Fascia for vehicle hitches
AssigneeMascoTech Automotive Systems Group, Inc.
InventorGary E. Fulkerson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An aesthetically appealing fascia cover to conceal a trailer hitch mounted to the rear of a vehicle. The fascia cover is mounted to the vehicle frame associated with the bumper hanging below the bumper to conceal the hitch assembly. A hinged or removal door facilitates access to the hitch sleeve for attaching the hitch ball and the trailer. The fascia is designed to blend with the vehicle body and bumper to form an integrated component of the body styling.
Claims18
A fascia for concealing a hitch assembly on a vehicle, the hitch assembly mounted beneath a rear bumper of the vehicle for selective connection to a trailer, said fascia comprising:
- a cover having a rear wall and laterally spaced ends, said cover having a width greater than the hitch assembly to conceal the hitch assembly upon mounting said cover to the vehicle;
- and
- fastening means for mounting said cover proximate the rear bumper of the vehicle such that the hitch assembly is concealed.
A fascia for concealing a hitch assembly on a vehicle, the hitch assembly mounted beneath a rear bumper of the vehicle for selective connection to a trailer, said fascia comprising:
- a cover having a rear wall and laterally spaced end walls, said cover having a width greater than the hitch assembly such that said end walls extend around the ends of the hitch assembly to conceal the hitch assembly upon mounting said cover to the vehicle, said cover including a tongue flap extending upwardly from said rear wall for selective engagement with the rear bumper;
- first fastening means attached to said end walls of said cover for securing said end walls to the vehicle and second fastening means attached to said rear wall of said cover for securing said rear wall to the vehicle;
- and
- a door mounted in said rear wall of said cover for selective access to the hitch assembly for connection of the trailer;
- whereby said fascia is selectively mounted to the vehicle proximate the rear bumper with said tongue flap engaging the rear bumper to conceal the hitch assembly from view from a rear perspective of the vehicle and said door facilitates selective access to the hitch assembly.
A fascia for concealing a hitch assembly on a vehicle, the hitch assembly mounted beneath a rear bumper of the vehicle for selective connection to a trailer, said fascia comprising:
- a cover having a rear wall with a tongue flap extending upwardly therefrom and laterally spaced end walls, said cover having a width greater than the hitch assembly such that said side walls extend around the ends of the hitch assembly and said tongue flap extending upwardly to engage the rear bumper thereby concealing the hitch assembly upon mounting said cover to the vehicle;
- first fastening means attached to said end walls of said cover for securing said end walls to the vehicle;
- second fastening means attached to said rear wall of said cover for securing said rear wall to the vehicle;
- third fastening means for attaching said tongue flap to the rear bumper of the vehicle;
- and
- a door mounted in said rear wall of said cover for selective access to the hitch assembly for connection of the trailer;
- whereby said fascia is selectively mounted to the vehicle proximate the rear bumper to conceal the hitch assembly from view from a rear perspective of the vehicle and said door facilitates selective access to the hitch assembly.
A fascia for concealing a hitch assembly on a vehicle, the hitch assembly mounted beneath a rear bumper of the vehicle for selective connection to a trailer, said fascia comprising:
- a cover having a rear wall with a tongue flap extending upwardly therefrom and laterally spaced end walls, said cover having a width greater than the hitch assembly such that said side walls extend around the ends of the hitch assembly and said tongue flap extending upwardly to engage the rear bumper thereby concealing the hitch assembly upon mounting said cover to the vehicle;
- first fastening means attached to said end walls of said cover for securing said end walls to the vehicle, said first fastening means including a flange bracket secured to said end walls and a fastener for connecting said end flange brackets to the vehicle;
- second fastening means attached to said rear walls of said cover for securing said rear wall to the vehicle, said second fastening means including at least one flange bracket secured to said rear wall and a fastener for connecting said at least one rear flange bracket to the vehicle;
- third fastening means for attaching said tongue flap to the rear bumper of the vehicle;
- and
- a door mounted in said rear wall of said cover for selective access to the hitch assembly for connection of the trailer;
- whereby said fascia is mounted to the vehicle proximate the rear bumper to conceal the hitch assembly from view and said door facilitates selective access to the hitch assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.