Two-Point Hitch Mount Systems

Abstract

Hitch mount systems for connecting an implement to a vehicle having two hitch arms are disclosed. The hitch mount systems may include a shaft configured to be attached to the two hitch arms of the vehicle and a yoke assembly. The yoke assembly includes first and second shaft slots for removably receiving the shaft.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hitch mount system for attaching an implement to a vehicle having two hitch arms, the hitch mount system comprising:
 a shaft configured to be attached to ball joints of the two hitch arms of the vehicle;   a yoke assembly comprising:
 a main body portion; 
 a first arm extending forward from the main body portion and having a first downward-facing shaft slot for removably receiving the shaft; 
 a second arm extending forward from the main body portion and having a second downward-facing shaft slot for removably receiving the shaft, the main body portion having a lateral axis that is parallel to the shaft axis when the shaft is received in the first shaft slot and the second shaft slot. 
   
     
     
         2 . The hitch mount system as set forth in  claim 1  comprising:
 a first stop for contacting the shaft as the vehicle moves toward the implement; and 
 a second stop for contacting the shaft as the vehicle moves toward the implement. 
 
     
     
         3 . The hitch mount system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the hitch mount system has a vertical axis, the first downward-facing shaft slot being above the first stop with respect to the vertical axis and the second downward-facing shaft slot being above the second stop with respect to the vertical axis. 
     
     
         4 . The hitch mount system as set forth in  claim 3  wherein:
 the first arm comprises a first arm base portion and a first arm forward projection, the first downward-facing shaft slot being formed between the first arm base portion and the first arm forward projection, the first arm base portion forming the first stop; and 
 the second arm comprises a second arm base portion and a second arm forward projection, the second downward-facing shaft slot being formed between the second arm base portion and the second arm forward projection, the second arm base portion forming the second stop. 
 
     
     
         5 . The hitch mount system as set forth in  claim 1  comprising:
 a first latch for securing the shaft in the first downward-facing shaft slot; and 
 a second latch for securing the shaft in the second downward-facing shaft slot. 
 
     
     
         6 . The hitch mount system as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the first latch is pivotally attached to the first arm and the second latch is pivotally attached to the second arm. 
     
     
         7 . The hitch mount system as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the first latch recedes within the first stop when released or pushed downward by the shaft to allow for subsequent connection of the shaft into the first downward-facing slot and the second latch recedes within the second stop when released or pushed downward by the shaft to allow for subsequent connection of the shaft into the second downward-facing slot. 
     
     
         8 . The hitch mount system as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the first latch and second latch each include an opening for receiving a locking pin. 
     
     
         9 . The hitch mount system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the shaft includes a first end, a second end and a shaft axis that extends through the first end and the second end, the yoke assembly comprising a main body portion that has a lateral axis that is parallel to the shaft axis when the shaft is received in the first downward-facing shaft slot and the second downward-facing shaft slot, the first arm and the second arm each extending forward from the main body portion. 
     
     
         10 . The hitch mount system as set forth in  claim 9  comprising at least two lock-pin openings for removable receiving a lock pin to secure the shaft within the ball joints of the two hitch arms. 
     
     
         11 . A hitch mount system for attaching an implement to a vehicle having two hitch arms, the hitch mount system comprising:
 a shaft configured to be attached to the two hitch arms of the vehicle; and   a yoke assembly having a first arm and a second arm, the first arm having a first downward-facing shaft slot for removably receiving the shaft and the second arm having a second downward-facing shaft slot for removably receiving the shaft.   
     
     
         12 . The hitch mount system as set forth in  claim 11  comprising:
 a first stop for contacting the shaft as the vehicle moves toward the implement; and 
 a second stop for contacting the shaft as the vehicle moves toward the implement. 
 
     
     
         13 . The hitch mount system as set forth in  claim 12  wherein the hitch mount system has a vertical axis, the first downward-facing shaft slot being above the first stop with respect to the vertical axis and the second downward-facing shaft slot being above the second stop with respect to the vertical axis. 
     
     
         14 . The hitch mount system as set forth in  claim 13  wherein:
 the first arm comprises a first arm base portion and a first arm forward projection, the first downward-facing shaft slot being formed between the first arm base portion and the first arm forward projection, the first arm base portion forming the first stop; and 
 the second arm comprises a second arm base portion and a second arm forward projection, the second downward-facing shaft slot being formed between the second arm base portion and the second arm forward projection, the second arm base portion forming the second stop. 
 
     
     
         15 . The hitch mount system as set forth in  claim 11  comprising:
 a first latch for securing the shaft in the first downward-facing shaft slot; and 
 a second latch for securing the shaft in the second downward-facing shaft slot. 
 
     
     
         16 . The hitch mount system as set forth in  claim 15  wherein the first latch recedes within the first stop when released or pushed downward by the shaft to allow for subsequent connection of the shaft into the first downward-facing slot and the second latch recedes within the second stop when released or pushed downward by the shaft to allow for subsequent connection of the shaft into the second downward-facing slot. 
     
     
         17 . The hitch mount system as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the shaft includes a first end, a second end and a shaft axis that extends through the first end and the second end, the yoke assembly comprising a main body portion that has a lateral axis that is parallel to the shaft axis when the shaft is received in the first downward-facing shaft slot and the second downward-facing shaft slot, the first arm and the second arm each extending forward from the main body portion. 
     
     
         18 . The hitch mount system as set forth in  claim 17  wherein the shaft is configured to be attached to ball joints of the two hitch arms of the vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . The hitch mount system as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the shaft comprises at least two lock-pin openings for removable receiving a lock pin to secure the shaft within the ball joints of the two hitch arms.