HK1055098B

HK1055098B - A hitch for coupling two vehicles

Info

Publication number: HK1055098B
Application number: HK03107390.8A
Authority: HK
Inventors: 艾万‧博勒‧斯莱滕
Original assignee: 艾万‧博勒‧斯莱滕
Priority date: 2000-07-07
Filing date: 2001-07-06
Publication date: 2007-02-23

Description

Coupling device for connecting two vehicles together

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a hitch, and in particular to a self-aligning hitch for connecting two vehicles which are not precisely aligned, such as a tractor and a trailer.

Background

Coupling devices have been widely used in the field of towing a variety of trailers by tractors. Most conventional hitch devices include a combination of a first coupling member (e.g., a spherical member) coupled to one vehicle and a second coupling member (e.g., a hollow hemispherical coupling member) coupled to another vehicle. Since such conventional connecting members are fixedly connected to the vehicle, it is necessary to precisely align the vehicle in order to achieve the connection. This is a laborious and time-consuming task. Where precise alignment is not possible, manual force may be used to move the trailer to a position where it can be connected to the tractor. Although this approach is feasible for light trailers, it is almost an impossible task for heavy trailers such as heavy-duty airport freight trailers. A person attempting to move a heavy-duty trailer with human power may be injured.

Furthermore, it is desirable to avoid the use of a second person to assist in connecting the tractor and trailer together. In any case, if a second person is allowed to stand behind the tractor, the operator of the tractor is put in a dangerous condition. In addition, having two people to accomplish work that can be done by one person results in inefficiencies.

In summary, the prior art attempts to solve the above-mentioned problems by providing a coupling device comprising: a tongue or rod is slidably inserted into a housing mounted on one of the vehicles, the tongue being movable longitudinally and transversely to a degree such that the rear end of the tongue fits into a connecting member, the tongue being manually positionable into engagement with a corresponding connecting member on the other vehicle. Some of the coupling members of the prior art provide an automatic locking mechanism which is capable of securing the tongue in a "locked" position.

However, the prior art coupling devices suffer from one or more drawbacks. For example, some prior art hitch arrangements are designed to move the tongue into a "locked" position only when the tongue is aligned with the vehicle. Thus, after the vehicles are connected together and the tractor is moved forward from a slightly offset lateral position (relative to the trailer), the tongue is susceptible to side-to-side impact within the housing until the tongue and the two vehicles are precisely aligned. This is very disadvantageous because: (1) the sides of the housing may be damaged and may even require repair or replacement; (2) undue pressure may be exerted on the pivot pin which serves to retain the proximal end of the tongue within the housing. Over time, the pivot pin may become damaged in locations where maintenance or replacement is required.

Also, some prior art coupling devices are designed such that the tongue cannot move laterally immediately after the locking mechanism is disengaged. However, the operator must fully or almost fully withdraw the tongue from the housing until the tongue can move laterally. This limits the application of the coupling device. In some circumstances, the operator must retract the tractor to a position very close to the trailer so that the tongue cannot be fully extracted, as the tongue will engage the front of the trailer. Because lateral movement is not possible (because the tongue does not fully extend from within the housing), the operator must return to the tractor and move the tractor forward, creating sufficient space between the tractor and trailer to allow the tongue to fully extend so that the tongue can move laterally. This operation adds unnecessary time and effort which could be eliminated if the tongue could be made to sit transversely immediately upon disengagement of the locking mechanism.

The prior art coupling devices having the above-mentioned drawbacks are described in the following patent documents: U.S. patent 3912119 to Hill et al, U.S. patent 2871029 to Demarest, U.S. patent 3860267 to Lyons, and U.S. patent 4991865 to Francisco.

The coupling devices described in Demarest, Hill et al and Francisco are susceptible to damage to the housing when the tab is moved into the housing and moved forward to a locked position by left and right bumping of the tab within the housing or by longitudinal engagement of the proximal end of the tab with the closed interior of the housing.

Other prior art coupling devices include overly complex mechanisms that make them expensive and not widely available; or too bulky and must be retrofitted to existing tractors. For example, U.S. patent 4558883 to Bouma discloses a complex coupling mechanism.

Some prior art coupling devices, such as that disclosed in U.S. patent 5277447 to Blaser, disclose a housing and tab arrangement that allows limited lateral movement of the tab. This arrangement is disadvantageous if the tractor is misaligned relative to the trailer sufficiently to extend beyond the lateral extent of the tongue. To overcome this limitation, the tractor must be repeatedly positioned relative to the trailer.

Disclosure of Invention

One object of the present invention is to provide a coupling device for connecting two vehicles together, in particular in the case of vehicles which are offset with respect to one another.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a hitch apparatus for coupling a first vehicle to a second vehicle is disclosed. The coupling device includes: (a) a tongue housing for coupling to a first vehicle, the tongue housing having a front end and a rear end, the tongue housing comprising a top wall and a bottom wall, the top wall and the bottom wall separated by two spaced apart side walls, the two side walls disposed between the top wall and the bottom wall, the top wall, the bottom wall and the side walls defining a throat, the throat comprising an open first end and an open second end; (b) a first guide member coupled to the housing, the guide member comprising: (i) a first cam member, (ii) a first pocket and a second pocket, the first and second pockets being disposed on either side of the first cam member; (c) a tongue having a first end and a second end, the tongue being extendable and retractable within the throat, the tongue having a width that is narrower than the distance between the spaced apart side walls of the tongue housing; (d) a retaining means for preventing the tongue from falling out of the throat; (e) a second guide member coplanar with the first guide member and connected to the second end of the tongue, the second guide member comprising: (i) a second cam member and a third cam member, (ii) a third recess disposed between the second and third cam members; (f) a link connected to the second end of the tongue, wherein the first and second guide members engage each other when the tongue is retracted within the throat, the first and second guide members cooperating to align the tongue with the first and second vehicles by engaging the first cam member with the third groove while engaging the second and third cam members with the first and second grooves; (g) locking means for locking the tongue in a fixed position relative to the tongue housing when the first and second guides are fully engaged; wherein the tongue is capable of lateral hinged rotation when the tongue is not locked in a fixed position.

The cam member and the recess may be rounded. The second guide may pivot about the first groove or the second groove when the tongue is retracted from a laterally offset position. The bottom wall of the tongue housing may be the first guide. The side walls of the tongue housing may be rounded centrally to form a generally hourglass throat between the top and bottom walls.

The top wall of the tab housing may define a top wall aperture therethrough, and the tab may define a tab aperture therethrough at a location intermediate the first and second ends of the tab, the top wall aperture and the tab aperture being aligned with one another when the first and second guides are fully engaged. The locking member may be a locking pin that passes through the top wall aperture and the tab aperture. The bottom wall may further define a bottom wall aperture therethrough for insertion of the locking pin, the bottom wall aperture being alignable with the top wall aperture. The coupling device may further include means for biasing the latch to insert the latch into the top wall aperture. The means for biasing the lock pin for insertion into the top wall aperture, the tab aperture and the bottom wall aperture may be a first spring mounted on the lock pin and mounted between a top wall of the lock pin housing and a spring retaining means, wherein the top wall of the lock pin housing is connected to the top wall of the tab and the spring retaining means is mounted on the lock pin at an intermediate location, the top wall of the lock pin housing further including a lock pin housing aperture for insertion of the lock pin, the lock pin housing aperture being aligned with the top wall aperture and the bottom wall aperture and the tab aperture being aligned with the top wall aperture, the bottom wall aperture and the lock pin housing aperture when the first and second guides are fully engaged. The latch housing may include oppositely disposed angled sidewalls.

The attachment means may be selected from a clevis, a loop and a ball.

The attachment member may be a clevis including: (a) an upper arm defining a first upper arm aperture therethrough; (b) a lower arm separated from the upper arm by a vertical arm support wall, wherein the upper arm and the lower arm define an opening facing away from the first vehicle for receiving a connecting member of a second vehicle; (c) a hitch pin insertable into the first upper arm aperture, the hitch pin being movable between a raised first position and a lowered second position, the hitch being capable of receiving a connecting member of a second vehicle when the hitch pin is in the raised first position; (d) a release member extending above the upper surface of the upper arm and passing through a second upper arm hole formed in the upper arm; (e) a hitch pin engaging member mounted between a first bracket and a second bracket in the upper arm, the first bracket and the second bracket being located on both sides of the first upper arm hole, the hitch pin engaging member defining a hitch pin engaging member through hole for receiving the hitch pin, the lower end of the release member contacting the first end of the hitch pin engaging member; (f) a second spring mounted in the first bracket, the second spring contacting the hitch pin engagement member, wherein the bias of the second spring maintains the hitch pin engagement member in an inclined position to frictionally engage the hitch pin; the downward force on the release member moves the hitch pin engagement member against the biasing force of the second spring to a substantially horizontal position and out of frictional engagement with the hitch pin to allow the hitch pin to move vertically upward within the first upper arm aperture and the hitch pin engagement member aperture.

The vertical arm support wall may abut against the tongue housing when the first and second guide members are fully engaged.

The hitch pin may be moved from the first raised position to the second lowered position by applying a downward force to the hitch pin, and the hitch pin may be moved from the second lowered position to the first raised position by lifting the hitch pin after the hitch pin engagement member is moved out of frictional engagement with the hitch pin by applying a downward force to the release member to move the hitch pin engagement member to a substantially horizontal position.

The coupling pin may include a bushing disposed at a lower end thereof, and the upper arm may include a flange extending into the first upper arm aperture to define a radius less than the radius of the bushing such that the coupling pin cannot be completely withdrawn from the first upper arm aperture. The lower arm may define a lower arm aperture aligned with the first upper arm aperture. A flange may extend into the lower arm aperture to form a radius less than the sleeve radius such that the lower end of the coupling pin cannot extend through the lower arm of the U-shaped tow hook.

The attachment means may comprise a vertical wall substantially closing the front end of the tongue housing, which vertical wall further defines an elongated hole therein, the elongated hole having a width at least equal to the distance between the two side walls of the tongue housing and a height at least equal to the thickness of the tongue. The retaining means for preventing the tongue from falling out of the throat may comprise a pivot (trunnion) extending through the tongue to a position adjacent the first end of the tongue, the height of the pivot being greater than the height of the slot in the vertical wall.

The coupling device also includes a first square tubular portion connected to and extending from the tongue housing toward the first vehicle, the first square tubular portion being provided with a means for connecting the first square tubular portion to a mating second square tubular portion connected to and extending from the first vehicle.

According to another aspect of the invention, the tongue housing may comprise a vertical wall for connecting the front end of the tongue housing to the first vehicle, the vertical wall being connected to and extending substantially perpendicular to the top wall of the tongue housing. In this case, the length of the top wall of the tongue housing may extend beyond the first end of the tongue when the tongue is in the secured position. The tongue housing may further comprise a third side wall and a fourth side wall, the third and fourth side walls being connected to and extending downwardly from the opposite front edge of the top wall. The tongue shell is wider at its front end than at its rear end.

In another aspect of the invention, a hitch capable of connecting a first vehicle to a second vehicle that is laterally offset is disclosed. The coupling device includes: (a) a tongue housing for connection to a first vehicle, the tongue housing comprising two spaced apart side walls defining a throat; (b) a first guide member coupled to the housing, the guide member comprising: (i) a first cam member; (ii) a first groove and a second groove, the first and second grooves being provided on both sides of the first cam member; (c) a tongue having a first end and a second end, the tongue being extendable and retractable within the throat, the tongue having a width that is narrower than the distance between the two spaced apart side walls of the tongue housing; (d) a second guide member coplanar with the first guide member and connected to the second end of the tab, comprising: (i) a second cam member and a third cam member; (ii) a third recess disposed between the second and third cam members; (e) a connector connected to the second end of the tongue; wherein: when the tab is fully retracted within the throat, the first and second guide members move from a laterally offset position to an aligned locked position; guiding the tongue from a laterally offset position to an aligned locked position by a combination of: (i) mutually engaging the first cam member with the third recess, and mutually engaging the second and third cam members with the first and second recesses; (ii) the tongue is guided for retraction along at least one side wall of the tongue housing.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the bottom wall may include a fourth recess disposed on an opposite side of the first cam member. In this case, the retaining means for preventing the tongue from exiting the throat may comprise a pivot connected to the tongue and extending below the tongue at a location adjacent the first end of the tongue, wherein: when the tongue is fully extended, the pivot engages the fourth groove. The cam member and the recess may be rounded. The bottom wall of the tongue housing may act as the first guide means. The side walls of the tongue housing may be rounded centrally to define a substantially hourglass throat between the top and bottom walls.

The top wall of the tongue housing may be provided with a top wall aperture therethrough, and the tongue may be provided with a tongue aperture therethrough at a location intermediate the first and second ends thereof, the top wall aperture and the bottom wall aperture being aligned with one another when the first and second guides are fully engaged. The locking member may be a locking pin that is insertable into the top wall aperture and the bottom wall aperture. The bottom wall may further define a bottom wall aperture therethrough for insertion of the locking pin, the bottom wall aperture being aligned with the top wall aperture. The coupling device further includes means for biasing the locking pin toward insertion into the top wall aperture and the tab aperture. The means for biasing the lock pin toward insertion into the top wall aperture and the tab aperture may be a first spring disposed on the lock pin and mounted between a top wall of the lock pin housing and a spring retaining means, wherein the top wall of the lock pin housing is connected to the top wall of the tab housing, and the spring retaining means mounted on the top wall of the lock pin housing at the intermediate portion of the lock pin further includes a bottom wall aperture for insertion of the lock pin, the bottom wall aperture being aligned with the top wall aperture, wherein the tab aperture is aligned with the top wall aperture and the bottom wall aperture when the first and second guides are fully engaged. The latch housing may include two opposing angled sidewalls.

The attachment means may be selected from a clevis, a loop and a ball.

The attachment may be a U-shaped tow hook comprising: (a) an upper arm defining a first upper arm aperture therethrough; (b) a lower arm separated by a vertical arm support wall, wherein the upper arm and the lower arm define an opening facing away from the first vehicle for receiving a connecting member of a second vehicle; (c) a hitch pin insertable into the first upper arm aperture, the hitch pin being movable between a first raised position and a second lowered position, the hitch being capable of receiving a connecting member of a second vehicle when the hitch pin is in the first raised position; (d) a release member extending above the upper surface of the upper arm and passing through a second upper arm hole formed in the upper arm; (e) a hitch pin engaging member mounted between a first bracket and a second bracket in the upper arm, the first bracket and the second bracket being located on both sides of the first upper arm hole, the hitch pin engaging member defining a hitch pin engaging member through hole for receiving the hitch pin, the lower end of the release member contacting the first end of the hitch pin engaging member; (f) a second spring mounted in the first bracket, the second spring contacting the hitch pin engagement member, wherein the bias of the second spring maintains the hitch pin engagement member in an inclined position to frictionally engage the hitch pin; the downward force on the release member moves the hitch pin engagement member against the biasing force of the second spring to a substantially horizontal position and out of frictional engagement with the hitch pin to allow the hitch pin to move vertically upward within the first upper arm aperture and the hitch pin engagement member aperture.

The vertical arm support wall may support the tongue housing when the first and second guides are fully engaged.

The hitch pin may be moved from the first raised position to the second lowered position by applying a downward force to the hitch pin, and the hitch pin may be moved from the second lowered position to the first raised position by lifting the hitch pin after the hitch pin engagement member is moved to a substantially horizontal position by applying a downward force to the release member to disengage the hitch pin engagement member from the hitch pin.

The kingpin may include a bushing disposed at a lower end thereof, and the upper arm may include a flange extending into the first upper arm aperture to define a radius less than a radius of the bushing such that the kingpin cannot be completely withdrawn from the first upper arm aperture. The lower arm may define a lower arm aperture aligned with the first upper arm aperture and the lower arm further includes a flange extending into the lower arm aperture such that the flange has a radius less than the radius of the sleeve such that the lower end of the coupling pin cannot extend through the lower arm of the clevis.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the tongue housing may comprise: a vertical wall for connecting the front end of the tongue housing to the first vehicle, the second vertical wall being connected to and extending substantially perpendicular to the top wall of the tongue housing. In this case, the length of the top wall of the tongue housing may extend beyond the first end of the tongue when the tongue is in the secured position.

The tongue housing may further comprise a third side wall and a fourth side wall, the third and fourth side walls being connected to and extending downwardly from the opposite front edge of the top wall.

The tongue shell is wider at its forward end than at its rearward end.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a hitch for connecting a towing vehicle to a trailer is disclosed. The coupling device includes: (a) a tongue housing for attachment to a towing vehicle, the tongue housing having a front end and a rear end and comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, two side walls and a vertical wall for attaching the front end of the tongue housing to the towing vehicle, the top and bottom walls being separated by two spaced apart and centrally rounded side walls, the vertical wall being connected to and extending substantially perpendicular to the top wall of the tongue housing, the top, bottom and side walls defining a throat-shaped throat comprising an open first end and an open second end and being substantially hourglass-shaped, the top wall defining a top wall aperture extending through the top wall; (b) a tab having a first end and a second end, the tab being extendable and retractable within the throat, the tab being narrower than the distance between the two spaced apart side walls, the tab defining a tab opening therethrough intermediate the first and second ends thereof; (c) the bottom wall may include a first guide member comprising: (i) a rounded first cam member; (ii) a rounded first recess and a rounded second recess, the first and second recesses being disposed on either side of the first cam member; (iii) a fourth radiused recess disposed on an opposite side of the first radiused cam member; (d) a pivot connected to the tongue and extending below the tongue at a location adjacent the first end of the tongue, wherein the pivot engages the fourth groove when the tongue is fully extended; (e) a second guide member coplanar with the first guide member and connected to the second end of the tongue, the second guide member comprising: (i) a rounded second cam part and a rounded third cam part; (ii) a third radiused groove disposed between the second and third cam members; (f) a connector connected to the second end of the tongue; wherein when the tongue is retracted within the throat, the second guide member is received by the first guide member mating with the first and second guide members to align the tractor with the trailer by mating the first cam member with the third recess and mating the second and third cam members with the first and second recesses; (g) a lock pin housing connected to the top wall of the tongue housing, the lock pin housing including a top wall and two opposing side walls, the top wall of the lock pin housing defining a lock pin housing aperture therethrough, the aperture aligned with the top wall aperture; (h) a locking pin which can pass through the top wall hole, the lug hole and the locking pin shell hole; (i) a spring mounted on the latch at a position between the top wall of the latch housing and a spring retaining member mounted on a central portion of the latch, the spring biasing the latch toward the direction in which the inverted top wall aperture, the tab aperture and the latch housing aperture are inserted; the method is characterized in that: (j) when the top wall aperture, the tab aperture and the lock pin housing aperture are aligned with one another when the second guide member is fully received by the first guide member, the lock pin will be inserted into the top wall aperture, the tab aperture and the lock pin housing aperture to lock the tab in a fixed position relative to the tab housing; (k) the tongue functions to rotate sideways (hinge) when the tongue is not locked in a fixed position; (l) The length of the top wall of the tongue shell extends beyond the first end of the tongue when the tongue is in the secured position.

Drawings

The drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the invention and are not to be considered limiting of its spirit and scope, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a coupling device according to the present invention showing a tongue in a retracted and locked position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coupling device of FIG. 1 showing the tongue in an extended, unlocked position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tab of the coupling device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tongue housing of the coupling device of FIG. 1 showing the side walls of the throat in phantom;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1 showing insertion of the lock pin into the tab, tab housing and lock pin housing apertures;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3 showing the locking pin in a position slightly below that shown in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 7-10 are bottom views illustrating the tongue moved from a laterally offset extended position to a locked alignment retracted position;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a first alternate embodiment of the connector shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of the connector shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a first alternate embodiment of the coupling device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the hitch shown in FIG. 1 mounted on a trailer;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the coupling device of FIG. 13 provided with a ball joint;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a third alternative embodiment of the coupling device of the present invention;

FIGS. 17 and 18 are perspective views of a prior art "E" type coupling device;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the hitch shown in FIG. 16 mounted on an airport flat car or container vehicle;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the hitch shown in FIG. 16 mounted to an airport truck;

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the coupling device of the present invention having a bottom wall of the tongue housing showing the tongue in a laterally offset extended position;

FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the hitch shown in FIG. 21, showing the tongue in a retracted position of the alignment lock;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the coupling device of the present invention provided with a tongue housing showing the tongue in an extended position;

FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the coupling device of FIG. 23 showing the tongue in a retracted position of alignment locking.

Detailed description of the invention

The coupling device of the present invention is capable of coupling a towing vehicle and a trailer together and is particularly useful in situations where the coupling parts of two vehicles are not precisely aligned. The term "tractor" as used herein includes all vehicles known as "trailers" that are used to pull, tow or tow a connected rear portion. For example, the tractor may be a truck, RV, car, or towing vehicle used in an airport to pull a cargo (i.e., luggage, etc.) trailer. Additionally, the term "trailer" includes all vehicles designed to be towed, or otherwise pulled by a towing vehicle. For example, the tractor may be a motorboat trailer, an airport wagon, or an airport flatbed, or a container truck. As described below, a "tractor" also includes a first trailer for towing a second trailer in a train of multiple trailers.

FIG. 1 shows a coupling device 10, which coupling device 10 includes a tongue housing 12 and a tongue 14. Tongue housing 12 is adapted to be connected to the rear end of a towing vehicle, such as a towing vehicle for towing airport trucks.

Referring to fig. 1 and 4 in combination, tongue housing 12 includes a top wall 16 and a bottom wall 18 that are substantially parallel and spaced apart from each other by a distance that is at least as great as the thickness of tongue 14. Spaced apart side walls 20, 22 are disposed between the top wall 16 and the bottom wall 18. Together, the top wall 16, bottom wall 18 and side walls 20, 22 define a throat-like throat 23. Sidewalls 20 and 22 are spaced apart such that the width of throat 23 is greater than the width of tang 14 to enable tang 14 to articulate laterally in a pivoting manner. Referring to fig. 4, 7 and 8, the side walls 20, 22 are provided with rounded central portions 20a and 22a, respectively (as shown in phantom in fig. 8), so that the throat-like slit 23 is generally hourglass-shaped. A vertical wall 24 substantially encloses the front end 12a of the housing 12. Vertical wall 24 abuts the front end of each of top wall 16, bottom wall 18 and side walls 20, 22. Vertical wall 24 defines a horizontal slot 26 therein which allows tongue 14 to slidably extend and retract within tongue housing 12. Fig. 5 shows the width of the slot 26 between the central rounded portions 20a and 22a of the side walls 20, 22. It should be noted that: the elongated hole 26 widens at the front opening of the throat 23, which is the same as the rear opening of the throat 23 in fig. 4.

Referring to fig. 14, the vertical wall 24 may be welded or otherwise secured (e.g., by bolts) by conventional means to a vertical surface 25 at the rear end of the towing vehicle 27 to attach the tongue housing 12 and ultimately the hitch 10 to the towing vehicle 27. Those skilled in the art will recognize that: the attachment of the hitch 10 by the vertical walls 24, 25 is an alternative and the tongue housing 12 may be attached to the towing vehicle 27 in any suitable manner, such as by welding or otherwise fixing the bottom wall 18 to a horizontal skirt 29 of a standard automobile bumper. In this way, the coupling device 10 can be easily retrofitted to existing tractors.

For coupling 10 to function properly, housing 12 must be connected to tractor 27 so that tongue 14 can extend and retract without engaging rear wall 25. This may require connection to the hitch 10 in the following manner: the elongated hole 26 is made slightly lower than the lowermost edge of the rear end of the rear wall 25. Alternatively, a slot (not shown) may be cut out of rear wall 25 of the tractor at a location aligned with slot 26 to allow tongue 14 to be inserted therethrough.

Referring to FIG. 3, tongue 14 has a first end 28 and a second end 30. Tongue 14 is extendable and retractable and is able to swivel laterally within throat slot 23. As used herein, the term "extendable" refers to the action of second end 30 of tab 14 extending in a direction away from housing 12. For example, in FIG. 2, tab 14 is in an extended position relative to the position shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, the term "retractable" refers to the retracted movement of second end 30 of tongue 14 from the extended position toward tongue housing 12. FIG. 1 shows tongue 14 in a fully retracted position.

Tongue 14 includes a pivot 32 at a location adjacent first end 28. Pivot 32 extends vertically above and below tang 14 (see fig. 7, pivot 32 extending below tang 14) and has a height greater than the height of slot 26. Thus, when the tongue 14 is extended (see FIG. 7), the pivot 32 prevents the first end 28 from completely backing out of the housing 12, while allowing the second end 30 to rotate laterally when the tongue 14 is fully extended, thereby allowing the hitch 10 to couple the tractor 27 to a trailer (not shown) that is not precisely aligned.

Tongue 14 is provided at its second end 30 with a U-shaped tow hook 36 for connection to a coupling member (not shown) operatively secured to a trailer (not shown). The clevis 36 has a lower arm 38, an upper arm 40, and a coupling pin 44, wherein the lower arm 38 and the upper arm 40 are supported by a vertical arm support wall 42. As shown in fig. 6, coupling pin 44 may be inserted through a hole 46 provided in upper arm 40 and may be partially inserted through a hole 48 provided in lower arm 38. The clevis 36 also includes a release member 92 having an upper end 92a that extends through the aperture 93 above the upper surface 40a of the upper arm 40 and a lower end 92b that contacts a pin engaging member 94. The lower end 92b is shaped to have a size larger than the aperture 93 so that the release member 92 cannot be pulled upwardly through the aperture 93 from within the upper arm 40. The pin engagement member 94 has a first end 94a and a second end 94 b. The first end 94a is in contact with the spring 96 and the release member 92. The pin engagement members 94 are provided on brackets 98 and 100 located in the upper arm 40. The pin engaging member 94 is provided with a hole 99 intermediate the ends 94a and 94b to allow the coupling pin 44 to be inserted therethrough. The end 94b of the pin engaging member 94 is supported within the bracket 100. The lower end of the spring 96 is fitted into the concave portion 98a of the bracket 98.

In operation, the hitch pin 44 is generally in the raised position shown in FIG. 1, such that a corresponding loop (not shown) on a trailer (not shown) can be placed within the clevis 36 (between the arms 38 and 40) to effect attachment by inserting the hitch pin 44 downwardly into the loop. The hitch pin 44 is retained in its upper position by a pin engaging member 94. Specifically, when the pin engaging member 94 is in the inclined position shown in fig. 6, frictional engagement is formed between the inner edge (edge around the hole 99) of the pin engaging member 94 and the shaft of the coupling pin 44, thereby holding the coupling pin 44 in the high position. Grooves 102 facilitate frictional engagement. When a loop (not shown) is positioned between the upper arm 40 and the lower arm 38 of the clevis, an operator can easily insert the link pin 44 into the loop (not shown) by applying a downward force to the link pin 44. This downward force will move the pin engaging member 94 against the biasing force of the spring 96 to a substantially horizontal position, thereby disengaging the shaft of the link pin 44 from frictional engagement with the pin engaging member 94 to allow the link pin 44 to move freely in a vertical direction. Once the hitch pin 44 is inserted downwardly into the ring (not shown) and the downward force ceases to be applied, the biasing force of the spring 96 will return the pin engaging member 94 to the inclined position shown in fig. 6 to again frictionally engage the hitch pin 44 to hold it in the lowered position. This prevents the hitch pin 44 from being disengaged from the hitch ring (not shown) of the trailer due to accidental lifting. In addition, grooves 102 facilitate frictional engagement. When it is desired to disengage one from the other, the operator applies a downward force to the upper end 92a of the release member 92 to move the end 94a of the pin engaging member 94 downwardly, which moves the pin engaging member 94 to a substantially horizontal position, thereby disengaging the inner edge of the pin engaging member 94 (the edge surrounding the aperture 99) from frictional engagement with the hitch pin 44 to enable the hitch pin 44 to move freely in a vertical direction to effect disengagement.

In this manner, the clevis 36 can be easily and safely interconnected and disconnected from a loop or other connecting member on the trailer. The coupling operation can be achieved by a simple action of applying a downward force to the coupling pin 44. However, the clevis 36, and in particular the pin engaging member 94, also improves the safety of the overall operation by locking a ring (not shown) in place, thereby reducing the likelihood of accidental disengagement at inopportune times and locations.

The lower end of the hitch pin 44 is fitted with a bushing 104, the bushing 104 cooperating with the flange 16 on the upper arm 40 to prevent the hitch pin 44 from being removed upwardly from the clevis 36. The flange 106 extends into the bore 46 to define a radius that is less than the radius of the sleeve 104. Thus, the coupling pin 44 can slide vertically within the hole 46, but the pin 44 cannot be completely pulled out. The flange 108 located within the aperture 48 of the lower arm 38 similarly prevents the link pin 44 from descending to a position below the lower arm 38 where the link pin 44 is susceptible to damage from accidental contact by foreign objects in the lower position of the lower arm 38.

The second end 30 of tongue 14 has a guide 50 attached to its underside. Guide 50 may be welded (or otherwise secured) to second end 30, or tab 14 may be constructed such that guide 50 is integral therewith. As shown in FIG. 7, the guide 50 is "Y-shaped" and includes rounded cam members 52, 54 that diverge away from each other to form a centrally located rounded groove 56 that faces generally toward the tongue housing 12. Tongue 14 is provided with an opening 90 between first end 28 and second end 30 adjacent groove 56.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, bottom wall 18 of housing 12 is formed with a "W-shaped" guide 60, which guide 60 matingly receives guide 50 during operation when tongue 14 is retracted within housing 12. To enable such mating accommodation, guides 50 and 60 are coplanar with one another. The guide 60 includes a rounded center cam member 62 and adjacent rounded grooves 64, 66, with the grooves 64, 66 facing generally away from the housing 12. The outer edges 68, 70 flare outwardly from the recesses 64, 66, respectively. Those skilled in the art will recognize that: the bottom wall 18 does not necessarily have to be formed by the guide 60. Rather, these components may be separate components, such that bottom wall 18 is the same shape as top wall 16, and guide 60 is attached to the bottom side of bottom wall 18 in this embodiment (it being understood that in this configuration, guide 50 may be modified in a similar manner to maintain guide 50 coplanar with guide 60). However, the bottom wall 18 and the guide 60 are described in this specification as being an integral one piece member.

Referring to fig. 1 and 5, a latch housing 72 is attached to the upper surface of the top wall 16 of the housing 12. Latch housing 72 includes angled side walls 74, 76 and a top wall 78. The angled shape of the side walls 74, 76 enables deflection of any accidental impact on the hitch 10. The housing 72 houses a latch 80 that is biased downwardly by a spring 83. The spring 83 is coiled about a vertical axis 84 of the latch 80 and is positioned between the top wall 78 and the spring retainer 82, and the spring retainer 82 is retained on the axis 84 by a stop 85 extending through the axis 84. Locking pin 80 may pass through apertures 86, 88, 90 and 91 (see FIG. 5) provided in top wall 78, top wall 16, tab 14 and bottom wall 18, respectively. When locking pin 80 is inserted through aligned apertures 86, 88, 90 and 91, tongue 14 is "locked" in a fixed axial and lateral position relative to tongue housing 12.

The coupling device 10 operates in the following manner. The truck 27 having a hitch 10 mounted at the rear end thereof as described above is positioned near the front end (not shown) of the truck as shown in fig. 14. At this point, tongue 14 is in the "locked" position shown in FIG. 1 (i.e., guides 50 and 60 are matingly received and locking pin 80 has passed through apertures 86, 88, 90 and 91). To attach hitch 10 to a trailer (not shown), lock pin 80 is lifted upwardly against the biasing force of spring 83 and out of holes 91 and 90 in bottom wall 18 and tongue 14. But the locking pin 80 is not removed from the apertures 86 and 88. The tongue 14 is then extended from the throat slot 23 and manually positioned to enable the clevis 36 to engage a mateable connector (not shown) provided on the trailer or to enable the clevis 36 to engage a tow bar (not shown) attached to the front end of the trailer (not shown). This "unlocking" and connecting action can be accomplished in a simple, straightforward and timely manner, such that the operator can use the coupling device 10 repeatedly and efficiently over a relatively long period of time. This simple and reliable operation is extremely advantageous for connecting an airport tractor to a freight trailer, since airport personnel need to perform this operation repeatedly and continuously throughout the day.

Tongue 14 can extend until pivot 32 engages vertical wall 24 that just surrounds slot 26. This defines the axial extension of the tongue. The tongue 14 can also be pivoted sideways to enable coupling together of a tractor and trailer that are not precisely aligned. Specifically, tab 14 is free to pivot laterally within throat slot 23 and is only laterally constrained by the lateral walls 20, 22 of the throat slot as long as locking pin 80 is raised from apertures 91 and 90. To enable lateral pivoting, it is desirable that the tongue 14 can be slightly extended axially so that two very close but misaligned vehicles can be connected together. When tongue 14 is fully extended, pivot 32 engages vertical wall 24 of housing 12 in the manner described above and provides a point at which second end 30 of tongue 14 can pivot relative to first end 28. This is indicated in fig. 7 by arrow 7 and by tab 14 and guide 50 in phantom.

As long as tongue 14 is not in the "locked" position shown in FIG. 1, locking pin 80 will be biased downwardly by spring 82 so that it rides up and along top surface 14a of tongue 14.

When the tongue 14 is manually positioned (axially and/or laterally), the clevis 36 can be connected to a mating connecting member, such as a ring (not shown). This may be accomplished by applying a downward force to the coupling pin 44 to insert it into the ring (not shown), as described above. The coupling pin 44 may be inserted downwardly through a ring member (not shown) from the position shown in fig. 1 until its lower end is at least partially within the bore 48. The pin engagement member 94 is returned to the inclined position shown in FIG. 6 by the bias of the spring 96 to frictionally engage the linking pin 44 and prevent vertical movement of the linking pin 44 that could result in inadvertent disengagement of the ring members (not shown). The groove 102 helps the coupling pin 44 to be in a "locked" state.

Once this connection is made, the tractor 27 can be moved in a forward direction. After a short period of time, the tractor 27 takes braking action. As a result of the braking action, the forward inertia of the trailer (not shown) will cause the tongue 14 to retract from the extended position and slide further into the throat slot 23. If the tractor and trailer are already precisely aligned when connected, this retraction action will be carried out in a simple manner until the guides 50 and 60 matingly engage and when the hole 90 is aligned with the holes 86, 88 and 91, the locking pin 80 drops down and through the holes 91 and 90.

However, if the tractor and trailer are not precisely aligned when connected, the tongue 14 will move smoothly to the locked position shown in FIG. 2 by: (1) the interaction of guides 50 and 60, and specifically the mating engagement of cam members 52, 54 and 62 and recesses 64, 66 and 56; (2) the interaction of tongue 14 with sidewalls 20, 22. Fig. 7-10 illustrate such a process.

Referring to FIG. 7, tab 14 is shown in a laterally offset extended position. The shape of the throat-shaped slot 23 allows the tongue 14 to pivot laterally to a large extent as shown in fig. 7, but variations to the coupling device 10 are possible to allow a range of pivoting to meet various operational requirements. This large range of pivotal movement is advantageous because it enables the hitch 10 to connect a tractor and a trailer together in a staggered position relative to one another, which is not possible with prior art hitch arrangements. In addition, it allows tab 14 to be moved from any number of laterally offset positions to a locked position.

Upon engagement of the coupling on the trailer (not shown), forward inertia of the trailer (effected in the manner described above) causes the tongue (14) to retract further into the throat slot 23, as shown in figure 8. During retraction, the outer edge 54a of the cam member 54 engages the outer edge 70 of the guide member 60. Continued retraction of tang 14 into throat slot 23 pulls cam member 54 into engagement with groove 66 of guide 60 (see fig. 9). The guide 50 is then pivoted about a rounded front portion 54b of the cam member 54 and aligned with the guide 60, as described below. The groove 56 engages the cam member 62 of the guide 60. Then, after inner edge 52c engages cam member 62, and then as tab 14 is further retracted, cam member 52 drops into position by engaging rounded front portion 52b with rounded groove 64 of guide 60. When cam members 52, 54 and 62 are fully received within recesses 64, 66 and 56, respectively, aperture 90 is fully aligned with apertures 86, 88 and 91, such that the downward biasing force of spring 83 inserts locking pin 80 into the aperture, thus moving coupling device 10 to its "locked" position, as shown in FIG. 10. Coupling 10 is "locked" meaning that tab 14 is fixed relative to tab housing 12 in both the transverse and longitudinal directions. As shown in fig. 7 to 10, the hitch 10 is thus able to be automatically aligned, thereby facilitating alignment of the tractor and trailer.

Movement of tongue 14 from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 10 is accomplished not only by the cooperative engagement of co-planar guides 50 and 60, but also by the interaction of tongue 14 with side walls 20, 22. Referring to FIG. 7, when retracted, the two opposing side edges of tab 14 slidingly engage the rear edges 20b of side walls 20 and the front edges 22c of side walls 22. The sliding engagement of tab 14 within and into the throat facilitates the guided action of tab 14 smoothly moving from its most lateral swing hinge position (fig. 7) to its locking alignment and fully retracted position (fig. 10). It should be noted that: tongue 14 is slidably engageable with only one of side walls 20 and 22 at laterally offset positions intermediate its lateral range of rotation, as shown in FIG. 7.

Once the tongue 14 is moved to the locked position shown in FIG. 10, the operator is free to transport the tractor-trailer vehicle train to the destination. The mating engagement of guides 50 and 60 and the abutting support of vertical arm support wall 42 with tongue housing 12 and lock pin housing 72 provides hitch 10 with a very robust construction in its locked position. This robust construction reduces damage to the hitch 10 when an accidental impact is applied to the tractor or trailer during use of the hitch 10.

It should be noted that: the engagement of the guides 50 and 60 may be performed in a reverse manner to that described above. That is, the precise alignment of the vehicle may be performed as follows: cam member 52 of guide 50 is first engaged with groove 64 of guide 60 and then guide 50 is rotated back to a position where cam member 54 is engaged with groove 66. This may occur, for example, in the laterally offset position shown in fig. 7. It should also be appreciated that: tongue 14 is capable of moving from a plurality of laterally offset positions to a locked position within the range of lateral pivoting shown in figure 7 depending on the tractor and trailer position.

It should also be appreciated that: the coupling device 10 helps to solve the aforementioned problems with prior coupling devices. The rounded edges of cam members 52, 54, 62 and recesses 64, 66, 56 and the interaction of tongue 14 with sidewalls 20 and 22 in throat slot 23 smoothly guide tongue 14 from an extended, staggered position to its locked position. Because of this configuration of the hitch 10, it is not necessary to first align the vehicles with one another before braking action is taken, but prior hitch arrangements typically require that the vehicles be first aligned with one another before braking. Rather, coupling device 10 is capable of self-aligning tongue 14 with housing 12 from any number of laterally offset positions, depending on the forward inertia of tongue 14. This advantage is particularly advantageous in the following cases: the operator has only a very limited operating space that limits the ability to move the tractor-trailer train into an aligned position before the hitch is locked.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description that: many alterations and modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the clevis 36 may be replaced by a ring 110 or a ball 112 as shown in fig. 11 and 12, or any other means for connecting the hitch 10 to a trailer (not shown). Similarly, the hitch 10 may be modified to the configuration shown in fig. 13 so that the coupling of the housing 12 to the towing vehicle 27 is achieved by the engagement of the square tubular portion 114 with a corresponding square tubular portion 116, wherein the square tubular portion 116 is mounted on the underside of the towing vehicle (not shown). A pin 118 is insertable into the holes 114a, 116a on the tubular portions 114 and 116 to retain the tubular portion 114 within the tubular portion 116 to connect the hitch 10 to the towing vehicle 27. In the coupling device embodiment shown in fig. 13, a square tubular portion 114 replaces lock pin housing 72 in the previous embodiment and may be attached to tongue housing 12 by welding or the like to top surface 16a of top wall 16. Figure 15 shows this embodiment of the coupling device connected to the tractor 27. In fig. 15, the clevis 36 has been replaced by a ball member 112.

Similarly, the hitch 10 may be applied not only to the rear of the tractor 27, but also to the rear of a trailer (not shown), in which case the same tractor will tow more than one trailer (not shown), but such applications are within the scope of the present invention. Theoretically, each trailer in a train of multiple trailers can be equipped at the rear end with a hitch 10 for connection to the next trailer.

Similarly, it is within the scope of the present invention to mount the hitch 10 to the front of a trailer rather than the rear surface of the tractor 27. In such an embodiment, the tongue 14 may extend in a direction away from the trailer (not shown) towards the tractor 27 (after the pin 80 is unlocked) for connection to a coupling connected to the rear of the tractor 27. In such an embodiment, guide 60 would matingly engage guide 50 under the forward inertial force of the trailer (not shown), rather than the reverse.

Similarly, the hitch 10 may also be modified to serve as an intermediate hitch structure between vehicles having installed engagement members. That is, the housing 12 may be fitted with an engagement member (not shown) for connection to an engagement member (not shown) attached to the rear end of the tractor. The clevis 36 is adapted to couple to a corresponding coupling member (not shown) disposed on the front of a trailer (not shown), and the hitch 10 operates in the same manner as previously described, except that the hitch 10 is releasably coupled to both a towing vehicle and a trailer.

Similarly, it is within the scope of the invention to vary the length of the tab 14 if desired.

The coupling device 10 is preferably made of a durable steel material, but it should be noted that: this is not a necessary condition for proper operation of the hitch 10. The tongue housing 12 and clevis 36 are shown herein as a single cast structure. These components may also be constructed from multiple layers of horizontal plates that are secured together (e.g., by bolting, welding, or other suitable means).

Those skilled in the art will recognize that: the U-shaped tow hook according to the invention can be directly connected to a vehicle for connection to another vehicle, separately from the above-described hitch 10. This embodiment is shown in fig. 16.

The hitch 120 includes a clevis 136 that is identical in construction and operation to the clevis 36 described above and shown in fig. 1-3, 6, 13 and 14, except that the upper arm 140 of the clevis is formed from horizontal metal plates 140a, 140b and 140 c. The metal plate 140a is integrally formed with the vertical arm support wall 142. The metal plates 140a, 140b, and 140c are secured together by any suitable means, such as welding or bolts. The upper arm 140 may be a cast structure as shown in fig. 6 for the upper arm 40 of the clevis 36.

The hitch 120 further includes a wall 146 that is connected to the front of the upper arm 140, the lower arm 138 and the vertical arm support wall 142. The wall 146 may be bolted (through holes 148 and 149) by conventional means to an airport cart 150 as shown in fig. 20, to an airport flatbed or container truck 152 as shown in fig. 19 or to other suitable tractors or trailers. The wall 146 may also be connected to a tractor or trailer by welding.

Figures 17 and 18 show a prior art "E" type hitch as is commonly used on airport trucks and transport vehicles. Some "E" type couplers, such as the coupler 160 shown in fig. 17, do not include any mechanism for locking the coupler pin in the low position, but rather use the biasing force of the spring 162 (when the stop 164 is rotated to a position disengaged from the locking member 166 and the locking pin is lowered). This is disadvantageous because if the spring malfunctions and the latch is raised, releasing the trailer coupling from the hitch 160, an accidental disengagement can occur. Other "E" type coupling devices, such as coupling device 170 shown in FIG. 18, include a slotted spring plate 172 that prevents the coupling pin from moving up or down from its low and high positions, respectively, unless the slot 174 is aligned with the locking member 176. However, the "E" type hitch shown in fig. 18 still has a drawback in that it is difficult to open the hitch when the operator is in a hurry. The slot 174 can be easily misaligned relative to the locking member 176 so that an operator must observe or manually see if the slot 174 and locking member 176 are aligned, but this can be difficult in dark environments or inclement weather conditions. Furthermore, the "E" type hitch is very "tall" in profile, and thus, when applied to an airport freight car, may interfere with loading and unloading of the freight car if the hitch pin accidentally stays in its high position.

The coupling device 120 overcomes these drawbacks by providing a coupling device that is compact in size and easy to manufacture, the device 120 being able to automatically lock the coupling pin in its low and high positions, thereby improving the safety of the entire operation. The coupling device 120 can also be operated simply and quickly.

Fig. 21 and 22 show a coupling device 210 provided with an alternative construction of the bottom wall described above and shown in fig. 4, 7-10.

Coupling device 210 differs from bottom wall 18 (of coupling device 10) in that: the bottom wall 218 includes a rounded groove 219 and two edges 221, 223 adjacent the groove 219 that diverge outwardly in the direction of divergence. The rounded recesses 219 face in the opposite direction from the rounded recesses 264, 266 and are positioned opposite the rounded center cam member 262. Those skilled in the art will recognize that: the recess in the bottom wall 218 defines a rounded groove 219 that causes the slot (not shown) in the vertical wall 224 to have a different shape than the slot 26 formed in the vertical wall 24 of the hitch 10.

As shown in FIG. 21, when the tongue 214 is fully extended, the first end 228 of the tongue 214 can extend into the tongue housing 212. This differs from the coupling device 10 in that: first end 28 of tang 14 cannot extend into tang housing 12 because pivot 32 abuts vertical wall 24 (see fig. 7). To enable extension of the coupling device 210, the pivot 232 on the tongue 214 extends only vertically below the tongue 214 and does not extend vertically above the tongue 214 as the pivot 32 would extend above the tongue 14 of the coupling device 10. Thus, the tongue 214 is able to extend until the pivot 232 engages the rounded groove 219, as shown in FIG. 21, so that the tongue 214 extends more than the tongue 14 of the coupling device 10. The engagement between the pivot 232 and the rounded groove 219 prevents the tongue 214 from backing out of the throat of the coupling device 210. The rounded groove 219 also provides a pivot point for the tongue 214, allowing the tongue 214 to pivot about the pivot point when fully extended; the hitch 210 may be used to connect two laterally offset vehicles together.

The bottom wall 218 of the coupling device 210 is not provided with holes corresponding to the holes 91 in the bottom wall 18 of the coupling device 10. The rounded groove 219 aligns with an aperture (not shown) in the top wall 216 (corresponding to the aperture 88 in the top wall 16 of the coupling device 10) and an aperture in the top wall of the latch housing (corresponding to the aperture 86 in the top wall 86 of the latch housing 72 of the coupling device 10). A lock pin 280 (corresponding to lock pin 80 of coupling device 10) locks tongue 214 into a fully retracted, locked position when an aperture 290 (corresponding to aperture 90 of tongue 14) in tongue 214 is aligned with an aperture in top wall 216 and an aperture in the top wall of the lock pin housing (not shown), as shown in fig. 22.

Otherwise, coupling device 210 and coupling device 10 are identical in structure and operation.

Fig. 23 and 24 show a coupling device 310 provided with an alternative embodiment of the tongue housing described above and shown in fig. 1. The tongue housing 312 enables the hitch 310 to be connected to a towing vehicle (or a trailer) without the tongue 314 being inserted into or beneath the rear surface of the vehicle (as shown in fig. 14). The tab housing 312 has been modified to allow the tab 314 to fully retract into the housing.

The tongue housing 312 includes a top wall 316, a bottom wall 318, two spaced apart side walls 320, 322 and a vertical wall 324.

As shown in FIG. 24, the bottom wall 318 is configured similarly to the bottom wall 218 (which includes a rounded groove 319. the groove 319 is similar to the rounded groove 219) except that the outboard edges 318a and 318b flare outwardly in a diverging direction. It should be noted that: bottom wall 318 may also be configured similarly to bottom wall 18 (i.e., not including rounded groove 319), rather than bottom wall 218.

Sidewalls 320, 322 are identical to sidewalls 20, 22 of coupling device 10, except that the outer edges flare outwardly in a diverging direction in a manner similar to edges 318a and 318b of bottom wall 318.

The top wall 316 differs from the top wall 16 in that: the top wall 316 extends a length greater than the length of the tab 214 until it joins the vertically extending wall 324. That is, when the tab 314 is in its locked position, as shown in FIG. 24, the top wall 316 extends beyond the first end 328 of the tab 314. The outer side edges of the top wall 316 diverge in directions away from each other in a similar manner to the bottom wall 318 and the side walls 320, 322. Lower side walls 325, 327 connect with the lower front edge of top wall 316 and extend down to the depth of bottom wall 318. Thus, the tongue housing 312 is scalloped (i.e., the tongue housing 312 is wider at the front end 312a than at the rear end 312b) and defines an internal cavity between the side walls 325 and 327 to allow the tongue 314 to be retracted into the cavity from a laterally offset position.

The tongue housing 312 does not include a vertical wall similar to vertical wall 24 of the coupling device 10.

The latch housing 372 shown in fig. 23 does not include angled sidewalls (and the housing 72 of the coupling device 10 does), but it should be appreciated that: such a modification is very easy.

The tongue housing 312 may also include a bracket 329 for storing a chain.

The tongue housing 312 may be attached to the vertical surface of the tractor (or trailer) by having the vertical wall 324 attached by welding or other suitable fastening means, such as bolts or the like. Thus, the full range of motion of the first end 328 of the tab 314 is within the tab housing 312 and there is no need to insert the tab 314 through or under the rear wall of the vehicle.

Otherwise, the coupling device 310 is substantially identical in operation to the coupling devices 10 and 210 described above.

The scope of the invention is therefore defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hitch for connecting a first vehicle with a second vehicle, the hitch comprising:

(a) a tongue housing for attachment to said first vehicle, said tongue housing having a front end and a rear end, said tongue housing comprising a top wall and a bottom wall, said top wall and bottom wall being spaced apart by two spaced apart side walls disposed therebetween, said top, bottom and side walls defining a throat comprising an open first end and an open second end;

(b) a first guide member coupled to the housing, the guide member comprising:

(i) a first cam member;

(ii) a first recess and a second recess, the first and second recesses being disposed on either side of the first cam member;

(c) a tongue having a first end and a second end, said tongue being extendable and retractable within the throat, the tongue having a width which is narrower than the distance between the two spaced apart side walls of the tongue housing;

(d) a retaining means for preventing the tongue from falling out of the throat;

(e) a second guide coplanar with said first guide and attached to said second end of said tongue, said second guide comprising:

(i) a second cam member and a third cam member;

(ii) a third recess disposed between said second and third cam members;

(f) a coupler attached to said second end of said tongue, wherein said first and second guides matingly engage each other when said tongue is retracted within said throat, wherein said first and second guides cooperatively engage each other to align said tongue with said first and second vehicles by matingly engaging said first cam member with said third recess while matingly engaging said second and third cam members with said first and second recesses;

(g) locking means for locking the tongue in a fixed position relative to said tongue housing when said first and second guides are fully engaged; wherein the tongue is able to rotate in a lateral direction when it is not locked in a fixed position.

2. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein: the cam member and the recess are rounded.

3. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein: the bottom wall is an integral part of the first guide member.

4. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein: the side walls are rounded at a central location to define an overall hourglass-shaped slit between the top and bottom walls.

5. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein: said top wall of said tab housing defining a top wall aperture therethrough; said tab defining a tab aperture therethrough at a location intermediate said first and second ends thereof, said top wall aperture and tab aperture being aligned with one another when said first and second guides are fully engaged; the locking member is a locking pin insertable into the top wall aperture and tab aperture.

6. The coupling device of claim 5, wherein: the bottom wall defines a bottom wall aperture therethrough for insertion of the locking pin, the bottom wall aperture being aligned with the top wall aperture.

7. The coupling device of claim 6, further comprising: means for biasing said locking pin in a direction of insertion into said top wall aperture, said tab aperture and said bottom wall aperture.

8. The coupling device of claim 7, wherein: said means for biasing said lock pin in a direction of insertion into said top wall aperture, said tab aperture and said bottom wall aperture is a first spring on said lock pin, said first spring mounted between a top wall of a lock pin housing attached to said top wall of said tab housing and a spring retaining means disposed on an intermediate portion of said lock pin, said top wall of said lock pin housing further including a lock pin housing aperture for insertion of said lock pin, said lock pin housing aperture being aligned with said top wall aperture and said bottom wall aperture; and when the first and second guides are fully engaged, the tab aperture is aligned with the top wall aperture, the bottom wall aperture and the latch housing aperture.

9. The coupling device of claim 8, wherein: the latch housing also includes oppositely disposed angled sidewalls.

10. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein: the attachment member may be selected from a clevis, a loop and a ball.

11. The coupling device of claim 1, further comprising: a vertical wall substantially closing a front end of said tongue housing and defining an elongated hole in the vertical wall, said elongated hole having a width at least equal to the distance between two spaced apart side walls of said tongue housing and a height at least equal to the thickness of said tongue.

12. The coupling device of claim 11, wherein: said retaining means for preventing said tongue from exiting said throat includes a pivot extending through said tongue at a location adjacent a first end of said tongue, said pivot having a height greater than a height of said elongated hole in said vertical wall.

13. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein: the tongue housing further includes a vertical wall for connecting the front end of the tongue housing to the first vehicle, the vertical wall being connected to and substantially perpendicular to the top wall of the tongue housing.

14. The coupling device of claim 13, wherein: the length of the top wall extends beyond the first end of the tab when the tab is in the secured position.

15. The coupling device of claim 14, wherein: the tongue housing further comprises a third side wall and a fourth side wall, the third and fourth side walls being connected to and extending downwardly from opposite front side edges of the top wall.

16. The coupling device of claim 15, wherein: the tongue shell is wider at the front end than at the rear end.

17. The coupling device of claim 2, wherein: the second guide member rotates about the first groove or the second groove when the tongue is retracted from a laterally offset position.

18. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein: the bottom wall further includes a fourth recess disposed on an opposite side of the first cam member.

19. The coupling device of claim 18, wherein: said retaining means for preventing said tongue from exiting said throat comprising a pivot connected to said tongue adjacent a first end of said tongue and extending below said tongue, said pivot engaging said fourth groove when said tongue is fully extended.

20. The coupling device of claim 19, wherein: the cam member and the recess are rounded.

21. The coupling device of claim 19, wherein: the bottom wall is the first guide.

22. The coupling device of claim 19, wherein: the side walls are rounded at a central location to form a generally hourglass throat between the top and bottom walls.

23. The coupling device of claim 19, wherein: the top wall of the tongue housing defining a top wall aperture therethrough; said tab defining a tab aperture therethrough at a location intermediate the first and second ends thereof, said top wall aperture and said tab aperture being in alignment with one another when said first and second guides are fully engaged; the locking member is a locking pin insertable into the top wall aperture and tab aperture.

24. The coupling device of claim 23, further comprising: means for biasing said locking pin in a direction of insertion into said top wall aperture and said tab aperture.

