US3601427A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Antisway trailer hitch
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-06-20
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Granted: 1971-08-24
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Expires: 1989-06-20
Abstract
Abstract The trailer hitch inhibits sidesway of a trailer by use of a transversely extending track tube connected at its opposite ends to the rear of the towing vehicle. A drawbar hinged to the trailer and pivoted to the traction vehicle includes a pivoted guide sleeve movable on rollers laterally along the tube for transmitting towing power between the towing and towed vehicles. A forward portion of the drawbar extends to permit lateral movement of the guide sleeve on the track tube. The drawbar has a swivel coupling permitting relative rolling movement between the vehicles. A rear portion of the drawbar has a load equalizer including a coil spring operable in conjunction with the trailer jack to vary the distribution of the axle loads between the trailer and towing vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles F Holt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:46
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/30; B60D1/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
In a trailer hitch assembly: a track assembly including an elongated track member and first and second connector means for connecting the opposite ends of said track member to a traction vehicle at laterally opposite sides of said vehicle in a manner so that said track member extends transversely of said vehicle, a drawbar assembly including trailer drawbar means, third connector means for connecting one end of said drawbar means to a trailer vehicle, and fourth connector means for connecting the opposite end of said drawbar means to said traction vehicle at a point laterally between the points of connection of said first and second connector means and forwardly of said track member, said track member having a closed cylindrical outer surface, a tracking sleeve means pivoted to said drawbar means intermediate the opposite ends thereof for pivotal movement about an upright axis extending through said drawbar means, said track member extending through said tracking sleeve means, said tracking sleeve means including a plurality of roller means rotatably carried by said sleeve means and adapted for rolling engagement with the outer surface of said track member at spaced positions circumferentially of said track member in a manner permitting free rolling movement of said sleeve means along said track member, said drawbar means extensible in length between said fourth connector means and said sleeve means to permit pivoting movement of said drawbar means about said fourth connector means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
237 words
In a trailer hitch assembly: a track assembly including an elongated track member and first and second connector means for connecting the opposite ends of said track member to a traction vehicle at laterally opposite sides of said vehicle in a manner so that said track member extends transversely of said vehicle, a drawbar assembly including trailer drawbar means, third connector means for connecting one end of said drawbar means to a trailer vehicle, and fourth connector means for connecting the opposite end of said drawbar means to said traction vehicle at a point laterally between the points of connection of said first and second connector means and forwardly of said track member, said track member having a closed cylindrical outer surface, a tracking sleeve means pivoted to said drawbar means intermediate the opposite ends thereof for pivotal movement about an upright axis extending through said drawbar means, said track member extending through said tracking sleeve means, said tracking sleeve means including a plurality of roller means rotatably carried by said sleeve means and adapted for rolling engagement with the outer surface of said track member at spaced positions circumferentially of said track member in a manner permitting free rolling movement of said sleeve means along said track member, said drawbar means extensible in length between said fourth connector means and said sleeve means to permit pivoting movement of said drawbar means about said fourth connector means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A hitch assembly according to claim 1 wherein each said roller means includes a series of ball bearing members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A hitch assembly according to claim 1 wherein said roller means include at least four roller member spaced symmetrically about said track member and in rolling engagement with said track member at positions offset with respect to the horizontal and vertical planes through the axis of said track member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sleeve means comprises a generally cylindrical sleeve member defined by a series of separate curved sleeve sections interconnected by said roller means, said roller means, said roller means extending inwardly of the inner diameter of said sleeve member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
A hitch assembly according to claim 1 wherein said drawbar means includes swivel means between said third connector means and said sleeve means for permitting relative rotation between the portion of said drawbar means rearwardly of said swivel means and the portion of said drawbar means forwardly of said swivel means about the longitudinal centerline of said drawbar means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
A hitch assembly according to claim 1 wherein said third connector means includes means for providing a hinge connection of said drawbar means with a forward portion of a trailer vehicle about a transverse hinge axis, and adjustable load equalizer means, said load equalizer means including compression spring means adapted to extend between said drawbar means and a portion of said trailer vehicle forwardly of said hinge axis to exert a separating force therebetween, and means for operatively connecting said spring means with a trailer jack on said forward trailer portion in a manner such that operation of said jack tends to vary the compression of said spring means and thereby change the elevation of the forward end of the trailer vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said means for connecting said spring means with a trailer jack includes a vertical tube means surrounding an extensible vertical shaft portion of said trailer jack, said compression spring means comprising a coil spring surrounding said vertical sleeve member, the lower end of said spring means abutting said drawbar means, the lower end of said spring means abutting an enlarged portion of said vertical tube means, the lower end of said vertical tube means including an abutment member limiting the downward movement of said jackshaft within said vertical tube means and means providing an opening through said drawbar means permitting downward movement of said jackshaft and vertical tube means through said drawbar opening, whereby downward movement of said jackshaft tends to compress said coil spring to elevate the forward portion of said trailer vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 including swivel means between said equalizer means and said sleeve means permitting relative swiveling movement between forward and rear portions of said drawbar means a longitudinal axis extending between said vehicles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
193 words
A trailer hitch assembly comprising: drawbar means including first connector means for hingedly connecting a rear portion of said drawbar means to a forward portion of a trailing vehicle for movement about a transverse hinge axis and second connector means for connecting a forward portion of said drawbar means to a towing vehicle, said drawbar means between said first and second connector means being longitudinally rigid, adjustable load equalizer means including compression spring means adapted to extend between said drawbar means and a portion of the trailing vehicle forwardly of said hinge axis to exert a separaTing force between said drawbar means and said trailer, said equalizer means including means operatively connected to said spring means and operable with a trailer jack on said forward trailer portion in a manner such that operation of said jack tends to vary the compression of said spring means and thereby change the elevation of the forward end of the trailer vehicle, said hinge axis and thus said drawbar means and rear end of the towing vehicle to vary the load distribution between the rear axle of the towing vehicle and the axle of said trailer vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
193 words
A trailer hitch assembly comprising: drawbar means including first connector means for hingedly connecting a rear portion of said drawbar means to a forward portion of a trailing vehicle for movement about a transverse hinge axis and second connector means for connecting a forward portion of said drawbar means to a towing vehicle, said drawbar means between said first and second connector means being longitudinally rigid, adjustable load equalizer means including compression spring means adapted to extend between said drawbar means and a portion of the trailing vehicle forwardly of said hinge axis to exert a separaTing force between said drawbar means and said trailer, said equalizer means including means operatively connected to said spring means and operable with a trailer jack on said forward trailer portion in a manner such that operation of said jack tends to vary the compression of said spring means and thereby change the elevation of the forward end of the trailer vehicle, said hinge axis and thus said drawbar means and rear end of the towing vehicle to vary the load distribution between the rear axle of the towing vehicle and the axle of said trailer vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
135 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said means for connecting said spring means with a trailer jack includes a vertical tube means surrounding an extensible vertical shaft portion of said trailer jack, said compression spring means comprising a coil spring surrounding said vertical tube means, the lower end of said spring means abutting said drawbar means, the upper end of said spring means abutting an enlarged portion of said vertical tube means, said vertical tube means including an abutment member limiting the downward movement of said jackshaft within said tube means, and means providing an opening through said drawbar means permitting downward movement of said jackshaft and vertical tube means through said drawbar opening, whereby downward movement of said jackshaft tends to compress said coil spring to elevate the forward portion of said trailer vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 including swivel means on said drawbar means positioned between said load equalizer means and said second connector means for providing relative rolling movement between forward and rear portions of said drawbar means about a longitudinal centerline of said drawbar means.
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) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |