Patent Publication Number: US-9844986-B2

Title: Apparatus and method of installing an internal locking ring to reinforce an adjustable trailer hitch

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,815, filed Mar. 26, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/970,271 filed Mar. 25, 2014, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, including but not limited to those portions that specifically appear hereinafter, the incorporation by reference being made with the following exception: In the event that any portion of any of the above-referenced applications are inconsistent with this application, this application supercedes said above-referenced applications. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. The Field of the Present Disclosure. 
     The present disclosure relates generally to trailer hitches, and more particularly, but not necessarily entirely, to adjustable height trailer hitches. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Trailer hitches are utilized to couple tow vehicles and trailers. In a standard configuration, a trailer hitch may comprise a receiver permanently mounted to the undercarriage of the tow vehicle. A ball mount may include a shank portion configured and adapted to be installed in the receiver. The ball mount may further include a bore for a shaft of a hitch ball. Conventional ball mounts may include a fixed drop portion for providing a height difference between the receiver and the hitch ball. It will be appreciated that the height difference between the hitch ball and the receiver, referred to as drop, may be necessary for safe towing as the trailer should always be as level as possible. 
     More recently, hitches have been constructed with a variable drop. In particular, the hitches may include a drop bar having a plurality discrete mounting locations for a ball support member. The ball support member may be selectively secured to any one of the plurality of discrete mounting locations using a pin. In some instances, the pin may be manually inserted by a user through a bore in the ball support member that is aligned with a bore in the drop bar. In other instances, the pin may be integrated into the ball support member. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a previously available adjustable height trailer hitch  10  includes a shank portion  12 . Extending downwardly from the shank portion  12  may be a drop bar  14 . A face  16  of the drop bar  14  may include a plurality of pin receiving holes  18 . Mounted to the drop bar  14  may be a ball support member  20 . The ball support member  20  may include a body member  22  having at least one hitch ball  24  mounted thereto. The body member  22  may include a pair of L-shaped arms  26  that define a slot  28  for receiving the drop bar  14 . 
     The hitch  10  may further include a first locking pin  30  for securing the shank portion  12  in a receiver (not shown) attached to a tow vehicle. The first locking pin  30  may be extended and retracted via a barrel type key inserted into a key cylinder accessible from the face  16  of the drop bar  14 . The ball support member  20  may further include a second locking pin  34  (seen in  FIG. 2 ) that extends and retracts to selectively engage one of the plurality of pin receiving locations, such as holes  18 . The position of the second locking pin  34  may be extended and retracted via a barrel type key  33  inserted into a key cylinder  36  (seen in  FIG. 2 ) accessible from a side of the ball support member  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a cross-sectional view of the ball support member  20  and where like reference numerals depict the same components, the interaction between the second locking pin  34  and the key cylinder  36  is shown in more detail. In particular, the ball support member  20  may include a first bore  40  and a second bore  42 . The second locking pin  34  may be disposed in the first bore  40 . The key cylinder  36  may be disposed in the second bore  42 . Interconnecting the second locking pin  34  and the key cylinder  36  may be an actuating pin  44  having a proximal end  46  and a distal end  48 . 
     The proximal end  46  of the actuating pin  44  may include a slot  50  for engaging a protrusion  52  extending from the key cylinder  36 . The distal end  48  of the actuating pin  44  may engage a sidewall  54  of the second locking pin  34  such that rotation of the actuating pin  44  may cause the second locking pin  34  to extend and retract from the ball support member  20 . In this regard, a cam assembly may interconnect the distal end  48  of the actuating pin  44  and the sidewall  54  of the second locking pin  34 . As known to those of ordinary skill, the cam assembly may translate the rotational motion of the actuating pin  44  into linear motion of the second locking pin  34 . The cam assembly may include an eccentric protrusion formed in the distal end  48  of the actuating pin  44  and an eccentric slot formed in the sidewall  54  of the second locking pin  34 . 
