Ball hitch with rotatable ball

Abstract

A post and ball type hitch apparatus intended for use with a conventional hitch socket is disclosed. The apparatus includes a post formed of a generally elongate cylindrical member having a top portion, a central portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion of the post is adapted to attach to a bumper or frame of a vehicle, and the top portion of the post includes an annular groove therein. The apparatus also includes a ball having a cylindrical channel formed therein, for insertion thereof over the top portion of the post, and a cylindrical bore formed therethrough which intersects the cylindrical channel in such a manner that the bore of the ball is co-extensive with a portion of the annular groove of the post when the post is inserted into the cylindrical channel. The apparatus also includes a cylindrical pin which can be inserted through the bore and which becomes engaged with a portion of the annular groove of the post in order to secure the post in the cylindrical channel of the ball. When thus connected, the post and the ball can rotate relative to each other without causing sheering forces to be applied to the pin, the pin being allowed to slide in the annular groove as the ball rotates relative to the post.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.