Patent Publication Number: US-2022234403-A1

Title: Trailer Hitch System Including Actuatable Multi-Directional Trailer Hitch and Method

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related and claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 62/982,308, filed Feb. 27, 2020, entitled “Trailer Hitch System Including Actuatable Multi-Directional Trailer Hitch and Method”, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The subject matter of the present invention relates generally to trailer hitches for personal and/or commercial vehicles and more particularly to a trailer hitch system including an actuatable multi-directional trailer hitch and method. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Hooking up a trailer to a vehicle requires backing up to the trailer, connecting the trailer coupler to the trailer hitch ball, securing the safety chains, and plugging in the wiring harness. This process requires patience and attention to detail and is difficult for the driver of the vehicle to do alone. Consequently, often a first step of hitching up a trailer is to find a friend to help you. Having someone else outside the vehicle to give guidance will make the process much easier. Accordingly, new approaches are needed for hooking up a trailer to a vehicle, especially when the driver of the vehicle is alone and there is no other person outside the vehicle providing guidance. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a multi-directional trailer hitch system is provided. The multi-directional trailer hitch system may include a mounting frame; a first slide assembly configured to slideably engage with the mounting frame, wherein the first slide assembly is configured to slide in and out from the mounting frame; a second slide assembly configured to slideably engage with the first slide assembly, wherein the second slide assembly is configured to slide horizontally in a side to side direction relative to the first slide assembly; a third slide assembly configured to slideably engage with the second slide assembly, wherein the third slide assembly is configured to slide vertically in an up and down direction relative to the second slide assembly; and one or more actuators configured to selectively effect slide movement of one or more of the first slide assembly, second slide assembly, and third slide assembly. The multi-directional trailer hitch system may further include a controller configured to selectively effect slide movement of one or more of the first slide assembly, second slide assembly, and third slide assembly. The controller may be one of wired or wireless. The multi-directional trailer hitch system may further include one or more locking mechanisms configured to lock the slide movement of one or more of the first slide assembly, second slide assembly, and third slide assembly. The one or more locking mechanisms may include one or more locking pins and one or more locking pin receivers. The mounting frame may be configured to be mountable to a rear underside portion of a vehicle. The multi-directional trailer hitch system may further include a hydraulic pump. The multi-directional trailer hitch system may further include one or more hydraulic actuators configured to effect the slide movement of one or more of the first slide assembly, second slide assembly, and third slide assembly. The multi-directional trailer hitch system may further include one or more control valves associated with the one or more hydraulic actuators, wherein the control valves may be configured to control the flow of hydraulic fluid in and out of its corresponding one of the one or more hydraulic actuators. The multi-directional trailer hitch system may further include a hydraulic fluid reservoir. The multi-directional trailer hitch system may further include one or more wear protection members disposed on one or more surfaces of the mounting frame and the first slide assembly that are in face to face slideable contact with each other, one or more surfaces of the first slide assembly and second slide assembly that are in face to face slideable contact with each other, and/or one or more surfaces of the second slide assembly and third slide assembly that are in face to face slideable contact with each other. The one or more wear protection members may include brass or Teflon material. The multi-directional trailer hitch system may further include a trailer hitch connector mounted to the third slide assembly, wherein movement of any one or more of the first slide assembly, second slide assembly, and third slide assembly translates into movement of the trailer hitch connector in a like manner. The multi-directional trailer hitch system may be configured to move the trailer hitch connector in any one of six different directions relative to the mounting frame. The trailer hitch connector may include a trailer hitch ball. The six different directions may include in and out, side-to-side, and up and down relative to the mounting frame. 
     In another embodiment, a method of using a multi-directional trailer hitch system is provided. The method may include positioning a vehicle in close proximity to an object to be towed, wherein the vehicle may include the multi-directional trailer hitch system and the object to be towed may include a hitch receiver suitable for coupling with the multi-directional trailer hitch system. The multi-directional trailer hitch system may include a mounting frame; a first slide assembly configured to slideably engage with the mounting frame, wherein the first slide assembly is configured to slide in and out from the mounting frame; a second slide assembly configured to slideably engage with the first slide assembly, wherein the second slide assembly is configured to slide horizontally in a side to side direction relative to the first slide assembly; a third slide assembly configured to slideably engage with the second slide assembly, wherein the third slide assembly is configured to slide vertically in an up and down direction relative to the second slide assembly; a trailer hitch connector mounted to the third slide assembly; and one or more actuators configured to selectively effect slide movement of one or more of the first slide assembly, second slide assembly, and third slide assembly. The method may further include activating the multi-directional trailer hitch system; positioning the hitch connector of the multi-directional trailer hitch system to a desired position for coupling to the hitch receiver of the object to be towed; coupling the hitch connector to the hitch receiver of the object to be towed; positioning the multi-directional trailer hitch system with object to be towed coupled thereto to a towing position; and securing the multi-directional trailer hitch system in the towing position. The multi-directional trailer hitch system may further include a controller, wherein the controller may be configured to effect positioning of the multi-directional trailer hitch system. The multi-directional trailer hitch system may be configured to move the hitch connector in any one of six different directions relative to the mounting frame. The hitch connector may include a trailer hitch ball. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus described the subject matter of the present invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of an example of a trailer hitch system including an actuatable multi-directional trailer hitch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic diagram of an example of the six-way directionality of the multi-directional trailer hitch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  through  FIG. 12  illustrate the actuatable multi-directional trailer hitch and examples of the implementation, various operating states, and features thereof in accordance with example embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a flow diagram of an example of a method of using the trailer hitch system including the actuatable multi-directional trailer hitch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an example of the multi-directional trailer hitch in the towing position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16  illustrates examples of various parts and materials that may be used to form the multi-directional trailer hitch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 17  and  FIG. 18  illustrates an example of a longitudinal slide receiver of the multi-directional trailer hitch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates an example of a longitudinal slide of the multi-directional trailer hitch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates an orientation of the longitudinal slide to the longitudinal slide receiver of the multi-directional trailer hitch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 21 ,  FIG. 22 , and  FIG. 23 , illustrate an example of a lateral slide of the multi-directional trailer hitch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 24  through  FIG. 29  illustrate an example of a vertical hitch mount of the multi-directional trailer hitch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 30  illustrates an example of a ball mount of the multi-directional trailer hitch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 31  illustrates an example of a longitudinal/lateral pin-off of the multi-directional trailer hitch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 32  illustrates an example of certain brass members of the multi-directional trailer hitch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 33  illustrates an example of a safety locking pin in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 34A  through  FIG. 42  illustrates additional views of the multi-directional trailer hitch and its components in accordance with example embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 43  illustrates the multi-directional trailer hitch including adapter frame components in accordance with another example embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 44A  and  FIG. 44B  illustrates examples of adapter frame components of  FIG. 43  in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter of the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the present invention are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated Drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. 
     In some embodiments, the present invention may provide a trailer hitch system, actuatable multi-directional trailer hitch, and methods. In some embodiments, the trailer hitch system and multi-directional trailer hitch operate based on hydraulics. Further, the actuatable multi-directional trailer hitch of the trailer hitch system may provide six-way directionality (i.e., in, out, left, right, up, and down) with respect to the vehicle in which it is installed. 
     In some embodiments, the actuatable multi-directional trailer hitch of the present invention may include an in-out actuation mechanism for providing in-out directionality, a side-to-side actuation mechanism for providing side-to-side directionality, and an up-down actuation mechanism for providing up-down directionality with respect to the vehicle in which it is installed and for easily aligning with and coupling to a trailer. 
     In some embodiments, the trailer hitch system and actuatable multi-directional trailer hitch of the present invention may provide the capability to move a trailer in multiple directions (independent of the vehicle) in order to gain access to tight locations for loading/unloading cargo. Further, the vertical adjustment capabilities of the multi-directional trailer hitch of the present invention may allow easy leveling of cargo for proper hauling positioning. 
     In some embodiments, the trailer hitch system and actuatable multi-directional trailer hitch of the present invention may provide safety locking pins that act as safety/transport positioners for the in-out, side-to-side, and up-down actuation mechanisms. 
     Further, an example method of using the trailer hitch system and actuatable multi-directional trailer hitch of the present invention is provided. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example of the trailer hitch system  100  including an actuatable multi-directional trailer hitch  110 . Multi-directional trailer hitch  110  may include, for example, an in-out actuation mechanism  112 , a side-to-side actuation mechanism  114 , and an up-down actuation mechanism  116 . In-out actuation mechanism  112 , side-to-side actuation mechanism  114 , and up-down actuation mechanism  116  may be used to manipulate a trailer hitch ball  118 , for example, to provide six-way directionality to trailer hitch ball  118  for easily aligning to a trailer. 
     In one example, multi-directional trailer hitch  110  may be controlled and driven via hydraulics. For example, trailer hitch system  100  may include a hydraulic pump  120  that is supplied by a hydraulic fluid reservoir  122 . Hydraulic pump  120  may drive any number of hydraulic actuators needed to operate multi-directional trailer hitch  110 . For example, a hydraulic cylinder  130   a  may be provided to actuate in-out actuation mechanism  112  of multi-directional trailer hitch  110  to translate trailer hitch ball  118  in an in-out direction  150 . Hydraulic cylinder  130   a  may be controlled via a control valve  132   a . A hydraulic cylinder  130   b  may be provided to actuate side-to-side actuation mechanism  114  of multi-directional trailer hitch  110  to translate trailer hitch ball  118  in a side-to-side direction  152 . Hydraulic cylinder  130   b  may be controlled via a control valve  132   b . A hydraulic cylinder  130   c  may be provided to actuate up-down actuation mechanism  116  of multi-directional trailer hitch  110  to translate trailer hitch ball  118  in an up-down direction  154 . Hydraulic cylinder  130   c  may be controlled via a control valve  132   c.    
     Further, trailer hitch system  100  and multi-directional trailer hitch  110  is not limited to being a hydraulics-based system. In another example, trailer hitch system  100  and multi-directional trailer hitch  110  may be a motor-based system (not shown). In this example, multi-directional trailer hitch  110  may include a motor driven apparatus wherein trailer hitch system  100  and/or multi-directional trailer hitch  110  may include, for example, electric motors, gears, chains, belts, pulleys, and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2  is an illustration of an example of the six-way directionality of the multi-directional trailer hitch  110 .  FIG. 2  shows a vehicle  190  that has a vehicle rear portion  192 . Multi-directional trailer hitch  110  may be installed with respect to vehicle rear portion  192  of vehicle  190 . Vehicle  190  may be, for example, a pickup truck, an SUV, or any type of utility vehicle capable of towing a trailer. Further, the components (see  FIG. 1 ) of trailer hitch system  100  may be installed with respect to vehicle rear portion  192  of vehicle  190  and trailer hitch system  100 . 
     The six-way directionality of multi-directional trailer hitch  110  may include, for example, the in-out direction  150 , the side-to-side direction  152 , and the up-down direction  154 . The six-way directionality being in, out, left, right, up, and down. In one non-limiting example, the full actuatable range (e.g., via hydraulics) of the in-out direction  150  may be in the range of about 14 inches. In a non-limiting example, the full actuatable range of the side-to-side direction  152  may be in the range of about 10 inches (e.g., in the range of about 5 inches either side of center). In one non-limiting example, the full actuatable range of the up-down direction  154  may be in the range of about 10 inches. Further, the actuatable 10 inch-up-down range may be a sliding window within a larger, for example, 24-inch window and wherein the position of the actuatable 10 inch-up-down range within the larger 24-inch window may be selectable. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3  through  FIG. 12  are various illustrations of the trailer hitch system  100  including the actuatable multi-directional trailer hitch  110  and showing examples of the implementation, various operating states, and features thereof. 
     For example,  FIG. 3  shows multi-directional trailer hitch  110  set in the “home” position and in close proximity to, for example, a trailer  195  that includes a trailer hitch  197 . The “home” position may be, for example, the beginning state of multi-directional trailer hitch  110  when hooking up to a trailer, such as trailer  195 . In one example, the “home” position may be multi-directional trailer hitch  110  fully retracted in the in-out direction  150 , substantially centered in the side-to-side direction  152 , and fully down or low in the up-down direction  154 . 
     Further,  FIG. 4  shows an example of a plug adapter  162  mounted to the vehicle  190  (e.g., in the rear bumper) that is provided to receive a handheld control device  160 . In just one non-limiting example, handheld control device  160  may be the Hand Control Cable for 3 Bank BUCHNER Valve (150037). The handheld control device  160  may plug into the plug adapter  162  so that the handheld control device  160  can be removed and stored in the cab of the truck (or a tool box). The handheld control device  160  may have a cord, e.g., about a 5-foot cord, attached. In one embodiment the handheld control device  160  may be wireless. The handheld control device  160  may have one or more switches  164 , for example three switches  164 : a side-to side switch  164   a , an in-and-out switch  164   b , and an up-and-down switch  164   c  (correlating to control valves  132   a ,  132   b ,  132   c ). In another embodiment, one or more switches  164  may be one or more toggle or joystick type switches/controllers. 
     Hydraulic pump  120  of trailer hitch system  100  may be, in one non-limiting example, a hydraulic clutch pump (e.g., DewEze 7 GPM Hydraulic Clutch Pump Kit (700330-7)). The hydraulic clutch pump may be mounted to engage with a serpentine belt of the motor of vehicle  190 , wherein the serpentine belt runs the clutch pump. A hydraulic clutch pump is just one example of hydraulic pump  120  that may be used with the trailer hitch system  100 . A pump activation switch  194  may be provided in the cab of the vehicle  190 . In one example, a pump activation switch  194  may be mounted on the dash of the vehicle  190  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Pump activation switch  194  may be actuated by a user to turn on the clutch pump. 
     In this example, using a hydraulic clutch pump, vehicle  190  would be running to run the clutch pump. The clutch pump may be plumbed to the hydraulic fluid reservoir  122 . In one non-limiting example, hydraulic fluid reservoir  122  may be a 5-gallon hydraulic reservoir tank #103219 available from Agri-Supply Company. The hydraulic fluid reservoir  122  may be modified, if needed, for vehicle mounting and may be mounted to the vehicle  190 , for example under the bed of the vehicle  190  (e.g., behind the cab on the passenger side). 
     Control valves  132 , e.g., control valves  132   a ,  132   b ,  132   c  may be mounted under the bed of vehicle  190  and proximal to (e.g., just above) multi-directional trailer hitch  110  (i.e., the six-way apparatus) and towards vehicle rear portion  192  of vehicle  190 . In one non-limiting example, control valves  132   a ,  132   b ,  132   c  may be the 3-Bank BUCHNER valve (725208). The control valves  132   a ,  132   b ,  132   c  may receive hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid reservoir  122 . The control valves  132   a ,  132   b ,  132   c  may be individually controlled by electric solenoids (not shown). Again, handheld control device  160  may be plugged into plug adapter  162 . The three switches  164  (e.g., side-to side switch  164   a , in-and-out switch  164   b , and up-and-down switch  164   c ) of handheld control device  160  power the hydraulic cylinders (e.g., hydraulic cylinders  130   a ,  130   b ,  130   c ) for the six-way directionality. 
     One view of  FIG. 6  shows multi-directional trailer hitch  110  in the “home” position and therefore substantially centered in the side-to-side direction  152 . By contrast, another view of  FIG. 6  shows multi-directional trailer hitch  110  shifted substantially left in the side-to-side direction  152 . 
     One view of  FIG. 7  shows multi-directional trailer hitch  110  in the “home” position and therefore fully retracted in the in-out direction  150  (i.e., fully toward vehicle  190 ). By contrast, another view of  FIG. 7  shows multi-directional trailer hitch  110  extended in the in-out direction  150  (i.e., away from vehicle  190 ). 
     One view of  FIG. 8  shows multi-directional trailer hitch  110  fully down or low in the up-down direction  154 . By contrast, another view of  FIG. 8  shows multi-directional trailer hitch  110  up or high in the up-down direction  154 . 
       FIG. 9  shows an example of an up-and-down pin and hole system that may include pins  170  and holes  172  on the vertical hitch mount member that supports the up-down range of multi-directional trailer hitch  110 . Again, an actuatable up-down range, e.g., 10 inch, may be a sliding window within a larger window, e.g., 24-inch, and wherein the position of the actuatable smaller, e.g., 10 inch, up-down range within the larger, e.g., 24-inch, window may be selectable via pins  170  and holes  172 . Namely, a vertical line of holes  172  may be provided and with the holes spaced about 2 inches on center. Using two pins  170 , the ball mount may be mounted to any pair of holes  172  along the line. 
     Further,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 , and  FIG. 11  show an example of a safety locking pin and hole system. For example, multi-directional trailer hitch  110  may include an up-down safety locking pin  174  for fitting into an up-down safety locking hole  176  in the vertical hitch mount member and a safety locking pin  178  for fitting into a pair of safety locking pin receivers  180  ( 322 ). When in the towing position, up-down safety locking pin  174  is inserted into an up-down safety locking hole  176  for taking the load off the hydraulics associated with up-down actuation mechanism  116  (i.e., the hydraulics associated with the up-down direction  154 ). Similarly, when in the towing position, the pair of safety locking pin receivers  180  ( 322 ) are brought into alignment, then safety locking pin  178  may be inserted into the safety locking pin receivers  180  ( 322 ) for taking the load off the hydraulics associated with the in-and-out actuation mechanism  112  and the side-to-side actuation mechanism  178   
       114  (i.e., the hydraulics associated with the in-and-out direction  150  and the side-to-side direction  152 ).  FIG. 9  shows up-down safety locking pin  174  and safety locking pin  178  when not installed.  FIG. 10  shows an example process of installing safety locking pin  178 .  FIG. 11  shows an example process of installing up-down safety locking pin  174 . Up-down safety locking pin  174  and safety locking pin  178  may act as transport positioners for in-out actuation mechanism  112 , side-to-side actuation mechanism  114 , and up-down actuation mechanism  116 . 
     Further,  FIG. 12  shows an example of certain hydraulics components (e.g., hydraulic lines and couplers  182 ) of trailer hitch system  100  and/or multi-directional trailer hitch  110 .  FIG. 12  shows an example of a hydraulic cylinder  130 . 
     Referring now again to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 12 , the longitudinal (in-and-out slide) motion (e.g., hydraulic cylinder  130   a  and in-out actuation mechanism  112 ) may be powered by the hydraulic cylinder  130   a  that pushes trailer hitch ball  118  out (or retracts in), for example in the range of about 14 inches. The lateral (side-to-side) motion (e.g., hydraulic cylinder  130   b  and side-to-side actuation mechanism  114 ) may be powered by the hydraulic cylinder  130   b  that moves trailer hitch ball  118  side-to-side for example in the range of about 10 inches (e.g., in the range of about 5 inches each way from center). The vertical (up-and-down) motion (e.g., hydraulic cylinder  130   c  and up-down actuation mechanism  116 ) may be powered by the hydraulic cylinder  130   c  that carries trailer hitch ball  118  for example in the range of about 10 inches. The trailer hitch ball  118  itself may be adjusted to allow, for example, in the range of about 24 inches of up-and-down travel by utilizing the up-and-down pin and hole system that includes pins  170  and holes  172 . The example range of movement of trailer hitch ball  118  in the in-out, side-to-side, and up-down direction are examples only, and other distance less than or greater than those examples are contemplated herein. 
     In another example, rather than using a hydraulic clutch pump, a self-contained hydraulic power unit may be used that may run off of the battery power of the vehicle (or other separate power source). This configuration eliminates the need for the clutch pump and may further eliminate the need for the reservoir tank. The use of self-contained hydraulic power unit may be less costly and simpler to install than using the clutch pump. 
     Examples of certain parts and/or components of trailer hitch system  100  and/or multi-directional trailer hitch  110  may include, but are not limited to, the following. 
     Hydraulic Cylinders  130   a ,  130   b ,  130   c  
         (1) Surplus Center 1.5×10×1 DA HYD CYL Pinhole (9-7706-10);   (1) Surplus Center 2×10×1.25 DA Double Rod HYD CYL (9-6846); and   (2) Surplus Center 1.5×14×0.75 DA HYD CYL (9-4410-14).       

     Hydraulic Fluid Reservoir Tank  122 
         (1) 5-gallon hydraulic reservoir tank #103219 (available from Agri-Supply Company).       

     Hydraulic Power System (Hydraulic Pump  120 , control valves  132   a ,  132   b ,  132   c  and Handheld Control Device  160 
         (1) DewEze 7 GPM Hydraulic Clutch Pump Kit (700330-7) *This Clutch Pump is Specific to a 7.3 L Diesel;   (1) 3 Bank BUCHNER valve (725208); and   (1) Hand Control Cable for 3 Bank BUCHNER Valve (150037).       

     Various hoses, fittings, and filters that may vary depending on the type of vehicle and/or any specific plumbing requirements. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a flow diagram of an example of a method  200  of using the trailer hitch system  100  including the actuatable multi-directional trailer hitch  110 . 
     Method  200  may include, but is not limited to, the following steps. The order of the steps below is just one non-limiting example of the order in which the steps may be conduct, the steps may be performed in a different order. 
     At a step  210 , the trailer hitch system  100  including the actuatable multi-directional trailer hitch  110  is provided in a vehicle suitable for towing (e.g., vehicle  190  shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     At a step  215 , a user positions the vehicle in close proximity to an item to be towed, e.g., trailer  195 , to be hooked up and towed. For example, the user may position vehicle  190  in close proximity to the trailer  195  to within the range of travel of the six-way directionality of the actuatable multi-directional trailer hitch  110 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 6 . More particularly, the user may position vehicle  190  in close proximity to the trailer  195  to within the range of travel of in-out actuation mechanism  112 , side-to-side actuation mechanism  114 , and/or up-down actuation mechanism  116  of trailer hitch system  100 . 
     At a step  220 , the user activates trailer hitch system  100 . For example, the user may activate the trailer hitch system  100  by starting the vehicle  190  in which it is installed (e.g., by starting vehicle  190 ). Next, the user may activate the hydraulic pump  120 . For example, the user may turn on the pump activation switch  194  (see  FIG. 5 ), which turns on the hydraulic pump  120  and sends hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid reservoir  122  to one or more valve bodies (e.g., to control valves  132   a ,  132   b ,  132   c ). In an example in which a self-contained hydraulic power unit is used instead of a hydraulic clutch pump the user may not need to start the vehicle  190  to activate the trailer hitch system  100 , and rather may rely on the battery of the vehicle  190  to activate and operate the trailer hitch system  100 . 
     At a step  225 , the user may the handheld control device  160  into plug adaptor  162  at the bumper of vehicle  190  (see  FIG. 4 ). The handheld control device  160  may have three switches  164 : a side-to-side  164   a , an in-and-out  164   b , and an up-and-down  164   c  switch (correlating to control valves  132   a ,  132   b ,  132   c ) for controlling the six-way directionality of the actuatable multi-directional trailer hitch  110 . Alternatively, in the case of a wireless handheld control device  160 , the user would not need to plug the handheld control device  160  into the plug adaptor  162 . Further, in alternative embodiment handheld control device  160  may have another mechanism, other than switches, for controlling the six-way directionality of the actuatable multi-directional trailer hitch  110 . For example, the handheld control device  160  may include a joystick or other any suitable mechanism for controlling the six-way directionality. 
     At a step  230 , the user may remove any safety locking pins that act as safety/transport positioners for the in-out, side-to-side, and/or up-down actuation mechanisms. For example, and referring now again to  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 , and  FIG. 11 , the user may remove up-down safety locking pin  174  and safety locking pin  178  that act as transport positioners for in-out actuation mechanism  112 , side-to-side actuation mechanism  114 , and up-down actuation mechanism  116 . In one example, safety locking pin  178  may be used to lock the side-to-side and in-out movement of the multi-directional trailer hitch  110 , and up-down safety locking pin  174  may be used to lock the up-down movement of the multi-directional trailer hitch  110 . 
     At a step  235 , the user may use the handheld control device  160  to operate the actuatable multi-directional trailer hitch  110  to the desired position for coupling a trailer hitch  197  of the trailer  195  to vehicle  190  (see  FIG. 3  through  FIG. 8 ). For example, the three switches  164  (e.g., side-to side switch  164   a , in-and-out switch  164   b , and up-and-down switch  164   c ) of the handheld control device  160  may be used to open/close control valves  132   a ,  132   b ,  132   c  that allow fluid to the respective hydraulic cylinders  130   a ,  130   b ,  130   c . Accordingly, the switches  164  of the handheld control device  160  may be used to operate the six-way directionality (i.e., in, out, left, right, up, and down) of multi-directional trailer hitch  110  to the desired position for coupling the trailer  195  to vehicle  190 . Namely, to operate in-out actuation mechanism  112 , side-to-side actuation mechanism  114 , and up-down actuation mechanism  116  of multi-directional trailer hitch  110 . Again, handheld control device  160  may have another mechanism, other than switches, for controlling the six-way directionality of the actuatable multi-directional trailer hitch  110 , e.g., a joystick or other any suitable mechanism. 
     At a step  240 , once coupled, the multi-directional trailer hitch  110  may be translated to the towing position and any safety locking pins applied. For example, in-out actuation mechanism  112  may be set fully inward toward vehicle  190 , side-to-side actuation mechanism  114  may be set to about the center position, and up-down actuation mechanism  116  may be set to a safe and/or best leveling height depending on the characteristics of vehicle  190 , the trailer  195 , and/or the cargo, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 14 . Then, the user may reinstall up-down safety locking pin  174  and safety locking pin  178  (see  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 , and  FIG. 11 ) that act as transport positioners for in-out actuation mechanism  112 , side-to-side actuation mechanism  114 , and up-down actuation mechanism  116 . 
     At a step  245 , the user may unplug the handheld control device  160  from the plug adaptor  162  at the bumper of vehicle  190  (if not using a wireless control device  160 ), and deactivates trailer hitch system  100  by, for example, turning off the pump activation switch  194  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     In summary and referring still to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 14 , trailer hitch system  100  includes the actuatable multi-directional trailer hitch  110 , which is, for example, a six-way-directional trailer hitch for personal and commercial light to medium duty vehicles. As described in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , multi-directional trailer hitch  110  may be a hydraulically powered hitch that can be mounted to a vehicle with proper modifications and adaptions specific to various vehicle models. Accordingly, multi-directional trailer hitch  110  may be suitable for any vehicle equipped with a hydraulic power-plant, such as a hydraulic pump, reservoir tank, and valve body or for any vehicle with an electric hydraulic self-contained unit that can be mounted at various locations specific to the multi-directional trailer hitch  110  to be installed. 
     Trailer hitch system  100  and multi-directional trailer hitch  110  provide functionality not found in conventional trailer hitches. For example, multi-directional trailer hitch  110  allows trailer hitch ball  118  to travel in and out (longitudinal) (e.g., for example about 14 inches), side to side (lateral) (e.g., for example about 10 inches), and up and down (vertical) (e.g., for example about 10 inches) with various pin positions that allow the up and down (vertical) travel to cover a larger range in total (e.g., for example about 24 inches). Multi-directional trailer hitch  110  runs on hydraulic power in all directions allowing a user to hook-up to a trailer without the need to reposition the vehicle multiple times to get in an exact location and/or without the need of another person to guide. Multi-directional trailer hitch  110  may eliminate the need of using a trailer jack. Further, multi-directional trailer hitch  110  provides the capability to move a trailer in multiple directions (independent of the vehicle) in order to gain access to tight locations for loading/unloading cargo. The vertical adjustment capabilities of multi-directional trailer hitch  110  allow easy leveling of cargo for proper hauling positioning. 
     Multi-directional trailer hitch  110  may be formed of welded steel allowing it to handle any load that is within range of the capacity rating of the towing vehicle. Multi-directional trailer hitch  110  may be a bolt-on apparatus that may require some vehicle modifications for proper adaptation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16  illustrates an example of various parts and materials that may be used to form multi-directional trailer hitch  110 . For example, multi-directional trailer hitch  110  may include a longitudinal slide receiver  310 , a longitudinal slide  312 , a lateral slide  314 , a vertical hitch mount  316 , a ball mount  318 , vertical cylinder bolt spacers  320  (not shown), a longitudinal/lateral pin-off  322  ( 180 ), and certain members  324 , which in one example may be brass, and in other example may be made of Teflon or other suitable material. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 17  and  FIG. 18  illustrates an example of longitudinal slide receiver  310  of multi-directional trailer hitch  110 . Examples of certain parts and/or components associated with longitudinal slide receiver  310  may include, but are not limited to, the following. 
     Longitudinal Slide Receiver  310  (i.e., the In-Out Receiver)
         (2) 11″ channel (¼″ thickness by 25-½″ length with a 2-½″ top and bottom rail);   (8) ¾″ through holes for chassis mounts in top rail of 11″ channel spaced according to vehicle specifications;   (8) 2½ gusset (5-½″ length by ¼ thickness);   (2) 2-½″ bracing (⅜″ thickness by 3′ length) with a 3″ by ⅜″ by 2-½″ divider;   (1) 6″ plate (½″ thickness by 36-½″ length);   (4) 2″ brass (⅜″ thickness by 24″ length);   (14) Countersunk screws for brass (¼″-20) and (2) 5/16 course thread countersunk screws for brass; and   (2) Cylinder mounts (2-½″ by 2″ by ¼ ″ thickness channel 2-½ ″ with ¾″ pin holes centered).       

     Referring now to  FIG. 19  illustrates an example of longitudinal slide  312  of multi-directional trailer hitch  110 . Further,  FIG. 20  illustrates an example orientation of longitudinal slide  312  to longitudinal slide receiver  310 . Examples of certain parts and/or components associated with longitudinal slide  312  may include, but are not limited to, the following. 
     Longitudinal Slide  312  (i.e., the In-Out Member)
         (2) 2″ by 4″ Tubing (¼″ thickness by 26″ length);   (2) 2-½″ flat-bar (⅜″ thickness by 32-¼″ length);   (1) 2-¾″ Divider (⅜″ thickness by 3″ length);   (1) ¾″ flat-bar (6″ height by 37-½″ length);   (2) ⅜″ Brass (¾ width by 25″ length);   ( 10 ) Countersunk screws for brass (¼″-20) on 6″ centers for top and bottom brass of main plate;   (2) Lateral cylinder mounts −½ angle iron (2-½″ by 4″ by 2-½″ length with ¾″ pin holes); and   (4) Longitudinal cylinder mounts (⅜″ thickness by 2-½″ width by 3″ length with ¾″ pin holes).       

     Referring now to  FIG. 21 ,  FIG. 22 , and  FIG. 23 , illustrates an example of lateral slide  314  of multi-directional trailer hitch  110 . Examples of certain parts and/or components associated with lateral slide  314  may include, but are not limited to, the following. 
     Lateral Slide  314  (i.e., the Side-to-Side Member)
         (1) 1-½″ flat-bar (9″ height by 14-½″ length with 6-½″ 0.812 depth recess set 1-¼″ from top and bottom). Vertical and horizontal ¼″/⅜″ depth recessions in recessed side of flat bar that lead to a grease fitting placed in the top of the flat-bar to facilitate grease application for lateral slide;
           (1) ¾″ flat-bar (9″ height by 14-½″ length with 6-½″ 0 0.062 recess set 1-¼″ from the top and bottom);   
           (8) 9/16″ through-holes in ¾″ plate to match bolt pattern of 1-½″ flat-bar bolt pattern;   (4) ⅜″ course thread bolt holes in ¾″ plate to match lateral (side to side) cylinder; and   (8) 1-½″ flat-bar through-holes (½″ holes starting ⅝″ from top and side of flat-bar set at 2-¾″ laterally and 7-¾″ form top holes moving vertically for a pattern of 4 holes positioned at one side of the flat-bar and a replicated pattern at the other side of the flat-bar).       

     Referring now to  FIG. 24  through  FIG. 29  illustrates an example of vertical hitch mount  316  of multi-directional trailer hitch  110 . Examples of certain parts and/or components associated with vertical hitch mount  316  may include, but are not limited to, the following. 
     Vertical Hitch Mount  316  (i.e., the Up-Down Member)
         (2) 7/16″ flat-bar spacers (4″ width by 12-½″ length with 4 through-holes per spacer to match lateral slide bolt pattern);   (2) ½″ angle-iron (4″ by 5-¾″ by 15-¼″ length with 4 through-holes to match flat-bar spacers, (2) ¾″ pin holes and 11/16″ cylinder mount hole);   (1) ⅜″ tubing (3″ by 6″ by 18-¾″ length with (9) 11/16″ hitch adjustment holes set on 2″ centers, (9) ¾″ pin-holes set on 2″ centers that are off set 1″ from the hitch adjustment holes, and (1) 11/16″ cylinder mount hole);   (1) ⅜″ slide flat-bar (6″ width by 18-¾″ length, with 1-⅛″ width by 11″ slot centered starting from top of plate and 1-⅛″ width by 3″ slot centered starting from bottom of plate for vertical cylinder hose fitting clearance);   (1) vertical 3/16″ flat-bar cylinder cap (3″ by 6-½″ bent 45 degrees at 4-¼″ with (1) 5/16″ through hole for 5/16″ bolt);   (2) safety chain hook-ups (¼″ by 4″ by 5-½″ bent 45 degrees at 3-¾″; and   (2) 9/16″ through holes on 2-¾″ centers, 2-½″ by 1-¾″ slot for safety chain hooks).       

     Referring now to  FIG. 30  illustrates an example of ball mount  318  of multi-directional trailer hitch  110 . Examples of certain parts and/or components associated with ball mount  318  may include, but are not limited to, the following. 
     Ball Mount  318 
         (1) ½″ channel (4″ by 2-½″ by 4″ length with (4) 11/16″ pin-holes on 2″ centers); and   (1) ¾″ Flat-bar (2-½″ width by 10-¼″ length with 90-degree angle set at 5-¼″ by 5″ and (1) 1- 1/16″ through-hole for ball mount).       

     Examples of certain parts and/or components associated with vertical cylinder bolt spacers  320  may include, but are not limited to, the following. 
     Vertical Cylinder Bolt Spacers  320  (Not Shown)
         (2) 11/16″ ID by  1 ″ OD by ⅝″ length; and   (2) 11/16″ ID by  1 ″ OD by ½″ length.       

     Referring now to  FIG. 31  illustrates an example of longitudinal/lateral pin-off  322  ( 180 ) of multi-directional trailer hitch  110 . Examples of certain parts and/or components associated with longitudinal/lateral pin-off  322  ( 180 ) may include, but are not limited to, the following. 
     Longitudinal/Lateral Pin-Off  322  ( 180 ) (Mounted to Lateral Slide)
         ½″ flat-bar (5″ by 2″ with (2) 9/16″ through holes on 2-¾″ centers and a   1-¼″ OD by 11/16″ ID alignment bushing)       

     Longitudinal/Lateral Pin-Off  322  ( 180 ) (Mounted Under Vehicle) (Not Shown)
         1-½″ by 3/16″ square tubing (34″ length with 1-¼″ OD by 11/16″ ID locating bushing)       

     Referring now to  FIG. 32  illustrates an example of wear protection members  324  of multi-directional trailer hitch  110 . Wear protection members  324  may be used to reduce wear of metal-on-metal configurations within multi-directional trailer hitch  110 . Wear protection members  324  may be formed, for example, of brass, Teflon, or any other suitably protective material. Excluding wear protection members  324 , other parts of multi-directional trailer hitch  110  may be painted with, for example, black implement paint before final installation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 33 , illustrates another example of a safety locking pin  178 . Referring now to  FIG. 34A  through  FIG. 42 , illustrates additional views of the multi-directional trailer hitch and its components in accordance with example embodiments of the invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 43 ,  FIG. 44A , and  FIG. 44B , illustrates another example embodiment of the multi-directional trailer hitch  110  including adapter frame components  326  ( 326 A and  326 B). Adapter frame components  326  may be used to allow for installation of the multi-directional trailer hitch  110  on different types/makes of vehicles  190 . 
     All the dimensions listed above with regard to the various components of multi-directional trailer hitch  110  are examples only, and other dimensions less than or greater than those examples are contemplated herein. 
     Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in this application, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a subject” includes a plurality of subjects, unless the context clearly is to the contrary (e.g., a plurality of subjects), and so forth. 
     Throughout this specification and the claims, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising” are used in a non-exclusive sense, except where the context requires otherwise. Likewise, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items. 
     For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes, dimensions, proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters, percentages, quantities, characteristics, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter. For example, the term “about,” when referring to a value can be meant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments ±100%, in some embodiments ±50%, in some embodiments ±20%, in some embodiments ±10%, in some embodiments ±5%, in some embodiments ±1%, in some embodiments ±0.5%, and in some embodiments ±0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employ the disclosed compositions. 
     Further, the term “about” when used in connection with one or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers, e.g., whole integers, including fractions thereof, subsumed within that range (for example, the recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like) and any range within that range. 
     Although the foregoing subject matter has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain changes and modifications can be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.