Floating Hitching System

Abstract

The apparatuses and methods disclosed herein may be easier and quicker than prior art systems. Furthermore, the apparatuses and method disclosed herein may be more effective over rough terrain. The apparatuses and methods disclosed herein include a tongue attached to the conveyance, a floating hitch attached to the motor vehicle, and a compression-hitching pin. A conveyance can be hitched to a motor vehicle simply by inserting the hitching pin through the tongue of the conveyance and the floating hitch of the motor vehicle and then pushing down on the handle of the hitching pin and turning the handle to lock the hitching pin in place.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A compression-hitching pin comprising:
 a handle;   a shaft;   a first pin inserted through the shaft of the hitching pin at a first location;   a second pin inserted through the shaft of the hitching pin at a second location wherein the ends of the first pin and the second pin extend from the shaft; and   a compression spring located around the shaft between the first pin and the second pin.   
     
     
         9 . A floating hitch system comprising:
 a floating hitch including a top portion having a hole and a slot, a bottom portion having a hole, and an opening between the top portion and the bottom portion; and   a compression-hitching pin including a handle, a shaft, a first pin inserted through the shaft of the hitching pin at a first location, a second pin inserted through the shaft of the hitching pin at a second location, and a compression spring located around the shaft between the first pin and the second pin,   wherein the ends of the first pin and the second pin extend from the shaft;   wherein the hole of the top portion of the floating hitch is configured to receive the lower portion of the shaft and the second pin of the hitching pin when the second pin is in a first direction; and   wherein the compression spring is of a sufficient diameter so that the top portion of the floating hitch blocks the compression spring from being inserted in the hole of the top portion.   
     
     
         10 . The floating hitch system of  claim 9  wherein the opening between the top portion and the bottom portion is at least 6 inches in height. 
     
     
         11 . A method to hitch using the floating hitch system of  claim 9 , the method comprising:
 aligning and the hole of the tongue with the hole of the bottom portion of the floating hitch;   inserting the lower portion of the shaft and the second pin of the hitching pin through the hole of the top portion of the floating hitch;   pressing down on the handle of the hitching pin thereby compressing the compression spring;   rotating the handle to align the second pin of the hitching with the slot of the top portion; and   releasing the handle of the hitching pin to engage the second pin of the hitching with the slot of the top portion.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the handle is rotated by ninety degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising unhitching wherein unhitching comprises:
 pressing down on the handle of the hitching pin thereby compressing the compression spring; 
 rotating the handle to position the second pin in the first direction; and 
 releasing the handle of the hitching pin so that the second pin can pass back through the hole of the top portion.