Quick disconnect hitch
View Patent ↗Embodiments described herein relate to methods and structures that can be used to quickly disconnect a trailer from a tractor. One embodiment provides a quick disconnect hitch that links a tractor and a trailer. The quick disconnect hitch comprises a tongue attached to the tractor and a body insertable into the tongue. An extension is attached to and projects away from the body. The extension is connectable with the trailer. A pair of lugs is disposed on the body. The lugs are movable between a connected position where the trailer moves responsive to movement of the tractor and a disconnected position where the trailer moves independently of the tractor. A detent is disposed on each of the pair of lugs. A pair of slots is disposed on the tongue. Each of the pair of slots is configured to accept the detent. Each detent is disposed in each of the pair of slots when the lugs are in the connected position, and each detent is dislocated from each of the pair of slots when the lugs are in the disconnected position.
1. A quick disconnect hitch that links a tractor and a trailer, the quick disconnect hitch comprising:
a tongue attached to the tractor;
a body insertable into the tongue;
an extension attached to and projecting away from the body, the extension being connectable with the trailer;
a pair of lugs disposed on the body, the lugs being movable between a connected position where the trailer moves responsive to movement of the tractor and a disconnected position where the trailer moves independently of the tractor;
a detent disposed on each of the pair of lugs;
a pair of slots disposed on the tongue, each of the pair of slots being configured to accept the detent, each detent being disposed in each of the pair of slots when the lugs are in the connected position and each detent being dislocated from each of the pair of slots when the lugs are in the disconnected position; and
a pneumatic apparatus located in the body, the pneumatic apparatus being operable to move the quick disconnect hitch between the connected position and the disconnected position.
2. The quick disconnect hitch as defined in claim 1 further comprising:
a block movably disposed within the body between the connected position where the block engages against the pair of lugs so that each detent is disposed in each of the pair of slots, and the disconnected position where the block is offset from the pair of lugs so that each detent is dislocated from each of the pair of slots; and
a spring disposed between the block and an end of the body, the spring forcing the block towards the connected position.