GB2125747A

GB2125747A - Ball-hitch adaptor

Info

Publication number: GB2125747A
Application number: GB08221515A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernard Copleston
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-07-26
Filing date: 1982-07-26
Publication date: 1984-03-14
Also published as: GB2125747B

Abstract

The adaptor (1) comprises an adaptor plate (14), which in use is sandwiched between the ball-hitch (6) and the vehicle to which the ball-hitch is fitted, and a load supporting bracket, the load supporting bracket comprising ball receiving means (2) which in use is arranged to embrace the ball end (4) of the ball-hitch (6), load support arms (10, 12) which extend so as to rest on the adaptor plate, and a load support portion which is secured at bolt holes (26, 28) to a plate (8). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ball-hitch adaptor This invention relates to ball-hitch adaptors.

Ball-hitches are normally secured rigidly to the rear of a vehicle and used exclusively for towing purposes. It is normally arranged that a relatively small load is applied directly to the ball-hitch, the load being carried principally by the wheels of a trailer secured to the ball-hitch for towing purposes.

It is not always desirable to use a trailer and the present invention has for an object to provide an adaptor which facilitates the use of a ball-hitch for load carrying purposes without the need for a trailer whereby an otherwise unsupported load can be supported by the ball-hitch of a vehicle.

According to the present invention a ballhitch adaptor comprises an adaptor plate, which in use is sandwiched between a ballhitch and a vehicle to which the ball-hitch is fitted, and a load supporting bracket, the load supporting bracket comprising ball receiving means which in use is arranged to embrace the ball end of a ball-hitch, load support arm means which extends so as to rest on the adaptor plate, and a load support portion which extends from the said arm means and which is adapted to receive a load to be carried The load support arm means may comprise two support arms which extend in use one on each side of the ball-hitch so as to rest on the adaptor plate, the load support portion being arranged to bridge the arms.

The ball receiving means may comprise a cup. The ball receiving means may be associated with a locking device, for example a clamp or a pin, for ensuring that the ball receiving means stays on the ball-hitch.

The load support portion, the cup and the load support arms may be fabricated integrally and may be made of steel, cast iron or light aluminium.

The load support portion may include at least two holes for receiving bolts or the like whereby attachment of a load or a load carrier to the load support portion is facilitated. The load support portion may be a load support plate.

The ball-hitch adaptor may include a load carrying means.

The load carrying means may comprise a tray or platform. The platform may be Lshaped or flat. Other designs of load carrying means may be employed if desired.

The adaptor plate may be made of various materials, for example steel. The adaptor plate preferably includes fixing holes which are spaced apart so as to correspond with the spacing of the fixing holes in a ball-hitch.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bali-hitch adaptor fitted to the ball-hitch of a vehicle; Figure 2 is a side view of the adaptor shown in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is an end view of the adaptor shown in Fig. 2 as seen from the direction of the arrow A in Fig. 2; Figure 4 is a plan view of the adaptor shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3; and Figures 5 and 6 are side views of two adaptors which are fitted to the ball-hitch of a car and which each include a load carrying platform.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4, wherein corresponding parts of the various Figures bear where appropriate the same numerical designations, a ball-hitch adaptor 1 comprises a cup 2 arranged to fit over the ball end 4 of a ball-hitch 6. The cup is formed integrally with a load support portion in the form of a load support plate 8. The load support plate 8 extends to define a pair of load support arms 10 and 12. The arms 10 and 12 are arranged to rest on an adaptor plate 1 4 which is sandwiched between the ball-hitch 6 and a chassis part 1 6 of a vehicle to which the ballhitch 6 is attached. The adaptor plate 14 is provided with fixing holes 1 8 and 20 which align with similarly spaced holes 22 and 24 in the ball-hitch 6.

In order to provide for the fitment of a load to the ball-hitch adaptor 1, fixing holes 26 and 28 are provided in the load support plate 8. In order to facilitate the carriage of a load supported on the adaptor 1, a load carrying means in the form of a load carrying platform 29 as shown in Fig. 5 may be provided. The load carrying platform 29 is bolted to the support plate 8 using the holes 26 and 28.

As can be seen from Fig. 5, the load carrying platform 29 is of generally L-shaped construction and it includes a lighting assembly 31 which may include a number plate. The load carrying platform 29 may be hinged to fold away when not in use thereby to reduce vehicle length. In a modified design shown Figs. 6, the load carrying platform 33 is flat and not L-shaped as the load carrying platform 29 of Fig. 5. In both of Figs. 5 and 6, a tow bracket 35 is shown which extends under the car 37.

It will be appreciated that in use of the adaptor 1, the cup 2 sits on the ball end 4 of the ball-hitch 6 and when the load is applied tends to turn about the ball end 4 which serves as a fulcrum, but is prevented from moving by the arms 10 and 1 2 which rest firmly on the adaptor plate 1 4. In order to ensure firm support of the adaptor 1, the arms 10 and 1 2 are provided with projections 30 and 32 respectively which overlap the adaptor plate 14.

Various modifications may be made to the arrangement shown without departing from the scope of the invention and for example the cup end 2 may be replaced by a C-shaped strap which embraces the ball end 4 or alternatively the cup may be provided with, or replaced by, a clamping device which can be firmly secured to the ball end 4. Further, instead of the projections 30 and 32, other projections (not shown) could be provided on the adaptor plate 1 4 and these projections would be arranged to be located in corresponding key-hole shaped slots formed in adjacent ends of the arms 10, 1 2. With an adaptor plate 14 which extends upwardly above the ball end 4, the arms of the adaptor 1 may extend upwardly and they may be bolted or otherwise fixed to the adaptor plate 14.

It is envisaged that the load limit which may be carried will vary according to the vehicle to which the adaptor 1 is fitted but may conveniently correspond with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation for towing 'nose' weight. Loads so carried will incur less wind resistance than if they were carried on a conventional roof rack. Also heavier loads may be carried than on a roof rack and the loads may be easier to place in position. The load carrying platforms 29, 33 may be used for carrying bulky loads such for example as wheelchairs, push chairs and household kitchen appliances. With estate cars and hatch back cars, the platform 29 will provide an extended length for the carriage of items such as timber and ladders. When not in use, the ball-hitch adaptor 1 can easily and quickly be removed and stored, for example in the boot of the vehicle. The ball-hitch will then be available for normal towing of caravans and trailers.

Claims

1. A ball-hitch adaptor comprising an adaptor plate, which in use is sandwiched between a ball-hitch and a vehicle to which the ball-hitch is fitted, and a load supporting bracket, the load supporting bracket comprising ball receiving means which in use is arranged to embrace the ball end of a ballhitch, load support arm means which extends so as to rest on the adaptor plate, and a load support portion which extends from the said arm means and which is adapted to receive a load to be carried.

2. A ball-hitch adaptor according to claim 1 in which the load support arm means comprises two support arms which extend in use one on each side of the ball-hitch so as to rest on the adaptor plate, the load support portion being arranged to bridge the arms.

3. A ball-hitch adaptor according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the ball receiving means is a cup.

4. A ball-hitch adaptor according to any one of the preceding claims in which the ball receiving means is associated with a locking device for ensuring that the ball receiving means stays on the ball-hitch.

5. A ball-hitch adaptor according to claim 4 in which the locking device is a clamp or a pin.

6. A ball-hitch adaptor according to claim 3 in which the load support portion, the cup and the load support arms are fabricated integrally.

7. A ball-hitch adaptor according to any one of the preceding claims in which the load support portion includes at least two holes for receiving bolts whereby attachment of a load or a load carrier to the load support portion is facilitated.

8. A ball-hitch adaptor according to any one of the preceding claims in which the load support portion is a load support plate.

9. A ball-hitch adaptor according to any one of the preceding claims and including a load carrying means.

10. A ball-hitch adaptor according to claim 9 in which the load carrying means comprises a tray or platform.

11. A ball-hitch adaptor according to claim 10 in which the platform is L-shaped or flat.

12. A ball-hitch adaptor according to any one of the preceding claims in which the adaptor plate includes fixing holes which are spaced apart so as to correspond with the spacing of the fixing holes in a ball-hitch.

1 3. A ball-hitch adaptor substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.