Collapsible Big-Game Towing Hitch Yoke for UTVs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional towing hitches are bulky and lack versatility for hauling large game, such as an adult male moose, which can weigh between 850 and 1500 pounds, especially in terrain where motorized vehicles like UTVs are used, as they do not collapse for easy storage and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible big-game towing hitch yoke system comprising elongated members that pivotally connect to form a Y-shaped configuration, allowing for easy folding and locking into a compact state for storage and expanding for use, with adjustable angles and removable pins for secure attachment to a standard hitch receiver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional towing hitches are used, then they can haul large game, but they are bulky and difficult to store and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The towing hitch is divided into multiple separable components including a receiver tube, yoke assembly, and lateral bars that can be detached and stored separately, reducing storage volume while maintaining full functionality when assembled
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch incorporates movable and adjustable components such as pivotally connected lateral bars and adjustable-angle members that can be reconfigured between extended operational positions and collapsed storage positions, enabling both versatility and compact storage
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional towing hitches are used, then they can haul large game, but they lack adjustability for different angles and configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch features pivotally connected members with adjustable angles (e.g., second elongated member at 10-70 degrees relative to horizontal plane) and movable lateral bars that can be repositioned to accommodate different towing configurations and ground clearances, providing adaptability without excessive complexity through straightforward pivot and pin mechanisms
3Ease of operation
If the towing hitch is made collapsible, then it becomes easier to store and transport, but it may compromise structural stability under heavy loads
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch includes pre-positioned locking mechanisms such as removable pins and bolted mounting brackets that must be engaged before use to secure all movable joints and prevent any collapse or movement during towing operations, ensuring structural stability is established in advance
Solution Approach 2:
The structure transitions from a rigid fixed configuration during operation to a collapsible state for storage, with all dynamic elements (pivotal connections, lateral bar movements) being secured in stable positions through locking mechanisms that prevent unintended movement under load
Data Source
AI summary
Big-game towing hitch yoke system for use in the standard hitch receiver of a motorized vehicle, such as a UTV. Some embodiments of the invention comprise big-game towing hitch yoke systems that are collapsible for increased versatility and easy storage and transportation.