Trailer hitch assembly with an interchangeable ball
US6173985A · kind A · utility
4Cited by
16References
11Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 26, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 26, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/16
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A trailer hitch assembly includes an interchangeable ball having a first bore for removably receiving a stub shaft attached to the towing vehicle. Both the ball and stub shaft have transverse bores that can be aligned with one another to receive a removable pin for securing the ball to the stub shaft during normal use. When the ball is not on the stub shaft, a clip can be inserted into the first bore of the ball to removably engage the pin and prevent the pin from being withdrawn from the ball. This feature helps to prevent the pin from becoming lost or misplaced while the ball is in storage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.