Abstract:
The present invention addresses the need for a handle that is easily and removably attachable to the pin-connection hitch on the tongue of a towed vehicle allowing for manual movement and maneuvering of the towed vehicle. In the invention, a handle is provided that has a portion designed to be easily grippable with a human hand. The handle also has an attachment portion that is configured so as to be attachable with a pin to the pin-connection hitch on the tongue of the towed vehicle.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/302,934 filed on Jul. 3, 2001. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally pertains to removable handle and tongue assembly. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a removable handle and tongue assembly for manually moving and positioning a towed vehicle such as a utility cart or trailer. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is common to attach a towed vehicle such as a trailer to a towing vehicle by use of a rigid member with an articulating connection at the points of attachment to the vehicles. Many methods are used for making the attachment. For example, heavy trailers are often connected with the pintle arrangement discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,585. Lighter trailers for highway use are often connected with a ball and hitch apparatus as shown U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,224. 
     For still lighter towed vehicles, however, the connection is often simpler. Light utility trailers for off-highway use, such as a trailer for a garden tractor for example, are often connected with a simple pin connection. For instance, the pin connection can take the form of a rigid tongue member connected at one end to the towed vehicle and having a hitch consisting of a clevis at the other end. The clevis has a hole or aperture through each branch of the clevis. The towing vehicle is provided with a projecting tab at its rear side also having a hole or aperture through it. When the clevis end of the tongue is mated with the tab projecting from the towing vehicle, the holes can be aligned and a pin inserted to couple the two vehicles together. 
     Tight maneuvering, especially backing, of a towed vehicle while connected to the towing vehicle is often difficult. Also, it is sometimes desirable to move a towed vehicle in places where the towing vehicle cannot go. Accordingly, it is sometimes necessary to manually pull and maneuver a towed vehicle. The apparatus used for connecting the tongue of the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle, however, is normally not conducive to gripping with the human hand. For that reason, various apparatus have been designed over time to provide detachable handles for use with a tongue of a towed vehicle. 
     For pintle towed trailers, the handle described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,585 attaches to the pintle ring, allowing two persons to lift the tongue and maneuver the trailer. This device, however, is suitable only for pintle type connections. 
     For lighter trailers using a ball and hitch, the handle of U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,224 can be attached to the tongue member, allowing one or two persons to lift and maneuver the trailer. The spring-loaded, twist-locking arrangement of this apparatus, however, requires the tongue member to have a somewhat large cross-section to accommodate the apparatus. Towed vehicles light enough to use a pin-connection type hitch generally do not use a tongue having a large cross section. Accordingly, such a handle is usually not suitable for use with a lighter towed vehicle. 
     What is needed is an easily detachable handle that can be used with the tongue of a towed vehicle, where the towed vehicle has a tongue with a pin-connection type hitch. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses the need for a handle that is easily and removably attachable to the pin-connection hitch on the tongue of a towed vehicle allowing for manual movement and maneuvering of the towed vehicle. In the invention, a handle is provided that has a portion designed to be easily grippable with a human hand. The handle also has an attachment portion that is configured so as to be attachable with a pin to the pin-connection hitch on the tongue of the towed vehicle. 
     As will be appreciated, the invention can be used with any type of towed vehicle having a tongue assembly with a pin-connected hitch. Thus, the invention can be used on wheeled trailers and carts, but also can be used for non-wheeled vehicles such as sleds and travois. 
     Accordingly, it is an object and advantage of the invention to provide an easily detachable handle for use with the tongue of a towed vehicle allowing the vehicle to be manually moved and maneuvered. 
     It is another object and advantage of the invention to provide a handle that can be used by a single person to manually move a towed vehicle using only one hand. 
     It is another object and advantage of the invention to provide a handle assembly that minimizes potential pinch points where portions of a person&#39;s body or clothing can become caught, thereby preventing injury and reducing the potential for damage to the user&#39;s clothing. 
     Usually, a pin-connection hitch consists of either a single member with an aperture or hole formed through it, or a clevis arrangement with holes formed through each branch of the clevis. The present invention encompasses embodiments directed toward accommodating either configuration. 
     In one embodiment, the tongue member is a hollow tube having an open end that forms a recess. The attachment portion of the handle is made in a size allowing it to be inserted into the recess. Holes or apertures formed through the tongue and the attachment portion of the handle are aligned and a pin is inserted through the holes to couple the handle to the tongue. 
     In another similar embodiment, the attachment portion of the handle has the recess, and is made to receive the end of the tongue. Again, holes or apertures formed through the tongue and the attachment portion of the handle are aligned and a pin is inserted through the holes to couple the handle to the tongue. 
     In another embodiment the tongue end and the attachment portion of the handle are disposed adjacent to each other. Once again, holes or apertures formed through the tongue and the attachment portion of the handle are aligned and a pin is inserted through the holes to couple the handle to the tongue. 
     In yet another embodiment, the tongue end has a clevis, with each of the clevis branches having a hole or aperture. The attachment portion of the handle also has a hole or aperture and is adapted to fit between the branches of the clevis. The attaching pin is inserted through the clevis holes and the hole in the attachment portion. 
     In yet another embodiment, the attachment portion of the handle has a clevis with holes through the clevis branches. The tongue end also has a hole and is adapted to fit between the clevis branches. Again, the attaching pin is inserted through the clevis holes and the hole in tongue end. 
     In yet another embodiment, both the attachment portion of the handle and the tongue end have a clevis, and the clevis branches have holes or apertures. The clevis at the attachment end of the handle can be adapted to fit between the clevis branches of the tongue or vice versa. In either configuration, the attaching pin is inserted through all the clevis holes, coupling the two parts together. 
     In a currently most preferred embodiment, both the attachment portion of the handle and the tongue end have a clevis. The tongue clevis is further provided with end walls that, in conjunction with the clevis branches, form a recess into which the handle clevis fits snugly. The end walls act to restrain the connection from pivoting about the attaching pin. 
     In any of the embodiments, the attaching pin can take a variety of forms. In one embodiment, a cylindrical pin is used is in conjunction with round holes or apertures in the attachment portion of the handle and the tongue. As will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art, however, any shape pin and corresponding apertures can be used. For example, a pin with a square cross-section could be used with corresponding square holes. Such an arrangement would have the attribute of restricting the rotation of the connection about the axis of the pin. 
     It is preferred that there be means provided for retaining the pin in place so as to prevent uncoupling of the connection at undesired times. In one preferred embodiment, the pin is provided with a head at one end larger than the holes through the handle and tongue. At the other end of the pin, a hole is provided that extends transversely through the pin. A cotter pin is inserted through the hole, and the pin is thereby retained in place by the head at one end and the cotter pin at the other. In another preferred embodiment, the pin is a common threaded hex-head bolt with a nut. A bolt is selected having a head larger than the handle and tongue holes. The bolt is inserted through the handle and tongue holes and the nut is installed, thereby retaining the pin in place. 
     It will also be appreciated that other alternative attaching pin arrangements are in the scope of the present invention, including arrangements of multiple pins. In one such alternative embodiment, the attachment portion of the handle and the tongue end each have a clevis. The tongue clevis is further provided with end walls that, in conjunction with the clevis branches, form a recess into which the handle clevis fits snugly. Aligning attachment holes are provided in each clevis branch, and an attachment pin is provided for each pair of holes to couple the handle to the tongue. 
     The attaching pins can take the form of threaded fasteners that can be threaded into threads formed in the holes. In an alternative arrangement, however, the pins can be disposed inside the handle portion and spring-loaded, with the ends of the pins projecting through the holes in the attachment portion of the handle. The handle and tongue can be coupled by compressing the pins into the handle, inserting the attachment portion of the handle into the tongue recess and aligning the handle attaching holes with the tongue attaching holes. Once in place, the pins can be released, allowing the pins to project through the holes, coupling the parts together. 
     Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a removable handle and tongue assembly according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the removable handle and tongue assembly. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the removable handle and tongue assembly in an unassembled configuration. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the removable handle and tongue assembly in a partially assembled configuration. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the removable handle and tongue assembly. 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the removable handle and tongue assembly illustrated in FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the removable handle and tongue assembly. 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the removable handle and tongue assembly illustrated in FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment of the removable handle and tongue assembly in an assembled configuration. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the removable handle and tongue assembly illustrated in FIG. 9 in an unassembled configuration. 
     FIG. 11 is a cutaway view showing an embodiment of the invention having spring-loaded attaching pins. 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention having spring-loaded attaching pins in a coupled configuration. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown generally the removable handle and tongue assembly  10  of the present invention. The removable handle and tongue assembly  10  includes a tongue portion  20  and a handle portion  22 , which is capable of being retained in removable engagement with the tongue portion  20 . 
     The removable handle and tongue assembly  10  permits the handle portion  22  to be easily attached to and detached from the tongue portion  20  while providing a strong connection between the handle portion  22  and the tongue portion  20 . The removable handle and tongue assembly  10  thereby permits an object to be pulled manually with the handle portion  22  or pulled by attachment of the tongue portion  20  to a towing vehicle such as a tractor. 
     The removable handle and tongue assembly  10  also minimizes potential pinch points where portions of a person&#39;s body or clothing can become caught in the removable handle and tongue assembly  10  thereby preventing injury and reducing the potential for damage to the user&#39;s clothing. 
     The tongue portion  20  has a first end  30  and a second end  32 . The first end  30  is adapted for removably attaching the tongue portion  20  to a utility cart, trailer or other towed vehicle (not shown). The second end  32  preferably has a clevis  34  that is defined by a pair of branches  36 , as most clearly illustrated in FIG.  3 . Between the branches  36  a recess  38  is defined. The branches  36  each have a clevis aperture  40  formed therein. The clevis apertures  40  are preferably co-axially aligned. 
     The handle portion  22  generally includes a gripping region  50  and an attachment region  52 , as most clearly illustrated in FIG.  1 . The gripping region  50  permits a person to hold on to handle portion  22 . The gripping region  50  preferably has a loop configuration. A gripping area  54  on gripping region  50  is preferably substantially straight to facilitate holding handle portion  22  in a person&#39;s hand. To enhance the ability to hold handle portion  22 , the gripping area  54  is preferably covered with a resilient foam material  56 . 
     The attachment region  52  has two side walls  66  and two end walls  67  that define a substantially square recess  68 , as most clearly illustrated in FIG.  3 . The recess  68  is adapted to substantially receive the clevis  34 , as illustrated in FIG.  4 . The dimensions of the attachment region  52  preferably substantially conform to the dimensions of the clevis  34 . 
     The attachment region  52  includes a pair of attaching apertures  58 , which are preferably axially aligned. The attaching apertures  58  are aligned with the clevis apertures  40  when the tongue portion is inserted into the handle portion  22  so that an attaching pin  60  can be inserted therethrough to couple the handle portion  22  to the tongue portion  20 . 
     The attaching pin  60  has a first end  70  and a second end  72 , as most clearly illustrated in FIG.  3 . At the first end  70 , a head  74  is provided that is larger than the attaching apertures  58  and the clevis apertures  40 . At the second end  72  of the attaching pin  60 , a cotter pin hole  64  is preferably provided extending through the attaching pin  60 . When the attaching pin  60  is inserted through the clevis apertures  40  and the attaching apertures  58 , it is retained in place by head  74  and cotter pin  62 , which is inserted through cotter pin hole  64 . The disposition of the cotter pin  62  when installed is best shown in FIG.  2 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, removable the handle and tongue assembly  110  includes a tongue portion  120  and a handle portion  122 , as illustrated in FIGS. 5-6. The attachment end  124  of the handle portion  122  is configured to receive the clevis  134 , which is a part of the tongue portion  120 . 
