US3600004A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailer coupling device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-11-03
•
Granted: 1971-08-17
•
Expires: 1989-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A coupling device for connecting a trailer to a towing vehicle by means of a ball and socket connection, employs first and second pivotally connected control elements, one secured relative to the towing vehicle and the other connected by diverging spring bars to elements of the trailer frame. A shank carrying the ball serves as a pivot pin connecting the control elements, the latter having cooperating contacting surfaces shaped to permit relative pivoting movement about the shank axis. Cam means on the contacting surfaces are shaped to cause relative tilting movement between the control elements upon relative pivotal movement about said axis. The contacting surfaces may be conical or otherwise shaped as a part of a surface of revolution about said axis.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence E Newkirk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:17
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/30; B60D1/34; B60D1/345
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
In a coupling device for connecting a trailer to a towing vehicle, the trailer having converging frame parts provided with a ball-receiving socket, the improvement comprising, in combination: a ball member adapted to be received in the socket, a pair of control elements pivotally connected together below said ball member for movement about an axis passing through the center of the ball member, the ball member being fixed with respect to one of said control elements, means for fixedly connecting one of said pair of control elements to said towing vehicle, a pair of elongated spring bars, each spring bar being secured at one end thereof to the other of said pair of control elements, the spring bars converging toward the latter said element, means engaging the spring bars remote from the latter said control element and adapted for connection to the converging frame parts for upward flexing of said spring bars, said control elements having cooperating contacting surfaces shaped to permit relative pivoting movement of said control elements about said axis, and cam means on said contacting surfaces shaped to cause relative tilting movement between the control elements upon relative pivoting movement thereof about said axis occasioned by turning of the towing vehicle with respect to the trailer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
In a coupling device for connecting a trailer to a towing vehicle, the trailer having converging frame parts provided with a ball-receiving socket, the improvement comprising, in combination: a ball member adapted to be received in the socket, a pair of control elements pivotally connected together below said ball member for movement about an axis passing through the center of the ball member, the ball member being fixed with respect to one of said control elements, means for fixedly connecting one of said pair of control elements to said towing vehicle, a pair of elongated spring bars, each spring bar being secured at one end thereof to the other of said pair of control elements, the spring bars converging toward the latter said element, means engaging the spring bars remote from the latter said control element and adapted for connection to the converging frame parts for upward flexing of said spring bars, said control elements having cooperating contacting surfaces shaped to permit relative pivoting movement of said control elements about said axis, and cam means on said contacting surfaces shaped to cause relative tilting movement between the control elements upon relative pivoting movement thereof about said axis occasioned by turning of the towing vehicle with respect to the trailer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the relative tilting movement is both lateral and longitudinal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the ball member is fixed to a shank coaxial of said axis, said shank acting as a pivot pin between said control elements, and means detachably fixing the shank to one of the control elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the ball member is fixed with respect to the control element which is adapted for connection to the towing vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the ball member is fixed with respect to the control element having the spring bars secured thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 in which each of the spring bars is detachably connected to the same control element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 including retainer means adapted for attachment to the converging frame parts of the trailer, said retainer means overlying said spring bars and adapted to contact the spring bars to minimize relative lateral movement between the converging frame parts and said spring bars.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 in which said cooperating contacting surfaces are conical.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 in which each of said contacting surfaces comprises at least a portion of a surface of revolution about said axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 in which one of said cooperating contacting surfaces is formed upon an annular part of one of said control elements, said annular part encircling a portion of the other control element, and the other of said cooperating contacting surfaces being formed upon the other control element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
204 words
In a coupling device for connecTing a trailer to a towing vehicle, the trailer having converging frame parts provided with a ball-receiving socket, the improvement comprising, in combination: a first control element, means for fixing said first control element relative to said towing vehicle, a second control element, a ball member secured relative to the second control element and adapted to be received in the socket, a shank fixed to the ball member forming a pivotal connection between said control elements about an axis coaxial of the shank, a pair of elongated spring bars, each spring bar being detachably secured at one end thereof to said second control element, the spring bars converging toward the second control element, means engaging the spring bars remote from the second control element and being adapted for connection to the converging frame parts for upward flexing of said spring bars, said control elements having cooperating contacting conical surfaces shaped to permit relative pivotal movement of said control elements about said axis, and cam means on said contacting surfaces to cause relative lateral tilting movement between the control elements upon relative pivoting movement thereof about said axis occasioned by turning of the towing vehicle with respect to the trailer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
