Pivoting hitch assembly

Abstract

A clevis pin combination comprises a clevis made of aluminum alloy; and a pin made of steel. This combination of parts and materials results in lighter weight and improved performance of maximum load carrying capacity over similar combinations of all aluminum or all steel. The clevis further comprises a first clevis leg having a first clevis aperture in a first clevis end and a second clevis leg having a second clevis aperture in a second clevis end. The second clevis end is spaced apart from the first clevis end forming an open end. A curved portion connecting the first clevis leg and the second clevis leg forms a closed end. The first clevis aperture and the second clevis aperture are axially aligned and the steel pin is sized to fit through the first clevis aperture and second clevis aperture allowing pivoting movement between the clevis and the pin. The clevis may be substantially U-shaped. At least the curved portion of the clevis may by significantly wider than it is thick, such that it is flat in cross-section. Alternatively, the clevis may by significantly wider than it is thick, such that it is flat in cross-section. The curved portion or the entire clevis may be formed of a single piece of solid aluminum bar stock bent into a U-shape, forming a weldless and seamless U-shaped clevis.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A coupling tongue pin combination comprising:
 a) a coupling tongue made of aluminum alloy, the coupling tongue comprising:
 i) a first end and a second end; 
 ii) a top and a bottom; 
 iii) a first aperture sized to engage a coupling pin at the first end; and 
 iv) a second aperture sized to engage a hitch pin at the second end; and 
   b) a hitch pin made of steel for engaging the second aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the coupling tongue is square in cross section. 
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the coupling tongue comprises 6061 aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein the coupling tongue comprises 6061 aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 3  wherein the aluminum alloy is 6061-T6511 aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         6 . The combination of  claim 4  wherein the aluminum alloy is 6061-T6511 aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         7 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the hitch pin comprises 4140 hot-rolled steel. 
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein the hitch pin comprises 4140 hot-rolled steel. 
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 3  wherein the hitch pin comprises 4140 hot-rolled steel. 
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 4  wherein the hitch pin comprises 4140 hot-rolled steel. 
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 5  wherein the hitch pin comprises 4140 hot-rolled steel. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 6  wherein the hitch pin comprises 4140 hot-rolled steel. 
     
     
         13 . A method for towing a vehicle to be towed, said method comprising:
 A. mounting a coupling tongue pin combination into a receiver on one of the vehicle or a tow vehicle, the combination comprising:
 a) a coupling tongue made of aluminum alloy, the coupling tongue comprising:
 i) a first end and a second end; 
 ii) a top and a bottom; 
 iii) a first aperture sized to engage a coupling pin at the first end; and 
 iv) a second aperture sized to engage a hitch pin at the second end; and 
 
 b) a hitch pin made of steel for engaging the second aperture; 
   B. pivotally mounting a clevis to the combination;   C. inserting a towing member through the clevis;   D. attaching the towing member to the other of: the vehicle or the tow vehicle; and   E. applying sufficient force to the towing member with the tow vehicle to tow the vehicle in need of being towed.   
     
     
         14 . The method for towing a vehicle according to  claim 13 , wherein the coupling tongue is square in cross section. 
     
     
         15 . The method for towing a vehicle according to  claim 13 , wherein the coupling tongue comprises 6061 aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         16 . The method for towing a vehicle according to  claim 14 , wherein the coupling tongue comprises 6061 aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         17 . The method for towing a vehicle according to  claim 15 , wherein the aluminum alloy is 6061-T6511 aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         18 . The method for towing a vehicle according to  claim 16 , wherein the aluminum alloy is 6061-T6511 aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         19 . The method for towing a vehicle according to  claim 13 , wherein the hitch pin comprises 4140 hot-rolled steel. 
     
     
         20 . The method for towing a vehicle according to  claim 14 , wherein the hitch pin comprises 4140 hot-rolled steel. 
     
     
         21 . The method for towing a vehicle according to  claim 15 , wherein the hitch pin comprises 4140 hot-rolled steel. 
     
     
         22 . The method for towing a vehicle according to  claim 16 , wherein the hitch pin comprises 4140 hot-rolled steel. 
     
     
         23 . The method for towing a vehicle according to  claim 17 , wherein the hitch pin comprises 4140 hot-rolled steel. 
     
     
         24 . The method for towing a vehicle according to  claim 18 , wherein the hitch pin comprises 4140 hot-rolled steel.