Systems and methods for manufacturing a drop bar

• US 7,222,510 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2006
• Issued: 05/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Andersen Manufacturing
• Original Assignee: Andersen Manufacturing
• Inventors: Andersen, John I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley; Kevin
• Application Number:
  US11/358,782
• Publication Number:
  US 20060151972A1
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 280/507, 280/511, 280/512, 280/513, 722/54, 722/55
• US Class Current: 72/255
• CPC Class Codes: B21C 23/14 Making other products
• CPC Class Codes: B21C 23/142 Making profiles
• CPC Class Codes: B21K 1/76 elements not mentioned in one of the preceding groups
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 13/04 involving slicing of profiled material
• 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 1/06 Ball-and-socket hitches , e.g. constructional details, auxiliary devices, their arrangement on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/52 removably mounted B60D1/56 takes precedence

Abstract

Systems and methods for using an extrusion, forging, casting and/or machining process to provide an aluminum hitch component with increased strength that eliminates encumbrances, such as rusting and fusing, associated with traditional hitch components. Accordingly, an extruded hitch is provided that includes increased tensile strength, does not rust, is lighter, and is more appealing to consumers.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a drop bar used in towing, the method comprising:

extruding aluminum through a die to form a profile in a shape of a drop bar;

cutting the drop bar profile to provide one or more drop bars that are configured to be used for towing;

configuring an end of a first drop bar with outside dimensions which permit insertion of the end of the first drop bar into a hitch adapter, the first drop bar being one of the one or more drop bars; and

providing a coupling mechanism to maintain the first drop bar coupled to the hitch adapter.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

configuring a first drop bar of the one or more drop bars to include a receiving portion that is configured to receive a ball for coupling thereto.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the ball is removably coupled to the first drop bar.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the end of the first drop bar is removably coupled to the hitch adapter.

5. A method for manufacturing drop bars that are configured to be coupled to vehicles for towing, the method comprising:

extruding billet aluminum through a die to form a profile in a shape of an extended drop bar;

cutting the extended drop bar profile to provide a plurality of drop bars that are configured to be coupled to vehicles for towing; and

configuring a receiving portion of a first drop bar to receive a ball for coupling thereto, wherein the first drop bar is one of the plurality of drop bars; and

configuring an end of the first drop bar to have outside dimensions which permit insertion of the end of the first drop bar into a hitch adapter, wherein the end of the first drop bar is removably coupled to the hitch adapter.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the step for machining comprises drilling an aperture through the first drop bar, the method further comprising a step for machining the first drop bar to create a radius on a portion of the first drop bar, wherein the portion is a first end of the first drop bar.

7. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the ball is removably coupled to the first drop bar.

8. A method as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

providing a coupling mechanism to maintain the first drop bar coupled to the hitch adapter.

9. A method for manufacturing a stepped drop bar that is configured to be selectively coupled to a vehicle for use in towing, the method comprising:

extruding billet aluminum through a die to form a profile in a shape of an extended and stepped drop bar;

cutting a plurality of parallel cuts through the extended and stepped drop bar profile to provide a plurality of drop bars;

machining near a first end of a first stepped drop bar to configure a receiving portion that is configured to receive a ball for coupling thereto, wherein the first drop bar is one of the plurality of drop bars; and

machining near a second end of the first stepped drop bar to configure the first stepped drop bar to be selectively coupled to a vehicle for use in towing.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the step for machining near a second end comprises drilling an aperture through the first stepped drop bar.

11. A method as recited in claim 9, where the step for machining near a first end comprises drilling an aperture through the first stepped drop bar.

12. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising a step for machining the first stepped drop bar to create a radius at the first end of the first stepped drop bar.

13. A method for manufacturing drop bars that are configured to be coupled to vehicles for towing, the method comprising:

extruding billet aluminum through a die to form a profile in a shape of an extended drop bar;

cutting the extended drop bar profile to provide a plurality of drop bars that are configured to be coupled to vehicles for towing;

configuring a first drop bar to include a receiving portion that is configured to receive a ball for coupling thereto, wherein the first drop bar is one of the plurality of drop bars; and

configuring an end of the first drop bar to have outside dimensions which permit insertion of the end of the first drop bar into a hitch adapter, wherein the end of the first drop bar is removably coupled to the hitch adapter.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, further comprising:

providing a coupling mechanism to maintain the first drop bar coupled to the hitch adapter.

15. A method for manufacturing a stepped drop bar used in towing, the method comprising:

extruding aluminum through a die to form a profile in a shape of a stepped drop bar; and

cutting the stepped drop bar profile to provide one or more stepped drop bars that are configured to be used for towing.

16. A method for manufacturing stepped drop bars that are configured to be coupled to vehicles for towing, the method comprising:

extruding billet aluminum through a die to form a profile in a shape of an extended and stepped drop bar;

cutting the extended and stepped drop bar profile to provide a plurality of stepped drop bars that are configured to be coupled to vehicles for towing; and

configuring a receiving portion of a first drop bar to receive a ball for coupling thereto, wherein the first drop bar is one of the plurality of drop bars.

17. A method for manufacturing stepped drop bars that are configured to be coupled to vehicles for towing, the method comprising:

extruding billet aluminum through a die to form a profile in a shape of a stepped drop bar;

cutting the drop bar profile to provide a plurality of stepped drop bars that are configured to be coupled to vehicles for towing;

configuring an end of the first drop bar to have outside dimensions which permit insertion of the end of the first drop bar into a hitch adapter; and

providing a coupling mechanism to maintain the first drop bar coupled to the hitch adapter, wherein the end of the first drop bar is removably coupled to the hitch adapter.