Patent ID: 8474852
Filing Date: 2013-07-02
Classification: B60D

Abstract:
1. A towing hitch apparatus, comprising: a base having first and second ends defining a first longitudinal axis and including a first pivot member at a first end; a telescoping arm assembly having first and second ends defining a second longitudinal axis and having a first member defining the first end and a second member defining the second end, the first end including a second pivot member that pivotally engages the first pivot member of the base, the first member and second member being in slidable disposition relative to each other along the longitudinal axis; and a pivot locking mechanism in operative engagement with the first and second pivot members and that operates in a locking state and an unlocked state, and when in the unlocked state allows omnidirectional rotation of the first pivot member relative to the second pivot member, and when in the locking state allows only unidirectional rotation of the first pivot member relative to the second pivot member, the unidirectional rotation being in a direction that causes alignment of the first longitudinal axis with the second longitudinal axis; wherein: the pivot locking mechanism further operates in a locked state, and enters the locked state from the locking state when the first longitudinal axis aligns with the second longitudinal axis during unidirectional rotation, and the pivot locking mechanism precludes rotation of the first pivot member relative to the second pivot member when in the locked state; the first pivot member comprises a pivot track disposed along a substantially horizontal surface of the first pivot member; the second pivot member comprises a pivot socket that receives the first pivot member; the pivot locking mechanism is rigidly attached to the pivot socket at a position at which the pivot locking mechanism engages the pivot track; the first longitudinal axis bisects the pivot track of the first pivot member, and the pivot track includes a plurality of adjacent stepped surfaces with the pivot track and defines an aperture that is bisected by the first longitudinal axis, wherein a height of each stepped surface relative to the aperture incrementally increases in proportion to a distance from the aperture; and the pivot locking mechanism includes a pivot pin normally disposed relative to the horizontal surface of the first pivot member, and when in the locking state the pivot pin engages the stepped surfaces of pivot track, and wherein the engagement of an adjacent stepped surface from a currently engaged stepped surface when in the locking state only occurs when the height of the adjacent stepped surface relative to the aperture is lower than the height of the currently engaged stepped surface relative to the aperture.