Abstract:
An interchangeable hitch ball assembly that may be easily interchangeable with the hitch of a towing vehicle and that may prevent a trailer socket from being connected to the hitch ball prior to securing the hitch ball to the hitch bar. The hitch ball assembly may include a ball member, a body, a passageway, at least one locking member, an elongated member located within the passageway and biased toward the at least one locking member, and a plunger capable of being moved by the elongated member between a locked position and an unlocked or release position. The plunger may be moved toward the locking member to force at least a portion of the locking member outside of the body to lock the assembly. The plunger may be moved away from the locking member to allow the locking member to retreat into the body and unlock the assembly.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/123,255, entitled “Interchangeable Hitch Ball Assembly,” filed on Apr. 7, 2008, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a towing assembly and, more specifically, to an interchangeable hitch ball assembly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many vehicles are designed to transport freight, goods, merchandise, personal property, and other such cargo. Often, such vehicles are arranged to tow a trailer by attaching the trailer to the towing vehicle, such as through the use of a hitch assembly. Typically, a trailer hitch is utilized to connect a towed vehicle or trailer to a towing vehicle, such as a truck, for example. 
     There are many different types of trailer hitches in the art that may be attached to the towing vehicle in a variety of ways, depending on the type of hitch. Some of the most common types of hitches include gooseneck, fifth wheel, front mount, and the like. Typically, trailers are connected to a towing vehicle by way of a hitch assembly including a ball hitch or member secured to the towing vehicle and a ball socket coupling mechanism on the towed vehicle or trailer that mounts over the ball and thereby allows for the trailer to pivot behind the towing vehicle. 
     Ball and socket-type towing mechanisms are used on a wide variety of vehicles, such as automobiles, SUVs, trucks, tractors, and the like. The systems are used to tow various vehicles, such as trailers, mobile homes, other non-operating vehicles, and the like. The socket to hitch ball connection allows relative movement between the towing vehicle and the trailer as the towing vehicle makes turns, traverses uneven or rough terrain, and passes along inclining and declining roadways. 
     The hitch ball or member of some hitches, such as gooseneck and fifth wheel, for example, is commonly mounted in the bed of a towing vehicle, such as a pickup truck, near the longitudinal centerline of the bed, so that the weight of the trailer is evenly distributed between the tires on the two sides of the pickup truck. Typically, a sub-frame assembly, such as a hitch, is secured to the towing vehicle. The ball member is attached or otherwise secured to the hitch for use in towing the towed vehicle. 
     This type of hitch is often secured to the truck structure in an opening cut in the bed of the truck, so that a substantial portion of the hitch attachment is located below the bed of the truck. In addition, the ball member typically may be removed or lowered to a stowed position below the bed to ensure that the use of the bed is not substantially hindered by the presence of the ball. 
     The socket structure of a coupler mechanism is typically affixed to the trailer or towed vehicle. Generally, the coupler is secured to the tongue of the vehicle or trailer, usually a forward extension of the frame. The coupler typically includes a manually operated clamping arrangement which retains the ball member in the socket and thus the towed trailer or vehicle to the towing vehicle. 
     Often, the trailers and sockets are of different sizes, requiring ball members of different sizes. Also, in some instances, it is preferable to be able to remove the ball member for security purposes in order to protect it from corrosion, or to simply store it when it is not being used. 
     Hitch assemblies of various sizes have been used for this purpose. As a result, it is not uncommon for different types of trailers to be equipped with sockets that may be adapted for use with hitch balls of different sizes or diameters. Therefore, attempts have been made to provide interchangeable hitch balls to allow the towing vehicle to accommodate a variety of different trailer sockets on the towed vehicle. However, such attempts suffer from several deficiencies. 
     For example, such hitch balls are typically provided with a threaded mounting shank that is inserted through an aperture in a hitch bar on the towing vehicle. The hitch ball is secured to the hitch bar with a nut and locking washer. This typically requires significant user inconvenience as the user may need to stoop or lay on the ground to secure or remove the hitch ball from the hitch bar. This can be a particularly frustrating problem if the ground is wet or muddy. Further, such hitch balls do not prevent a trailer socket from being coupled to the hitch ball prior to securing the hitch ball to the hitch bar. 
     Over the years, towing balls of various diameters have been used and several industry standard sizes (e.g., 1⅞ inch, 2 inch, 2¼ inch and 2 5/16 inch in diameter) are now in frequent use. As a result, it is not uncommon for a single towing vehicle to be used to tow various trailers where those trailers are equipped with socket assemblies adapted for operative connection with towing balls of different diameters. Thus, there is a need in the art for a hitch ball assembly that allows for an easy and convenient interchange of towing balls of different diameters, thereby permitting the hitch of the towing vehicle to be tailored to fit the socket assembly of the towed vehicle or trailer and thereby meet the application needs. 
     Toward this end, a number of approaches have been proposed in the past. Some approaches have included using a post for a towing ball incorporating a spring-biased latch pin for releasably attaching the towing ball to the base. Others utilize a post and towing ball secured together by means of a fastening pin. While other approaches utilize an interchangeable hitch ball assembly including a post having an annular groove. The towing ball is secured to the post by means of an offset pin which extends tangentially through the annular groove so as to allow relative rotation of the towing ball on the post. 
     While these approaches may provide a secure connection of the towing ball to the post, the latch pins may prevent rotation of the towing ball relative to the post. Such rotation is desirable as it minimizes binding forces and promotes articulation and smooth trailer tracking at both highway speeds and when maneuvering slowly in confined areas. There, however, is some difficulty in effectively securing the pin in position and the structures may be relatively expensive to produce. 
     Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved hitch ball assembly that may be easily interchangeable with the hitch of the towing vehicle. Further, there is a need for a hitch ball assembly that prevents a trailer socket from being connected to the hitch ball prior to securing the hitch ball to the hitch bar. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Objects and advantages together with the operation of the embodiments may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a hitch ball assembly. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a perspective view of the hitch ball assembly of  FIG. 1A  in a locked position. 
         FIG. 1C  illustrates a side view of the hitch ball assembly of  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 1D  illustrates a front view of the hitch ball assembly of  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 1E  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the hitch ball assembly of  FIG. 1B  taken along section A-A. 
         FIG. 1F  illustrates a top view of the hitch ball assembly of  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a hitch ball assembly in a locked position. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the hitch ball assembly of  FIG. 2A  in an unlocked position. 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates a top view of the hitch ball assembly of  FIG. 2A  in a locked position. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment a hitch ball assembly in a locked position. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the hitch ball assembly of  FIG. 3A  in an unlocked position. 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates a top view of the hitch ball assembly of  FIG. 3A  in a locked position. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a hitch ball assembly in a locked position. 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the hitch ball assembly of  FIG. 4A  in an unlocked position. 
         FIG. 4C  illustrates a top view of the hitch ball assembly of  FIG. 4A  in a locked position. 
     
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An interchangeable hitch ball assembly may include a ball member, a body, a passageway, and a plunger. The body may be connected to the ball member. The passageway may be located in the hitch ball assembly. There may also be at least one locking member in communication with the passageway, and an elongated member located within the passageway. The elongated member may be biased toward the at least one locking member. The plunger may be capable of being moved by the elongated member between a locked position where the plunger may be moved toward the at least one locking member to force at least a portion of the at least one locking member outside of the body, and a released or unlocked position where the plunger may be moved away from the at least one locking member to allow the at least one locking member to retreat into the body. 
     An interchangeable hitch ball assembly may include a body, a ball member, a locking element, a biasing member, and a plunger. The ball member may be carried on the body. The at least one locking element may be contained with the body. The body may also include an elongated member positioned within the body. The elongated member may have a first end connected to a head and a second end connected to a plunger. The biasing member may be configured to bias the plunger towards the at least one locking member to force the at least a portion of the at least one locking member outside of the body. The plunger may be capable of being moved away from the at least one locking member to allow the at least one locking member to retreat into the body 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1A-4C  illustrate embodiments of an interchangeable hitch ball assembly  10  (“assembly  10 ”). The assembly  10  may combine the function and benefits of a typical hitch ball assemblies into an improved hitch ball assembly. The hitch ball assembly  10  may also prevent a trailer socket (not shown) from being connected to the hitch ball member prior to securing the hitch ball to the hitch bar. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the assembly  10  may include a ball member  15  and a body  20 . The ball member  15  may be shaped to receive a corresponding socket (not shown) of a trailer to be towed. It is to be understood that the ball member  15  may be of any appropriate or conventional shape and size in the towing field. The ball member  15  may also be a separate piece from the body  20  or may be integrally formed with the body  20 . If the ball member  15  and body  20  are separate pieces, they may be secured together by any appropriate means, such as by fasteners, adhesives or the like. As shown in  FIG. 2A , an interchangeable hitch ball assembly  10  may be removably secured to a hitch receiver  37  on an automobile, truck, SUV, or other vehicle. 
     The body  20  may include an insert portion  40 . The insert portion  40  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as being shaped for insertion into the hitch receiver  37 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . Although illustrated as substantially cylindrical in shape, it is to be understood that the insert portion  40  may be shaped to accommodate any type of hitch receiver  37 . The hitch receiver  37  may include an inner portion  66 . The inner portion  66  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a curved or rounded shape, for example. 
