This invention is in the field of hitches for connecting a trailer or tike towed vehicle to a towing vehicle, and in particular a hitch apparatus with a self-locking feature.

BACKGROUND

Connecting mechanisms for towed vehicles take a variety of forms, such as clevis and tongue mechanisms, ball and socket mechanisms, pintle hook and ring mechanisms, and the like.

Clevis and tongue mechanisms require a separate pin which is inserted downward through aligned holes in the drawbar and clevis. In contrast ball and socket mechanisms and pintle hook and ring mechanisms comprise only an upward extending lower male hitch member, being the pintle hook or bail, that is attached to the towing vehicle, and a female hitch member, the ring or socket, that is attached to the trailer tongue and drops over and engages the male hitch member make the connection. No separate connecting pin is required. A lock mechanism prevents the male and female members from disengaging.

A typical pintle hook and ring hitch has base for attachment to the lowing vehicle and a hook like lower jaw curving rearward and upward from the base to form the pintle hook, and an upper jaw pivotally attached to base. To connect a towed vehicle, the upper jaw is raised and latched into the open position creating a gap between the top of the pintle hook and the upper jaw. The towing vehicle is moved rearward and the ring on the tongue of the towed vehicle moves through the gap and then the tongue is lowered so that the ring drops over the pintle hook and rests on the bottom of the lower jaw , The upper jaw is then pivoted downward to a closed position where the outer end of the upper jaw is close to the upper end of the pintle hook, and the gap is closed preventing the ring from disengaging from the pintle hook.

The upper jaw typically includes a !atch mechanism to latch it in either the open or closed positions, and a safety pin is typically required to lock the upper jaw in lite closed position in case th latch fails. Such a pintle hook and ring hitch is described for example in United States Patent Number 5.332.250 to Thorwall et al.

In ball and socket hitches the socket mechanism on the trailer tongue typically includes some manner of clamp mechanism that enaages the bottom surface of the ball to prevent the socket from moving upward out of engagement with the ball.

United States Patent Number 3.963,266 discloses a combination hitch apparatus with a ball on the lower male hitch member extending up front the lower jaw. The ring on a trailer tongue can drop over (he ball to rest on the lower jaw, or a socket on a trailer tongue can drop onto the ball. In either case the upper jaw moves down to closed position where the outer end of the upper ja is close to the upper end of the ball to prevent the socket from moving upward off the ball, and also to close the gap between the tipper and lower jaws to prevent a ring from disengaging the tower male hitch member. United States Patent Numbers 6,139.043 to Gries et al. and 5,725,229 to cWethy also disclose combination hitch apparatus for use with either a ring or socket type trailer tongue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hitch apparatus that overcomes problems in the prior art. in a first embodiment the present invention provides a hitch apparatus for connecting a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle, the apparatus comprising a base adapted at a forward end thereof for attachment to a towing vehicle, with a lower jaw fixed to and extending rearward from the base, and a male hitch member extending upward from a rear end of the lower jaw. An upper jaw is fixed to and extends reanvard from the base above the lower jaw to a rear end thereof located above the male hitch member such that a gap is formed between the rear end of the upper jaw and a top end of the male hitch member. Λ lock plate is pivotail attached to a rear portion of the upper jaw about a pivot axis oriented substantially perpendicular to an operating travel direction. A closed stop and an open stop are operative to limit pivoting movement of the lock plate to a pivot range from a closed position through a balanced position to an open position. The lock plate is configured such that when the lock plate is in the pivot range between the closed position and the balanced position gravity biases the lock plate toward the closed position, and when the lock plate is between the balanced position and the open position gravity biases the lock plate toward the open position. When the lock plate is in the closed position, a locking portion of the lock plate extends downward from the pivot axis into the gap and the closed stop prevents reanvard movement of the locking portion, and the locking, portion of the lock plate moves forward and upward as the lock plate pivots from the closed position to the open position, and when the lock plate is in the open position, the locking portion extends upward from the pivot axis and the open stop prevents rearward movement of the locking portion. in a second embodiment the present invention provides a method of connecting a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle. The method comprises attaching a forward end of a base to the towing vehicle; providing a lower jaw fixed to and extending rearward from the base, and providing an upward extending male hitch member at a rear end of the lower jaw; providing an upper jaw fixed to and extending rearward from the base above the lower jaw to a rear end thereof located above the male hitch member such that a gap is formed between the rear end of the upper jaw and a top end of the male hitch member; pivotal!y attaching a Jock plate to a rear portion of the upper jaw about a pivot axis oriented substantially perpendicular to an operating travel direction of the towing vehicle such that a locking portion of the lock plate extends downward into the gap when the lock plate is i a closed position; providing a closed stop operative to prevent rearward movement of ihe locking portion of the lock plate when in the closed position such that the locking portion can only pivot forward from the closed position: configuring the iock plate such that when the !ock piate is in a pivotal position between the closed position and a balanced position, gravity biases the lock plate toward the closed position; providing a female hitch member on a front end of a hitch tongue attached to the towed vehicle and aligning a vertical position of the female hitch member with the gap: with the lock plate in the closed position, moving the towing vehicle rearward such that a front end of the female hitch member moves through the gap and pushes the locking portion of the lock plate forward: continuing moving the towing vehicle rearward until the front end of the female hitch member contacts a rear end of the base between the upper and lower jaws, where the lock plate drops toward the closed position to a blocking position preventing the female hitch member from moving rearward through the gap; lowering the female hitch member into engagement with the male hitch member at which point the lock plate is in the closed position and the locking portion prevents disengagement of the female hitch member from the male hitch member.

