Hitch apparatus for vehicles

• US 8,925,954 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2010
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teleswivel, LLC
• Original Assignee: Teleswivel, LLC
• Inventors: Williams, Thomas M. Jr., Hopper, Gregory S., DeKarske, David Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Rocca, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Scharich, Marc A
• Application Number:
  US12/952,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20110221164A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,505 Days
• Field of Search: 280/456.1, 280/467, 280/477, 280/478.1, 280/479.2, 280/479.3, 280/491.1, 280/491.2, 280/493, 280/494, 280/495, 280/498
• US Class Current: 280/477
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/01 Traction couplings or hitches characterised by their type
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/36 for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers , visual guide means, signalling aids B60D1/465 takes precedence; vehicle signalling in general B60Q; optical arrangements specially adapted for viewing trailer-hitches B60R1/003

Abstract

A hitch apparatus includes a housing and a tow bar movably disposed within the housing. The housing includes spaced-apart first and second sections. The first section includes an elongated slot formed through a portion thereof. A tow bar guide is attached to an interior side of the first section and includes an elongated opening formed therethrough with opposite first and second portions. The tow bar includes a first guide member that extends outwardly from the tow bar at the proximal end thereof, and a second guide member that extends outwardly from a medial portion of the tow bar. The first guide member extends through the first portion of the elongated opening in the tow bar guide and is operably engaged with the slot in the first section. The second guide member is operably engaged with the second portion of the elongated opening in the tow bar guide.

Claims

1. A hitch apparatus, comprising:

a housing configured to be attached to a vehicle, wherein the housing comprises spaced-apart first and second sections that define a cavity, wherein the first section has an elongated slot formed therethrough;

a tow bar guide attached to an interior side of the first section, wherein the tow bar guide has an elongated opening formed therethrough, and wherein a first portion of the elongated opening is aligned with the first section elongated slot; and

a tow bar movably disposed within the housing cavity, wherein the tow bar is movable relative to the housing between retracted and extended positions, and is pivotable relative to the housing when in the extended position, wherein a guide member extends outwardly from a proximal end of the tow bar and through the first portion of the elongated opening and is operably engaged with the elongated slot in the first section.

2. The hitch apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide member comprises a roller configured to rotate within the first section elongated slot as the tow bar is extended and retracted.

3. The hitch apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated opening in the tow bar guide has a second portion adjacent the first portion, wherein a second guide member extends outwardly from a medial portion of the tow bar and is operably engaged with the elongated opening second portion, wherein the elongated opening second portion has a configuration that limits an extent to which the tow bar can pivot relative to the housing.

4. The hitch apparatus of claim 3, wherein the second guide member comprises a roller configured to rotate.

5. The hitch apparatus of claim 3, wherein the elongated opening second portion has a configuration such that the extent to which the tow bat can pivot relative to the housing progressively increases as the tow bar is progressively extended.

6. The hitch apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second sections are plate members.

7. The hitch apparatus of claim 6, wherein the tow bar guide is a generally planar member that is attached to the interior side of the first section in face-to-face contacting relationship.

8. The hitch apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tow bar is in contacting relationship with the tow bar guide as the tow bar is moved between the retracted and extended positions.

9. The hitch apparatus of claim 8, wherein the tow bar guide comprises material having a coefficient of friction less than about 0.5.

10. The hitch apparatus of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the tow bar is configured to removably receive a coupling apparatus.

11. The hitch apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism operably secured to the housing that releasably engages the tow bar to maintain the tow bar in the retracted position.

12. The hitch apparatus of claim 11, wherein the tow bar has an opening formed therethrough, and wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking member that is retractably extendable through the opening to maintain the tow bar in a retracted position.

13. The hitch apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a biasing member that compressively biases the locking member toward the tow bar.

14. The hitch apparatus of claim 13, wherein the locking member engages a surface of the tow bar when the locking member is retracted from the opening and the tow bar is extended.

15. The hitch apparatus of claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a handle that is configured to disengage the locking member from the tow bar in response to user activation.

16. The hitch apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a biasing member configured to urge the tow bar outwardly slightly from the retracted position toward the extended position when the locking member is disengaged from the tow bar.

17. The hitch apparatus of claim 11, wherein the housing comprises opposite front and rear portions, and wherein the locking mechanism is operably secured to the housing rear portion.

18. The hitch apparatus of claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a latching member rotatably mounted to the housing, the latching member including an elongated recess open to receive a rod secured to the tow bar adjacent the proximal end thereof, wherein the latching member rotates from an open rod receiving position to a closed rod retaining position holding the tow bar in the retracted position;

a pawl member rotatably mounted to the housing, the pawl member including a pawling surface for engaging the latching member when the latching member rotates to the closed rod retaining position and holding the latching member in the closed rod retaining position; and

a handle operably connected to the pawl member, wherein the handle, in response to user activation thereof, rotates the pawl member to disengage from the latching member so that the latching member can rotate to the open rod receiving position and release the rod.

19. The hitch apparatus of claim 18, wherein the latching member comprises a portion that engages the rod and urges the tow bar outwardly slightly from the retracted position toward the extended position when the latching member is rotated to the open rod receiving position.

20. The hitch apparatus of claim 18, wherein the guide member is secured to a distal end of the rod.

21. The hitch apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a biasing member configured to urge the tow bar outwardly slightly from the retracted position toward the extended position when the locking mechanism is disengaged from the tow bar.

22. A hitch apparatus, comprising:

a housing configured to be attached to a vehicle, wherein the housing comprises spaced-apart first and second sections that define a cavity, wherein the first section has an elongated slot formed therethrough;

a tow bar guide attached to an interior side of the first section, wherein the tow bar guide has an elongated opening formed therethrough with opposite first and second portions, wherein the first portion is aligned with the first section elongated slot;

a tow bar movably disposed within the housing cavity, wherein the tow bar is movable relative to the housing between retracted and extended positions, and is pivotable relative to the housing when in the extended position, wherein a first guide member extends outwardly from a proximal end of the tow bar and through the first portion of the elongated opening and is operably engaged with the elongated slot in the first section, wherein a second guide member extends outwardly from a medial portion of the tow bar and is operably engaged with the elongated opening second portion, wherein the elongated opening second portion has a configuration that limits an extent to which the tow bar can pivot relative to the housing; and

a locking mechanism operably secured to the housing that releasably engages the tow bar to maintain the tow bar in the retracted position.

23. The hitch apparatus of claim 22, wherein the first and second guide members comprise rollers configured to rotate.

24. The hitch apparatus of claim 22, wherein the elongated opening second portion has a configuration such that an extent to which the tow bar can pivot relative to the housing progressively increases as the tow bar is progressively extended.

25. The hitch apparatus of claim 22, wherein the housing first section is a plate member, and wherein the tow bar guide is a generally planar member that is attached to the interior side of the first section in face-to-face contacting relationship.

26. The hitch apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a biasing member configured to urge the tow bar outwardly slightly from the retracted position toward the extended position when the locking mechanism is disengaged from the tow bar.

27. The hitch apparatus of claim 22, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to urge the tow bar outwardly slightly from the retracted position toward the extended position when the locking mechanism is disengaged from the tow bar.

28. The hitch apparatus of claim 22, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a latching member rotatably mounted to the housing, the latching member including an elongated recess open to receive a rod secured to the tow bar adjacent the proximal end thereof, wherein the latching member rotates from a rod receiving position to a closed rod retaining position holding the tow bar in the retracted position;

a pawl member rotatably mounted to the housing, the pawl member including a pawling surface for engaging the latching member when the latching member rotates to the closed rod retaining position and holding the latching member in the closed rod retaining position; and

a handle operably connected to the pawl member, wherein the handle, in response to user activation thereof, rotates the pawl member to disengage from the latching member so that the latching member can rotate and release the rod.

29. A hitch apparatus, comprising:

a housing configured to be attached to a vehicle, wherein the housing comprises spaced-apart first and second sections that define a cavity, wherein the first and second sections each have an elongated slot formed therethrough;

a first tow bar guide attached to an interior side of the first section, a second tow bar guide attached to an interior side of the second section, wherein each tow bar guide has an elongated opening formed therethrough with opposite first and second portions, wherein the first portion of the first tow bar guide elongated opening is aligned with the elongated slot in the first section, wherein the first portion of the second tow bar guide elongated opening is aligned with the elongated slot in the second section; and

a tow bar movably disposed within the housing cavity, wherein the tow bar is movable relative to the housing between retracted and extended positions, and is pivotable relative to the housing when in the extended position, wherein a pair of first guide members extend outwardly from respective opposite upper and lower sides of the tow bar at a proximal end of the tow bar, wherein each first guide member extends through the first portion of the elongated opening in a respective one of the first and second tow bar guides and is operably engaged with the elongated slot in a respective one of the first and second sections, wherein a pair of second guide members extend outwardly from the respective upper and lower sides of the tow bar at a medial portion of the tow bar, wherein each second guide member is operably engaged with the elongated opening second portion of a respective one of the first and second tow bar guides.

