Hitch with rotatable ball and hinged step

Abstract

A hitch assembly includes a base assembly, a T-shaped mount assembly rotatably mounted to the base, and a step assembly hingedly attached to the base. The base assembly is formed from tabbed and notched sheet metal panels welded together. The mount assembly, which includes one or more coupler engaging devices (e.g., tow balls), rotates about a first axis. The step assembly pivots about a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis. A bumper disposed between the step assembly and mount assembly reduces vibration of the step, marring of the mount assembly and attendant noise. A spring plunger operable with one hand releasably secures the step in lowered and raised positions. When lowered, the step entirely covers the coupler engaging devices.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.