US4053174A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Load transferring trailer hitch device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-09-07
•
Granted: 1977-10-11
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Expires: 1996-09-07
Abstract
Abstract A jack carried by the draft tongue or A-frame of a trailer supports the front of the trailer during the coupling thereof to the hitch member of a towing vehicle and the jack is also utilized to tension the load transfer members which equalize the load on the wheels of the towing vehicle. Following the coupling and tensioning operations, a retractable engaging member on the jack is connected with a rigid load bearing member on a solid portion of the trailer A-frame which relieves the jack of heavy forces generated by or transmitted through the load transferring members during towing. Safety, convenience, and stability during trailer transport are enhanced by the invention.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence H. Guettler, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:30
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/247; B60D1/30; B60D1/34; B60D1/345
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
In a load transferring trailer hitch having a resilient member which is tensioned to distribute trailer weight through the hitch on all wheels of the towing vehicle, the improvement comprising a jack means on the trailer having an engaging part which engages the resilient member to apply tension to the latter when the jack means is operated in one direction with the trailer and towing vehicle coupled through the hitch, and means interconnecting the resilient member and trailer and relieving the jack means of substantial forces transmitted through said resilient member during towing of the trailer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a load transferring trailer hitch having a resilient member which is tensioned to distribute trailer weight through the hitch on all wheels of the towing vehicle, the improvement comprising a jack means on the trailer having an engaging part which engages the resilient member to apply tension to the latter when the jack means is operated in one direction with the trailer and towing vehicle coupled through the hitch, and means interconnecting the resilient member and trailer and relieving the jack means of substantial forces transmitted through said resilient member during towing of the trailer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
In a load transferring trailer hitch as defined in claim 1, and the engaging part of the jack means comprising an element coupled to an extensible and retractable foot of the jack means and moving therewith, and said engaging part comprising cooperating non-yielding connecting means on said element and said trailer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
In a load transferring trailer hitch as defined in claim 2, and said copperating non-yielding connecting means comprising rigid apertured members of the trailer and on said element, and a rod-like element engaging through said apertured members to releasably lock them in supportive relationship.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
In a load transferring trailer hitch as defined in claim 3, said rod-like elements being of such a diameter, with respect to said rigid apertured members that they are readily slideable in said member when said jack means is in an upper position but binds and are frictionally held by said apertured members when said jack means is in a more lowered position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
In a load transferring trailer hitch as defined in claim 3, said rigid apertured members comprising an apertured cross member on the trailer draft tongue and a tube on said element alignable with the apertures of the cross member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
In a load transferring trailer hitch as defined in claim 1, and said interconnecting means comprising a non-yielding tension element connected with said resilient member and directly connectable with the trailer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
In a load transferring trailer hitch as defined in claim 6, and said tension element comprising a chain connected with the resilient member, and a chain hook on said trailer connectable with a link of said chain.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a load transferring trailer hitch as defined in claim 2, the improvement further comprising a non-yielding tension element interconnecting said resilient member and said engaging part.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
In a load transferring trailer hitch as defined in claim 8, and said non-yielding tension element is a chain.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
In a load transferring trailer hitch as defined in claim 1, and the improvement further comprising cooperating friction elements on the engaging part and resilient member through which said tension is applied to the resilient member, and said friction elements frictionally resisting longitudinal movements of the resilient member relative to said engaging part during turning and movement of the towing vehicle relative to the trailer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
In a load transferring trailer hitch as defined in claim 10, and a pair of resilient members on opposite sides of the jack means longitudinally of the trailer and towing vehicle, and said friction elements being paired on the engaging part and said resilient members, whereby a friction sway control means is provided between the towing vehicle and trailer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a load transferring trailer hitch as defined in claim 1, and the improvement further comprising cooperating bearing elements on the engaging part and resilient member through which said tension is applied to the resilient member, and said bearing elements facilitating longitudinal movements of the resilient member relative to said engaging part during turning or movement of the towing vehicle relative to the trailer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a load transferring trailer hitch as defined in claim 12, and a pair of resilient members on opposite sides of the jack means longitudinally of the trailer and towing vehicle, and said bearing elements being paired on the engaging part and said resilient members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
In a load transferring trailer hitch as defined in claim 1, said jack means being a substantially vertical axis jack having an extensible and retractable foot, said engaging part being secured to said foot for movement therewith.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
In a load transferring trailer hitch as defined in claim 14, and said engaging part being a sleeve member coupled to said foot telescopically, and a non-yielding tension element interconnecting said sleeve member and said resilient member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a load transferring trailer hitch as defined in claim 1, and said jack means comprising a substantially vertically extensible and retractable jack with said engaging part attached to the foot of the jack and being directly connected with said resilient member to apply tension to it when the jack foot is retracted and separating from supportive engagement with the resilient member when said interconnecting means is engaged with the resilient member and said trailer.
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) | 1980-10-10 | 1981-04-11 | 1981-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-10 | 1985-04-11 | 1985-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-10 | 1989-04-11 | 1989-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |