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US 11,685,206 B2Granted
Vibration minimization towing hitch
AssigneeCurt Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorsBenjamin D. Fisher, Curtis M. Bowe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vibration minimization towing hitch includes a shank attachable into the receiver tube the towing vehicle, and a separately formed head, such as for supporting a tow ball. The head is pivotable through a partial range of motion relative to the head, such as allowing the tow ball to pivot up to 7° downward or up to 3° upward. One or more compressible inserts are disposed in a pocket between the shank and the head, for resisting the limited pivotal motion of the head relative to the shank. A user performs a part of the assembly using two insertable pins or bolts, with insertion of the second pin compressing a compressible bumper which is separate from the insert(s).
Claims21
A towing hitch to transmit a towing force between a towing vehicle and a towed load, the towing hitch comprising:
- a shank formed of metal and having a leading end for insertion into and attachment to a receiver on the towing vehicle, the shank defining a hitch pin opening for receiving a hitch pin to secure the shank to the receiver on the towing vehicle, the shank defining a pivot axis spaced rearwardly from the hitch pin opening, the shank providing a first biasing surface and a second biasing surface;
- a head formed of metal separate from the shank which is attachable to the shank for limited pivoting in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction about the pivot axis during towing, the head providing a third biasing surface and a fourth biasing surface;
- and
- one or more compressible inserts, formed of a material substantially more compressible than the metals of the shank and the head, disposed between the shank and the head, such that pivoting of the head relative to the shank in the clockwise direction moves the first biasing surface toward the third biasing surface and compresses the one or more compressible inserts between the first biasing surface and the third biasing surface, and such that pivoting of the head relative to the shank in the counterclockwise direction moves the second biasing surface toward the fourth biasing surface and compresses the one or more compressible inserts between the second biasing surface and the fourth biasing surface.
1 more element
A towing hitch to transmit a towing force between a towing vehicle and a towed load, the towing hitch comprising:
- a shank formed of metal and having a leading end for insertion into and attachment to a receiver on the towing vehicle, the shank defining a hitch pin opening for receiving a hitch pin to secure the shank to the receiver on the towing vehicle, the shank defining a pivot axis spaced rearwardly from the hitch pin opening, the shank providing a first biasing surface a second biasing surface;
- a head formed of metal separate from the shank which is attachable to the shank for limited pivoting in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction about the pivot axis during towing, the head providing a third biasing surface and a fourth biasing surface;
- one or more compressible inserts, formed of a material substantially more compressible than the metals of the shank and the head, disposed between the shank and the head, such that pivoting of the head relative to the shank in the clockwise direction compresses the one or more compressible inserts between the first biasing surface and the third biasing surface, and such that pivoting of the head relative to the shank in the counterclockwise direction compresses the one or more compressible inserts between the second biasing surface and the fourth biasing surface:
- and
- a tow ball supported by the head rearward of the pivot axis;
- wherein the first, second, third and fourth biasing surfaces each extend generally radially relative to the pivot axis, wherein the first and third biasing surfaces are above the pivot axis, and wherein the second and fourth biasing surfaces are below the pivot axis, such that pivoting of the head relative to the shank in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions involves vertical movement of the tow ball in an arc about the pivot axis.
3 more elements
A towing hitch to transmit a towing force between a towing vehicle and a towed load, the towing hitch comprising:
- a shank formed of metal and having a leading end for insertion into and attachment to a receiver on the towing vehicle, the shank defining a hitch pin opening for receiving a hitch pin to secure the shank to the receiver on the towing vehicle, the shank defining a pivot axis spaced rearwardly from the hitch pin opening, the shank providing a first biasing surface and a second biasing surface;
- a head formed of metal separate from the shank which is attachable to the shank for limited pivoting in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction about the pivot axis during towing, the head providing a third biasing surface and a fourth biasing surface;
- one or more compressible inserts, formed of a material substantially more compressible than the metals of the shank and the head, disposed between the shank and the head, such that pivoting of the head relative to the shank in the clockwise direction compresses the one or more compressible inserts between the first biasing surface and the third biasing surface, and such that pivoting of the head relative to the shank in the counterclockwise direction compresses the one or more compressible inserts between the second biasing surface and the fourth biasing surface:
- and
- a tow ball supported by the head above or below the pivot axis;
- wherein the first, second, third and fourth biasing surfaces each extend generally radially relative to the pivot axis, wherein the first and third biasing surfaces are behind the pivot axis, and wherein the second and fourth biasing surfaces are in front of the pivot axis, such that pivoting of the head relative to the shank in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions involves horizontal movement of the tow ball in an arc about the pivot axis.
3 more elements
A towing hitch to transmit a towing force between a towing vehicle and a towed load, the towing hitch comprising:
- a shank formed of metal and having a leading end for insertion into and attachment to a receiver on the towing vehicle, the shank defining a hitch pin opening for receiving a hitch pin to secure the shank to the receiver on the towing vehicle, the shank defining a pivot axis spaced rearwardly from the hitch pin opening, the shank providing a first biasing surface and a second biasing surface;
- a head formed of metal separate from the shank which is attachable to the shank for limited pivoting in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction about the pivot axis during towing, the head providing a third biasing surface and a fourth biasing surface;
- one or more compressible inserts, formed of a material substantially more compressible than the metals of the shank and the head, disposed between the shank and the head, such that pivoting of the head relative to the shank in the clockwise direction compresses the one or more compressible inserts between the first biasing surface and the third biasing surface, and such that pivoting of the head relative to the shank in the counterclockwise direction compresses the one or more compressible inserts between the second biasing surface and the fourth biasing surface;
- wherein the one or more compressible inserts are formed of polyurethane with a Shore hardness in the range of 75 to 85 Shore A, and with each of the first, second, third and fourth biasing surfaces each extending within a range of 20 to 200 mm from the pivot axis.
1 more element
A towing hitch to transmit a towing force between a towing vehicle and a towed load, the towing hitch comprising:
- a shank formed of metal and having a leading end for insertion into and attachment to a receiver on the towing vehicle, the shank defining a hitch pin opening for receiving a hitch pin to secure the shank to the receiver on the towing vehicle, the shank defining a pivot axis spaced rearwardly from the hitch pin opening, the shank providing a first biasing surface and a second biasing surface;
- a head formed of metal separate from the shank which is attachable to the shank for limited pivoting in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction about the pivot axis during towing, the head providing a third biasing surface and a fourth biasing surface;
- a pivot axis pin attaching the head to the shank, the pivot axis pin being rotationally fixed relative to one of the shank and the head;
- one or more compressible inserts, formed of a material substantially more compressible than the metals of the shank and the head, disposed between the shank and the head, such that pivoting of the head relative to the shank in the clockwise direction compresses the one or more compressible inserts between the first biasing surface and the third biasing surface, and such that pivoting of the head relative to the shank in the counterclockwise direction compresses the one or more compressible inserts between the second biasing surface and the fourth biasing surface;
- and
- a grease zerk for the pivot axis pin, to assist in pivoting of the other of the shank and the head relative to the pivot axis pin.
3 more elements
A towing hitch to transmit a towing force between a towing vehicle and a towed load, the towing hitch comprising:
- a shank formed of metal for attachment to a receiver on the towing vehicle, the shank extending longitudinally and defining a transverse pivot axis, the shank providing a first biasing surface and a second biasing surface;
- a head formed of metal separate from the shank, the head providing a third biasing surface and a fourth biasing surface;
- a pivot pin attaching the head to the shank at an established longitudinal position relative to the shank, the pivot pin allowing limited pivoting of the head in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction about the pivot axis during towing,
- one or more compressible inserts, formed of a material substantially more compressible than the metals of the shank and the head, disposed between the shank and the head, such that pivoting of the head relative to the shank in the clockwise direction compresses the one or more compressible inserts between the first biasing surface and the third biasing surface, and such that pivoting of the head relative to the shank in the counterclockwise direction compresses the one or more compressible inserts between the second biasing surface and the fourth biasing surface.
1 more element
A towing hitch to transmit a towing force between a towing vehicle and a towed load, the towing hitch comprising:
- a shank formed of metal for attachment to a receiver on the towing vehicle, the shank extending longitudinally and defining a transverse pivot axis, the shank providing a first portion of a pocket;
- a head formed of metal separate from the shank, the head providing a second portion of the pocket;
- a pivot pin attaching the head to the shank such that the first portion and the second portion collectively define the pocket, the pivot pin allowing limited pivoting of the head relative to the shank about the transverse pivot axis;
- and
- at least one compressible insert formed of a polymer material and positioned within the pocket, such that the pocket substantially shields the compressible insert from sunlight, and such that pivoting of the head relative to the shank changes the size of the pocket by bringing the first and second portions closer together and compresses the compressible insert within the pocket to provide a force acting against such pivoting.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.