Abstract:
A integrated hitch system for off road equipment is provided that includes various styles of non receiver stile hitches ( 30 ) ( 32 ), combinations of a receiver hitch ( 14 ), plate ( 24 ), opening ( 28 ) and tool ( 18 ) attached to the front ( 20 ) or rear ( 22 ) of an off road machine ( 12 ) making a positive and secure connection between a trailer and off road machine ( 12 ) for towing purposes.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/440059 filed Feb. 7, 2011, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for integrating a hitch system for off road equipment, especially, an apparatus and method suitable for off road equipment that generally does not achieve highway speeds. 
         [0003]    Trailers are used today for many purposes such as construction, agriculture and recreation. Trailers can be part of the form of portable machines, buildings and other portable devices. Trailer hitches are commonly configured for use on trucks and other vehicles that achieve highway speeds. Vehicles that achieve highway speeds are typically not used and underperform when they are used in off road situations. 
         [0004]    Often trailers used and stored on off road sites have to be moved. On construction and agriculture sites this happens quiet frequently. Usually on these sites, off road equipment is immediately available and better suited to navigate the off road terrain and lack of space for maneuvering a truck or automobile. 
         [0005]    The problem with off road equipment is that it is not entirely effective in moving a trailer. There is not a positive connection point to accomplish this purpose on off road equipment such as skid loaders, graters and excavators. 
         [0006]    As such, there is a need for an integrated hitch system for off road equipment that makes a positive and secure connection between a trailer and off road equipment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In one aspect, an integrated hitch system for off road equipment is provided that includes an off road machine with at least one tool holder, the tool holder configured to interchangeably attach thereto at least a first of a plurality of tools; and a hitch attachment tool attached to the tool holder. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the first tool includes one of a fork, a blade, and a bucket. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the hitch attachment tool comprises a hitch receiver and a corresponding trailer hitch. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, the off road machine is one of a skid loader, an excavator, and a utility tractor. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the hitch attachment tool is integral with the first tool. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the off road machine is one of a skid loader, an excavator, and a utility tractor, and the first tool is one of a fork, a blade, and a bucket, and the hitch attachment tool is integral with the first tool. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, the machine includes controls for operating the first tool and the hitch attachment tool is integral with the first tool such that an operator of the machine may lower and raise the hitch attachment tool using the controls. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the hitch attachment tool is pivotally attached to the tool holder, allowing the hitch attachment tool to pivot between an open and retracted position. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the hitch attachment tool comprises a pivoting member that pivots between an open and closed position, wherein in the open position the pivoting member allows a trailer to be attached to a trailer ball and in the closed position the pivoting member secures the trailer to the trailer ball. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, the pivoting member is operable by a user with a controller associated with the machine. 
         [0017]    In one aspect, an integrated hitch system for off road equipment is provided that includes an off road machine with at least one tool holder, the tool holder configured to interchangeably attach thereto at least a first of a plurality of tools; and a hitch attachment tool attached to the tool holder, wherein the off road machine is one of a skid loader, an excavator, and a utility tractor, and the first tool is one of a fork, a blade, and a bucket, and the hitch attachment tool is attached directly to the first tool, wherein the machine comprises controls for operating the first tool and wherein hitch attachment tool is integral with the first tool such that an operator of the machine may lower and raise the hitch attachment tool using the controls, and wherein the hitch attachment tool comprises a pivoting member that pivots controllable between an open and closed position, wherein in the open position the pivoting member allows a trailer to be attached to a trailer ball and in the closed position the pivoting member secures the trailer to the trailer ball. 
         [0018]    Additional aspects of the present invention will be apparent in view of the description which follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view one embodiment of the integrated hitch system for off road equipment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a side view of another embodiment of the integrated hitch system. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the integrated hitch system. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the integrated hitch system. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the integrated hitch system. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a front view of another embodiment of the integrated hitch system. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a top view of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a top view of another embodiment of the integrated hitch system. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a top view like  FIG. 8 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of, yet, another embodiment of the integrated hitch system. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is an elevation view of a skid loader. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    In order that the invention or inventions disclosed herein may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, preferred embodiments of the invention(s) will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0031]    Generally, the device of the present application is a permanently housed integrated hitch system that does not interfere with an interchangeable tool holder  16  or other part of a machine  12  thus increasing an off road machine&#39;s  12  productivity. The device can be positioned on the front or rear of a machine  12  in many various locations to haul trailers. 
         [0032]    The off road machine may be a skid loader, excavator, small utility tractor loader or similar lifting type apparatus, but not limited to being actually attached to the lifting part of a machine. 
         [0033]    Interchangeable tool holders  16  are a common component of many off road machines  12 . The purpose of the interchangeable tool holder  16  is to make it more convenient for the operator to change tools such as forks, buckets and blades that interchangeably attach to tool holder  16 . The integrated hitch system makes use of interchangeable tool holder  16  to create a positive and secure connection between a trailer and an off road machine  12 . 
         [0034]    The purpose of one embodiment of the invention is to utilize the visibility and versatility of a machine  12 , like a skid loader and the available assortment of attachment tools  18  already on the market. One installs a tool  18  when needed and conveniently remove the tool  18  when not needed. Additionally, a multitude of currently available trailers or implements, of all sorts, can be moved by an off road machine  12  utilizing this integrated hitch system. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 1  the system according to at least one embodiment consists of a receiver hitch  14  attached directly and/or permanently by welding or other means onto an interchangeable tool holder  16  on the front  20  of the machine  12 . A hitch attachment tool  18  slides into the receiver hitch  14  when needed and is removed when not needed. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 2  the system according to at least one embodiment consists of a receiver hitch  14  attached directly and/or permanently by welding or other means into an interchangeable tool holder  16  on the front  20  of the machine  22 . A hitch attachment tool  18  slides into the receiver hitch  14  when needed and is removed when not needed. In this instance, the tool holder  16  is movable about a pivot point or points with a hydraulic ram power by the machine, as shown. The tool  18  may further include a pivoting member that pivots between an open position, e.g., allowing for a trailer to be attached to the trailer ball, and a closed position, e.g., securing the trailer to the trailer ball, as shown. The pivoting member may operate/be driven between the open and closed positions with a mechanical or hydraulic controller operated by a user of the machine  12 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 3  the system according to at least one embodiment consists of a receiver plate  24  attached directly and/or permanently by welding or other means on the rear  22  of the machine  12 . A hitch attachment tool  18  bolts onto a receiver plate  24  when needed and is removed when not needed. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 4  the system according to at least one embodiment consists of a receiver plate  14  attached directly and/or permanently by welding or other means on the rear  22  of the machine  12 . A hitch attachment tool  18  slides into the receiver plate  14  when needed and is removed when not needed. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 5  the system according to at least one embodiment consists of a receiver opening  28  permanently inserted into an interchangeable tool holder  16  on the front  20  of the machine  12 . Interchangeable tool holder  16  is fitted with a spring loaded hitch pin  26  that interlocks with a corresponding hole or other engagement means in the hitch attachment tool  18 . A hitch attachment tool  18  slides into the receiver opening  28  when needed and is removed when not needed. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 6  the system according to at least one embodiment consists of a non receiver style hitch  30  attached directly and/or permanently by welding or other means onto an interchangeable tool holder  16  on the front  20  of the machine  12 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a top view of  FIG. 6 . A non receiver style hitch  30  is disclosed in the open position and shown in broken lines in the retracted position. In this instance, the receiver style hitch  30  pivots on the tool holder  16  between the open and retracted positions. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 8  the system according to at least one embodiment consists of a non receiver style hitch  32  attached directly and/or permanently by welding or other means onto an interchangeable tool holder  16  on the front  20  of the machine  12 . The hitch  32  is disclosed in the retracted position. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 9  the system according to at least one embodiment consists of a non receiver style hitch  32  attached directly and/or permanently by welding or other means onto an interchangeable tool holder  16  on the front  20  of the machine  12 . The hitch  32  is disclosed in the operating position. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 10  the system according to at least one embodiment consists of a receiver opening  28  permanently inserted into a push blade  32  on the front  20  of the machine  12 . Push blade  32  is fitted with a keyed pushpin  34  or other means for removably attaching the tool  18  to the blade  32  or other hydraulically operated member of the machine  12 . A hitch attachment tool  18  slides into the receiver opening  28  when needed and is removed when not needed. As can be appreciated, the operator of the machine  12  may hydraulically lower and raise the tool  18  into position from within the machine  12  using the existing hydraulic or other controls. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 11  this view discloses the angle of approach for the rear of a skid loader machine  12  where the obvious choice is to mount a hitch under the rear of the machine  12 . The concept disclosed is that a hitch mounted under the rear of machine  12  would hinder machine  12  and would also cause extra drag or a point at which the machine  12  would get high centered. Thus an integrated hitch system for off road equipment of the above mentioned embodiments are of far superior design to the obvious choice of mounting a hitch under the rear of a on road or off road machine  12  to haul trailers. 
         [0046]    There are many materials and configurations that can be used in constructing the devices disclosed herein by those skilled in the art including various materials, positions on the machine  12  and dimensions. In addition, it is clear that an almost infinite number of minor variations to the form and function of the disclosed invention could be made and also still be within the scope of the invention. 
         [0047]    While the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, from a reading of the disclosure, that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of the invention.