     The insert portion  40  may also include a cavity  60 . The cavity may be positioned at any appropriate location within the insert portion  40 . The cavity  60  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a cylindrical shape, for example. As shown in  FIG. 1B , the body  20  may also be provided with a flange member  50 . The flange member  50  may be of any appropriate shape or size. The flange member  50  may be adapted to rest on the hitch receiver  37 . The insert portion  40  may also include apertures  65 . The apertures  65  may be located through the insert portion  40 . The apertures  65  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a cylindrical shape, for example. The apertures  65  may also be positioned at any appropriate location on the insert portion  40 . 
     The interchangeable hitch ball assembly  10  may also include a passageway  55 . The passageway  55  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a cylindrical shape, for example. The passageway  55  may extend through the ball member  15  and body  20  into the cavity  60  within the insert portion  40 . 
     The assembly  10  may also include a plunger  27 . The plunger may be located within the cavity  60  of the insert portion  40 . The plunger  27  may be of any appropriate shape or size. The assembly  10  may also include an elongated member  25 . The elongated member  25  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally cylindrical shape, for example. The assembly  10  may further include a locking member  35 . It is to be understood that the locking members  35  may be of any appropriate shape or size. The elongated member  25  may include a first end  71  and a second end  70 . The first end  71  may be connected to the plunger  27 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1F , the assembly  10  may also include a head or handle  72 . The head  72  may be provided to allow a user to selectively adjust the interchangeable hitch ball assembly  10  between the locked and unlocked positions. The head  72  may be attached to a second end  70  of the elongated member  25  by any appropriate means, such as with adhesives or a fastener, such as a roll pin  75 , for example. 
     The ball member  15  may also include a recess  77  and an upper surface  92 . The recess  77  may be provided in the ball member  15  so that when the assembly  10  is in the locked position, the head  72  may be flush with (or positioned below) the upper surface  92  of the ball member  15 . It is to be understood that the configuration of the biasing member  30 , as described above, may urge the handle  72  into the recess  77 . Such a configuration may ensure that while the assembly  10  is in the locked position the head  72  does not interfere with the connection to the socket of a trailer. The ball member  10  may also include additional grooves  78  to facilitate easy access to the handle or head  72 . 
     The assembly  10  may also include a cap  85 . The cap  85  may be provided at the end of the cavity  60  to protect the elongated member  25 , biasing member  30 , and plunger  27  from dirt, dust, and other environmental elements. The cap  85  may be held in place by any appropriate means, such as by a snap or locking ring (not shown). The cap  85  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally cylindrical shape, for example. The cap  85  may be made from any appropriate material, such as plastic, metal, composites, and the like. In this manner, when the assembly  10  is removed from the vehicle, all the components that could be corroded or affected by environmental conditions can be retained in a dry and secure condition for storage and out of contact with the elements. 
     In an alternative embodiment,  FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate an interchangeable hitch ball assembly  10  utilizing a biasing member  30 . The body  20  may include a lip  82  located above the cavity  60 . The biasing member  30  may be of any appropriate type of biasing means, such as a spring, for example. The biasing member  30  may be positioned along the elongated member  25  between the plunger  27  and the lip  82  of the body  20  to bias the plunger  27  toward the locking members  35 . 
     The passageway  55  and cavity  60  may allow the elongated member  25  and the plunger  27  to be selectively engaged with one or more locking members  35 , such as a ball bearing, for example, between a locked position ( FIG. 2A ) and a released or unlocked position ( FIG. 2B ). The interaction between the plunger  27  and locking members  35  is described in greater detail below. 
     In the locked position, as shown in  FIG. 2A , the plunger  27  may engage the locking members  35  to push the locking members  35  outwardly beyond the insert portion  40  via the apertures  65 . In turn, the locking members  35  may engage, for example, the inner portion  66  of the hitch receiver  37  to prevent the assembly  10  from being removed from the hitch receiver  37 . Such a configuration may ensure that the assembly  10  remains in the locked position ( FIG. 2A ) to prevent disconnection from the hitch receiver  37  while towing. 
     In the released or unlocked position, as shown in  FIG. 2B , the head  72  may be withdrawn upwardly from the recess  77  so that the plunger  27  may disengage from the locking members  35 . Accordingly, the locking members  35  may disengage from the hitch receiver  37  and return toward the center of the insert portion  40 . In the released position, the head  72  may protrude above the upper surface  92  of the ball member  15  to prevent a socket member (not shown) from being connected thereto. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2B , a user may fix or maintain the interchangeable hitch ball assembly  10  in the open position by rotating the head  72  (for example, a ¼ turn) to retain the head  72  on the upper surface  92 . This may free the user&#39;s hands to remove or insert the assembly  10  into the hitch receiver  37 , and may also serve as an indicator that the assembly  10  is in the released position. 
