Abstract:
An ATV trailer hitch assembly is disclosed. The ATV trailer hitch assembly includes a tongue assembly and an adjustment assembly. The tongue assembly and adjustment assembly are operable for improved cornering and uneven terrain compensation for an ATV trailer using the ATV trailer hitch assembly.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to a trailer hitch assembly and more particularly to an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) utility trailer hitch assembly with improved leveling characteristics.  
         [0002]     ATVs equipped with a trailer are commonly used in hunting, farming, landscaping, gardening and the like. A plethora of trailer hitches have been designed for these and related trailers.  
         [0003]     ATV trailers must be capable of successfully traversing a wide range of terrain, especially un-cleared land and the trailer hitch plays an important role in this successful traversing. ATV trailers are generally no wider than the towing ATV and both the trailer and the trailer hitch must be tough enough to take substantial abuse while carrying considerable loads of non-uniform size and weight over a variety of terrains.  
         [0004]     The problem with conventional trailer hitches is that they are not designed to allow the trailer wheels to compensate for uneven terrain and to effectively track behind the ATV as it navigates around trees and bushes.  
         [0005]     Examples of patents related to trailer hitches include the following:  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,049, issued to David A. Gibson, on Mar. 20, 2001, discloses a terrain following hitch which mounts on a tractor draw bar by a pin, and which allows an implement being towed to move in three planes, independent of the tractor. The hitch includes three hinges, and a draw bar attachment tube which fits over the draw bar of a tractor, and transmits force to the walls of the draw bar, instead of into the pin and pin holes. The hitch reduces wear on implements and hitch connections.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,877,758, issued to Vincent Colistro, on Apr. 12, 2005, discloses a hitch extension apparatus for attaching an implement with a PTO driven drive shaft having front and rear universal joints to a tractor drawbar. The apparatus comprises a first member adapted for attachment to the tractor drawbar by insertion of a drawbar pin through the drawbar such that the first member is fixed with respect to the drawbar. An extension member is pivotally attached to the first member about a horizontal pitch axis oriented perpendicular to the travel direction, and about a horizontal roll axis oriented parallel to the operating travel direction. The extension member defines a pivotal attachment location rearward of the draw pin hole adapted for pivotal attachment of the implement about a vertical yaw axis located equidistant from the front and rear universal joints when the drive shaft is connected to the tractor power take off. The pitch axis can be located forward of the yaw axis, and forward of the draw pin hole in order to reduce bending forces on the drawbar.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,181, issued to Mark R. Kamunen, on Jun. 7, 2005, discloses a hitch device for use with a pulling vehicle and a trailer, including a first hitch arm and a second upwardly directed hitch arm. At a second end of the second upwardly directed hitch arm is a joint allowing rotation about at least two axes. The hitch device positions the joint a pre-selected vertical and horizontal distance from the pulling vehicle and a hitch receiving structure connected thereto. The hitch device may be used with a trailer having first and second diverters encouraging the trailer to move about a tree or other shrub.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,867, issued to John J. Kass, Philip K. Hoopes and Wayne E. Sousley, on Dec. 27, 1994, discloses a weight distributing hitch for towing a trailer behind a vehicle includes a hitch bar for mounting to the vehicle and a ball mount head for mounting on the hitch bar at a selected tilt angle. A pair of spring bars is mounted to the ball mount head. These spring bars distribute the weight of the trailer relative to the vehicle. Each spring bar is substantially L-shaped and includes a turned groove at a proximal end received in a cooperating aperture in the ball mount head. A retainer of spring steel engages in the grooves to hold the spring bars in position. The relative tilt angle of the ball mount head is adjusted by means of an eccentric angle adjusting element in the form of a washer. This washer is fixed to one of the ball mount head or hitch bar and includes a cam surface for engaging the other of the two elements. A method of adjusting the tilt angle is also provided.