Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
(01)This invention relates to the towing portion of a pre-manufactured or home
built tow
behind trailer that attaches to the rearward towing device of an independent,
self-
propelled vehicle such as. but not limited to a small utility truck, an All-
Terrain utility
Vehicle, a 5`11 wheel dolly assembly or the rear hitch device of a towing
vehicle such as a
pickup truck.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(02)The traditionally manufactured tow behind trailer is produced with a
rigid, fixed
style hitch that is permanently integrated with the trailers frame. This
production design
has become the main stay for trailers that are used for transporting goods
from one
location to another, in industry, business, agriculture and the private
sector. For the most
part this tow behind trailer style performs well for their intended use or
purpose. They
however have a few short comings and limitations that need to be addressed, to
give them
more flexibility in their usefulness.
(03)The first limitation associated with the traditional manufactured tow
behind trailer
hitch styles is that they can only be hooked or coupled to a matching towing
hitch style
equipped vehicle. The two primary coupling style devices are; a ball coupler
and a pintle
hook connecting device. This can restrict a trailers movement from one
location to
another because there is not a suitable towing vehicle available, due to the
trailers size,
weight, tow coupler style or the surface conditions that the trailer is to be
traveling
across.
(04)A second limitation is that the traditionally manufactured tow behind
trailer is fitted
with either a straight tongue or an A frame style of hitch tongue. These
hitches have a pre
determined weight classification rating. The result of this limitation is that
many times a
trailer is over loaded for its hitch classification or for the hitch
classification on the
towing vehicle to which the trailer has been coupled to.
(05)A third limitation for the traditionally manufactured tow behind trailer
tongue hitch
is that its single style hitch often requires a manufacturer to invest in a
greater amount of
raw materials. skilled labor and production equipment, in order to produce and
meet the
varied needs in the market place.
(06)These limitation of the traditional tow behind trailers, are some of the
reasons for the
development of the Temporary Single Arm Adjustable Goose Neck Hitch System.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
(07)The temporary single arm adjustable goose neck hitch system has been
developedh to
help turn a standard rigid tow behind trailer into a temporary single arm
goose neck/5
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wheel trailer. This conversion system will allow for greater flexibility for
on and off road
tasks that will be performed by traditional tow behind trailers. This
conversion is
accomplished by attaching a quick exchange receiver coupler near the front of
the hitch
tongue, and to the underside of the said hitch tongue frame, as an optional
accessory
piece to a pre-manufactured trailer. The said receiver coupler can also be
integrated into
the manufacturing process of a new trailer hitch tongue, as a standard
feature. This
receiver coupler accepts and locks in place the temporary single arm,
adjustable goose
neck hitch, or the fore said receiver coupler will also accept an adjustable,
temporary
straight arm tongue accessory hitch.
(08)This quick exchange temporary single arm adjustable goose neck hitch
conversion
system will use the standard coupling devices such as, but not limited to a
king pin style,
or a ball coupler style coupling device, for connecting the fore said
temporary goose neck
hitch system to an independent tow vehicle such as a small utility vehicle, a
utility ATV,
a 5' wheel dolly hitch assembly or it can be attached to the standard rear
hitch device of
a tow vehicle such as a pickup truck.
(09)There are a number of advantages for the instillation of this invention on
a
traditional tow behind trailer. The first advantage for this hitch conversion
system is that
it can be attached to a new or used trailer hitch tongue, converting a
standard straight
tongue style hitch, or a standard A frame style hitch tongue into a temporary
single arm,
adjustable goose neck style hitch system. This hitch conversion will lessen
the need to
purchase a complete custom built trailer.
(010)A second advantage of this hitch conversion system is that the
traditional trailer
towing coupling connectors such as the ball coupler connecter, or the pintle
style
coupling device can still be used with this conversion system, as an
exchangeable
accessory component pieces along with the temporary single arm, adjustable
goose neck,
and the adjustable, temporary straight tongue style of hitch. The third
advantage for the
invention is hat it can also be used as an anti-theft device. By removing the
adjustable
single arm temporary goose neck hitch or the straight tongue hitch from the
trailer frame
adjustable receiver coupler, a trailer is left without a towing device
attached to the trailer
frame hitch tongue.
