Anti-rotational hitch ball

Abstract

A hitch assembly that includes an anti-rotation mechanism. The hitch assembly generally includes a hitch ball, a ball mount, and a fastener. The invention is directed to a mechanism for preventing rotation of either the hitch ball or the fastener relative to the ball mount. The anti-rotation mechanism of the present invention provides an engagement means for interlocking sections of the hitch ball or fastener with the ball mount, thereby blocking rotation of the hitch ball or fastener relative to the ball mount.

1 . A hitch assembly comprising: 
 a hitch ball;    a ball mount;    an aperture defined within the ball mount for receiving the hitch ball; and    a recessed portion extending from the aperture; wherein a surface of the hitch ball extends into the recessed portion of the aperture to prevent rotational movement of the hitch ball relative to the ball mount.    
   
   
       2 . A hitch assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the ball mount has an upper side surface and a lower side surface and a thickness defined between the upper side surface and the lower side surface; and wherein the aperture passes through the entire thickness and the recessed portion passes partially through the thickness.  
   
   
       3 . A hitch assembly comprising: 
 a hitch ball;    a ball mount;    an aperture defined within the ball mount for receiving the hitch ball;    a recessed portion extending from the aperture; and    a fastener having a surface that extends into the recessed portion to prevent rotational movement of the fastener relative to the ball mount.    
   
   
       4 . A hitch assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the ball mount has an upper side surface and a lower side surface and a thickness defined between the upper side surface and the lower side surface; and wherein the aperture passes through the entire thickness and the recessed portion passes partially through the thickness.  
   
   
       5 . A hitch assembly comprising: 
 a hitch ball having a portion that is selectively movable; and    a ball mount adapted to receive the hitch ball; wherein the selectively movable portion of the hitch ball is selectively engageable with a portion of the ball mount to prevent rotational movement of the hitch ball relative to the ball mount.    
   
   
       6 . A hitch assembly according to  claim 5  wherein the hitch ball has an end surface and the selectively movable portion extends beyond the end surface.  
   
   
       7 . A hitch assembly according to  claim 5  wherein the selectively movable portion is movable between a raised position and a dropped position.  
   
   
       8 . A hitch assembly comprising: 
 a hitch ball assembly;    a ball mount adapted to receive the hitch ball assembly;    wherein the ball mount has a portion that is selectively movable and is selectively engageable with a component of the hitch ball assembly to prevent rotational movement of the component of the hitch ball assembly relative to the ball mount.    
   
   
       9 . A hitch assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the ball mount has an upper side surface and the selectively movable portion extends beyond the upper side surface.  
   
   
       10 . A hitch assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the ball mount has a lower side surface and the selectively movable portion extends beyond the lower side surface.  
   
   
       11 . A hitch assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the selectively movable portion is movable between a raised position and a dropped position.  
   
   
       12 . A hitch assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the selectively movable portion is movable between a raised position, a centered position and a dropped position.  
   
   
       13 . A hitch assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the selectively movable portion is a pin.  
   
   
       14 . A hitch assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the selectively movable portion is a threaded pin that can be threaded into a portion of the ball mount or removed from the ball mount.  
   
   
       15 . A hitch assembly according to  claim 8  further comprising a set screw that secures said selectively movable portion in a raised position and a dropped position.  
   
   
       16 . A hitch assembly according to  claim 8  further comprising a spring-biased detent that secures said selectively movable portion in a raised position and a dropped position.  
   
   
       17 . A hitch assembly according to  claim 8  further comprising a plurality of interference rings that secure said selectively movable portion in a raised position and a dropped position.  
   
   
       18 . A hitch assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the hitch ball assembly comprises a hitch ball and a fastener, the selectively movable portion of the ball mount is selectively engageable with a portion of the hitch ball to prevent rotational movement of the hitch ball relative to the ball mount.  
   
   
       19 . A hitch assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the hitch ball assembly comprises a hitch ball and a fastener, the selectively movable portion of the ball mount is selectively engageable with a portion of the fastener to prevent rotational movement of the fastener relative to the ball mount.  
   
   
       20 . A hitch assembly comprising: 
 a hitch ball; and    a ball mount adapted to receive the hitch ball; and    a fastener having a top surface and a portion that is selectively movable to a position extending beyond the top surface, the selectively movable portion of the fastener is selectively engageable with a portion of the ball mount to prevent rotational movement of the fastener relative to the ball mount.    
   
   
       21 . A hitch assembly comprising: 
 a hitch ball comprising an end surface and at least one    pin opening defined within the end surface;    a ball mount adapted for receiving the hitch ball; wherein the ball mount comprises an upper side surface and at least one pin opening defined within the upper side surface; and    a pin that engages both the at least one pin opening in the hitch ball and the at least one pin opening in the ball mount, thereby inhibiting rotational movement of the hitch ball relative to the ball mount.    
   
   
       22 . A hitch assembly according to  claim 21  wherein the pin is affixed within the at least one pin opening defined within the hitch ball.  
   
   
       23 . A hitch assembly according to  claim 21  wherein the pin is affixed within the at least one pin opening defined within the ball mount.  
   
   
       24 . A ball mount adapted to receive a hitch ball assembly; 
 wherein the ball mount has a portion that extends from the ball mount and is selectively engageable with a component of the hitch ball assembly to prevent rotational movement of the component of the hitch ball assembly relative to the ball mount.    
   
   
       25 . A ball mount according to  claim 24  wherein the hitch ball assembly comprises a hitch ball and a fastener; 
 wherein the portion extends upward from an upper side surface of the ball mount and is selectively engageable with a portion of the hitch ball to prevent rotational movement of the hitch ball relative to the ball mount.    
   
   
       26 . A ball mount according to  claim 24  wherein the hitch ball assembly comprises a hitch ball and a fastener; 
 wherein the portion extends downward from a lower side surface of the ball mount and is selectively engageable with a portion of the fastener to prevent rotational movement of the fastener relative to the ball mount.    
   
   
       27 . A hitch assembly comprising: 
 a hitch ball; and    a ball mount adapted to receive the hitch ball; wherein the ball mount has a lower side surface and a portion that extends beyond the lower side surface, and    a fastener which is selectively engageable with said portion of the ball mount to prevent rotational movement of the fastener relative to the ball mount.    
   
   
       28 . A hitch assembly comprising: 
 a hitch ball;    a ball mount adapted to receive the hitch ball; wherein    the ball mount comprises a lower side surface and at least one pin opening defined within the lower side surface;    a fastener for securing the hitch ball to the ball mount;    wherein the fastener comprises a top surface and at least one pin opening defined within the top surface; and    a pin that engages both the at least one pin opening in the hitch ball and the at least one pin opening in the ball mount, thereby inhibiting rotational movement of the fastener relative to the ball mount.    
   
   
       29 . A hitch assembly according to  claim 28  wherein the pin is affixed within the at least one pin opening defined within the ball mount.  
   
   
       30 . A hitch assembly according to  claim 28  wherein the pin is affixed within the at least one pin opening defined within the fastener.  
   
   
       31 . A hitch assembly comprising: 
 a hitch ball having a slot defined therein; and    a ball mount adapted to receive the hitch ball; wherein the ball mount includes a protrusion that is received within the slot of the hitch ball to prevent rotational movement of the hitch ball relative to the ball mount.    
   
   
       32 . A hitch assembly comprising: 
 a hitch ball;    a ball mount adapted to receive the hitch ball; and    a blocking arm which engages with the hitch ball and the ball mount to prevent rotational movement of the hitch ball relative to the ball mount.    
   
   
       33 . A hitch assembly according to  claim 32  wherein the blocking arm is a member that unites with a portion of the hitch ball, and extends along a top surface, down a side surface and across a bottom surface of the ball mount.  
   
   
       34 . A hitch assembly comprising: 
 a hitch ball; and    a ball mount adapted to receive said hitch ball; wherein    said ball mount comprises an upper surface and a means located in said upper surface for engaging a portion of said hitch ball to prevent relative rotation of the hitch ball and the ball mount.    
   
   
       35 . A hitch assembly comprising: 
 a ball mount adapted to receive a hitch ball; and    a fastener; wherein said fastener comprises a top surface and a means located in said top surface for engaging a portion of said ball mount to prevent relative rotation of the fastener and the ball mount.    
   
   
       36 . A hitch assembly comprising: 
 a hitch ball; and    a ball mount comprising:    i) an aperture through which a portion of the hitch ball is received and secured; and    ii) a recessed portion that is shaped to receive a conformingly shaped portion of the hitch ball to prevent rotation of the hitch ball relative to the ball mount.    
   
   
       37 . A ball mount comprising: 
 an aperture defined by a circumferential surface and adapted for receipt of a portion of a hitch ball therethrough; and    a recessed portion extending from said circumferential surface, said recessed portion shaped to receive a conformingly shaped portion of a hitch ball to prevent rotation of the hitch ball relative to the ball mount.    
   
   
       38 . A hitch ball comprising: 
 a ball portion;    a flange portion extending from said ball portion;    a shank portion extending from said flange portion; and    an anti-rotational portion extending from said flange portion.    
   
   
       39 . A hitch ball according to  claim 38  wherein said anti-rotational portion is a pin.