Patent US3762736A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3762736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hitch for use with sleds and the like
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-09-03
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Granted: 1973-10-02
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Expires: 1991-09-03
Abstract
Abstract A hitch adapted for connecting sleds and the like to snowmobiles. The hitch includes a universal connection at the snowmobile and a swivel connection at the sled. The connection to the sled is by means of a pair of elongated members clamping a forward portion of the sled therebetween for improved control of the towing action. The hitch includes means for ready removable installation.
Inventors
- 👤 R Johnson
- 👤 C Hook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:46
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62B; B62B17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A hitch for use with a snowmobile in pulling a sled having a laterally wide front portion, comprising: a pair of elongate clamp elements having a length greater than the width of said front portion of the sled; means acting between the clamp elements at the opposite ends thereof laterally outwardly of said sled front portion for clamping said clamp elements to said sled front portion free of strength-reducing deformation of said sled front portion and to extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the sled; and a connector for connecting said clamp elements to a rear portion of the snowmobile with a preselected spacing therebetween, said connector permitting limited lateral and vertical displacement of said sled front portion relative to said snowmobile rear portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A hitch for use with a snowmobile in pulling a sled having a laterally wide front portion, comprising: a pair of elongate clamp elements having a length greater than the width of said front portion of the sled; means acting between the clamp elements at the opposite ends thereof laterally outwardly of said sled front portion for clamping said clamp elements to said sled front portion free of strength-reducing deformation of said sled front portion and to extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the sled; and a connector for connecting said clamp elements to a rear portion of the snowmobile with a preselected spacing therebetween, said connector permitting limited lateral and vertical displacement of said sled front portion relative to said snowmobile rear portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The hitch of claim 1 wherein said connector comprises a rigid elongate member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The hitch of claim 1 wherein said connector includes a universal joint at said snowmobile rear portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The hitch of claim 1 wherein said connector includes a swivel joint at the mid-portion of said sled front portion pivoting about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the sled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The hitch of claim 1 wherein said connector includes a rigid tongue and a universal joint at one end of said tongue and a swivel joint at the opposite end of said tongue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The hitch of claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises a tongue, a first connector for connecting one end of the tongue removably to the snowmobile, and a second connector for connecting the opposite end of the tongue removably to the sled, each of said connectors including a connector pin and being arranged to be disconnected by the removal of the connector pin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
A hitch structure adapted to be connected to a sled, comprising: a pair of parallel elongated clamp members; means extending outwardly of and adjacent the edges of said sled for forcibly urging said clamp members laterally toward each other to rigidly clamp the clamp members to the sled without structural weakening of the sled; a tongue member; and means on a mid-portion of a clamp member for movably connecting said tongue member thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
A hitch structure adapted to be connected to a sled, comprising: a pair of parallel elongated clamp members; means extending outwardly of and adjacent the edges of said sled for forcibly urging said clamp members laterally toward each other to rigidly clamp the clamp members to the sled without structural weakening of the sled; a tongue member; and means on a mid-portion of a clamp member for movably connecting said tongue member thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The hitch structure of claim 7 wherein said connecting means comprises means for pivotally connecting said tongue to said clamp member for pivoting about an axis parallel to said clamp members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The hitch structure of claim 8 wherein said connecting means comprises a tubular element secured to one end of the tongue, and pin means movably extended through said tubular element and having opposite ends connected to said clamp member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-01 | 1977-04-02 | 1977-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-01 | 1981-04-02 | 1981-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-01 | 1985-04-02 | 1985-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |