Abstract:
An adjustable trailer hitch assembly which provides rapid and easy coupling by moving the ball to the tongue, rather than by moving the tongue to the ball. Adjustment is provided in each of three axes. Simultaneous movement in the lateral and vertical directions is provided, which after ball coupling, may be moved to a central locked and fixed position for towing. One embodiment provides selectable locked and fixed vertical positions.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   This invention relates to a new and improved trailer hitch, and more particularly, to a new and improved trailer hitch which permits the hitch ball to be rapidly adjusted in three axes for the purpose of easy coupling of a trailed vehicle. 
   Heretofore, various trailer hitches for cars and trucks have offered small adjustability of the hitch ball, mainly for the purpose of level pulling of a trailed vehicle, such as a boat or cattle trailer. Furthermore, these hitches are characteristically mounted with the carrying ball very close to the vehicle frame, and the vehicle must, therefore, necessarily be backed very close to and in precise alignment with the trailer tongue in order to effect proper coupling of the trailer to the hitch. As a result, during the backing operation the vehicle is frequently damaged by bumping the trailer tongue, and unless the ball attached to the hitch is in perfect alignment with the trailer ball receptacle, the receptacle will not lock positively onto the ball and extensive additional maneuvering of the vehicle or trailer tongue is frequently necessary to achieve a firm and positive lock. This problem is exacerbated where there is a large load on the trailer tongue, or where the trailer is in an inaccessible position, which prevents ready maneuvering of the trailer ball receptacle into alignment with the ball located on the hitch. 
   Many attempts have been made to develop an adjustable trailer hitch equipped with a ball which may be extended and retracted from the vehicle frame in order to minimize the problem of trailer-to-hitch alignment. These efforts have chiefly taken the form of connectors which are telescoping in nature, and which may be lengthened or shortened as desired by the removal and insertion of pins from a telescoping ball-carrying member. However, many of these devices are functionally limited, since the ball can be moved only on a single axis extending to and from the vehicle frame. Accordingly, if after a towing vehicle is backed up, the ball receptacle is located on an axis not in line with the extension and retraction axis, then the same problem of maneuvering the trailer into alignment with the ball on the trailer hitch is presented. 
   Some prior art designs such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,214,772 to Carr, et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,280 to Wiers have lateral adjustment, however such actions involve bolted slots (requiring hand tools) or leads crews (which are slow-acting,) being directed mainly at shifting from a large ball to a small ball, or to locate the place on the road the trailed vehicle follows. 
   Some prior art designs, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,073,508 to George, et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,865 to Francisco provide lateral adjustment without desirable simultaneous vertical adjustment. 
   The prior art design disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,921 provides simultaneous adjustment in three axes. However, the present invention will provide this action with a completely different and more rugged construction. 
   SUMMARY 
   Accordingly, the present invention makes possible a new coupling method. Firstly, the towing vehicle is driven rearwardly, so the hitch of the present invention is within the vicinity of the trailer tongue. Then, the ball member of the present invention is rapidly and easily adjusted to and into the receptacle on the end of the trailer tongue. Note that “moving the ball to the trailer” is the opposite of the usual manner. Then, the ball and receptacle can be latched together in the conventional manner. Now, the trailer is connected, although flexibly so, to the towing vehicle. All that remains is to restore the hitch of the present invention to its locked position by maneuvering the trailer by its tongue, a task which is made easier by the guidance provided by the present invention. 
   One objective of the present invention is to provide a support for a hitch ball which can simultaneously adjust in the lateral and vertical directions. This is accomplished by mounting the hitch ball on a horizontal arm, which arm is attached to a vertical post which fits inside a cylindrical with sliding contact. Whereby, the hitch ball may be rotated laterally, left or right, and lifted or lowered, simultaneously, rapidly, and easily. 
   Another objective of the present invention is to provide a support for a hitch ball which can simultaneously adjust in the lateral, longitudinal, and vertical directions. This is accomplished by mounting the hitch ball on a horizontal arm, which arm is attached to a vertical post which fits inside a cylinder with sliding contact, which collar is attached to a support bar which fits with a telescopically sliding fit inside a hollow receiver. Whereby, the hitch ball may be rotated laterally, left or right, and lifted or lowered, and slid forward or rearward, all simultaneously, rapidly, and easily. 
   Another objective of the present invention is to provide a support for a hitch ball which can simultaneously adjust in three axes for coupling and latching, which thereafter can be moved to a locked position. This is accomplished by providing a lock member, such as a key or pin, to restrain the hitch ball from moving laterally or downward. 
   Another objective of the present invention is to provide a support for a hitch ball which can simultaneously adjust in three axes for coupling and latching, which thereafter can be moved to a locked position which is thereafter fixed for road towing. This is accomplished by providing a lock member, such as a key or pin, to restrain the hitch ball from moving laterally or downward, and a by providing a fixing pin to additionally restrain the ball from moving upward. 
   These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The following drawings describe the present invention: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first embodiment assembled in a free position. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the first embodiment having moved to another free position, where a hitch ball has been moved into a trailer tongue. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the first embodiment having moved to another free position where the weight of the tongue has moved the hitch assembly downward. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the hitch assembly having moved to the locked position, and with the fixing pin and holding pin in place. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention where an arm is attached to the top end of a post. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention where the locking means comprises a lock pin. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention where an arm is attached to a top end of a post and the locking means comprises a lock pin. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention where there are multiple openings for locking and fixing. 
   

   REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN THE DRAWINGS 
   The following is a listing of the referenced parts:
       10  post     11  top end     12  bottom end     13  lock opening     14  lock key     15  fixing opening     16  fixing pin     20  arm     30  hitch ball     31  threaded stud     32  nut     40  cylinder     41  upper edge     42  lock groove     43  lower edge     50  support bar     51  slot     52  holding hole     53  holding pin     60  receiver tube     61  inside opening     62  slot pin opening     63  slot pin     64  holding pin opening     71  rearward direction     72  lateral swing-out direction     73  lift direction     74  downward direction     75  swing in and drop direction     76  forward direction     110  post     111  top end     112  bottom end     114  lock key     115  fixing opening     116  fixing pin     120  arm     140  cylinder     141  upper edge     142  lock groove     143  lower edge     150  support bar     210  post tube     211  top end     212  bottom end     213 A lock opening     213 B mating lock opening     214  lock pin     215 A fixing opening     216  fixing pin     220  arm     240  cylinder     241  upper edge     242 A first lock groove     242 B second lock groove     243  lower edge     250  support bar     310  post tube     311  top end     312  bottom end     313 A lock opening     314  lock pin     315 A fixing opening     316  fixing pin     320  arm     340  cylinder     341  upper edge     342 A first lock groove     342 B second lock groove     343  lower edge     350  support bar     410  post tube     411  top end     412  bottom end     413 A first lock opening     414  lock pin     415 A first fixing opening     416  fixing pin     420  arm     440  cylinder     441  upper edge     442 A first lock groove     442 B lock groove opposite first lock groove     443  lower edge     450  support bar     470 A second fixing opening     471 A second lock opening     471 B mating lock opening   V towing vehicle   T trailer tongue.   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of the parts which make up a first embodiment of the present invention. There is a post  10  having a round shape oriented along a generally vertical axis. The post has a top end  11  and a bottom end  12 . The top end has a lock opening  13  to which a locking key  14  is fitted. There is a fixing opening  15  in the middle portion of the post. There is a fixing pin  16  sized to fit inside the fixing opening. There is an arm  20  which is generally positioned horizontally. The arm is welded (or otherwise securely attached) to the bottom end of the post. At the other end of the arm, there is an opening (not shown) into which is fitted a conventional hitch ball  30  having a threaded stud  31  by which the hitch ball is secured to the arm by a nut  32 . 
   There is a cylinder  40  which has an inside diameter slightly larger than that of the post. Thus, the post may be inserted into the cylinder and freely rotated or translated. The upper edge  41  of the cylinder is interrupted by a lock groove  42  which is sized to easily accept the lock key  14 . The cylinder has a lower edge  43 . The cylinder is welded (or otherwise securely attached) to a support bar  50  having a slot  51  and a holding hole  52  sized to receive a holding pin  53 . 
   There is a receiver tube  60  which has an inside opening  61  sized slightly larger than the support bar  50 . Thus, the support bar may be inserted and translated inside the receiver tube. The receiver tube has a slot pin opening  62  sized to accept a slot pin  63 . The slot pin is sized to fit inside the slot  51 . The receiver tube has a holding pin opening  64  which is sized to accept the holding pin  53 . The receiver tube is welded, bolted, or otherwise securely attached to a conventional towing vehicle V. 
   Now in  FIG. 2  the parts previously described are shown assembled. The lock key  14  is welded (or otherwise securely attached) into the lock opening  13 . (Alternately the lock key could be welded directly to the side of the post without being fitted into any opening.) This view shows the parts of the present invention in a “free position” where the lock key is not in the lock groove  42 , and the arm  20  is rotated slightly to the right (or alternately left) ready for bringing the trailer near for coupling. This position is but one of many free positions where the hitch ball may be easily moved both vertically and laterally. 
     FIG. 2  also shows a conventional trailer tongue T brought nearby, or where the towing vehicle V has been brought nearby the trailer tongue. Many such tongues have an adjacent adjustable leg (not shown) which temporarily carries the weight of the tongue. In this view, the adjustable leg has been adjusted so that the tongue is slightly higher than the hitch ball  30 . 
   Now it can be appreciated how the present invention makes trailer coupling easy by referring to  FIG. 3  which shows the support bar  50  having extended in a rearward direction according to the arrow noted by reference numeral  71 , and arm  20  having swung in a lateral swing-out direction according to the arrow noted by reference numeral  72  below the trailer tongue T and having been lifted in the direction according to the arrow noted by reference numeral  73 , so that the hitch ball  30  is easily moved to the trailer tongue (rather than the other way around.) The trailer tongue mechanism (not shown) is latched onto the hitch ball. Even though the coupling has been accomplished in  FIG. 3 , the present invention is still shown in one of the “free positions” which is not suitable for road towing. 
     FIG. 4  Shows the first embodiment of the present invention where the adjustable leg (not shown) on the trailer tongue T has been adjusted shorter until all of the tongue weight rests on the hitch ball  30 . The post  10  and arm  20  have moved in a downward direction according the arrow denoted by reference numeral  74 , until the lock key  14  rests upon the upper edge  41  of the cylinder  40 . Even though the trailer tongue has been coupled and lowered in  FIG. 4 , the present invention is still in one of the “free positions” which is not suitable for road towing. 
   Now it can be appreciated how the present invention makes trailer alignment easy by referring to  FIG. 5  which shows the arm  20  having swung in and dropped according to the arrow noted by reference numeral  75 . Upon reaching this position (and in cooperation with the weight exerted by the trailer tongue T) the lock key  14  is shown engaged into lock groove  42 . There are two ways the present invention can be powered to this position. Firstly, the trailer tongue can be manually moved in the desired direction. Secondly, the towing vehicle V can be driven slowly forward, which will cause (due to trailer drag) the arm to automatically swing to the central location followed by gravity dropping the lock key into the lock groove. Finally, the trailer tongue and hitch assembly are shown having been moved in a forward direction according to the arrow denoted by reference numeral  76  and secured from moving by fitting the holding pin  53 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 5  this embodiment of the present invention is in a “locked position” where the hitch ball  30  is restrained from moving laterally, and is also restrained from moving downward. However, this position needs to be fixed by means of placing the fixing pin  16  into the fixing opening  15  where the fixing opening in the post  10  is at a location adjacent to the lower edge  43  of the cylinder  40 . In this way, the post cannot raise sufficiently to disengage the lock key  14  from the lock groove  42 , and the hitch ball is further restrained from moving upward. 
     FIG. 6  shows an perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention in a locked position. There is a post  110  having a round shape oriented along a generally vertical axis. The post has a top end  111  and a bottom end  112 . There is a lock key  114 . There is a fixing opening  115  in the post. There is a fixing pin  116  sized to fit inside the fixing opening. There is an arm  120  generally positioned horizontally. The arm is welded (or otherwise securely attached) to the top end of the post. At the other end of the arm, there is an opening (not shown) into which is fitted a conventional hitch ball  30  having a threaded stud  31  by which the hitch ball is secured to the arm by a nut  32 . 
   There is a cylinder  140  which has an inside diameter slightly larger than that of the post  110 . Thus, the post may be inserted into the cylinder and freely rotated or translated. An upper edge  141  of the cylinder is interrupted by a lock groove  142  which is sized to easily accept the lock key  114 . The cylinder has a lower edge  143 . The cylinder is welded (or otherwise securely attached) to a support bar  150  (having features identical to previously described support bar  50 .) The means of attaching and adjusting to the towing vehicle V are identical to the previously described parts, noted by reference numerals  53 ,  60 , and  63 . This second embodiment features a high arm  120  position, but otherwise operates identically to the previously described first embodiment. 
     FIG. 7  shows an perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention in a locked position. There is a post tube  210  having a round shape oriented along a generally vertical axis. The post tube has a top end  211  and a bottom end  212 . There is a lock pin  214 . There is a lock opening  213 A and a mating lock opening  213 B each having a size suitable to receive the lock pin. There is a fixing opening  215 A (and a mating fixing opening not shown) in the post tube. There is a fixing pin  216  sized to fit inside the fixing openings. There is an arm  220  generally positioned horizontally. The arm is welded (or otherwise securely attached) to the bottom end of the post tube. At the other end of the arm, there is an opening (not shown) into which is fitted a conventional hitch ball  30  having a threaded stud  31  by which the hitch ball is secured to the arm by a nut  32 . 
   There is a cylinder  240  which has an inside diameter slightly larger than that of the post tube  210 . Thus, the post tube may be inserted into the cylinder and freely rotated or translated. An upper edge  241  of the cylinder is interrupted by a first lock groove  242 A and a second lock groove  242 B, each of which is sized to easily accept the lock pin  214 . The cylinder has a lower edge  243 . The cylinder is welded (or otherwise securely attached) to a support bar  250  (having features identical to previously described support bar  50 .) The means of attaching and adjusting to the towing vehicle V are identical to the previously described parts, noted by reference numerals  53 ,  60 , and  63 . This third embodiment features a low arm position, a tubular post construction, a single lock pin for engaging into two lock grooves, and a single fixing pin for fitting into two fitting openings, but otherwise operates identically to the previously described first embodiment. 
     FIG. 8  shows an perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention in a locked position. There is a post tube  310  having a round shape oriented along a generally vertical axis. The post tube has a top end  311  and a bottom end  312 . There is a lock pin  314 . There is a lock opening  313 A and a mating lock opening (not shown) each having a size suitable to receive the lock pin. There is a fixing opening  315 A (and a mating fixing opening not shown) in the post tube. There is a fixing pin  316  sized to fit inside the fixing openings. There is an arm  320  generally positioned at a horizontal orientation. The arm is welded (or otherwise securely attached) to the top end of the post tube. At the other end of the arm, there is an opening (not shown) into which is fitted a conventional hitch ball  30  having a threaded stud  31  by which the hitch ball is secured to the arm by a nut  32 . 
   There is a cylinder  340  which has an inside diameter slightly larger than that of the post tube  310 . Thus, the post tube may be inserted into the cylinder and freely rotated or translated. An upper edge  341  of the cylinder is interrupted by a first lock groove  342 A and a second lock groove  342 B, each of which is sized to easily accept the lock pin  314 . The cylinder has a lower edge  343 . The cylinder is welded (or otherwise securely attached) to a support bar  350  (having features identical to previously described support bar  50 .) The means of attaching and adjusting to the towing vehicle V are identical to the previously described parts, noted by reference numerals  53 ,  60 , and  63 . This fourth embodiment features a high arm position, a tubular post construction, a single lock pin for engaging into two lock grooves, and a single fixing pin for fitting into two fitting openings, but otherwise operates identically to the previously described first embodiment. 
     FIG. 9  shows an perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention in a locked position. There is a post tube  410  having a round shape oriented along a generally vertical axis. The post tube has a top end  411  and a bottom end  412 . There is a lock pin  414 . There is a lock opening  413 A and a mating lock opening (not shown) each having a size suitable to receive the lock pin. There is a fixing opening  415 A (and a mating fixing opening not shown) in the post tube. There is a fixing pin  416  sized to fit inside the fixing openings. There is an arm  420  generally positioned at a horizontal orientation. The arm is welded (or otherwise securely attached) to the bottom end of the post tube. At the other end of the arm, there is an opening (not shown) into which is fitted a conventional hitch ball  30  having a threaded stud  31  by which the hitch ball is secured to the arm by a nut  32 . 
   There is a cylinder  440  which has an inside diameter slightly larger than that of the post tube  410 . Thus, the post tube may be inserted into the cylinder and freely rotated or translated. An upper edge  441  of the cylinder is interrupted by a first lock groove  442 A and a second lock groove  442 B, each of which is sized to easily accept the lock pin  414 . The cylinder has a lower edge  443 . 
   There are additional selections of lock opening locations such as second lock opening  471 A and mating lock opening  471 B for locking use when the post tube  410  is at a lower selected locked position; and there are yet other lock openings (not shown) located inside the cylinder  440  for locking use when the post tube  410  is at a higher selected locked position. 
   There are additional selections of fixing hole locations such as second fixing opening  470 A and mating fixing opening (not shown) for fixing use when the post tube  410  is at a higher selected locked position; and there are yet other fixing holes (not shown) located inside the cylinder  440  for fixing use when the post tube  410  is at a lower selected locked position. 
   The cylinder is welded (or otherwise securely attached) to a support bar  450  (having features identical to previously described support bar  50 .) The means of attaching and adjusting to the towing vehicle V are identical to the previously described parts, noted by reference numerals  53 ,  60 , and  63 . This fifth embodiment features a low arm position, a tubular post construction, a single lock pin for engaging into a multiple selection of two lock openings, and a single fixing pin for fitting into a multiple selection of two fitting openings, but otherwise operates identically to the previously described first embodiment. 
   The first and second embodiments of the present invention feature by way of illustration, a lock key which is fitted or welded into a lock opening, or is simply welded to the side of the post. The third, fourth, and fifth embodiments feature a lock pin, which passes in a removable way through the post and engages with two mating lock grooves, for improved locking strength. However, the present invention will work equally well with either type of lock means, and the inventor envisions the use of yet other lock means, well known in the field, which provide a permanent or removable male protuberance for engaging with the lock groove(s). Thus defined, this function may be more generally described as “locking means for locking.” 
   While various types of pins, having heads or bent ends have been shown by way of illustration in the shown embodiments, the inventor envisions other types and shapes of pins, keys, and fasteners which provide the equivalent action. While not shown for clarity, the inventor admonishes for safety, the use of pins and keys having locking action to prevent accidental removal of the pins, keys, or fasteners due to towing motion and vibrations. These well-known locking actions include screws, nuts, cotter pins, spring pins, grasshopper pins, safety pins, spring-loaded ball locks, and detents. 
   While the embodiments of the present invention show the common trailer coupling hardware of hitch ball to female receiver cup, other conventional trailer coupling methods would work equally well with the present invention. For instance, the latch over “pintle and ring” coupling could easily be incorporated into the present invention. 
   While the above descriptions and embodiments contain many specific features by way of example, they should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention. Many other variations are possible within the scope of the following claims.