Can hitch
OwnerDon Ahlquistinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method to facilitate the connection and disconnection of a towed vehicle (trailer, implement of husbandry, sled, industrial conveyance, etc.) to a towing vehicle. The apparatus provided has a power unit attached to one end of a flexible material line. At the opposite end of this line is a member designed to engage a complimentary member mounted on the towing vehicle. The line passes through an apparatus designed to govern and direct the energy from the power unit in such a way as to execute complete control of the ranges, degrees and extents of motion of the trailer coupler until it completely encompasses the ball.
Claims23
An apparatus and method for attaching a trailer having a first hitch portion to a vehicle having a second hitch portion comprising:
- a) a connection means for connecting the trailer and the vehicle;
- b) a pulling means, attached to the connection means for tensioning and shortening the length of the connection means between the trailer and the vehicle;
- and
- c) a resisting pressure means which creates pressure between the trailer and the vehicle as the connection means is shortened.
A method of attaching a trailer having a first hitch portion to a vehicle having a second hitch portion, comprising the steps of:
- a) connecting the said trailer to the said vehicle with a connection means;
- b) engaging the pulling means to increase the tauntness of the connection means there by reducing the length of the connection means and pulling the said trailer to the said vehicle and locating the first hitch portion above the second hitch portion.
- c) disengaging the pulling means to release the tautness of the connection means thereby allowing the first hitch portion to engage with the second hitch portion.
A method of detaching a trailer having a first hitch portion from a vehicle having a second hitch portion comprising the steps of:
- a) engaging the pulling means to increase the tautness of the connection means thereby raising the first hitch portion immediately above the second hitch portion;
- b) disengaging the locking means to permit the resisting pressure means to provide pressure to lengthen the connection means;
- c) disengaging the pulling means to allow the resisting pressure means to lengthen the connection means thereby moving the first hitch portion away from the second hitch portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.