30. The hitch apparatus of claim 29, wherein the elongated opening second portion in the first and second tow bar guides has a configuration that limits an extent to which the tow bar can pivot relative to the housing.

31. The hitch apparatus of claim 29, wherein the elongated opening second portion in the first and second tow bar guides has a configuration such that an extent to which the tow bar can pivot relative to the housing progressively increases as the tow bar is progressively extended.

32. The hitch apparatus of claim 29, wherein the pair of first and second guide members comprise rollers configured to rotate.

33. The hitch apparatus of claim 29, wherein the upper and lower sides of the tow bar are in contacting relationship respectively with the first and second tow bar guides as the tow bar is moved between the retracted and extended positions.

34. The hitch apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a locking mechanism operably secured to the housing that releasably engages the tow bar to maintain the tow bar in the retracted position.

35. The hitch apparatus of claim 34, further comprising a biasing member configured to urge the tow bar outwardly slightly from the retracted position toward the extended position when the locking mechanism is disengaged from the tow bar.

36. The hitch apparatus of claim 34, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a latching member rotatably mounted to the housing, the latching member including an elongated recess open to receive a rod secured to the tow bar adjacent the proximal end thereof, wherein the latching member rotates between an open rod receiving position and a closed rod retaining position holding the tow bar in the retracted position;

a pawl member rotatably mounted to the housing, the pawl member including a pawling surface for engaging the latching member when the latching member rotates to the closed rod retaining position and holding the latching member in the closed rod retaining position; and

a handle operably connected to the pawl member, wherein the handle, in response to user activation thereof, rotates the pawl member to disengage from the latching member so that the latching member can rotate to the open rod receiving position and release the rod.

37. The hitch apparatus of claim 36, wherein the latching member comprises a portion that engages the rod and urges the tow bar outwardly slightly from the retracted position toward the extended position when the latching member is rotated to the open rod receiving position.

38. A hitch apparatus, comprising:

a housing configured to be attached to a vehicle, wherein the housing comprises spaced-apart first and second sections that define a cavity;

a tow bar guide attached to an interior side of the first section, wherein the tow bar guide has an elongated planar configuration with an opening formed therethrough;

a tow bar movably disposed within the housing cavity, wherein the tow bar is movable relative to the housing between retracted and extended positions, and is pivotable relative to the housing when in the extended position, wherein a guide member extends outwardly from the tow bar and is operably engaged with the tow bar guide opening, wherein the opening has a configuration that limits an extent to which the tow bar can pivot relative to the housing; and

a locking mechanism operably secured to the housing that releasably engages the tow bar to maintain the tow bar in the retracted position, and wherein the locking mechanism is configured to urge the tow bar outwardly slightly from the retracted position toward the extended position when the locking mechanism is disengaged from the tow bar.

39. The hitch apparatus of claim 38, wherein the guide member comprises a roller configured to rotate.

40. The hitch apparatus of claim 38, wherein the opening has a configuration such that the extent to which the tow bar can pivot relative to the housing progressively increases as the tow bar is progressively extended.

41. The hitch apparatus of claim 38, wherein the tow bar is in contacting relationship with the tow bar guide as the tow bar is moved between the retracted and extended positions.

42. A hitch apparatus, comprising:

a housing configured to be attached to a vehicle, wherein the housing comprises spaced-apart first and second sections that define a cavity;

a first tow bar guide attached to an interior side of the first section, a second tow bar guide attached to an interior side of the second section, wherein each tow bar guide has an opening formed therethrough; and

a tow bar movably disposed within the housing cavity, wherein the tow bar is movable relative to the housing between retracted and extended positions, and is pivotable relative to the housing when in the extended position, wherein a pair of guide members extend outwardly from respective opposite upper and lower sides of the tow bar, wherein each guide member is operably engaged with the opening in a respective one of the first and second tow bar guides, and wherein each opening in the first and second tow bar guides limits an extent to which the tow bar can pivot relative to the housing.

43. The hitch apparatus of claim 42, wherein the opening in the first and second tow bar guides has a configuration such that the extent to which the tow bar can pivot relative to the housing progressively increases as the tow bar is progressively extended.

