Adjustable hitch assembly
View Patent ↗The present invention is directed to an adjustable hitch assembly for coupling a towed vehicle with a towing vehicle. An embodiment of the adjustable hitch assembly may include a base member, a ball support member, and a hitch ball member. The base member may include a connecting portion and a shank member, wherein the shank member may extends perpendicularly away from the connecting portion. The ball support member may include a support rod extending perpendicularly away from the shank member. The ball support member may also include an opening there though that may be attached to the shank member. The hitch ball member may be attached to the support rod, wherein the hitch ball member may have at least one accessory aperture. The connecting portion may be attached to the towing vehicle and the hitch ball member may be attached to the towed vehicle.
1. An adjustable hitch assembly comprising:
a vehicle attachment member capable of selective engagement with a towing vehicle;
a shank extending from said vehicle attachment member, said shank having a length;
a guide member positioned in and extending at least a portion of said length of said shank, wherein said guide member extends inwardly on opposite sides of said shank;
a support member comprising an opening to selectively attach said support member to said shank through said opening; and
an engaging member integrally formed with said support member within said opening of said support member, wherein said engaging member matingly engages with said guide member generally preventing rotation of said support member relative to said shank.
2. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 1 , wherein said support member includes a height and said engaging member extends substantially said height of said support member.
3. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 1 , wherein said engaging member is formed with said support member as a monolithic unit.
4. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 1 , wherein said support member includes a second engaging member positioned laterally from said engaging member.
5. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 4 , wherein said engaging and second engaging members generally prevent rotation of said support member relative to said shank when engaged with said guide member.
6. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 5 , wherein said engaging and second engaging members are male members and said guide member is a matingly shaped female member.
7. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 1 wherein said engaging member in engagement with said guide member supports a moment load applied during operation.
8. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a hitch ball member capable of selective attachment to said support member, wherein said hitch ball member has at least one accessory aperture.
9. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a hitch ball member integrally formed with said support member.
10. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 1 , wherein said engaging member generally prevents rotation of said support member about a horizontal I axis.
11. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the opening is defined by a discontinuous peripheral wall.
12. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the opening is either a generally C-shape or U-shape.
13. An adjustable hitch assembly comprising:
a vehicle attachment member;
a shank extending vertically from and connected with said vehicle attachment member, said shank having a length;
a guide member positioned in and extending at least a portion of said length of said shank, said guide member extending inward on at least one side of said shank;
a support member comprising an opening to selectively attached to said support member to said shank through said opening and generally circumscribing said shank, said support member having a height; and
an engaging member attached to said support member and extending substantially said height of said support member, said engaging member extending with said opening of said support member, wherein said engaging member is inserted within and engages with said guide member upon selective attachment of said support member with said shank generally preventing rotation of said support member relative to said shank.
14. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 13 , wherein said engaging member supports a moment force applied between said support member and said vehicle attachment member.
15. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 13 , wherein said engaging member extends said height of said support member.
16. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 13 , wherein said guide member includes at least one slot and first and second ends, whereby said support member is removable from both of said first and second ends.
17. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 16 , wherein said first and second ends are open.
18. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 17 , wherein said support member includes a generally open rear end.
19. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 17 , further comprising a second guide member positioned in and extending at least a portion of said length of said shank, said second guide member extending radially inward on one side of said shank opposite said guide member, wherein said second guide member includes open first and second ends.
20. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 13 , further comprising a pin member insertable into and through said shank and said support member securing said support member to said shank.
21. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 13 , wherein said guide member is positioned on an exterior of said shank.
22. An adjustable hitch assembly comprising:
a vehicle attachment member;
a shank extending vertically from and connected with said vehicle attachment member, said shank having a length;
a guide member positioned on and extending said length of said shank, said guide member having first and second ends;
a support member compromising an opening to selectively attach said support member to said shank through said opening and generally circumscribing said shank; and
an engaging member attached with said support member and extending within said opening of said support member for engaging into said guide member, wherein said support member is configured to be removed from said shank only at both of said first and second ends of said guide member.
23. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 22 , further comprising a second engaging member positioned within said opening generally opposite said engaging member.
24. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 23 , wherein said engaging and second engaging members support a moment force applied to said support member during operation.
25. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 24 , wherein said engaging and second engaging members support a longitudinal force applied to said support member during operation.
26. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 25 , wherein said engaging and second engaging members extend substantially a height of said support member.
27. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 22 , further comprising a pintle hook selectively attached to said support member.
28. The adjustable hitch assembly of claim 22 , wherein said guide member is positioned on an exterior of said shank.
29. An adjustable hitch assembly comprising:
a vehicle attachment member;
a shank extending vertically from and connected with said vehicle attachment member, said shank having a length;
a guide member positioned on and extending said length of said shank, said guide member having first and second ends;
a support member selectively attached to said shank, wherein said support member includes an opening, whereby said support member is selectively attachable to said shank through said opening; and
an engaging member attached with said support member and positioned within said opening for engaging into said guide member, wherein said support member is configured to be removed from said shank only at both of said first and second ends of said guide member.