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US 5,344,172 AGranted
Trailer hitch assembly system
OwnerFritz Jauninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A trailer hitch system utilizing a support member which includes a well that is accessible at the exterior of a vehicle. The support member is connected to the frame of the vehicle. A hitch element including a base portion, is capable of lying within the well of the support member such that a fitting for hitching a trailer is available for use external to the well. A lock removably holds the hitch element to base portion within the well. Thus a variety of hitch elements are interchangeable with the present assembly system.
Claims16
A trailer hitch system for a vehicle comprising:
- a. a support member, said support member including a well accessible at the exterior surface of the vehicle;
- b. mounting means for connecting said support member to the vehicle such that said well only extends below the exterior surface of the vehicle, said mounting means including a clamp connected to said support member for releasably fixing said support member to the frame of the vehicle, said clamp comprising a first plate substantially vertically disposed and mated to said support member, a first holding means for holding said first plate to the frame of the vehicle, a second plate substantially horizontally disposed, and a second holding means for sandwiching the frame of the vehicle between said second plate and said support member;
- c. a hitch element said hitch element including a base portion capable of lying within said well of said support member, said hitch element further including a fitting for hitching a trailer;
- and
- d. locking means for removably holding said hitch element base portion within said well of said support member.
2 more elements
A trailer hitch assembly system for use with a hitch element comprising:
- a. a support member, said support member including a well accessible at the exterior of the vehicle, the hitch element fitting within said well;
- b. mounting means for connecting said support member to the vehicle;
- said mounting means further including a clamp for releasably fixing said support member to the frame of the vehicle, said clamp comprising a first plate substantially vertically disposed and mated to said support member, a first holding means for holding said first plate to the frame of the vehicle, a second plate substantially horizontally disposed, and a second holding means for sandwiching the frame of the vehicle between said second plate and said support member, and
- c. locking means for removably holding at least a portion of the hitch element within said well of said support member.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.