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US 5,048,854 AGranted
Pivoting quick-connect hitch system
OwnerMurrell C. Clarkinventor
Life of this patent
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OwnerMurrell C. Clarkinventor
Estimating the term…
A winch-driven hitch system for coupling trailers to tow vehicles. The system comprises a unitary frame pivotally mounted beneath the bumper of the vehicle by a rigid pivot shaft, which projects upwardly from the center of the frame. A rigid base defines a tubular cavity and a platform for mounting a winch adjacent of the cavity. The cavity slidably receives a rigid bar coupled to the trailer. Deflectors project angularly outwardly from the cavity to define a mouth for guiding the bar into alignment as it penetrates the mouth. The frame rotates in response to pressure applied by the cable when the trailer is drawn from either side of the tow vehicle. The bar comprises a tapered end, a locking orifice defined centrally through the bar, and an orificed end for receiving a trailer connector. A rigid travel-limiting stop projects upwardly between the locking orifice and the orificed end. The stop limits travel of the bar relative to the mouth to assure proper coupling. The frame pivots roughly sixty-five degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the cavity. Rotation of the frame is limited by a rigid stop projecting upwardly from the frame. The winch cable is anchored by a hand-tied knot to facilitate repair if broken. A drop pin and a cotter pin assembly are provided to assure safe coupling and to prevent frame rotation during travel. Electrical controls for the winch are mounted remote from the hitching zone.
A hitch system for coupling a trailer to a two vehicle, said system comprising a rigid frame comprising a cavity and a mouth opening into said cavity, a rigid, removable bar to which said trailer may be selectively attached, means for pivotally mounting said frame to said tow vehicle, means for limiting pivoting of said frame relative to said two vehicle, winch means having a cable connected thereto for drawing said bar into said cavity thereby coupling said trailer to said system, and, a means for selectively locking said bar within said cavity, said frame comprising a rigid plate adapted to contact an underside of the two vehicle, and a lower base projecting away from said mouth generally parallel with and rigidly connected with said plate, said base forming a platform for mounting said winch means with the cable passing through the cavity.
A winch-driven hitch assembly for pivotal mounting to a truck rear bumper for expediting trailer alignment and hook-up, said assembly comprising:
In combination, a tow vehicle having a rigidly mounted towing member mounted thereto, a trailing vehicle, and a hitch assembly coupling said trailing vehicle to said two vehicle, said hitch assembly comprising a bar connected with the trailing vehicle, frame means, means pivotally supporting said frame means from the towing member on the tow vehicle for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, said frame means including a longitudinally extending cavity forming means telescopically receiving said bar, means releasably locking the bar in the cavity forming means, a cable extending through the cavity forming means and having one end connected with said bar, winch means mounted on said frame means and positioned in spaced aligned relation to the cavity forming means, said winch means including a reel with the cable mounted thereon to move the cable through said cavity forming means, said frame means including a support plate rigid with said frame means for pivotal movement therewith and supporting the winch means to enable the cavity forming means, winch means and cable to pivot about a vertical axis toward a position aligned with the bar when the cable is pulling the bar toward and into the cavity forming means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.