Patent ID: 6264228
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A hitch ball assembly and braking apparatus for use in connecting a hitch assembly receiver mounted to a towing vehicle to a tow bar mechanism associated with a towed vehicle for automatically applying brakes of the towed vehicle by manipulation of a brake pedal associated with the towed vehicle whenever a predetermined force is applied by the towed vehicle in a direction of the towing vehicle, the hitch ball assembly and braking apparatus comprising; a housing of a size to be slidably receivable within the receiver, means for securing said housing within the receiver so that said housing is slidable therein, a shock absorber means mounted within said housing, a brake lever pivotally mounted relative to said housing and having a first end mounted within said housing and a second end extending outwardly thereof, means for connecting said shock absorber means to said first end of said brake lever, a cable means adapted to attach said second end of said brake lever to the brake pedal of the towed vehicle, and means for mounting a hitch ball to said housing and adapted to receive the tow bar mechanism associated with the towed vehicle.