Abstract:
A compact, lightweight hitch-coupling tool that can lift, move, and align a hitch-head assembly by trapping the hitch ball between a pair of wedge shaped, gripping prongs and an opposing pair of interchangeable plates. The mass of hitch head assembly is evenly distributed through the center of the head of the tool allowing a user to easily maneuver large hitch-head assemblies with one hand.

Description:
CLAIM OF DOMESTIC PRIORITY 
     This application incorporates by reference herein and claims of the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 120 of U.S. provisional application No. 61/730,339 filed Nov. 27, 2012 and U.S. utility application Ser. No. 14/049,036 filed Oct. 8, 2013. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a lifting tool for a hitch coupler, specifically a device to safely, and ergonomically grasp the lower ball portion of a hitch ball mount. 
     Anyone who has ever had to couple a trailer hitch to the receiver of their towing vehicle knows that it can be a cumbersome, dirty, and often a frustrating task. In the case of large loads, such as RVs, boats, equestrian trailers, which can be hard to maneuver in a safe and controlled manner, a weight distribution hitch is required to improve the towing vehicle&#39;s ability to brake, steer, and turn, preventing dangerous out-of-control driving situations. Unfortunately, the combination of an adjustable weight distribution shank and adjustable ball mount, results in a heavy hitch-head assembly, with an awkward center of mass, which is difficult to pick up, move, and insert into the receiver on a towing vehicle. Add in a lubricated hitch ball, and now not only is the hitch-head assembly awkward and heavy, it is also slippery. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     At the heart of the present invention is a tool for lifting and maneuvering a hitch-coupling that allows the user to easily pick up a hitch-head assembly by the attached hitch ball and efficiently maneuver that assembly in and out of the vehicle receiver or from the receiver to a remote location for storage. The hitch-coupling tool will accommodate any hitch ball size, making it universal. When the hitch-coupling tool is attached to the hitch ball, the center of mass of the hitch-head assembly/tool is shifted through the center of the head of the hitch-coupling tool, making the hitch-head assembly easier to carry and maneuver. Should the towing vehicle have limited space around the receiver, the hitch-coupling tool is pivotable about the hitch ball, allowing the user to move the tool handle out of the way of the towing vehicle&#39;s bumper. The hitch-coupling tool of the present invention is lightweight and easy to use, allowing a broader range of individuals to move and install the hitch-head assembly of a weight distribution hitch. The hitch-coupling tool of the present invention firmly grips the hitch ball of the hitch-head assembly, preventing rotation of the hitch-head. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the hitch-coupling tool of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the hitch-coupling tool of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of hitch-coupling tool of the present invention with the interchangeable coupling plates removed; 
         FIG. 4  is a left-side view of the hitch-coupling tool of the present invention engaged with a hitch ball, wherein the interchangeable coupling plates have been removed; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of an interchangeable coupling plate of the present invention 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a nut/bolt assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the hitch-coupling tool of the present invention engaged with a phantom hitch ball; 
         FIG. 8  is a left-side view of the hitch-coupling tool of the present invention engaged with a phantom hitch ball; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the hitch-coupling tool of the present invention engaged with a hitch ball; 
         FIG. 10  is a rear view of the hitch-coupling tool of the present invention engaged with a phantom hitch ball; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the hitch-coupling tool of the present invention engaged with a phantom hitch ball; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective, partial view of the carbide inserts; 
         FIG. 13  is a side cross sectional view taken with a phantom hitch ball showing the contact points with the carbide inserts; and 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective, partial view of the shallow ball channel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The term hitch coupling or coupler are used interchangeably. As used herein these terms mean a device for connecting a towable device (any form of trailer) to a motorized vehicle. The hitch coupling has a ball (also called a ball hitch) adjacent one end that extends vertically from the hitch coupling and is sized to matingly engage a hitch receiver on the towable device. The second end of the hitch coupling is configured to extend into the vehicles trailer hitch and be secured by a hitch pin. 
     The term “planar cavity” as used herein refers to an open planar space, (i.e. a plane having a thickness) that would be the volume contained between the plane of the first face of the head of the tool and the second face of the head of the tool, and bounded by the concavity of the crescent shaped head. 
     The term “open” planar cavity as used herein refers to a planar cavity wherein the concavity of the tool head is open between the two ends of the crescent configuration. 
     Looking at  FIGS. 1 &amp; 11  the hitch-coupling tool  10  of the present invention is illustrated. It is planar in configuration. Hitch-coupling tool  10  comprises a linear handle  4  with a blunt first end  6 , an angled second end  8  and an ergonomic finger groove  5  formed as a concave hollowed out section along the longitudinal length of both sides of the handle  4 . Blunt end  6  is designed to simply be as unobtrusive as possible to avoid interfering with the bumper of the towing vehicle. A mounting orifice  12  resides therethrough the handle  4  adjacent to second end  8 . The handle  4  has a necked down region  14  adjacent the first end  6  that connects handle  4  to planar head (claw)  18 . This necked down region extends normally (at 90 degrees) from the longitudinal axis of the handle  4 . As illustrated head  18  has an asymmetrical crescent or generally “C” shaped design. It is to be noted that this is not a circular design. Gripping orifice  16  is formed therethough the necked down region of the handle. This serves to both reduce the tool&#39;s total weight and provides an additional grip for lifting directly above the mass of the hitch coupling. A user&#39;s fingers can be inserted through gripping orifice  16  should the user desire or need to use both hands when using tool  10  to move or manipulate a heavy hitch-head assembly. 
     As illustrated, handle  4  and head  18  form a unitary body for both durability and ease of manufacture. However, the handle  4 , the handle&#39;s necked down region  14  and the head  18  could be constructed independently of one another and mechanically fastened together without departing from the scope of the invention. Handle  4 , and head  18  can be comprised of any durable lightweight material, such as, but not limited to: glass-filled nylon, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or any durable polymer. The material of choice may be non marring to prevent potential damage to the surrounding vehicle&#39;s bumper. 
     Looking at  FIGS. 2-4  it can seen be that head  18  has a first planar face  19  and a second parallel planar face  21  ( FIG. 3 ) Inner shoulder  23  lies between first face  19  and second face  21  (See  FIG. 3 ) and defines the thickness of the tool. Shoulder  23  lies generally perpendicular to both the first and second faces and the linear axis of the tools handle  4 . Numerous recessed channels  37  on first face  19  and second face  21  add both a unique design element while also reducing the weight of tool  10  ( FIG. 4 ). In  FIG. 2-3  it can be seen that the crescent shape of head  18  is not symmetrical, rather each of its ends are non arced and have different length linear sections terminating at the first crescent end  96  and second crescent end  98 . Since there is nothing between the first crescent end  96  and the second crescent end  98  the concavity of the head is open and the planar cavity formed therein (as discussed above) is opem. The shorter of the linear sections forms the short-coupling arm  20  terminating at the second crescent end  98  and the longer of the linear sections forms long-coupling arm  22  terminating at the first crescent end  98 . There are interchangeable coupling plates  24  that have the same contour as the head  18  and are affixed mechanically to both the first and second faces of the head  18 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2  these coupling plates  24  are removably connected to first face  19  and second face  21  via four nut/bolt assemblies  26 , ( FIG. 6 ) which pass through plate orifices  28  and connect within head orifices  30  as is well known in the art. There is a plethora of other styles of removable mechanical fastenings that could accomplish this feature as is well known in the art. 
     Still looking at  FIGS. 2-4  short-coupling arm  20  and long-coupling arm  22  form an open-ended, hitch ball grabbing plane  31  within the concavity of the crescent geometry. The unique geometry of both short-coupling arm  20  and long-coupling arm  22  are designed to work in unison to provide the most stability when tool  10  is in the loaded position (i.e. connected to a hitch ball). This is because they will reside at two different vertical elevations approximately 180 degrees apart about the lower hemisphere of the hitch ball  100  when in use. Two replaceable gripping prongs  32  extend from short-coupling arm  20 . and by virtue of their spacing (the spacing between individual prongs), it is the inside corner  58  of each gripping prong  32  that contacts hitch ball  100 . Because of the weight of the hitch ball  100  and attached hitch-head assembly (not illustrated), the inside corner of the gripping prongs  32  slightly indent hitch ball  100  “biting” into hitch ball  100 , to aid in securing hitch ball  100  within the hitch ball grabbing plane  31  (and the hitch-head to which hitch ball  100  is attached). This is best illustrated in  FIG. 13 . The “bite” by gripping prongs  32  keep tool  10  from rotating under load, and provide the only contact surface for hitch ball  100  on short-coupling arm  20 . Gripping prongs  32 , can be made of any durable material, including but not limited to tungsten carbide, steel, stainless steel, or a durable polymer, but it is to be noted that in the preferred embodiment the gripping prongs  32  are made of a material that is harder than the metal of the hitch ball  100 , preferably in the Rockwell C hardness scale greater than 55. 
     Looking at  FIG. 12  it can be seen that the gripping prongs  32  are replaceable planar, wedge shaped bits or inserts that are retained by their enlarged insertion (rear) end&#39;s  52  geometry fit into a matingly configured recess formed in the short-coupling arm  20  (not illustrated). Their front face  54  has a rectangular, blunt planar configuration that meets their top and bottom planar faces  56  at a slightly obtuse angle (less than 100 degrees) and their tapered planar side faces  50  at a maximum of 90 degrees plus or minus 10 degrees. The resultant wedge configuration has a sharp top inside corner  58 . This may be enhanced by the manipulation of the angle the gripping prongs  32  are anchored in the short coupling arm  20 , as would be well known in the industry as “toeing in.” The gripping prongs  32  are further constrained within the recess by coupling plates  24 . 
     Looking at  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 14 , it can be seen that inner shoulder  23 , in the region of the long-coupling arm  22  on the head  18 , has a shallow ball-channel  38  in which a small section of hitch ball  100  can rest, as is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . This channel  38  is a concave groove that lies perpendicular to the first and second faces  19  and  21  of the head. At the long-coupling arm  22  end of the head  18  beyond the shallow ball-channel  38  there is a clearance groove  34  and a neck-abutment extension. The clearance groove  34  and neck-abutment extension allow for the gripping prongs to be able to contact the ball  100  before any other part of the head  18  except for the shallow ball-channel  38 . Both the shallow ball channel  38  and the gripping prongs  32  contact the spherical lower hemisphere of said hitch ball  100 . As can be seen, the preferred embodiment of planar tool  10  uses a three contact point, hitch ball suspension system arranged adjacent the opposing ends of the tool&#39;s planar, asymmetrical crescent shaped head  18 . Two of the contact points lie adjacent first crescent end  96  and the remaining contact point lies adjacent the second crescent end  98 . Because of the planar nature of the tool  10  and its crescent shaped head  18 , the opposing first and second crescent ends  96  and  98  with their contact points, reside 180 degrees apart about the surface of a hitch ball when centered and lifted. 
     Looking at  FIGS. 1 &amp; 11  it can be seen that the planar faces of optional coupling plates  24 , are dimensionally scaled to be larger than the planar first face  19  and planar second face  21  of the head  18 , such that when coupling plates  24  are connected to these sides of the head  18 , the coupling plates  24  extend equally beyond all the side peripheral edges of faces  19  and  21 . Specific coupling plates  24  to accommodate different sized hitch balls have lengthened regions at their ends as is discussed herein. While the coupling plates  24  are optional and are not required for tool  10  to engage hitch ball  100  and allow a user to carry a load-leveling hitch-head, coupling plates  24  are designed to increase the rigidity of tool  10  and prevent the crescent shaped head to “open up” or twist under excessive load, should the tool be made of a lightweight material such as glass filled nylon. However, it is to be noted that this alternate embodiment with the coupling plates  24  installed on the head  18  do aid in retaining the hitch ball  100  within the confines of the head  18 . 
     In models of the hitch-coupling tool  10  wherein the coupling plates reside flush with the edge of head  18  (first face  19 , and second face  21 ), there would be a  3  point “grip” on the hitch ball. As used herein “point” could also include a “region” of contact and is not restricted to one physical point. 
     A accommodate all standard sized hitch balls, a user can simply use larger or smaller coupling plates to accommodate different sized hitch balls. Using correspondingly sized coupling plate  24 , tool  10  can accommodate three sizes of hitch balls 1⅞″, 2″, and 2 and 5/16″. Turning to  FIG. 5  it can be seen that section  40  of plate  24  corresponds geometrically to the lower section of long-coupling arm  22 . Section  40  can simply be lengthened (resulting in a smaller opening  42 ) to accommodate a smaller hitch ball  100 . For ease of manufacture, the placement of plate orifices  28  are not altered in making different sized plates  24  to accommodate different sized hitch balls. The portion of plate material between orifice  28  and blunt end  44  of section  40  is manufactured to be longer or shorter depending on the hitch ball sizing. When coupling plates  24  are connected to first face  19  and second face  21  of head  18 , hitch ball  100  will contact gripping prongs  32  on short-coupling arm  20  and will rest in plate notches  46  in coupling plates  24 . Due to the separation between the inner faces of plates  24  when installed on a head  18 , and the spherical geometry of the hitch ball  100 , plates  24  add four additional contact points on the hitch ball in conjunction with the two gripping prongs  32  and the shallow ball channel  38  to garner a 7-point “grip” on the hitch ball&#39;s lower hemisphere. 
     Coupling plates  24  can be made of any durable material including but not limited to steel or stainless steel. 
     In operation the hitch-coupling tool  10  is simply slid over the hitch ball  100  and positioned at an approximate 90 degree angle with the hitch ball  100  as is illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The user is now ready to lift the hitch-head assembly.