System for displaceable mounting of outboard utility equipment to vehicle with in situ access to vehicle compartment

A system for displaceable mounting of outboard utility equipment to a surface vehicle for selective in situ access to a cargo compartment of the vehicle, comprising:

• a first portion configured for hitch mounted coupling to the vehicle, said first portion being fixed in position relative to the vehicle when coupled thereto, said first portion including a main support frame of substantially U-shaped contour defining an access opening for unimpeded access to the cargo compartment when coupled to the vehicle, said first portion including a hitch receiver formed with a longitudinally extended tubular contour defining at one longitudinal end a tow hitch receptacle for auxiliary equipment and at another longitudinal end a tow hitch sleeve configured for telescopic coupling to a tow hitch of the vehicle, said first portion including a plurality of pockets coupled to said main support frame, each said pocket being configured for engagement of a lifting fork;
• a second portion pivotally coupled to said first portion for displacement between open and closed positions relative to said first portion, said second portion in the closed position extending across at least a portion of the access opening and in the open position remaining displaced from the access opening to maintain unobstructed access to the cargo compartment therethrough, said second portion including a gate assembly and at least one mounting bracket coupled to said gate assembly and configured for attachment of the outboard utility equipment thereto;
• and,
• a latching structure coupled to said first and second portions for releasably locking said second portion in the closed position relative to said first portion.

A system for displaceable mounting of outboard utility equipment to a surface vehicle for selective in situ access to a cargo compartment of the vehicle, comprising:

• a first portion configured for hitch mounted coupling to the vehicle, said first portion being fixed in position relative to the vehicle when coupled thereto, said first portion including a main support frame of substantially U-shaped contour defining an access opening for unimpeded access to the cargo compartment when coupled to the vehicle, said first portion including a hitch receiver is formed with a longitudinally extended tubular contour defining at one longitudinal end a tow hitch receptacle for auxiliary equipment and at another longitudinal end a tow hitch sleeve configured for telescopic coupling to a tow hitch of the vehicle;
• a second portion pivotally coupled to said first portion for displacement between open and closed positions relative to said first portion, said second portion in the closed position extending across at least a portion of the access opening and in the open position remaining displaced from the access opening to maintain unobstructed access to the cargo compartment therethrough, said second portion including a gate assembly and at least one mounting bracket coupled to said gate assembly and configured for attachment of the outboard utility equipment thereto;
• and,
• a latching structure coupled to said first and second portions for releasably locking said second portion in the closed position relative to said first portion;
• wherein said latching structure includes a locking drop pin engaging a free end of said gate assembly and an extension of said main support frame to lock said gate assembly in the closed position;
• and,
• wherein said extension of said main support frame defines a latch plate projecting transversely outward to support a portion of said gate assembly free end when in the closed position, said latch plate terminating at a tapered end flaring downward to guide said gate assembly free end into the closed position thereon.