Hitch apparatus with reduced wear
US8833792B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 14, 2012 |
| Grant date | Sep 16, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 14, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60D1/06
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An implement hitch tongue apparatus has a nodular cast iron tongue member defining a vertical drawpin hole. A bottom recess is defined in a bottom surface of the tongue member forward of the drawpin hole, and a pin hole recess is defined in a front portion of the drawpin hole. The recesses are filled with hard surfacing welding electrode material by welding with a hard surfacing welding electrode. A grease conduit can provide grease to the bottom surface of the tongue member. A solid one-piece ball insert member can be removably installed in the drawpin hole instead of hard surfacing. The ball insert can provide different drawpin hole sizes, and can extend down below the tongue to support the tongue weight on the ball insert with the ball insert rotating with respect to the tongue during turns.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.