US4407519A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Boat trailer tongue extender
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-10-05
•
Granted: 1983-10-04
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Expires: 2001-10-05
Abstract
Abstract A trailer tongue extender that is attached to the tongue of a boat trailer as a first step in launching the boat, allowing the vehicle that is backing the trailer into the water to keep back from the uncertain ground near the water's edge. The extender latches into a receptacle that is permanently installed on the trailer tongue allowing the attachment or removal of the extender in three steps without the use of tools, bolts, or pins.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory L. Heyser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:41
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/36; B60D1/40; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/06; B60P3/10; B60P3/1033; B60P3/1083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for attaching a trailer tongue extender to a trailer tongue consisting of: a. hooking a latch tab at one end of the extender into a receptacle attached on the trailer tongue; b. inserting a trailer ball, located on the extender between 0.2 meters and 0.7 meters from the latch tab, into the trailer coupler at the end of the trailer tongue; and c. tightening the trailer coupler.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for attaching a trailer tongue extender to a trailer tongue consisting of: a. hooking a latch tab at one end of the extender into a receptacle attached on the trailer tongue; b. inserting a trailer ball, located on the extender between 0.2 meters and 0.7 meters from the latch tab, into the trailer coupler at the end of the trailer tongue; and c. tightening the trailer coupler.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
137 words
A trailer tongue extender comprising: a. a metallic tube; b. a trailer coupler, permanently fixed to one end of the metallic tube, for attaching to the vehicle that tows the trailer; c. a trailer ball, permanently fixed to the metallic tube between 0.2 meters and 0.7 meters from the end of the tube opposite the trailer coupler, for attaching to the trailer; d. a latch tab, permanently fixed to the end of the metallic tube opposite the trailer coupler; and e. a receptacle, attached to the trailer tongue, for accepting the latch tab, the combination of receptacle, latch tab, and trailer ball holding the extender in line with the trailer tongue as a rigid extension of the trailer tongue, said receptacle being arranged to stay attached to the trailer tongue when the extender is attached and removed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
137 words
A trailer tongue extender comprising: a. a metallic tube; b. a trailer coupler, permanently fixed to one end of the metallic tube, for attaching to the vehicle that tows the trailer; c. a trailer ball, permanently fixed to the metallic tube between 0.2 meters and 0.7 meters from the end of the tube opposite the trailer coupler, for attaching to the trailer; d. a latch tab, permanently fixed to the end of the metallic tube opposite the trailer coupler; and e. a receptacle, attached to the trailer tongue, for accepting the latch tab, the combination of receptacle, latch tab, and trailer ball holding the extender in line with the trailer tongue as a rigid extension of the trailer tongue, said receptacle being arranged to stay attached to the trailer tongue when the extender is attached and removed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
167 words
A trailer tongue extender comprising: a. a metallic tube; b. a trailer coupler, permanently fixed to one end of the metallic tube, for attaching to the vehicle that tows the trailer; c. a trailer ball, permanently fixed to the metallic tube between 0.2 meters and 0.7 meters from the end of the tube opposite the trailer coupler, for attaching to the trailer; d. a latch tab, permanently fixed to the end of the metallic tube opposite the trailer coupler, said latch tab being angled downward from the longitudinal line of said metallic tube to facilitate the installation of the extender from below the longitudinal line of the trailer tongue; and e. a receptacle, attached to the trailer tongue, for accepting the latch tab, the combination of receptacle, latch tab, and trailer ball holding the extender in line with the trailer tongue as a rigid extension of the trailer tongue, said receptacle being arranged to stay attached to the trailer tongue when the extender is attached and removed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
167 words
A trailer tongue extender comprising: a. a metallic tube; b. a trailer coupler, permanently fixed to one end of the metallic tube, for attaching to the vehicle that tows the trailer; c. a trailer ball, permanently fixed to the metallic tube between 0.2 meters and 0.7 meters from the end of the tube opposite the trailer coupler, for attaching to the trailer; d. a latch tab, permanently fixed to the end of the metallic tube opposite the trailer coupler, said latch tab being angled downward from the longitudinal line of said metallic tube to facilitate the installation of the extender from below the longitudinal line of the trailer tongue; and e. a receptacle, attached to the trailer tongue, for accepting the latch tab, the combination of receptacle, latch tab, and trailer ball holding the extender in line with the trailer tongue as a rigid extension of the trailer tongue, said receptacle being arranged to stay attached to the trailer tongue when the extender is attached and removed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A trailer tongue extender according to claim 3 wherein said latch tab is angled downward by at least 5 degrees from the longitudinal line of said metallic tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3155399A
Cited
US3385610A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-10-03 | 1987-04-04 | 1987-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-03 | 1991-04-04 | 1991-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-03 | 1995-04-04 | 1995-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |