HITCH BALL WITH LOCKING BAIL
First Claim
1. A hitch ball to which a trailer coupler may be secured for coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle, the hitch ball comprising:
- a hitch ball body with a ball-mount disposed on a first end and a base forming a second end opposite the first end, the base being configured for receipt by a receiver disposed in the tow vehicle;
a locking mechanism that is actuatable between a locked and an unlocked orientation, in the locked orientation the locking mechanism preventing withdrawal of the base from the receiver; and
a lever pivotably coupled to the hitch ball body and pivotable to move the locking mechanism between the unlocked orientation and the locked orientation, the lever extending in interfering relationship with the ball mount and preventing coupling of a trailer coupler with the ball-mount when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked orientation and the lever extending in non-interfering relationship with the ball mount and allowing coupling of a trailer coupler with the ball-mount when the locking mechanism is in the locked orientation.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hitch ball with a locking bail for use with gooseneck hitch assemblies. The hitch ball includes a hitch ball body having a ball-mount on a first end. A second end forms a base that is insertable into a mating receiver mounted in a tow vehicle. A locking bail is pivotably coupled to the hitch ball body and is moveable from an unlocked orientation overlying the ball-mount to a locked orientation extending generally transversely to the hitch ball body. The locking bail is configured to function as a handle when in the unlocked orientation to provide a clean and easily graspable structure for handling and installing the hitch ball in a tow vehicle. The locking bail prevents coupling of a trailer or hitch assembly with the hitch ball when in the unlocked orientation and provides a visual indication of the locked or unlocked state of the hitch ball.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A hitch ball to which a trailer coupler may be secured for coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle, the hitch ball comprising:
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a hitch ball body with a ball-mount disposed on a first end and a base forming a second end opposite the first end, the base being configured for receipt by a receiver disposed in the tow vehicle; a locking mechanism that is actuatable between a locked and an unlocked orientation, in the locked orientation the locking mechanism preventing withdrawal of the base from the receiver; and a lever pivotably coupled to the hitch ball body and pivotable to move the locking mechanism between the unlocked orientation and the locked orientation, the lever extending in interfering relationship with the ball mount and preventing coupling of a trailer coupler with the ball-mount when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked orientation and the lever extending in non-interfering relationship with the ball mount and allowing coupling of a trailer coupler with the ball-mount when the locking mechanism is in the locked orientation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A hitch ball to which a trailer coupler may be secured, the hitch ball comprising:
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a hitch ball body with a hollow extending into a first end; a locking piston disposed in the hollow; a port extending through an exterior surface of the hitch ball body to the hollow; a locking element disposed in the port; an actuation assembly coupled to the hitch ball body and having a lever that is pivotable about an axis extending substantially transversely to the hollow to move the locking piston within the hollow between a locked and an unlocked position, in the locked position the locking piston retains the locking element in a position at least partially protruding from the exterior surface of the hitch ball, and in the unlocked position the locking piston enables the locking element to be completely received within the hitch ball body. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A hitch ball to which a trailer coupler may be secured for coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle, the hitch ball comprising:
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a hitch ball body with a hollow extending into a first end; a locking piston disposed in the hollow, the locking piston having a length that extends parallel to and coaxially with the hollow and including an oblique slot extending transversely to the length and a depression in a sidewall; a port extending through an exterior surface of the hitch ball body to the hollow; a locking element disposed in the port; and a locking bail that is pivotably coupled to the hitch ball body via an axle, the axle disposed in a transverse bore extending through the hitch ball body and intersecting the hollow, the locking bail being pivotable to move the locking piston within the hollow between a locked and an unlocked position, in the locked position the locking piston retains the locking element in a position at least partially protruding from the exterior surface of the hitch ball, and in the unlocked position the locking piston enables the locking element to be completely received within the hitch ball body and at least partially into the depression.
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20. A hitch ball to which a trailer coupler may be secured, the hitch ball comprising:
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a hitch ball body with a hollow extending into a first end; a locking piston disposed in the hollow; a port extending through an exterior surface of the hitch ball body to the hollow; a locking element disposed in the port; an actuation assembly coupled to the hitch ball body and comprising a lever extending from an axle rotatably mounted within an axle receiver extending into the hitch ball body substantially transversely to the hollow and a cam connected to the axle and engaging the locking piston to move the locking piston within the hollow between a locked and an unlocked position as the lever and axle are rotated between first and second pivotal orientations relative to the hitch ball body, wherein in the locked position the locking piston retains the locking element in a position at least partially protruding from the exterior surface of the hitch ball, and in the unlocked position the locking piston enables the locking element to be completely received within the hitch ball body.
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Specification