Trailer Hitch with Hold-Down Retainer

A trailer hitch with hold-down retainer is a device used to prevent a trailer from separating from a vehicle to which the trailer is attached. The device includes an elongated mounting arm that is inserted into a trailer hitch receiver. The device includes a ball platform that is joined to the elongated mounting arm by a connector arm. A hitch ball is mounted to the ball platform and serves as a mounting point for a trailer coupler to be attached to the present invention. A retainer assembly featuring a hold-down is utilized to physically prevent the trailer coupler from separating from the hitch ball. The hold-down is offset from the hitch ball by a specified distance, enabling the hold-down to secure the trailer coupler in place.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a trailer hitch. More specifically, the present invention is a trailer hitch with hold-down retainer that prevents a trailer from separating from a vehicle to which the trailer is attached.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Trailer hitches are typically utilized when securing a trailer or vehicle for transportation. A trailer hitch may be attached to the chassis of a vehicle in order to provide a mounting point for a trailer or vehicle. A common type of trailer hitch is a ball-type hitch that may be secured to a trailer coupler. The ball-type hitch enables an attached trailer or vehicle to swivel, pivot, and otherwise move during transit. It is important that a trailer hitch remains level for safety and security. One of the most common safety issues related to trailer hitches is the possibility of a trailer uncoupling and separating from a trailer hitch. Because of the inherent danger of separation of the trailer from the trailer hitch, a means of securing the trailer in place on the trailer hitch is often desirable.

The present invention is a trailer hitch with hold-down retainer that is utilized to prevent a trailer from separating from a trailer hitch. The present invention prevents a trailer coupler that is mounted to a vehicle trailer hitch from separating from the trailer hitch. The present invention may be utilized with a wide variety of vehicles.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a trailer hitch with hold-down retainer. The present invention prevents the separation of a trailer from a trailer hitch that is mounted to a vehicle. Multiple embodiments of the present invention are shown inFIGS. 1-14. The present invention comprises an elongated mounting arm1, a connector arm3, a ball platform4, a hitch ball5, and a retainer assembly6.

The elongated mounting arm1is an elongated member that may be engaged into a trailer hitch receiver. The connector arm3joins the elongated mounting arm1to the ball platform4. The connector arm3is terminally connected to the elongated mounting arm1and is positioned away from the end of the elongated mounting arm1that is inserted into a trailer hitch receiver. The ball platform4serves as a mounting point for the hitch ball5. The ball platform4is terminally connected to the connector arm3, opposite to the elongated mounting arm1. As such, the ball platform4is positioned away from the vehicle to which the present invention is secured. The ball platform4is oriented parallel to the elongated mounting arm1, ensuring that a mounted trailer remains level with the ground when the elongated mounting arm1is inserted into a trailer hitch receiver. The hitch ball5serves as a mounting point onto which a trailer coupler may be secured. The hitch ball5is mounted to the ball platform4, providing a mounting point that is positioned away from the elongated mounting arm1and the vehicle to which the present invention is secured.

The retainer assembly6is utilized to prevent a trailer coupler from separating from the hitch ball5after a trailer has been secured to the present invention. The retainer assembly6is mounted in between the elongated mounting arm1and the hitch ball5. The retainer assembly6thus does not interfere with the ability to insert the elongated mounting arm1into a trailer hitch receiver. The retainer assembly6comprises a hold-down7that is used to physically prevent a trailer coupler from separating from the hitch ball5. The hold-down7is offset from the hitch ball5by a specified distance18, providing sufficient space for the trailer coupler to be secured to the hitch ball5. The hold-down7may be adjusted in order to secure the trailer coupler in place on the hitch ball5and prevent separation.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 5andFIG. 6, the connector arm3is removably connected to the elongated mounting arm1. The position of the connector arm3relative to the elongated mounting arm1may thus be adjusted. The present invention further comprises a clevis pin14that is utilized to secure the connector arm3within the perpendicular sleeve2. The elongated mounting arm1comprises a perpendicular sleeve2that accommodates the connector arm3. The connector arm3is mounted into the perpendicular sleeve2, enabling the connector arm3to slide within the perpendicular sleeve2. The clevis pin14laterally traverses through the perpendicular sleeve2and the connector arm3. The clevis pin14is thus able to hold the connector arm3in place within the perpendicular sleeve2.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIGS. 7-10, the hold-down7comprises a linear portion8and a curved portion9. The retainer assembly6further comprises a sheath10that is utilized to accommodate the hold-down7. The connector arm3is oriented at an obtuse angle15to the elongated mounting arm1, positioning the ball platform4and the hitch ball5away from the elongated mounting arm1. The sheath10is positioned on the connector arm3, positioning the hold-down7in between the elongated mounting arm1and the hitch ball5. Additionally, the sheath10is oriented perpendicular to the elongated mounting arm1, enabling the hold-down7to be positioned and oriented to prevent a trailer coupler from separating from the hitch ball5. The linear portion8is removably engaged into the sheath10, while the curved portion9is oriented toward the hitch ball5. The curved portion9is thus able to hold a trailer coupler in place once the trailer coupler is engaged to the hitch ball5. The present invention further comprises a lock pin16that is utilized to secure the hold-down7in place within the sheath10. The lock pin16laterally traverses through the sheath10and the linear portion8, holding the linear portion8in place within the sheath10.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIGS. 11-14, the retainer assembly6further comprises a mounting bracket11and a slipper arm12. The mounting bracket11is utilized to secure the slipper arm12to the connector arm3, while the slipper arm12is utilized to position the hold-down7above the hitch ball5. The connector arm3is oriented at an obtuse angle15to the elongated mounting arm1, positioning the ball platform4and the hitch ball5away from the elongated mounting arm1. The mounting bracket11is mounted to the connector arm3, in between the elongated mounting arm1and the hitch ball5, allowing the retainer assembly6to be positioned in between the elongated mounting arm1and the hitch ball5. The slipper arm12is terminally mounted within the mounting bracket11, opposite to the connector arm3. The slipper arm12is thus offset from the ball platform4and the hitch ball5, allowing a trailer coupler to be engaged to the hitch ball5before being secured in place. The hold-down7is mounted for longitudinal movement into the slipper arm12, enabling the hold-down7to be moved toward and away from the hitch ball5as needed.

With continued reference to the embodiment of the present invention inFIGS. 11-14, the present invention further comprises a stabilizing plate17. The stabilizing plate17is utilized to secure the mounting bracket11to the connector arm3and prevent unwanted movement. The stabilizing plate17is connected within the mounting bracket11, providing a surface that may be placed into contact with the connector arm3. The stabilizing plate17is oriented parallel to the connector arm3, ensuring that the stabilizing plate17may be pressed against the connector arm3and secured in place when the mounting bracket11is connected to the connector arm3. The present invention further comprises a clevis pin14that is utilized to secure the slipper arm12to the mounting bracket11. The clevis pin14traverses through the mounting bracket11and the slipper arm12, fastening the slipper arm12in place on the mounting bracket11.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIGS. 1-4, the retainer assembly6further comprises a base mount13, a mounting bracket11, and a slipper arm12. The base mount13serves to secure the mounting bracket11to the ball platform4while the mounting bracket11is utilized to hold the slipper arm12. The connector arm3is oriented at an obtuse angle15to the elongated mounting arm1, positioning the ball platform4and the hitch ball5away from the elongated mounting arm1. The base mount13is mounted to the ball platform4and serves as a mounting point for the mounting bracket11. The hitch ball5is removably mounted to the base mount13through the ball platform4, securing the hitch ball5in place within the ball platform4while allowing the hitch ball5to be removed if needed. The mounting bracket11is removably mounted to the base mount13, allowing the mounting bracket11to be separated from the base mount13as needed. The slipper arm12is terminally mounted within the mounting bracket11, opposite to the base mount13. The slipper arm12is thus offset from the hitch ball5. The hold-down7is mounted for longitudinal movement into the slipper arm12, allowing the hold-down7to be moved toward and away from the hitch ball5as needed.

With continued reference to the embodiment of the present invention inFIGS. 1-4, the present invention further comprises a stabilizing plate17. The stabilizing plate17secures the mounting bracket11to the ball platform4and prevents unwanted movement between the mounting bracket11and the connector arm3. The stabilizing plate17is connected within the mounting bracket11, providing a surface that may be placed into contact with the connector arm3. The stabilizing plate17is oriented parallel to the connector arm3, allowing the stabilizing plate17to be pressed against the connector arm3and secured in place when the mounting bracket11is connected to the connector arm3. The present invention further comprises a clevis pin14that secures the slipper arm12to the mounting bracket11. The clevis pin14traverses through the mounting bracket11and the slipper arm12, fastening the slipper arm12in place on the mounting bracket11.