Hitch Adapter With Height-Adjustable Ball and Variable Clamp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ball-style couplers in trailers lack sufficient articulation and adaptability in off-road or construction environments, limiting their effectiveness due to fixed sizes and lack of height-adjustability, which restricts their use with various trailer ball couplers and reduces maneuverability.
Innovation Solution
A hitch adapter with a size variable clamp and height-adjustable ball, allowing full articulation in vertical and rotational directions by using an adapter ring mechanically coupled to a front plate, parallel surfaces, and plates with threaded rods and washers, enabling compatibility with different ball coupler sizes without requiring modifications to the coupler.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a ball-style coupler is used in off-road or construction environments, then the coupling function is provided, but articulation is insufficient limiting effectiveness and usefulness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the static ball-style coupler into a dynamic system with multiple degrees of freedom. The adapter ring can rotate freely within the hook, and the ball can articulate vertically and rotationally, enabling full articulation in all directions rather than being fixed in position. This dynamic capability allows the coupler to adapt to off-road and construction environments where maneuverability is critical.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size coupler is used, then the structure is simple, but adaptability to various trailer ball coupler sizes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter ring is designed with a dynamic sizing mechanism where threaded rods can be adjusted and repositioned along the ring's circumference. This allows the effective diameter of the adapter ring to change, enabling compatibility with different ball coupler sizes. The dynamic adjustment capability provides versatility without requiring multiple fixed-size adapters.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter ring serves multiple functions: it acts as a mounting structure for the ball, provides articulation movement, and accommodates various ball coupler sizes through its adjustable geometry. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized components, simplifying the overall system while increasing adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If a ball coupler with limited articulation is used, then the structure is stable, but maneuverability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements full articulation capability through dynamic joints: the adapter ring rotates within the hook, the ball articulates vertically relative to the adapter ring, and the ball can also rotate. This multi-axis articulation provides superior maneuverability in off-road and construction environments while maintaining structural integrity through proper mechanical coupling.
4Ease of manufacture
If prior art couplers (Hathcock, Blacklaw, Kerins) are used, then some coupling function is provided, but modification to the ball coupler is required
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter ring acts as an intermediary component between the hook and the ball coupler. Rather than modifying the ball coupler itself, the adapter ring provides the necessary adaptation interface. The ball coupler simply attaches to the adapter ring, which in turn attaches to the hook, eliminating the need for modifications to the original ball coupler while enabling full articulation and size variability.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved hitch adapter allows an individual to attach a vehicle with a hook to a trailer with a ball coupler. The improved hitch adapter comprises an adapter ring mechanically coupled to a front plate. The front plate is mechanically coupled to a first parallel surface. The first parallel surface further comprises an adapter ball inset. The first parallel surface is mechanically coupled to a left plate and a right plate. The adapter ball inset is mechanically coupled to a height-adjustable ball. The right plate and the left plate are mechanically coupled to a size variable clamp. This enables a user to mechanically couple the hook to ball coupler regardless of size of the ball coupler enabling full articulation in a vertical direction and a rotational direction.