Patent ID: 6199891
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: B60D

Abstract:
A safety connector for securing a tongue of a trailer to a towing vehicle having a trailer hitch mounting member, the safety connector, comprising:a trailer hitch adapted to be secured to the trailer hitch mounting member of the towing vehicle, the trailer hitch having a lower portion adapted to extend a distance below the trailer hitch mounting member when the trailer hitch is secured to the trailer hitch mounting member;a spool connected to the lower portion of the trailer hitch such that the spool is positionable below the trailer hitch mounting member, the spool having a first shoulder portion spaced a distance away from the trailer hitch mounting member, and a medial portion positioned in between the first shoulder portion and trailer hitch mounting member, the medial portion having a diameter less than a diameter of the first shoulder portion;a base plate connectable to the trailer, the base plate having a thickness less than a length of the medial portion, and a slot formed therethrough, the slot having a width less than the diameter of the first shoulder portion of the spool but greater than the diameter of the medial portion of the spool, and a length greater than the diameter of the medial portion of the spool whereby the base plate is freely slidable along and rotatable about the medial portion of the spool.