Jack adapter

• US 7,192,007 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2005
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bruce Thomas
• Original Assignee: Bruce Thomas
• Inventors: Thomas, Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Watson; Robert C.
• Application Number:
  US11/112,184
• Publication Number:
  US 20060237700A1
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 254/134, 254/133.R, 254/1, 254/DIG.4, 254/100
• US Class Current: 254/133.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 11/00 Vehicle modifications for receiving separate lifting, supporting, or manoeuvring devices
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 1/06 and the devices being actuated mechanically
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 13/00 Common constructional features or accessories

Abstract

A jack adapter for connecting a jack to a vehicle including a trailer hitch having a tubular cross member and/or a towing lug of a vehicle to provide alternate locations at which a jack may be connected to a vehicle.

Claims

1. A trailer hitch crossbar jack adapter for connecting a jack including a lift engagement element to a vehicle including a trailer hitch, the trailer hitch including a tubular cross member, the trailer hitch crossbar jack adapter comprising:

an adapter arm including a first end and a second end, the adapter arm including an angle formed along the length of the adapter arm, the first end of the adapter arm configured to engage the lift engagement element of the jack; and

a first cross member engagement foot connected to and extending from the second end of the adapter arm at an angle, the first cross member engagement foot including a first tubular cross member engagement end adapted for engagement with the trailer hitch tubular cross member.

2. The trailer hitch crossbar jack adapter of claim 1 further comprising a second cross member engagement foot connected to and extending from the second end of the adapter arm at an angle, the second cross member engagement foot including a second tubular cross member engagement end adapted for engagement with the trailer hitch tubular cross member.

3. The trailer hitch crossbar jack adapter of claim 1 wherein the first cross member engagement foot further comprises a rectangular cross-section.

4. The trailer hitch crossbar jack adapter of claim 1 wherein the first cross member engagement foot further comprises a circular cross-section and the trailer hitch crossbar jack adapter further comprises a pin insertable through a first aperture formed in the trailer hitch tubular cross member and a second aperture formed in the first cross member engagement foot.

5. The trailer hitch crossbar jack adapter of claim 1 wherein the first cross member engagement foot further comprises an elliptical cross-section.

6. The trailer hitch crossbar jack adapter of claim 1 wherein the first cross member engagement foot connects to and extends from the second end of the adapter arm at a right angle.

7. The trailer hitch crossbar jack adapter of claim 2 further comprising the first cross member engagement foot connecting to and extending from the second end of the adapter arm at a right angle.

8. The trailer hitch crossbar jack adapter of claim 2 further comprising the first cross member engagement foot connecting to and extending from the second end of the adapter arm at a right angle and the second cross member engagement foot connecting to and extending from the second end of the adapter arm at a right angle.

9. The trailer hitch crossbar jack adapter of claim 1 further comprising a towing lug adapter portion removably attachable to the adapter arm first end, the towing lug adapter portion including a towing lug jack adapter tubular section including a towing lug eye engagement element attached to and extending from the towing lug jack adapter tubular section, the towing lug eye engagement element including an aperture formed through the lug eye engagement element and a pin insertable through the lug eye engagement element for restricting pullout of the towing lug eye engagement element from the lug eye.

10. A combination jack adapter for connecting a jack including a lift engagement element to a vehicle including a trailer hitch having a tubular cross member or a towing lug, the combination jack adapter comprising:

a trailer hitch crossbar jack adapter including an adapter arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the adapter arm configured to engage the lift engagement element of the jack;

a tubular first cross member engagement foot connected to and extending from the second end of the adapter arm at an angle, the first cross member engagement foot including a first trailer hitch tubular cross member engagement end adapted for engagement with the trailer hitch tubular cross member;

a tubular second cross member engagement foot connected to and extending from the second end of the adapter arm at an angle, the second cross member engagement foot including a second trailer hitch tubular cross member engagement end adapted for engagement with the trailer hitch tubular cross member; and

a towing lug adapter portion including a towing lug jack adapter tubular section removably attached to the adapter arm first end, the towing lug jack adapter tubular section including a towing lug eye engagement element attached to and extending from the towing lug jack adapter tubular section, the towing lug eye engagement element including an aperture formed through the lug eye engagement element and a pin insertable through the lug eye engagement element for restricting pullout of the towing lug eye engagement element from the lug eye.

11. The combination jack adapter of claim 10 wherein the first cross member engagement foot further comprises a rectangular cross-section.

12. The combination jack adapter of claim 10 wherein the first cross member engagement foot further comprises a circular cross-section.

13. The combination jack adapter of claim 10 wherein the first cross member engagement foot further comprises an elliptical cross-section and the jack adapter further comprises a pin insertable through a first aperture formed in the trailer hitch tubular cross member and a second aperture formed in the first cross member engagement foot.

14. The combination jack adapter of claim 10 wherein the first cross member engagement foot is connected to and extends from the second end of the adapter arm at a right angle and the second cross member engagement foot is connected to and extends from the second end of the adapter arm at a right angle.

15. The combination jack adapter of claim 10 wherein the adapter arm further comprises an angled adapter arm adapted to provide bumper clearance.