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,647, issued to Ronald D. Eberle, on Jan. 17, 1995, discloses an apparatus comprising a front mower driven by a self propelled all terrain vehicle to the rear of the mower and connected by an articulating hitch. The hitch includes a pair of spaced pivot mechanisms to allow the mower to pivot from front to rear relative to the all terrain vehicle and a third pivot mechanism to allow the mower to rotate about a horizontal axis from side to side such that the mower is driven by the all terrain vehicle, but is free to follow the contour of the ground being traversed by the apparatus independent of the all terrain vehicle.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,072, issued to Dennis D. Hopper, on Jan. 13, 1998, discloses a receiver hitch system for all-terrain sport vehicles includes a rigid mast assembly attaching to a two-point receiver hitch at the rear of the vehicle. A lower receiver hitch is attached to a non-suspended axle of the ATV, and an upper receiver hitch attaches to a suspended frame of the ATV, so that the rear suspension cannot operate, and loads on the mast assembly are borne directly by the axles and wheels. Lifting masts with booms, hunting platforms, and cargo boxes may be supported by the mast assembly.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,275, issued to Gary Cross and Ken Sloan, on May 5, 1998, discloses a three-point hitch for an ATV comprising a mounting frame which is attached to the axle housing of the ATV. The mounting frame is supported on the tongue hitch of the ATV and is attached to the body of the ATV so that the rear suspension of the ATV is locked-out. The multiple-point hitch is operatively secured to the mounting frame and is raised and lowered by means of an electromechanical screw actuator. The multiple-points of the hitch are free to float, in some situations, with respect to the mounting frame and the ATV.  
         [0013]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,417, issued to Danny C. Weaver, on Mar. 14, 2000, discloses a stabilizing arm for stabilizing and securing an all-terrain vehicle in the bed of a pickup truck, which stabilizing arm includes in a preferred adjustable embodiment, a support typically selectively pivotally or rotatably and slidably disposed in a support sleeve mounted on a drawbar typically fitted to a conventional truck trailer hitch. A support arm projects from the top end of the support and terminates in a fixed or pivotable ball coupler designed to couple to an ATV ball attached to the all-terrain vehicle. In a preferred embodiment a clamp is threaded in the typically box tubing support sleeve and selectively engages the box tubing support for securing the support in non-sliding relationship with respect to the support sleeve. A cylindrical support leg is secured to the bottom end of the support to facilitate uncoupling the ball coupler from the ATV ball, lifting the support in the support sleeve upon loosening the clamp, aligning the cylindrical support leg with the support sleeve and pivoting or rotating and lowering the support and support arm into a position below the plane of the truck bed and allow loading and unloading the all-terrain vehicle. In a non-adjustable embodiment, the stabilizing arm includes a support, support arm and drawbar that are fixed with respect to each other.  
         [0014]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,794, issued to Dennis H. Hancock and Jeffrey D. Hancock, on Mar. 25, 2003, discloses a tow hitch for all-terrain vehicles including an attachment leg with a hole therethrough for bolting of the attachment leg to a draw bar of the vehicle, a tow ball support leg with a pair of aligned, spaced apart holes adjacent to one end of the support leg and a tow ball having a threaded stem inserted through the one of said holes remote from the one end of the support leg to receive a nut thereon and structure to connect the attachment leg and the support leg in an offset relationship and with one structure connecting the attachment leg to the support leg comprising an insert box carried by the attachment leg and a box extension carried by the support leg and lockable into the insert box.  
         [0015]     While these patents and other previous methods have attempted to solve the problem to which they were directed, none have employed a design that enables a combination of improved cornering and uneven terrain compensation.  
         [0016]     Therefore, a need exists for an ATV trailer hitch assembly that is enabled for improved cornering and uneven terrain compensation of a trailer so equipped.  
         [0017]     The foregoing patent and other information reflect the state of the art of which the inventor is aware and are tendered with a view toward discharging the inventor&#39;s acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be pertinent to the patentability of the present invention. It is respectfully stipulated, however, that the foregoing patent and other information do not teach or render obvious, singly or when considered in combination, the inventor&#39;s claimed invention.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new ATV trailer hitch with improved cornering and uneven terrain compensation. The present invention is intended to be used with trailer that is towed behind an ATV or similar method of transport. The present invention is comprised of a tongue assembly and an adjustment assembly.  
