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US 12,746,788 B1Granted
Hitch interface apparatus and system therefor
AssigneeKooima Ag, Inc.
InventorsNolan Den Boer, Nicholas Vande Waerdt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system may comprise a hitch interface apparatus configured to interface with a hitch structure of a towing vehicle. The hitch interface apparatus may include a hitch structure engagement portion configured to engage the hitch structure of the towing vehicle, and a hitch element support portion configured to support a hitch element. Optionally, embodiments may include a lateral stabilization structure configured to stabilize the hitch interface apparatus against lateral movement with respect to the hitch structure.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a hitch interface apparatus configured to interface with a hitch structure of a towing vehicle, the hitch interface apparatus comprising:
- a hitch structure engagement portion configured to engage the hitch structure of the towing vehicle at a first vertical level;
- a hitch element support portion configured to support a hitch element at a second vertical level, the second vertical level being different than the first vertical level;
- and
- a lateral stabilization structure configured to resist lateral movement of the hitch interface apparatus with respect to the hitch structure;
- wherein the hitch structure of the towing vehicle is characterized by having a hitch pin opening and at least one lateral element which is laterally separated in a substantially horizontal direction from the hitch pin opening;
- and
- wherein the lateral stabilization structure includes at least one stabilization assembly for contacting the at least one lateral element of the hitch structure to resist movement of the hitch interface apparatus toward the at least one lateral element.
5 more elements
A system comprising:
- a hitch structure of a towing vehicle, the hitch structure forming a hitch pin opening for receiving a hitch pin, the hitch pin opening extending along a substantially vertical axis;
- a hitch interface apparatus interfaced with the hitch structure of the towing vehicle, the hitch interface apparatus comprising:
- a hitch structure engagement portion engaging the hitch structure of the towing vehicle;
- a hitch element support portion connected to the hitch structure engagement portion, a hitch element being mounted on the hitch element support portion;
- and
- a lateral stabilization structure configured to contact the hitch structure and resist lateral movement of the hitch interface apparatus with respect to the hitch structure;
- wherein the hitch structure is characterized by having a pair of lateral elements laterally separated in a substantially horizontal direction from the hitch pin opening such that the hitch pin opening is positioned between the lateral elements;
- and
- wherein the lateral stabilization structure includes a pair of the stabilization assemblies with each stabilization assembly contacting one of the lateral elements of the hitch structure to resist pivot movement of the hitch interface apparatus on the hinge pin toward each of the lateral elements.
6 more elements
A system comprising:
- a hitch structure of a towing vehicle, the hitch structure forming a hitch pin opening for receiving a hitch pin, the hitch pin opening extending along a substantially vertical axis;
- a hitch interface apparatus interfaced with the hitch structure of the towing vehicle, the hitch interface apparatus comprising:
- a hitch structure engagement portion engaging the hitch structure of the towing vehicle;
- a hitch element support portion connected to the hitch structure engagement portion, a hitch element being mounted on the hitch element support portion;
- and
- a lateral stabilization structure configured to contact the hitch structure and resist lateral movement of the hitch interface apparatus with respect to the hitch structure;
- wherein the hitch structure includes a lower element defining a lower hitch pin opening and having an upper surface, the hitch structure engagement portion resting upon the upper surface of the lower element and defining a pin channel aligned with the lower hitch pin opening, a hitch pin extending through the pin channel and the lower hitch opening.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.