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US 2025/0367992 A1Published application
Hitch Apparatus and Method
OwnerCasey Finesinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus includes a hitch arm having a cross member having a first end and a second end. A first hitch member is adjacently coupled to the first end. A second hitch member is adjacently coupled to the second end. A hitch receiver is coupled to the cross member. The apparatus includes a first hitch frame and a second hitch frame. A first drive system is mechanically coupled to the hitch arm and to the first hitch frame. A second drive system is coupled to the hitch arm and to the second hitch frame.
Claims11
An apparatus comprising:
- a hitch arm having:
- a cross member having a first end and a second end;
- a first hitch member adjacently coupled to the first end;
- a second hitch member adjacently coupled to the second end;
- and
- a hitch receiver coupled to the cross member;
- a first hitch frame;
- a second hitch frame;
- and
- a first drive system mechanically coupled to the hitch arm and to the first hitch frame, the first drive system having:
- a first motor having a first motor gear coupled to the first hitch frame;
- a first gear track coupled to the first hitch member and to the first motor gear, the first gear track having a groove;
- and
- a first guide track coupled to the first hitch frame and to the groove;
- and
- a second drive system mechanically coupled to the hitch arm and to the second hitch frame.
13 more elements
A system comprising:
- a mobile vehicle having a vehicle frame;
- a hitch apparatus coupled to the vehicle frame, the hitch apparatus having:
- a hitch arm having:
- a cross member having a first end and a second end;
- a first hitch member adjacently coupled to the first end;
- a second hitch member adjacently coupled to the second end;
- and
- a hitch receiver coupled to the cross member;
- a first hitch frame;
- a second hitch frame;
- and
- a first drive system mechanically coupled to the hitch arm and to the first hitch frame, the first drive system having:
- a first motor having a first motor gear coupled to the first hitch frame;
- a first gear track coupled to the first hitch member and to the first motor gear, the first gear track having a groove;
- and
- a first guide track coupled to the first hitch frame and to the groove;
- and
- a second drive system mechanically coupled to the hitch arm and to the second hitch frame.
15 more elements
A method comprising:
- coupling a hitch apparatus to a vehicle frame, the hitch apparatus having:
- a hitch arm having:
- a cross member having a first end and a second end;
- a first hitch member adjacently coupled to the first end;
- a second hitch member adjacently coupled to the second end;
- and
- a hitch receiver coupled to the cross member;
- a first hitch frame;
- a second hitch frame;
- and
- a first drive system mechanically coupled to the hitch arm and to the first hitch frame, the first drive system having:
- a first motor having a first motor gear coupled to the first hitch frame;
- a first gear track coupled to the first hitch member and to the first motor gear, the first gear track having a groove;
- and
- a first guide track coupled to the first hitch frame and to the groove;
- and
- a second drive system mechanically coupled to the hitch arm and to the second hitch frame;
- coupling a ball mount to the hitch receiver;
- activating the first drive system and second drive system such that the hitch arm descends from the first hitch frame and second hitch frame;
- aligning the hitch receiver to a trailer coupler;
- activating the first drive system and second drive system such that the hitch arm ascends toward the first hitch frame and second hitch frame;
- and
- coupling the ball mount to the trailer coupler.
20 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.