(011)A fourth advantage of the temporary single arm adjustable goose neck
hitch system
is that when a 511' wheel dolly assembly is used in conjunction with this
hitch system, a
trailers function and maneuverability is greatly enhanced particularly on an
off road job
site, where a trailer can be moved with a smaller towing vehicle. In some
situations a
trailer may even be moved by hand pushing, when connecting a 51h wheel dolly
assembly
to this hitch conversion system. A heavier load may be put on to the trailer
when using
the 5`11 wheel dolly with out being in violation of the towing vehicles weight
classification
restrictions. This again gives more flexibility to a tow behind trailers
capabilities.
(012)There are also financial advantages to this hitch conversion system.
First it can
decrease the need of investing in multiple trailers because of the
interchangeable hitch
connector options that have already been mentioned. Another financial
advantage can be
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realized in the greater choice of towing vehicles that can be used for
different purposes
and future applications. such as a trailer that is used for road travel, can
now be coupled
to an All -Terrain Utility Vehicle that has been designed for off road use.
The foresaid
advantages are just a few examples, and they should not be viewed as limiting
for other
possible advantages.
BRIEF DISCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
1. For a more complete understanding of the invention;
(013)FIG.1 Discloses a side view of an temporary single arm, adjustable goose
neck hitch
system, with the inset able connector tube end of the goose necks connector
arm inserted
into a receiver coupler that is attached to the underside of an existing
trailer frame hitch
tongue.
(014) FiG.2 Shows a side view of the temporary single arm, adjustable goose
neck hitch
systems insert able connector tube end inserted into a receive coupler that
has been
integrated into the trailer frame hitch tongue.
(015) FiG.3, shows a side view of a receiver coupler, 3A shows a top view of a
receiver
coupler with a connector flat plate and FiG.3B is an end view of a receiver
coupler with
an inserted temporary fastener.
(016) FiG.3C shows a receiver coupler temporarily connected to the underside
of a trailer
hitch tongue.
(017) FiG.3D shows a top view of a receiver coupler integrated into an A frame
style of
hitch tongue.
(018) FiG.4 Shows a side view of the temporary single connector arm inserted
into a
receiver coupler tube.
(019) FiG.5 shows a length of adjustable, exchangeable, horizontal cross beam
(020) FiG.6 shows a side view of an assembled single arm cross beam connector
system
(021) FiG.7 Shows a top view of the rearward adjustable double receiver
connector head
(022) FiG.7A shows the flat plate portion of the rearward adjustable double
receiver
connector head, with a U bolt style of temporary fastener.
(023) FiG.8shows a side view of the forward adjustable double receiver
connector head
(024) FiG.9 shows the vertically adjustable coupler support tube with a pre
manufactured
king pin style coupling device.
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(025) FiG.10 shows the vertically adjustable coupler support tube with a pre
manufactured ball coupler style of coupling device.
(026) Fi0.11 shows a side view of an adjustable temporary straight tongue
hitch device
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(027) 1 in accordance with the object of the invention set forth in the
summary of the
invention. The Temporary Single Arm Adjustable Goose Neck hitch system is
shown in
Fig.1 as an attachment to the underside of the frame hitch tongue (9) in a
forward
position on a standard tow behind trailer (trailer not shown). This
application of the fore
said hitch system is an example for the invention being used as an optional
aftermarket
accessory piece. Fig 2 shows the fore said invention attached to a standard
tow behind
trailer frame hitch tongue (9) as an integrated standard feature of a pre
manufactured tow
behind trailer hitch tongue (trailer not shown). These two views of the
invention represent
just two hitch conversion applications for the invention, and they should not
be used as
limitations for other suitable applications for the use of this invention.
(028)The Temporary Single Arm Adjustable Goose Neck hitch system is comprised
of
the fallowing components; as shown in Fig.1 and 2. The fore said invention
conversion
application starts with a quick connect receiver coupler (1) FiG.1, 2 and 3
which has been
brought forward from CA. Pat. No 2.477.549 and having the same inventor. The
quick
connect receiver coupler (1) design starts with a length of hallow, square
steel tubing
(1a), with both of the ends left open, and function as receiver coupler ends
for the
purpose of inserting and connecting the temporary single connector arms,
insert able
connector tube (2a) Fig. 1, 2 and 4 which will be discussed in more detail in
Fig.4. The
fore said receiver coupler tube (la) FiG.3 has a plurality of pre drilled
matching holes (6)
along the right and left sides of the adjustable receiver coupler tube (la)
for inserting a
temporary fastener (7) through the holes (6) in the receiver coupler as shown
in FiG.3B,
and the pre drilled matching holes (6) in the insert able connector tubes (2a)
FiG.4 in
order to secure the temporary single connector arm (2) in place. Both ends of
the receiver
coupler tube have been fitted with a single re enforcement band (lb) that
gives added
strength and support to the receiver coupler (1) Fig.3 and 3A when used in
heavy down
or side pressure loads. Each adjustable receiver coupler is also fitted with a
steel flat
connector plate(s) (lc) FiG.1.2.3 and 3A of sufficient strength and dimension,
rigidly
attached to the top side of the receiver coupler tube (la) with a process such
as welding
for securing the said adjustable receiver coupler (1) to the trailer frames
hitch tongue (9).
This is done in such a way so that the receiver coupler (1) becomes an
optional accessory
component piece when attached to a pre manufactured trailer as shown in Fig. 1
and 3C,
or as a standard component piece on a newly manufactured trailer as shown in
Fig 2 and
3D.
(029)The fore said flat connector plate(s) (lc) FiG.3 and3A design uses two
different
methods for attaching the fore said adjustable receiver coupler (1) to a pre
manufactured
tow behind trailer frame hitch tongue (9) Fig. 1 and 2. The first method for
attaching the
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receiver couplers flat connector plate (lc) that is attached to the top side
of the adjustable
receiver coupler tube (1a) is as a permanent attachment to the underside, and
near the
front of a trailers hitch tongue (9) by using a standard process such as
welding FiG.1.
(030) The second method used for attaching the fore said flat connector
plate(s) lc) of
the adjustable receiver coupler (1) to a tow behind trailer frame hitch tongue
(9) uses
temporary fastener(s), the fore said temporary fastener(s), include but not
limited to a U
bolt (7a) FiG.3C are of sufficient length so as to extend over the tow behind
trailer hitch
tongues frame (9), and are inserted through the pre drilled hole(s) (6) in the
flat connector
plate (lc) that is attached to the receiver coupler (1) Fig. 3, 3A and 3C
allowing for a
suitable connection of the receiver coupler (1) to the trailer hitch tongue
frame (9).
(031)There are two primary trailer hitch styles used when the adjustable
receiver coupler
(1) is integrated into the trailer frame as a part of a newly manufacturing
trailer hitch.
One is shown in Fig.2, as a straight tongue, in this style the receiver
coupler is
incorporated as a part of the hitch tongue. The 2nd hitch style is shown in
FiG.3D as an A
frame style of hitch tongue connection. In this style the trailers hitch frame
side
member(s) (9a) can be fastened directly to the sides of the adjustable
receiver coupler
tube (la) with or without the use of the connector flat plate(s) (lc). The
adjustable
receiver coupler (1) can be rotated 1/4 of a turn so that the matching pre
drilled holes (6)
will be on the top and bottom sides so that the hitch frame side members (9a)
will not be
an obstruction when inserting or removing a temporary fastener(s) (7). This
connection
process makes it possible for the fore said adjustable receiver coupler (1) to
be capable of
accepting both the temporary single connector arm (2) portion of the
adjustable goose
neck hitch system and the adjustable, temporary straight arm connector tongue
(10)
Fig.11 style hitch as a temporary interchangeable function of the invention.
