Trailer hitch mechanism

Claim 1

A hitch mechanism for attaching a trailer to the rear end of an automotive vehicle having chassis frame members and providing stable support for the front end of such trailer, saiD mechanism comprising in combination: a. a pair of attaching bracket members adapted to extend respectively along the rearward portions of the chassis frame members of said vehicle, b. means adapted to connect said members fixedly to said chassis frame members respectively along one surface thereof, c. an auxiliary frame detachably connected to said attaching bracket members and including a pair of substantially parallel connecting members respectively comprising opposite side members of said auxiliary frame which also includes an auxiliary axle extending between and interconnected to said connecting members for support thereby, d. auxiliary wheels supported by the opposite ends of said auxiliary axle, e. spring means connected between said axle and connecting members to absorb shock imposed upon said wheels, f. transverse members extending substantially horizontally in use between and fixed to said connecting members, g. one of said transverse members having opposite ends respectively extending downward and forward in use from the transverse intermediate portion thereof and said ends being fixedly connected to said connecting members, whereby the transverse intermediate portion of said one transverse member normally is positioned above and substantially within a common vertical plane extending through the axes of said auxiliary wheels, and h. a hitch connecting pivot for a trailer supported by said one of said transverse members intermediately between the ends thereof to dispose it vertically above the axes of said auxiliary wheels.