     In an alternative embodiment,  FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate an interchangeable hitch ball assembly  10  utilizing a different type of head  72 . The head  72  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a wider rectangular shape. A wider or larger shape may provide the user an easier option for locking and unlocking the assembly. 
     In another alternative embodiment,  FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate an interchangeable hitch ball assembly  10  utilizing a different location for and type of plunger  27 .  FIGS. 4A-4C  also illustrate a different type of head  72 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , the biasing member  30  may be positioned along the elongated member  25  between the head  72  and a shoulder  90 . In addition, the biasing member  30  may be located within an upper cavity  87 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4A , the head  72  may be provided with a drive point  100 , such as an indentation, for use with any appropriate type of tool, such as a screwdriver, for example. The assembly  10  may be adjusted to the locked position by applying pressure to the head  72  with a screwdriver to insert the head  72  in the recess  77 . Accordingly, the plunger  27  may also be driven to engage the locking members  35 . To maintain the assembly  10  in the locked position, the head  72  may then be rotated (for example, a ¼ turn) to secure the head  72  to the ball member  15  within the recess  77 . 
     To return the interchangeable hitch ball assembly  10  to the released position, as shown in  FIG. 4B , the head  72  may be rotated (for example, a ¼ turn) in the opposite direction. As the head  72  is released from the ball member  15 , the biasing member  30  may drive the head  72  upwardly out of at least a portion of the recess  77  so that the plunger  27  disengages from the locking member  35 . As the head  72  protrudes beyond the upper surface  92  of the ball member  15  in the released position, the head  72  may prevent a socket member from being connected. 
     As another alternative, as stated above, the head  72  may be provided with a locking mechanism, instead of a drive point  100 . An object, such as a key or coin, may be inserted into the locking mechanism and pushed to drive the head  72  into the recess  77 . The object may then be rotated to secure head  72  to the ball member  15  so that the assembly  10  remains in the locked position. Therefore, only users with the object may remove the assembly  10  from the hitch receiver  37 . 
     Turning to the assembly  10 , an example of a method of using the interchangeable hitch ball assembly  10  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A through 4C  is set forth below. As indicated above, the interchangeable hitch ball assembly  10  may be removed from the hitch receiver  37  in a manner that does not require disconnection from the side or underneath of the vehicle. In order to connect and disconnect the assembly  10  from the vehicle, the head  72  may be withdrawn from the recess  77 , as shown in  FIGS. 2B ,  3 B, and  4 B. To keep the assembly in the released position, the head  72  may be rotated so that the head  72  is retained on the upper surface  92 . This may free the user&#39;s hands for insertion of the assembly  10  into the hitch receiver  37 . 
     After insertion into the interchangeable hitch ball assembly  10 , the head  72  may serve as a safety mechanism as it prevents a socket from being connected to the ball member  15  prior to the assembly  10  being secured to the hitch receiver  37 . To place the assembly  10  in the locked position, the head  72  may be rotated to align with the recess  77  so that the biasing member  30  urges the plunger  27  to engage the locking members  35 . In turn, the locking members  35  may engage the hitch receiver  37  so that the assembly  10  cannot be removed from the hitch receiver  37 . 
     In order to remove the interchangeable hitch ball assembly  10  from the hitch receiver  37 , the head  72  may be withdrawn from the recess  77  so that the assembly  10  may be received in the released or unlocked position as shown in  FIGS. 2B ,  3 B, and  4 B. Accordingly, the plunger member  27  may disengage from the securing members  35  so that the locking or securing members  35  are retracted toward the center of the insert portion  40 , thereby allowing the assembly  10  to be removed from the hitch receiver  37 . 
     The invention has been described above and, obviously, modifications and alternations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. The claims as follows are intended to include all modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalent thereof. 
     While the present invention is described with reference to embodiments described herein, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. Therefore, the description of the embodiments herein is merely illustrative of the embodiments of the present invention and will not limit the scope of the invention as claimed. The invention has been described above and, obviously, modifications and alternations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. The claims as follows are intended to include all modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalent thereof. 
     Moreover, while the present interchangeable hitch ball assembly  10  may be described in the context of towing assemblies in association with a vehicle or trailer, however, it will be appreciated that the interchangeable hitch ball assembly  10  may be used in any variety of contexts, and, as such, any reference to towing assemblies or use with trailer and vehicles is illustrative in nature and not restrictive in any way. In addition, the description of the embodiments provided may refer to the use of specific options or materials, however, this should not limit the scope of the invention as claimed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the above descriptions should only be taken as illustrative.