# US 10,245,912 B2 · Trailer hitch > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,245,912 B2 - Document ID: US10245912B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/651,696 - Filed: 2017-07-17 - Published: 2017-11-02 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2015-01-23 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: John Michael McGuckin; Sampath Rengarajan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245912B2 ## CPC - B60D 1/485: {mounted by means of transversal members attached to the frame of a vehicle} - B60D 1/488: {mounted directly to the chassis of the towing vehicle} - B60D: VEHICLE CONNECTIONS ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 1 wherein the receiver includes a flat top surface abutting the flat. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 2 wherein the flat top surface is welded to the flat. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 1 wherein the receiver includes a flat top surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 4 wherein the flat top surface is welded to the flat. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a front brace abutting and welded to the curved portion of the middle section, the front brace including a hole receiving the receiver, the receiver being welded to the front brace about the hole. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 6, wherein the receiver includes a flat top surface, and further comprising a rear brace spaced from the front brace, the rear brace including a tab welded to the flat top surface and a wide portion extending from the tab, the wide portion abutting and welded to the circular arc of the middle portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 1 wherein the curved portion curves continuously from the forward end to the rearward end. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 7 wherein the receiver includes a side surface extending from the flat top surface, and further comprising a reinforcement abutting and welded to the middle section and to the side surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 1 wherein the receiver includes a side surface extending from the flat top surface, and further comprising a reinforcement welded to the middle section and to the side surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cross-vehicle beam includes a bend between the first round section and the middle section, and wherein the cross-vehicle beam includes a bend between the second round section and the middle section. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a bracket at the first end and at the second end, the brackets being configured to engage a frame of a vehicle. ### Claim 13 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. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The towing assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein the first round section and the second round section are integral with the middle section. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The towing assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein the vehicle frame includes two open ends spaced from each other, and the trailer hitch includes brackets engaged with the vehicle frame in the open ends. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The towing assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein the brackets are disposed at the first and second ends of the cross-vehicle beam. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The towing assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein the first round section and the second round section extend along an axis, and further comprising brackets extending transverse to the axis and engaging the vehicle frame. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 13 wherein the receiver includes a flat top surface, and further comprising a rear brace including a tab abutting and welded to the flat top surface and a wide portion extending from the tab, the wide portion abutting and welded to the circular arc of the middle section. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 18 further comprising a front brace spaced from the rear brace, the front brace abutting and welded to the curved portion of the middle section, the front brace including a hole receiving the receiver, the receiver being welded to the front brace about the hole. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 19 wherein the receiver includes a side surface extending from the flat top surface, and further comprising a reinforcement welded to the middle section and to the side surface.