US 2019/0315168 A1 · INDEXING CHANGEOVER MECHANISM FOR USE WITH A PLURALITY OF INTEGRATED TOWING ACCESSORIES

Abstract

An indexing block positioned within the receiver hitch and connected to a tri-ball block having a plurality of towing accessories (e.g., different sized hitch balls, pintles, hooks, etc.) on its separate, exterior facings. A biasing member and lock cooperate with an internal, coaxial plunger, thereby allowing for selective rotation of the tri-block relative to the indexing block, without the need to completely remove the assembly from the hitch receiver itself. Ball bearings fitted within the indexing block facilitate movement of the plunger and tri-block relative to the indexing block when the assembly is being rotated to position a new towing accessory in its desired place.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A towing apparatus having a plurality of interchangeable towing accessories, the towing apparatus comprising:

a multi-face block having:
a distal body member defining a plurality of separate facings;
a proximally extending engagement shaft having a plurality of through holes, an annular groove on an outer facing surface, and a shoulder member having a non-circular shape attaching the shaft to the distal body;
a locking assembly positioned in the distal body;
and
a plunger coaxially fitted within the engagement shaft and connecting to the locking assembly;
an indexing block having a central interior channel with an annular groove formed on the inner surface of the channel, wherein the engagement shaft is received within and is configured to translate and rotate within the channel;
and
at least one ball bearing positioned between the multi-face block and the indexing block;
wherein the multi-face block is configured to be placed in a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the indexing block to allow a selected towing accessory to be positioned in a use position.

7 more elements

A method of providing a plurality of towing accessories for a vehicle without the need to completely remove a towing assembly from a hitch receiver comprising:

providing a rotating assembly that includes a multi-face block having a plurality of towing accessories and an engagement shaft extending axially from the multi-face block;
inserting the engagement shaft of the multi-face block into a channel of an indexing block;
and
selectively attaching the indexing block to a hitch receiver of a vehicle;
wherein the rotating assembly includes a lock assembly having a bias member configured to cooperate with a coaxial plunger, thereby allowing for selective rotation of the multi-face block relative to the indexing block.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Indexing changeover mechanism for use with a plurality of integrated towing accessories

Life of this patent

Indexing changeover mechanism for use with a plurality of integrated towing accessories

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21