Abstract:
The double-pivoting trailer coupler system and/or triple-pivoting trailer coupler system are designed to replace a standard trailer coupler with a ball hitch. It is designed to slide into the existing bumper hitch mounted to the frame of the tow vehicle, eliminating the need for a ball hitch between the frame mounted receiver and the trailer. The coupler systems reduce the possibility of equipment failure, making a secure connection between the tow vehicle and trailer hitch. They increase safety and allow for a shorter turning radius when in-use minimizing wear on the trailer, prime mover and tires.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/622,075, filed Apr. 10, 2012 which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of trailer coupling means and more specifically relates to a pivoting trailer coupler system for use in coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Many individuals use a trailer to haul objects between locations. Trucks or tractors may be used to pull trailers. Trailers must be coupled to the prime mover in a safe and efficient manner to prevent accidents that may be dangerous to life and limb. The traditional trailer coupler attaches to a tow vehicle by means of a ball hitch, adding extra components between the tow vehicle receiver and the trailer itself. Extra components increase the probability of equipment failure, while also increasing the potential for human error during attachment. Equipment failure due to either of these reasons can have devastating results in the form of trailer de-coupling accidents. A de-coupled trailer while driving, whether by human error or component failure can cause injury or death to individuals or livestock, and/or expensive property damage. A trailer coupler that eliminates excessive components while ensuring a more secure trailer attachment is desirable. 
     Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,808 to Connor; U.S. Pat. No. 3,612,576 to Marler; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,692,150 to Maier. This art is representative of trailer couplers. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
     Ideally, a trailer coupler should provide ease of use and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable triple- or double-pivoting trailer coupler system to easily, safely, and securely attach a trailer to a tow vehicle and to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known trailer coupler art, the present invention provides a novel pivoting trailer coupler system. The present invention provides a triple- and double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly that easily and securely attaches a tow vehicle to a trailer providing an excellent turning radius for trailer when used. 
     The triple- and double-pivoting trailer coupler system(s) are designed to replace a standard trailer coupler that attaches to the tow vehicle by a ball hitch. They are designed to slide into the existing tow hitch receiver mounted to the frame of the tow vehicle, eliminating the need for the ball hitch connector between the tow vehicle and the trailer itself. This design reduces the possibility of equipment or human failure, effectively ensuring a secure connection between the tow vehicle and trailer. The double-pivoting trailer coupler system dramatically reduces the risk for accidental trailer de-coupling, which may prevent damage to property and equipment (as does the triple-pivoting embodiment). It provides a simple, time-saving manner to connect the trailer to the tow vehicle while reducing the chance for mistake due to human error. The pivoting trailer coupler system can be used on trailers of all types, from a light duty trailer to a heavy-duty camper trailer and the like. 
     A double-pivoting trailer coupler system is disclosed herein, in an embodiment, comprising a double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly having a housing with an inner volume, an outer enclosure, a first and second end, and a first and second mounting bolt aperture. It further comprises a first and second pin aperture, a pivoting tongue assembly with a proximate and distal end, and a first and second pin. The device further comprises a first, second, third, and fourth bearing assembly in preferred embodiments. 
     The vehicle coupling assembly comprises a front and back end, a coupler pin aperture, and a receiver pin aperture. The double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly comprises in combination: a housing, a pivoting tongue assembly, and vehicle coupler assembly. The vehicle coupler assembly, pivoting tongue assembly, and housing occupy a same plane when used for pulling. The inner volume of the housing is defined by the outer enclosure. The outer enclosure of the housing is preferably square tubing, attachable to a trailer frame. The opening of the second end of the housing is able to receive the trailer frame for fixable attachment thereto. The outer enclosure of the housing has a first aperture and second aperture for placement of mounting bolts to the trailer frame. 
     The housing, pivoting tongue assembly and vehicle coupling assembly preferably comprise ferrous material given its relative inexpensive, yet durable nature and the ease by which it may be maintained. The vehicle coupling assembly may comprises solid square stock. The first end of the housing is recessed to receive the pivoting tongue assembly. The first and second pin aperture of the housing are rotatably attached to the distal end of the pivoting tongue assembly via the second pin, third and fourth bearing. In combination they act in a capacity of a first universal joint. 
     The third and fourth bearing assembly are parallel to each other and horizontally oriented in the first and second pin aperture of the housing. The proximate end of the pivoting tongue assembly is rotatably attached to the back end of the vehicle coupling assembly via the coupler pin aperture. The first pin, and first and second bearing act in a capacity of a second universal joint. The first and second bearing assembly are oriented parallel to each other, and vertically oriented in the coupler pin aperture of the vehicle coupling assembly. The first and second universal joint work in combination to promote ease of swiveling and decrease the turning radius when a trailer is being pulled. 
     The first and second pin(s) may be retained in the housing by snap rings. The double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly allows security and ease of connection with a tow vehicle via double-pivoting action. The vehicle coupling assembly comprises a brake safety switch, a receiver pin, and an aperture for removable attachment to a vehicle receiver. The double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly does not comprise a ball connector. The front end of the vehicle coupling assembly attaches to the vehicle receiver, being coupled with a receiver pin. The housing attaches directly to the trailer frame via mounting bolts, completing the attachment. The vehicle coupling assembly is available in at least three sizes: 1¼″, 2″, and 2½″ square material to fit the vehicle receiver. The vehicle coupler assembly and housing are in coupled communication through the pivoting tongue assembly. The double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly is useful to promote ease of movement when towing a pull-trailer, thereby increasing safety and allowing for a shorter turning radius when in an in-use condition. 
     A triple-pivoting trailer coupler system is also disclosed herein having two more axis of movement over and above what is offered via the double-pivoting trailer coupler version; wherein a first axis of movement in the triple-pivoting embodiment allows a trailer to follow in a turn; a second allows the trailer to ‘pitch’ for inclines and a third allows the trailer to ‘roll’. 
     A kit is also disclosed herein including at least one double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly, one receiver pin, two mounting bolts, two mounting bolt nuts, and at least one set of user instructions. 
     A method of use for a double-pivoting trailer coupler system (and triple-version) is also disclosed herein comprising the steps of: attaching a double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly to a trailer frame; backing a tow-vehicle to the front of the pull-type trailer; attaching the double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly to the vehicle coupling assembly; towing the trailer; and disconnecting the double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly from the tow-vehicle. 
     The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a pivoting trailer coupler system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, pivoting trailer coupler system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating the double-pivoting trailer coupler system in an in-use condition according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view illustrating a pivoting trailer coupler assembly of the double-pivoting trailer coupler system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top view illustrating the pivoting trailer coupler assembly of the double-pivoting trailer coupler system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side view illustrating the pivoting trailer coupler assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view illustrating a triple-pivoting trailer coupler system in an in-use condition according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the double-pivoting trailer coupler system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a trailer coupler device and more particularly to a (double- and triple-) pivoting trailer coupler system as used to improve the ease of use and security of tow vehicle and trailer connections. 
     Generally speaking, the double-pivoting trailer coupler system of the present invention is a double-pivoting trailer hitch alignment assembly for swiveling the coupling assembly to easily align and couple a trailer to a tow-vehicle. The steel-fabricated joint system will mount directly onto the trailer frame and attach to most trucks and SUV&#39;s frame mounted receiver hitch. The bottom of the mounting point will sit in the coupler and have a 360 degree pivot point for the trailer to rotate during a turn from the tow vehicle. There may be three size variations depending upon the class of trailer. One variation may be 1¼″ square for up to 2,000 lbs of towing capacity. The second variation may be 2″ square for up to 12,000 lbs of towing capacity. Yet another variation may be 2½″ square for up to 18,000 lbs of towing capacity. Other embodiments may be considered within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     A triple-pivoting trailer coupler system is also disclosed herein having two more axis of movement over and above what is offered via the double-pivoting trailer coupler version; wherein a first axis of movement in the triple-pivoting embodiment allows a trailer to follow in a turn; a second allows the trailer to ‘pitch’ for inclines and a third allows the trailer to ‘roll’. 
     Referring now to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , various views of double-pivoting trailer coupler system  100  as used within double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly  105  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view illustrating double-pivoting trailer coupler system  100  in an in-use condition  101  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Double-pivoting trailer coupler system  100  comprises double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly  105  having housing  120 , an inner volume  122 , outer enclosure  124 , first end  126 , and second end  128 . The present invention further preferably comprises first aperture  130 , second aperture  132 , first pin aperture  134 , and second pin aperture  136 . Pivoting tongue assembly  140  comprises proximate end  142 , distal end  144 , first pin  146  and second pin  148 . Further, the device comprises first bearing assembly  150 , second bearing assembly  152 , third bearing assembly  154 , and fourth bearing assembly  156 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an exploded view illustrating double-pivoting trailer coupler system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     Vehicle coupling assembly  160  comprises front end  161 , back end  162 , coupler pin aperture  164 , and receiver pin aperture  166 . Double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly  105  comprises in combination: housing  120 , pivoting tongue assembly  140 , and vehicle coupling assembly  160 . Vehicle coupling assembly  160 , pivoting tongue assembly  140 , and housing  120  occupy a same plane when a trailer is being pulled. Inner volume  122  of housing  120  is defined by outer enclosure  124 . Outer enclosure  124  of housing  120  preferably comprises square tubing, attachable to trailer frame  168 . The opening of second end  128  of housing  120  is able to receive trailer frame  168  for fixable attachment. Outer enclosure  124  of housing  120  has first aperture  130  and second aperture  132  for placement of mounting bolts  170  to trailer frame  168 . 
     Housing  120 , pivoting tongue assembly  140 , and vehicle coupling assembly  160  comprise ferrous material in preferred embodiment due to the durable nature and ease of manufacture/repair. Vehicle coupling assembly  160  may comprise solid square stock for strength and safety in use. First end  126  of housing  120  is recessed to receive pivoting tongue assembly  140 . First pin aperture  134  and second pin aperture  136  of housing  120  are rotatably attached to distal end  144  of pivoting tongue assembly  140  via second pin  148 , third bearing assembly  154  and fourth bearing assembly  156 . In combination they act in a capacity of a first universal joint. 
     Third bearing assembly  154  and fourth bearing assembly  156  are parallel to each other and horizontally oriented in first pin aperture  134  and second pin aperture  136  of housing  120 . Proximate end  142  of pivoting tongue assembly  140  is rotatably attached to back end  162  of vehicle coupling assembly  160  via coupler pin aperture  164 . First pin  146 , first bearing assembly  150  and second bearing assembly  152  are able to act in a capacity of a second universal joint. First bearing assembly  150  and second bearing assembly  152  are oriented parallel to each other, and vertically oriented in coupler pin aperture  164  of vehicle coupling assembly  160 . The first and second universal joint(s) work in combination to promote ease of swiveling and decrease turning radius. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a top view illustrating double-pivoting trailer coupler system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     First pin  146  and second pin  148  are retained in housing  120  by snap rings  138 . Double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly  105  allows security and ease of connection with a tow vehicle  172  via double-pivoting action. Vehicle coupling assembly  160  comprises brake safety switch  174 , receiver pin  176 , and receiver pin aperture  166  for removable attachment to a vehicle receiver. Double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly  105  does not have a ball connector. Front end  161  of vehicle coupling assembly  160  attaches to a vehicle receiver, being coupled with receiver pin  176 . Housing  120  attaches directly to trailer frame  168  via mounting bolts  170 , completing the attachment. Vehicle coupling assembly  160  is available in three standard sizes: 1¼″, 2″, and 2½″ square material to fit the vehicle receiver. Vehicle coupling assembly  160  and housing  120  are in coupled communication through the pivoting tongue assembly  140 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a side view illustrating double-pivoting trailer coupler system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . Double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly  105  is useful to promote ease of movement when towing a pull-trailer, thereby increasing safety and allowing for a shorter turning radius when in an in-use condition  101 . 
     Double-pivoting trailer coupler system  100  may further comprise kit  440  including the following parts: at least one double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly  105 , one receiver pin  176 , two mounting bolts  170 , two mounting bolt nuts  171 , and at least one set of user instructions for installation. Double-pivoting trailer coupler system  100  may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different pin/fastener/retaining means and combinations thereof, parts may be sold separately. Double-pivoting trailer coupler system  100  may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of trailering/towing/pulling applications. 
     A triple-pivoting trailer coupler system, as shown in  FIG. 5  comprises two more axis of movement over and above what is offered via the double-pivoting trailer coupler version (with similar components but extra necessary bearing, pins and the like as indicated in the present figure); wherein a first axis of movement (labeled A) in the triple-pivoting embodiment allows a trailer to follow in a turn; a second axis of movement (labeled B) allows the trailer to ‘pitch’ for inclines and a third axis of movement (labeled C) allows the trailer to ‘roll’. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a flowchart illustrating method of use  500  for double-pivoting trailer coupler system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
     A method of using (method of use  500 ) the double-pivoting trailer coupler system comprises the steps of: step one  501  attaching a double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly to a trailer frame; step two  502  backing a tow-vehicle to the front of the pull-type trailer; step three  503  attaching the double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly to the vehicle coupling assembly; step four  504  towing the trailer; step five  505  disconnecting the double-pivoting trailer coupler assembly from the tow-vehicle. 
     It should be noted that step  505  is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method  500  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 6  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method  500 . 
     It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.