25. The coupling device of claim 24, wherein: said means for biasing said lock pin in a direction of insertion into said top wall aperture and said tab aperture is a first spring on said lock pin, said first spring mounted between a top wall of a lock pin housing attached to a top wall of said tab housing and a spring retaining means mounted on an intermediate portion of said lock pin, said top wall of said lock pin housing further including a lock pin housing aperture for insertion of said lock pin, said lock pin housing aperture aligned with said top wall aperture; and when the first and second guides are fully engaged, the tab aperture is aligned with the top wall aperture and the latch housing aperture.

26. The coupling device of claim 25, wherein: the latch housing also includes oppositely disposed angled sidewalls.

27. The coupling device of claim 19, wherein: the attachment member may be selected from a clevis, a loop, and a ball member.

28. The coupling device according to claim 1 or 19, wherein: the attachment is a U-shaped tow hook comprising:

(a) an upper arm defining a first upper arm aperture therethrough;

(b) a lower arm, said upper and lower arms being spaced apart by a vertical arm support wall, wherein said upper and lower arms define an opening facing away from said first vehicle for receiving a connecting member of said second vehicle therein;

(c) a hitch pin insertable through said first upper arm aperture, said hitch pin being movable between a first raised position and a second lowered position, said hitch being capable of receiving said connecting member of said second vehicle when said hitch pin is in said first raised position;

(d) a release member extending above the upper surface of the upper arm and through a second upper arm aperture formed in the upper arm;

(e) a hitch pin engaging member mounted between a first bracket and a second bracket located in said upper arm, said first bracket and said second bracket located on opposite sides of said first upper arm aperture, said hitch pin engaging member defining a hitch pin engaging member aperture therethrough for receiving said hitch pin, a lower end of said release member contacting a first end of said hitch pin engaging member;

(f) a second spring mounted within said first bracket, said second spring contacting said first end of said hitch pin engagement member, wherein the biasing force of said second spring maintains said hitch pin engagement member in a tilted position so as to frictionally engage said hitch pin;

wherein: application of a downward force on the release member moves the hitch pin engagement member against the biasing force of the second spring to a substantially horizontal position and out of frictional engagement with the hitch pin to allow upward vertical movement of the hitch pin within the first upper arm aperture and hitch pin engagement member aperture.

29. A coupling device as defined in claim 28, wherein: the vertical arm support wall abuttingly bears against the tab housing when the first and second guides are fully engaged.

30. A coupling device as defined in claim 28, wherein: movement of said coupling pin from said first upper position to said second lower position is accomplished by applying a downward force to said coupling pin; the movement of the coupling pin from the second lower position to the first upper position may be achieved by: lifting said hitch pin after a downward force is applied to said release member to move said hitch pin engagement member to a substantially horizontal position thereby disengaging said hitch pin engagement member from frictional engagement with said hitch pin.

31. A coupling device as defined in claim 28, wherein: said kingpin further comprising a bushing at a lower end thereof, said upper arm further comprising a flange extending into said first upper arm aperture to define a radius less than a radius of said bushing such that said kingpin cannot be fully withdrawn from said first upper arm aperture; the lower arm defining a lower arm aperture aligned with the upper arm aperture; the lower arm further includes a flange extending into the lower arm aperture, the flange defining a radius less than the radius of the bushing such that the lower end of the coupling pin cannot pass through the lower arm of the clevis.

32. The coupling device according to claim 1 or 19, further comprising: a first square tubular portion connected to and extending from said tongue housing towards said first vehicle, said first square tubular portion having a means for connecting it to an interfitting second square tubular portion connected to and extending from said first vehicle.

33. The coupling device of claim 19, wherein: the tongue housing further includes a vertical wall for connecting the front end of the tongue housing to the first vehicle, the vertical wall being connected to and extending substantially perpendicular to the top wall of the tongue housing.

34. A coupling device as defined in claim 33, wherein: the length of the top wall extends beyond the first end of the tab when the tab is in the secured position.

35. The coupling device of claim 34, wherein: the tongue housing further comprises a third side wall and a fourth side wall, the third and fourth side walls being connected to and extending downwardly from opposite front side edges of the top wall.

36. The coupling device of claim 35, wherein: the tongue shell is wider at the front end than at the rear end.

37. A hitch capable of connecting a first vehicle to a laterally offset second vehicle, said hitch comprising:

(a) a tongue housing for attachment to said first vehicle, said tongue housing comprising two spaced apart side walls defining a throat;

(b) a first guide member coupled to the housing, the guide member comprising:

(i) a first cam member;

(ii) a first groove and a second groove, the first and second grooves being provided on both sides of the first cam member;

(d) a second guide coplanar with said first guide and connected to said second end of said tongue, said second guide comprising:

(i) a second cam member and a third cam member;

(ii) a third recess disposed between the second and third cam members;

(e) a connector connected to the second end of the tongue;

wherein said first and second guides matingly engage each other in an aligned locked position when said tab is fully retracted from a laterally offset position within the throat;

said tongue being guided from said laterally offset position to said aligned locked position by a combination of:

(i) the mating engagement of the first cam member with the third recess and the mating engagement of the second and third cam members with the first and second recesses;

(ii) guided retraction of the tongue along at least one of the side walls of the tongue housing.

38. A hitch for connecting a towing vehicle to a trailer, said hitch comprising:

(a) a tongue housing for attachment to said towing vehicle, said tongue housing having a front end and a rear end, said tongue housing including a top wall, a bottom wall and a vertical wall, said top and bottom walls being separated by two spaced apart and centrally rounded side walls, said two side walls being disposed between said top and bottom walls, said vertical wall for attaching said front end of said tongue housing to said towing vehicle, said vertical wall being attached to said top wall of said tongue housing and extending generally perpendicular to said top wall, said top, bottom and side walls defining a throat-like throat that includes an open first end and an open second end and is generally hourglass-shaped, said top wall defining a top wall aperture therethrough;

(b) a tongue having a first end and a second end, said tongue being extendable and retractable within the throat, the tongue having a width which is narrower than the distance between the spaced apart side walls of the tongue housing, said tongue defining a tongue opening therethrough at a location intermediate the first and second ends thereof;

(c) the bottom wall includes a first guide member, the first guide member including:

(i) a rounded first cam member;

(ii) a rounded first recess and a rounded second recess, said first and second recesses being provided on both sides of the first cam part;

(iii) a rounded fourth groove disposed on an opposite side of the first radiused cam member;

(d) a pivot connected to said tongue at a location adjacent a first end of said tongue and extending below said tongue, said pivot engaging said fourth groove when said tongue is fully extended;

(e) a second guide coplanar with the first guide and attached to the second end of the tongue, the second guide comprising:

(i) a rounded second cam element and a rounded third cam element;

(ii) a rounded third recess disposed between said second and third cam members;

(f) a connector connected to the second end of the tongue;

wherein the second guide is matingly received by the first guide when the tab is retracted within the throat; and said first and second guide members cooperate to cause said tongue to align with said tractor and said trailer by interengaging said first cam member with said third recess while simultaneously interengaging said second and third cam members with said first and second recesses;

(g) a lock pin housing connected to said tongue housing top wall, said lock pin housing including a top wall and two opposing side walls, said lock pin housing top wall defining a lock pin housing aperture therethrough, said lock pin housing aperture aligned with a top wall aperture;

(h) a latch insertable through said top wall aperture, said tab aperture and said latch housing aperture;

(i) a spring mounted on said latch at a location between a top wall of said latch housing and a spring retention member mounted on an intermediate portion of said latch, said spring biasing said latch toward insertion into said top wall aperture, said tab aperture and said latch housing aperture;

wherein:

(j) when said second guide member is fully received by said first guide member and said top wall aperture, said tab aperture and said lock pin housing aperture are aligned, said lock pin is inserted into said top wall aperture, said tab aperture and said lock pin housing aperture to lock said tab in a fixed position relative to said housing;

(k) said tongue being able to pivot laterally when not locked in said fixed position;

(l) The length of the top wall of the tongue housing extends beyond the first end of the tongue when the tongue is in the secured position.