Patent ID: 6364337
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: B60D

Abstract:
A device for attaching a pivoting hitch tongue to a boat trailer, wherein the trailer has an elongate front arm that is used to tow the trailer, the adapter comprising:a. a hitch tongue that is attachable to a towing vehicle, the hitch tongue comprising: i. an elongate arm that is adapted to be secured to the towing vehicle, the hitch tongue extending along a longitudinal axis; ii. a first tube attached to a first end of the hitch tongue to form an attachment therebetween, the first tube located on a first side of the longitudinal axis; iii. a second tube attached to the first end of the hitch tongue to form an attachment therebetween, the second tube located on a side of the longitudinal axis which is opposite the first side; iv. one or more gussets that are connected to the first and second tubes and to the hitch tongue, wherein welds are used to secure the gussets to the first and second tubes and the hitch tongue and wherein the gussets reinforce the attachments between the first and second tubes and the hitch tongue; b. an adapter member that is configured to be attached to the elongate front arm of the trailer, the adapter member being pivotably attached to the hitch tongue, the adapter member comprising: i. an adapter sleeve having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the adapter sleeve includes an opening that is sized to receive therein the elongate front arm of the trailer; ii. an upper plate attached to an upper side of the second end of the adapter sleeve, the upper plate including an upper hole that is coaxially aligned with the first tube of the hitch tongue; iii. a lower plate attached to a lower side of the second end of the adapter sleeve, the lower plate including a lower hole that is coaxially aligned with the first tube of the hitch tongue, wherein a pivot pin is located within the first tube, the pivot pin extending through the upper and lower holes and providing a pivot axis for pivoting the hitch tongue with respect to the adapter member; wherein the hitch tongue is pivotable about the pivot pin such that the hitch tongue is movable to a storage position and to a towing position.