Adjustable trailer coupling
AssigneeFlexi-Hitch, Inc.
InventorHorace Eppinette
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A coupling device for connecting a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle in which the towed vehicle has a towing bar. There is a telescopic arm received within the towing bar with an end of the telescopic arm pivotally connected to an articulating arm. The other end of the articulating arm has mounted to it a trailer hitch adapted for connection to a trailer hitch ball. There is an anti-pivot collar which encircles the point where the telescopic arm and the articlulating arm are pivotally connected. By selectively extending the telescopic arm and moving the anti-pivot collar to permit articulation between the pivotal and telescopic arms, the coupling device can simplify connection between a towed and towing vehicle. There is further provided locking means for securely locking the coupling device in its locked position.
Claims6
A coupling device mounted to a towed vehicle for connecting a towing vehicle to a towing bar mounted on the towed vehicle when the two vehicles are not aligned with each other comprising:
- a trailer hitch at one end of the coupling device for connection to the towing vehicle;
- a telescopic arm received in telescopic relationship within the towing bar located at the other end of the coupling device, the telescopic arm having opposite ends with one end protruding from the towing bar, the telescopic arm extendable between a retracted, locked position to a fully extended position;
- locking means for selectively locking and unlocking the telescopic arm with respect to the towing bar comprising a locking pin which passes through locking pin receiving holes in the towing bar and telescopic arm when the telescopic arm is in the retracted position;
- an articulating arm having one end connected to the trailer hitch and the other end pivotally connected at a pivot point to the one end of the telescopic arm for allowing the articulating arm to pivot with respect to the telescopic arm, the other end of the articulating arm having a locking pin receiving hole which is in alignment with the locking pin receiving holes in the towing bar and telescopic arm when the telescopic arm is in the retracted, locked position whereby the locking pin is received by all three locking receiving holes.
- an anti-pivot collar which can be selectively positioned with respect to the pivot point to either not encircle or encircle the pivot point for respectively permitting or restraining pivotal movement between the articulating arm and telescopic arm;
- and
- means associated with the trailer hitch for positioning the anti-pivot collar with respect to the pivot point for the selective positioning of the anti-pivot collar.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.