Sway controlling hitch system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11780278-B2
Application number	US-202117334672-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 28, 2021
Priority date	May 28, 2020
Publication date	Oct 10, 2023
Grant date	Oct 10, 2023

Abstract

A hitch system comprising a hitch shaft with a forward end configured to rigidly attach to a tow vehicle and a rearward end extending rearwardly toward a trailer frame; a head unit pivotally attached to the rearward end of the hitch shaft at a first pivot point having an upper portion and a lower portion, comprising a hitch ball on the upper portion of the head unit positioned out of vertical alignment with the first pivot point creating a second pivot point between the hitch ball and a trailer attached thereto; and a slot on the lower portion of the head unit, the slot having portions in vertical alignment with the first pivot point and the second pivot point; a first moment arm with a distal end configured for slidable attachment to a first bracket on the trailer frame and a forked proximal end comprising a first tine pivotally connected to the lower portion of the head unit; and a second tine having a knob in a sliding connection with the slot; and a second moment arm with a distal end configured for slidable attachment to a second bracket on the trailer frame and a proximal end pivotally attached to the head unit; wherein the first moment arm is at a first angle relative to the member of trailer and the second moment arm is at a second angle relative to the trailer; wherein the first angle is greater than the second angle; and whereby the effective pivot point of the system is moved forward to reduce sway is disclosed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A hitch system, comprising:
a hitch shaft with a forward end configured to rigidly attach to a tow vehicle and a rearward end extending rearwardly toward a trailer frame;
a head unit pivotally attached to the rearward end of the hitch shaft at a first pivot point having an upper portion and a lower portion, comprising:
a hitch ball on the upper portion of the head unit positioned out of vertical alignment with the first pivot point creating a second pivot point between the hitch ball and a trailer attached thereto; and
a slot on the lower portion of the head unit, the slot having portions in vertical alignment with the first pivot point and the second pivot point;
a first moment arm with a distal end configured for slidable attachment to a first bracket on the trailer frame and a forked proximal end comprising:
a first tine pivotally connected to the lower portion of the head unit; and
a second tine having a knob in a sliding connection with the slot; and

a second moment arm with a distal end configured for slidable attachment to a second bracket on the trailer frame and a proximal end pivotally attached to the head unit;
wherein the first moment arm is at a first angle relative to the trailer and the second moment arm is at a second angle relative to the trailer;
wherein the first angle is greater than the second angle; and
whereby the effective pivot point of the system is moved forward to reduce sway.

2. The hitch system of claim 1 , wherein the first tine is longer than the second tine.

3. The hitch system of claim 1 , further comprising an arm extending laterally from the head unit wherein the second moment arm is pivotally attached to the arm at a distal end from the head unit.

4. The hitch system of claim 3 , wherein the arm is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the tow vehicle.

5. The hitch system of claim 3 , wherein the arm does not change position relative to the hitch shaft.

6. The hitch system of claim 3 , wherein the arm is on the right side of the shaft hitch shaft.

7. The hitch system of claim 1 , wherein the first bracket and second bracket further comprise a low friction surface in contact with the first moment arm and the second moment arm.

8. The hitch system of claim 1 , wherein the slot extends past the first pivot point.

9. The hitch system of claim 1 , wherein the slot extends past the second pivot point.

10. The hitch system of claim 1 , wherein the first bracket and second bracket are adjustably attached to the frame and configured to bias the first moment arm and second bracket arm to exert a forward moment on the vehicle.

11. The hitch system of claim 1 , wherein the first bracket and second bracket hold the first and second moment arms at a consistent distance from the longitudinal centerline of the trailer.

12. The hitch system of claim 1 , wherein the first moment arm and second moment arm are on opposite sides of the vehicle or trailer longitudinal centerline.

13. The hitch system of claim 1 , wherein the first further comprise a low friction pad in contact with the first moment bar and the second bracket further comprises a low friction pad in contact with the second moment bar.

14. The hitch system of claim 1 , wherein the effective pivot point varies as the angle between the trailer and tow vehicle changes.

15. The hitch system of claim 8 , wherein the effective pivot point is furthest forward from the hitch ball when the trailer and tow vehicle are aligned straight.

16. The hitch system of claim 8 , wherein the effective pivot point is about 78 inches forward when the trailer and tow vehicle are aligned straight.

17. The hitch system of claim 8 , wherein the effective pivot point is about 25 inches forward when the trailer and tow vehicle are turned 1 degree to either side.

18. The hitch system of claim 8 , wherein the effective pivot point is about 10.5 inches forward when the trailer and tow vehicle are turned 2.5 degrees to either side.

19. The hitch system of claim 1 , further comprising a pin hole in the head unit and a pinhole in the hitch shaft configured such that a locking pin may be inserted through both pinholes and prevent rotation around the first pivot point.

20. The hitch system of claim 19 , wherein the locking pin may be placed in a first position that does not engage both the hitch shaft and the head unit and in a second position that engages both the hitch shaft and the head unit whereby rotation around the first pivot point is prevented.

Assignees

• Hall Logic Inc
• Hall Labs Llc

Inventors

• Hall Michael R
• Hall David R
• Corie Thomas
• Clawson Dallin

Classifications

• B60D1/30 Primary

  for sway control {; Sway alarm means} · CPC title

• B60D1/065

  characterised by the hitch mechanism · CPC title

• B60D1/167

  consisting of articulated or rigidly assembled bars or tubes forming a V-, Y- or U-shaped draw gear · CPC title

• B60D1/345 Primary

  the springs being of the bar or leaf type · CPC title

• B60D1/06

  Ball-and-socket hitches · CPC title