US3918744A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gooseneck hitch assembly
Assignee: Mobility Inc
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Filing: 1974-08-08
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Granted: 1975-11-11
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Expires: 1994-08-08
Abstract
Abstract A vertically adjustable hitch assembly connecting a vehicle to a towing unit. The hitch assembly has a pair of parallel links pivotally connected to a towing connector having an actuator for the braking system for the vehicle. An expandable and contractable control member is connected to one of the links to pivot the links to change the elevation of the towing connector.
Inventors
- 👤 James E Gay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:39
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D53/00; B62D53/04; B62D53/08; B62D53/0857; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S280/00; Y10S280/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A hitch assembly for coupling an apparatus having a braking system to a towing unit having a pulling member comprising: a forwardly directed tongue member attached to the apparatus, a first link Having an upper and lower end, a second link having an upper end and lower end, first pivot means connecting the upper ends of the first link and second link to the tongue member, brake actuator means for controlling the braking system of the apparatus, said brake actuator means having a housing and a connector adapted to attach to the pulling member, means mounting the connector on the brake actuator means and locating the connector below the brake actuator means, second pivot means connecting the lower ends of the first link and second link to the housing, and expandable and contractable control means connected to the lower end of the first link and the tongue member, said control means operable to change the elevation of the housing and connector whereby the hitch assembly can accommodate towing unit pulling members located at different elevations, said tongue member, first link, second link, brake actuator means and control means being located in the same generally upright plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A hitch assembly for coupling an apparatus having a braking system to a towing unit having a pulling member comprising: a forwardly directed tongue member attached to the apparatus, a first link Having an upper and lower end, a second link having an upper end and lower end, first pivot means connecting the upper ends of the first link and second link to the tongue member, brake actuator means for controlling the braking system of the apparatus, said brake actuator means having a housing and a connector adapted to attach to the pulling member, means mounting the connector on the brake actuator means and locating the connector below the brake actuator means, second pivot means connecting the lower ends of the first link and second link to the housing, and expandable and contractable control means connected to the lower end of the first link and the tongue member, said control means operable to change the elevation of the housing and connector whereby the hitch assembly can accommodate towing unit pulling members located at different elevations, said tongue member, first link, second link, brake actuator means and control means being located in the same generally upright plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The hitch assembly of claim 1 including: a first rib secured to the lower side of the tongue member and a second rib secured to the lower end of the first link, said control means being pivotally connected to said first and second ribs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The hitch assembly of claim 2 wherein: the expandable and contractable control means comprise first and second means having cooperating screw threads operable upon relative movement between the first and second means to change the length of the control means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The hitch assembly of claim 1 wherein: the expandable and contractable control means comprise first and second means having cooperating screw threads operable upon relative movement between the first and second means to change the length of the control means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The hitch assembly of claim 1 wherein: the brake actuator means includes a hydraulic cylinder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
153 words
A hitch assembly for coupling an apparatus to a towing unit having a pulling member comprising: forwardly directed tongue means connected to the apparatus, a rigid member located below the tongue means, a connector adapted to attach to the pulling member, means mounting the connector on the rigid member and locating the connector below the rigid member, downwardly directed link means connecting the tongue means and the rigid member, first pivot means connecting the upper end of the link means to the tongue means, second pivot means connecting the lower end of the link means to the rigid member, and expandable and contractable control means connected to the link means and tongue means to change the elevation of the rigid member whereby the hitch assembly can accommodate towing unit members located at different elevations, said tongue means, rigid member, connector, link means and control means being located in the same generally upright plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
153 words
A hitch assembly for coupling an apparatus to a towing unit having a pulling member comprising: forwardly directed tongue means connected to the apparatus, a rigid member located below the tongue means, a connector adapted to attach to the pulling member, means mounting the connector on the rigid member and locating the connector below the rigid member, downwardly directed link means connecting the tongue means and the rigid member, first pivot means connecting the upper end of the link means to the tongue means, second pivot means connecting the lower end of the link means to the rigid member, and expandable and contractable control means connected to the link means and tongue means to change the elevation of the rigid member whereby the hitch assembly can accommodate towing unit members located at different elevations, said tongue means, rigid member, connector, link means and control means being located in the same generally upright plane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The hitch assembly of claim 6 wherein: the link means comprise a plurality of separate links.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The hitch assembly of claim 6 wherein: the means mounting the connector on the rigid member includes brake actuating means for the brakes of the apparatus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The hitch assembly of claim 6 wherein: the expandable and contractable control means comprise first and second means having cooperating screw threads operable upon relative movement between the first and second means to change the length of the control means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The hitch assembly of claim 6 including: a first rib secured to the lower side of the tongue means and a second rib secured to the lower end of the link means, said control means being pivotally connected to said first and second ribs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hitch assembly of claim 6 wherein: the link means comprise a pair of separate downwardly extended links.
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) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-05-12 | 1979-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-10 | 1983-05-12 | 1983-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-10 | 1987-05-12 | 1987-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |