Spring bar with integral hanger

A spring bar for a weight distributing hitch includes an elongated body carrying an integral hanger for securing to a trailer to be towed behind a towing vehicle. Preferably, the integral hanger is a lug with a cooperating retaining tab. The spring bar also includes a trunnion allowing cantilever mounting of the spring bar to a ball mount head of a trailer hitch that is secured to a towing vehicle.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The present invention relates generally to the towing field and, more 
particularly, to an improved spring bar with an integral hanger for use on 
a weight distributing hitch assembly. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Hitch assemblies for more evenly distributing the tongue weight of a 
trailer over the front and rear axles of a towing vehicle are well known 
in the art. A particularly advanced design of weight distributing hitch 
assembly is disclosed in the assignee's issued U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,872 to 
Kass et al. entitled "Weight Distributing Hitch". This hitch assembly 
includes a hitch bar for receipt in a receiver mounted to the vehicle and 
a ball mount head for mounting on the hitch bar at a selected tilt angle. 
A pair of spring bars are mounted at their proximal ends to the ball mount 
head. The distal ends of these spring bars are connected by means of 
cooperating lift units and chains to the frame of the trailer. Such state 
of the art lift units are exemplified by Reese Products, Inc. product 
number 21160 incorporating a body that is mounted to the trailer frame, a 
chain hook with pivoting locking lever and a safety pin for securing the 
chain hook and lever in an operative position. As is known in the art, the 
amount of leveling or load transfer to the front axle of the vehicle is 
adjusted by engaging different links of the chains with the chain hooks of 
the lift units. 
While such an arrangement is effective for its intended purpose, the lift 
units must be properly mounted to the trailer frame and the proper chain 
links engaged in the chain hooks in order to provide proper operation and 
a desired distribution of weight. While relatively simple, these 
procedures require some time to complete and may frustrate and annoy 
certain impatient individuals. Accordingly, a need is identified for a 
weight distributing hitch assembly allowing even greater ease and 
convenience of installation and operation. This is particularly true with 
respect to the connection of the distal end of the spring bars to the 
trailer frame in order to provide the weight distributing action. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide 
spring bars of an improved design for use in a weight distributing hitch 
assembly especially adapted for towing a trailer behind a vehicle. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a spring bar for a 
weight distributing hitch assembly having a unique structure that allows 
quick and convenient connection of the spring bar between the ball mount 
head and trailer frame. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a unique spring 
bar mounting system wherein each spring bar includes an integral lug for 
hanging onto or over the trailer frame. Further, the trailer frame may be 
equipped with friction pads for supporting the lugs thereon that provide 
added resistance to sliding movement of the spring bars relative to the 
trailer frame and, therefore, a measure of trailer sway control. 
Additional objects, advantages and other novel features of the invention 
will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will 
become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the 
following or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The 
objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by 
means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out 
in the appended claims. 
To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the 
purposes of the present invention as described herein, a new and improved 
spring bar is provided for use with an improved weight distributing hitch 
assembly for towing a trailer behind a vehicle. More specifically, a pair 
of spring bars are received in the ball mount head of the weight 
distributing hitch assembly and function to distribute the trailer weight 
relative to the axles of the towing vehicle. Each of the pair of spring 
bars includes an elongated body having a proximal end that is mounted by 
means of a trunnion arrangement to the ball mount head and a distal end 
having a lug for engaging the frame of the trailer and securing the spring 
bar in an operative, weight distributing position bridging between the 
ball mount head and trailer frame. 
Preferably, each of the spring bars is substantially L-shaped and each of 
the lugs includes a retaining tab. The retaining tab not only functions to 
secure the lug of the associated spring bar in a position on or overlying 
the trailer frame, but also provides a readily visible indicator of the 
proper positioning of the spring bar to the vehicle operator. Preferably, 
the spring bars are hot formed from steel or other appropriate high 
strength material so that the spring bar, lug and retaining tab are all of 
integral, one piece construction. 
Still other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those 
skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown 
and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of 
illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. 
As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different 
embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in 
various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. 
Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as 
illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Reference is now made to FIGS. 1a and 1b showing the spring bar 10 of the 
present invention. The spring bar 10 includes an elongated body 12 having 
an integral hanger generally designated by reference numeral 14, at a 
distal end thereof. A means, such as a trunnion 16, may be carried on the 
proximal end of the elongated body 12 in order to allow the cantilevered 
mounting of the spring bar 10 to a ball mount head 18 of a weight 
distributing hitch assembly 20 of a type well known in the art (see also 
FIG. 2). 
The weight distributing hitch assembly 20 includes a hitch bar 22 of a type 
known in the art having a tubular mounting post 24 for engagement in a 
receiver box R of a hitch receiver mounted to a vehicle (not shown). Such 
a hitch receiver is, for example, a Class II or III hitch receiver with 
two inch opening as manufactured by Reese Products, Inc. of Elkhart, Ind., 
the assignee of the present invention. 
The distal end of the hitch bar 22 includes a split end mounting rack 26 
having a series of aperture sets 28 allowing for height adjustment of the 
ball mount head 18. The ball mount head 18 may be a one-piece, integral 
construction cast from ductile iron. The ball mount head 18 is secured to 
the mounting rack 26 of the hitch bar 22 by means of two cooperating 
fasteners shown as bolts 32 and cooperating nuts 34. Lock washers 36 may 
be provided to insure the integrity of the connection. 
More specifically the ball mount head 18 includes a substantially U-shaped 
spring bar mounting bracket 38 and a pair of spaced, parallel mounting 
flanges 40 so as to form a yoke adapted to receive the mounting rack 26. 
When properly mounted, the lower bolt 32 extends through the aligned 
cooperating apertures 42 (only one visible in FIG. 2) in the mounting 
flanges 40 and the one aligned aperture set 28 in the interdisposed 
mounting rack 26. Similarly, upper bolt 32 extends through an indexable, 
eccentric washer 45, the aligned cooperating arcuate slots 44 in the 
mounting flanges 40 and through a second aligned aperture set 28 in the 
interdisposed mounting rack 26. The arcuate slots 44 allow the ball mount 
head 18 to be pivoted relative to the hitch bar 22 about the lower bolt 
32. Washers 36 are provided on the lower bolt 32 at each exposed side of 
the mounting flanges 40. Next, the bolts 32 and cooperating lock nuts 34 
are then tightened. This arrangement allows the tilt angle of the ball 
mount head 18 to be selected by manipulation of the indexable, eccentric 
washer 45 in a manner described in detail in previously referenced U.S. 
Pat. No. 5,375,872 to Kass et al. 
As further shown with reference to FIG. 2, the mounting bracket 38 includes 
an upper platform 54 having an aperture 58 for receiving a hitch connector 
such as hitch ball 62. The hitch ball 62 is secured in place by welding or 
other means known in the art. 
As also shown in FIG. 2 and briefly described above, the weight 
distributing hitch assembly 20 includes a pair of spring bars 10. Each 
spring bar 10 carries a trunnion 16 (that may, for example, be bolted or 
pinned in place) at its proximal end for mounting in the ball mount head 
18. More specifically, each mounting trunnion 16 includes a pair of 
oppositely disposed and outwardly projecting pivot pins 50. As is known in 
the art, the pivot pins on the trunnion 16 are received in a set of 
cooperating sockets 52 in the upper and lower legs or platforms 54, 56 of 
the ball mount head 18. A more detailed presentation of the trunnion 
connection of the spring bars 10 to the ball mount head 18 is presented in 
the assignee's co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/319,908, 
filed on Oct. 7, 1994, entitled "Weight Distributing Hitch Assembly", the 
disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference. 
In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, each 
spring bar 10 includes a lug 68 adjacent the distal end thereof that 
projects inwardly in a transverse direction at an included angle of 
45.degree.-135.degree. and, more preferably, substantially 90.degree.. 
Thus, as a result of the presence of the lug 68 the elongated body 12 of 
the spring bar 10 forms a substantially L-shape. As will be described in 
greater detail below, the lugs 68 allow the distal end of the spring bars 
10 to be secured to the frame of the trailer T (see also FIG. 3) in a 
straightforward and convenient manner. This provides a desired ease of 
installation previously unknown in this art. 
As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, each lug 68 includes an integrally 
depending retaining tab 70. The lug 68 and cooperating retaining tab 70 on 
each spring bar 10 are geometrically arranged so that each lug extends in 
a first plane and each retaining tab extends in a second plane 
substantially perpendicular to the first plane. As will be described in 
greater detail below, the retaining tab 70 allows one to visually confirm 
that an associated spring bar 10 has been properly connected to the frame 
of a trailer T to provide the desired weight distribution. Additionally, 
each retaining tab 70 functions to maintain the spring bar 10 associated 
therewith in proper position with the cooperating lug 68 overlying the 
upper surface U of the frame of the trailer T. 
Further, it should be appreciated that each retaining tab 70 projects 
equally from the lug 68 in opposing directions. As a result, the elongated 
body 12 of the spring bar may be flipped 180.degree. to reverse its 
orientation thereby allowing use on either the right or left hand side of 
the weight distributing hitch assembly 20. Accordingly, one part may serve 
two functions and production costs are thereby reduced. Of course, where 
necessary, the trunnion 16 may also be flipped 180.degree. relative to the 
elongated body 12 in order to allow connection to the ball mount head 18. 
So as to resist and control trailer sway often experienced when traversing 
undulating pavement and/or sweeping curves at highway speeds and thereby 
improve overall ride quality/trailer hitch performance, the weight 
distributing hitch assembly 20 may also include a pair of friction pad 
assemblies 72. Each friction pad assembly 72 is mounted to the upper 
surface U of the frame of the trailer T directly behind the trailer 
coupler socket H. In this position, one friction pad assembly 72 receives 
and supports each spring bar 10. The mounting of the friction pad 
assemblies 72 may be by any means known in the art including, for example, 
an adhesive or a fastener such as self-tapping screws 74 shown in FIG. 2. 
Preferably, each friction pad assembly 72 includes a friction pad 76 formed 
from a high friction material, such as available from Friction Material 
Company under product designation NA104, and a supporting mounting bracket 
78 preferably formed from a sheet metal such as steel. More specifically, 
the friction pad 76 is bonded to a first planar section 80 of the mounting 
bracket 78 so as to provide underlying support. Additionally, mounting 
bracket 78 includes a second planar section 82 that forms a substantially 
90.degree. included angle with the first planar section 80. Together, the 
sections 80, 82 define a mounting pocket for engaging the frame of the 
trailer T. Additionally, the mounting bracket 78 includes a projecting 
friction pad edge flange 84. 
As described in greater detail below, the edge flange 84 serves several 
functions. The flange 84 protects the inwardly disposed edge of the 
friction pad 76 from being damaged by frictional engagement with the 
retaining tab 70 during towing. The flange 84 also engages the retaining 
tab 70 and functions as a guide when the associated spring bar 10 slides 
relative to the frame of the trailer T during towing. Thus, the spring 
bars 10 are maintained in position with the lugs 68 overlying the frame of 
the trailer T while resting upon the friction pads 76. 
Advantageously, as should be appreciated from the above comments, the lugs 
68 and retaining tabs 70 function as an integral spring bar hanger 14 that 
allows direct connection of the distal ends of the spring bars 10 to the 
frame of the trailer T (see FIG. 2). In use, the height of the forward end 
of the trailer T including the coupler socket H is adjusted up or down 
using the tongue jack J until the trailer is level. When level, the 
distance from the ground to the top of the coupler socket H is also 
measured. Next, the hitch bar 22 is inserted into the receiver box R and 
secured in place utilizing a pull pin 90 and clip 92 in accordance with a 
procedure well known in the art. Next, the ball mount head 18 is installed 
on the mounting rack 26 at a selected height so that the hitch ball 62 is 
nearest to the height of the coupler socket H. With the vehicle and 
trailer in line, the hitch socket H is placed on the hitch ball 62. The 
coupler latch is then closed to secure the trailer to the towing vehicle 
through the hitch assembly 20. 
Next the tongue jack J is raised about 2-3 inches or more. From this 
position an individual may grasp an intermediate portion of the spring bar 
10 adjacent the distal end thereof and swing the spring bar upwardly so 
that the lug 68 extends or projects over the top surface U of one of the 
frame rails of the trailer T. The friction pad assemblies 72 are then 
positioned on the upper surface U of the frame rails of the trailer T. 
More specifically, the friction pad assemblies 72 are positioned so that 
the lug 68 of each spring bar 10 is centered on one friction pad 76. The 
necessary holes are then drilled in the frame rails and the friction pad 
assemblies 72 are secured in position by means of the self-tapping screws 
74. 
Next, the tongue jack J is lowered in order to check the coupler H height. 
If the top of the coupler socket H is more than 1/2 inch lower than the 
original measurement, the tongue jack J is raised, and the spring bars 10 
are disconnected from the frame rails of the trailer T. The tongue jack J 
is then lowered and the eccentric washer 45 is adjusted to index the ball 
mount head 18 to a new tilt angle. The tongue jack J is then again raised 
to allow installation of the spring bars 10 with the lugs 68 overlying the 
frame rails of the trailer T. The tongue jack J is then again lowered to 
check the coupler socket H height. Once proper height is established the 
ball mount nuts 34 are torqued to 85 lbft. 
Advantageously, by simply positioning the spring bars 10 to hang by means 
of the integral lugs 68 from the trailer frame rails, one is able to 
operatively position the spring bars to provide the desired weight 
distributing action. This is a simple operation that may be completed in 
one movement to the utmost convenience and satisfaction of the user. There 
is no need to select a proper chain link or secure a lift bracket with a 
safety clip as required by state of the art lift units commonly utilized 
in this field. 
Of course, it should be appreciated that not only is the weight 
distributing hitch assembly 20 equipped with the spring bars 10 of the 
present invention easier to use, it is a simpler structure that is less 
expensive to produce. The prior art lift brackets with their latch 
mechanism and chain link connection are eliminated and replaced with 
spring bars 10 having integral lugs 68 and the friction pads 76 that 
provide some added resistance to the sliding movement of the lugs 68 of 
the spring bars 10 relative to the frame of the trailer T as the trailer 
pivots about the hitch ball 62 during towing. As a result, any swaying 
motion imparted to the trailer during towing is resisted. Thus, the hitch 
assembly 20 equipped with the spring bars 10 of the present invention 
advantageously provides a measure of sway control previously unavailable 
in state of the art hitches equipped with standard spring bars, lift units 
and sway bar chain connectors. Consequently, the present invention 
represents a significant advance in design that achieves more than the 
prior art hitch designs. Further, this is accomplished by means of a 
simple structure that is less expensive to produce and more convenient and 
user friendly to utilize. 
It should further be appreciated that the spring bars 10 may be hot formed 
from steel or other appropriate high strength material so that the 
elongated body 12 including hanger 14 (i.e. the lug 68 and retainer 70) 
are all of integral, one piece construction. Thus, the strength of the 
spring bar 10 is maximized and any unsightly welds or joints are 
eliminated. Accordingly, a more aesthetically pleasing product results. 
The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has 
been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not 
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form 
disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of 
the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to provide 
the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical 
application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize 
the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are 
suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and 
variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the 
appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which 
they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.