Trailer hitch assembly

A trailer hitch assembly, comprising:

• a receiver portion adapted to operably couple with a towing vehicle and including a cylindrically-shaped cavity;
• a cylindrically-shaped bushing member received within the cavity of the receiver portion;
• and
• a hitch portion adapted to operably couple with a towed vehicle and including a cylindrically-shaped shaft pivotally received within the bushing member, wherein at least a selected one of the bushing member and the shaft at least in part comprises a material that substantially eliminates the need for using a separately applied lubricant during use of the trailer hitch assembly, and wherein the cavity of the receiver portion is defined in part by an inner wall, and wherein at least a select one of the wall of the cavity comprises a corrosion resistant material.

A trailer hitch assembly, comprising:

• a receiver portion adapted to operably couple with a towing vehicle and including a cylindrically-shaped cavity;
• a cylindrically-shaped bushing member received within the cavity of the receiver portion;
• a hitch portion adapted to operably couple with a towed vehicle and including a cylindrically-shaped shaft pivotally received within the bushing member, wherein at least a selected one of the bushing member and the shaft at least in part comprises a material that substantially eliminates the need for using a separately applied lubricant during use of the trailer hitch assembly;
• and
• a first seal member positioned between the receiver portion and the hitch portion and configured to inhibit an entry of debris into the cavity of the receiver portion.

A trailer hitch assembly, comprising:

• a receiver portion adapted to operably couple with a towing vehicle;
• and
• a hitch portion adapted to be operably coupled with the receiver portion and comprising:
• a first jaw member;
• a second jaw member pivotally coupled to the first jaw member, the second jaw member operable between a closed position, wherein the second jaw member cooperates with the first jaw member to form a closed loop, and an open position, wherein the first and second jaw members form an open loop;
• a primary latch operably coupled with a select one of the first and second jaw members and operable between a locked position, wherein the primary latch abuts a portion of a select one of the first and second jaw members the primary latch is not operably coupled to and prevents the second jaw member from pivoting to the open position, and an unlocked position, wherein the second jaw member is able to pivot to the open position;
• and
• a secondary latch operably coupled with the primary latch and operable between a locked position, wherein the secondary latch abuts a select one of the first and second jaw members and prevents the primary latch from being pivoted to the unlocked position, and an unlocked position, wherein the primary latch is able to pivot to the unlocked position thereof;
• wherein the primary latch is operably coupled with the second jaw member, the primary latch operable between the locked position, wherein the primary latch abuts the first jaw member, and wherein the secondary latch is operable between the locked position, wherein the secondary latch abuts the second jaw member, and the unlocked position.

A trailer hitch assembly, comprising:

• a receiver portion adapted to operably couple with a towing vehicle;
• and
• a hitch portion adapted to be operably coupled with the receiver portion and comprising:
• a first jaw member;
• a second jaw member pivotally coupled to the first jaw member, the second jaw member operable between a closed position, wherein the second jaw member cooperates with the first jaw member to form a closed loop, and an open position, wherein the first and second jaw members form an open loop;
• a primary latch operably coupled with a select one of the first and second jaw members and operable between a locked position, wherein the primary latch abuts a portion of a select one of the first and second jaw members the primary latch is not operably coupled to and prevents the second jaw member from pivoting to the open position, and an unlocked position, wherein the second jaw member is able to pivot to the open position;
• and
• a secondary latch operably coupled with the primary latch and operable between a locked position, wherein the secondary latch abuts a select one of the first and second jaw members and prevents the primary latch from being pivoted to the unlocked position, and an unlocked position, wherein the primary latch is able to pivot to the unlocked position thereof;
• wherein the first pivot point is defined by a first pivot pin having a first load strength, the second pivot point is defined by a second pivot pin having a second load strength that is less than the first load strength.

A trailer hitch assembly, comprising:

• a receiver portion adapted to operably couple with a towing vehicle;
• and
• a hitch portion adapted to be operably coupled with the receiver portion and comprising:
• a first jaw member;
• a second jaw member pivotally coupled to the first jaw member, the second jaw member operable between a closed position, wherein the second jaw member cooperates with the first jaw member to form a closed loop, and an open position, wherein the first and second jaw members form an open loop;
• a primary latch operably coupled with a select one of the first and second jaw members and operable between a locked position, wherein the primary latch abuts a portion of a select one of the first and second jaw members the primary latch is not operably coupled to and prevents the second jaw member from pivoting to the open position, and an unlocked position, wherein the second jaw member is able to pivot to the open position;
• and
• a secondary latch operably coupled with the primary latch and operable between a locked position, wherein the secondary latch abuts a select one of the first and second jaw members and prevents the primary latch from being pivoted to the unlocked position, and an unlocked position, wherein the primary latch is able to pivot to the unlocked position thereof;
• and
• wherein the first jaw member includes a notch, and wherein an end of the primary latch is received within the notch of the first jaw member when the primary latch is in the locked position.

A trailer hitch assembly, comprising:

• a receiver portion adapted to operably couple with a towing vehicle;
• and
• a hitch portion adapted to be operably coupled with the receiver portion and comprising:
• a first jaw member;
• a second jaw member pivotally coupled to the first jaw member, the second jaw member operable between a closed position, wherein the second jaw member cooperates with the first jaw member to form a closed loop, and an open position, wherein the first and second jaw members form an open loop;
• a primary latch operably coupled with a select one of the first and second jaw members and operable between a locked position, wherein the primary latch abuts a portion of a select one of the first and second jaw members the primary latch is not operably coupled to and prevents the second jaw member from pivoting to the open position, and an unlocked position, wherein the second jaw member is able to pivot to the open position;
• and
• a secondary latch operably coupled with the primary latch and operable between a locked position, wherein the secondary latch abuts a select one of the first and second jaw members and prevents the primary latch from being pivoted to the unlocked position, and an unlocked position, wherein the primary latch is able to pivot to the unlocked position thereof;
• and
• wherein the first jaw member includes a raised engagement surface, the primary latch includes a notch located along a length thereof, and wherein the engagement surface of the first jaw member is engaged within the notch of the primary latch when the primary latch is in the unlocked position, thereby retaining the second jaw member in the open position thereof.

A trailer hitch assembly, comprising:

• a receiver portion adapted to operably couple with a towing vehicle;
• and
• a hitch portion adapted to be operably coupled with the receiver portion and comprising:
• a first jaw member;
• a second jaw member pivotally coupled to the first jaw member, the second jaw member operable between a closed position, wherein the second jaw member cooperates with the first jaw member to form a closed loop, and an open position, wherein the first and second jaw members form an open loop;
• a primary latch operably coupled with a select one of the first and second jaw members and operable between a locked position, wherein the primary latch abuts a portion of a select one of the first and second jaw members the primary latch is not operably coupled to and prevents the second jaw member from pivoting to the open position, and an unlocked position, wherein the second jaw member is able to pivot to the open position, and wherein the primary latch is biased in the locked position by a first spring member;
• and
• a secondary latch operably coupled with the primary latch and operable between a locked position, wherein the secondary latch abuts a select one of the first and second jaw members and prevents the primary latch from being pivoted to the unlocked position, and an unlocked position, wherein the primary latch is able to pivot to the unlocked position thereof.

A trailer hitch assembly, comprising:

• a receiver portion adapted to operably couple with a towing vehicle;
• and
• a hitch portion adapted to be operably coupled with the receiver portion and comprising:
• a first jaw member;
• a second jaw member pivotally coupled to the first jaw member, the second jaw member operable between a closed position, wherein the second jaw member cooperates with the first jaw member to form a closed loop, and an open position, wherein the first and second jaw members form an open loop;
• a primary latch operably coupled with a select one of the first and second jaw members and operable between a locked position, wherein the primary latch abuts a portion of a select one of the first and second jaw members the primary latch is not operably coupled to and prevents the second jaw member from pivoting to the open position, and an unlocked position, wherein the second jaw member is able to pivot to the open position, and wherein the primary latch comprises powdered metal;
• and
• a secondary latch operably coupled with the primary latch and operable between a locked position, wherein the secondary latch abuts a select one of the first and second jaw members and prevents the primary latch from being pivoted to the unlocked position, and an unlocked position, wherein the primary latch is able to pivot to the unlocked position thereof.

A trailer hitch assembly, comprising:

• a receiver portion adapted to operably couple with a towing vehicle;
• and
• a hitch portion adapted to be operably coupled with the receiver portion and comprising:
• a first jaw member;
• a second jaw member pivotally coupled to the first jaw member, the second jaw member operable between a closed position, wherein the second jaw member cooperates with the first jaw member to form a closed loop, and an open position, wherein the first and second jaw members form an open loop;
• a primary latch operably coupled with a select one of the first and second jaw members and operable between a locked position, wherein the primary latch abuts a portion of a select one of the first and second jaw members the primary latch is not operably coupled to and prevents the second jaw member from pivoting to the open position, and an unlocked position, wherein the second jaw member is able to pivot to the open position;
• and
• a secondary latch operably coupled with the primary latch and operable between a locked position, wherein the secondary latch abuts a select one of the first and second jaw members and prevents the primary latch from being pivoted to the unlocked position, and an unlocked position, wherein the primary latch is able to pivot to the unlocked position thereof, and wherein the secondary latch includes at least one grippable handle extending outwardly therefrom and a graspable relief therein.