Abstract:
The weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly is designed to store and transport to and from a tow receiver all, but not limited to, the common weight distributing trailer hitch components listed here—the hitch-head assembly, comprised of the shank and the hitch-head with connecting balls installed, the spring bars, the sway control brake(s), and the spring tension adjusting tool. At the to receiver the weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly enables the operator to raise or lower the hitch-head assembly with spring bars attached and adjust the horizontal and vertical angles to match those of the hitch receiver of the tow receiver. The shank of the hitch-head assembly can then be inserted and secured into the hitch receiver of the tow receiver. The weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly can then be released and rolled out of the way. With the tow receiver coupled to the trailer, the spring bars can be tensioned and the sway brake(s) installed. The process is reversed at the other end of the trip. All done safely, easily, and without manually lifting or carrying heavy parts.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to provisional patent application, entitled, Weight Distributing Trailer Hitch Installation and Storage Dolly, Ser. No. U.S. 62/241,693, filed on 14 Oct. 2015, under 35 USC 119, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Field of the Technology 
         [0003]    The invention relates to the field of transport or storage device more specifically devices assisting manual conveyance of articles over short distances, and devices for moving or tilting heavy loads, namely CPC B65G7/12. It also relates to the field of vehicle connections, more specifically traction couplings, hitches, draw-gear, towing devices and auxiliary devices, namely CPC B60D1/58. 
         [0004]    Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Many challenges are presented by the use of a weight distributing trailer hitch, including, but not limited to, the physical effort of carrying, transporting, and installing the hitch-head assembly. Due to its weight, and the articulating design of the spring bars which tend to splay out awkwardly, carrying the hitch-head assembly and inserting the shank into the vehicle receiver can be challenging. In addition to the strength and effort required to carry the components of a weight distributing hitch assembly, retrieving the hitch-head assembly, spring bars, sway control brake(s), and spring tension adjusting handle requires multiple trips. These challenges present potential problems, especially for those in the fast-growing, aging recreational vehicle community. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly enables the user to easily store and transport a weight distributing trailer hitch, including, but not limited to, the hitch-head assembly, spring bars, sway control brake(s), and spring tension adjusting tool to or from a tow vehicle in one trip without lifting or carrying. The average weight of an assembly with all accompanying parts is about 75 pounds. The weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly&#39;s three-wheel, low profile frame, supporting a height adjustment mechanism, enables the hitch-head assembly, with spring bars attached, to be raised or lowered to engage with the tow vehicle receiver. 
         [0007]    With the hitch-head assembly shank inserted in the receiver, the weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly is disconnected and rolled out of the way. Once the tow vehicle is coupled to the trailer, the spring bars can be tensioned and the sway control brake(s) retrieved from the weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly and installed. To remove and store a weight distributing trailer hitch using the weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly the procedure is reversed. 
         [0008]    Therefore, it can readily be understood that the illustrated embodiments of the invention include an adjustable, portable hitch assembly holder for handling a hitch assembly unit comprising: a wheeled base having a front and a rear; a vertically adjustable support leg extending upwardly from the front of the base, the vertically adjustable support leg having a bottom and a top; a hitch ball receiver extending horizontally from the top of the vertically adjustable support leg for receiving the hitch assembly unit; and an adjustable handle extending upwardly from the base and diagonally toward the rear of the base. The hitch assembly holder includes a vertically adjustable stirrup extending upwardly from the wheeled base for receiving and positioning the spring bars of a hitch assembly unit. The wheeled base includes a plurality of wheels for mobility and portability. 
         [0009]    The vertically adjustable support leg that extends upwardly from the base comprises a telescopic support leg. The telescopic support leg comprises means for raising and lowering the hitch ball receiver. The telescopic support leg further comprises locking means for selectively fixing a vertical height of the telescopic support leg. The telescopic support leg is comprised of at least two segments of telescopically assembled square steel tubing. 
         [0010]    The adjustable handle of the hitch assembly holder comprises a telescopic handle. The telescopic handle has a length and further comprises locking means for selectively fixing the length of the telescopic handle. The adjustable handle comprises a T-shaped adjustable handle having a handle bar, which handle bar also serves as a sheath for holding and storing a spring tension adjusting tool, for use on the hitch assembly unit. 
