Trailer hitch
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsJohn Michael McGuckin, Sampath Rengarajan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A trailer hitch includes a cross-vehicle beam and a receiver welded to the cross-vehicle beam. The cross-vehicle beam extends from a first end to a second end. The cross-vehicle beam includes a middle section, a first round section, and a second round section. The middle section includes a flat. The first round section is integral with the middle section and extends from the middle section to the first end. The second round section is integral with the middle section and extends from the middle section to the second end. The receiver is welded directly to the flat.
Claims20
A trailer hitch comprising:
- a cross-vehicle beam extending from a first end to a second end;
- the cross-vehicle beam including a middle section, a first round section integral with the middle section and extending from the middle section to the first end, and a second round section integral with the middle section and extending from the middle section to the second end;
- wherein, in cross-section, the middle section includes a flat extending from a forward end to a rearward end, and a curved portion curving from the forward end to the rearward end;
- the flat having a midpoint between the forward end and the rearward end and a center line extending through the midpoint perpendicular to the flat, the curved portion being symmetrical about the center line;
- and
- a receiver welded directly to the flat.
A towing assembly comprising:
- a vehicle frame;
- a trailer hitch including a cross-vehicle beam extending from a first end to a second end and fixed to the vehicle frame;
- the cross-vehicle beam including a middle section, a first round section extending from the middle section to the first end, and a second round section extending from the middle section to the second end;
- wherein the cross-vehicle beam includes bends extending upwardly and inwardly relative to the vehicle frame from the middle section to the first round section and from the middle section to the second round section;
- wherein, in cross-section, the middle section includes a flat extending from a forward end to a rearward end, and a curved portion curving from the forward end to the rearward end;
- the flat having a midpoint between the forward end and the rearward end and a center line extending through the midpoint perpendicular to the flat, the curved portion being symmetrical about the center line;
- and
- a receiver welded directly to the flat.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.