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US 5,853,187 AGranted
Snowmobile hitch
OwnerJames P. Maierinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A snowmobile hitch has a U-shaped mounting bracket for mounting to the tunnel and grab bar of a snowmobile using existing bolt holes in the grab bar. The mounting bracket aerodynamically and aesthetically fits the snowmobile and does not protrude from the snowmobile except when a hitch is attached. A ball mount hitch is slidably received within a ball mount receiver of the mounting bracket, and may be readily attached and removed therefrom.
Claims11
A snowmobile hitch comprising:
- a U-shaped mounting bracket formed from one piece in unitary construction defined by a closed end having a rear edge and a rearward facing surface and by two mounting arms having side edges, with the closed end extending between the two mounting arms forming a substantially vertical U-shaped outer wall with the arms, each of said mounting arms and said closed end having a top surface projecting inwardly and projecting substantially horizontally from said U-shaped outer wall and wherein the top surface and the U-shaped outer wall form a substantially inverted L-shaped structure on all three sides of the mounting bracket and whereby the top surface overhangs a hollowed-out interior on all three sides of the mounting bracket and wherein the mounting bracket has only one substantially vertical wall and wherein the only substantially vertical wall of the mounting bracket is the U-shaped outer wall and wherein the substantially inverted L-shaped structure allows the mounting bracket to be mounted substantially flush with the sides and rear of the snowmobile;
- and,
- means for receiving a ball mount comprising an opening extending through the rearward facing surface of the closed end and a hollow stock receiver attached to the opening, wherein said opening and hollow stock receiver form a passage through the closed end, projecting forwardly therefrom substantially parallel to said arms;
- and,
- a ball mount having a ball mount shaft which removably and snugly engages said ball mount receiving means and hitching means attached to said ball mount.
2 more elements
A snowmobile hitch for a snowmobile having a frame, a grab bar with a rear edge and sides, existing bolts, and existing bolt holes, comprising:
- a U-shaped mounting bracket formed of one piece in unitary construction having a closed end with a rear edge and two arms with side edges, one arm extending from each end of said closed end so as to form a U-shaped, substantially vertical outer wall, said closed end and said arms each having a top surface projecting inwardly and projecting substantially horizontally from said U-shaped outer wall and wherein the top surface and the U-shaped outer wall form a substantially inverted L-shaped structure on all three sides of the mounting bracket and whereby the top surface overhangs a hollowed-out interior on all three sides of the mounting bracket and wherein the mounting bracket has only one substantially vertical wall and wherein the only substantially vertical wall of the mounting bracket is the U-shaped outer wall and wherein the substantially inverted L-shaped structure allows the mounting bracket to be mounted such that the U-shaped outer wall is substantially flush with the grab bar, said closed end further having a rearward facing surface, wherein said rearward facing surface forms part of the U-shaped outer wall, said mounting bracket further having mounting openings aligned with the existing bolts of the snowmobile, whereby said mounting bracket is mountable to the snowmobile frame using the existing bolt holes and bolts,
- said mounting bracket having means for receiving a ball mount substantially centrally located at the closed end of said mounting bracket, said means for receiving a ball mount comprising an opening in the rearward facing surface of the closed end and a hollow stock receiver attached to the opening, wherein said opening and hollow stock receiver form a passage through the closed end that projects forwardly therefrom substantially parallel to said arms;
- a ball mount having a ball mount shaft sized to snugly fit within said ball mount receiving means, and hitching means attached to said ball mount.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.