The present invention thus provides a simple hitch apparatus that can include a convenient reset feature so same is always ready for connection to a towed vehicle. The iock plate does not require any spring latches as are common in the prior art and the lock plate is prevented from moving because same bears against a stop that is an integral part of the apparatus. The risk of mistakes in connection that could lead to disengagement is iow since no manipulation of any latches is required. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like pans in each of the several diagrams are labeled with Hke numbers, and where:

Fig. 1 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment oi ^* a hitch apparatus of the present invention where the male hitch member is a pin, and vvuh the lock plate in the closed position;

Pig. 2 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the lock plate in the closed position:

Fig. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the lock plate in the closed position:

Fig. 3A is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 wirh the lock plate in the balanced position:

Fig. 3B is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the lock plate in the open position:

Fig. 4 is an rear end view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5 is schematic side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 attached to a lowing vehicle and about to be connected to a towed vehicle where the female hitch member on the towed vehicle is provided by a hitch ring; Figs. 5A - 5F are side views showing the connecting sequence for connecting the hitch ring on the towed vehicle of Fig. 5 to the embodiment of Fig. 1 attached to die towing vehicle;

Figs. 6A - 6E are side views showing the disconnecting sequence for disconnecting the hitch ring on the towed vehicle of Fig. 5 from the embodiment of Fig. 1 attached to the towing vehicle; Fig. 7A is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a hitch apparatus of the present invention where die male hitch member is a ball, and the female hitch member is a socket member, and where the socket member has moved through the gap pushing the lock plate forward out of the gap. and with the socket aligned over the ball; Fig. 7B is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 7 A where the socket member has been lowered such that the socket is engaged on the ball and the lock plate has returned to the closed position;

Fig. 7C is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 7A where the lock plate has been moved to die open position to allow the socket member to be raised to disengage ihe bail;

Fig. 7D is a top view of the embodiment of Fig. 7A with Ihe lock plate removed; Fig. 8 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a hitch apparatus of the present invention where a front portion of the locking portion of the Sock plate extends over a hitch recess formed between the rear end of the base and a top end of the pin; Figs. 8A - HC arc side views showing the connecting sequence for connecting the hitch ring on a towed vehicle to the embodiment of a hitch apparatus of Fig. S.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Figs. 1 -4 illustrate an embodiment of a hitch apparatus I of the present invention for connecting a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle. The hitch apparatus 1 comprises a base 3 adapted at a forward end thereof for attachment to a towing vehicle 5. as schematically illustrated in Fig. 5. The base 3 is illustrated as a bar configured to be inserted into a hitch receiver as is known in the art, however other configurations are contemplated as well, such as a plate adapted to be bolted to the towing vehicle, and like arrangements.

A lower jaw 7 is fixed to and extends rearward from the base 3, and a male hitch member 9 extends upward from a rear end of the lower jaw 7. The male hitch member 9 in Figs. 1 -4 is illustrated as a pin as used in a pintle hook and ring hitch system, but could also be a ball as used in a bail and socket hitch system, and as illustrated in Figs. 7A-7C.

An upper jaw 1 1 is fixed to and extends rearward from the base 3 above the lower jaw 7, The rear end ! 1 of the upper jaw 11 located above the male hitch member 9 such that gap 13 is formed between die rear end 7R of the upper jaw 7 and a top end of the male hitch member 9.

A lock plate 15 is pivotaiiy attached to a rear portion of the upper jaw 11 in a slot 21 in the upper jaw 11 about a pivot axis PA oriented substantially perpendicular to an operating travel direction T, A closed slop 17 and an open stop 19 are operative to limit pivoting movement of the lock plate 15 to a pivot range from a closed position, shown in Fig. 3, through a balanced position, shown in Fig. 3A, to an open position, shown in Fig. 3B. The lock plate 15 is configured such that when the lock plate 15 is in the pivot range between the closed position and the haianced position, gravity biases the lock p!ate 15 toward the closed position, and when the lock plate is between the balanced position and the open position gravity biases the lock plate 15 toward the open position. Thus the lock plate 15 can be manually flipped between the open position and the closed position, and will stay in the selected position until a force is exerted on same to move it.

When the lock plate is in the closed position of Fig. 3. a locking portion 15 A of the lock plate 1 extends downward from the pivot axis ΡΛ into the gap 13 and the closed stop 17 bears against the bottom of a rear portion of the slot 21 in the upper jaw 1 1 and prevents rearward movement of the locking portion 15 A. The locking portion 15A of the lock plate 15 moves forward and upward ( as indicated by the arrows in Figs. 3, 3 A) as the lock plate 15 pivots from die closed position to the open position, and when the lock plate 15 is in the open position, the locking portion 15Λ extends upward from the pivot axis ΡΛ and the open stop 19 bears against, the bottom of the upper jaw 1 1 on either side of the slot 1 and prevents further rearward movement of the locking portion 1 A.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates the hitch apparatus f attached to a towing vehicle 5, and a corresponding female hitch member provided by a hitch ring 23 attached to a hitch tongue of a towed vehicle 25. The male hitch member 9 comprises a pin adapted to enter a ring opening 27 defined by the hitch ring 23. as illustrated in the schematic sectional view of Fig. 5D. The hitch tongue of the lowed vehicle 25 is moved up or down as required to aiign the hitch ring 23 with the gap 1 in the hitch apparatus 1 attached to the towing vehicle 5.

The towing vehicle 5 is then moved in the rearward direction R and the hitch ring 23 enters the gap 13 and contacts the locking portion 1 A of the lock plate 1 as shown in Fig. 5A. ami as the towing vehicle continues rearward the hitch ring 23 pushes the locking portion 15A forward as shown in Figs. 5B, 5C until the front end of the hitch ring 23 contacts the hitch ring guide 29 on the rear end of the base 3 between the upper and lower jaws 1 1. 7 as shown in Fig. 5D, at which point rearward movement stops, and the Sock plate 15 clears the inner surface of the hitch ring 23 and drops back, down into the gap 13 and into the ring opening 27, as shown in Fig. 5E.

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the apparatus 1 showmg that the base 3 defines a hitch ring guide 29 configured to guide the hitch ring 23 laterally to align the ring opening 27 with the male hitch member 9 provided by the pin. The rear surface of the guide 29 is wider than the jaws 1 1. 17 and conforms to a significant portion of the front outer surface of the hitch ring 23 such that small lateral misalignments will be corrected as the contact of the front portion of the hitch ring 23 contacts the guide and is pushed laterally. Fig. 4 also most clearly shows the open stop 19 provided by a pin extending laterally from the lock plate 15.

Once the ring opening 27 is aligned with the male hitch member pin 9. the tongue of the towed vehicle 25 is lowered and the hitch ring 23 moves down to rest on the lower jaw 7 in the recess between the base 3 and the male hitch member 9 as shown in Fig. 5F. The lock plate 15 is in the closed position and is prevented from moving rearward, and so the hitch ring 23 is also prevented from moving rearward through the gap 13.

As a precaution to prevent accidental movement of the lock plate 15 forward out of the closed position due to bouncing on rough roads or the like, a safety pin 31 can be removably inserted in corresponding aligned safety holes 33 in the upper jaw 1 1 and lock plate 1 when the lock plate 15 is in the closed position with the hitch ring 23 resting on the lower jaw 7. As a further precaution, in the illustrated apparatus I when the lock piate 15 is in the balanced position of Fig. 3A. the locking portion 15A thereof is above a lower edge of the upper jaw 1.1 , Thus a hitch tongue entering the gap 13 cannot tip the lock plate 15 to the open position, but can only push the locking portion 15A lock plate to a pivotal position where the rear edge thereof is at the lower edge of the upper jaw 1 1 , where same is still in the pivot range between the balanced position and the closed position, such that gravity is biasing the lock plate 15 down toward the closed position. in the illustrated apparatus 1 the lock plate 15 further comprises a resetting portion 15B oriented such that when the lock plate 15 is in the closed position the resetting portion 15B of the lock plate 15 extends upward from the pivot axis PA, and when the lock plate 15 is in the open position the resetting portion 15B of the lock plate 15B extends downward from the pivot axis PA into the gap 13, as shown in Fig. 6A. The disconnecting sequence is shown in Figs. 6A-6E. hi Fig. 6A the safety pin 31 has been removed and the lock plate 15 has been moved manually to the open position to release the hitch ring 23. The hitch ring 23 is then raised to the position of Fig. 6B, where the resetting portion 15B of the lock plate 15 extends down into the ring opening 27 in the hitch ring 23, and die hitch ring 23 is above the top end of the male hitch member 9. The towing vehicle then moves forward in the operating travel direction T with the hitch apparams 1 and the hitch ring 23 moves rearward through the gap 13. As the hitch ring 23 moves rearward it contacts the resetting portion 15B of the lock plate 15 and moves same rearward such that the lock plate 15 moves to the position of Fig. 6C which is between the balanced position and the closed position where gravity moves the lock piate through the position of Fig, 6D to the closed position of Fig. 6E, where the hitch ring 23 is disengaged and the towing vehicle and move ahead leaving the towed vehicle at rest. In the position of Fig. 6E, the hitch apparatus 1 is reset in the same closed position as in Fig. 5Λ, and is ready to back tip to another hitch ring to engage the hitch ring for towing a towed vehicle as described above.

Figs. 7A-7D schematically illustrate an alternate embodiment of a hitch apparatus 101 of the present invention where the top end of the male hitch member defines a ball 109 adapted to eEiter a corresponding female hitch member provided by a socket member 123 attached to a hitch tongue of a towed vehicle and defining a socket 127. Fig. 7A shows the apparatus 101 backed up so the socket member 123 has passed through the gap 1 13 and contacted the rear end of the base 103. The socket 127 is aligned above the ball 109. and rearward movement is stopped. The socket member 123 is guided into alignment by a socket guide 129 on the rear end of the base 103. The rear surface of the guide 129 includes wings 1 0, shown in the (op view of Fig. 7D only, that are wider dian the jaws 107, 1 1 1 and conform to a significant portion of the front outer surface of the socket member 123 such that small lateral misalignments will be corrected as the contact of the front portion of the socket member ϊ 23 contacts the guide and is pushed laterally. The wings 130 have been deleted from Figs. 7A-7C to more clearly illustrate the relative positions of the socket member 123, lock plate 115, and the ball 109. Similarly the iock plate Π 5 has been deleted from Fig. 7D to more clearly show the socket guide 129.

In the position of Fig. 7 A die socket member 123 has pushed the lock plate 1 15 rearward oul of the closed position but still in the pivot range between the closed position and the balanced position such that when the socket member is lowered so the ball 109 enters the ocket ! 27 as shown in Fig. 7B, the lock plate drops back to the closed position. It can be seen that if the socket member 123 moves upward off the ball 109. it will contact the locking portion 3 15A of die lock plate 1 15 and push the locking portion rearward, but movement of the locking portion 115A rearward is prevented by the closed stop 117. Fig. 7C shows the lock member after same has been manually moved to the open position to discomicct the towed and towing vehicles, where the resetting portion 115B of the lock plate extends down into the gap 1 13 and the open stop 1 J 9 bears against the bottom edge of the upper jaw 111. Again it can be seen that when the socket member 123 is raised it will contact the resetting portion 1 15B of the lock plate 1 15 and move same rearward as the socket member 123 is raised, and as the hitch apparatus 1 is moved forward, the socket member 123 will move the resetting portion 1 15B further rearward so the lock plate 1 15 passes the balanced position and falls down to the closed position, ready to engage another socket member.

Figs. 8-SC illustrated the operation of an alternate embodiment of an apparatus 201 of the present invention where the lock plate 215 is configured such that when in the closed position, a front portion 215C of the locking portion 215Λ thereof extends over a hitch recess 241 formed between the rear end of the base 203 and a top end of the pin 209. Fore and aft lugs 243 A, 243B extending downward from the front portion 215C of the locking portion define a groove 245 above the hitch recess 2 1.

Fig. 8 illustrates the hitch apparatus 201 where the male hitch member 209 comprises a pin adapted to enter a ring opening 227 defined by the hitch ring 223 of a corresponding female hitch member provided by a hitch ring 223 attached to a hitch tongue of a towed vehicle as seen in Fig. 8A.

The hitch tongue is moved up or down as required to align the hitch ring 223 with the gap 213 in the hitch apparatus 201. Fig. SA shows the hitch apparatus 201 moved rearward in direction R and the hitch ring 223 entering the gap 213 and pushing the locking portion 215A of the lock plate 215 forward, and as the apparatus 201 continues rearward the hitch ring 223 pushes the locking portion 2 ISA farther forward until the front end of the hitch ring 223 contacts the hitch ring etude 229 on the rear end of the base 203 between the upper and lower jaws 21 1. 207 as shown in Fig. 8B. at which point rearward movement stops, and the ponton of the lock plate 215 rearward of the aft lug 243 A clears the hitch ring 223 and drops back down into the gap 213 and into the ring opening 227. it can be seen that the hitch ring 223 is then prevented from moving rearward through the gap 213. When the hitch tongue and hitch ring 223 are lowered, rhe hitch ring 223 rests on the lower jaw 207 in the recess 241, and the lock plate 2 5 drops from the blocking position of Fig. SB to the closed position of Fig. SC. ft can be seen that the hitch ring 223 is then prevented from moving upward above the top of the pin 209. If the hitch ring 223 moves upward, as tor example sometimes happens when loading the towed vehicle, the top of the hitch ring 223 enters the groove 245 and the lock plate is prevented from moving by the lugs 243A. 243 B.

