# US 10,766,321 B2 · Hitch it safe trailer hitch > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,766,321 B2 - Document ID: US10766321B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/009,641 - Filed: 2018-06-15 - Published: 2018-10-25 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2009-06-15 - Applicants: Karl Glenn Pratt - Inventors: Karl Glenn Pratt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766321B2 ## CPC - B60D 1/60: Covers, caps or guards {, e.g. comprising anti-theft devices} - B60D 1/06: Ball-and-socket hitches - B60D 1/167: consisting of articulated or rigidly assembled bars or tubes forming a V-, Y- or U-shaped draw gear - B60D 1/28: for preventing unwanted disengagement, e.g. safety appliances - B60D 1/363: {Hitch guiding or catching elements, e.g. V-shaped plates partially surrounding a coupling member for guiding the other coupling member} - B60D 1/52: removably mounted - B60D 1/56: securing to the vehicle bumper - B60D 1/583: {Holding-down means, e.g. holding-down retainers} - B60R 25/001: {Anti-theft devices acting on jacking means or props, e.g. for trailers} - B60R 2011/0096: {Theft prevention of articles} - B60D: VEHICLE CONNECTIONS - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A disclosed trailer hitch device includes an upper member to restrain the movement of the trailer hitch and a lower member to connect to the upper member and to connect to a vehicle. The upper member is rotatably connected to the lower member. The upper member is substantially U-shaped. The lower member is also substantially U-shaped and substantially symmetrical to the upper member. The upper and lower members include a respective side section, a respective arm section and a respective connecting plate configured to restrain the upper member from rotating with respect to the lower member. The upper connecting plate is connected to the lower connecting plate with a fastening device. A single component step washer includes a flanging washer concentric with a collar washer, the flanging washer comprising a ball mounting surface. The collar washer is configured to fit rotatably inside the hitching aperture of the lower member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A trailer hitch guide for restraining a trailer hitch, comprising holder comprising: an upper member configured to restrain a movement of the trailer hitch; a lower member defining a hitching aperture and configured to connect to the upper member and to connect to a vehicle, wherein the upper member is rotatably connected to the lower member; and a step washer including a flanging washer concentric with a collar washer, the flanging washer comprising a ball mounting surface, the collar washer configured to fit rotatably inside the hitching aperture of the lower member; wherein a clearance ‘a’ between an apex of a trailer hitch cup and a bottom surface of the upper member is less than a dimension ‘b’ representing a height of the trailer hitch cup, and a ratio a/b less than one configured to prevent an escape of the trailer hitch from the trailer hitch guide, and a ratio of one configured to allow an escape of the trailer hitch from the trailer hitch guide, and wherein a stacked step washer between a base of a hitch ball and the trailer hitch guide put into place during hitching reduces the ratio ‘a’ to ‘b’ to improve a safety margin to failure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A trailer hitch guide for restraining a trailer hitch as in claim 1, wherein the step washer further comprises a flange underside configured to rotate atop a lower bottom surface of the lower member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A trailer hitch guide for restraining a trailer hitch as in claim 1, wherein the step washer further comprises a collar underside configured to provide a fastening surface for a fastening nut. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A trailer hitch guide for restraining a trailer hitch as in claim 1, wherein the ball mounting surface further comprises a concave chamfered inside circumference configured to receive an underside portion of a hitching ball. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A trailer hitch guide for restraining a trailer hitch as in claim 1, wherein the lower member is substantially U-shaped. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A trailer hitch guide for restraining a trailer hitch as in claim 1, wherein the upper member includes an upper side section. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A trailer hitch guide for restraining a trailer hitch as in claim 6, wherein the upper side section includes an upper arm section. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A trailer hitch guide for restraining a trailer hitch as in claim 1, wherein the lower member includes a lower side section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A trailer hitch guide for restraining a trailer hitch as in claim 8, wherein the lower side section includes a lower arm section. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) A trailer hitch guide for restraining a trailer hitch as in claim 7, wherein the upper arm section is connected to an upper connecting plate. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) A trailer hitch guide for restraining a trailer hitch as in claim 9, wherein the lower arm section is connected to a lower arm connecting plate which cooperates with the upper connecting plate to restrain the upper member from rotating with respect to the lower member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A trailer hitch guide for restraining a trailer hitch as in claim 10, wherein the upper connecting plate is connected to the lower connecting plate with a fastening device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A trailer hitch guide for restraining a trailer hitch as in claim 1, wherein the trailer hitch guide further includes a locking device to prevent the rotation of the upper member with respect to the lower member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A trailer hitch guide for restraining a trailer hitch as in claim 1, wherein the upper member and the lower member are substantially symmetrical to each other and to themselves.