WO2018160819A1

WO2018160819A1 - Quick adjust hitch assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2018160819A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/020427
Authority: WO
Inventors: Theodore SIEGEL; Eric YUKICH
Original assignee: Horizon Global Americas Inc
Current assignee: Horizon Global Americas Inc
Priority date: 2017-03-01
Filing date: 2018-03-01
Publication date: 2018-09-07
Anticipated expiration: 2019-09-01

Abstract

Disclosed is an adjustable hitch assembly that comprises a rail member and a base. The base may be attached to the rail member wherein a portion of the base is rotatable relative to the rail member. A plurality of hitch balls may extend from the base and a pin may be pivotally attached to the rail member and the base. The hitch balls may be selectively rotated relative to the rail member. A portion of the base may be rotated to toggle the position of the hitch balls relative to the rail member.

Description

TITLE

QUICK ADJUST HITCH ASSEMBLY

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/465,225 filed on March 1, 2017, and entitled "QUICK ADJUST HITCH ASSEMBLY," which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The disclosure relates to a quick adjustable hitch assembly. In particular, this disclosure may be directed to a hitch assembly with a plurality of ball mounts for a vehicle hitch that is easily adjustable to toggle the ball mounts in various positions.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Many people have a need to haul a load behind a vehicle. Typically, a towed vehicle is coupled to a towing vehicle with a hitch assembly. Many methods and devices have been developed for connecting the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle. Such devices include receiver hitches (e.g., pin hitches and ball hitches), gooseneck hitches, fifth wheel hitches, and other types of commonly known hitches. Typical receiving hitches often include a receiving member connected to the towing vehicle, a ball or pin member connected to the receiving member, and a coupler member connected to the towed vehicle and engaged with the ball member.

[0004] Hitch assemblies may include various coupling members such as a ball hitch that couples to a ball socket. A problem occurs when the coupling members are of different sizes. For instance, it is a problem when a towed vehicle ball socket is not sized to be coupled with the hitch ball of a towing vehicle. In these instances, the existing hitch assembly must be disassembled and the correct sized coupling member installed. The assembly and disassembly of hitch accessories may be time consuming and the correct components may not be immediately available. Many times, the correct size is unknown until the towing vehicle and towed vehicle are in proximity to one another while the proper hitch components may be stored in a remote location such as a garage or storage facility that is not practically located.

[0005] Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a ball mount type hitch assembly that can be adjusted in a quick manner to allow various sized hitch balls without having to disassemble and reassembly the hitch assembly. Further, there may be a need for providing an assembly that allows for quick adjustability while providing structural stability without having to remove and replace various components.

SUMMARY

[0006] In one embodiment, disclosed is an adjustable hitch assembly comprising a rail member and a base. The base may be attached to the rail member wherein a portion of the base is rotatable relative to the rail member. At least one hitch ball may extend from the base and a pin may be pivotally attached to the rail member and the base. The at least one hitch ball may be selectively rotated relative to the rail member. A portion of the base may be rotated to toggle the position of the at least one hitch ball relative to the rail member.

[0007] A locking mechanism may selectively lock and unlock the at least one hitch ball relative to the rail member. The base may include a rotatable first portion and a static second portion wherein the static second portion may be rigidly attached to the rail member. The rotatable first portion may be selectively rotatable relative to the static portion. The rotatable first portion may be a top plate and the static second portion may be a bottom plate. The rotatable first portion and the static second portion may be arranged in a stackable orientation to support the at least one hitch ball in a position above the rail member. The base may have a perimeter with a generally triangular shape having rounded vertices and concaved edges. The pin may be aligned along a pin axis wherein the first rotational portion may be rotatable about the pin axis.

[0008] The at least one hitch ball may include three hitch balls extending from the base along a common side. A first hitch ball may be smaller then a second hitch ball which may be smaller than a third hitch ball. The locking mechanism may selectively lock the pin to prevent the pin from rotating and translating relative to the rail member and the base or to selectively unlock the pin to allow the pin to rotate and translate relative to the rail member and the base. The locking mechanism may include an arm and a shank within a housing. The housing may be located within a portion of the rail or may be attached to the rail member. The arm may extend from a shank through a patterned slot in the housing wherein a user manipulates the arm to cause the locking mechanism to selectively lock or unlock the pin.

[0009] In another embodiment, provided is an adjustable hitch assembly comprising a rail member and a base attached to the rail member. A portion of the base may be translatable and rotatable relative to the rail member wherein the base includes a rotatable first portion and a static second portion wherein the static second portion is rigidly attached to the rail member. At least one hitch ball may extend from the rotatable first portion of the base. A pin may pivotally attach the rail member and the base. A locking mechanism may selectively lock the pin to prevent the pin from translating relative to the rail member and the base or to selectively unlock the pin to allow the pin to rotate and translate relative to the rail member and the base. The at least one hitch ball may be selectively rotated relative to the rail member. The locking mechanism may include an arm and a shank within a housing and wherein the arm extends from the shank through a patterned slot in the housing wherein a user manipulates the arm to cause the locking mechanism to selectively lock or unlock the pin. The housing may be within the rail member. The first portion of the base may be translated and rotated to toggle the position of the at least one hitch ball relative to the rail member.

[0010] In another embodiment, provided is a method of adjusting a hitch assembly. The steps comprise providing a rail member and a base wherein the base may be attached to the rail member. A first portion of the base having at least one hitch ball extending therefrom may be translated in a first direction relative to the rail member. The first portion of the base may be rotated relative to the rail member. At least one hitch ball may be aligned relative to the rail member. After aligning the at least one hitch ball relative to the rail member, the first portion of the base may be translated relative to the rail member in a second direction opposite the first direction to interlock the first portion of the base with the rail member. The first portion of the base may be locked to the rail member with a locking mechanism to prevent the first portion of the base from translating relative to the rail member

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Operation of the present teachings may be better understood by reference to the detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations. These appended drawings form part of this specification, and any written information in the drawings should be treated as part of this disclosure. In the same manner, the relative positioning and relationship of the components as shown in these drawings, as well as their function, shape, dimensions, and appearance, may all further inform certain aspects of the present teachings as if fully rewritten herein.

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of embodiments of an quick adjust hitch assembly;

[0013] Figure 2 is a plan view of embodiments of the quick adjust hitch assembly in accordance with the instant disclosure;

[0014] Figure 3A is a cross sectional perspective view of the quick adjust hitch assembly;

[0015] Figure 3B is an exploded cross sectional perspective view of a portion of the quick adjust hitch assembly of Figure 3 A; [0016] Figure 4 is a perspective view of various components of the quick adjust hitch assembly;

[0017] Figure 5 is a partial cross sectional view of the quick adjust hitch assembly of Figure 4.

[0018] Figure 6 is a perspective image of the quick adjust assembly;

[0019] Figure 7A is a perspective view of embodiments of an quick adjust hitch assembly;

[0020] Figure 7B is a cross sectional view of the quick adjust hitch assembly of Figure 7A;

[0021] Figure 7C is another cross sectional view of the quick adjust hitch assembly of Figure 7A.

[0022] Figure 8 is an exploded top perspective view of embodiments of the quick adjust hitch assembly;

[0023] Figure 9 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the quick adjust hitch assembly of Figure 8;

[0024] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the quick adjust hitch assembly of Figures 8 and 9;

[0025] Figure 1 1 is a plan view of embodiments of an quick adjust hitch assembly;

[0026] Figures 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, and 12E are various views of an embodiment of an quick adjust hitch assembly;

[0027] Figures 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, and 13E are various views of an embodiment of an quick adjust hitch assembly;

[0028] Figures 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, and 14E are various views of an embodiment of an quick adjust hitch assembly;

[0029] Figure 15A is a perspective view of the quick adjust hitch assembly; and

[0030] Figure 15B is a cross sectional view of the quick adjust hitch assembly of Figure 14A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the respective scope of the disclosure. Moreover, features of the various embodiments may be combined or altered without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0032] As used herein, the words "example" and "exemplary" mean an instance, or illustration. The words "example" or "exemplary" do not indicate a key or preferred aspect or embodiment. The word "or" is intended to be inclusive rather an exclusive, unless context suggests otherwise. As an example, the phrase "A employs B or C," includes any inclusive permutation (e.g., A employs B; A employs C; or A employs both B and C). As another matter, the articles "a" and "an" are generally intended to mean "one or more" unless context suggest otherwise.

