The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 17, 2001
Filed:
Jul. 19, 1999
David L. Klimek, Grand Island, NE (US);
Gary R. Nickels, Chapman, NE (US);
Other;
Abstract
A hitch is mounted on the rear end of a rearwardly extending tow bar of a towing vehicle, with the tow bar having a hitch ball secured thereto. The hitch comprises a first plate which is secured at its rearward end to the forward end of the upper clevis element of the towed vehicle. The first plate has a circular-shaped opening formed therein which is adapted to receive the ball sphere of the hitch ball. The first plate also has a slot formed therein which extends forwardly from the circular opening which is adapted to receive the shank of the hitch ball. A second plate is slidably movably mounted on the first plate between rearward and forward positions. The forward end of the second plate has a semi-circular opening formed therein which is positioned beneath the ball sphere of the hitch ball when the second plate is in its forward position. A retaining pin extends through the first and second plates when the second plate is in its forward position to maintain the hitch on the hitch ball.