US3979138A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable trailer hitch
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-03-28
•
Granted: 1976-09-07
•
Expires: 1995-03-28
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable trailer hitch which includes a frame capable of being removably attached to the bumper or frame of a truck, car, or other vehicle, and a rotatable, extensible, hinged arm adapted to pivot on, extend from, and retract into the frame. The arm is pivotally pinned at one end of the frame and is fitted with a hinge in the approximate center, which hinge permits the arm to selectively retract into and extend from the frame, and to describe an acute angle when fully extended. The arm is fitted with a ball coupling adapted to mate with a ball receptacle mounted on the tongue or other frame member of a trailer to be towed.
Inventors
- 👤 Jimmie George
- 👤 Charles P. Tyson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 02:03
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/36; B60D1/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
An adjustable trailer hitch comprising: a. a frame capable of being mounted on a vehicle; b. an arm pivoted to said frame at one end thereof and having an elbow hinge intermediate the ends thereof dividing said arm into a pair of pivotal arm members movable about said elbow hinge and bevelled to permit a predetermined degree of extension of said pivotal arm members with respect to each other about said elbow hinge, said arm also having a bevel at the pivoted end thereof, said bevel contacting said frame when said arm is fully extended to a preselected degree with respect to said frame, said pivotal arm members being foldable about said elbow hinge into parallel abutting relation when said arm is pivoted into a fully retracted position with respect to said frame; and c. means carried by the free end of said arm for releasably locking to a trailer to permit towing of said trailer by said vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
An adjustable trailer hitch comprising: a. a frame capable of being mounted on a vehicle; b. an arm pivoted to said frame at one end thereof and having an elbow hinge intermediate the ends thereof dividing said arm into a pair of pivotal arm members movable about said elbow hinge and bevelled to permit a predetermined degree of extension of said pivotal arm members with respect to each other about said elbow hinge, said arm also having a bevel at the pivoted end thereof, said bevel contacting said frame when said arm is fully extended to a preselected degree with respect to said frame, said pivotal arm members being foldable about said elbow hinge into parallel abutting relation when said arm is pivoted into a fully retracted position with respect to said frame; and c. means carried by the free end of said arm for releasably locking to a trailer to permit towing of said trailer by said vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The trailer hitch of claim 1 further including mounting apertures in said frame whereby said frame can be bolted onto said vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The trailer hitch of claim 1 wherein the pivoted end of said arm is releasably and pivotably secured to said frame by a removable pin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The trailer hitch of claim 1 wherein said means carried by the free end of said arm is a ball.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The trailer hitch of claim 1 wherein: a. said frame is bolted onto said vehicle; b. said pivoted end of said arm is releasably and pivotably secured to said frame by a removable pin; and c. said means carried by the free end of said arm is a ball.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
181 words
an adjustable trailer hitch comprising: a. a hollow frame mounted on a vehicle and capable of receiving a hinged arm folded in the interior thereof; b. an arm pivoted in the interior of said frame at open end thereof and having an elbow hinge intermediate the ends thereof dividing said arm into pair of pivotal arm members movable about said elbow hinge and bevelled to permit a predetermined degree of extension of said pivotal arm members with respect to each other about said elbow hinge, said arm also having a bevel at the pivoted end thereof to contact said frame at a predetermined degree of extension when said arm is fully extended from said frame to permit extension of said arm to predetermined degree, said pivotal arm members being foldable about said elbow hinge into parallel abutting relationship when said arm is pivoted into fully retracted position inside said frame; and c. lock means carried by said free end of said arm for removably cooperating with a mating receptacle on a trailer to permit towing of said trailer by said vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
181 words
an adjustable trailer hitch comprising: a. a hollow frame mounted on a vehicle and capable of receiving a hinged arm folded in the interior thereof; b. an arm pivoted in the interior of said frame at open end thereof and having an elbow hinge intermediate the ends thereof dividing said arm into pair of pivotal arm members movable about said elbow hinge and bevelled to permit a predetermined degree of extension of said pivotal arm members with respect to each other about said elbow hinge, said arm also having a bevel at the pivoted end thereof to contact said frame at a predetermined degree of extension when said arm is fully extended from said frame to permit extension of said arm to predetermined degree, said pivotal arm members being foldable about said elbow hinge into parallel abutting relationship when said arm is pivoted into fully retracted position inside said frame; and c. lock means carried by said free end of said arm for removably cooperating with a mating receptacle on a trailer to permit towing of said trailer by said vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The adjustable trailer hitch of claim 6 wherein said lock means is a ball, and retraction of said hitch is achieved by initially pulling said vehicle forward and subsequently backing said vehicle after effecting removable cooperation between said lock means and said receptacle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The adjustable trailer hitch of claim 7 further comprising an arm lock pin carried by said arm to lock said arm into retracted position in said frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The adjustable trailer hitch of claim 8 further comprising a removable pin in said hinged elbow cooperating with said pivoted end and said free end of said arm to permit said arm to be disassembled.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-09-07 | 1980-03-08 | 1980-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-07 | 1984-03-08 | 1984-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-07 | 1988-03-08 | 1988-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |