Apparatus for connecting article carriers to a trailer hitch ball

Claim 2

Apparatus for connecting article carriers, such as a bicycle carrier to a trailer hitch ball wherein the hitch ball includes a generally spherical top portion, a neck portion of reduced diameter and an enlarged base portion mounted on a draw bar, the apparatus comprising: a tubular member of non-circular cross section sized to receive the hitch ball; means for releasably connecting said tubular member to the hitch ball; and, means for preventing movement between the hitch ball and the tubular member, said means for preventing movement including a member mounted between the base of the hitch ball and the draw bar, said member matingly engaging the non-circular cross section to retain the tubular member in alignment with the axis of the hitch ball and to prevent rotation of the tubular member.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said tubular member has a generally rectangular cross-section; and, wherein said anti-rotation member has a conforming, generally rectangular cross-section.

Claim 4

Apparatus for connecting articles carriers, such as a bicycle carrier to a trailer hitch ball wherein the hitch ball includes a generally spherical top portion, a neck portion of reduced diameter and an enlarged base portion mounted on a draw bar, the apparatus comprising: a tubular member of non-circular cross section sized to receive the hitch ball; means for releasably connecting said tubular member to the hitch ball, said means for releasably connecting including a hole extending laterally through said tubular member adjacent to the neck portion of the hitch ball when the tubular member is located on the hitch ball and an elongated latch pin sized to fit said hole and extend through said tubular member adjacent to the neck portion; and means for preventing movement between the hitch ball and tubular member, said means for preventing movement including a member mounted between the base of the hitch ball and the draw bar, said member matingly engaging the non-circular cross-section to retain the tubular member in alignment with the axis of the hitch ball and to prevent rotation of the tubular member.

Claim 5

Apparatus for connecting articles carriers, such as a bicycle carrier to a trailer hitch ball wherein the hitch ball includes a generally spherical top portion, a neck portion of reduced diameter and an enlarged base portion mounted on a draw bar, the apparatus comprising: a tubular member of non-circular cross section sized to receive the hitch ball; means for releasably connecting said tubular member to the hitch ball, said means for releasably connecting including a hole extending laterally through said tubular member adjacent to the neck portion of the hitch ball when the tubular member is located on the hitch ball and an elongated latch pin sized to fit said hole and extend through said tubular member adjacent to the neck portion; and means for preventing movement between the hitch ball and tubular member, said means for preventing movement including a member mounted between the base of the hitch ball and the draw bar, said member matingly engaging the non-circular cross-section to retain the tubular member in alignment with the axis of the hitch ball and to prevent rotation of the tubular member.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said tubular member has a generally rectangular cross-section; and, wherein said anti-rotation member has a conforming, generally rectangular cross-section.

Claim 7

Apparatus for connecting article carriers, such as a bicycle carrier to a trailer hitch ball wherein the hitch ball includes a generally spherically top portion, a neck portion of reduced diameter and an enlarged base portion of non-circular cross-section mounted on a draw bar, the apparatus comprising: a tubular member of non-circular cross-section having an interior dimension to closely receive in telescoping relationship the top, and non-circular base portions of said hitch ball to prevent rotation of said tubular member relative to the hitch ball; means for releasably connecting said tubular member to the hitch ball; and, means for preventing vertical movement between the hitch ball and tubular member.

Claim 8

Apparatus for connecting article carriers, such as a bicycle carrier to a trailer hitch ball wherein the hitch ball includes a generally spherically top portion, a neck portion of reduced diameter and an enlarged base portion of non-circular cross-section mounted on a draw bar, the apparatus comprising: a tubular member of non-circular cross-section having an interior dimension to closely receive in telescoping relationship the top, and non-circular base portions of said hitch ball to prevent rotation of said tubular member relative to the hitch ball; means for releasably connecting said tubular member to the hitch ball; and, means for preventing vertical movement between the hitch ball and tubular member.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for releasably connecting said tubular member and hitch

Claim 10

Apparatus for connecting article carriers, such as a bicycle carrier, to a trailer hitch ball therein the hitch ball includes a generally spherically top portion and is selected from different diameters, a neck portion of reduced diameter and enlarged base portion mounted on a draw board, the apparatus comprising: a tubular member of rectangular cross section and sized to receive a hitch ball having a selected diameter equal to a less than the interior dimensions of said tubular member; means for releasably connecting said tubular member to the hitch ball; and, a shim member having a thickness equal to the difference between the interior dimensions of the tubular member and a selected hitch ball and a first portion disposed between the hitch ball and said tubualar member, and a second portion extending perpendicular from said first portion and also disposed between the hitch ball and tubular member, whereby said tubular member is adjustable to closely fit hitch balls of different sizes.

Claim 11

Apparatus for connecting article carriers, such as a bicycle carrier, to a trailer hitch ball therein the hitch ball includes a generally spherically top portion and is selected from different diameters, a neck portion of reduced diameter and enlarged base portion mounted on a draw board, the apparatus comprising: a tubular member of rectangular cross section and sized to receive a hitch ball having a selected diameter equal to a less than the interior dimensions of said tubular member; means for releasably connecting said tubular member to the hitch ball; and, a shim member having a thickness equal to the difference between the interior dimensions of the tubular member and a selected hitch ball and a first portion disposed between the hitch ball and said tubualar member, and a second portion extending perpendicular from said first portion and also disposed between the hitch ball and tubular member, whereby said tubular member is adjustable to closely fit hitch balls of different sizes.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said second portion is engageable with said latch pin for retaining said shim member between the hitch ball and tubular member.