Multi-use adjustable trailer hitch
Patent No. US9457631 (titled "Multi-use adjustable trailer hitch") on Aug 20, 2015. The application was issued on Oct 4, 2016.
What is this patent about?
'631 is related to the field of trailer hitches, specifically those designed to connect a trailer to a towing vehicle. The background acknowledges that different types of trailer couplers exist, such as ball hitches and Lunette eye ring hitches, each requiring a specific coupling structure. The problem addressed is the need for a single hitch capable of accommodating multiple common coupling types, eliminating the need for users to have multiple hitches.
The underlying idea behind '631 is to create a universal trailer hitch that can easily switch between a standard ball-type coupler and a Lunette ring coupler. This is achieved by using a combined ball and pin member that can be quickly secured to a yoke-shaped receiver. The yoke has flanges to accommodate both types of couplers, and a retainer pin locks the ball and pin member in place.
The claims of '631 focus on a multi-use trailer hitch comprising a yoke with two flanges having aligned holes, a ball and pin member that includes a plate with ears and retainer pin openings, a trailer ball, and a ring coupler pin. The claims cover the specific configuration where the ball and pin member is inserted through the yoke flanges and secured with a retainer pin, allowing it to connect to both ball-type and Lunette ring couplers.
In practice, the user can switch between coupler types by either placing a Lunette ring between the yoke flanges and inserting the ball and pin member through the ring and the flange holes, or by using the trailer ball directly. The retainer pin then secures the ball and pin member to the yoke, ensuring a stable connection. The height of the hitch can be adjusted using a drawbar with multiple bores, allowing the yoke to be positioned at the correct level for different trailers.
The differentiation from prior approaches lies in the simplicity and ease of use of the design. Instead of requiring separate hitches or complex mechanisms to switch between coupler types, '631 uses a single, easily interchangeable ball and pin member. The integrated design of the ball and pin member, along with the simple retainer pin mechanism, allows for quick and secure transitions between different trailer coupling systems, addressing the limitations of single-purpose hitches.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical Landscape
In the mid-2010s when ’631 was filed, multi-purpose towing systems were typically implemented using interchangeable hitch mounts or complex modular assemblies to accommodate different trailer interfaces. At a time when systems commonly relied on separate dedicated ball mounts or heavy, fixed-position pintle hooks, providing a single integrated unit that could transition between ball and ring-eye couplings was standard practice. However, mechanical constraints made the secure, tool-free integration of a multi-use pin and ball member into a height-adjustable yoke non-trivial, as engineers had to balance the structural integrity required for heavy towing with the spatial requirements of a locking mechanism that could fit within the narrow confines of a standard yoke flange.
Prosecution Position
The examiner allowed the patent because the prior art did not disclose the specific combination of a ball and pin member that includes a plate or cover with two opposing ears, where each ear features a hole for a retainer pin. Specifically, the allowance was based on the unique arrangement where this ball and pin component is secured to the yoke by passing a retainer pin through these ear openings such that the retainer pin is positioned between the first and second flanges of the yoke. The examiner determined that this integrated assembly—comprising the plate, trailer ball, and ring coupler pin secured by a retainer pin in this specific spatial configuration—was neither anticipated nor rendered obvious by existing technology.
Claims
This patent contains 19 claims, with independent claims 1, 6, and 17. The independent claims are directed to a multi-use trailer hitch and a method of using it. The dependent claims generally elaborate on the specific features and configurations of the multi-use trailer hitch and method.
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US9457631
- Application Number
- US14831431A
- Filing Date
- Aug 20, 2015
- Publication Date
- Oct 4, 2016
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents