# US 5,344,172 A · Trailer hitch assembly system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,344,172 A - Document ID: US5344172A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/014,265 - Filed: 1993-02-05 - Granted: 1994-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 1993-02-05 - Inventors: Fritz Jaun - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5344172A ## CPC - B60D 1/52: removably mounted - B62D 53/0828: {Removable or fold-away traction couplings for non-specialised tractor vehicles} - B60D: VEHICLE CONNECTIONS - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 in which said hitch element is slidable relative to said well of said support member and additionally comprises stop means for arresting sliding of said hitch element base portion relative to said well of said support member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2 in which said mounting means connects said support member to the frame of the vehicle, said well of said support member is formed by a wall appended to said support member, and said locking means includes an elongated member capable of penetrating said wall and engaging said base of said hitch element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 in which said mounting means includes a plate connected to the frame of the vehicle, said support member having a slot capable of engaging a portion of said plate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3 in which said elongated member further includes a lever handle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 in which said hitch element fitting includes a goose neck receiver. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 in which said hitch element fitting includes a fifth wheel receiver. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3 in which said stop means includes a multiplicity of apertures in said wall forming said well of said support member, and said elongated member being capable of passing through each of said multiplicity of apertures. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8 in which said elongated member further includes a securing clip for confining said elongated member to any of said multiplicity of apertures in said wall forming said well of said support member. ### Claim 10 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. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10 in which the hitch element is slidable relative to said well of said support member and additionally comprises stop means for arresting sliding of the hitch element relative to said well of said support member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 in which the mounting means connects said support member to the frame of the vehicle, said well of said support member is formed by a well appended to said support member, and said locking means includes an elongated member capable of penetrating said wall and engaging said base of said hitch element. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12 in which said mounting means includes a plate connected to the frame of the vehicle, said support member having a slot capable of engaging a portion of said plate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13 in which said elongated member further includes a lever handle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 in which said stop means includes a multiplicity of apertures in said wall forming said well of said support member, said elongated member being capable of passing through each of said multiplicity of apertures. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 in which said elongated member further includes a securing clip for confining said elongated member to any of said-multiplicity of apertures in said wall forming said well of said support member.