Patent · US Expired

Internal tightening system for preventing relative movement between a pair of interconnected members

US6974147B1 · kind B1 · utility

31Cited by
30References
36Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 6, 2003
Grant dateDec 13, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 6, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T403/7067
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A system for preventing relative movement between first and second members, in which the first member is received within a passage defined by the second member. The system includes an engagement or locking member, which may in the form of a cam, that is movably mounted within an interior defined by the first member. An actuator arrangement is carried by the first member and is interconnected with the cam, for moving the cam between an operative position and a release position. In one embodiment, the first member may be in the form of a mounting member associated with a device such as a trailer tow bar or the mounting member of an equipment carrier, and the second member may be in the form of a hitch receiver secured to a vehicle. A cross member is located within the interior of the first member, and may be in the form of a hitch pin that extends through aligned openings in the first and second members. The cam bears against the cross member, and is configured such that movement of the cam from the release position to the operative position, in response to operation of the actuator arrangement, causes the cam to move laterally through an opening in the first member into engagement w…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.