     The second locking pin  34  may be secured in the first bore  40  by virtue of the cam assembly. The actuating pin  44  and the key cylinder  36  may be secured in the second bore  42  by a fastener  49  that engages the key cylinder  36 . The ball support member  20  may include a bore  60  for receiving a hitch ball. O-rings  62  may be utilized to prevent water and other substances from interfering with the operation of the actuating pin  44  and the locking pin  34 . While the hitch  10 , shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , has proven successful in the marketplace, improvements are still being sought. For example, it would be an improvement to provide enhanced durability and strength to the components of the hitch  10 . 
     The features and advantages of the present disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the present disclosure without undue experimentation. The features and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a view of a previously available trailer hitch assembly with variable height adjustability; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the prior art ball support member shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the ball support member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a locking pin according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an actuating pin according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a locking ring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a view of a tool for installing a locking ring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 8-12  depict a process for installing a locking pin, actuating pin, locking ring, and key cylinder into a ball support member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 13  is a view of an alternative embodiment of an installation tool shown in  FIGS. 7-10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure claimed. 
     In describing and claiming the present disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “containing,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. 
     Applicant has discovered an improved adjustable height trailer hitch that improves securement of the actuator pin and, optionally, the key cylinder. In an embodiment, the applicant&#39;s adjustable height trailer hitch may include a ball mount assembly having an actuating pin disposed in an actuating bore for deploying and retracting a locking pin disposed in a locking-pin bore. The ball mount assembly may further include an annular groove formed in the actuator bore. A locking ring may be installed in the annular groove to secure the actuating pin in the actuating bore for preventing backout of the actuating pin. 
     Applicant has further invented a tool for installing the locking ring in the first bore. The tool may include a body member defining a hollow cylindrical passage. Disposed within the hollow cylindrical passage may be a plunger having a ring engaging surface disposed on its distal end. A resilient member, such as a spring, may bias the plunger. A locking ring may be compressed and inserted into the hollow cylindrical passageway. The plunger may be utilized to eject the locking ring from the hollow cylindrical passageway. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a cross-sectional view of a ball support member  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that the ball support member  100  may be mountable onto a drop bar connected to a shank similar to the ones shown in  FIG. 1 . The drop bar may include pin receiving locations, including pin receiving bores. The ball support member  100  may include a body member  102  having at least one bore  104  for mounting a hitch ball. The body member  102  may include a pair of L-shaped arms  106  that define a slot  108  for receiving a drop bar. 
     The body member  102  may further include a locking-pin bore  110  for receiving a locking pin. The body member  102  may further include an actuator bore  112  defining a sidewall  113 . In an embodiment, the sidewall  113  is cylindrical. The actuator bore  112  may include a first portion  112 A having a diameter D 1  and a second portion  112 B having a second diameter D 2 , where D 1  is greater than D 2 . 
     Interposed between the first portion  112 A and the second portion  112 B may be a shoulder  114  having a height D 3 . Formed in the sidewall  113  of the second portion  112 B of the bore  112  may be a groove  116 . In an embodiment, the groove  116  may be an annular groove. In an embodiment, the groove  116  may be non-annular. As will be explained in detail hereinafter, the groove  116  may be configured and dimensioned to receive a locking ring. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the locking-pin bore  110  and the actuator bore  112  may be in communication with each other. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a locking pin  150  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The locking pin  150  may comprise a cylindrical body  152  extending from a proximal end  154  to a distal end  156 . Extending from the distal end  156  may be a cylindrical protrusion  158 . A cutout  160  may be formed in the cylindrical body  152 . An eccentric recess  162  by be formed in the cutout  160 . An annular groove  164  configured and adapted to receive an O-ring may formed on the body  152 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown an actuating pin  200  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The actuating pin  200  may include a body member  202  extending from a proximal end  204  to a distal end  206 . The body member  202  may include a first portion  208  having a diameter D 4  and a second portion  210  having a diameter D 5 , where D 5  is greater than D 4 . Formed in the second portion  210  may be an annular groove  212  for receiving an o-ring. Extending from the body member  202  of the actuating pin  200  may be a surface or shoulder  215 . 
