Shock dampening hitch ball assembly
US7976054B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 5, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jul 12, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 16, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60D1/50
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A hitch ball assembly attenuates the lateral forces experienced by a trailer while being towed by a tractor. A ball assembly has a flange with a neck extending upwardly therefrom and a hitch ball seated atop the neck. A wedge, having a pair of linear points, extends downwardly from the flange as does a threaded shank that passes through the wedge, the points being located on either side of the shank. The ball assembly is attached to a draw bar attached mount arm such that the shank passes through a bore in the mount arm with the points of the wedge seated within slots on an upper surface of the mount arm. A resilient bushing is received on the shank and abuts a lower surface of the mount arm, while a plate abuts the bushing, each held thereat by a locking nut threadably attached to an end of the shank.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.