Gooseneck trailer hitch

Abstract

A trailer hitch having an assembly housing that is mounted to the bed of a vehicle, the assembly housing receiving a ball hitch that extends out of the top of the assembly housing, and a torsion bar disposed within the assembly housing to dampen the vibration of the trailer from transferring to the vehicle.

1 . A gooseneck trailer hitch assembly mounted to the bed of a vehicle comprising: 
 an assembly housing mounted to the bed of the vehicle;    a ball hitch received within and extending out of the assembly housing; and    a torsion bar disposed within the assembly housing and below the ball hitch such that forces to the ball hitch in a direction of travel are absorbed by the torsion bar.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein a sleeve is mounted to the assembly housing to facilitate mounting the assembly housing to the bed of the vehicle.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein a top of the assembly housing has a mounting plate.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 3  wherein the mounting plate has an opening that receives the ball hitch.  
   
   
       5 . A trailer hitch assembly mounted to the front section of a trailer comprising: 
 an assembly housing connected to a mounting tube of the trailer; and    a torsion bar disposed within the housing and disposed directly above a ball hitch when the trailer is level and hitched to a vehicle.    
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 5  further comprising a mounting sleeve mounted to a bottom of the assembly housing for mounting the assembly to the bed of the vehicle, said mounting sleeve being disposed directly under the torsion bar when the trailer is level.  
   
   
       7 . A method of dampening forces in a direction of travel to a gooseneck trailer hitch assembly, the method comprising: 
 (a) operatively attaching a torsion bar to a motor vehicle;    (b) operatively, pivotally attaching a ball hitch to the torsion bar;    (c) disposing the ball hitch at a higher elevation than the torsion bar; and    (d) rotating a torsion bar center member relative to a torsion bar housing under the effect of forces in the direction of travel.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein operatively attaching the torsion bar to the motor vehicle comprises operatively attaching the torsion bar housing to the motor vehicle.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein operatively attaching the torsion bar to the motor vehicle comprises operatively attaching the torsion bar center member to the motor vehicle.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein disposing the ball hitch at a higher elevation than the torsion bar comprises disposing the ball hitch directly above the torsion bar when the motor vehicle is on a level surface.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein operatively attaching the torsion bar to the motor vehicle comprises: 
 (a) operatively attaching a sleeve to the torsion bar;    (b) inserting the sleeve into an opening in the vehicle; and    (c) operatively connecting the sleeve to the vehicle.    
   
   
       12 . A method of dampening forces in a direction of travel to a gooseneck trailer hitch assembly, the method comprising: 
 (a) operatively, rigidly affixing a mounting tube to the gooseneck trailer;    (b) operatively affixing an assembly housing to a lower end of the mounting tube;    (c) disposing a torsion bar in the assembly housing;    (d) disposing a mounting sleeve directly beneath the torsion bar when the gooseneck trailer is level; and    (e) rotating a torsion bar center member relative to a torsion bar housing under the effect of forces in the direction of travel.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  additionally comprising disposing a ball hitch inside the mounting sleeve directly beneath the torsion bar when the gooseneck trailer is level.