toward the reeeiving socket 12.
10 The sloped plate 22 assists in connection of the towing vehicle and the
trailer by using the trailer's weight to encourage relative movement of the
.hitch ball
200 toward the receiving socket 12. The bottom of the plate 22 defines a
ramping
surface 24 along which the hitch ball 200 slides as the towing vehicle and
trailer are
drawn away from each other to complete the connection process after the
coupling
10 is lowered onto the hitch ball 200. A portion of the trailer's weight is
exerted on
the hitch ball 200 by the plate 22. Due to the inclination of the plate 22
from a
horizontal orientation to slope upward toward the receiving socket 12, the
trailer
tongue 100 and attached coupling 10 tend to move downward and away from the
towing vehicle in this situation. In other words, under the weight of the
trailer, there
is a tendency for relative sliding between the hitch ball 200 and the ramping
surface
24 to move the hitch ball 200 and receiving socket 12 into engagement. While
this
connection-encouraging force may not be enough to cause any actual relative
movement, it does contribute to the force needed to cause relative movement of
the
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towing vehicle forward with respect to the trailer to slide the hitch ball 200
into the
receiving socket 12.
A mouth 26 of the guide body 16 communicates with an opening to the
interior of the receiving socket 12. The mouth 26 features side wall
extensions 28,
30 at the top thereof, each of which extends from a respective one of the side
walis
18, 20 along an upper edge thereof and is significantly smaller in height than
its
respective sitfe wafl. The side wall extensions 28, 30 continue the narrowing
of the
guide body 16 toward the receiving socket by converging theretoward to achieve
a
horizontal spacing at the connection to the socket substantially equal to the
interior
thereof for housing the. hitch ball. Beneath the converging side wall
extensions 28,
30 the guide body 16 protrudes laterally outward therefrom to form side
chambers
32, 34. The side chambers 32, 34 define parallel vertical outer surfaces 32A,
34A
parallel to a longitudinal axis of the coupling 10. Aligned holes 36 are
provided in
the side chambers 32, 34 through the outer surfaces 32A, 34A thereof to define
a
passageway extending across the mouth 26 at the opening to the hitch ball
interior.
A pin 38 is receivable in the -passageway with a head 38A of the pin being too
large
to fit through the holes 36 to prevent passage of the entire pin 38
therethrough, With
the pin 38 so received in the mouth 26, a smaller locking pin 40, for example
a ring
pin, is fed through an opening in the shaft of the pin 38 near the end thereof
opposite
the head 38A and looked in order to secure the pin 38 in place by blocking
withdrawal through the holes 36. This arrangement forms a locking mechanism to
secure the hitch bell 200 within the receiving socket 12 after mating thereof,
as the
pin 38 obstructs the opening to the socket interior to prevent inadvertent
withdrawal
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of the hitch ball. The side chambers 32, 34 extend forward from the side wall
extensions 28, 30 passed the opening to the receiving socket interior so that
the
holes 36 are positioned so that a distance between the pin 38 received therein
and a
front lip 42 is less than the diameter of the hitch ball 200.
In the illustrated embodiment, the guide body 16 features a top plate
44 spanning between the side walls 18, 20 and the side wall extensions 28, 30
to
fully cover the guide body between the receiving socket 12 and mounting
bracket 14.
A vertieal rear wall 46 extends across the guide body at the end thereof
connected
to the mounting bracket. The rear wall 46 depends downward from the top plate
44
and.extends from one side wall to the other, A rectangular portion extending
inward
from a bottom edge 44A of ttie rear wall 46 at a longitudinal center thereof
is
missing, giving the rear wall 46 somewhat of a U-shape, forming two legs 48,
54
depending downward from the top plate 44 on opposite sides of a central
portion 52.
Such an arrangement allows the guide body to be substantially formed by, for
example, casting or stamping with the sloped plate 22 being added afterward,
for
example, by welding. A straight lower end 52 of the sloped plate 22 is
received
between the inside edges 48A, 50A of the two leg portions 48, 50 and welded to
the
rear wall 46, A narrowed upper end 54 of the sloped plate 22 is received
between
the side wall extensions 28, 30 near the opposite end of the guide body 16.
This
'sloped plate 22 is welded to the side wall extensions in the mouth 26 such
that the
narrow end extends to a point at or near the opening to the receiving socket
interior.
