Interchangeable hitch ball assembly

Abstract

A hitch ball assembly generally includes a ball member and a body connected to the ball member. A passageway extends longitudinally within the body and at least one locking member may be in communication with the passageway to lock the hitch ball in place. An elongated member within the passageway is biased to engage the locking member. The body further includes an opening arranged transverse to the passageway. A release mechanism is positioned within an opening in the body transverse to the passageway. The release member is in communication with the elongated member to move the elongated member between a locked position and an unlocked position.

Having thus described the invention, we claim: 
     
         1 . A hitch ball assembly comprising:
 a ball member;   a body connected to the ball member;   a longitudinal passageway within the body;   at least one locking member in communication with the passageway;   an elongated member located within the passageway and biased to engage the at least one locking member;   an opening in the body transverse to the passageway and positioned generally below the ball member; and   a lift bar positioned within the opening and in communication with the elongated member, wherein the lift bar is vertically positionable from a locked position to an unlocked position.   
     
     
         2 . The hitch ball assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one locking member comprises one or more ball bearings. 
     
     
         3 . The hitch ball assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more ball bearings are movable within an opening in the body. 
     
     
         4 . The hitch ball assembly of  claim 3  further comprising a plunger positioned at an end of the elongated member and engageable with the ball bearings. 
     
     
         5 . The hitch ball assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lift bar is connected to the elongated member by a pin. 
     
     
         6 . The hitch ball assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the lift bar includes a first and second engagement portions that extend from the opening. 
     
     
         7 . The hitch ball assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the engagement portions extend from the opening in both of the locked and unlocked position. 
     
     
         8 . The hitch ball assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member comprises a spring. 
     
     
         9 . The hitch ball assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a cap positioned at an end of the passageway. 
     
     
         10 . A hitch ball assembly comprising:
 a ball member;   a body adjacent to the ball member;   a longitudinal passageway within the body;   at least one locking member in communication with the passageway;   an elongated member located within the passageway and biased to engage the at least one locking member by a biasing member;   an opening in the body transverse to the passageway; and   a lift bar positioned within the opening and in communication with the elongated member, wherein the lift bar is vertically positionable from a locked position to an unlocked position.   
     
     
         11 . The hitch ball assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the ball member is monolithically formed with the body. 
     
     
         12 . The hitch ball assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising an insert portion positioned below the body, wherein a portion of the longitudinal passageway is within the insert portion. 
     
     
         13 . The hitch ball assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the lift bar includes an operator engaging portion positioned at a distal end portion of the lift bar. 
     
     
         14 . The hitch ball assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the operator engaging portion is shaped to form a grasping portion. 
     
     
         15 . The hitch ball assembly of  claim 10  further comprising:
 a plunger extending from the elongated member; and 
 a biasing member forcing the plunger generally vertically downward to engage the at least one locking member. 
 
     
     
         16 . The hitch ball assembly of  claim 15 , wherein positioning the lift bar vertically toward the ball member moves the plunger vertically upward against biasing of the biasing member. 
     
     
         17 . A hitch ball assembly comprising:
 a ball member;   a body adjacent to the ball member;   at least one locking member positioned in the body;   an elongated member located within body and biased to engage the at least one locking member;   an opening in the body vertically below the ball member; and   a lift bar positioned within the opening and in communication with the elongated member, wherein the lift bar is selectively positionable from a locked position to an unlocked position.   
     
     
         18 . The hitch ball assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the opening is sized to permit vertical positioning of the lift bar. 
     
     
         19 . The hitch ball assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the lift bar is pinned to the elongated member. 
     
     
         20 . The hitch ball assembly of  claim 17  further comprising a longitudinal passageway within the body, the elongated member positioned in the longitudinal passageway, wherein the longitudinal passageway does not extend into the ball member.