         [0019]     The tongue assembly is comprised of an external tongue having two internal tongues inserted within a cavity in the external tongue. A threaded bolt is inserted within the two internal tongues and terminates with a zinc washer adjacent to a nut held with a cotter key that is inserted through a hole in the external tongue and emerges through a corresponding hole on the other side of the external tongue. A brass washer is on the thereafter bolt at the space between ends of the two internal tongues.  
         [0020]     The adjustment assembly is comprised of a receiver insert tube, a height adjusting bracket, a receiver mounting bracket, bolts with lock nuts, and holes for the bolts with lock nuts.  
         [0021]     One advantage of the present invention is to provide a device that enables a trailer corner closely with an ATV when going around trees and bushes.  
         [0022]     Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a device that can be used with an ATV trailer that is cost effective.  
         [0023]     Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a device that can be used with an ATV trailer that is easy to use.  
         [0024]     Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a device that can be used with an ATV trailer that can be reused many times.  
         [0025]     Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an assembly process for making the invention which uses readily available materials and components.  
         [0026]     Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a method for using the invention that is easy to learn.  
         [0027]     Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be obtained by means of instrumentalities in combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.  
         [0028]     The basis for the present invention is centered on a hitch for a trailer used behind an ATV.  
         [0029]     The disclosed trailer hitch assembly pertains to use with all-terrain-vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly includes features which allow a trailer to track closely with the ATV as it goes around trees, bushes and large rocks. The trailer hitch assembly also includes features which allow a trailer to adjust quickly to differences in terrain underneath the right side and left side of a trailer.  
         [0030]     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features and benefits of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
         [0031]     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0032]     The accompanying drawings illustrate a complete embodiment of the invention according to the best modes so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:  
         [0033]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an ATV trailer hitch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a left side plan view of an ATV trailer hitch assembly in an extended position according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of an ATV trailer hitch assembly in a non-extended position according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of an ATV trailer hitch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a portion of an ATV trailer hitch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is a left side plan view of the adjustment assembly portion of an ATV trailer hitch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0039]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of a portion of an ATV trailer hitch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0040]      FIG. 8  is a right side plan view of the adjustment assembly portion of an ATV trailer hitch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0041]      FIG. 9  is a partial plan view of a portion of an ATV trailer hitch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0042]      FIG. 10  is a rear plan view of an ATV trailer hitch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0043]     Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.  
         [0044]     Referring now to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 10 , a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The present invention is comprised of a tongue assembly and an adjustment assembly.  
         [0045]     The tongue assembly is comprised of external tongue  010 , internal tongue-A  020 , internal tongue-B  030 , collar  040 , slot  050 , cap screw  060 , spring locking pin  070 , brass washer  080 , zinc washer  090  nut  110 , cotter key  120 , bolt  130 , first hole  140 , tap  150 , second hole  160 , bore  170 , third hole  180 , fourth hole  190 , spring locking pin bracket spacer  251 , spring locking pin mounting plate  252  and eighth hole  253 .  
         [0046]     The adjustment assembly is comprised of receiver insert tube  200 , height adjusting bracket  210 , receiver mounting bracket  220 , bolts with lock nuts  230 , fifth hole  240 , sixth hole  250  and seventh hole  100 .  
         [0047]     The preferred embodiment of the invention is made as follows: 
    1. Weld external tongue  010  to receiver mounting bracket  220      2. Drill second hole-A  160 -A all the way through internal tongue-A  020      3. Drill second hole-B  160 -B all the way through internal tongue-B  030      4. Create bore  170  in Collar  040      5. Weld Collar  040  to internal tongue-A  020      6. Mill slot  050  slot to proper length in external tongue  010      7. Install tap  150  into internal tongue-B  030      8. Thread cap screw  060  into  030  and travels in slot  050      9. Insert bolt  130  in internal tongue-A  020      10. Install brass washer  080  on bolt  130      11. Insert bolt  130  in internal tongue-B  030      12. Create seventh hold  100  in receiver insert tube  200      13. Drill first hole  140  through bolt  130      14. Install zinc washer  090  onto bolt  130      15. Threat nut  110  onto bolt  130      16. Install cotter key  120  through nut  110  and bolt  130      17. Drill third hole  180  hole for spring locking pin  070      18. Fourth hole  190  attaches to the ATV trailer bed by means of bolt, nut and washer     19. Weld receiver insert tub  200  to receiver mounting bracket  220      20. Install fifth hole  240  into height adjusting bracket  210      21. Install bolts with lock nuts  230  into receiver mounting bracket  220  and fifth hole  240      22. Install sixth hole  250  into receiver mounting bracket  220      23. Weld spring locking pin bracket spacer  251  to external tongue  010      24. Weld spring locking pin mounting plate  252  to spring locking pin bracket spacer  251      25. Weld spring locking pin  070  to spring locking pin mounting plate  252 .    
