Weight distribution system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10960718-B2
Application number	US-201916253384-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 22, 2019
Priority date	Mar 15, 2013
Publication date	Mar 30, 2021
Grant date	Mar 30, 2021

Abstract

A weight distribution system is shown and described. The weight distribution system may include a spring arm configured to be operatively engaged between plate members of a ball mount, and a pin member inserted into the spring arm, the pin member configured to secure the spring arm with the ball mount. The weight distribution system may also include an attachment mechanism configured to selectively place the spring arm in mechanical communication with a towed vehicle.

First claim

Having thus described the invention, we claim:

1. A weight distribution system comprising:
a ball mount comprising:
an upper member configured to have a hitch ball secured thereto;
a lower engagement body;

a spring arm operatively engaged with the lower engagement body, the lower engagement body comprising first and second plate members wherein the first plate member extends rearwardly further than the second plate member; and wherein the spring arm is operatively engaged between the first and second plate members of the ball mount, the spring arm directly loading on the first plate member creating a friction load in the ball mount dampening sway forces and wherein the spring arm is directly engaged with the second plate member; and
a pin member securing the spring arm with the lower engagement body.

2. The weight distribution system of claim 1 wherein the pin pivotally attaches the spring arm with the lower engagement body.

3. The weight distribution system of claim 1 , further comprising an attachment mechanism configured to selectively place the spring arm in mechanical communication with a towed vehicle wherein the spring arm is directly attached with the ball mount between the pair of plate members.

4. The weight distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the spring arm being operatively engaged with the lower engagement body is free of a trunnion.

5. The weight distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the spring arm being operatively engaged with the lower engagement body is free of a bushing.

6. The weight distribution system of claim 1 , further comprising a clip securing the pin member with the spring arm and lower engagement body in a generally vertical position relative to the ball mount.

7. A weight distribution system comprising:
a ball mount adapted to be mounted to a hitch of a towing vehicle, the ball mount comprising;
an upper member capable of having a hitch ball secured thereto;
a lower engagement body;

a spring arm operatively engaged with the lower engagement body the lower engagement body comprising upper and lower plates, the upper plate extending a greater distance rearwardly than the lower plate the spring arm operatively inserted into the ball mount between the upper and lower plates, the spring arm directly loading on the upper plate creating a friction load in the ball mount dampening sway forces and wherein the spring arm is directly engaged with the lower plate member; and
a pin inserted into the spring arm and the ball mount, the pin operatively securing the spring arm directly with the ball mount.

8. The weight distribution system of claim 7 , wherein the spring arm is pivotally attached with the ball mount.

9. The weight distribution system of claim 7 further comprising an attachment mechanism configured to selectively place the spring arm in mechanical communication with a towed vehicle.

10. The weight distribution system of claim 9 , wherein the attachment mechanism includes a shoe bracket engaging the spring arm with the towed vehicle.

11. The weight distribution system of claim 10 , further comprising an engaging member selectively secured with the shoe bracket, the engaging member configured to circumscribe at least a portion of the spring arm.

12. The weight distribution system of claim 7 , further comprising a clip, the clip selectively engaged with the pin member selectively securing the spring arm with the ball mount.

13. The weight distribution system of claim 7 , wherein the spring arm being operatively engaged with the lower engagement body is free of a trunnion.

14. The weight distribution system of claim 7 , wherein the spring arm being operatively engaged with the lower engagement body is free of a bushing.

15. A weight distribution system comprising:
a ball mount adapted to be mounted to a hitch of a towing vehicle, the ball mount comprising an upper member and a lower engagement body, wherein the lower engagement body comprises first and second plate members;
a spring arm operatively engaged between the first and second plate members of the lower engagement body, wherein the first plate member extends a greater distance rearwardly than the second plate member, the spring arm directly loading on the first plate member creating a friction load in the ball mount dampening sway forces and wherein the spring arm is directly engaged with the second plate member; and
a pin inserted into the spring arm and the first and second plate members, the pin member operatively securing the spring arm with the ball mount.

16. The weight distribution system of claim 15 , wherein the spring arm is pivotally attached between the first and second plate members.

17. The weight distribution system of claim 15 , further comprising an attachment mechanism selectively placing the spring arm in mechanical communication with a towed vehicle.

18. The weight distribution system of claim 15 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises:
a shoe bracket engaging the spring arm with the towed vehicle; and
an engaging member selectively secured with the shoe bracket, the engaging member configured to circumscribe at least a portion of the spring arm.

19. The weight distribution system of claim 18 , wherein the spring arm is selectively in contact with a friction pad positioned in the shoe bracket.

20. The weight distribution system of claim 19 , wherein the spring arm is in mechanical communication with the towed vehicle through a force applied to the friction pad by the spring arm.

Assignees

• Horizon Global Americas Inc

Inventors

• Mccoy Richard W
• Hanson Marvin

Classifications

• B60D1/247 Primary

  for improving weight distribution · CPC title

• B60D1/06

  Ball-and-socket hitches · CPC title