Tow ball adaptor

A tow ball adaptor for coupling an implement hitch to a tow ball includes a plate. A first hole in the plate is complementary to and configured to insert a tow ball that is coupled to a vehicle. A coupler is coupled to the plate and configured to couple to the tow ball to retain the tow ball in the first hole. A cutout that extends into the plate is substantially complementary to and configured to insert an implement hitch. A plurality of third holes in the plate extends linearly between the first hole and the cutout. The third holes are complementary to and positioned to selectively align with a pair of orifices that is positioned singly in an upper and a lower tongue of the implement hitch. A hitch pin is inserted through the orifices and the third hole to couple the implement hitch to the plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure and prior art relates to adaptors and more particularly pertains to a new adaptor for coupling an implement hitch to a tow ball.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a plate that is substantially rectangularly shaped. A first hole is positioned through the plate proximate to a first end of the plate. The first hole is complementary to and configured to insert a tow ball that is coupled to a vehicle, such as a tractor, all-terrain vehicle, and a lawn mower. A coupler is coupled to the plate proximate to the first hole. The coupler is configured to couple to the tow ball to retain the tow ball in the first hole. A cutout extends into the plate from a second end of the plate. The cutout is substantially complementary to and configured to insert an implement hitch. A plurality of third holes is positioned through the plate. The plurality of third holes extends linearly between the first hole and the cutout. The third holes are complementary to and positioned to selectively align with a pair of orifices that is positioned singly in upper and lower tongues of the implement hitch. A hitch pin is inserted through a respective third hole and the pair of orifices to couple the implement hitch to the plate. The implement is coupled to the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As best illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 5, the tow ball adaptor10generally comprises a plate12that is substantially rectangularly shaped. The plate12has a first end14. In one embodiment, the first end14is arcuate. In another embodiment, the plate12comprises metal. In yet another embodiment, the plate12comprises steel.

A first hole16is positioned through the plate12proximate to the first end14. The first hole16is complementary to a tow ball that is coupled to a vehicle, such as a tractor, all-terrain vehicle, and a lawn mower. The first hole16is configured to insert the tow ball to couple the plate12to the vehicle.

A coupler18is coupled to the plate12proximate to the first hole16. The coupler18is configured to couple to the tow ball to retain the tow ball in the first hole16. In one embodiment, the coupler18comprises a channel20and a rod22. The channel20extends between opposing sides24of the plate12. The rod22has a first terminus26and a second terminus28. The rod22is bent proximate to the second terminus28to define a first segment30and a second segment32of the rod22. The first segment30is substantially complementary to the channel20. The channel20is positioned to insert the first segment30of the rod22. The first terminus26protrudes from the plate12. The first segment30protrudes into the first hole16so that the rod22is configured to couple to the tow ball to retain the tow ball in the first hole16. In another embodiment, the channel20is circularly shaped when viewed longitudinally. In yet another embodiment, the rod22comprises metal. In still yet another embodiment, the rod22comprises steel.

A second hole34is positioned through the rod22proximate to the first terminus26. The second hole34is positioned to insert a hairpin cotter36that is complementary to the second hole34. The hairpin cotter36is coupled to the rod22to retain the rod22in the channel20. In one embodiment, the hairpin cotter36comprises metal. In another embodiment, the hairpin cotter36comprises steel.

A cutout38extends into the plate12from a second end40of the plate12. The cutout38is substantially complementary to an implement hitch. The cutout38is configured to insert the implement hitch. In one embodiment, the cutout38is substantially squarely shaped.

A plurality of third holes42is positioned through the plate12. The plurality of third holes42extends linearly between the first hole16and the cutout38. The third holes42are complementary to a pair of orifices that is positioned singly in upper and lower tongues of the implement hitch. Each third hole42is positioned to selectively align with the pair of orifices to insert a hitch pin to couple the implement hitch to the plate12. The implement is coupled to the vehicle. In one embodiment, the plurality of third holes42comprises three third holes42.

In use, the first hole16that is positioned through the plate12is configured to insert the tow ball to couple the plate12to the vehicle. The channel20that is positioned in the plate12is positioned to insert the first segment30of the rod22. The first terminus26of the rod22protrudes from the plate12and the first segment30protrudes into the first hole16. The rod22is configured to couple to the tow ball to retain the tow ball in the first hole16. The second hole34that is positioned in the rod22is positioned to insert the hairpin cotter36to couple the hairpin cotter36to the rod22to retain the rod22in the channel20. The cutout38that is positioned in the plate12is configured to insert the implement hitch. Each third hole42that is positioned in the plate12is positioned to selectively align with the pair of orifices. The hitch pin is inserted through the third hole42and the pair of orifices to couple the implement hitch to the plate12. The implement is coupled to the vehicle.