Abstract:
A trailer connection assembly connects a trailer to the vehicle having a bed. The trailer connection assembly has a base adapted to be placed in the bed of the vehicle. A support assembly is secured on the base for relative movement so that a distance between the support assembly and the base varies as the support assembly rotates relative to the support frame. The trailer connection assembly includes a trailer connector located on the support assembly. The trailer connection assembly also includes a suspension assembly positioned between the support assembly and the base. The suspension assembly dampens the movement of support assembly relative to the base.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This nonprovisional patent application claims the benefit of co-pending, provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 60/646,393, filed on Jan. 24, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to trailer hitches, and more specifically to a trailer hitch or connector assembly for trailers connecting above a bumper of a vehicle.  
         [0004]     2. Background of the Invention  
         [0005]     Various connector assemblies are used for connecting a trailer to a vehicle. Often times these assemblies include a “trailer hitch” having a ball joint mounted to the vehicle. A hitch attached to the trailer fits over the ball joint so that the trailer is connected in manner that allows the trailer to be towed while still maintaining maneuverability. The ball joint is typically located on a bumper of the vehicle, but it could also be positioned in a bed of the vehicle if desired. Another assembly includes a u-shaped connector that receives an end portion of a goose-neck trailer. Often, the u-shaped assembly is located in the bed of the vehicle, and the goose-neck extends over the rear bumper and a portion of the bed to connect with the u-shaped connector.  
         [0006]     In both assemblies, the ball joint and the u-shaped connector are rigidly mounted to the vehicle. The rigid mounting of these assemblies meant that all forces associated with towing a trailer are translated between the trailer and the vehicle without any shock absorbance or dampening. Impact loads can occur upon when the vehicle accelerates and starts to pull the trailer from a dead stop, and when the vehicle decelerates quickly upon applying brakes after the vehicle and trailer are moving. Impact loads can also occur due to bumps and holes in the road. None of the prior assemblies accommodated the impact loads and forces associated with acceleration, deceleration, and road conditions.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     A trailer connection assembly connects a trailer to the vehicle having a bed. The trailer connection assembly has a base adapted to be placed in the bed of the vehicle. A support assembly is secured on the base for relative movement so that a distance between the support assembly and the base varies as the support assembly rotates relative to the support frame. The trailer connection assembly includes a trailer connector located on the support assembly. The trailer connection assembly also includes a suspension assembly positioned between the support assembly and the base. The suspension assembly dampens the movement of support assembly relative to the base.  
         [0008]     The base of the trailer connection assembly can include a support frame extending therefrom. The support assembly is secured to the support frame. The suspension assembly can include a pneumatic billow. The suspension assembly can include a hydraulic shock absorber. The suspension assembly can also include both a pneumatic billow and a hydraulic shock absorber.  
         [0009]     The trailer connector can include a ball joint. The trailer connector can include a u-shaped connector. The trailer connector can also include both a ball joint and a u-shaped connector.  
         [0010]     A trailer connection assembly connects a trailer to the vehicle having a bed includes a base adapted to be placed in the bed of the vehicle and a support frame extending from the base. A support assembly pivotally connects to the support frame so that the support assembly pivots relative to the frame assembly. A trailer connector is located on the support assembly for movement therewith, and a suspension assembly is positioned between the support assembly and the base. The suspension assembly dampens the movement of support assembly relative to the base.  
         [0011]     The suspension assembly of the trailer connection assembly can include a pneumatic billow. A hose can extend between the pneumatic billow and an air supply for pressurizing the pneumatic billow. The suspension assembly of the trailer connection assembly can include a hydraulic shock absorber extending at an angle from the base. The shock absorber can be angled so that the shock absorber extends away from the support frame. The suspension assembly of the trailer connection assembly can include both a hydraulic shock absorber and a pneumatic billow.  
         [0012]     A lower end of the suspension assembly can connect to the base, and an upper end can connect to the support assembly. The trailer connector can include a ball joint and a u-shaped connector. The u-shaped connector can be mounted on a pivoting plate for selectively accessing the ball joint.  
         [0013]     The support frame of the trailer connection assembly can include a plurality of support members extending from the base and a crossbar extending between the support members. The support assembly is pivotally connected to the crossbar. Each of the plurality of support members can be a metal plate, and the metal plate can be orthogonally mounted to the base.  
         [0014]     A method of supporting a connection between a trailer and a truck includes the step of providing a trailer connection assembly with a support assembly pivotally secured to a base, and a suspension assembly positioned between the support assembly and the base. The method also includes the step of placing the trailer connection assembly in the bed of the vehicle. A trailer is then connected to a trailer connector on the trailer connection assembly. Movement of the support assembly relative to the base is then dampened with the suspension assembly.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a trailer connector assembly, which is constructed in accordance with the present invention, and having a receptor in a lowered position.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the trailer connector assembly shown in  FIG. 1  while the connector is in its lowered position.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the trailer connector assembly shown in  FIG. 1  with the receptor in a raised position.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side view of trailer connector assembly having a receptor in a lowered position, which is constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a trailer hitching or connector assembly  11  for use on the flatbed of a truck or in the bed of a pickup truck. Connector assembly  11  preferably includes a base plate  13 . Base plate  13  as illustrated in  FIG. 1  is preferably a sheet of metal having dimensions such that it can fit on the flatbed of a truck or inside of a bed of a pickup truck. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, base plate  13  can have many variations for the width of base plate  13 , and base plate  13  can also be part of a base platform or block. In the preferred embodiment, base plate  13  includes a trailer end and a truck end. The trailer end is situated closer to where the trailer would be positioned relative to trailer assembly  11 , while the truck end of base plate  13  would be situated closer to the cab of the truck or pickup onto which trailer assembly  11  is designed to attach.  
         [0020]     A pair of vertical support plates  15  extend substantially vertically upward from base plate  13 . In the preferred embodiment, vertical support plates  15  extend substantially perpendicular to base plate  13  from the truck end of base plate  13  so that vertical support plates  15  are situated away from the trailer end of base plate  13 .  
         [0021]     Crossbar  17  preferably extends between vertical support plates  15 , through a distal portion of vertical support plates  15 . A pair of vertical mounting plates  19  are preferably connected to crossbar  17  and positioned between vertical support plates  15 . Each vertical mounting plate  19  preferably includes an opening  21  through which crossbar  17  extends. Vertical mounting plate  19  is preferably rotatably mounted with crossbar  17  relative to vertical support plates  15 .  
         [0022]     As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, vertical mounting plate  19  can be rotatably mounted relative to vertical support plates  15  in numerous ways. For example, vertical mounting plate  19  and opening  21  can be sealed to crossbar  17 , such that crossbar  17  and vertical mounting plate  19  rotate as a single unit relative to vertical support plates  15 . Alternatively, vertical mounting plate  19  and opening  21  can slidingly engage crossbar  17 , with crossbar  17  being stationarily connected to vertical support plate  15 . Vertical mounting plate  19  and opening  21  would rotatably pivot around crossbar  17 .  
         [0023]     Preferably, vertical mounting plates  19  include an inclined edge  23  extending angularly downward from crossbar  17  and opening  21 . An inclined surface  25  preferably extends between each inclined edge  23  of each of the pair of vertical mounting plates  19 . In the preferred embodiment, inclined surface  25  preferably comprises a relatively flat piece of sheet metal extending between vertical mounting plates  19  along substantially the same angle as inclined edges  23  of each vertical mounting plate  19 .  
         [0024]     Trailer connector assembly  11  preferably also includes a horizontal support assembly  27  cantilevered from inclined edges  23  of vertical mounting plates  19 . Horizontal support assembly  27  preferably includes a center plate  29  extending away from the lower portion of inclined surface  25 . Center plate  29  preferably extends away from inclined surface  25  in a direction substantially parallel to base plate  13  when horizontal support assembly  27  is not in use. In the preferred embodiment, base plate  13  preferably includes an orifice  31  centrally located within base plate  13 . Orifice  31  preferably receives center plate  29  of horizontal support assembly  27 , such that center plate  29  is at substantially the same elevation as base plate  13  as horizontal support assembly  27  rotates relative to vertical support plates  15  through vertical mounting plates  19  and crossbar  17 .  
         [0025]     Center plate  29  can also rotate to an elevation above base plate  13  as horizontal support assembly  27  rotates relative to vertical support plate  15  through crossbar  17  and vertical mounting plates  19 . Horizontal support assembly  27  preferably includes a pair of side supports  33  connected to and extending generally upward from center plate  29 . In the preferred embodiment, side supports  33  matingly engage and are connected to inclined edges  23  of vertical mounting plates  19 . The combination of center plate  29  and side supports  33  preferably defines a substantially U-shaped extension from inclined surface  25 .  
         [0026]     A horizontal wing  35  is connected to each side support  33 , and extends in a direction away from center plate  29 . Horizontal wings are preferably substantially parallel to center plate  29 .  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , trailer connector assembly  11  preferably includes a support  37  located underneath each horizontal wing  35 . Each support  37  preferably comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic piston rotatably mounted to base plate  13  and each horizontal wing  35 . Support  37  advantageously provides resistance to axial movement of horizontal support assembly  27  relative to base plate  13  as horizontal support assembly  27  rotates about crossbar  17  and vertical support plate  15 . In practice, support  37  advantageously provides a dampening effect and acts like a shock absorber to any up and down movement from the connection between a trailer and trailer connector assembly  11 .  
         [0028]     Trailer connector assembly  11  also preferably includes a billow chamber  39  located between each horizontal wing  35  and base plate  13 . Billow chamber  39  also provides support for horizontal support assembly  27  responsive to downward movement of horizontal support assembly  27  relative to base plate  13 . Billow chamber  39  is preferably filled with air by air hoses  63  from a pressurized air source  61 . In the preferred embodiment, each billow chamber  39  is preferably positioned toward the trailer end of base plate  13  a predetermined distance away from vertical support plates  15 . In the preferred embodiment, a hose cover  41  is preferably connected to an upper surface of each horizontal wing  35 . Hose cover  41  advantageously provides a physical barrier that acts to protect the air hoses (not shown) extending from an air supply (not shown) to each billow chamber  39 .  
         [0029]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , horizontal support assembly  27  preferably includes a ball joint  43  extending axially upward from center plate  29 . As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, ball joint  43  is capable of being used for connecting to or hitching various trailers throughout the industry.  
         [0030]     Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a crossbar  45  is preferably positioned above central plate  29  of horizontal support assembly  27 . Crossbar  45  preferably extends between a pair of openings  47  extending through each side support  33  of horizontal support assembly  27 . Mounting plate  49  preferably connects to crossbar  45  and is supported by ball joint  43  ( FIG. 3 ). Mounting plate  49  is rotatable about crossbar  45  relative to horizontal support assembly  27  between a lowered positioned shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and a raised position shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0031]     In the preferred embodiment, a receptor  51  is attached to an upper surface of mounting plate  49 . Receptor  51  is preferably a standard receptor for hitching or connecting a gooseneck trailer to a pickup or flatbed truck. Receptor  51  preferably includes a U-shaped portion for guiding and receiving the connector portion of a gooseneck trailer, and a pair of locking dogs for maintaining the connection with a gooseneck trailer.  
         [0032]     A tool receiver  53  is preferably also mounted on mounting plate  49 . Tool receiver  53  preferably has a tubular cross-section and is mounted to the upper surface  49  for insertion of a tool to help move mounting plate  49  and receptor  51  about crossbar  45 , between the raised and lowered positions of mounting plate  49 . In the preferred embodiment, mounting plate  49  and receptor  51  are in the lowered position of mounting plate  49  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) when trailer connector assembly  11  is used for connection with a gooseneck trailer. Conversely, mounting plate  49  and receptor  51  are in the raised position of mounting plate  49  ( FIG. 3 ) when trailer connector assembly  11  is used for connection with a trailer having receptor for a ball joint such as ball joint  43  connected to center plate  29 .  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a U-bolt  55  is preferably connected to the lower surface of mounting plate  49 . U-bolt  55  is helpful when pulling on mounting plate  49  to move mounting plate  49  from its raised position to its lowered position. U-bolt  55  also advantageously connects with ball joint  43  when mounting plate  49  is in its lowered position ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ).  
         [0034]     In operation, when connector assembly  11  is mounted to the bed of a pickup or a flatbed of a truck, and a trailer is connected to either receptor  51  while mounting plate  49  is in its lowered position or ball joint  43  while mounting plate  49  is in its raised position, connector assembly  11  advantageously provides a dampening effect for sudden axial movements between the truck and the trailer being towed by the truck. Any upward forces experienced by horizontal support assembly  27  from a trailer connected to trailer connector assembly  11  are translated through supports  37  in billow chambers  39 . Supports  37  advantageously dampen any axially upward forces from the trailer, while both supports  37  and billow chambers  39  advantageously dampen or absorb shocks from any downward forces experienced by horizontal support assembly  27  connected to trailer assembly  11 . The air supply preferably refills billow chamber  39  when necessary to obtain a desired air pressure within each billow chamber  39  during operation.  
         [0035]     An alternative embodiment of connector assembly  11  is shown in  FIG. 4 . In the alternative embodiment, hoses  63 ′ extend from air source  61 ′ toward billow chamber  39 ′. Hoses  63 ′ connects to billow chamber  39 ′ below horizontal wing  35 ′, instead of extending above horizontal wing  35  as in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . In the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , there is no need for hose covers  41  because hoses  63 ′ remain below horizontal wing  35 ′.  
         [0036]     While the invention has been shown in only one of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, base plate  13  can be replaced with a bed of a truck, so that vertical support plates  15  are connected directly to the bed of a vehicle. Moreover, vertical mounting plates  19  and mounting plate  49  could connect to a tubular member that rotates around their respective crossbars  17 ,  45 . Air source could also be located away from base  13  such as by an air compressor positioned adjacent connector assembly  11  in the bed of the vehicle.