Stowable ball mount trailer hitch
OwnerEdward C. Adairinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus, including a combination linch-pin stowage adapter, for positioning a ball mount member of most class 2, 3, & 4 trailer hitches in both an operating and non operating retracted position on a trailer hitch receiver mounted underneath a vehicle is shown.
Claims20
In a trailer hitch apparatus having an elongated generally hollow hitch receiver for selectively receiving a ball mount member and securing same therein, in operative towing position, by insertion of a pin transversely through corresponding transversely oriented holes in said hollow hitch receiver and said ball mount member;
- stowing means for attachment to the distal end of said ball mount member comprising:
- a rod member having first and second ends and a length greater than the transverse dimension of said hollow hitch receiver adjacent said corresponding transversely oriented holes;
- said rod member having a cross section size and shape suitable for insertion through said corresponding transversely oriented holes in said hollow hitch receiver;
- means for securing said first end of said rod member to the distal end of a ball mount member;
- means adjacent the second end of said rod member for permitting attachment of a latching member;
- whereby when said rod member is secured to the distal end of said ball mount member said ball mount member may be selectively stored in a non operative position on said hitch receiver by inserting said rod member through said corresponding transversely oriented holes in said receiver member and secured thereto by said latching member affixed to the second end of said rod member.
The method of forming a stowable ball mount member for stowage in a non operative position with a hitch receiver in a trailer hitch apparatus having a hitch receiver member with at least one transverse linch-pin hole, mounted on a towing vehicle and a ball mount member that operatively engages with said hitch receiver to position a tow ball in towing position which comprises:
- forming an elongated rod member
- forming said elongated rod member with a cross sectional size and shape to permit insertion through said at least one linch-pin hole;
- and
- attaching said rod member to the distal end of said ball mount member;
- whereby when not in use said ball mount member of said trailer hitch apparatus may be maintained in association with its trailer hitch apparatus in a retracted, non hazardous position by inserting said rod member, with attached ball mount member, into said at least one linch-pin hole.
A combination linch-pin and stowage adapter device for use with a trailer hitch apparatus having an elongated hitch receiver member and a ball mount member having the distal end formed to mate with said hitch receiver and a series of holes in said receiver and said ball mount member at least some of which are adapted to receive a pin therethrough to secure said ball mount member to said hitch receiver comprising in combination:
- a body portion having first and second ends;
- a rod member fixed on said body portion first end having a length and cross section size and shape to permit insertion through at least one of said holes in said hitch receiver;
- and
- means for securing said body second end portion to the distal end of said ball mount member;
- whereby when said adapter device is secured to said ball mount member the assembly may be stowed in non operative position adjacent the hitch receiver by inserting said rod member into at least one of the holes in said hitch receiver member.
In a trailer hitch apparatus having an elongated generally hollow hitch receiver for selectively receiving a ball mount member and securing same therein, in operative towing position, by insertion of a pin transversely through corresponding transversely oriented holes in said hollow hitch receiver and an operably installed ball mount member, a stowable ball mount member comprising:
- an elongated body portion having first and second ends;
- a hitch ball mounting plate and hole formed on said first end of said body portion to selectively receive a hitch ball;
- said second end of said body portion having a cross section shape and size adapted to fit within said hollow hitch receiver;
- a transversely oriented hole formed in said body portion adjacent said second end to coincide with a pair of transverse holes in said hitch receiver when said ball mount is inserted therein;
- an elongated rod member secured to said second end of said body portion;
- and
- said rod member having a cross section shape and size to permit insertion into the transversely oriented holes in a hollow hitch receiver.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.