     Extending from the distal end  206  may be an eccentric protrusion  214 . Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the eccentric protrusion  214  and the eccentric recess  162  may form a cam assembly for converting the rotational movement of the actuating pin  200  into linear movement of the locking pin  150  as is known to those having ordinary skill. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is depicted a locking ring  250  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As will be explained in detail hereinafter, the locking ring  250  may be used to secure the actuating pin  200 . In an embodiment, the ring  250  may be radially compressible, and may expand back into its original size and shape after being compressed and then released. In particular, the ring  250  may extend from a first end  252  to a second end  254 , with the first end  252  and the second end  254  overlapping a center ring portion  256 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is depicted an apparatus or tool  300  for installing the ring  250  into the actuator bore  112 , and in particular, the annular groove  116  in the actuator bore  112 . In an embodiment, the tool  300  may comprise a hollow body member  302  extending from a proximal end  304  to a distal end  306 . The hollow body member  302  may be formed having any suitable external shape or internal shape, including but not limited to a tubular shape, a square shape, an octagonal shape, a trapezoidal shape, a triangular shape, or any other suitable shape. An annular lip  308  may be disposed on the proximal end  304  of the hollow body member  302 . Formed in a sidewall of the body member  302  may be an L-shaped slot  310 . The body member  302  may include an inner cylindrical sidewall  312  that forms a cylindrical bore  314  (also referred to as a ring-receiving space). Formed in a distal terminal end  316  of the body member  302  may be a notch  318  for receiving a locking ring as will be described in detail hereinafter. 
     Disposed in the bore  314  of the body member  302  may be a plunger  320  (the plunger may also be referred to as a pusher). The plunger  320  (or pusher) may extend from a proximal end  322  to a distal end  324  (not visible) and define a hollow cylindrical body. Formed on the proximal end  322  of the plunger  320  may be an annular rim  326 . Extending from the plunger  320  may be a protrusion  328 . The protrusion  328  may be located in the L-shaped slot  310  of the body member  302 . It will be appreciated that the protrusion  328  and the L-shaped slot  310  may limit movement of the plunger  320  within the body member  302 . 
     Disposed along the main body of the plunger  320  may be a resilient member  330 , such as a spring. It will be appreciated that the resilient member  330  may bias the plunger  320 . In particular, the resilient member  330  may be biased against the annular rim  326  of the plunger  320  and against the annular rim  308  of the body member  302 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the plunger  320  is in the retracted position as biased by the resilient member  330 . 
     As shown, the notch  318  may be configured and adapted to receive the ring  250 . In particular, the ring  250  may be oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body member  302  and then placed in the notch  318 . A user may then press the ring  250  into the bore  314  of the body member  302 . As the user presses the ring  250 , the ring  250  will compress radially inward to match the diameter of the bore  314 . A user may then rotate the ring  250  such that it is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body member  302  and slide it back against the plunger  320 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7-11 , a method of assembling the ball support member  100  using the tool  300  is shown and described according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where like reference numerals depict like components. In  FIG. 7 , the locking ring  250  is installed into the bore  314  of the body member  302  of the tool  300  in the manner described above. Next, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the locking pin  150  and the actuating pin  200  are installed into the bores  110  and  112 , respectfully. The tool  300  is then positioned at the entrance of the bore  112 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the body member  302  of the tool  300  is advanced into the bore  112  until the distal terminal end  316  abuts against the shoulder  114  of the bore  112 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , with the distal terminal end  316  placed against the shoulder  114  of the actuator bore  112 , the plunger  320  is then actuated by a user such that its distal end  324  ejects the ring  250  from the body member  302  and into the annular groove  116  of the bore  112 . When the locking ring  250  enters the annular groove  116 , the compressed locking ring  250  expands into groove  116  and is thereby locked into place by filling into groove  116 , and since annular groove  116  is larger in diameter than bore  112  and since the locking ring  250  expands to fill groove  116 , locking ring  250  is held into place by the walls that define annular groove  116 . The plunger  320  may include an inner cylindrical bore at its distal end  324  for receiving the first portion  208  of the actuating pin  200  (see  FIGS. 5 and 8 ). Thus, the diameter of the inner cylindrical bore of the plunger  320  may be greater than diameter D 4  shown in  FIG. 5 . By the same token, the outer diameter of the plunger  320  may be less than the diameter D 2  shown in  FIG. 3  in order to allow the distal end  324  of the plunger  320  to pass between the sidewall  113  of the actuating bore  112  and the first portion  208  of the actuating pin  200 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , with the annular ring  250  installed in the groove  116 , the tool  300  is removed from the bore  112 . The ring  250  may secure the actuating pin  200  in the bore  112  by abutting against the surface  215  extending from the actuating pin  200 . It will be appreciated that as used herein, the concept of “abutting against” shall be construed broadly to include the concept of an item, such as annular ring  250 , participating in or causing an abutting force to be applied on another item, such as the surface  215 , including in cases that utilize an intervening member, such as a washer, interposed between the surface  215  and the ring  250 . 
     In an embodiment, the surface  215  extending from the actuating pin  200  may be an annular surface. In an embodiment, an intervening member, such as a washer, may be interposed between the surface  215  of the actuating pin  200  and the locking ring  250 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , with the locking ring  250  installed into the groove  116  of the bore  112 , a key cylinder  350  may be slidably inserted into the bore  112 . The key cylinder  350  may accept a key to rotate the actuating pin  200  to thereby cause the locking pin  150  to engage a pin receiving hole in a drop bar of a hitch. In this regard, the actuating pin  200  may include a slot for receiving a protrusion extending from the key cylinder  350 . A fastener  352  may be utilized to secure the key cylinder  350  in the bore  112 . 
     The ball support member  100  may then be installed onto a drop bar of a hitch having a plurality of pin receiving holes. The drop bar may be connected to a shank portion configured and dimensioned to be installed into a receiver of a tow vehicle. The ball support member  100  may further include at least one ball attached thereto. In an embodiment, the ball support member  100  includes a pair of different sized hitch balls. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , an alternative embodiment for tool  300  is shown at  400 . Tool  400  may include jaws  401  having a first jaw  402  and an opposing second jaw  404 , both extending from a base  406 . The base  406  may be configured and arranged as known in the field for holding firmly in place the two jaws  402  and  404 , for example in the manner of a crescent wrench as known in the field, or a pipe wrench, or any suitable manner that enables jaws  401  to be held firmly in place such that jaw  402  and jaw  404  may be selectively moved toward and away from each other. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 13 , a method of assembling the ball support member  100  using the tool  400  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where like reference numerals depict like components, involve placing locking ring  250  between the jaws  402  and  404 , and operating the base  406  (similar to a crescent wrench for example or a pipe wrench for example) to cause jaws  402  and  404  to move toward each other and compress lock ring  250 . Next, the locking pin  150  and the actuating pin  200  are installed into the bores  110  and  112 , respectfully. The tool  400  is then positioned at the entrance of the bore  112 . 
     The jaws  402  and  404  of the tool  400  may be advanced into the bore  112  until distal terminal ends  416  of jaws  402  and  404  abut against the shoulder  114  of the bore  112 . A pusher  420  may then be actuated by a user such that its distal end  424  (also referred to as a ring engaging surface) ejects the locking ring  250  from the jaws  402  and  404  into the annular groove  116  of the bore  112 . The pusher  420  may be a simple rod or any suitable item capable of pushing the compressed locking ring  250  from the jaws  402  and  404  of tool  400 . When the locking ring  250  enters the annular groove  116 , the compressed locking ring  250  expands into groove  116  and is thereby locked into place by filling into groove  116 , and since annular groove  116  is larger in diameter than bore  112  and since the locking ring  250  expands to fill groove  116 , locking ring  250  is held into place by the walls that define annular groove  116 . 
     The jaws  401  may be referred to as body member extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The body member, or jaws  401 , may be described as having an outer surface and an inner surface, which may also be described as the jaw  402  having an inner surface and the jaw  404  having an inner surface. The inner surface of jaws  401  (or the inner surfaces of jaw  402  and jaw  404 ) may defining a ring-receiving space. 
     According to an embodiment, the present invention may include: a shank portion configured and adapted to be installed into a hitch receiver; a drop bar extending downwardly from the shank portion; a plurality of pin receiving holes formed in the drop bar; a ball support member, the ball support member having a body member that comprises a locking-pin bore and an actuator bore formed therein, wherein the actuator bore defines a cylindrical sidewall and an annular groove in said cylindrical sidewall, wherein the locking-pin bore and the actuator bore intersect; a locking pin disposed in said locking-pin bore of the ball support member, said locking pin having a distal end configured and dimensioned to be selectively received in one of the pin receiving holes formed in the drop bar to provide height adjustment variability between the ball support member and the drop bar; an actuator pin disposed in said actuator bore of the ball support member, said actuator pin having a body extending between a first end and a second end, said body further having a surface extending from an intermediate portion of said body; a locking ring disposed in said annular groove of the cylindrical sidewall of the actuator bore, said locking ring abutting against the surface of the actuator pin to prevent backout of the actuator pin. According to an embodiment, the present invention may include: a cam assembly interconnecting the actuator pin and the locking pin such that rotation of the actuator pin causes the locking pin to move linearly in the locking-pin bore. 
     According to an embodiment, the present invention may include a method of manufacturing a ball support member for use in a trailer hitch ball mount assembly, said method comprising: forming a body member; forming a locking-pin bore and an actuator bore in the body member, the actuator bore defining a cylindrical sidewall; forming an annular groove in the cylindrical sidewall of the actuator bore; installing a locking pin in the locking-pin bore; installing an actuating pin in the actuator bore, said actuator pin having a body extending between a first end and a second end, said body further having a surface extending from an intermediate portion of said body; installing a locking ring in the groove of the actuator bore such that the locking ring prevents backout of the actuating pin by engaging the surface extending from the intermediate portion of the body of the actuating pin; wherein rotation of the actuating pin causes the locking pin to advance and retract in the locking-pin bore. 
     In an embodiment, body support member may be formed of aluminum or some other material of sufficient strength. In an embodiment, the locking-pin bore and the actuator bore may be formed by a drill and drill bits of appropriate sizes. The annular groove in the actuator bore may be formed using a disc shaped cutting tool. 
     The method may further comprise the step of attaching a trailer ball to the body member. The method may further comprise the step of interconnecting the actuator pin and the locking pin with a cam assembly such that rotation of the actuator pin causes the locking pin to move linearly in the locking-pin bore. The method may further comprise the cam assembly having an eccentric protrusion and an eccentric slot. The method may further comprise installing a key lock cylinder in the actuator bore, wherein the actuator pin is interposed between the key lock cylinder and the locking pin, the key lock cylinder engaging the second end of the actuator pin. The method may further comprise forming a pair of spaced apart arms extending from the body member, the pair of spaced apart arms defining a slot for receiving a drop bar. The method may further comprise the step of installing a locking ring in the groove of the actuator bore comprises radially compressing the locking ring. The method further comprising compressing the locking ring in a cylindrical bore. 
     Those having ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate the advantages provide by the features of the present disclosure. For example, it is a feature of the present disclosure to provide a trailer hitch having an adjustable height ball support member. Another feature of the present disclosure to provide such a ball support member having an internal locking ring for maintaining the actuating pin. It is a further feature of the present disclosure, in accordance with one aspect thereof, to provide a tool for installing a locking ring. 
     In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features of the present disclosure are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description of the Disclosure by this reference, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present disclosure. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present disclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.