The ball hitch receiving socket 12 may be formed by cas#ing to have a
curved hemispherical or dome-like inner surface 60 so as to provide a
relatively
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snug fit with a conventional hitch ball of substantially spherical shape.
Couplings'
according to the present invention may be made with sockets of various sizes
to
accpmmodate various sizes of hitch balls. For example, the hitch receiving
socket
may be sized to fit any commonly used hitch ball sizes such as 1-7/8", 2" or 2-
5/16'.
Figure 6 shows the hitch coupling 10 and drawbar-mounted hitch ball 200 of
Figure
3 having been positioned relative to one another by the relative sliding
between the
hitch ball 200 and the ramping surface 24 for coupling. As shown, a rear wall
61 of
the receiving socket 12 nearest the guide body 16 depends downward from the
top
plate 44 thereof toward, but not past, the upper end 54. of the sloped plate
22. The
IO sloped plate 22 may be secured to the lower end of the rear wall 61 in
addition to or
instead of to the side wall extensions 28, 30. Once the hitch ball 200 is
received in
the socket 12, this rear wall 61 thereof blocks forward motion of the trailer
relative to
the towing vehicle. Contact of the hitch ball 200 with the interior surfaces
of the
receiving socket 12 thus helps prevents the separation of the hitch ball 200
and
socket by restricting relative motion therebetweeri. With the trailer and
vehicle so
positioned and coupled the. trailer, if previously having its wheels blacked
or
otherwise secured during the coupling actiQn, can be released without fear of
the
trailer rolling away from the towing vehicle. With the hitch ball 200 thus
received in
the socket 12, the pin 38 is then passed through the holes 36 in the side
'chambers
32, 34 and secured with locking pin 40 to prevent vertical separatP.Qn of the
hitch ball
200 and coupling 10 and thus complete a secure connection between the towing
vehicle and trailer.
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In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting bracket 14 features two
vertical side plates 62, 64 horizontally spaced apart depending downward from
a
horizontat top plate 66. This arrangement defines a rectangular channel
between
the side plates 62, 64 into which the rectangular tongue 100 of the trailer
can be
received. The mounting bracket thus fits over the tubular trailer tongue 100
with the
top plate 66 resting on the top wall 102 of the tongue and the side plates 62,
64
depending downward along the side walls 104, 106, Pairs of aligned holes are
provided in the side plates 62, 64 of the mounting bracket 14 to facilitate
the passing
of bolts 68 through corresponding holes 108 created in the side walls 104, 106
of the
trailer tongue 100 to mate with nuts 70 to secure the coupling 10 on the
trailer.
Having two or more pairs of aligned holes prevents pivoting of the coupling
about a
bolt. Two holes 72, 74 are also provided in the top plate 66 of the mounting
bracket
to facilitate mounting of the bracket on the trailer tongue by vertically
extending
fasteners. The plates of the mounting bracket 14 connect to the guide body 16
at
the rear wall 46 thereof.
As shown in the Figures, the boftom edges at the sides of the guide
body may slope upward toward the ball hitch receiving socket. With the sides
of the
guide body extending below the ramping surface 24 at all points therealong,
once
the ramping surface is resting atop the ball hitch, the sides prevent the ball
hitch
from sliding out from under the ramp. In the illustrated embodiment, the plate
22
defining the ramping surface 24 does not span the full width of the guide body
16
along the full length thereof, but rather spans enough of the width such that
the open
space between the plate 22 and each of the side walls 18, 20 is not large
enough to
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receive hitch ball 200. As a result, the hitch ball 200 will not get caught up
between
the plate and the side walts, thereby ensuring that positioning of the hitch
belt
between the side walls anywhere between the side walls and forward of the rear
wall
allow hitching to be carried out successfully.
5 It should be appreciated that the sloped ramping surface may be
provided in ways other than welding or otherwise securing a sloped plate
beneath a
top plate of the guide body. For example, the guide body side walls of one
embodiment could feature sloped upper edges supporting a sloped top plate, the
bottom of which defines the ramping surface. In another embodiment, the top
plate
10 and sloped ptates could be replaced with a single wedge-tike member
defining both
a horizontal upper surface and a sloped bottom surface. Alternatively, the
sloped
plate 22 may be formed integrally with the rest of the guide body using
casting
techniques known to those of skili in the art. Using this method of
production, the
hitch coupling may be produced in entirety by a single casting process. The
15 mounting bracket may be formed integrally with the guide body, or
alternativety
added thereto, for exampte by welding, after separate formation.
Alternate methods of fastening the guide body and receiving socket to
a trailer will be appreciated by those of skill in the art and may be readily
applied to
the coupling of the present inven6on. For example, the mounting bracket could
be
welded, rather than bolted, to the tongue of a trailer or the tongue_mounting
bracket
could be replaced with an A-frame mounting bracket known to those of skill in
the
art.
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Figures 7 to 9 show an anti-theft assembly 300 for use with the hitch
coupling 10 to prevent theft of the trailer by a person having a towing
vehicle with a
suitable hitch ball for cooperating with the coupling. The assembly features a
socket-closing device 302 and a padlock 320 that cooperate with the pin 38
that, as
explained above, is used to secure a hitch ball in the receiving socket 12 of
the
coupling 10. The socket closing deVice 302 features a hollow cylindrical body
304 of
suitable size to fit lengthwise between the aligned holes 36 in the sides of
the
coupling 10, which define the passageway through which the shaft of the pin 38
is
passable to secure a hitch ball in the receiving socket 12 as described above,
and to
allow passage of the shaft of the pin 38 through its hollow interior. A right
angle
protrusion 306 has a first portion 308 extending outward from the wall of the
cylindrical body 304 and a second portion 310 extending to one side of the
first
portion at a ninety degree angle thereto. The padlock 320 is of a conventional
structure featuring a body 322 and a shackle 324.
For use, the anti-theft assembly 300 is installed on the hitch coupling
10 when not engaged to a hitch ball of a towing vehicle. A user pt,sitions the
socket
closing device 302 in the throat 26 of the coupling 10 between the aligned
holes 36
in the side chambers 32, 34 to align the holes 36 with the hollow interior of
the
cylindricai body 304. The closing device 302 is oriented by the user such that
the
first portion 308 of the right angle protrusion 306 forward from the throat 26
of the
coupling toward the front iip 42 of the receiving socket 12. Rearward of the
lip 42,
the second portion 3110 of the right angle protrusion 306 extends upward
within the
receiving socket 12. The shaft of the pin 38 is then passed through the
aligned
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holes 36 in the coupling and cylindrical body 304 of the socket closing device
to
positian a through-hole 38B extending through the shaft of the pin near and
end 38C
thereof opposite head 38A on a side of the coupling opposite the pin's head.
One
side of the shackle 324 of the padlock 320 is then passed through the hole 38B
in
the pin shaft and the padlock is then locked in a typical manner.
Once installed, the socket Closing device 302 blocks access to the
receiving socket- 12 so that a potential thief cannot fit the hitch ball of a
towing
vehide into the socket and tow the trailer away. More specifically, the pin 38
and
cylindrical body 304 block access to the receiving socket 12 along the sloped
plate
22 and the first portion 308 of the right angle protrusion 306 blocks access
from
directly below the socket. Pivoting of the socket closing device 302 about the
pin 38
on which it is supported is limited in either direction by contact between the
interior
surface of the receiving socket and the seoond portion 3110 of the right angle
protrusion 308. As a result, access to the socket from below cannot be gained
by
pivoting of the eylindrical body about the pin, only by lowering the closing
device
from its installed position, which requires removal of the padlock and pin.
The socket closing device 302 may be produced, for example, by
welding a length of angle iron to a length of tubing. From the figures and
description
above, it should be appreciated that cooperation of the pin and padlock may be
used
in place of the pin and padlock combination used to provide_ secure coupling
between the trailer and towing vehicle. Using a device lockable, for example,
by key
or combination in such a context would help prevent theft of the trailer when
connected to a towing vehicle by the hitch coupling by preventing separation
by a
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person not possessing the necessary key, combination or tool to open the lock.
It
should also be appreciated that the anfi-theft assembly may be used with other
types of hitoh couplings having aligned holes are provided in opposite sides
of a
hollow channel proximate the opening to the hitch receiving socket.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein
above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made
within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit
and
scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying
specificadon shall
be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
