Trailer hitch

A trailer hitch for use in pickups or similar vehicles includes a plate which is adapted to lie flush with the bed. The plate has a large aperture. A hitch block, which has a connecting ball at one end, is journaled on an axis below the plate in such a manner that, in the towing position, the ball is above the plate and, when the vehicle is used for hauling, the entire block can be folded down beneath the bed. The other end of the block is provided with a spring-urged retractable pin. An arcuate member beneath the plate has holes which receive the pin to hold the block in a selected position.

INTRODUCTION 
This invention relates to a trailer hitch for use in pickup trucks or other 
vehicles which alternately serve the purposes of drawing a trailer and 
hauling material. In such cases it is desirable that the hitch be foldable 
so that when not in use it will not interfere with the mateial being 
hauled and, furthermore, that the structure be such that the surface of 
the vehicle be essentially closed so that material will not escape. I have 
devised a hitch fitting those characteristics which is particularly simple 
and sturdy. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
My hitch includes a top plate which lies flush with the bottom of the bed 
of the pickup or similar vehicle. An aperture is provided in this plate. 
The coupling block is mounted in the aperture and journaled on an axis 
located below the plate a sufficient distance to allow the block to fold 
down so that it will lie below the plate. One end of the axis is mounted 
in a vertically extending plate which is integral with or welded to the 
top plate and an arcuate member is integral with or welded to the vertical 
plate. Two holes are provided in this arcuate member, one vertically below 
the axis and the other positioned horizontally from the axis. The coupling 
block is provided with an axial bore in which a latching pin is mounted. A 
spring urges the pin outwardly, and a cable passing through the block is 
provided for manual retraction of the pin. When a trailer is to be 
connected, the coupling block is positioned vertically with the latch pin 
in the hole beneath the axis. The coupling block carries a hitch ball 
which in this position extends above the floor of the bed. When the 
vehicle is to be used for hauling, the latch pin is manually retracted by 
use of the cable and the block is swung into a horizontal position. The 
latch pin is released and passes through the other hole. The entire block 
is now positioned below the top plate. A hinged cover partially closes the 
aperture in this position. When the vehicle is to be used for pulling a 
trailer this hinged cover is raised, the block is swung into its vertical 
position and the cover is again lowered. In this position it rests against 
the block and serves to strengthen the assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Referring to the drawings, the device includes a top plate 2 which is 
provided wih holes 4 for securing the plate 2 to the bed of the pickup or 
to frame members beneath the bed. The plate 2 is provided with a 
relatively large aperture 6. A vertical plate 8 formed integral with plate 
2 or, more commonly, welded to it, extends vertically downwardly beside 
aperture 6. Bracket 10 extends downwardly from plate 2 beside aperture 6 
opposite to plate 8. Plate 8 and bracket 10 are provided with holes 12, 
12', respectively, which are aligned axially with each other. The 
conductor block 14 is journaled on pin 16 passing through holes 12, 12'. 
The pin 16 is held in place by washers 18, 18', lock washers 20, 20' and 
screws 22, 22'. The latter are, of course, screwed into the ends of pin 
16. An arcuate restraining member 24 is integral with or, more commonly, 
welded to vertical plate 8. Member 24 spans an arc of approximately 90 
degrees and preferably terminates in two short tangential portions 26, 
26'. This is not essential, however, and the entire member may be arcuate. 
As best shown in FIG. 6, the block 14 is provided with an axial bore 33 in 
which a pin 32 is slidably mounted. This pin has a reduced end portion 34 
of such size as to fit in holes 28, 30. The pin 32 is urged outwardly by 
spring 36, and is provided with a cable 38 which extends generally 
longitudinally through block 14 and terminates in a ring or other grip 
means 40. The cable 38 may be attached to pin 32 in any desired manner. 
One arrangement is shown in FIG. 7. Reduced end 42 of pin 32 is provided 
with a hole 44 through which cable 38 extends. The latter is provided with 
a washer 46 and a clip 48 of such size that they do not pass completely 
through hole 44. 
FIG. 2 shows the block 14 in the towing position. It should be noted that 
block 14 carries at its upper end a hitch ball which extends above top 
plate 2 and is connected to the tow bar of a trailer. Top plate 2 includes 
a cover 52 which in its closed position lies flush with top plate 2 and 
rests on a ledge 54 on block 14. In this position it closes aperture 6. 
Cover 52 is preferably provided with a spring 56 which urges it closed and 
a hole 58 for ease in opening. In this position the end portion 34 of pin 
32 enters hole 28 and holds block 14 in position. Cover 52, which engages 
block 14 above the journaled axis, cooperates with pin 32 to hold the 
block firmly. 
When it is desired to use the vehicle for hauling material the operator 
grasps ring 40, and, by means of cable 38, retracts pin 32. He raises 
cover 52, then tips block 14 to the position shown in FIG. 3, in which 
position reduced end 34 of pin 32 enters hole 30. The entire block 14, 
including hitch ball 50, is now beneath plate 2 and so out of the way of 
material to be hauled. In moving block 14 between these two positions the 
cover 52 is raised to the position shown in phantom lines in FIGS. 2 and 3 
and in solid lines in FIG. 1. 
If frame members are so positioned that bolts through holes 1 may engage 
them, this would provide sufficient strength for pulling. Otherwise, 
members 8 and 24 are connected by welding rods between them and members of 
the frame. 
While I have described my preferred structure in considerable detail, it 
will be understood that various changes can be made. I therefore wish my 
invention to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.