Patent ID: 8070176
Filing Date: 2011-12-06
Classification: B60D,B62D

Abstract:
1. A trailer hitch, comprising: a mounting unit for coupling the trailer hitch to a vehicle; a first hollow cylindrical member defining a cavity for receiving a weight distribution rod therein, the first hollow cylindrical member including a pin hole extending from the cavity to an outer surface of the first hollow cylindrical member; a spring clip affixed to the outer surface of the first hollow cylindrical member, the spring clip including a slot defining first and second inner edges; a safety pin having a first end with grooves that receive the first and second inner edges of the spring clip therein to retain the safety pin within the slot, and a second end sized to be inserted through the pin hole of the first hollow cylindrical member to engage the weight distribution rod when said weight distribution rod is disposed in said cavity; and a stopper rigidly extending radially outwardly from the outer surface of the first hollow cylindrical member, having a shaft with a first end secured to the outer surface of the first hollow cylindrical member, the shaft passing through an opening in the spring clip thereby allowing the spring clip to move along a length of the shaft, and a second end with a head having a width greater than a width of the opening of the spring clip, a position of the head defining a maximum distance that the spring clip can distend from the first hollow cylindrical member; wherein a length of said shaft of the stopper is selected to permit the second end of the safety pin to withdraw from within the first hollow cylindrical member to, but not beyond, the outer surface of the first hollow cylindrical member.