US3977726A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Double hitch tiltable trailer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-01-20
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Granted: 1976-08-31
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Expires: 1995-01-20
Abstract
Abstract A hitch extends between a towing vehicle such as a tractor, and a trailer includes an upper hitch and a lower hitch together with a releasable latch means holding one against the other. When released, back up of the towing vehicle and, if necessary, applying the brakes of the trailer, tilts the trailer rearwardly and continued backing up tilts the trailer over through nearly 180° for full dumping. When the towing vehicle is moved forwardly the trailer returns to the towing position and the latch means may be re-engaged between the upper and lower hitches.
Inventors
- 👤 Metro Prestayko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 05:52
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/04; B60P1/06; B60P1/08; B62; B62D; B62D63/00; B62D63/06; B62D63/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
A tiltable trailer and hitch movable from a towing position to a tilted position and vice versa and adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle; comprising in combination a trailer frame, load carrying means on said frame, a transverse axle secured to said frame, ground engaging wheels journalled for rotation one on each end of said axle, a lower hitch assembly extending from said trailer forwardly of said axle, an upper hitch assembly extending from one end of said trailer above said lower hitch assembly, said lower hitch assembly connecting with said towing vehicle by one end thereof, and being pivotally secured transversely to said trailer forwardly of said axle, and releaseable latch means between said upper and said lower hitch assemblies normally maintaining said trailer in the towing position but releasing said trailer for rearward tilting action whereby said trailer may be moved to the tilted position, means to release and secure said latch means, said latch means including a clevis pivotally supported on said lower hitch assembly, over center means normally urging said clevis rearwardly towards said trailer and extendable and retractable spring loaded, means connected by one end thereof to said lower hitch assembly and by the other end thereof to said frame to firstly initiate the tilting of said trailer frame when said latch means is released and secondly to cushion the return movement of said trailer frame to the towing position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
237 words
A tiltable trailer and hitch movable from a towing position to a tilted position and vice versa and adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle; comprising in combination a trailer frame, load carrying means on said frame, a transverse axle secured to said frame, ground engaging wheels journalled for rotation one on each end of said axle, a lower hitch assembly extending from said trailer forwardly of said axle, an upper hitch assembly extending from one end of said trailer above said lower hitch assembly, said lower hitch assembly connecting with said towing vehicle by one end thereof, and being pivotally secured transversely to said trailer forwardly of said axle, and releaseable latch means between said upper and said lower hitch assemblies normally maintaining said trailer in the towing position but releasing said trailer for rearward tilting action whereby said trailer may be moved to the tilted position, means to release and secure said latch means, said latch means including a clevis pivotally supported on said lower hitch assembly, over center means normally urging said clevis rearwardly towards said trailer and extendable and retractable spring loaded, means connected by one end thereof to said lower hitch assembly and by the other end thereof to said frame to firstly initiate the tilting of said trailer frame when said latch means is released and secondly to cushion the return movement of said trailer frame to the towing position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device according to claim 1 in which said lower hitch assembly includes a main beam and a pair of diverging braces extending rearwardly from along the length of said main beam, said main beam and the distal ends of said braces being pivotally secured to said trailer as aforesaid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device according to claim 1 in which said upper hitch assembly includes a main member and a pair of diverging members extending rearwardly from along the length of said main member, said main member and the distal ends of said diversion members being secured to said one end of said trailer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device according to claim 2 in which said upper hitch assembly includes a main member and a pair of diverging members extending rearwardly from along the length of said main member, said main member and the distal ends of said diversion members being secured to said one end of said trailer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
107 words
The device according to claim 1 in which said over center means includes an upper link pivotally secured by one end thereof to adjacent the upper end of said clevis, a lower link pivotally secured by one end thereof to said lower hitch assembly, said upper link being secured by the other end thereof to adjacent the other end of said lower link, locking means spanning the other end of said lower link and engaging said upper link when in the over center position and spring means extending between said over center means and said lower hitch assembly normally urging said links to said over center postion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
107 words
The device according to claim 2 in which said over center means includes an upper link pivotally secured by one end thereof to adjacent the upper end of said clevis, a lower link pivotally secured by one end thereof to said lower hitch assembly, said upper link being secured by the other end thereof to adjacent the other end of said lower link, locking means spanning the other end of said lower link and engaging said upper link when in the over center position and spring means extending between said over center means and said lower hitch assembly normally urging said links to said over center position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
107 words
The device according to claim 3 in which said over center means includes an upper link pivotally secured by one end thereof to adjacent the upper end of said clevis, a lower link pivotally secured by one end thereof to said lower hitch assembly, said upper link being secured by the other end thereof to adjacent the other end of said lower link, locking means spanning the other end of said lower link and engaging said upper link when in the over center position and spring means extending between said over center means and said lower hitch assembly normally urging said links to said over center postion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
107 words
The device according to claim 4 in which said over center means includes an upper link pivotally secured by one end thereof to adjacent the upper end of said clevis, a lower link pivotally secured by one end thereof to said lower hitch assembly, said upper link being secured by the other end thereof to adjacent the other end of said lower link, locking means spanning the other end of said lower link and engaging said upper link when in the over center position and spring means extending between said over center means and said lower hitch assembly normally urging said links to said over center position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
The device according to claim 5 which includes roller means journalled within said clevis, the front end of said upper hitch assembly engaging under said roller means when said trailer is in the towing position, and means on said front end engageable upon said roller when said front end moves from the tilted position to the towing position, to urge said latch means to the released position against pressure of said spring means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
The device according to claim 6 which includes roller means journalled within said clevis, the front end of said upper hitch assembly engaging under said roller means when said trailer is in the towing position, and means on said front end engageable upon said roller when said front end moves from the tilted position to the towing position, to urge said latch means to the released position against pressure of said spring means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
The device according to claim 7 which includes roller means journalled within said clevis, the front end of said upper hitch assembly engaging under said roller means when said trailer is in the towing position, and means on said front end engageable upon said roller when said front end moves from the tilted position to the towing position, to urge said latch means to the released position against pressure of said spring means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
The device according to claim 8 which includes roller means journalled within said clevis, the front end of said upper hitch assembly engaging under said roller means when said trailer is in the towing position, and means on said front end engageable upon said roller when said front end moves from the tilted position to the towing position, to urge said latch means to the released position against pressure of said spring means.
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) | 1979-08-31 | 1980-03-01 | 1980-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-31 | 1984-03-01 | 1984-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-31 | 1988-03-01 | 1988-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |