Patent ID: 6494478
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: B60D

Abstract:
A trailer hitch apparatus for coupling a tongue of a trailer to a towing vehicle, the apparatus comprising:a draw bar configured for rigid mounting to a towing vehicle; at least one load bearing arm having first and second ends, a pivotal mounting means pivotally mounting said first end of said load bearing arm to said draw bar at a pivot point; a hitch ball mounted to said second end of said load bearing arm; yieldable retaining means in contact with said pivotal mounting means, said yieldable retaining means engaging said pivotal mounting means and biasing with a retaining force said second end of said load bearing arm and said hitch ball about said pivot point to a predetermined position horizontally and vertically offset from said pivot point; whereby the second end of the at least one load bearing arm is urged against the retaining force of the yieldable retaining means in an arc about the pivot point in response to shocks and surges between the towing vehicle and the trailer.