Ball hitch conversion system
AssigneeQuick Hitch, Inc.
InventorDewey R. Marcy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system is described for detachably securing a housing to a ball hitch (e.g. of the type used in trucks for towing). The system includes a tubular housing for fitting over the ball, and attachment means for detachably securing the housing to the ball. A workpiece can then be secured to the housing, as desired. A preferred attachment means is a pair of opposing lock pins which are movable between retracted and extended positions. When the pins are in the extended position, they secure the housing to the ball hitch. The type of workpieces may vary. For example, the workpiece may be a work table, a vise, a fifth-wheel hitch system, a winch, or an arm for a lift bucket.
Claims12
A ball hitch conversion system comprising:
- (a) a tubular housing including a lower end and opposing side walls;
- wherein said opposing side walls include inclined guideways therein;
- (b) parallel lock pins carried by said housing and extending across said housing between said opposing side walls;
- wherein said lock pins are movable between retracted and extended positions in said inclined guideways on opposite sides of an existing ball hitch;
- wherein when said pins are in said extended position they contact opposing underside surfaces of said ball hitch and rigidly secure said housing to said ball hitch;
- and further comprising a threaded member for urging each said lock pin upwardly from said retracted position to said extended position.
A method for detachably mounting a workpiece to a ball hitch having a rounded upper end and a neck portion of smaller diameter than said upper end, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a tubular housing which includes opposing side walls and inclined guideways in said side walls and further comprising lock pins which are moveable between retracted and extended positions in said inclined guideways;
- (b) positioning said housing around said ball hitch;
- (c) moving said lock pins upwardly from said retracted position to said extended position such that said pins contact opposing sides of said neck portion of said ball hitch and rigidly secure said housing to said ball hitch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.