US 7,451,996 B2Granted

Universal adjustable lift/drop hitch

AssigneeScout Technologies, Inc.

InventorsDavid M. Miles, William R. Timmie, Charles S. Steinmetz, Jr.

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A new and simple hitch assembly comprising a vertically adjustable bar (vertical bar) secured within a mounting sleeve which in turn is securely attached to a hitch bar. A vertical securing pin releasably engages the vertical bar and is maintained in place by a spring, the pin and spring comprising the vertical securing mechanism. The hitch assembly mates with standard hitch receivers such that the relative height of a hitch ball may be varied. The hitch assembly is easy to manufacture and is durable, strong, and stable during towing. Such a hitch assembly is of simple design and has few movable parts. Such a hitch assembly is also compact and has a large range of height adjustment as it is mountable in alternative vertical orientations. The vertical bar has a series of holes in which the vertical securing pin is engaged.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A hitch assembly adaptably and removably secured to a trailing vehicle and a tractor vehicle, comprising:

(A) a draw bar attached in a generally perpendicular fashion to a vertical bar wherein the vertical bar has a plurality of securing holes for a vertical securing pin;
(B) a mounting sleeve through which the vertical bar extends longitudinally wherein the mounting sleeve is attached to a hitch bar, wherein the vertical bar is positively retained within the mounting sleeve by a safety catch attached to the end of the vertical bar opposite the draw bar, and wherein the vertical bar is oriented within the mounting sleeve at a positive angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the hitch bar, and wherein the hitch bar may be removably mounted to a hitch receiving assembly of the tractor vehicle in either a first or second vertically oriented position;
and,
(C) a vertical securing pin and spring wherein the vertical securing pin and spring are slidably mounted inside a housing of a securing mechanism, wherein the housing is attached to the mounting sleeve with a negative angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the hitch bar, further wherein the vertical securing pin releasably protrudes into one of a plurality of holes in the vertical bar.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.