US3820822A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tow hitch
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-05-29
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Granted: 1974-06-28
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Expires: 1993-05-29
Abstract
Abstract A two hitch adapted to be extended longitudinally and laterally for attachment conveniently to a towing vehicle which is not in linear alignment with the hitch, has a pair of elongate bars extending horizontally in the same plane having respective mutually confronting longitudinal surfaces. The surfaces are pivotally connected together by pivot means which is mounted for sliding along at least one of the mutually confronting surfaces, and by a pair of cooperating scissor hinges, each extending laterally from respective sides of the elongate members. One end of each hinge is pivotally connected to one of the elongate members, and the other end of each hinge is pivotally connected to the other elongate member. The hitch has appropriate retaining and securing means at each end thereof for preventing the relative lateral movement of the elongate bars when the tow hitch is in use. Means are also provided at opposite ends of the two elongate bars for securing the respective hitch ends to a trailer or the like and to a towing vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 C Henderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:31
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/36; B60D1/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
Tow hitch adapted for longitudinal and lateral adjustment during coupling thereof, comprising in combination: a pair of elongate, horizontally extending members having respective cooperating longitudinal surfaces lying in the same horizontal plane in mutually confronting relationship; pivoting means pivotally connecting the mutually confrontsurfaces of the elongate members, said pivoting means being slideably mounted for longitudinal movement between predetermined points on the surfaces; a pair of mutually opposing scissor hinges respectively extending laterally from either side of the elongate members with one end of each hinge pivotally attached to a first elongate member and the other respective hinge ends being pivotally attached to a second elongate member; retaining means fixedly attached to the first elongate member near one end thereof and adapted to secure the corresponding end of the second elongate member from lateral movement; securing means attached to the elongate members adapted to prevent longitudinal movement of the elongate members with respect to each other; means at one end of the first elongate member for securing the hitch to an object to be towed; and means for removeably attaching the hitch to a towing vehicle, said means being disposed at the end of the second elongate member opposite the end of the first member bearing the securing means for securing the hitch to an object to be towed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
Tow hitch adapted for longitudinal and lateral adjustment during coupling thereof, comprising in combination: a pair of elongate, horizontally extending members having respective cooperating longitudinal surfaces lying in the same horizontal plane in mutually confronting relationship; pivoting means pivotally connecting the mutually confrontsurfaces of the elongate members, said pivoting means being slideably mounted for longitudinal movement between predetermined points on the surfaces; a pair of mutually opposing scissor hinges respectively extending laterally from either side of the elongate members with one end of each hinge pivotally attached to a first elongate member and the other respective hinge ends being pivotally attached to a second elongate member; retaining means fixedly attached to the first elongate member near one end thereof and adapted to secure the corresponding end of the second elongate member from lateral movement; securing means attached to the elongate members adapted to prevent longitudinal movement of the elongate members with respect to each other; means at one end of the first elongate member for securing the hitch to an object to be towed; and means for removeably attaching the hitch to a towing vehicle, said means being disposed at the end of the second elongate member opposite the end of the first member bearing the securing means for securing the hitch to an object to be towed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
Tow hitch as set forth in claim 1, including guide means attached to one of the elongate members and adapted to restrict within pre-determined limits the lateral movement of the other elongate member relative to the first member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
Tow hitch as set forth in claim 1, including retaining means attached to the second elongate member near one end thereof and adapted to fixedly hold the corresponding end of the first elongate member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
Tow hitch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first elongate member has a jack secured thereto with the jack extension bar attached at one end thereof to the second elongate member, said jack adapted to provide for drawing and end of the second member from an extended position into the retaining means of the first cooperating member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Tow hitch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the retaining means and the securing means are of unified construction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
Tow hitch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the ends of the pair of scissor hinges which are pivotally attached to the first elongate member share a common pivot, and the hinge ends of the scissor hinges which are attached to the second elongate member also share a common pivot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
To hitch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second elongate member has a plate attached thereto for resting the scissor hinges against when the hitch is in a closed position for towing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Tow hitch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pivoting means is fixedly mounted on the first elongate member and adapted to slideably move along the cooperating surface of the second elongate member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
Tow hitch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pair of scissors hinges are disposed between the pivoting means and the means at the end of the end of the second elongate member for removeably attaching the hitch to a towing vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
Tow hitch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pair of scissor hinges are disposed between the pivoting means and the means at the end of the first elongate member for securing the hitch to an object to be towed.
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) | 1977-06-27 | 1977-12-27 | 1978-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | 1982-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |