US-12623497-B1 - Automated trailer hitch

Abstract

The disclosed principles provide for a trailer hitch apparatus and related methods of operation and manufacturing. In one embodiment, the trailer hitch apparatus includes a plate with a cutout, a housing, a hitch ball, and a cover. The cutout may feature a first receding portion, while the housing includes sidewalls that support the hitch ball, which can rotate between an upright and collapsed position via a rod connected to the sidewalls. The cover is rotatably attached with a second rod and has a second receding section that aligns with the first receding portion to accommodate the shank when the hitch ball is upright. The apparatus also includes a hitch ball actuator and a cover actuator. The hitch ball actuator shifts the hitch ball between positions, while the cover actuator opens and closes the cover.

Inventors

• Brandon Wade Pridgen

Assignees

• Douglas Robinson

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20251027

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A trailer hitch apparatus, comprising: a plate comprising a cutout extending through a thickness of the plate; a hitch ball comprising a shank, a ball, and a hitch ball flange, wherein the ball is affixed to a first end of the shank, and the hitch ball flange extends from an opposing second end of the shank, and wherein the hitch ball is configured to rotate between an upright position and a collapsed position through the cutout; a cover disposed within the cutout and configured to rotate between an open and closed position; a hitch ball actuator affixed to a first end of a bottom surface of the plate and configured to move the hitch ball between the upright position and collapsed position; a cover actuator affixed to an opposing second end of the bottom surface of the plate; and wherein when the hitch ball is in the collapsed position: the cover actuator is configured to cause, in response to a control signal, the cover to transition from the closed position to the open position, the hitch ball actuator is configured to cause, in response to the control signal, the hitch ball to transition from the collapsed position to the upright position, and then the cover actuator is configured to cause, as the hitch ball is moving to or has moved into the upright position, the cover to transition from the open position to the closed position; and wherein when the hitch ball is in the upright position: the cover actuator is configured to cause, in response to a control signal, the cover to transition from the closed position to the open position, the hitch ball actuator is configured to cause, in response to the control signal, the hitch ball to transition from the upright position to the collapsed position, and then the cover actuator is configured to cause, as the hitch ball is moving to or has moved into the collapsed position, the cover to transition from the open position to the closed position.
2. 2 . The trailer hitch apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cutout comprises a first receding portion at a first end, and wherein the cover comprises a second receding portion at a distal end of the cover to form a hole with the first receding portion of the cutout when the cover is in the closed position.
3. 3 . The trailer hitch apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the hole is sized substantially equal to a width of the shank of the hitch ball when the hitch ball is in the upright position thereby providing structural support for the hitch ball.
4. 4 . The trailer hitch apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a housing affixed to a bottom surface of the plate, wherein the housing comprises a first sidewall and an opposing second sidewall, each extending along respective opposing sides of the cutout; wherein the hitch ball is rotatably coupled to the first and second sidewalls of the housing via a first rod extending through the shank; and wherein the cover is rotatably coupled to the first and second sidewalls of the housing via a second rod attached to a proximal end of the cover.
5. 5 . The trailer hitch apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hitch ball actuator comprises: a hitch ball actuator flange configured to be moved between a first position and a second position; and a hitch ball arm interconnected between the hitch ball flange and the hitch ball actuator flange.
6. 6 . The trailer hitch apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the cover actuator comprises: a cover actuator flange configured to be moved between a third position and a fourth position; and a cover arm interconnected between the cover actuator flange and a housing flange, wherein the housing flange is connected to an end of the second rod.
7. 7 . The trailer hitch apparatus of claim 6 , wherein when the hitch ball is in the collapsed position: the cover actuator moves the cover actuator flange into the third position to place the cover in the open position; the hitch ball actuator moves the hitch ball actuator flange to the first position to place the hitch ball in the upright position; and the cover actuator moves the cover actuator flange into the fourth position to place the cover in the closed position.
8. 8 . The trailer hitch apparatus of claim 7 , wherein when the hitch ball is in the upright position: the cover actuator moves the cover actuator flange into the third position to place the cover in the open position; the hitch ball actuator moves the hitch ball actuator flange to the second position to place the hitch ball in the collapsed position; and the cover actuator moves the cover actuator flange into the fourth position to place the cover in the closed position.
9. 9 . The trailer hitch apparatus of claim 8 , wherein when the hitch ball is in the collapsed position: the hitch ball actuator begins moving the hitch ball actuator flange to the first position after the cover actuator moves the cover actuator flange a first predetermined distance towards the third position; and the cover actuator begins moving the cover actuator flange into the fourth position after the hitch ball actuator moves the hitch ball actuator flange a second predetermined distance towards the first position.
10. 10 . The trailer hitch apparatus of claim 8 , wherein when the hitch ball is in the upright position: the hitch ball actuator begins moving the hitch ball actuator flange to the second position after the cover actuator moves the cover actuator flange a first predetermined distance towards the third position; and the cover actuator begins moving the cover actuator flange into the fourth position after the hitch ball actuator moves the hitch ball actuator flange a second predetermined distance towards the second position.
11. 11 . The trailer hitch apparatus of claim 8 , wherein when the hitch ball is in the upright position: the hitch ball actuator begins moving the hitch ball actuator flange to the second position after the cover actuator moves the cover actuator flange a first predetermined distance towards the third position; and the cover actuator begins moving the cover actuator flange into the fourth position after the hitch ball actuator moves the hitch ball actuator flange a second predetermined distance towards the second position.
12. 12 . The trailer hitch apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cover further comprises an aperture configured to receive a pulling force to place the cover in the open position, and wherein said received pulling force further causes the hitch ball to be moved between the collapsed and upright positions.
13. 13 . The trailer hitch apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hitch ball is contained entirely within the housing when in the collapsed position.
14. 14 . A trailer hitch system, comprising: a plate comprising a cutout extending through a thickness of the plate; a hitch ball comprising a shank and a ball, wherein the hitch ball is configured to rotate between an upright position at least partially above a top surface of the plate and a collapsed position entirely under the top surface of the plate through the cutout; a cover covering the cutout and configured to rotate between an open and closed position; a hitch ball actuator affixed to a first end of a bottom surface of the plate and configured to move the hitch ball between the upright position and collapsed position; a cover actuator affixed to an opposing second end of the bottom surface of the plate and configured to move the cover between the closed position and open position; and a processor in communication with the hitch ball actuator and the cover actuator, wherein, in response to an input from a user, the processor is configured to: cause the cover actuator to move the cover between the closed position to the open position; and cause the hitch ball actuator to move the hitch ball between the collapsed position to the upright position; wherein the cover actuator moves the cover between the open position and the closed position as the hitch ball is moving or has moved between the upright position and collapsed position.
15. 15 . The trailer hitch system of claim 14 , wherein the cutout comprises a first receding portion at a first end, and wherein the cover comprises a second receding portion at a distal end of the cover to form a hole with the first receding portion of the cutout when the cover is in the closed position.
16. 16 . The trailer hitch system of claim 15 , wherein the hole is sized substantially equal to a width of the shank of the hitch ball when the hitch ball is in the upright position thereby providing structural support for the hitch ball.
17. 17 . The trailer hitch system of claim 14 , further comprising: a housing affixed to a bottom surface of the plate, wherein the housing comprises a first sidewall and an opposing second sidewall, each extending along respective opposing sides of the cutout; wherein the hitch ball is rotatably coupled to the first and second sidewalls of the housing via a first rod extending through the shank; and wherein the cover is rotatably coupled to the first and second sidewalls of the housing via a second rod attached to a proximal end of the cover.
18. 18 . The trailer hitch system of claim 17 , wherein: the hitch ball actuator comprises: a hitch ball actuator flange configured to be moved between a first position and a second position; and a hitch ball arm interconnected between the hitch ball actuator flange and a hitch ball flange on the hitch ball opposite the ball; and the cover actuator comprises: a cover actuator flange configured to be moved between a third position and a fourth position; and a cover arm interconnected between the cover actuator flange and a housing flange, wherein the housing flange is connected to an end of the second rod.
19. 19 . The trailer hitch system of claim 18 , further wherein when the hitch ball is in the collapsed position: the cover actuator moves the cover actuator flange into the third position to place the cover in the open position; and the hitch ball actuator moves the hitch ball actuator flange to the first position to place the hitch ball in the upright position; and the cover actuator moves the cover actuator flange into the fourth position to place the cover in the closed position.
20. 20 . The trailer hitch system of claim 19 , further wherein when the hitch ball is in the upright position: the cover actuator moves the cover actuator flange into the third position to place the cover in the open position; the hitch ball actuator moves the hitch ball actuator flange to the second position to place the hitch ball in the collapsed position; and the cover actuator moves the cover actuator flange into the fourth position to place the cover in the closed position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The technical field of the present disclosure relates to trailer hitch apparatuses and, more particularly, to automated trailer hitch apparatuses and related methods of operation and manufacturing. BACKGROUND Traditional trailer hitch technologies usually require manual actions where the user must physically connect and disconnect the hitch ball from the towing vehicle. This process often involves bending down, lining up the hitch ball with the towing component, and locking it in place, which can be awkward and demand considerable physical effort. Additionally, these systems generally lack built-in safety features and are susceptible to user mistakes, leading to potential dangers during towing, such as improperly secured connections that could cause accidents or damage. Consequently, there is a need for an improved trailer hitch design that automates this process, removing the physical exertion for the user, minimizing the chances of incorrect engagement, and facilitating a safer, more efficient towing experience. SUMMARY This summary provides a discussion of aspects of certain embodiments of the disclosed principles. It is not intended to limit the disclosed principles, the appended claims or any of the terms in the claims. The summary provides some aspects, but there are aspects and embodiments of the disclosed principles that are not discussed here. In one aspect, a trailer hitch apparatus is provided. The trailer hitch apparatus can include a plate, a housing, a hitch ball, and a cover. The plate may include a cutout that extends through its thickness, with the cutout having a first receding portion at one end. The housing is attached to a bottom surface of the plate and includes a first sidewall and an opposing second sidewall, both extending along opposite sides of the cutout. The hitch ball includes a shank, a ball, and a hitch ball flange, where the ball is attached to one end of the shank, while the hitch ball flange extends from the opposite end. The hitch ball is rotatably connected to the first and second sidewalls of the housing via a first rod passing through the shank. The hitch ball is configured to rotate between an upright and a collapsed position. The cover is situated within the cutout and rotatably connected to the first and second sidewalls through a second rod attached to a proximal end of the cover. The cover has a second receding portion at its distal end, which, when in a closed position, forms a hole with the first receding portion of the cutout. This hole accommodates the shank of the hitch ball when it is in the upright position. The trailer hitch apparatus may also include a hitch ball actuator, a hitch ball arm, a cover actuator, and a cover arm. The hitch ball actuator can be attached to a first end of the bottom surface of the plate, and includes a hitch ball actuator flange designed to move between a first position and a second position. The hitch ball arm connects the hitch ball flange to the hitch ball actuator flange. The cover actuator can be attached to an opposing second end of the bottom surface of the plate, and it can include a cover actuator flange that moves between a third and a fourth position. The cover arm connects the cover actuator flange to a housing flange, which is connected to one end of the second rod. When the hitch ball is in the collapsed position, the hitch ball actuator and the cover actuator are configured to receive signals that cause the cover actuator to move the cover actuator flange into the third position, placing the cover in an open position. In response, the hitch ball actuator moves the hitch ball actuator flange to the first position, positioning the hitch ball in the upright position. Then, the cover actuator moves the cover actuator flange into the fourth position, positioning the cover in the closed position and enclosing the shank within the hole. When the hitch ball is in the upright position, the hitch ball actuator and the cover actuator are configured to receive signals that cause the cover actuator to move the cover actuator flange into the third position, placing the cover in the open position. In response, the hitch ball actuator moves the hitch ball actuator flange to the second position, placing the hitch ball in the collapsed position. Then, the cover actuator moves the cover actuator flange into the fourth position, positioning the cover in the closed position. In one embodiment, the shank is cylindrical, and the first and second receding portions are concave, forming a substantially circular hole that accommodates the shank. In another embodiment, the hitch ball is contained entirely within the housing. In another embodiment, the housing can also include a third sidewall, which may have a cutout configured to accommodate the hitch ball actuator flange. In another embodiment, the cover may also include an aperture configured to receive a pulling force to place the cover in the open position. In yet anothe