AU2009212906A1

AU2009212906A1 - Trailer hitch

Info

Publication number: AU2009212906A1
Application number: AU2009212906A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ernest Betts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-09-02
Filing date: 2009-09-02
Publication date: 2010-03-25

Description

Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT APPLICANT: Ernest BETTS INVENTION TITLE: TRAILER HITCH The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: - TRAILER HITCH Field of the Invention This invention relates to a trailer hitch that links a towable wheeled vehicle such as a trailer, caravan or the like with a powered towing vehicle. Whilst the invention may 5 be applied to a range of vehicles, for convenience sake it shall be described herein in terms of a 4 wheel drive vehicle. Background to the Invention The trailer hitch extends from the rear of the vehicle either through the rear vehicle 10 bumper bar or from just underneath. It is necessary to have sufficient height to allow connection to the towable wheeled vehicle which usually does not have any means of altering height except for operating at a sloping angle. Apart from this, the hitch in itself includes a release mechanism that extends above the main tow ball and socket connection. At the top of the release mechanism is usually a handle for pulling 15 against a spring system maintaining locking of tow ball socket connection. It is therefore a substantial hindrance to the usual operation of vehicles with rear opening doors including 4 wheel drive vehicles that usually have doors hinged along a vertical axis and with doors extending the entire height of the vehicle down to floor level. It is also hindrance to utility vehicles that have flap type door hinged horizontally at floor 20 level. The only known adjustable type hitch is fixed at a predetermined height. That is the height of the towable vehicle might not match with the height of the towing vehicle. This usually occurs due to the differing suspension systems of the towable vehicle to 25 the towing vehicle. The known adjustable type hitch merely provides a fixed stepped interconnection to allow the mismatched heights while maintaining the towable vehicle at an acceptable sloping or preferably horizontal orientation. In this way forces are properly transferred to the chassis of the towing vehicle without unnecessary torsion. 30 However with known hitches many vehicles in correct relative operating position between the towable vehicle and the towing vehicle must have the towable vehicle disconnected from the tow-hitch to gain access to the rear of the towing vehicle. 2 Having to totally disconnect the loaded trailer, caravan, horse float or boat to access the rear of the vehicle to change a tyre, or remove goods or merely to access the rear of the towing vehicle is a substantial inconvenience. It requires the use of the dolly wheel on the towable vehicle to be connected and usually for other stability legs to be 5 engaged. Further it requires moving the towable vehicle and towing vehicle apart from each other to obtain access. Then a realignment and reconnection process is required. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least to 10 ameliorate the disadvantages of the prior art by allowing a solution without disconnection of the towable vehicle and towing vehicle. Summary of the Invention In accordance with the present invention there is provided a trailer hitch with two 15 body members, a first body member having a vehicle connection mount and a second body member having a tow ball receiving mount for connection of a tow ball mounted on the trailer hitch to be received in a socket of a trailer connection to allow towing of the trailer by the vehicle; wherein one of the two body members is pivotably mounted relative to the other. 20 The pivotal mount of the second body member to the first body member is transverse to the extension of the first body member. The trailer hitch includes a locking means able to be selectively engaged between the 25 first and second body members of the trailer hitch. When selectively engaged the trailer hitch is in an operative towing position and able to withstand load tension and when in a selectively disengaged position the trailer hitch is in an inoperative towing position and able to be moved vertically lower and provide clearance to the rear of the vehicle. 30 The invention also provides a method of adjustable hitching of a towable vehicle including providing a trailer hitch for attaching to towing vehicle and presenting a tow ball able to be attached to attaching socket of towable vehicle in a towing position and allowing selective positionally changed presentation of the tow ball at a lower 3 position while the trailer hitch is still able to remain attached to towing vehicle and to attaching socket of towable vehicle. The invention also provides a method of adjustable hitching of a towable vehicle to a 5 towing vehicle including the steps of: providing a trailer hitch with two body members wherein one of the two body members is pivotably mounted relative to the other between the towable vehicle and the towing vehicle; providing a locking means for the relative pivotably mounting of the two body 10 members from an operative towing position and an inoperative towing position; selectively allowing change from an operative towing position able to withstand load tension and an inoperative towing position by activating locking means such that when in a selectively disengaged position the trailer hitch is moved vertically lower and provides clearance to the rear of the vehicle 15 It can be seen that the invention allows for selective height, which thereby allows the rear door of a 4 wheel drive type vehicle, utility or wagon to be opened without unhitching the trailer or camper/caravan. It saves the inconvenience, especially when the tow vehicle has a cargo barrier and the flat tyre and spare are attached to outside 20 of back door. The big safety advantage is not having the unstable situation of having to re- hitch a laden trailer or caravan on hill or uneven surface e.g. 4 wheel driving. In order that the invention can be more readily understood we will describe by way of non-limiting example of a specific embodiment with reference to the drawings 25 wherein: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a trailer hitch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic overhead view of the trailer hitch of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a photographic view of a trailer hitch in a towing position, in 30 accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a photographic view of a trailer hitch of Figure 3 in a pivoted non towing access position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 4 Figure 5 is a photographic view of a vehicle with the trailer hitch of Figure 3 in a pivoted non-towing access position, allowing access to rear of towing vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 is a diagrammatic side view of a trailer hitch in the towing position, 5 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 7 is a diagrammatic side view of a trailer hitch in a pivoted non-towing access position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 8 is a diagrammatic overhead view of the trailer hitch in Figure 6 and figure 7. 10 Figure 9 is a diagrammatic side view of the first body member of the trailer hitch illustrating the dimensions of the first body member in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 10 is a diagrammatic side view of the second body member of the trailer hitch illustrating the dimensions of the second body member in accordance 15 with an embodiment of the invention. Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention Referring to the drawings there is shown a trailer hitch 21 with two body members 22 23. 20 The first body member 22 has a vehicle connection mount 31 in the form of a rectangular cross section elongated tubular structure which at one end engages within the receiving part of a towing vehicle and is locked thereto. 25 The second body member 23 comprises two corresponding spaced plates 32, 33 having a connecting plate 34 extending between top surfaces and fixed thereto. An end of the two corresponding spaced plates 32, 33 have a stepped profile with a tow ball plate 35 extending there across and fixed thereto. The connection plate 34 and tow ball plate 35 and two corresponding spaced plates 32, 33 form a rigid second 30 body member. The tow ball plate 35 is a receiving mount for connection of a tow ball with threaded section extending through a tow ball hole 43 in tow ball plate 35 on the trailer hitch and bolted on underside so as to present tow ball on top of tow ball plate 35 to be received in a socket of a trailer connection to allow towing of the trailer by the towing vehicle. 5 The spacing of the two corresponding spaced plates 32, 33 of the second body member 23 is slightly larger than the outer dimensions of the rectangular cross section elongated tubular structure of the vehicle connection mount 31 of the first body 22. 5 The second body member includes corresponding pivot holes 41 in the two corresponding spaced plates 32, 33 and similar holes in the first body member 22 receive a pivot pin 45 wherein the two body members are pivotably mounted relative to the other. The pivotal mount of the second body member to the first body member 10 is transverse to the extension of the first body member. The trailer hitch includes a locking means in the form of a locking pin 46 through locking pin hole 42 in two corresponding spaced plates 32, 33 of the first and second body 22, 23. By selective engagement or disengagement of locking pin 46 through 15 the locking pin hole 42 in first and second body 22, 23 the trailer hitch is able to be selectively engaged between the first and second body members of the trailer hitch. When selectively engaged the trailer hitch is in an operative towing position and able to withstand load tension and when in a selectively disengaged position the trailer hitch is in an inoperative towing position and able to be moved vertically lower and 20 provide clearance to the rear of the vehicle. Therefore in use the trailer hitch, with the pivotably mounted two body members 22, 23, is mounted between the towable vehicle and the towing vehicle. The locking means in the form of locking pin 46 extends between the relative pivotably mounting 25 of the two body members from an operative towing position and an inoperative towing position. The user can therefore selectively allow change from an operative towing position able to withstand load tension to an inoperative towing position by removing locking pin 46 such that when in the selectively disengaged position the trailer hitch is moved vertically lower and provides clearance to the rear of the vehicle 30 The trailer hitch can uses a standard 50 x 50 mm heavy duty trailer connection system, and has a fixed pivot pin and a removable locking pin system. It incorporates 2 pivot bosses which are welded transversely to the longitudinal line of the draw bar forming the vehicle connection mount. The U shaped steel cover or socket 6 attachment which the tow ball or trig type hitch attaches has bosses welded to it that line up with the centres of the bosses on the main draw bar with 20mm diameter pins. Part number 35 can be repositioned (up or down between plates 32 & 33) during 5 manufacture to suit the specific ride height of a particular towing vehicle and towable vehicle combination. The prototype is configured for a ride height of 500mm, this is common to most 4 x 4 camper trailers and 4 x 4 caravans. In use when the rear door needs to be opened, the trailer drawbar weight is taken up 10 by the jockey wheel; this takes the tension off the removable locking pin 46. The locking pin 46 is removed and the jockey wheel lowered. The whole hitch connection lowers 30 degrees or 140mm down and away from the vehicle allowing the rear door to open. 15 Therefore, when the trailer weight is taken on the jockey wheel the rear pin can be unlocked and removed, this allows the connected hitch a 30 degree swing downwards and away from the vehicle. The angle of the swing is shown on Figure 7 as A. In the particular embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the angle is 45 degrees. However, it is envisaged that the degree of the swing is dependent on the size of the trailer hitch and 20 the dimensions of the powered towing vehicle and towable vehicle. In an embodiment of the invention, the connected hitch is able to swing 45 degrees in a direction away from the back door of the powered towing vehicle. Figure 6 presents another embodiment of the invention whereby the trailer hitch is in 25 an operative towing position and able to withstand load tension and the first body member and second body member are level in height. At such a position, a user would not have access to the rear door of the vehicle. However, in the inoperative towing position, Figure 7 illustrates the pivot motion of the pivotably mounted two body members 22, 23 whereby the removal of the locking pin 46 from the locking pin hole 30 42 results in the pivoting motion of the second body member from the pivot pin 45. In such a position the second body member is lowered via the pivoting motion to a vertical angle, for example 45 degrees, in order to allow access to the rear door. 7 Figure 1 and Figure 6 illustrate the possible dimensions, shapes of different embodiments of the first and second members. Further Figure 6 provides for additional features such as the hole 50 in the first body member illustrating that such variations are within the scope of the current invention. It is further envisaged the 5 trailer hitch can have a change of the pins to standard 16mm to utilize current trailer parts. Also preferably the main body is formed into a U-shape, as in Figure 1, or rectangular shape, as in Figure 6, to avoid welding the sides. In manufacture, the components can be drawn up on a computer to allow laser cutting for production sequence. 10 This invention is unique because nothing else like it is on the market. It allows access to the rear of the vehicle without disconnecting the trailer. Many new vehicles have the spare wheel attached quite low in the centre of the rear door. The only way to get to the jack, wheel brace and spare wheel is to open the rear door. Most 4 wheel 15 drive's have their fridge and drawer systems in the rear of the vehicle also which cannot be accessed with a camper/trailer attached. It also prevents damage to the tailgate of a wagon or utility by not allowing the door to hit the tow hitch. 20 While we have described herein a particular embodiment of a trailer hitch, it is further envisaged that other embodiments of the invention could exhibit any number and combination of any one of the features previously described. However, it is to be understood that any variations and modifications can be made without departing from 25 the spirit and scope thereof. 8

Claims

1. A trailer hitch including: a. A first body member having a vehicle connection mount; b. A second body member having a tow ball receiving mount for 5 connection of a tow ball mounted on the trailer hitch to be received in a socket of a trailer connection to allow towing of the trailer by the vehicle; wherein one of the two body members is pivotably mounted relative to the other. 10

2. A trailer hitch according to claim I wherein the first body member has a vehicle connection mount in the form of a rectangular cross section elongated tubular structure. 15

3. A trailer hitch according to claim 2 wherein the first body member has a vehicle connections mount in the form of a rectangular cross section elongated tubular structure which at one end engages within the receiving part of a towing vehicle and is locked thereto. 20

4. A trailer hitch according to claim I wherein the second body member comprises two corresponding spaced plates having a connecting plate extending between top surfaces and fixed thereto.

5. A trailer hitch according to claim 4 wherein the spaced body member 25 comprises two corresponding spaced plates having a connecting plate wherein the end of the two corresponding spaced plates have a stepped profile with a tow ball plate extending there across and fixed thereto.

6. A trailer hitch according to claim 4 wherein the connecting plate and tow ball 30 plate and two corresponding spaced plates form a rigid second body member.

7. A trailer hitch according to claim I wherein the second body member includes corresponding pivot holes in the two corresponding spaced plates and similar holes in the first body member receive a pivot pin wherein the two body 35 members are pivotably mounted relative to the other. 9

8. A trailer hitch according to claim 1 wherein the pivotal mount of the second body member to the first body member is transverse to the extension of the first body member. 5

9. A trailer hitch according to claim I wherein the trailer hitch includes a locking means able to be selectively engaged between the first and second body members of the trailer hitch.

10. A trailer hitch according to claim 9 wherein the locking means is in the form 10 of a locking pin through a locking pin hole in two corresponding spaced plates of the first and second body.

11. A trailer hitch according to claim 10 wherein the locking means in the form of a locking pin extends between the pivotably mounting of the two body 15 members from an operative towing position and an inoperative towing oppositions.

12. A trailer hitch according to claim 10 wherein the locking means in the form of a locking pin extends between the pivotably mounting of the two body 20 members from an operative towing position and an inoperative towing position whereby the trailer hitch in the inoperative towing position is supported by a jockey wheel.

13. A trailer hitch according to claim 10 wherein the locking means in an 25 operative towing position is able to withstand load tension and when in a selectively disengaged position the trailer hitch is in an inoperative towing position and able to be moved vertically lower and provide clearance to the rear of the vehicle. 30

14. A trailer hitch according to claim 13 wherein the trailer hitch, in the selectively disengaged locking position, is in an inoperative towing position, and the second body member is 30 to 45 degrees lower than the first body member. 35 10

15. A trailer hitch providing a method of adjustable hitching of a towable vehicle to a towing vehicle including the steps of: a. providing a trailer hitch with two body members wherein one of the two body members is pivotably mounted relative to the other between 5 the towable vehicle and the towing vehicle; b. providing a locking means for the relative pivotably mounting of the two body members from an operative towing position and an inoperative towing position; c. selectively allowing change from an operative towing position able to 10 withstand load tension and an inoperative towing position by activating locking means such that when in a selectively disengaged position the trailer hitch is moved vertically lower and provides clearance to the rear of the vehicle 15

16. A trailer hitch as substantially described herein with reference to the above examples and drawing figures.

17. A trailer hitch providing a method of adjustable hitching of a towable vehicle to a towing vehicle as substantially described herein with reference to the 20 above examples and drawing figures. 25 11