Chih Y Lin

US Patent:

20180015796, Jan 18, 2018

Filed:

Jul 18, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/212382

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Douglas Lee Howe - Grosse Ile MI, US
Daniel J. McCarthy - Northville MI, US
Chih Yu Lin - Canton MI, US
Andre Kunynetz - Windsor, CA

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60D 1/155
B60D 1/06

Abstract:

The disclosed inventive concept provides a trailer hitch arrangement for use with a drawbar that is adaptable to universally use a high strength conventional hitch pin. Particularly, a reducing pin sleeve is fitted into the hitch pin hole of the drawbar. The inner diameter of the reducing pin sleeve is less than the hitch pin hole conventionally formed in the drawbar while the inner diameter of the reducing pin sleeve is the same as that of the receiver. When the drawbar is fitted into the receiver, the reducing pin sleeve is captured therein, thus preventing side-to-side movement relative to the drawbar. The disclosed inventive concept allows vehicle owners having a standard 3″ receiver trailer hitch which conventionally includes a ⅝″ hitch pin hole to safely and effectively handle above 20,000 lbs. trailer rating by insertion of the hitch pin sleeve into the ″ hitch pin hole provided in the drawbar.