US3700053A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Weight-indicating trailer coupler
Assignee: Advanced Management Engineering and Research Co
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Filing: 1971-12-06
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Granted: 1972-10-24
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Expires: 1991-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A weight-indicating trailer coupler for visually indicating actual tongue weight or tongue load of a trailer which is applied to a tow car hitch, during loading, after loading, or after rearranging a load, for the purpose of insuring safe towing through application of adequate weight on the tongue and tow car hitch ball. Actual tongue weight may be read off of a calibrated scale. The coupler consists of two pivotally engaged portions, one of which is attached to a trailer tongue, and the other portion being pivotable with respect to the first portion, against the action of a predetermined strength spring means interposed therebetween, to indicate tongue load visually on a scale.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilmer E Glissendorf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:08
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/248; B60D1/01; B60D1/06; B60D1/065; B60D1/14; B60D1/58; G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/08; G01G3/00; G01G3/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A weight-indicating trailer coupler comprising: A. a front coupler portion adapted for connection with a tow vehicle hitch; B. a rear coupler portion adapted for connection with a trailer tongue; i. said front and rear coupler portions being pivotally interconnected for relative rotation with respect to one another; C. a trailer tongue load indicating scale on one said coupler portion; D. a load indicator on the other said coupler portion coactable with said scale; and E. spring means interconnected between said front and rear coupler portions, whereby: i. amount of trailer load exerted on a tow vehicle hitch through the trailer coupler is translated into a visual tongue weight indication through relative pivotal rotation of said coupler portions, against the action of said spring means, by coaction between said indicator and said scale.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A weight-indicating trailer coupler comprising: A. a front coupler portion adapted for connection with a tow vehicle hitch; B. a rear coupler portion adapted for connection with a trailer tongue; i. said front and rear coupler portions being pivotally interconnected for relative rotation with respect to one another; C. a trailer tongue load indicating scale on one said coupler portion; D. a load indicator on the other said coupler portion coactable with said scale; and E. spring means interconnected between said front and rear coupler portions, whereby: i. amount of trailer load exerted on a tow vehicle hitch through the trailer coupler is translated into a visual tongue weight indication through relative pivotal rotation of said coupler portions, against the action of said spring means, by coaction between said indicator and said scale.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A trailer coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spring means comprises a compression spring interposed between said front and rear coupler portions of predetermined load characteristics, said spring being pre-loaded to inhibit loose relative rotation of said coupler portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A trailer coupler as claimed in claim 2, wherein said compression spring comprises at least one spring washer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A trailer coupler as claimed in claim 3, wherein said spring washer consists of a Belleville washer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A trailer coupler as claimed in claim 4, and including a plurality of coacting aligned washers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
A trailer coupler as claimed in claim 2, including a pivot inconnecting said front and rear coupler portions, said portions being at least partially telescopically disposed, the outer of said portions having elongated slots therein longitudinally spaced from said pivot, and bolts secured to the inner of said portions and extending through said slots, and constituting fail-safe bolts which restrict relative rotation of said portions and prevent disassembly of said coupler portions in the event of failure of said Pivot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A trailer coupler as claimed in claim 6, and including a threaded bolt secured to the inner of said portions and extending through the outer of said portions, and a hand wheel threadedly engaged with said bolt and operable to securely fix said portions with respect to one another against the action of relative rotation therebetween.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A trailer coupler as claimed in claim 1, said scale being on a side surface of said front coupler portion, and said load indicator being on the front portion of said rear coupler portion, relative pivotal rotation of said coupler portions resulting in displacement of said indicator along said scale.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
131 words
A trailer coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein said scale comprises a curvilinear plate having scale indicia on a surface thereof and mounted on the front said coupler portion, said load indicator including a bell crank pivotally mounted on said front coupler portion and having a pointer on one leg thereof operatively coacting with said scale indicia, the other leg of said bell crank having a longitudinal slot therein, a vertical slot in said front coupler portion and a pin secured to said rear coupler portion extending through the respective slots in said other bell crank arm and said front coupler portion, said slots and said pin coacting upon relative rotation of said coupler portions to move said pointer with respect to said scale for visually indicating tongue weight indication.
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) | 1975-10-24 | 1976-04-24 | 1976-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-24 | 1980-04-24 | 1980-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-24 | 1984-04-24 | 1984-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |