Pivoting hitch system for trailer

• US 7,237,791 B1
• Filed: 09/01/2005
• Issued: 07/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lippert Components (LCI Industries)
• Original Assignee: Pivit Hitch, Inc. (LCI Industries)
• Inventors: Stettler, Dana
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris; Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARCE, MARLON ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US11/219,076
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 280/414.1, 280/482, 280/491.1, 280/491.3, 280/491.4
• US Class Current: 280/482
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/155 comprising telescopic or foldable parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/1083 Means for extending the drawbar; Dollies and skidplates for the towhitch

Abstract

Disclosed is a trailer hitch system that is configured to rotate to a stowing position and an operating position. When in the operational position, a coupler arm of the trailer is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the trailer so that the coupler arm contributes to the length of the trailer. When in the stowing position, the coupler arm of the trailer is bent at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the trailer so that the coupling arm does not contribute to the overall length of the trailer.

Claims

1. A trailer coupler assembly, comprising:

a first member adapted to mount to a trailer front arm, the first member having a pivot shaft and a locking pin shaft;

a second member adapted to mount to a trailer coupler arm, the second member having a pivot shaft and a locking pin shaft, wherein the second member is rotatably connected to the first member coaxially along the pivot shafts so that the trailer coupler arm is rotatable relative to the trailer front arm between (1) an operating position wherein the trailer front arm and the trailer coupler arm extend along a common longitudinal axis, and (2) a stow position wherein the trailer coupler firm is oriented transverse to the trailer front arm;

wherein at least one of the first member and the second member is formed by a molding process.

2. A trailer coupler assembly as in claim 1, wherein both the first member and the second member are formed by a molding process.

3. A trailer coupler assembly as in claim 1, wherein the pivot shafts extend along a substantially vertical axis.

4. A trailer coupler assembly as in claim 1, wherein the pivot shafts and the locking pin shafts are at least partially internally positioned within molded knuckles.

5. A trailer coupler assembly as in claim 1, wherein the locking pin shafts receive a locking pin for locking the trailer front arm in the operating position.

6. A trailer coupler assembly as in claim 1, wherein the first member mounts to the trailer front arm using bolts.

7. A trailer coupler assembly as in claim 1, wherein the first member mounts to the trailer front arm using a weld.

8. A trailer coupler assembly, comprising:

a first, molded member adapted to mount to a trailer front arm, the first, molded member having a pivot shaft and a locking pin shaft;

a second, molded member adapted to mount to a trailer coupler arm, the second, molded member having a pivot shaft and a locking pin shaft, wherein the second, molded member is rotatably connected to the first, molded member coaxially along the pivot shafts so that the trailer coupler arm is rotatable relative to the trailer front arm between (1) an operating position wherein the trailer front arm and the trailer coupler arm extend along a common longitudinal axis, and (2) a stow position wherein the trailer coupler arm is oriented transverse to the trailer front arm.

9. A trailer coupler assembly as in claim 8, wherein the pivot shafts extend along a substantially vertical axis.

10. A trailer coupler assembly as in claim 8, wherein the pivot shafts and the locking pin shafts are at least partially internally positioned within molded knuckles.

11. A trailer coupler assembly as in claim 8, wherein the locking pin shafts receive a locking pin for locking the trailer front arm in the operating position.

12. A trailer coupler assembly as in claim 8, wherein the first member mounts to the trailer front arm using bolts.

13. A trailer coupler assembly as iii claim 8, wherein the first member mounts to the trailer front arm using a weld.