         [0011]    The hitch assembly holder may be used in combination with a plurality of hitch balls, each hitch ball having a corresponding one of a plurality of different sizes, and each hitch ball having a corresponding stem. The hitch ball receiver comprises a top plate having a front and rear with a slot defined therein to accept the corresponding stem of any one of the plurality of hitch balls. The the hitch ball receiver comprises a top plate whereon a bail is pivotally coupled to the rear of the top plate, the bail rotating forward over the hitch ball when disposed in the slot, to retain the hitch ball in the slot of the top plate. 
         [0012]    The hitch assembly holder further comprises an extension spring, wherein the wheeled base is comprised of at least two telescopically coupled sections connected by the extension spring, where the two telescopically coupled sections are adjustable to accommodate different sizes of the at least one spring bar of the hitch assembly in the stirrup, while the extension spring allows telescopic adjustment of the two sections of the wheeled base to secure the hitch ball into the slot of the top plate by latching with the bail under spring tension. 
         [0013]    The wheeled base further comprises two posts on the front of the wheeled base, one on either side of the wheeled base, that can support the front or rear sockets of two sway control brakes, and two posts on the rear of the wheeled base, one on either side of the wheeled base, that can support the front or rear sockets of two sway control brakes. The wheeled base comprises means for extending and contracting the wheeled base to different lend accommodate hitch assemblies of different sizes. 
         [0014]    While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC 112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claim under the judicial doctrine of equivalents and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112. The disclosure can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly of the illustrated embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the frame components of the weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly of the illustrated embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the assembled frame components of the weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly of  FIG. 2  of the illustrated embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective vie of the weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly of the illustrated embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the top plate, slot, and bail of the weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly of the illustrated embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly of the illustrated embodiment of the present invention shown engaged with a hitch-head assembly, spring bars, and one ay control brake depicted by broken lines. 
           [0021]    The disclosure and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiments defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiments as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  shows the weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly, generally denoted by reference numeral  100  in its entire present form. The overall structure of dolly  100  can be seen in  FIG. 1  to include a frame as comprised of three square hollow steel sections  20 ,  30  and  40 . Extending upwardly from the front section  20  of the frame is a hitch ball receiver  50  that accepts a weight distributing hitch. The middle section  30  of the frame is the wishbone section. Extending upwardly from the wishbone section  30  is a handle  70  that is used to facilitate installation, transportation, and storage of the weight distributing hitch. Section  40  of the weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly is the rear section of the frame. Extending upwardly from the rear section  40  of the frame is a stirrup  90  that receives the spring bars of a weight distributing trailer hitch assembly. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  shows the frame of the weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly as comprised of three square hollow steel sections  20 ,  30  and  40 . The front section  20  and the wishbone section  30  can be made as separate elements as shown in  FIG. 2  or can be integrally fabricated. Once the wishbone section  30  is telescopically slid over the front section  20  and a pin  28  is inserted, they function as one rigidly connected unit. Thus, wishbone section  30  is fixed to front section  20  by means of a cotter pin  28  disposed through front section  20  and wishbone section  30 . From hereon, this rigidly connected unit comprising the front section  20  and the wishbone section  30  will be assigned the reference number  10  for simplicity and clarity. The rear section  40  telescopically slides over the end of the front section  20  which passes entirely through, and protrudes from the end of wishbone section  30  as best depicted in the assembled view of  FIG. 3  and is connected internally by an extension spring  38  which is attached inside to the section  20  by a pin  26  and to the rear section  40  by a bolt  48 . The front section  20  and rear section  40  can thus be telescopically lengthened against the tension of extension spring  38  by holding rear section  40  in position and pushing on handle  70  to force front section  20  forward. When spring bars  220  are engaged in the stirrup  90 , rearward pressure is exerted on the rear section  40  of the frame as the handle  70  is pushed forward causing counter-pressure, as best depicted in  FIG. 6 . When the trailer hitch-head assembly  200  is set into a tow receive (not shown) provided on the tow vehicle (not shown), and the spring bars  220  are set in the stirrup  90  a continued force exerted on handle  70  will telescope front section  20  out of rear section  40  against the spring tension of spring  38 . This will allow bail  58  to clear hitch ball  210  and be rotated over it, allowing it to either engage with or disengage from hitch ball  210  depending on whether bail  58  is being rotated onto or off of hitch ball  210  respectively. As handle  70  is pulled