[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates a quick adjust hitch assembly 10 that is adjustable and includes a multi-ball configuration. This hitch assembly 10 includes at least one hitch ball but may include a plurality of hitch balls. In one embodiment, the quick adjust hitch assembly 10 includes three (3) hitch balls 20, 30, 40. Each hitch ball 20, 30, 40 may include a different size relative to the other. In particular, a first hitch ball 20 may be smaller than a second hitch ball 30 which may be smaller than a third hitch ball 40. The adjustable hitch assembly 10 may include a base 50 that may be connected to the plurality of hitch balls 20, 30, 40 wherein the hitch balls may extend from the base 50 in a common direction. The base 50 may be at least partially rotatably attached to a rail member 60 as will be described in more detail below. The rail member 60 may be operatively secured to a towed vehicle or a towing vehicle (not shown) in any particular manner. In one embodiment, the rail member 60 may be a hitch shank that may be configured to be operatively inserted into a hitch receiver attached with a vehicle (not shown). Alternatively, the rail member 60 may be attached to other structural configurations or housings and this disclosure is not limited to just the disclosed embodiments.

[0034] The rail member 60 may include a hitch receiver attachment end 62 and a hitch ball mount end 64, as shown in Figures 1 -7C. The hitch receiver attachment end 62 may include a generally tubular portion. The tubular portion may be of any appropriate shape such that it may be capable of operatively engaging a hitch receiver (not shown) in any appropriate manner. By way of a non-limiting example, the tubular portion may be of a generally square, rectangular, oval, circular shape or any combination of such shapes. The tubular portion may include an aperture 66, or by way of a non-limiting example a pair of transverse apertures 66 that are located on at least two sides of the tubular portion.

[0035] The apertures 66 may be shaped and sized such that when the hitch receiver attachment end 62 selectively engages the trailer hitch receiver (not shown), the trailer hitch receiver may include correspondingly shaped and sized apertures whereby a pin, a lock, or the like (not shown) may pass through the apertures 66 to selectively secure the hitch receiver end 62 to the trailer hitch receiver (not shown). Further, a plurality of holes or slots 67 may be provided along the sides of the rail member 60. The hitch ball mount end 64 may be oppositely aligned along the rail member 60 and be opposite from the hitch receiver attachment end 62. Alternatively, the hitch mall mount end 64 and the hitch receiver attachment end 62 may be spaced from one another along different planes and configurations as the rail member 60 may be inclined or declined to raise or lower the base 50 relative to the hitch receiver (not shown) of the vehicle. [0036] The base 50 may be secured to the rail member 60 adjacent the hitch ball mount end 64, which may be opposite from the hitch receiver attachment end 62. The base 50 may include the plurality of hitch balls 20, 30, 40 thereon and they may extend upwardly from a common side of the base 50 and rail member 60. The base 50 may be at least partially rigidly secured to the rail member 60. A pin 70 may extend through a portion of the base 50 and the rail member 60 to rotatably secure a rotational portion of the base 50 to the rail 60. The pin 70 may extend through the base 50 and the rail member 60 to a locking mechanism 80. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism 80 may be positioned along an opposite side of the rail member 60 from the base 50. In another embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7A-7C, the locking mechanism 80 may be located within the rail member 60 as will be more fully described below.

[0037] A portion of the base 50 may be rotatable, translatable, and lockable relative to the rail member 60. In particular, a portion of the base 50 may be rotatable about a pin axis 72 that extends along the length of the pin 70. See Figure 2. A portion of the base 50 may be translated, rotated, and locked to toggle each hitch ball 20, 30, 40 in alignment along the ball mount end 64 of the rail member 60. This places the selected ball 20, 30, 40 in alignment with the rail member 60 such that the selected hitch ball 20, 30 or 40 is oriented to be placed within a correspondingly shaped and sized socket or other coupling member to be selectively attached to a load to be hauled.

[0038] In one embodiment, the base 50 may include a generally planar configuration having a perimeter with any particular shape. The base 50 may include a rotatable first portion 52 and a static second portion 54. The rotatable first portion may be a top plate 52 and the static second portion may be a bottom plate 54 as illustrated by Figures 1-7C. The first and second portions may be arranged in an interlocking and stackable orientation to support the hitch balls 20, 30, 40 in a position above the rail member 60. In one embodiment, the base 50 may include a perimeter having a generally triangular shape having rounded vertices and concaved edges as illustrated by Figures 1 , and 3-6. The top plate and bottom plate 52, 54 may have three hitch balls 20, 30, 40 wherein each may be positioned along a vertex of the triangular shaped base 50. See Figure 1. However, this disclosure is not limited as the base 50 may have any particular shape or contour that allows any number of hitch balls to be supported, rotated, and lockable relative to the rail member 60. See Figures 8-15B.

[0039] In one embodiment, the top plate 52 is generally complimentary with the bottom plate 54 as they may have a similar perimeter shape and similar thickness. However, this disclosure is not limited as the top plate 52 and bottom plate 54 may also include different perimeters, shapes, and thicknesses. As illustrated by Figures 7A-7C, the top plate 52 may be thicker than the bottom plate 54. Further, they could also have different shapes and be of different sizes.

[0040] The pin 70 may extend through a portion of the base 50 such that the top plate 54 may be translated away from the bottom plate 54 to allow the top plate 52 and hitch balls to rotate about the pin axis 72. The desired hitch ball may be aligned along a common longitudinal axis 71 of the rail member 60 and towards the hitch ball mount end 64 as illustrated by Figure 1. The pin 72 may extend through a central portion of the top plate 52. The hitch ball 40 may align along the rail member 60 and be locked in place to be coupled to a coupling member (not shown). Notably, the hitch balls 20, 30, 40 may be sufficiently spaced from one another to allow a coupling member to be placed over the hitch ball 20, 30, 40 that is selected for use as it is aligned along the longitudinal axis 71 of the rail member 60 adjacent the hitch ball mount end 64. As illustrated by Figure 2, the unselected hitch balls 20, 30 may be sufficiently spaced from the selected hitch ball 40 to allow for the proper clearance for sufficient coupling.

[0041] As illustrated by Figures 4 and 5, the bottom plate 54 may be rigidly attached to the rail member 60 such that the top plate 52 may be translatable and rotatable relative to the bottom plate 54. The rotatable and static portions of the base 50 may each include apertures 56, 58 that may be shaped and sized to receive a stem portion 22, 32, 42 of the hitch ball.

[0042] Figures 3 A and 3B illustrate the attachment of the stem portion 42 of hitch ball 40 but may also be illustrative of the attachment of stem portions 22, 32 (See Figure 4) of hitch balls 20, 30. Here, the stem portion 42 extends from the bottom of the hitch ball 40 such that the bottom surface of the hitch ball 44 abuts or generally abuts against the top plate 52 and the stem extends through the aperture 56 of the top plate 52. At least a portion of each of the stem portions 22, 32, 42 of each of the hitch balls 20, 30, 40 may have a common configuration. Further, the hitch ball apertures 58 in the bottom plate 54 may have a common configuration that may be complimentary to a portion of each of the stem portions 22, 32, 42. This would allow for each stem portion of each hitch ball 20, 30, 40 to be selectively received within in each aperture 58 of the bottom plate 54. However, the bottom plate 54 may include a different orientation and different number of apertures than the top plate 53 and this disclosure is not limited in this regard.

[0043] Further, as illustrated by the exploded view of the hitch ball 40 of Figure 3B, the stem portion 42 may include a top plate connection portion 46 and bottom plate receiver portion 48. The top plate connection portion 46 exists along a length of the stem portion 42 and may be received within the aperture 56 of the top plate 52. This configuration may provide a rigid connection between the hitch ball and the top plate 52. The rigid connection may include a weld, threaded attachment, fastener, or other friction fit that may allow the user to selectively remove the hitch ball from the top plate 52 to replace or repair. Otherwise, the stem portion 42 remains attached within the aperture 56 of the top plate 52 as the hitch assembly 10 is in use to tow a load.

[0044] The bottom plate receiver portion 48 exists along another length of the stem portion 42 and may be received within the aperture 58 of the bottom plate 54. This configuration may allow for the bottom plate receiver portion 48 to be selectively translated relative to the aperture 58 of the bottom plate 54 to engage or disengage with the aperture 58. Thus, the top plate 52 may translate relative to the bottom plate in a first direction 61 and an opposite second direction 63 as illustrated by Figure 3A. This action may allow the top plate 52 and hitch balls 20, 30, 40 to rotate as described relative to the bottom plate 54 along the pin axis 72. When the top plate 52 and bottom plate 54 are separated, the top plate connection portion 46 of the stem portion 42 may maintain its rigid connection to the top plate 52 while the bottom plate receiver portion 48 of the stem portion 42 may be removed from within the aperture 58 of the bottom plate 54.

[0045] As illustrated by Figure 3B, top plate connection portion 46 and bottom plate receiver portion 48 of the stem portion 42 are illustrated by dashed lines and may include a combined length that is greater than the thickness of the top plate 52 to be sufficiently structurally attached to and also extend through at least a portion of the aperture 56 in the top plate 52. The bottom plate receiver portion 48 of the stem portion 42 may be positioned in an interlocked orientation when the bottom plate receiver portion 48 is received through the aperture 58 of the bottom plate 54 and when the apertures 56, 58 of the top and bottom plates 52, 54 are aligned and the top plate 52 is stacked to the bottom plate 54. Further, when in this stacked and interlocked orientation, the engagement between the stem portions 22, 32, 42 of the hitch balls and the top and bottom plates may provide sufficient structural stability to allow the adjustable hitch assembly to be coupled to and support a tow load thereon. Altematively, it is contemplated that this function may occur with a stem member or protrusion from the top plate to align with an aperture in the bottom plate wherein the protrusion may not be directly attached to or extend from the hitch ball. The protrusion and aperture configuration contemplates any complementary arrangement between the top plate and bottom plate to allow for interlocking and rotation therefrom as described herein.

[0046] In one embodiment, the top plate 52 may be separated from the bottom plate 54 such that the stems 22, 32, 42 of the hitch balls 20, 30, 40 remain attached to the top plate 52 but may be separate from the bottom plate 54 and thus, separate from the apertures 58 of the bottom plate 54. The top plate 52 may rotate about the pin axis 72 to reposition the hitch balls relative to the rail member 60. As the top plate 52 separates from the bottom plate 54, the pin 70 may extend along with the top plate 52 and allow the top plate 52 to rotate about the pin axis 72 relative to the bottom plate 54.

[0047] The pin 70 may be locked by the locking mechanism 80 to generally prevent the pin 70 from allowing the top plate 52 to separate from the bottom plate 54 and rotate relative to the bottom plate 54. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism 80 may include a housing 82 and a locking member 84 (such as that shown in Figure 3A). The pin 70 may extend within the housing 82 and be engageable with the locking member 84. In one embodiment, the locking member 84 may include an arm 86 and an elongated shank 88. The arm 86 may extend from the shank 88 and be accessible from outside of the housing 82. The arm 86 may extend from a patterned slot 90 (See Figures 1 and 2) that may allow a user to guide the arm 86 through the slot 90 to translate the shank 88 between and locked position with the pin 70 and a unlocked positon away from the pin 70. The slot 90 may be patterned to allow the arm 86 to rotate and translate to position the shank 88 between the locked and unlocked positions relative to the pin 70. The arm 86 may be rotated about 90 degrees within the patterned slot 90 when the shank 88 is engaged with the pin 70. The arm 86 may be translated within the patterned slot 90 to selectively engage or disengage the shank 88 from the pin 70. This action may toggle the pin 70 between a locked and unlocked orientation.

[0048] The pin 70 may include an elongated and cylindrical shaped body 74 that extends along the pin axis 72. The pin 70 may include a head 76 positioned along the base 50 and a retainer 78 positioned along an opposite portion of the rail member 60 along the locking mechanism 80. The head 76 and retainer 78 may be shaped to include an area along the pin 70 having a generally larger dimension or diameter relative to the remaining shape of the body 74 that extends between the head 76 and the retainer 78. The head 76 and retainer 78 may include shoulder surfaces that abut against respective surfaces to prevent the pin 70 and portions of the base 50 and rail member 60 from further translational movement relative to one another. The head 76 may selectively abut a top surface of the top plate 52 of the base 50 while the retainer 78 may be positioned within the housing 82 of the locking mechanism 80 and selectively abut a bottom surface 68 of the rail member 60 or a top inner surface of the housing 82. The head 76 and retainer 78 may prevent the pin 70 from translating passed a predetermined length and likewise allow the top plate 52 to only separate from the bottom plate 54 a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount may be the distance from a bottom inner surface of the housing 82 and a top inner surface of the housing 82 or the distance from the bottom inner surface of the housing 82 and a bottom surface 68 of the rail member 60.

[0049] Collar members 100, 102, 104 may be placed around portions of the pin 70 to allow the pin 70 to rotate or translate relative to the rail member 60, base 50 and locking mechanism 80. The first collar 100 may be aligned with the top plate 52, the second collar 102 may be aligned with the bottom plate 54 and a top portion of the rail member 60, and the third collar 104 may be aligned with the locking mechanism 80 and the bottom portion of the rail member 60. The collars 100, 102, 104 may allow the pin 70 to rotate and translate relative to the base 50, rail member 60, and locking member 80.

[0050] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate an embodiment where the top plate 52 has been removed to illustrate how the stem portions 22, 32 of the hitch balls 20, 30 may be aligned and received within the apertures 58 of the bottom plate 54. Further, as illustrated by Figure 4, the bottom plate 54 may include indicia 108 that may align with an opening 1 10 within the top plate 52 (See Figure 1) the indicia may be indicative of a particular hitch ball and be viewable through the opening 110 within the top plate 52 to notify the user that a the stem portions and apertures are in alignment and that a particular size hitch ball has been aligned with the longitudinal axis 71 towards the hitch ball mount end 64 of the rail member 60 to be coupled to a load.

[0051] Additional embodiments of a quick adjust hitch assembly according the present teachings are described below. In the descriptions, all of the details and components may not be fully described or shown. Rather, the features or components are described and, in some instances, differences with the above-described embodiments may be pointed out. Moreover, it should be appreciated that these additional embodiments may include elements or components utilized in the above-described embodiments although not shown or described. Thus, the descriptions of these additional embodiments are merely exemplary and not all- inclusive nor exclusive. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the features, components, elements and functionalities of the various embodiments may be combined or altered to achieve a desired quick adjust hitch assembly without departing from the spirit and scope of the present teachings.

[0052] Figures 6, 7A, 7B, and 7C illustrate an embodiment of the quick adjust hitch assembly 10 wherein the locking mechanism 80 is positioned within the rail 60. Here, the housing 82' of the locking member 80 is aligned along the hitch ball mount end 64 of the rail 60. The internal portion of the locking member 80 is illustrated by Figures 7B and 7C. The pin 70 may be locked by the locking mechanism 80 to generally prevent the pin 70 from allowing the top plate 52 to separate from the bottom plate 54 and rotate relative to the bottom plate 54. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism 80 may include the housing 82' and the locking member 84. The pin 70 may extend within the housing 82' and be engageable with the locking member 84. The locking member 84, arm 86 and elongated shank 88 may operate with the pattern slot 90 to selectively engage or disengage the shank 88 from the pin 70. This action may toggle the pin 70 between a locked and unlocked orientation as described above. [0053] Additionally, the pin 70 may include an elongated and cylindrical shaped body 74 that extends along the pin axis 72. The pin 70 may include a head 76' positioned along the base 50 to retain the pin relative to the top plate 54 and a retainer 78' positioned within the housing 82' of the locking mechanism 80. The retainer 78' may be shaped to include an area along the pin 70 having a generally larger dimension or diameter relative to the remaining shape of the pin. The head 76' may be a rivet or other fastener that attaches a top portion of the pin to the top plate 54 as the pin extends through the bottom plate 52. The top plate 52 may be rotatable relative to the pin 70 about pin axis 72. The retainer 78' may include a block configuration that is configured to receive the locking member 84 within an aperture when in the locked position. When the retainer 78' is engaged with the locking member 84 and the pin 70 and top plate 52 are in the stackable and interlocked configuration. The retainer 78' may be rotatable relative to the pin 70 as the pin translates in the unlocked condition. The retainer 78' may abut against respective surfaces within the housing 82' to prevent the pin 70 and portions of the base 50 from further translational movement relative to one another. The retainer 78' may be positioned within the housing 82' of the locking mechanism 80 and selectively abut a bottom surface 68 of the rail member 60 or a top inner surface of the rail member 60 as the pin 70 translates in the unlocked condition. The head 76' and retainer 78' may prevent the pin 70 from translating passed a predetermined length and likewise allow the top plate 52 to only separate from the bottom plate 54 a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount may be the distance from a top surface of the retainer 78' to the bottom inner surface of the housing 82'.

[0054] In an embodiment, a support member 92 may be provided within the housing 82' . The support member 92 may be shaped to generally align with and support the locking member 84 within the housing 82' and within the rail 60. The support member 90 may be shaped to snuggly be positioned within the rail 60 and include contours to support the locking member 84 and allow it to be selectively toggled between the locked and unlocked positions as described. Further, an alignment member 94 may extend from a portion of the housing 82' and engage the retainer 78'. The alignment member 94 may extend from the support member 92 to abut against the retainer 78' to allow the retainer 78' to maintain alignment with the locking member 84. In operation, the pin 70 may rotate and cause the retainer 78' and aperture to rotate when in the unlocked position. The alignment member 94 may abut against the retainer 78' to allow the pin 70 to rotate and maintain the retainer 78' and aperture in alignment with the bolt 88 of the locking member 84. The alignment member 94 may have any shape and configuration to maintain the retainer 78' in alignment. In one embodiment, the alignment member 94 may be a pin that extends from the support member 92 and into a slot 79' position on the retainer 78'. The slot 79' may receive the pin 94 as the retainer 78' translates within the housing 82'.

[0055] Figures 8-10 illustrates an embodiment of an adjustable multi-ball hitch assembly 100 wherein similar reference numbers represent similarly situated features as described for the hitch assembly 10. In this embodiment, a base 50' may rotate relative to the rail member 60. A locking mechanism may include a slotted opening 114 that can engage or disengage from the pin 70 to place the assembly in a locked or unlocked configuration. This would allow the base 50 to translate relative to the rail member 60 and rotate relative to the pin axis 72.

[0056] In this embodiment, a non-circular shaped aperture 110 is positioned along a portion of the rail member 60. The non-circular shaped aperture 110 may be any shape to allow a complementary shaped protrusion 112 from the underside of the base 50' to be received therein when the base 50' abuts against the rail member 60. The protrusion 112 may extend from a bottom side of the base 50' as illustrated by Figure 8. The protrusion may include a non-circular shaped perimeter that is generally complementary to the non-circular shaped aperture 110. As the protrusion is received within the aperture 112, the base 50' may be prevented from rotating relative to the rail member 60. [0057] The locking member 80' may have a thickness that is larger than the thickness of the protrusion 112 such that as the locking member 80' is disengaged from the pin 70, the pin 70 may translate enough to disengage the protrusion 112 from the aperture 110 to allow the base 50' to rotate relative to the rail member 60. The locking member 80' is illustrated separately from the rail member 60 but may be supported by a housing or other devices (not shown) to allow for selective engagement with the pin 70.

[0058] Figure 1 1 is an illustration of another embodiment of an adjustable multi-ball hitch assembly 200. In this embodiment, the rotatable base may include a knob attached to a shaft having at least one gear member. A first gear member may be engageable with a second gear member along the shaft. The second gear member may include a sloped groove to allow for the rotatable plate to rotate relative to the shaft. The gears may engage or disengage to lock the rotatable plate in place relative to its position along the sloped groove and to align the hitch balls thereon with the rail member.

[0059] Figures 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, and 12E are various views of an embodiment of an adjustable multi-ball hitch assembly 300. In this embodiment, the assembly may include a rail member rotatably attached to a base having a plurality of hitch balls thereon. The base may include a plurality of grooves positioned along a perimeter of the base wherein the grooves may be selectively engageable with a lock handle. The lock handle may extend from the rail member and be toggled to engage with the grooves. When the lock handle is not engaged, the base may rotate relative to the rail member. When the lock handle is engaged with one of the grooves, the selected hitch ball may be aligned along the rail member in position for use.

[0060] Figures 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, and 13E are various views of an embodiment of an adjustable multi-ball hitch assembly 400. In this embodiment, the assembly may include a rail member and a sleeve member selectively attached to the rail member. A base having a plurality of hitch balls thereon may be rotatably attached to the sleeve member. A pin may be selectively placed through apertures that are aligned with the sleeve member and the rail member to lock the sleeve member to the rail member. The base may include a plurality of grooves positioned along a perimeter of the base wherein the grooves may be selectively engageable with a lock handle. The lock handle may extend from the rail member and be shaped to engage with the grooves. The lock handle may extend from the rail member adjacent the sleeve member. The lock handle me be rigidly attached to the rail member with fasteners, welds or may be continuous thereto. When the sleeve member is removed from the rail member, the lock handle is not engaged with a groove, the base may rotate relative to the sleeve member. When the sleeve is engaged with the rail member, the lock handle may be engaged with one of the grooves and the selected hitch ball may be aligned along the rail member in position for use.

[0061] Figures 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, and 14E are various views of an embodiment of an adjustable multi-ball hitch assembly 500. In this embodiment, the assembly includes a rail member and a base having a plurality of hitch balls that extend therefrom. The base may be rotatably attached to the rail member. Here, the base may include a rotational axis that is generally traverse relative to a longitudinal axis of the rail member. The base may be attached to the rail member by a pair of support plates that extend along either side of the base. The base may be rotatably attached to the pair of support plates. The hitch balls may include apertures or other fastening members that are alignable along portions of the support plates. The base may be rotated to position the hitch balls in a use position.

[0062] Figures 15A and 15B illustrate another embodiment of the adjustable multi-ball hitch assembly 600. In this embodiment, the assembly includes a rail member and a base having a plurality of hitch balls that extend therefrom. The base may be rotatably attached to the rail member. Here, the base may include a rotational axis that it generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the rail member. The base may be attached to the rail member by a center rod. The rod may be rotatable and translatable relative to the rail member. The base may be rotated to position the hitch balls in a use position as the rod is translated outwardly from the rail member. The base may not be rotatable relative to the rail member when the rod is translated inwardly towards the rail member. In this position, a base protrusion may be shaped to engage an shaped aperture along the rail member to prevent rotation. The base protrusion and the shaped aperture may be generally complementary shaped such that the protrusion may be received within the aperture. A pin may be toggled to retain the rod within the rail member to prevent the rod from translation relative thereto.

[0063] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that the invention described herein is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter. The claims as follows are intended to include all modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalent thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS Having thus described the invention, we claim:

1. An adjustable hitch assembly comprising:

a rail member;

a base attached to the rail member wherein a portion of the base is rotatable relative to the rail member;

at least one hitch ball extending from the base; and

a pin pivotally attached to the rail member and the base;

wherein the at least one hitch ball is selectively rotated relative to the rail member.

2. The adjustable hitch assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism to selectively lock and unlock the at least one hitch ball relative to the rail member.

3. The adjustable hitch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the base includes a rotatable first portion and a static second portion wherein the static second portion is rigidly attached to the rail member.

4. The adjustable hitch assembly according to claim 3, wherein the rotatable first portion is selectively translatable and rotatable relative to the static portion.

5. The adjustable hitch assembly according to claim 3, wherein the rotatable first portion is a top plate and the static second portion is a bottom plate.

6. The adjustable hitch assembly according to claim 3, wherein the rotatable first portion and the static second portion are arranged in a stackable orientation to support the at least one hitch ball in a position above the rail member.

7. The adjustable hitch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the base includes a perimeter having a generally triangular shape having rounded vertices and concaved edges

8. The adjustable hitch assembly according to claim 4, wherein the pin is aligned along a pin axis wherein the first rotational portion is rotatable about the pin axis.

9. The adjustable hitch assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one hitch ball includes three hitch balls extending from the base.

10. The adjustable hitch assembly according to claim 9, wherein a first hitch ball is smaller then a second hitch ball which is smaller than a third hitch ball.

1 1. The adjustable hitch assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism to selectively lock the pin to prevent the pin from translating relative to the rail member and the base or to selectively unlock the pin to allow the pin to rotate and translate relative to the rail member and the base.

12. The adjustable hitch assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises an arm and a shank within a housing and wherein the arm extends from the shank through a patterned slot in the housing wherein a user manipulates the arm to cause the locking mechanism to selectively lock or unlock the pin.

13. The adjustable hitch assembly according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the base may be rotated to toggle the position of the at least one hitch ball relative to the rail member.

14. An adjustable hitch assembly comprising:

a rail member;

a base attached to the rail member wherein a portion of the base is translatable and rotatable relative to the rail member wherein the base includes a rotatable first portion and a static second portion wherein the static second portion is rigidly attached to the rail member; at least one hitch ball extending from the rotatable first portion of the base;

a pin pivotally attached to the rail member and the base; and

a locking mechanism to selectively lock the pin to prevent the pin from translating relative to the rail member and the base or to selectively unlock the pin to allow the pin to rotate and translate relative to the rail member and the base. wherein the at least one hitch ball is selectively rotated relative to the rail member.

15. The adjustable hitch assembly according to claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises an arm and a shank within a housing and wherein the arm extends from the shank through a patterned slot in the housing wherein a user manipulates the arm to cause the locking mechanism to selectively lock or unlock the pin.

16. The adjustable hitch assembly according to claim 15, wherein the housing is within the rail member.

17. The adjustable hitch assembly according to claim 14, wherein the first portion of the base is translated and rotated to toggle the position of the at least one hitch ball relative to the rail member.

18. A method of adjusting a hitch assembly comprising:

providing a rail member and a base wherein the base is attached to the rail member translating a first portion of the base having at least one hitch ball extending therefrom in a first direction relative to the rail member;

rotating the first portion of the base relative to the rail member; and

aligning the at least one hitch ball relative to the rail member.

19. The method of adjusting a hitch assembly further comprising, after aligning the at least one hitch ball relative to the rail member, the step of translating the first portion of the base relative to the rail member in a second direction opposite the first direction to interlock the first portion of the base with the rail member.

20. The method of adjusting a hitch assembly further comprising the step of locking the first portion of the base to the rail member with a locking mechanism to prevent the first portion of the base from translating relative to the rail member.