204 words
In a coupling device for connecTing a trailer to a towing vehicle, the trailer having converging frame parts provided with a ball-receiving socket, the improvement comprising, in combination: a first control element, means for fixing said first control element relative to said towing vehicle, a second control element, a ball member secured relative to the second control element and adapted to be received in the socket, a shank fixed to the ball member forming a pivotal connection between said control elements about an axis coaxial of the shank, a pair of elongated spring bars, each spring bar being detachably secured at one end thereof to said second control element, the spring bars converging toward the second control element, means engaging the spring bars remote from the second control element and being adapted for connection to the converging frame parts for upward flexing of said spring bars, said control elements having cooperating contacting conical surfaces shaped to permit relative pivotal movement of said control elements about said axis, and cam means on said contacting surfaces to cause relative lateral tilting movement between the control elements upon relative pivoting movement thereof about said axis occasioned by turning of the towing vehicle with respect to the trailer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a coupling device for connecting a trailer to a towing vehicle, the trailer being provided with a ball-receiving socket, the improvement comprising, in combination: a ball member adapted to be received in the socket, a pair of control elements pivotally connected together below said ball member for movement about an axis passing through the center of the ball member, the ball member being fixed with respect to one of said control elements, means for fixedly connecting one of said pair of control elements to said towing vehicle, said control elements having cooperating contacting conical surfaces shaped to permit relative pivoting movement of said control elements about said axis, and cam means on said contacting surfaces shaped to cause relative tilting movement between the control elements upon relative pivoting movement thereof about said axis occasioned by turning of the towing vehicle with respect to the trailer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a coupling device for connecting a trailer to a towing vehicle, the trailer being provided with a ball-receiving socket, the improvement comprising, in combination: a ball member adapted to be received in the socket, a pair of control elements pivotally connected together below said ball member for movement about an axis passing through the center of the ball member, the ball member being fixed with respect to one of said control elements, means for fixedly connecting one of said pair of control elements to said towing vehicle, said control elements having cooperating contacting conical surfaces shaped to permit relative pivoting movement of said control elements about said axis, and cam means on said contacting surfaces shaped to cause relative tilting movement between the control elements upon relative pivoting movement thereof about said axis occasioned by turning of the towing vehicle with respect to the trailer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination set forth in claim 12 in which the said contacting conical surfaces are positioned behind the said axis adjacent the trailer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination set forth in claim 12 in which the said contacting conical surfaces are positioned in front of said axis adjacent the towing vehicle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination set forth in claim 12 in which the means for fixing the control element to the towing vehicle includes a tow bar member, means forming a vertical tongue and groove connection for adjustable positioning of the tow bar member with respect to the latter said control element, and means for securing the tow bar member in adjusted position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
170 words
In a coupling device for connecting a trailer to a towing vehicle, the trailer being provided with a ball-receiving socket, the improvement comprising, in combination: a ball member adapted to be received in said socket, a pair of control elements pivotally connected together below said ball member for movement about an axis passing through the center of the ball member, one of said control elements adapted to be connected to both said ball member and said towing vehicle, resilient means adapted to connect the other of said control elements to said trailer for holding portions of said control elements together, said portions of said control elements having cooperating contacting surfaces shaped to permit relative pivoting movement of said control elements about said axis, and cam means on said contacting surfaces shaped to cause vertical separation between the control elements upon relative pivoting movement thereof about said axis occasioned by turning of the towing vehicle with respect to the trailer, the tension in said resilient means increasing during such a turn.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
170 words
In a coupling device for connecting a trailer to a towing vehicle, the trailer being provided with a ball-receiving socket, the improvement comprising, in combination: a ball member adapted to be received in said socket, a pair of control elements pivotally connected together below said ball member for movement about an axis passing through the center of the ball member, one of said control elements adapted to be connected to both said ball member and said towing vehicle, resilient means adapted to connect the other of said control elements to said trailer for holding portions of said control elements together, said portions of said control elements having cooperating contacting surfaces shaped to permit relative pivoting movement of said control elements about said axis, and cam means on said contacting surfaces shaped to cause vertical separation between the control elements upon relative pivoting movement thereof about said axis occasioned by turning of the towing vehicle with respect to the trailer, the tension in said resilient means increasing during such a turn.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination set forth in claim 16 in which said cam means on Said contacting surfaces also cause relative lateral tilting movement between said control elements.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination set forth in claim 16 in which said resilient means is a pair of elongated spring bars.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-16 | 1975-02-15 | 1975-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-16 | 1979-02-15 | 1979-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-16 | 1983-02-15 | 1983-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |