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US 8,573,628 B2Granted
Hitch receiver apparatuses and methods for securing hitch receivers to frame members
OwnerDavid McConnellinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is a configurable trailer hitch that provides an extended towing position for transferring a tractor force to a load, and a retracted storage position for safely stowing the hitch under a towing vehicle. The trailer hitch has a spring loaded retaining pin which engages a hitch receiver when the trailer hitch is placed in the towing position, and a storage latch adapted to hold the hitch receiver when the trailer hitch is placed in the storage position.
Claims15
A hitch receiver apparatus comprising:
- a body comprising a longitudinal axis and configured to receive a ball assembly along the longitudinal axis through a receiving end of the body;
- a retainer plate secured to the body and immovable relative to the body, the retainer plate extending outwardly from the body, the retainer plate comprising an opening configured to receive a pin spaced from the body;
- wherein the body comprises a pivot end opposite the receiving end, the pivot end of the body comprising an opening configured to receive a pivot pin generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
- and
- a top plate extending over the body and configured to be secured to a vehicle, the top plate comprising an opening aligned with the opening in the pivot end of the body, the top plate being a separate and different structure from the retainer plate.
2 more elements
A hitch receiver apparatus comprising:
- a body comprising:
- a longitudinal axis and configured to receive a ball assembly along the longitudinal axis through a receiving end of the body;
- and
- a pivot end opposite the receiving end, the pivot end of the body comprising an opening configured to receive a pivot pin generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
- and
- a frame member configured to be secured to a vehicle, the frame member comprising pair of openings over the body and aligned with the opening in the pivot end of the body;
- and
- a latch configured to receive the body and secured directly to the tubular structure of the frame member.
5 more elements
A method for securing a hitch receiver to a frame member, the method comprising:
- providing a hitch receiver comprising a body having a longitudinal axis between a pivot end opposite a receiving end, the receiving end configured to receive a ball assembly along the longitudinal axis and the pivot end comprising an opening extending through the body generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis;
- providing a frame member configured to be secured to a vehicle, the frame member comprising an opening;
- providing the entire structure of the frame member over the hitch receiver and aligning the opening of the frame member with the opening of the hitch receiver;
- and
- providing a pivot pin through the aligned openings of the hitch receiver and the frame member.
2 more elements
A hitch receiver apparatus comprising:
- a body comprising:
- a longitudinal axis and configured to receive a ball assembly along the longitudinal axis through a receiving end of the body;
- and
- a pivot end opposite the receiving end, the pivot end of the body comprising an opening configured to receive a pivot pin generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
- and
- a frame member configured to be secured to a vehicle, the frame member comprising pair of openings over the body and aligned with the opening in the pivot end of the body, wherein the frame member comprises a tubular structure;
- and
- a latch configured to receive the body and secured directly to the tubular structure of the frame member.
5 more elements
A method for securing a hitch receiver to a frame member, the method comprising:
- providing a hitch receiver comprising a body having a longitudinal axis between a pivot end opposite a receiving end, the receiving end configured to receive a ball assembly along the longitudinal axis and the pivot end comprising an opening extending through the body generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis;
- providing a frame member configured to be secured to a vehicle, the frame member comprising an opening;
- providing the entire structure of the frame member over the hitch receiver and aligning the opening of the frame member with the opening of the hitch receiver;
- providing a pivot pin through the aligned openings of the hitch receiver and the frame member;
- and
- securing a latch to the frame member, the latch configured to receive the hitch receiver.
3 more elements
A hitch receiver apparatus comprising:
- a body comprising a longitudinal axis and configured to receive a ball assembly along the longitudinal axis through a receiving end of the body;
- a retainer plate secured to the body and immovable relative to the body, the retainer plate extending outwardly from the body, the retainer plate comprising an opening configured to receive a pin spaced from the body;
- wherein the body comprises a pivot end opposite the receiving end, the pivot end of the body comprising an opening configured to receive a pivot pin generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
- and
- a bottom plate extending beneath the body and configured to be secured to a vehicle, the bottom plate comprising an opening aligned with the opening in the pivot end of the body, the bottom plate being a separate and different structure from the retainer plate.
2 more elements
A hitch receiver apparatus comprising:
- a body comprising a longitudinal axis and configured to receive a ball assembly along the longitudinal axis through a receiving end of the body;
- a retainer plate secured to the body and immovable relative to the body, the retainer plate extending outwardly from the body, the retainer plate comprising an opening configured to receive a pin spaced from the body;
- and
- wherein the body comprises a pivot end opposite the receiving end, the pivot end of the body comprising an opening to receive a pivot pin generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and further comprising a top plate extending over the body and configured to be secured to a vehicle, the top plate being a separate and different structure from the retainer plate, the top plate comprising:
- a first opening aligned with the opening in the retainer plate;
- and
- a second opening aligned with the opening in the pivot end of the body.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.