Vibration Minimization Towing Hitch
AssigneeCurt Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorsBenjamin D. Fisher, Curtis M. Bowe
Life of this patent
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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).
Claims15
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 defining a pivot axis, 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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.