The present invention provides a method of connecting a towed vehicle 25 to a towing vehicle 5. The method comprises attaching a forward end of a base 3 to the towing vehicle 5; providing a lower jaw 7 fixed to and extending rearward from the base 3, and providing an upward extending male hitch member 9 at a rear end of the lower jaw 7; providing an upper jaw i 1 fixed to and extending rearward from the base 3 above the lower jaw 7 to a rear end thereof located above the male hitch member 9 such that a gap 13 is formed between the rear end of the upper jaw 11 and a top end of the male hitch member 9; pivotally attaching a lock plate 15 to a rear portion of the upper jaw 11 about a pivot axis PA oriented substantially perpendicular to an operating travel direction T of she towing vehicle 5 such that a locking portion 15A of the lock plate 15 extends downward into the gap 13 when the lock plate 15 is in a closed position: providing a closed stop 17 operative to prevent rearward movement of the locking portion 15A of the lock plate 15 when in the closed position such that the locking portion 15 A can onl pivot forward from the closed position; configuring the lock plate 15 such that when the lock plate 1 is in a pivotal position between the closed position and a balanced position, gravity biases the lock plate 15 toward the closed position: providing a female hitch member 23 on a front end of a hitch tongue attached to the towed vehicle 25 and aligning a vertical position of the female hitch member 23 with the gap 13: with the lock plate 15 in the closed position, moving the towing vehicle 5 rearward such that a front end of the female hitch member 23 moves through the gap 13 and pushes the locking portion 15A of the lock plate 15 forward; continuing moving the towing vehicle 5 rearward until the front end of the female hitch member 23 contacts the rear cud of the base 3 between the upper and lower jaws I t , 7 where the lock plate drops toward the closed position to a blocking position preventing the female hitch member from moving rearw ard through the gap; lowering the female hitch member 23 into engagement with the male hitch member 9 at which point the lock plate 15 is in the closed position in the apparatus i , the blocking position is the closed position, as once the front end of the hitch ring 23 is seated in the guide 29 at the base 3, the locking portion 15A is free to drop into the gap 13 as shown in Fig. 5E.

In contrast in the alternate apparatus 201, when the front end of the birch ring 223 contacts the rear end of the base 203. the lock plate 215 only drops to a blocking position shown in Fig. isB . and only drops from the blocking position to the closed position when the hitch ring 223 is lowered into engagement with the pin 209 as shown in Fig. 8C.

In both the apparatus 1 and the apparatus 201, the locking portion 15 A, 215A of the lock plate 15, 215 prevents disengagement of the female hitch member 23. 223 from the male hitch member 9. 209. The method further comprises disconnecting the towed vehicle 25 from the towing vehicle 5 by pivoting the locking portion I5A of the lock p!ate 15 forward from the closed position to clear the gap 13, raising the female hitch member 23 out of engagement with the male hitch member and into alignment with the gap 13, and moving the towing vehicle 5 forward. providing an open stop, and configuring the open and closed stops to limit pivoting movement of the lock plate to a pivot range from the closed position through the balanced position to an open position, and wherein when the lock plate is in a pivotal position between the balanced position and the open position, gravity biases the lock plate toward the open position.

An open stop 1.9 is configured to cooperate with the closed stop 17 to limit pivoting movement of the lock plate 15 to a pivot range from the closed position through the balanced position to the open position. When the lock plate 1 is in a pivotal position between the balanced position and the open position, gravity biases the lock plate toward the open position. The locking portion 15A of the lock plate 5 moves forward and upward as the lock plate 15 pivots from the closed position to rhe open position, and when the lock plate 15 is in the open position, the locking port ion 15 A extends upward from the pivot axis PA and the open stop prevents rearward movement of the locking portion. A resetting portion 15B on the lock plate 15 is oriented such that when rhe lock plate 1 is in the closed position the resetting portion 15B of the lock plate extends upward from the pivot axis PA. and when the lock plate 15 is in the open position the resetting portion 15B of rhe lock plate extends downward from the pivot axis PA into the gap 13.

The method can then further comprise disconnecting the towed vehicle 25 from the towing vehicle 5 by pivoting the locking portion 15A of the lock plate 15 forward from the closed position to the open position to clear the gap 13. raising the female hitch member 23 out of engagement with the male hitch member 9 and into alignment with the gap 13, and moving the towing vehicle 5 forward. Contact between the female hitch member 23 and the resetting portion 15B of the lock piate 15 causes the lock plate to move to the closed position, ready to reconnect to another female hitch member.

The present invention thus provides a simple and economical hilch apparatus that can include a convenient reset feature so same is always ready for connection to a towed vehicle. The female hitch member is securely held in engagement with the male hitch member by the lock plate which is prevented from moving because same bears, against a stop, and does not require springs and latches as arc known in the prior art.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative onl of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. if is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.