US 4,792,151 A · Self-aligning, self-locking and self-leveling trailer hitch assembly

Abstract

A trailer hitch comprising a housing mountable on the vehicle, a ramp sloping downwardly and rearwardly from the housing away from the vehicle, and two laterally opposed pivotable jaws having recesses which when closed define a socket or pocket in which the ball coupling of the trailer tongue is retained. The ramp slopes downwardly at about 30.degree., and flares from a narrow neck to a wider lip, and has upstanding side curbs. The jaws pivot horizontally about vertical axes through jaw supports outboard of the housing. The jaws automatically close around the ball as it is moved forwardly along the channel into the socket. Aligned holes in interfitting locking arms of the jaws receive and are locked together and to the housing by a locking pin which drops into place when the jaws are completely closed. A load leveler distributes the trailer's weight between the wheels of the towing vehicle using a V-shaped rod detachably connected at its apex to a pivotable link below the housing. The link pivots about the vertical axis through the center of the ball. The ends of the rod are adjustably attached to a cross beam spanning between the side beams of the trailer tongue.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A trailer hitch for hitching a trailer having a downwardly extending coupling element to a towing vehicle, the hitch comprising:

a housing;
means for mounting the housing on the vehicle;
a ramp for slidably engaging the coupling element of the trailer, the ramp being affixed ton the housing and sloping downwardly and rearwardly from the housing away from the vehicle, the ramp flaring from a narrower neck proximate the housing to a distal lip at least about twice as wide as the neck, the ramp having means for guiding the coupling elements;
two laterally opposed jaws pivotally mounted on the housing for horizontal movement about substantially vertical axes, the jaws having opposing recesses which together define a socket forwardly of the neck of the ramp for snugly receiving the coupling element of the trailer when the jaws are closed and the jaws further comprising locking arms with holes which are vertically aligned when the jaws are closed;
means for automatically closing the jaws around the coupling element responsive to movement of the coupling element inton the socket between the jaws;
and
pin means cooperating with said holes in the jaws for automatically locking the jaws around the coupling element by downward vertical movement responsive to gravity as the jaws become closed.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Self-aligning, self-locking and self-leveling trailer hitch assembly

Life of this patent

Self-aligning, self-locking and self-leveling trailer hitch assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18