44. The hitch apparatus of claim 42, wherein the pair of guide members comprise rollers configured to rotate.

45. The hitch apparatus of claim 42, wherein the upper and lower sides of the tow bar are in contacting relationship respectively with the first and second tow bar guides as the tow bar is moved between the retracted and extended positions.

46. The hitch apparatus of claim 42, further comprising a locking mechanism operably secured to the housing that releasably engages the tow bar to maintain the tow bar in the retracted position.

47. The hitch apparatus of claim 46, further comprising a biasing member configured to urge the tow bar outwardly slightly from the retracted position toward the extended position when the locking mechanism is disengaged from the tow bar.

48. The hitch apparatus of claim 46, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a latching member rotatably mounted to the housing, the latching member including an elongated recess open to receive a rod secured to the tow bar adjacent a proximal end thereof, wherein the latching member rotates from an open rod receiving position to a closed rod retaining position holding the tow bar in the retracted position;

a pawl member rotatably mounted to the housing, the pawl member including a pawling surface for engaging the latching member when the latching member rotates to the closed rod retaining position and holding the latching member in the closed rod retaining position; and

a handle operably connected to the pawl member, wherein the handle, in response to user activation thereof, rotates the pawl member to disengage from the latching member so that the latching member can rotate to the open rod receiving position and release the rod.

49. The hitch apparatus of claim 48, wherein the latching member comprises a portion that engages the rod and urges the tow bar outwardly slightly from the retracted position toward the extended position when the latching member is rotated to the open rod receiving position.

50. A hitch apparatus, comprising:

a housing configured to be attached to a vehicle, wherein the housing comprises spaced-apart first and second sections that define a cavity;

a tow bar guide attached to an interior side of the first section, wherein the tow bar guide has an elongated planar configuration with a recess formed therein;

a tow bar movably disposed within the housing cavity, wherein the tow bar is movable relative to the housing between retracted and extended positions, and is pivotable relative to the housing when in the extended position, wherein a guide member extends outwardly from the tow bar and is operably engaged with the tow bar guide recess, wherein the recess has a configuration that limits an extent to which the tow bar can pivot relative to the housing; and

a locking mechanism operably secured to the housing that releasably engages the tow bar to maintain the tow bar in the retracted position, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to urge the tow bar outwardly slightly from the retracted position toward the extended position when the locking mechanism is disengaged from the tow bar.

51. The hitch apparatus of claim 50, wherein the guide member comprises a roller configured to rotate.

52. The hitch apparatus of claim 50, wherein the recess has a configuration such that the extent to which the tow bar can pivot relative to the housing progressively increases as the tow bar is progressively extended.

53. The hitch apparatus of claim 50, wherein the tow bar is in contacting relationship with the tow bar guide as the tow bar is moved between the retracted and extended positions.

54. A hitch apparatus, comprising:

a housing configured to be attached to a vehicle, wherein the housing comprises spaced-apart first and second sections that define a cavity, wherein the first section has an elongated slot formed therethrough;

a tow bar guide attached to an interior side of the first section, wherein the tow bar guide has an opening formed therethrough; and

a tow bar movably disposed within the housing cavity, wherein the tow bar is movable relative to the housing between retracted and extended positions, and is pivotable relative to the housing when in the extended position, wherein a first guide member extends outwardly from a proximal end of the tow bar and is operably engaged with the elongated slot in the first section, wherein a second guide member extends outwardly from a medial portion of the tow bar and is operably engaged with the tow bar guide opening, wherein the tow bar guide opening has a configuration that limits an extent to which the tow bar can pivot relative to the housing.

55. The hitch apparatus of claim 54, wherein the first and second guide members comprise a roller configured to rotate.

56. The hitch apparatus of claim 54, wherein the opening has a configuration such that the extent to which the tow bar can pivot relative to the housing progressively increases as the tow bar is progressively extended.

57. The hitch apparatus of claim 54, wherein the tow bar is in contacting relationship with the tow bar guide as the tow bar is moved between the retracted and extended positions.

58. The hitch apparatus of claim 54, further comprising a locking mechanism operably secured to the housing that releasably engages the tow bar to maintain the tow bar in the retracted position.

59. The hitch apparatus of claim 58, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to urge the tow bar outwardly slightly from the retracted position toward the extended position when the locking mechanism is disengaged from the tow bar.