Safety chain engaging device for gooseneck hitch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11932066-B2
Application number	US-202017063046-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 5, 2020
Priority date	Apr 22, 2013
Publication date	Mar 19, 2024
Grant date	Mar 19, 2024

Abstract

A safety chain engaging device for a towing vehicle having a gooseneck hitch attached with a rail of the towing vehicle is shown and described. The safety chain engaging device may include a first bracket configured to be secured with the rail of the towing vehicle, and a second bracket attached with the first bracket, the second bracket including a plate member spaced from the first bracket. The safety chain engaging device may also include at least one safety chain engaging member secured with the plate member, where the safety chain engaging member is configured to be laterally spaced from the rail upon securement of the first bracket with the rail.

First claim

Having thus described the invention, we claim:

1. A method of securing a safety chain engaging device to a towing vehicle having a gooseneck hitch attached with a rail of the towing vehicle, the method comprising:
securing a first bracket with the rail of the towing vehicle, wherein the first bracket includes an aperture configured to circumscribe a ball sleeve of the gooseneck hitch;
attaching a second bracket directly with the first bracket, the second bracket including a plate member spaced from the first bracket and extending above the first bracket; and
securing at least one safety chain engaging member with the plate member, wherein the at least one safety chain engaging member is laterally spaced from the rail.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one safety chain engaging member includes a pair of safety chain engaging members laterally spaced from the rail.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one safety chain engaging member is positioned fore of the rail.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one safety chain engaging member is positioned aft of the rail.

5. A method of securing a safety chain engaging device to a towing vehicle, the method comprising:
securing a first bracket with a rail of the towing vehicle, wherein the first bracket comprises an aperture configured to circumscribe a ball sleeve of a gooseneck hitch;
providing a second bracket extending from the first bracket, the second bracket including a plate member laterally spaced aft of the first bracket and positioned above the first bracket; and
securing at least one safety chain engaging member with the plate member, wherein the at least one safety chain engaging member is laterally spaced from the rail.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the at least one safety chain engaging member comprises a pair of safety chain engaging members laterally spaced from the rail.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the at least one safety chain engaging member is positioned aft of the rail.

8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the second bracket includes at least one reinforcing gusset.

9. The method of claim 5 , wherein the at least one safety chain engaging member is free of contact with the rail of the towing vehicle.

10. The method of claim 5 , wherein the at least one safety chain engaging member is positionable between retracted and extended positions.

Assignees

• Horizon Global Americas Inc

Inventors

• Mida Lynn H
• Matheus Gail R

Classifications

• B60D1/28 Primary

  for preventing unwanted disengagement, e.g. safety appliances · CPC title

• B60D1/583

  Holding-down means, e.g. holding-down retainers · CPC title

• B62D53/10

  with means for preventing accidental uncoupling · CPC title

• B62D53/08

  Fifth wheel traction couplings {(tractors for handling trailers in terminals B62D49/007)} · CPC title