(032)The temporary, single arm adjustable goose neck hitch system as shown in
Fig. 1
and 2 make up further includes a temporary single connector arm (2) that is
further
comprised of an insert able connector tube (2a) Fig. 4 that slides into the
adjustable
receiver coupler (1) that is attached to a tow behind trailer frame hitch
tongue (9) Fig.1
and 2, and is locked into place with the use of a temporary fastener (7)
FiG.3B. The
forward end of the insert able connector tube (2a) is connected to a
vertically positioned
square steel tube (2b) as shown in Fig. 1, 2 and 4. The vertical tube (2b) is
connected to
the forward end of the insert able connector tube (2a) by using a process such
as welding.
A metal gusset (2c) is welded to the right and left sides of the forward end
of the
horizontal tube (2a) and the lower end of the vertical tube (2b) to give added
support and
strength to the goose neck connector arm (2).This vertical tube (2b) is of a
sufficient
length, so as to allow the exchangeable, horizontal cross beam (4) to be an
acceptable
height, allowing for a proper clearance for the temporary single arm
adjustable goose
neck hitch system to function safely without obstructions when coupled to an
independent towing vehicle. The fore sad vertical tube (2b) has matching pre
drilled holes
(6) near the upper end, and on the right and left sides for inserting a
temporary fastener
(7) for temporarily securing the rearward adjustable double receiver connector
head (3) in
place over the upper most end of the vertical tube (2b) portion of the single
connector
arm (2) FiG4 and 6.
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(033)Another part of the temporary single arm adjustable goose neck hitch
system is
identified as a rearward adjustable double receiver connector head (3) in Fig.
1, 2, 6 and
7. This adjustable double receiver connector head (3) make up includes a
horizontal
receiver connector tube (3a). This connector tube is a sufficient length of
square steel
tubing that accepts and secures in place the rearward end of the exchangeable,
horizontal
cross beam (4) Fig. 1, 2,5 and 6. The fore said horizontal receiver connector
tube (3a) has
matching pre drilled holes (6) on the right and left sides of the receiver
tube, near the
forward end of the receiver tube for the acceptance of a temporary fastener
(7). The
rearward end of the fore said horizontal receiver connector tube (3a) is
welded to the
forward side, and at a right angle to the vertically positioned receiver tube
(3b) portion of
the rearward adjustable double receiver connector head (3) Fig. 1, 2,6 and 7.
(034)The fore said adjustable, vertical receiver connector tube (3b) is
designed to fit over
the vertical tube (2b) portion of the temporary single arm adjustable goose
neck (2) so
that it can be moved down or up when positioned over the fore said vertical
tube (2b) as
shown in FiG.1, 2 and 6. There are matching pre drilled holes (6) on the right
and left
sides of the vertical connector tube (311) for inserting a temporary fastener
(7). There is a
flat steel support plate(s) (3d) positioned onto the right and left sides of
the horizontal
(3a) and vertical (3b) receiver connector tubes Fig 1, 2 and 6 with a process
such as
welding, so as to give added support to the rearward adjustable double
receiver connector
head (3). The fore said vertical receiver tube (3b) has a vertical flat plate
(3c) rigidly
secured to its rearward side with a process such as welding. A series of pre
drilled holes
are placed near the outer edges of the fore said flat plate (3c) FiG.7A for
the inserting of
optional temporary fasteners (7) for temporarily securing the rearward
adjustable double
receiver connector head in a temporary position over the fore said vertical
connector tube
(2b) FiG.1, 2, and 6. A set screw (3e) is inserted through the flat plate (3c)
and the
vertical receiver tube (3b) to secure the adjustable, vertical receiver
connector tube (3b)
portion of the rearward adjustable double receiver connector head (3) to the
vertical arm
(2b) portion of the fore said single arm (2) Fig.6.
(035)A suitable Temporary fastener(s) such as, but not limited to a U bolt(s)
(7a) can be
used as an optional securing method for the fore said rearward adjustable
double receiver
connector head (3). The fore said temporary fastener(s) (7a) can be placed
around the
fore said vertical arm (2b). A fore said temporary fastener (7a) can be placed
above the
adjustable vertical receiver connector tube (3b) and one temporary fastener
(7a) can be
placed below the fore said adjustable vertical receiver connector tube (3b).
The
temporary fastener(s) such as a U bolt (7a) are of sufficient length so as to
extend through
the pre drilled holes (6) in the vertically positioned flat connector plate
(3c) FiG.6, 7
and7A to aid in the securing process when attaching the rearward adjustable
double
receiver connector head (3) to the vertical tube (2b) portion of the temporary
single arm
adjustable goose neck (2) FiG.6.
(036)Fig. 1, 2, 5 and 6 show another part of the invention, identified as the
adjustable,
exchangeable horizontal cross beam (4). This beam is a section of square steel
tubing of
sufficient length to span the distance between the rearward adjustable double
receiver
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connector head (3) that is connected to the vertical tube (2b) portion of the
adjustable
single connector arm (2), and the forward adjustable double receiver connector
head (5)
in such a way as to allow the vertical adjustable coupler support tube (8)
FiG.1, 2 9 and
to be coupled to an independent towing vehicles coupling device (not shown) in
a
manner that allows the temporary single arm adjustable goose neck hitch system
to
function free of obstructions that would be related to the independent towing
vehicle such
as, but not limited to an all terrain utility vehicle, a 5th wheel dolly etc.
The adjustable,
exchangeable horizontal cross beam (4) has matching pre drilled holes (6) at
various
points on both sides, and near the rearward and forward end(s) of the cross
beam. These
pre dilled holes are used for adjustments and securing the cross beam (4) in
place within
the rearward horizontal receiver connector tube (3a) and forward horizontal
receiver
connector tube (5a) Fig. 1, 2 and 6 by inserting a temporary fasteners (7)
through the pre
drilled matching holes (6) in both the horizontal receiver connector tube(s)
(3a) and (5a)
and the rearward and forward end(s) of the exchangeable horizontal cross beam
(4). The
fore said horizontal cross beam can be exchanged with other cross beams of
longer or
shorter lengths for added adjustments and versatility of the invention.
(037)There are two adjustable double receiver connector heads FiG.1, 2 and 6
used for
the connecting of the horizontal cross beam (4) within the temporary single
arm
adjustable goose neck hitch system. The rearward adjustable, double receiver
connector
head (3) attaches to the vertical arm (2b) Fig.1, 2 and 6, the second is the
forward double
receiver connector head (5) that attaches to the adjustable vertical coupler
support tube
(8) Fig.], 2, 6 and 8.
(038) The fore said forward double receiver connector head (5) FiG.1, 2 and 6
make up
consists of a horizontally positioned square steel receiver tube (5a), with
its rearward end
being open for accepting the insert able connector tube end portion of the
fore said
exchangeable, horizontal cross beam (4), and further having a plurality of pre
drilled
holes on the right and left sides of the horizontal receiver tube (5a) for
accepting a
temporary fastener, and further having the forward end of the fore said
horizontal receive
connector tube (5a) rigidly connected with a process such as welding, to the
rearward
side of a vertically positioned receiver connector tube (5b), having the upper
and lower
ends left open for accepting a length of vertically, adjustable coupler
support tube (8), the
fore said vertically positioned receiver connector tube (5b) having set
screw(s) (5c) for
temporarily securing the vertically adjustable coupler support tube (8) in a
temporarily
secured position. the fore said horizontal (5a) and vertical (5b) receiver
connector tubes
have a steel gusset(s) (5d) welded to their right and left sides so as to give
a more rigid
connection to the forward double receiver connector head (5).
(039) Fig. 1. 2 and 6 shows the fore said adjustable vertical coupler support
tube (8)
inserted through an adjustable vertical receiver connector tube (5b), which is
a part of the
forward adjustable double receiver connector head (5) Fig 6 and 8. The fore
said
adjustable vertical coupler support tube (8) is a length of steel tubing of
sufficient length
so that the upper most end can be secured in place within the fore sad
vertical receiver
connector tube (5b), with the aid of a set screw(s) (5c), and further having
its lower end
connected to an independent towing vehicles coupling device (8f) FiG.10
(vehicle not
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shown). The adjustable characteristic of this adjustable vertical coupler
support tube (8)
is designed so that it can be adjusted up or down so that it can accommodate
the varied
heights of the independent towing vehicles trailer towing coupling device(s)
(8f) FiG.10
that are attached to an independent towing vehicle (vehicle not shown). There
are pre
drilled holes (6) on both sides and near the lower end of the fore said
vertical coupler
support tube (8) Fig.9 and 10. These matching pre drilled holes (6) are used
for
connecting the adjustable vertical coupler support tube (8) to the towing
coupler adaptor
(8b) Fig.9 and 10, with the use of temporary fasteners (7).
(040)The fore said towing coupler adaptor Fig. 9 and 10 make up starts with a
length of
steel tubing of sufficient size so that the adaptor tube (8b) can slide into
the bottom end of
the adjustable vertical coupler support tube (8) Fig.1, 2, 9 and 10 and be
secured in place
with a temporary fastener (7) that is inserted through the pre drilled holes
(6) that are near
the lower end of the vertical coupler support tube (8) Fig. 9 and 10 that are
matched to
the pre drilled holes (6) in the towing coupler adaptor tube (8b). The lower
end of the
towing coupler adaptor (8b) has been closed off by welding a piece of steel
flat plating
(8c) over the fore said lower end of the adaptor tube. A hole (6) has been pre
drilled
through the fore said fiat plate (8c) of sufficient size to accept and secure
in place the
threaded shank of a vre manufactured trailer ball/king pin style coupling
device (8d) Fig.
9. FiG.10 shows a 5" wheel style pre manufactured ball coupler device (8e)
attached to
the lower end of the towing coupler adaptor (8c) with a process such as
welding. Both
styles of the fore said pre manufactured coupling devices (8d) and (8e) are
used for
connecting the fore said adjustable vertical coupler support tube (8) portion
of the
invention to an independent towing vehicles (not shown) towing coupling device
such as,
but not limited to component piece (8t).
(041) Fig. 11 show an adjustable temporary straight arm connector tongue (10),
that has
been designed to be a temporary exchangeable replacement accessory piece for
the
temporary single arm adjustable goose neck, as it is also capable of being
inserted into
the adjustable receiver coupler (1) Fig. 11 that is attached to a trailer
frame hitch tongue
(9) FiG.3C and 3D. as an alternative, exchangeable part of the invention. The
straight arm
connector tongue (10) make up consists of a length of square steel tubing with
rearward
most end functioning as an insert able connector tube (10a) that has pre
drilled holes (6)
that match the pre drilled holes (6) in the fore said adjustable receiver
coupler (1) Fig. 3
and 11. The insert able connector tube (10a) slides into the receiver coupler
(1) and is
secured in place with the use of a temporary fasteners (7) FiG.3B. The forward
receiver
coupler tube end (10b) of the =fore said adjustable temporary straight arm
connector
tongue is an accessory connecting receiver end, and further having a re
enforcement band
(10c). The accessory connector receiver end (10b) is suitable for accepting an
accessory
coupling device such as, but not limited to a pre manufactured ball coupler
(10d). The pre
manufactured coupling device (10d) is attached to the straight arm connector
tongue with
the use of temporary fasteners (7) in the matching pre drilled holes (6) that
are in the right
and left side(s) of and near the forward end of the accessory connecting
receiver tube end
(10b) portion of the adjustable, temporary straight arm connecting tongue (10)
Fig. 11.
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