Trailer hitch elevator
OwnerBlaine L. Rosenlundinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A trailer hitch elevator includes a guide unit for fixable mounting at the rear of a towing vehicle, a track unit axially vertically movable as guided by the guide unit, a jackscrew journaled at the top of the track unit and threadingly engaging the guide unit, and a lock mechanism for locking the track unit in closely vertically spaced positions relative to the guide unit without subjecting the jackscrew to shock loading. One or more rearwardly oriented hitch receiver sockets are formed on the track unit for receiving a moduler trailer hitch. A wide range of vertical travel is provided with full engagement between the guide and track units, and with generous ground clearance in raised positions of the track unit.
Claims21
A trailer hitch apparatus for connecting a towed vehicle having a hitch coupling at adjustable height to a towing vehicle, comprising:
- (a) a base member adapted for fixable mounting onto the towed vehicle;
- (b) a guide unit rigidly connected to a rear extremity of the base member and defining a vertically oriented guide surface when the base member is mounted onto the towing vehicle;
- (c) a track unit defining a track surface engaging the guide surface for axially guided movement relative thereto;
- (d) means on the track unit for connecting a coupling receiver;
- (e) an elevator mechanism connected between the guide unit and the track unit for raising and lowering the track unit;
- and
- (f) a lock mechanism for positively locking the track member in a selectable one of a plurality of axially spaced positions relative to the guide unit.
A trailer hitch apparatus for a vehicle having a vehicle hitch socket for receiving a modular trailer hitch, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a base member adapted for fixable mounting onto the towed vehicle;
- (b) a guide unit rigidly connected to a rear extremity of the base member and defining a vertically oriented guide surface when the base member is mounted onto the towing vehicle, the guide surface comprising a plurality of guide surface portions, each of the guide surface portions being generally inwardly facing relative to others of the guide surface portions;
- (c) a track unit defining a track surface engaging the guide surface for axially guided movement relative thereto, the track surface comprising a plurality of generally outwardly facing track surface portions corresponding to the guide surface portions;
- (d) means on the track unit for connecting a coupling receiver;
- (e) an elevator mechanism connected between the guide unit and the track unit for raising and lowering the track member;
- and
- (f) a lock mechanism for positively locking the track member in a selectable one of a plurality of axially spaced positions relative to the guide member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.