Patent ID: 6089591
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: B60D

Abstract:
A ball assembly for use as part of a trailer hitch assembly, the ball assembly comprising:a) a substantially spherical body member, the body member having a partial bore having a polygonal cross-section and formed substantially vertically therein, the bore adapted to receive a stem of a towing vehicle having a corresponding polygonal cross-section therein, the body member further having first and second transverse registering apertures formed therethrough, the polygonal cross-section of the bore cooperating with the polygonal cross-section of the stem to define means for seating the body member upon the stem;b) a slidably movable locking pin adapted to move within the registering apertures of the body member; andc) means for slidably retaining the locking pin within the body member comprising an enlarged diameter portion on the locking pin, a reduced diameter portion at the end of the first aperture, the reduced diameter portion having a diameter less than the enlarged diameter portion of the locking pin, a reduced diameter portion at the end of the second aperture, the reduced diameter portion of the second aperture having a diameter less than that of the enlarged diameter on the locking pin, the enlarged diameter of the locking pin and the reduced diameters of the first and second apertures cooperating to define the means for slidably retaining the pin in the body member.