Trailer hitch with lift mechanism

A trailer hitch with lift mechanism includes a vehicle connection point, an adjustable hitch base, a motor, and a hitch locking assembly. The motor is powered via a trailer hitch plug of a towing vehicle. The adjustable hitch base includes a plurality of adjustment apertures and one or more guide tracks. The hitch locking assembly is slidingly coupled to the adjustable hitch base and includes one or more guide rollers slidingly associated with the guide tracks, a backing plate, an aperture configured to receive a ball, and one or more adjustment locking devices. Rotation of the drive shaft causes the hitch locking assembly to move relative to the adjustable hitch base.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to the field of trailer hitches.

2. Description of Related Art

Currently, there are adjustable trailer hitches with which the user can manually adjust the height of the ball relative to the receiver shaft. These hitches have a vertical shaft with multiple adjustment apertures. The user selects the desired height of the ball and places one or more pins in the shaft to set the height of the ball. There are also electric tongue jacks that can be used to raise and lower the height of the tongue on a trailer or other towed vehicle.

Although great strides have been made in the area of trailer hitches, many shortcomings remain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now toFIG.1in the drawings, a trailer hitch with lift mechanism101according to the preferred embodiment of the present application is illustrated. Trailer hitch with lift mechanism101includes a motor assembly103, an adjustable hitch base107, a hitch locking assembly108, and a vehicle receiver connection120. Hitch locking assembly108includes an aperture104for interchangeably receiving a threaded hitch ball105, an adjustment locking device109, and a backing plate113. Adjustable hitch base107includes a guide track110, a hitch base plate115and a motor mount117. Vehicle receiver connection120includes a receiver locking pin121.

According to the preferred embodiment, adjustable hitch base107will allow for between seven and nine inches of adjustment on the height of hitch locking assembly108and ball105. It will be appreciated that this size may be adjusted to meet the desired needs of various vehicles and towing equipment. Adjustable hitch base107may include limit switches that can automatically detect when a predetermined height is reached, and can send a signal to motor assembly103to start and/or stop the movement of hitch locking assembly108and hold hitch locking assembly108in place. It should be appreciated that the motion of hitch locking assembly108can be actuated in a variety of ways, including electronically, hydraulically, and/or pneumatically. Adjustable hitch base107includes a plurality of apertures111which are configured to receive one or more locking pins, so as to maintain the height of hitch locking assembly108relative to adjustable hitch base107. In the preferred embodiment, adjustment locking device109is one or more locking pins, and may be a dual-pin locking pin. When a desired height is reached, adjustment locking device109is secured into one or more of the plurality of apertures111, thereby locking ball105at a desired height. It will be appreciated that adjustment locking device may also be automatically actuated by electric, hydraulic, and/or pneumatic control devices and/or actuators.

In the preferred embodiment, motor assembly103is powered from a connection to a seven-way plug on the towing vehicle. Of course, a four-way plug on the towing vehicle may also be used to provide power to motor assembly103. However, other power sources may be used in alternative embodiments, including one or more batteries, electrical generators, hydraulic systems, and/or pneumatic systems. Motor assembly103may be connected to a control device, such that motor assembly103can be controlled wirelessly. Wireless control can be achieved using a variety of devices, such as a remote control or a smartphone, or a control system carried by the towing vehicle. In case of wireless connection failure, the trailer hitch101may be controlled manually, as well. Because motor assembly103is powered from a seven-way plug under the preferred embodiment, an optional adapter may be included, that allows for additional connections, such as trailers, to be made to the seven-way plug.

Motor assembly103includes a drive motor126, a gear box128, a drive shaft130, a thrust bearing132, and a drive nut or drive bushing134(seeFIG.4). Drive shaft130is preferably an ACME screw, but may also be a ball screw. In either embodiment, one or more lubrication ports may be used to apply lubricant at drive nut134and other locations to reduce friction and wear. Drive bushing134is preferably made of brass and is fastened to hitch locking assembly108, such that rotation of drive shaft130causes hitch locking assembly108to move up and down along drive shaft130. Drive shaft130bears against and is aligned by thrust bearing132. Thrust bearing132is carried by hitch base plate115. Motor assembly103drives drive shaft130, which moves hitch locking assembly108to position ball105at a desired height.

In the preferred embodiment, backing plate113includes a back plate member141and a backing plate guide surface143. Backing plate guide surface143is preferably made of made of an Ultra High Molecular Weight (UHMW) polyethylene or nylon material to reduce friction and allow for smooth movement of hitch locking assembly108along adjustable hitch base107. Hitch locking assembly108also includes one or more rollers144(seeFIG.4), preferably two on each side of hitch locking assembly108, that roll within guide tracks110of adjustable hitch base107to align and guide hitch lock assembly108relative to adjustable hitch base107. It will be appreciated that movement along adjustable hitch base107may be controlled using other methods, such as ball bearings, roller disks, and other alignment devices.

Referring now also toFIG.2in the drawings, a rear view of trailer hitch with lift mechanism101is illustrated. The “rear view” is the view from the perspective of the vehicle looking towards the trailer hitch.FIG.2best illustrates the locking device109of the preferred embodiment. Under the preferred embodiment, locking pins are used for locking device109. It should be appreciated that locking device109can be designed such that the pins may be inserted from one single side, or from both sides.

Referring now also toFIG.3in the drawings, a top view of trailer hitch with lift mechanism101is illustrated.FIG.3best illustrates the overall size and shape of the preferred embodiment of trailer hitch with lift mechanism101. Hitch locking assembly108is shown having a rounded shape on the end closest to threaded hitch ball105. It should be appreciated that this shape may change depending on the desired connection to a trailer. Additionally, it should be appreciated that additional features may be added on to hitch locking assembly108, such as a camera for easier visibility while lining up a vehicle to a trailer. Such a camera could also be mounted on other areas of trailer hitch with lift mechanism101, depending on desired sight lines.

Referring now also toFIG.4in the drawings, an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the trailer hitch with lift mechanism101of the present application is illustrated.FIG.4best illustrates the individual element shapes of the preferred embodiment, as well as the fasteners and bearings used to connect them. It should be appreciated that a variety of connections may be made beyond those illustrated inFIG.4, such as adding additional fasteners, bearings, or bolts.

Referring now also toFIG.5in the drawings, a trailer hitch with lift mechanism501according to an alternative embodiment of the present application is illustrated. Trailer hitch501preferably includes a motor assembly503, an adjustable hitch base507, a hitch locking assembly508, and a vehicle receiver connection520. Hitch locking assembly508includes an aperture (not shown) that is similar to aperture104for interchangeably receiving a threaded hitch ball505. Hitch locking assembly508further includes an adjustment locking device509, pin rest512, and a backing plate513. Adjustable hitch base507includes a guide track510, a plurality of apertures511, a hitch base plate515, and a motor mount517. Apertures511are configured to receive one or more locking pins, so as to maintain the height of hitch locking assembly508relative to adjustable hitch base507. Pin rest512is configured such that the locking pins may be placed on them while removed from the apertures. It should be appreciated that the pin rest512is an optional feature that may or may not be present on any embodiment of the present invention.

Under the alternative embodiment, adjustable hitch base507includes six apertures511, allowing for four different height levels to meet the needs of various vehicles and towing equipment, as well as one aperture at the top, not used as a mounting location (seeFIG.7A). It should be appreciated that other alternative embodiments may use fewer or additional apertures, or may even include a different number of locking pins, which would then result in a different number of locking locations. Adjustable hitch base507may include limit switches that can automatically detect when a predetermined height is reached, and can send a signal to motor assembly503to start and/or stop the movement of hitch locking assembly508and hold hitch locking assembly508in place. It should be appreciated that the motion of hitch locking assembly508can be actuated in a variety of ways, including electronically, hydraulically, and/or pneumatically. When a desired height is reached, adjustment locking device509is secured into one or more of the plurality of apertures511, thereby locking ball505at a desired height. It will be appreciated that adjustment locking device may also be automatically actuated by electric, hydraulic, and/or pneumatic control devices and/or actuators.

Similar to the preferred embodiment, the alternative embodiment motor assembly503is powered from a connection to a seven-way plug on the towing vehicle. Of course, a four-way plug on the towing vehicle may also be used to provide power to motor assembly503. However, other power sources may be used in alternative embodiments, including one or more batteries, electrical generators, hydraulic systems, and/or pneumatic systems. Motor assembly503may be connected to a control device, such that motor assembly503can be controlled wirelessly. Wireless control can be achieved using a variety of devices, such as a remote control or a smartphone, or a control system carried by the towing vehicle. In case of wireless connection failure, the trailer hitch501may be controlled manually, as well. Because motor assembly503is powered from a seven-way plug under the alternative embodiment, an optional adapter may be included, that allows for additional connections, such as trailers, to be made to the seven-way plug. Trailer hitch501also includes plugs546that are designed as placeholders for additional optional features. Plugs546may be replaced with any additional desired feature such as a Bluetooth device, a camera, additional plugs/connection points, or numerous other devices in alternative embodiments of the present invention. A camera or multiple cameras could be added to the present invention in alternative embodiments, with multiple viewpoints, so as to aid the user of the present invention in alignment of the trailer hitch. While plugs546provide one example location of the above described devices, it should be appreciated that the devices may be attached in various other locations on trailer hitch501to achieve a more desirable appearance or functionality.

Motor assembly503includes a drive motor526, a gear box528, a drive shaft530, a thrust bushing532, bushing533, and a load sleeve534(seeFIG.6B). Drive shaft530is preferably an ACME screw, but may also be a ball screw. In any embodiment, one or more lubrication ports may be used to apply lubricant at sleeve534, bushing532/533, and other locations to reduce friction and wear. Bushing534is preferably made of brass and is fastened to hitch locking assembly508, such that rotation of drive shaft530causes hitch locking assembly508to move up and down along drive shaft530. Drive shaft530bears against and is aligned by thrust bushing532. Thrust bushing532is carried by hitch base plate515. Motor assembly503drives drive shaft530, which moves hitch locking assembly508to position ball505at a desired height.

In the preferred embodiment, backing plate513includes a back plate member and a backing plate guide surface (not shown), similar to backing plate113. Backing plate guide surface is preferably made of made of an Ultra High Molecular Weight (UHMW) polyethylene or nylon material to reduce friction and allow for smooth movement of hitch locking assembly508along adjustable hitch base507. Hitch locking assembly508also includes one or more rollers544(seeFIG.9), preferably two on each side of hitch locking assembly508, that roll within guide tracks510of adjustable hitch base507to align and guide hitch lock assembly508relative to adjustable hitch base507. It will be appreciated that movement along adjustable hitch base507may be controlled using other methods, such as ball bearings, roller disks, and other alignment devices.

Referring now also toFIGS.6A-6Bin the drawings, additional views of the trailer hitch501are illustrated.FIG.6Aillustrates a front view of the trailer hitch501. The “front view” is the view from the perspective of behind the trailer hitch looking towards the vehicle.FIG.6Abest illustrates an example positioning of trailer hitch501while locking device509is secured by the associated pins in a desired location. It should be appreciated that locking device509may be configured such that pins, or other locking devices, may be inserted from a single side or from both sides.FIG.6Bis a cross-sectional view, taken at point A-A ofFIG.6A.FIG.6Bbest illustrates the positioning of drive shaft530and the components used in conjunction with drive shaft530, such as bushing532/533and sleeve534.

Referring now also toFIGS.7A-8in the drawings, additional views of the trailer hitch501are illustrated.FIG.7Ais a side view of trailer hitch501, which best illustrates the overall shape and dimensions of the present embodiment of trailer hitch501.FIG.7Abest illustrates the spacing of apertures511, which provide the potential mounting locations of hitch lock assembly508.FIG.7Bis a cross sectional view of trailer hitch501, taken at point C-C ofFIG.7A.FIG.7Bbest illustrates the overall size and shape of the preferred embodiment of trailer hitch with501from a top perspective. Hitch locking assembly508is shown having a rounded shape on the end closest to threaded hitch ball505. It should be appreciated that this shape may change depending on the desired connection to a trailer.FIG.8best illustrates a similar top perspective of the features of the present invention, without making the cut illustrated by the cross-sectional view ofFIG.7B.

Referring now also toFIG.9in the drawings, a partial cut out view of the trailer hitch501is illustrated.FIG.9best illustrates the side view of the trailer hitch501, while also integrating the detail ofFIG.6Bto further illustrate the embodiment being described in this application.FIG.9best illustrates rollers544, and how the rollers544are seated within guide tracks510. As described above, it should be appreciated that alternative devices to rollers544may be used while still maintaining the functionality illustrated here.

Referring now also toFIG.10in the drawings, a cross sectional view of trailer hitch501is illustrated.FIG.10best illustrates a top view perspective taken from the interior of the trailer hitch501. As such,FIG.10best allows for the interior layout to be seen, specifically the seating of rollers544and the positioning of drive shaft530relative to the other components present. Similarly discussed above, it should be appreciated that alternative embodiments may have modified shapes and sizing to allow for integration with a multitude of vehicles and devices.