Ball assembly for a trailer hitch
US6089591A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jul 18, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60D1/06
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A ball assembly is intended to be mounted on a stem of a tow vehicle, and to be used in conjunction with a hitch portion of a trailer hitch assembly. The ball assembly, generally, includes a body member which is substantially spherical in shape, the body member having a partial bore formed substantially vertically therein for receiving a stem of a towing vehicle therein, the body member further having first and second transverse registering apertures formed therethrough. The ball assembly also includes a locking pin which is slidably movable in the registering apertures of the body member, and structure for connecting the pin to the body member. In a preferred embodiment, the connecting structure includes an enlarged shoulder portion on the pin, and a stop member disposed in the first transverse aperture of the body member, the stop member preventing the shoulder portion from moving therepast.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.