back, spring  38  will telescope front section  20  into rear section  40  thereby shortening the length or base of wheeled dolly  100 . A vertical square tube  22  extends upwardly from the front section  20  of the frame, with a female nut  24  welded into the top of the upright section  22 , and is designed to receive telescopically the slotted ball receiver as best depicted in the assembled view of  FIG. 1 . The wishbone section  30  is comprised of two outwardly extending legs  32 , one on each side, with an axel  34  extending outwardly from each leg, and a square tube  36  extending diagonally upward to receive a handle as depicted in the assembled view of  FIG. 1 . A vertical square tube  44  extends upwardly from the rear section  40  of the frame, and is designed to hold a stirrup as best depicted in the assembled view of  FIG. 1 , with the stirrup being able to rest in the extending legs  42  that extend outwardly the rear section  40  of the frame. The back end of the frame  40  terminates in bracket  46  that is drilled to receive a swivel stern caster wheel with or without a brake, as best depicted in the assembled view of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  shows the spring loaded, telescoping frame assembly with the three square hollow steel sections  20 ,  30  and  40  depicted in an assembled view, with the cotter pin  28  coupling the wishbone section  30  with the front section  20 , comprising the rigidly connected unit  10 , and with the extension spring, as denoted by reference numeral  38  in  FIG. 2 , attached inside to the front section  20  by a pin  26  and to the rear section  40  by a bolt  48 . The completed frame assembly incorporates numerous features as described below, which enable it to achieve its intended purpose. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded perspective view of the illustrated embodiment of the present invention as shown in assembled view in  FIG. 1 . The slotted ball receiver  50  includes a top plate  52  with a slot  54  designed to accept, on a horizontal plane, the stem of a hitch ball of varying size, including 2″ and 2 5/16″ diameter balls. Top plate  52  is welded to a vertical square tube  56  which telescopically slides over a forward upright section  22  of the frame  20 . A bail  58  is rotatably secured to the rear of the top plate  52  and pivots forward over the hitch ball to secure it into the slot  54  of the top plate  52 . A jack screw  60  passes through and engages and captures the top plate  52  between a pair of washers  62  welded or otherwise retained near the upper end of jack screw  60  as shown in  FIG. 4  so that the height of the slotted ball receiver  50  is adjusted by the position of the jack screw  60 . The jack screw  60  threadably engages a female nut  24  welded into the forward upright section  22  of the frame  20  forming a robust adjustment structure capable of supporting the weight of a hitch-head assembly and spring bars while being easily adjusted to various heights by rotating jack screw  60  up or down within nut  24 . 
         [0026]    The wheels  35  support the frame  10  by means of two axles  34  fixed to wishbone section  30 . The handle  70  having a T-hand bar  72  also serves as a sheath for holding and storing a spring tension adjusting tool  80  retained with T-hand bar  72  by quick release button connector  82 . Handle  70  includes a center section  74 , which can be collapsed, extended or removed from its base  36  through the use of quick release button connectors  76  at the opposing ends of section  74 . Two posts  33  are used to support the front sockets of two sway control brakes  230  as best depicted in  FIG. 6 . Two posts  43  are used to support the rear sockets of the two sway control brakes  230  and are grooved to accept reusable cotter pins  45  to lock the sway control brakes  230  thereto as best depicted in  FIG. 6 . A stirrup  90  drops over the rear upright section  44  of the frame  40 , with the square tube  92  sliding over the upright section of vertical square tube  44 , as best seen in assembled form in  FIG. 6 . The stirrup  90  contains and controls the ends of the spring bars  220  while the stirrup  90  is able to slide up and down freely to accommodate spring bars of varying sizes and angles. The stirrup  90  can slide down the upright section of vertical square tube  44  until it rests on the outwardly extending legs  42  of the frame  40 . The stirrup  90  can be inverted to gain additional height. The back end of the frame  40  terminates in a bracket  46  that is drilled to receive a swivel stem caster  95  with or without a brake. 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view which illustrates the top plate  52  with a slot  54  designed to accept, on a horizontal plane, the stem of a coupler ball of varying sizes, including 2″ and 2 5/16″ diameters. A bail  58  secured to the rear of the top plate  52  pivots forward over the coupler ball securing it into the slot  54  of the top plate  52 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 6  illustrates the weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly engaged with a hitch-head assembly  200  suspended by the coupler ball  210 , spring bars  220 , and one sway control brake  230  depicted with broken lines to show placement on board. The stem of the coupler ball  210  engages with the the top plate  52  via the slotted receiver  54 . The coupler ball  210 , which is coupled to the hitch-head assembly  200 , is secured to the top plate  52  by the bail  58  which pivots over the coupler ball  210 . The hitch-head assembly  200  is suspended by the engaged coupler ball  210  while the spring bars  220  remain attached to the hitch-head assembly  200 , the ends of the spring bars  220  being cradled by the stirrup  90 . Two posts  43 , which extend horizontally from the outwardly extending legs  42  of the frame  40 , are used to support the rear sockets of two swab control brakes  230  and are grooved to accept reusable cotter pins  45  to lock the sway control brakes  230  thereto. Two posts  33 , which extend vertically from the outwardly extending legs  32  of the wishbone section  30 , are used to support the front sockets of two sway control brakes  230 . 
         [0029]    Detailed Description of Operation of the Weight Distributing Trailer Hitch Installation and Storage Dolly. 
         [0030]    In disconnecting the trailer from the tow vehicle, the sway control brake(s)  230  are removed and placed in their positions on the posts  33 , 43  of the weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly  100 . The spring tension adjusting tool  80  is used to release the spring bar  220  tension then returned to its position in the T-bar  72  of the weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly  100 . The tow vehicle is now separated from the trailer in the normal fashion. 
         [0031]    To remove the hitch-head assembly  200  and spring bars  220  as a single unit from the tow vehicle&#39;s receiver (not shown), the weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly  100  is rolled forward with its slotted ball receiver  50  maneuvered between the spring bars  220  and in line with the coupler ball  210 . While guiding the spring bar ends  220  into the stirrup  90  on the rear upright section  44  of the frame  40 , and aligning the slot  54  of the slotted ball receiver  50  with the coupler ball  210  stem, the weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly  100  is rolled forward. 
         [0032]    The telescoping design of the frame and the internal extension spring  38  allow the rigidly connected unit  10  with the slotted ball receiver  50  to continue forward after the spring bars  220  have bottomed out in the stirrup  90 , stopping the forward motion of the rear section of the frame  40 . This requires a slight forward pressure on the handle  70 , which is connected to the wishbone section  30  of the frame. This is necessary to overpower the tension of the internal extension spring  38  which connects the frame sections  10 , 40  and to allow the rigidly connected unit  10  to continue moving forward with the pressure. This spring-loaded, telescoping frame design holds the spring bars  220  snug in the stirrup  90  as the relative length of the frame to the spring bars  220  continually changes with height and angle adjustments. It also allows for variations in spring bar  220  lengths of different manufacturers or models. 
         [0033]    When the coupler ball stem  210  bottoms out in the slot  54  of the slotted ball receiver  50 , a bail  58 , pivoting from the rear of the slotted ball receiver plate  52 , is flipped forward over the coupler ball  210 . With the spring bars  220  in the stirrup  90 , and with the bail  58  flipped over the coupler ball  210 , the tension of spring  38  secures and tightens the bail  58  around the stem of the coupler ball  210 . With the bail  58  securing the coupler ball  210  in the slot  54  of the slotted ball receiver  50  and the spring bars  220  restrained by the stirrup  90 , the weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly  100 , along with the hitch-head assembly  200  and spring bars  220  can be easily and safely rolled back and separated from the tow vehicle and rolled to its storage place. 
         [0034]    Two larger front wheels  35 , supporting most of the weight, easily negotiate rough or uneven terrain while a smaller swivel stem caster  95  at the rear makes maneuvering and balancing easy. Once in place, the telescoping handle assembly  70 , 74  can be collapsed or removed, making parking with low overhead possible (e.g., under a work bench). The swivel stem caster  95  parking brake, if so equipped, is set and stowage of dolly  100  with weight distributing trailer hitch components  200 , 220 , 230  is complete. To install a weight distributing hitch and its component parts  200 , 220 , 230  onto a tow vehicle using the weight distributing trailer hitch installation and storage dolly  100 , the process is simply reversed. 
         [0035]    Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following embodiments and its various embodiments. 
         [0036]    Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the embodiments includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. A teaching that two elements are combined in a claimed combination is further to be understood as also allowing for a claimed combination in which the two elements are not combined with each other, but may be used alone or combined in other combinations. The excision of any disclosed element of the embodiments is explicitly contemplated as within the scope of the embodiments. 
         [0037]    The words used in this specification to describe the various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself. 
         [0038]    The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting inn certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
         [0039]    Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. 
         [0040]    The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptionally equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the embodiments.