     The tongue portion  120  and the handle portion  122  are removably interconnected using an attaching pin  160 . The attaching pin  160  used with this embodiment is preferably a threaded hex bolt, which is retained by a head  162  and a nut  164 . Washers  166  may be used to provide better retention of the attaching pin  160 . 
     While not illustrated in the drawings, it is possible to roll the edges of the side walls  135  around the margins of the clevis  134  to prevent the tongue portion  120  from pivoting with respect to the handle portion  122 . Another method (also not illustrated) of preventing relative rotation of the handle portion  122  with respect to the tongue portion  120  would be to provide the attaching pin  160  with a square cross-section, fitting it into corresponding square shaped clevis apertures and attaching apertures. 
     In another alternative embodiment, the removable handle and tongue assembly  210  includes a tongue portion  220  and a handle portion  222 , as illustrated in FIGS. 7-8. Similar to the other embodiments, the tongue portion  220  has a clevis  234 . An attachment portion  224  of the handle portion  222  is attached to the clevis  234  using an attaching pin  260  inserted through the clevis apertures  236  and the attaching aperture  226 . In this embodiment, the attaching pin  260  is preferably a threaded bolt having a head  262  and a nut  264 . This embodiment permits the handle portion  222  to pivot laterally with respect to the tongue portion  220 . 
     In still another embodiment, the removable handle and tongue assembly  310  includes a tongue portion  320  and a handle portion  322 , as illustrated in FIGS. 9-10. The tongue portion  320  has a first end  330  that is adapted to be attached to towed vehicle (not shown), and a second end  332 , which has a substantially cylindrical shape. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that it is possible to adapt this embodiment for use with alternative shapes for the tongue second end  332 , including for example, square, rectangular or hexagonal shapes. 
     The handle portion  322  includes an attachment portion  352  with a recess  354  that is adapted to receive the second end  332  of the tongue portion  320 . The handle portion  322  is attached to the tongue portion  320  with an attaching pin  360  that is inserted through the first coupling aperture  334  and the second coupling aperture  336 . The attaching pin  360  is preferably a threaded bolt that is retained in place by a head  362  and a nut  364 . 
     As an alternative to using the bolt, which is described above, it is possible to use at least one spring-loaded attaching pins as illustrated in FIGS. 11-12. An attachment region  424  of the handle portion  422  preferably has two side walls  426  and two end walls  429  that define a substantially square profile. The side walls  426  each have an attachment aperture  428 . Inside the attachment region and behind each attachment aperture  428  is mounted an attachment pin assembly  440 . 
     The attachment pin assembly  440  consists of a bracket  450  that is attached to the side wall  426 , and an attachment pin  460 , which extends through a bracket pin hole  451  at one end and the attachment aperture  428  at its other end. A spring  456  is provided co-axial with the attachment pin  460  and is biased in compression against the bracket  450  and the spring retainer ring  454 . A stop ring  452  is provided on the attachment pin  460  to provide a pre-determined stop for the attachment pin  460  and to prevent it from extending further than desired. Each attachment pin  460  preferably has a beveled end  462  to facilitate sliding attachment of the components. 
     To attach the handle portion  422  to the tongue portion  420 , the attachment portion  424  is slidingly advanced into the clevis  434  with side walls  426  adjacent the clevis branches  434 . As the attachment portion  424  is advanced, the attachment pins  460  are forced into the recess  430 . When the attachment pins  460  reach the clevis apertures  436 , the spring  456  forces the attaching pins  460  out and through the clevis apertures  436 , until stopped by the stop ring  452 . 
     The handle portion  422  is thus coupled to the tongue portion  420  with the attaching pins  460  that extend through the clevis apertures  436  and the attachment apertures  428 . The handle portion  422  can be uncoupled from the tongue portion  420  by pressing the attaching pins  460  inward and withdrawing the handle portion  422  from the clevis  434 . 
     It is contemplated that features disclosed in this application, as well as those described in the above applications incorporated by reference, can be mixed and matched to suit particular circumstances. Various other modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.