Patent Abstract:
A removable wagon may be attached to a hitch insert for transportation by a vehicle. After transport the wagon may be rolled by the user to a desired location. Devices for hitching the wagon to the vehicle are described.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/876,339 filed Dec. 21, 2006, and entitled “Hitch Mounted Receiver Platform and Complementary Wagon” by Trish Crawford and Kent Crawford, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Individuals often need to move large amounts of gear or equipment to different locations. In many situations the gear or equipment cannot be easily be loaded into a vehicle. A possible solution is a cargo carrier attached to a car or truck, allowing a user to move equipment without loading the items into the vehicle. Such systems have limited mobility as they cannot be rolled. Gear must be carried from a vehicle to a destination. Another option is a toy or garden wagon which would allow individuals to roll but such wagons must be carried in a vehicle taking up valuable space. What is needed is a rolling device for transporting gear that may be attached externally to a vehicle. 
     The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following examples and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools, and methods that are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various examples, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other examples are directed to other improvements. 
     This disclosure relates to hitch-based cargo and recreational gear carriers, specifically a removable wagon that can be lifted from a hitch insert &amp; then rolled to a user&#39;s preferred destination. 
     One example is the Xtreme Wagon™ from Gear In Motion. Such a wagon allows individuals to move gear (recreational equipment) from a vehicle to events (such as soccer games and baseball games) in one simple step. Simply unhook the wagon from a car &amp; roll it to an event. 
     A wagon may attach to a pivot hitch or a tilt hitch for assisted lifting of the wagon to a travel height. The wagon may be locked in place for travel. Advantageously, an individual is not required to bear the full weight of the wagon while lifting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts an example of a system including a receiver platform and a complementary wagon. 
         FIG. 2  depicts an example of a system including a receiver platform and a complementary wagon with Z braces separated from the wagon. 
         FIG. 3  depicts an example of a system including a receiver platform and a complementary wagon connected together. 
         FIG. 4  depicts an example of a wagon. 
         FIG. 5  depicts an example of a flowchart of a method for using a wagon. 
         FIG. 6  depicts an example of a system including a wagon and a pivot hitch. 
         FIG. 7  depicts an example of a pivot hitch, disassembled. 
         FIG. 8  depicts an example of a system including a pivot hitch and a wagon base with wheels. 
         FIG. 9  depicts an example of a wagon. 
         FIG. 10  depicts an example of a flowchart of a method for using a wagon with a pivot hitch. 
         FIG. 11  depicts an example of a tilt hitch. 
         FIG. 12  depicts an example of a tilt hitch disassembled. 
         FIG. 13  depicts an example of a system including a wagon with a disassembled tilt hitch. 
         FIG. 14  depicts an example of a system including a wagon and a tilt hitch. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, several specific details are presented to provide a thorough understanding. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the concepts and techniques disclosed herein can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or in combination with other components, etc. In other instances, well-known implementations or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of various examples disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an example of a system  100  including a receiver platform and a complementary wagon.  FIG. 1  includes vehicle hitch receptacle  101 , hitching platform  102 , and wagon  103 . 
     The vehicle hitch receptacle  101  may be a “tow hitch,” or “tow point,” attached to a chassis of a vehicle for towing. The vehicle hitch receptacle  101  may be one of a class of tow hitches, for example, class I to 2000 lbs, class II 3500 lbs, class III to 5000 lbs, or IV 10,000 lbs. 
     The hitching platform  102  includes hole locking bolt  110 , hitch insert  111 , hitch insert receiver platform  112 , and locking pin  113 . The hitching platform  102  may be constructed from a strong load bearing material such as steel, high-strength light-weight alloy or other known or convenient material. 
     The hitch insert  111  may be an extended portion of the hitching platform  102  sufficiently load bearing to support the weight of the wagon  103  including loaded items. The hole locking bolt  110 , may be a hole though the hitch insert  111 , the positioning and the diameter of the hole may be as is known or convenient relative to the vehicle hitch receptacle  101 . 
     The hitch insert receiver platform  112  may be formed relative to the Z-bars  121  to slide into the Z-bars  121  of the wagon frame  124 . The hitch insert receiver platform  112  as depicted is formed of right angles so as to provide a fitted connection with the Z-bars  121 , however, any known or convenient form may be used. In a non-limiting example, the Z-bars  121  and hitch insert receiver platform  112  are formed of trapezoidal structure, a circular structure, or other known or convenient structure so as to allow for the wagon frame  124  and the hitch insert receiver platform  112  to slide together. 
     The locking pin  113  may be a rounded bar extending from the hitch insert receiver platform  112  paired with a hole in the loading stopper  123 . The shape of the locking pin  113  may be squared, rectangular, trapezoidal, circular, or other shape known or convenient so as to connect with loading stopper  123  to provide a secure locked position during travel. A clip or other device may be connected to locking pin  113  to secure the locking pin  113  to the loading stopper  123 . 
     The wagon  103  includes Z-bars  121 , guiding lip  122 , loading stopper  123 , and wagon frame  124 . The Z-bars  121  may be shaped relative to the hitch insert receiver platform  112 , and may be squared, rectangular, trapezoidal, circular, or other known or convenient shape allowing the Z-bars  121  to slide on the hitch insert receiver platform  112  to form a stable connection during transport of the wagon  103 . The guiding lip  122  extends as a portion of each Z bar ensuring the stable connection. 
     The frame of the wagon frame  124  may be fabricated from a light-weight high-strength material and formed in an aesthetically pleasing manner so as to produce an attractive means of transport of items while providing a stable manner of storage during transport. Bars of the wagon  103  may be formed to allow for points to tie items to, and to provide for straps and other devices for securing items within the wagon frame  124 . The wagon frame  124  may include cargo netting. The wagon frame  124  may include one or more pouches for placing items in. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an example of a system  200  including a receiver platform and a complementary wagon with Z braces separated from the wagon.  FIG. 2  includes wagon  201 , Z braces  202 , and receiver platform  203 . In  FIG. 2  the Z braces  202  are separated from the wagon  201  for visibility. 
       FIG. 3  depicts an example of a system  300  including a receiver platform and a complementary wagon connected together.  FIG. 3  includes wagon  301  and receiver platform  302 .  FIG. 3  depicts receiver platform and wagon  301  connected for transport by a vehicle. 
       FIG. 4  depicts an example of a wagon  400 . The depiction provides an alternative angle to view the wagon  400 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts an example of a flowchart  500  of a method for using a wagon. The method is organized as a sequence of modules in the flowchart  500 . However, it should be understood that these and modules associated with other methods described herein may be reordered for parallel execution or into different sequences of modules where is known or convenient. 
     In the example of  FIG. 5 , the flowchart  500  starts at module  502  with filling a wagon with items. Such items may include any desirable gear, food, clothing, or other items needed for an event. In an non-limiting example, the event is a soccer game, and chairs, food, and drinks are loaded into the wagon. 
     In the example of  FIG. 5 , the flowchart  500  continues to module  504  with securing the items to the wagon. Straps, rope, tape, cargo netting, or another manner of securing items to the wagon may be employed. In some methods, the wagon may be transported externally to a vehicle, and securing the items may prevent the items from being lost from the wagon during transport. 
     In the example of  FIG. 5 , the flowchart  500  continues to module  506  with lifting the wagon off of the ground. With a receiver platform coupled to vehicle tow receptacle, it may be necessary to raise the wagon to a height sufficient to line Z-bars with a receiver platform. 
     In the example of  FIG. 5 , the flowchart  500  continues to module  508  with sliding the wagon onto a receiver platform. After lining up Z-bars with a receiver platform, the wagon may be slid onto the Z-bars. The weight of the wagon and all items included therein may be supported by the receiver platform. 
     In the example of  FIG. 5 , the flowchart  500  continues to module  510  with locking the wagon to the receiver platform. A locking pin may be passed through a loading stopper and fixed in place. In a non-limiting example a clip is passed through locking pin to prevent movement. 
     In the example of  FIG. 5 , the flowchart  500  continues to module  512  with transporting the wagon to a destination. A vehicle having the wagon attached via the receiver platform may be driven to the destination. 
     In the example of  FIG. 5 , the flowchart  500  continues to module  514  with unlocking the wagon from the receiver platform. A clip or other locking device may be disabled. 
     In the example of  FIG. 5 , the flowchart  500  continues to module  516  with removing the wagon from the receiver platform. The wagon may be slid off of the receiving platform. 
     In the example of  FIG. 5 , the flowchart  500  continues to module  518  with placing the wagon on the ground. An individual may place the wagon on its wheels to be rolled to an event. 
     In the example of  FIG. 5 , the flowchart  500  continues to module  520  with rolling the wagon to an event. Advantageously, an individual may avoid carrying items to an event. Having transported the wagon to an event, the flowchart terminates. 
       FIG. 6  depicts an example of a system  600  including a wagon and a pivot hitch. The system  600  includes wagon base  601  and pivot hitch  602 . Each of the wagon base  601  and the pivot hitch  602  may be made of steel, a light-weight high-strength alloy, or any known or convenient material. 
       FIG. 7  depicts an example of a pivot hitch  700 , disassembled.  FIG. 7  includes faceplate  701 , multi device attachment  702 , gas shock  703 , locking height adjuster  704 , hole locking bolt  705 , and hitch insert  706 . 
     The faceplate  701  includes rails having groves to slide into a faceplate adapter coupled to or part of a wagon base. The faceplate  701  may have a locking device to attach to the faceplate adapter of the wagon base. 
     The multi device attachment  702  may include one or more devices for attaching to items other than a wagon such as a bicycle rack, a ski rack, or other device for transporting items. 
     The gas shock  703  may be any device for applying pressure to support weight on the pivot arm during the lifting of a device attached to the faceplate  701 . The locking height adjuster  704  includes a plurality of holes for locking the pivot arm at various heights. 
     Hitch insert  706  may be an extended portion of the hitching platform  102  sufficiently load bearing to support the weight of a wagon including loaded items. The hitch insert  706  includes hole locking bolt  705 . The positioning and the diameter of the hole may be as is known or convenient relative to a vehicle hitch receptacle. 
       FIG. 8  depicts an example of a system  800  including a pivot hitch and a wagon base with wheels.  FIG. 8  includes faceplate  802 , pivot hitch  803 , and faceplate adapter  804 . In operation, the faceplate adapter  804  may be slid onto and locked to the faceplate  802 . The faceplate  802  is coupled to the pivot hitch  803 . An individual may raise a loaded wagon off of the ground assisted by the pivot hitch  803 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts an example of a wagon  900 . The depiction provides an alternative view of the wagon. 
       FIG. 10  depicts an example of a flowchart  1000  of a method for using a wagon with a pivot hitch. The method is organized as a sequence of modules in the flowchart  1000 . However, it should be understood that these and modules associated with other methods described herein may be reordered for parallel execution or into different sequences of modules. 
     In the example of  FIG. 10 , the flowchart  1000  starts at module  1002  with filling a wagon with items. Items may be chairs, food, drinks, or any items desirable. 
     In the example of  FIG. 10 , the flowchart  1000  continues to module  1004  with securing the items to the wagon for travel while attached to a moving vehicle. Straps, cargo netting, rope or other devices may be used to secure the items to the wagon. 
     In the example of  FIG. 10 , the flowchart  1000  continues to module  1006  with adjusting a pivot hitch to a desired height. Initially, the pivot hitch may be lowered to an optimal loading height. 
     In the example of  FIG. 10 , the flowchart  1000  continues to module  1008  with attaching the wagon to a faceplate. Having lowered the pivot hitch to an optimal height, the wagon faceplate adapter maybe slid onto the faceplate of the pivot hitch securing the wagon to the faceplate. 
     In the example of  FIG. 10 , the flowchart  1000  continues to module  1010  with locking the wagon to the faceplate. A clip, bolt, pin, or other device may be used to secure the wagon to the faceplate. 
     In the example of  FIG. 10 , the flowchart  1000  continues to module  1012  with lifting the wagon off of the ground, assisted by the pivot hitch. A gas shock included in the pivot hitch may bear some weight of the loaded wagon. The wagon may be more easily lifted to an appropriate height. 
     In the example of  FIG. 10 , the flowchart  1000  continues to module  1014  with raising the wagon to a travel height. The wagon may be raised to a travel height or other height as is desired. 
     In the example of  FIG. 10 , the flowchart  1000  continues to module  1016  with locking a height adjuster in place. Having prepared the wagon for travel, the flowchart terminates. 
       FIG. 11  depicts an example of a tilt hitch  1100 . The depiction provides a view of the tilt hitch independent of other devices. 
       FIG. 12  depicts an example of a tilt hitch disassembled  1200 .  FIG. 12  includes faceplate  1201 , hole locking bolt  1202 , tilt arm  1203 , and hitch  1204 . 
     Faceplate  1201  includes grooves for attachment to a faceplate adapter. The hole locking bolt  1202  is displayed as a cylindrical device, however, any shape could be used, e.g., square. The hole locking bolt  1202  may be passed through the faceplate  1201  so as to prevent movement of the faceplate  1201  relative to a faceplate adapter. 
     Hitch  1204  includes a tilt attachment  1205  receiving the tilt arm  1203 . The tilt attachment  1205  may be slanted so as to allow the tilt arm  1203  to tilt when attached to the hitch  1204 . The hitch  1204  also includes a hole for attachment to a hitch receptacle. The hitch receptacle may be bolted to the hitch  1204  to prevent movement of the hitch  1204 . 
       FIG. 13  depicts an example of a system  1300  including a wagon with a disassembled tilt hitch. The system includes faceplate  1301 , locking bolt  1302 , tilt arm  1303 , hitch  1304 , tilt attachment  1305 , faceplate adapter  1306 , and wagon  1307 . 
     In operation, the faceplate adapter  1306  of the wagon  1307  connects to the faceplate  1301  and is locked in place by the locking bolt  1302 . The faceplate  1301  is coupled to the tilt arm  1303 , and the tilt arm  1303  is coupled to the tilt attachment  1305  of the hitch  1304 . The hitch  1304  is connected to a hitch receptacle of a vehicle. 
       FIG. 14  depicts an example of a system  1400  including a wagon  1401  and a tilt hitch  1402 . The wagon  1401  is depicted tilted at an angle relative to the horizontal axis of the tilt hitch  1402 . 
     It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the preceding examples are not limiting in scope. It is intended that all permutations, enhancements, equivalents, and improvements thereto that are apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings are included within the true spirit and scope of these teachings. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims include all such modifications, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of these teachings.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1