SCHIOEDT ALLAN
| US3596926A | 1971-08-03 | |||
| US2436101A | 1948-02-17 | |||
| US7125035B1 | 2006-10-24 |
Claims
1. A cover for a trailer coupling ball (fig.2) pressed down over the ball when this is not in use as a coupling device between the pulling vehicle and the trailer, characterized in that an unspecified amount of lubricant is added to the cavity (pos.2) between this cover (pos.l) and an inner device (pos.3) functioning as a piston inside the cover (pos.l).
2. A cover for a trailer coupling ball (fig.3) according to claim 1 c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the piston (pos.3) is provided with one or more openings (pos.5) enabling the transfer of lubricant to the coupling ball surface.
3. A cover for a trailer coupling ball (fig.3) according to claim 2 characterized in that the opening is designed as a slit (pos.5) which is closed in unloaded state, but opens when the cover is pressed down over the ball.
4. A cover for a trailer coupling ball (fig.4) according to claim 3 c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the slit opening (pos.5) is provided with details (pos.4) assisting in the opening of the slit when the ball is pressed against these details.
5. A cover for a trailer coupling ball (fig.5) according to claims 2, 3 and 4 characterized in that the position of the opening (pos.5) is rotated vertically in relation to the ball centre. 6. A cover for a trailer coupling ball (fig.6) according to claim 2 characterized in that the opening is provided with a valve (pos.4) which opens when affected and closes when not affected.
7. A cover for a trailer coupling ball (fig.7) according to claim 1 characteri zed in that the lubricant is dosed by pressing a soft area on the cover (pos.4).
8. A cover for a trailer coupling ball (fig.8) according to claim 1 c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the inner device (pos.3) is designed as a lubricant-filled, hollow body with one or more holes towards the ball. |
Description. i
Cover for ball on trailer coupling with integrated lubrication
The present invention relates to a cover for the ball on a trailer coupling for coupling between a pulling vehicle and a trailer. The purpose of prior art covers on the market used for this purpose has only been to protect the ball and protect against smudging of dirt if the operator touches the trailer coupling when a trailer is not connected. To protect the ball against corrosion and wear of the ball and coupling device, a lubricant layer should be applied, but as this increases the problem of smudging at contact, it is common practice to wipe off the ball, thereby leaving it unprotected against corrosion when the cover is mounted and without lubricating during use with an attached trailer. The invention relates to an embodiment of the ball cover ensuring lubrication of the ball each time the cover is pressed down over the ball.
The drawing in fig. 1, Ia and Ib illustrates the three primary components of the ball previously discussed. Fig. 1 illustrates a prior art cover, and fig. Ib illustrates the ball on the part of the trailer coupling mounted on the pulling vehicle with the purpose of enabling a secure coupling of another vehicle provided with a corresponding coupling device enabling the latter vehicle to be pulled by the pulling vehicle. Between the cover (fig.1) and the ball (fig. Ib) is a device (fig. Ia) functioning as a piston moveable in the longitudinal direction inside the cover (fig.1). As illustrated in fig.2, a cavity (pos.2) is created between the cover (pos.l) and the inner device (pos.3) being filled by a suitable lubricant. The inner device (pos.3) is provided with an opening (pos.5) enabling the transfer of a small amount of lubricant from the cavity (pos.2) to the cavity (pos.4) between the inner device (pos.3) and the ball. When the cover (pos.l) with the lubricant and inner device (pos.3) is pressed down over the ball, the lubricant will pass through the opening (pos.5) and be left on the ball and the inside of the inner device (pos.3). The device may be rotated vertically and horizontally to distribute the lubricant over the ball surface. Thus, the desired corrosion protection is achieved, and when the cover (fig.2) is removed, the ball is lubricated for use as trailer coupling. If it is desired to wipe the ball, e.g. if the cover is not available or the ball is soiled with dirt increasing wear, it is easy to add new lubricant next time the cover is mounted on the ball.