 
         [0073]     The preferred method of using this embodiment of the invention is comprised of the following steps. 
    1. Install fourth hole  190  to an ATV trailer bed by means of at least one bolt, nut and washer     2. Insert receiver insert tube  200  in ATV Receiver     3. Install ⅝′ bolt and pin provided with ATV     4. Pull spring locking pin  070      5. Telescope tongue assembly out.     6. Release spring locking pin  070      7. To adjust the proper height, remove bolts with lock nuts  230      8. Adjust to proper height.     9. Re-install bolts with lock nuts  230      10. If further height adjustment is needed, remove bolts with lock nuts  230      11. Lay tongue assembly down.     12. Remove receiver insert tube  200  from ATV receiver by removing ⅝′ bolt and retainer pin.     13. After removing, rotate receiver insert tube  200  180 degrees.     14. Re-install receiver insert tube  200  into receiver of ATV with ⅝′ bolt and retainer pin.     15. Re-install tongue assembly to proper height with bolts with lock nuts  230 . The ATV trailer is now ready for use.     16. The ATV trailer in a store position, pull spring locking pin  070      17. Telescope tongue assembly all the way in.     18. Raise trailer up approximately 90 degrees.     19. Release spring locking pin  070 . The ATV trailer is now in the store position.    
 
         [0093]     The parts for the preferred embodiment of the invention are as follows:  
                                       PART       PREFERRED       NUMBER   PART NAME   SPECIFICATIONS                   010   External Tongue   2″ × 2″ × ¼″ square tubing       020   Internal Tongue-A   1½″ × 1½″ square tubing               with ¾″ hole       030   Internal Tongue-B   1½″ × 1½″ square tubing               with ¾″ hole       040   Collar   2″ × 2″ × ¼″ square tubing       050   Slot   ¼″ × ⅜″ × 8″       060   Cap Screw   ¼″ - 20 hexagon socket               head cap screw       070   Spring Locking Pin   ⅜″       080   Brass Washer   1½″ × ⅛″ × ¾″ ID       090   Zinc Washer   1½″ × ⅛″ × ¾″ ID       100   Seventh Hole   ⅝″       110   Nut   ¾″ - 18 slotted hex nut       120   Cotter Key   ⅛″ × 1½″ cotter key       130   Bolt   ¾″ - 18 Threaded       140   First Hole   ⅛″ Threaded       150   Tap   Drill &amp; Tap ¼″ - 20 × ⅜″               deep       160   Second Hole   ¾″       170   Bore   1/¼″ diameter bore               1½″ deep       180   Third Hole   ⅜″       190   Fourth Hole   ½″       200   Receiver Insert Tube   2″ × 2″ × ¼″ square tubing       210   Height Adjusting Bracket   2″ × 1½″ × ⅛″ rectangular               tube       220   Receiver Mounting Bracket   2¾″ × 1¾″ × ¼″ channel       230   Bolts With Lock Nuts   ⅜″ - 16 × 3½″ bolt with               lock nut       240   Fifth Hole   ⅜″ thru hole       250   Sixth Hole   ⅜″ thru hole       251   Spring Locking Pin Bracket   ¼″ × 1½″ × 1½″ flat bar           Spacer       252   Spring Locking Pin   ¼″ × 1½″ × 3″ flat bar           Mounting Plate       253   Eighth Hole   ⅝″ Thru Hole