US3831982A — Universal coupling

Claim 1

Independent Claim 183 words

A universal connection between at least two separate parts, comprising: a. a spherical member attached to one part, b. a spherical element in said spherical member, c. a neck in said spherical member connecting said spherical element and said spherical member to said one part, d. a housing member attached to the other part, e. said housing defining an initially open forward facing front door, f. said door opening having one size corresponding to said spherical element and another size corresponding to said neck for allowing swivel movement in all directions of said housing member about said spherical element, g. means to horizontally align said element and neck with corresponding sizes in the door opening whereby relative linear movement of said members will permit engagement thereof, h. and cam follower means to close said door opening and lock said spherical element in said housing member against unintentioanl disengagement, i. wherein said housing includes a stationary cam cylinder defining a sphere receiving cavity and said door opening, j. and wherein said cam follower comprises a rotary cam follower cylinder surrounding said stationary cam cylinder.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 183 words

A universal connection between at least two separate parts, comprising: a. a spherical member attached to one part, b. a spherical element in said spherical member, c. a neck in said spherical member connecting said spherical element and said spherical member to said one part, d. a housing member attached to the other part, e. said housing defining an initially open forward facing front door, f. said door opening having one size corresponding to said spherical element and another size corresponding to said neck for allowing swivel movement in all directions of said housing member about said spherical element, g. means to horizontally align said element and neck with corresponding sizes in the door opening whereby relative linear movement of said members will permit engagement thereof, h. and cam follower means to close said door opening and lock said spherical element in said housing member against unintentioanl disengagement, i. wherein said housing includes a stationary cam cylinder defining a sphere receiving cavity and said door opening, j. and wherein said cam follower comprises a rotary cam follower cylinder surrounding said stationary cam cylinder.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 64 words

A universal connection as in claim 1, wherein said stationary cam cylinder forms a stationary cam about which the rotary cam follower cylinder rotates in such a manner as to forceably pull said spherical member into and securely seat said spherical element within said sphere receiving cavity, which cavity when cooperating with said rotary cam follower cylinder forms a substantially complete circular cross section.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 35 words

A universal connection as in claim 1, wherein said cam follower means includes a handle and said housing member includes means for locking said handle in at least one position of said cam follower means.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 36 words

A universal connection as in claim 3, wherein said housing member includes means for locking said handle in both the fully opened and fully closed positions of said cam follower means relative to said door opening.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 153 words

A universal connection comprising: a. a ball hitch structure having a ball member mounted on a vehicle, b. a socket hitch structure mounted on a second vehicle, c. said socket hitch structure having a generally spherical stationary concave socket member having a cavity and an opening thereto facing said ball member in horizontal alignment therewith, d. spherically contoured door member surrounding said socket member and adapted to close said cavity and form a substantially circular cross section configuration when said ball member is therein, e. at least one of said members acting as a cam to direct said ball member into seating engagement with said socket member, f. and leverage means to rotate said door member with the force required by said member acting as a cam to move said socket hitch and said second vehicle as required to provide a universal connection between said ball hitch structure and said socket hitch structure.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 153 words

A universal connection comprising: a. a ball hitch structure having a ball member mounted on a vehicle, b. a socket hitch structure mounted on a second vehicle, c. said socket hitch structure having a generally spherical stationary concave socket member having a cavity and an opening thereto facing said ball member in horizontal alignment therewith, d. spherically contoured door member surrounding said socket member and adapted to close said cavity and form a substantially circular cross section configuration when said ball member is therein, e. at least one of said members acting as a cam to direct said ball member into seating engagement with said socket member, f. and leverage means to rotate said door member with the force required by said member acting as a cam to move said socket hitch and said second vehicle as required to provide a universal connection between said ball hitch structure and said socket hitch structure.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1977-08-26	1978-02-25	1978-08-27	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1981-08-26	1982-02-25	1982-08-27	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1985-08-26	1986-02-25	1986-08-27	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Universal coupling

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