Drawbar Hitch Accessory with Multi-Zone Plate for Simultaneous Towing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drawbar hitch mechanisms are often complex, bulky, and limited in their ability to tow large or multiple objects without interfering with the ball-hitch function, and they do not efficiently utilize the full towing capacity of vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A drawbar hitch accessory with a rectangular hitch plate featuring multiple hook attachment zones and a U-shaped connection member that allows for the attachment of chains, cables, and ropes, enabling the conversion of a conventional ball-hitch into a device capable of towing large objects without removing the hitch ball, and accommodating various vehicle types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional ball-hitch is used, then the ball-hitch function is maintained, but the ability to tow large or multiple objects is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch plate is nested within the ball-hitch assembly, allowing the plate to be positioned inside or around the ball-hitch structure. This nesting approach enables the addition of multiple hook openings and towing capabilities without requiring a completely separate or external mechanism, thus adding versatility while controlling complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch plate serves multiple functions: it provides multiple hook openings for attaching chains to large objects, maintains compatibility with the ball-hitch system, and can accommodate various towing configurations. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling diverse towing capabilities through a single integrated component
2Productivity
If a single ball-hitch is used, then the device is simple, but the ability to tow multiple objects simultaneously is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch plate is segmented into multiple functional zones with three separately positioned hook openings, each capable of independently attaching chains to different objects. This segmentation allows simultaneous towing of multiple objects while keeping the overall structure as a single plate component, thus improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point attachment (ball-hitch) to a multi-point distributed attachment system across the hitch plate. By distributing hook openings across different zones of the plate, the system enables parallel towing operations, effectively adding dimensional capacity to the towing function
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing hitch mechanisms are used to tow large objects, then towing capability is improved, but the mechanisms become complex and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential towing function from complex existing mechanisms and concentrates it into a single flat plate structure. By taking out only the necessary hook attachment openings and positioning them strategically on the plate, the design achieves large object towing capability while eliminating the bulk and complexity of traditional multi-component hitch mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch plate employs a thin, flat plate structure rather than bulky three-dimensional mechanisms. This thin-film approach provides multiple hook openings for large object towing while maintaining a compact, space-efficient design that does not add significant volume to the vehicle's hitch assembly
Data Source
AI summary
In its simplest form the present invention includes a drawbar hitch accessory having a hitch plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front edge, a rear edge, a left side edge and a right side edge. The top surface is generally rectangular in shape and is divided into six zones including a front right zone, a front center zone, a right center zone, a rear left zone, a rear center zone and a rear right zone. The rear left zone has a first hook opening extending from the top surface to the bottom surface and is generally centered in the rear left zone. The rear center zone has a second hook opening extending from the top surface to the bottom surface and is generally centered in said rear center zone and the rear right zone has a third hook opening which extends from the top surface to the bottom surface and is generally centered in the rear right zone. The front center zone has a first hitch plate ball mount opening extending from the top surface and is generally centered in the front center zone.