US3767230A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailer positioning and maneuvering apparatus
Assignee: VRIES C DE
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Filing: 1971-12-08
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Granted: 1973-10-23
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Expires: 1991-12-08
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus mountable on a front hitch of a trailer and operative for selectively applying combinations of lateral and upward forces to the hitch in a plurality of directions wherein maneuvers such as lifting, advancing and moving the trailer to various positions and attitudes can be accomplished.
Inventors
- 👤 Vries C De
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:26
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/36; B60D1/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
An apparatus mountable on a hitch of a trailer and operative for selectively moving and maneuvering the same, said apparatus comprising: mounting means connectable to said hitch; winch means disposed on said mounting means, said means comprising a cable reel and a cable having one end connected to said reel, said means operative to pay out and wind said cable on said reel; a pivot pulley disposed on said mounting means in aligned relation to said drum, said pulley comprising a sheave operative to train said cable and pivot means for providing pivotal movement of said sheave relative to said mounting means; force transfer means for swingably retaining said pulley to said mounting means in cable feeding relation to said reel, and operative to transfer to said mounting means those angularly directed pulling forces imparted to said pulley by said cable at the angles of direction dictated by said cable; and whereupon rewinding of said reel said pivot means of said pulley and transfer means being cooperatively operative to self align said sheave in cable feeding relation to said reel and transfer the pulling forces to the mounting means at said direction dictated by said cable upon the free end of said cable being payed out and connected to objects apart and remote from said trailer whereby moving and maneuvering of said trailer is effected.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
225 words
An apparatus mountable on a hitch of a trailer and operative for selectively moving and maneuvering the same, said apparatus comprising: mounting means connectable to said hitch; winch means disposed on said mounting means, said means comprising a cable reel and a cable having one end connected to said reel, said means operative to pay out and wind said cable on said reel; a pivot pulley disposed on said mounting means in aligned relation to said drum, said pulley comprising a sheave operative to train said cable and pivot means for providing pivotal movement of said sheave relative to said mounting means; force transfer means for swingably retaining said pulley to said mounting means in cable feeding relation to said reel, and operative to transfer to said mounting means those angularly directed pulling forces imparted to said pulley by said cable at the angles of direction dictated by said cable; and whereupon rewinding of said reel said pivot means of said pulley and transfer means being cooperatively operative to self align said sheave in cable feeding relation to said reel and transfer the pulling forces to the mounting means at said direction dictated by said cable upon the free end of said cable being payed out and connected to objects apart and remote from said trailer whereby moving and maneuvering of said trailer is effected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a mounting member having an elongated extent defining a longitudinal axis thereof, said cable reel having a longitudinal extent rotatable about an axis of rotation, and said force transfer means disposed on said mounting member along the longitudinal axis thereof and in spaced relation and intermediate to said longitudinal extent of said reel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein said pivot pulley comprises a body in which said sheave is journaled, and said pivot means comprising a connecting link providing a pivotal interconnection between said body and said force transfer means, said connection in substantial alignment with the plane of rotation of said sheave.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein said winch means comprises a manually operated winch having an external arm and handle for operation thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein said power transfer means comprises a U-shaped member secured to said mounting member to form a closed loop therewith, and said connEcting link of said pivot pulley including an annular portion swingably disposed in linked relation to said U-shaped member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention as recited in claim 5 wherein said mounting member includes a foot portion having a perpendicular angulated relation to said member and disposed at one end thereof, and said U-shaped member disposed between said winch means and said foot portion, said foot portion having an aperture to facilitate securing that end of the mounting member to said hitch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as recited in claim 5 wherein said mounting mean comprises at least two U-shaped bolt assemblies operative to secure said mounting member to said hitch.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
179 words
An apparatus mountable on an upwardly extending member on a hitch of a trailer, the apparatus comprising: winch means disposable on said member and comprising a cable drum having a longitudinal cable reeling extent and a cable, said means operative to payout and wind a free end of said cable along said extent: a pivot pulley disposed on said member in aligned relation to said drum, said pulley comprising a sheave operative to train said cable and pivot means for providing pivotal movement of said sheave relative to said member; force transfer means for swingably retaining said pulley to said member in cable feeding relation to said reel, said force transfer means comprising a pivot member securable on said member on said hitch, and said pivot pulley including a link providing swivel connection to said pulley at one end thereof, the other end of said link swingably secured to said pivot member to permit a plurality of angular attitudes of said pivot pulley relative to said hitch member while maintaining a cable feeding relation to said cable reeling extent.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
179 words
An apparatus mountable on an upwardly extending member on a hitch of a trailer, the apparatus comprising: winch means disposable on said member and comprising a cable drum having a longitudinal cable reeling extent and a cable, said means operative to payout and wind a free end of said cable along said extent: a pivot pulley disposed on said member in aligned relation to said drum, said pulley comprising a sheave operative to train said cable and pivot means for providing pivotal movement of said sheave relative to said member; force transfer means for swingably retaining said pulley to said member in cable feeding relation to said reel, said force transfer means comprising a pivot member securable on said member on said hitch, and said pivot pulley including a link providing swivel connection to said pulley at one end thereof, the other end of said link swingably secured to said pivot member to permit a plurality of angular attitudes of said pivot pulley relative to said hitch member while maintaining a cable feeding relation to said cable reeling extent.
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) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |