Pivoting Hitch Assembly

• US 20080252042A1
• Filed: 12/06/2004
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vernon W. Sparkes
• Original Assignee: Vernon W. Sparkes
• Inventors: Sparkes, Vernon W., Shaw, William J.D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,871,097 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/491.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/00 Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices devices specially adapted for connection between tractors and agricultural machines or implements A01B59/00; fifth-wheel couplings B62D
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/01 Traction couplings or hitches characterised by their type
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/18 Tow ropes, chains or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/52 removably mounted B60D1/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A hitch assembly that comprises a coupling tongue with a first end and a second end, a substantially U-shaped clevis that is substantially flat in cross section, pivotally coupled to the second end of the coupling tongue by a hitch pin, and an opening formed by the coupling tongue and the clevis, sized to receive a towing member. The hitch assembly is particularly suited for connecting a tow strap or belt to a commercially available tubular trailer hitch receiver, for use in towing operations.

Claims

1. A hitch assembly consisting essentially of:

(a) a coupling tongue with a first end and a second end, further comprising a first aperture sized to engage a coupling pin at the first end, and second aperture sized to engage a hitch pin at the second end;

(b) a U-shaped clevis with a first end and a second end, that is substantially flat in cross section and that consists of an aperture at the first end and the second end, said U-shaped clevis being pivotally coupled to the second end of the coupling tongue with the hitch pin, and (c) an opening formed by the coupling tongue and the clevis, sized to receive a towing member.

2. The hitch assembly of claim 1, wherein the hitch pin is comprised of 4140 hot-rolled steel.

3. The hitch assembly of claim 1 further comprising a wear plate at either end of the clevis.

4. The hitch assembly of claim 1 further comprising a sling adapter disposed in the clevis.

5. The hitch assembly of claim 3 further comprising a sling adapter disposed in the clevis.

6. The hitch assembly of claim 1 comprised partially of aluminum alloy.

7. The hitch assembly of claim 3 comprised partially of aluminum alloy.

8. The hitch assembly of claim 1 wherein the coupling tongue is comprised of aluminum alloy.

9. The hitch assembly of claim 3 wherein the coupling tongue is comprised of aluminum alloy.

10. The hitch assembly of claim 1 wherein the clevis is comprised of aluminum alloy.

11. The hitch assembly of claim 3 wherein the clevis is comprised of aluminum alloy.

12. The hitch assembly of claim 1 wherein the coupling tongue and clevis are comprised of aluminum alloy.

13. The hitch assembly of claim 2 wherein the coupling tongue and clevis are comprised of aluminum alloy.

14. The hitch assembly of claim 3 wherein the coupling tongue and clevis are comprised of aluminum alloy.

15. A method of towing a vehicle in need of being towed, said method comprising:

(a) providing a hitch assembly as claimed in claim 1,

(b) mounting the hitch assembly into a receiver of one of;

the vehicle or a tow vehicle;

(c) inserting a towing member through the opening of the hitch assembly;

(d) attaching the towing member to the other of;

the vehicle or the tow vehicle, and

(e) applying sufficient force to the towing member with the tow vehicle to tow the vehicle in need of being towed.

16. A method of towing a vehicle in need of being towed, said method comprising:

(a) providing a hitch assembly as claimed in claim 2,

(b) mounting the hitch assembly into a receiver of one of;

the vehicle or a tow vehicle;

(c) inserting a towing member through the opening of the hitch assembly;

(d) attaching the towing member to the other of;

the vehicle or the tow vehicle, and

(e) applying sufficient force to the towing member with the tow vehicle to tow the vehicle in need of being towed.

17. A method of towing a vehicle in need of being towed, said method comprising:

(a) providing a hitch assembly as claimed in claim 3,

(b) mounting the hitch assembly into a receiver of one of;

the vehicle or a tow vehicle;

(c) inserting a towing member through the opening of the hitch assembly;

(d) attaching the towing member to the other of;

the vehicle or the tow vehicle, and

(e) applying sufficient force to the towing member with the tow vehicle to tow the vehicle in need of being towed.

18. A method of towing a vehicle in need of being towed, said method comprising:

(a) providing a hitch assembly as claimed in claim 12,

(b) mounting the hitch assembly into a receiver of one of;

the vehicle or a tow vehicle;

(c) inserting a towing member through the opening of the hitch assembly;

(d) attaching the towing member to the other of;

the vehicle or the tow vehicle, and

(e) applying sufficient force to the towing member with the tow vehicle to tow the vehicle in need of being towed.

19. A method of towing a vehicle in need of being towed, said method comprising:

(a) providing a hitch assembly as claimed in claim 13,

(b) mounting the hitch assembly into a receiver of one of;

the vehicle or a tow vehicle;

(c) inserting a towing member through the opening of the hitch assembly;

(d) attaching the towing member to the other of;

the vehicle or the tow vehicle, and

(e) applying sufficient force to the towing member with the tow vehicle to tow the vehicle in need of being towed.

20. A method of towing a vehicle in need of being towed, said method comprising:

(a) providing a hitch assembly as claimed in claim 14,

(b) mounting the hitch assembly into a receiver of one of;

the vehicle or a tow vehicle;

(c) inserting a towing member through the opening of the hitch assembly;

(d) attaching the towing member to the other of;

the vehicle or the tow vehicle, and

(e) applying sufficient force to the towing member with the tow vehicle to tow the vehicle in need of being towed.