Hitch apparatus and method
View Patent ↗An apparatus includes a hitch arm having a cross member having a first end and a second end. A first hitch member is adjacently coupled to the first end. A second hitch member is adjacently coupled to the second end. A hitch receiver is coupled to the cross member. The apparatus includes a first hitch frame and a second hitch frame. A first drive system is mechanically coupled to the hitch arm and to the first hitch frame. A second drive system is coupled to the hitch arm and to the second hitch frame.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a hitch arm having:
a cross member having a first end and a second end;
a first hitch member adjacently coupled to the first end;
a second hitch member adjacently coupled to the second end; and
a hitch receiver coupled to the cross member;
a first hitch frame;
a second hitch frame; and
a first drive system mechanically coupled to the hitch arm and to the first hitch frame, the first drive system having a first extender coupled to the cross member and to the first hitch frame;
a second drive system mechanically coupled to the hitch arm and to the second hitch frame; and
a third drive system having a second extender coupled to the first hitch member and to the first hitch frame.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second drive system comprises a third extender coupled to the cross member and second hitch frame.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a fourth drive system having a fourth extender coupled to the second hitch member and to the second hitch frame.
4. A system comprising:
a mobile vehicle having a vehicle frame;
a hitch apparatus coupled to the vehicle frame, the hitch apparatus having:
a hitch arm having:
a cross member having a first end and a second end;
a first hitch member adjacently coupled to the first end;
a second hitch member adjacently coupled to the second end; and
a hitch receiver coupled to the cross member;
a first hitch frame;
a second hitch frame; and
a first drive system mechanically coupled to the hitch arm and to the first hitch frame, the first drive system having a first extender coupled to the first hitch member and to the first hitch frame; and
a second drive system mechanically coupled to the hitch arm and to the second hitch frame; and
a third drive system having a second extender coupled to the first hitch member and to the first hitch frame.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the second drive system comprises:
a third extender coupled to the second hitch member and to the second hitch frame.
6. The system of claim 5 further comprising a fourth drive system having a fourth extender coupled to the second hitch member and to the second hitch frame.
7. A method comprising:
coupling a hitch apparatus to a vehicle frame, the hitch apparatus having:
a hitch arm having:
a cross member having a first end and a second end;
a first hitch member adjacently coupled to the first end;
a second hitch member adjacently coupled to the second end; and
a hitch receiver coupled to the cross member;
a first hitch frame;
a second hitch frame; and
a first drive system mechanically coupled to the hitch arm and to the first hitch frame, the first drive system having a first extender coupled to the first hitch member and to the first hitch frame; and
a second drive system mechanically coupled to the hitch arm and to the second hitch frame; and
a third drive system having a second extender coupled to the first hitch member and to the first hitch frame;
coupling a ball mount to the hitch receiver;
activating the first drive system and second drive system such that the hitch arm descends from the first hitch frame and second hitch frame;
aligning the hitch receiver to a trailer coupler;
activating the first drive system and second drive system such that the hitch arm ascends toward the first hitch frame and second hitch frame; and
coupling the ball mount to the trailer coupler.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the second drive system comprises:
a third extender coupled to the second hitch member and to the second hitch frame.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising a fourth drive system having a fourth extender coupled to the second hitch member and to the second hitch frame.