Fifth wheel trailer hitch assembly for pickup trucks and flat bed vehicles
OwnerJoseph W. Works, Roger D. Bakerinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A trailer hitch assembly which includes a hitch ball which is selectively positioned within a retention sleeve mounted below and through the cargo bed of a vehicle and which further includes a locking pin which secures the hitch ball either in a first upright position within the sleeve wherein the ball is elevated with respect to the cargo bed or in an inverted position wherein the base of the hitch ball is mounted flush with the cargo bed.
Claims7
A fifth wheel trailer hitch assembly for use with vehicles having load beds wherein the load bed is provided with an opening therein comprising a reinforcing frame, said reinforcing frame being mounted to the under side of the vehicle load bed so as to extend outwardly with respect to the opening in the vehicle bed, a retention sleeve mounted to said reinforcing frame, said retention sleeve having upper and lower ends, a first opening in said lower end of said retention sleeve and having a first dimension, a second opening in said upper end of said retention sleeve, generally flush with the load bed, a hitch ball means, said hitch ball means including a ball element and a base portion having an end opposite said ball element, said base portion being selectively receivable within said retention sleeve so that said ball element extends through the second opening in the retention sleeve and upwardly with respect to the load bed of the vehicle, said ball element being of a second dimension which is slightly less than said first dimension of said first opening in said retention sleeve wherein said base portion is generally flush with said load bed, and means for securing said hitch ball means within said retention sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.