Trailer hitch
AssigneeUniversity of Kentucky Research Foundation
InventorT. Richard Robe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a trailer hitch for a vehicle. The trailer hitch is designed to be connected to a vehicle and permits two degrees of freedom for the hitchpoint. The first degree of freedom is in a lateral direction which permits the hitchpoint to have freedom to move horizontally in a lateral direction. This degree of freedom is dampened by a viscous dampener to improve the lateral stability of a trailer connected to the hitchball. Further, springs are provided to resist lateral movement and to restore the hitchpoint to its original position during the pulling of a trailer. In addition, a second degree of freedom is provided which permits rotation of the hitchball about a longitudinal axis. Permitting the rotation of the hitchball permits the accidental overturning of a towed vehicle without overturning the towing vehicle.
Claims13
A trailer hitch for a vehicle which permits two degrees of movement for a hitchpoint in addition to the normal rotational freedoms provided by a ball joint comprising:
- a frame adapted to be attached to a vehicle;
- a hitchpoint being mounted for limited lateral movement on said frame to soften the lateral motion transmitted from a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle;
- dampener means operatively connected to said hitchpoint and said frame for stabilizing said lateral movement of said hitchpoint thereby reducing sway of the towed vehicle;
- spring means operatively connected to said hitchpoint and said frame to bias said hitchpoint to a first predetermined position;
- and
- said hitchpoint being mounted for rotary motion relative to said frame to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle thereby permitting the towing vehicle to remain upright in the event the towed vehicle is turned over.
A trailer hitch for a vehicle which permits a degree of movement for a hitchpoint in addition to the normal rotational freedoms provided by a ball joint comprising:
- a frame adapted to be attached to a vehicle;
- a hitchpoint being mounted for limited lateral movement on said frame to soften the lateral motion transmitted from a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle;
- dampener means operatively connected to said hitchpoint and said frame for stabilizing said lateral movement of said hitchpoint thereby reducing sway of the towed vehicle;
- and
- spring means operatively connected to said hitchpoint and said frame to bias said hitchpoint to a first predetermined position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.