US3876242A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety trailer hitch
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-06-10
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1994-06-10
Abstract
Abstract The ball member of a trailer hitch is bolted to a tongue piece and is coaxially surrounded at its base by a raised rim integrally formed with the tongue piece. A ball cover is pivotally mounted on the tongue piece and is movable from an open position to a closed position covering the ball. Means are provided for locking the cover in the closed position so that the cover prevents the trailer socket member from disengaging from the ball and together with the rim prevents the ball from disengaging with the tongue piece either vertically or horizontally.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas R Eaton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:33
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/01; B60D1/06; B60D1/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
An improved trailer ball hitch of the type having the ball and a base bolted on a tongue piece wherein the improvement comprises a rigid cover for the ball, means for pivotally mounting the cover on the tongue piece such that the cover is pivotable between a closed position covering the ball and an open position clear of the ball, means for locking the cover in its covering position and a raised rim integral with the tongue piece and coaxially surrounding the ball base.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
An improved trailer ball hitch of the type having the ball and a base bolted on a tongue piece wherein the improvement comprises a rigid cover for the ball, means for pivotally mounting the cover on the tongue piece such that the cover is pivotable between a closed position covering the ball and an open position clear of the ball, means for locking the cover in its covering position and a raised rim integral with the tongue piece and coaxially surrounding the ball base.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
An improved trailer ball hitch as recited in claim 1 wherein the cover further comprises a horizontal support positioned at a level higher than the top of the ball to prevent the ball from being entangled with external objects from above when the cover is in its closed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
An improved trailer ball hitch as recited in claim 1 further comprising a towing bar for mounting on a vehicle and means for detachably mounting the tongue piece on the towing bar, the detachable mounting means being non-detachable when the cover is in its closed position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
162 words
An improved trailer ball hitch of the type having the ball and a base bolted on a tongue piece wherein the improvement comprises a rigid cover for the ball, means for pivotally mounting the cover on the tongue piece such that the cover is pivotable between a closed position covering the ball and an open position clear of the ball, means for locking the cover in its covering position, a towing bar for mounting on a vehicle and means for detachably mounting the tongue piece on the towing bar, the detachable mounting means being non-detachable when the cover is in its closed position, and wherein the tongue piece and towing bar have a set of aligned holes, the detachable mounting means includes a flush-mounted bolt passing through the aligned holes and whose head is covered by the cover when the cover is in its closed position, and a locking nut threaded on the end of the bolt and against the towing bar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
162 words
An improved trailer ball hitch of the type having the ball and a base bolted on a tongue piece wherein the improvement comprises a rigid cover for the ball, means for pivotally mounting the cover on the tongue piece such that the cover is pivotable between a closed position covering the ball and an open position clear of the ball, means for locking the cover in its covering position, a towing bar for mounting on a vehicle and means for detachably mounting the tongue piece on the towing bar, the detachable mounting means being non-detachable when the cover is in its closed position, and wherein the tongue piece and towing bar have a set of aligned holes, the detachable mounting means includes a flush-mounted bolt passing through the aligned holes and whose head is covered by the cover when the cover is in its closed position, and a locking nut threaded on the end of the bolt and against the towing bar.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3307857A
Cited
US3479057A
Cited
US3522958A
Cited
US3677564A
Cited
US3759548A
Cited
US3730558A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |