US3740078A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universally pivotal tow hitch apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-08-23
•
Granted: 1973-06-19
•
Expires: 1991-08-23
Abstract
Abstract Tow hitch apparatus for connecting a trailing vehicle onto a towing vehicle having a tow hitch thereon characterized by a tongue, a coupling head connected to a forward end of the tongue, a draft member connected to the trailing vehicle, and a universally pivotal connection means for connecting the tongue with the draft member whereby the coupling head can be connected with the tow hitch regardless of misalignment, either vertically or laterally. In specific embodiments, a winch and cable are provided for effecting alignment after the coupling head is connected; locking means are provided for locking the tongue and draft member into alignment; the tongue comprises telescopically mounted members; and locking and limit means are provided for control of the draft length of the telescopically mounted members.
Inventors
- 👤 J Murr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:05
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/36; B60D1/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
Tow hitch apparatus for connecting a trailing vehicle onto a towing vehicle having a tow hitch thereon comprising: a. a tongue; b. a coupling head connected to the forward end of said tongue; c. a draft member connected to said trailing vehicle; d. connection means for connecting said tongue with said draft member; said connection means connecting the forward end of said draft member with said tongue medially of the ends of said tongue and effecting a universally pivotal connection such that said coupling head may be moved vertically and laterally with respect to its aligned position to effect connection with the tow hitch even though the draft member is not aligned therewith; and e. alignment forcing means connected with said draft member and said tongue rearwardly of the point of connection of said connection means with said tongue and having a mechanical advantage for forcing lateral and vertical alignment between said tongue and said draft member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
Tow hitch apparatus for connecting a trailing vehicle onto a towing vehicle having a tow hitch thereon comprising: a. a tongue; b. a coupling head connected to the forward end of said tongue; c. a draft member connected to said trailing vehicle; d. connection means for connecting said tongue with said draft member; said connection means connecting the forward end of said draft member with said tongue medially of the ends of said tongue and effecting a universally pivotal connection such that said coupling head may be moved vertically and laterally with respect to its aligned position to effect connection with the tow hitch even though the draft member is not aligned therewith; and e. alignment forcing means connected with said draft member and said tongue rearwardly of the point of connection of said connection means with said tongue and having a mechanical advantage for forcing lateral and vertical alignment between said tongue and said draft member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said alignment forcing means comprises a serially connected flexible lineal member and retraction means for effecting alignment of said tongue and said draft member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said retraction means comprises a ratchet winch that may be ratchet locked for safety after said lineal member has been retracted to affect the desired alignment of said tongue and said draft member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a locKing means is provided for additionally locking said tongue and said draft member together once they are aligned and brought together.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tongue comprises a plurality of members comprising at least a forward member and a rearward member mounted for relative reciprocal movement of said forward member with respect to said rearward member, and automatic locking means is provided for automatically locking said members at a desired draft length when the forward member is moved rearwardly with respect to the rearward member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said connection means comprises first and second portions that allow movement of forward and rearward ends of said tongue vertically and laterally for connecting said coupling head onto said tow hitch and for effecting alignment of said tongue with said draft member regardless of the azimuth of said tow hitch with respect to the longitudinal axis of said draft member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first portion comprises a vertically movable member that is mounted for pivotal movement about a shaft; said second portion comprises a shaft carried by said tongue and penetrating rotatably through said vertically movable member and having fastening means; and wherein a locking means is provided for locking said tongue and said draft member together once they are aligned and brought together.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1422189A
Cited
US2194087A
Cited
US2197157A
Cited
US2327308A
Cited
US2988383A
Cited
US3326573A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |