U.S. patent application number 11/823979 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-01 for trailer hitch assembly.
Invention is credited to Donald W. Wooten.
Application Number | 20070252360 11/823979 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36695999 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070252360 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wooten; Donald W. |
November 1, 2007 |
Trailer hitch assembly
Abstract
A trailer hitch assembly is removably attachable to a receiver
connected to a towing vehicle. The receiver has a rectangular port
defining a receptacle. The trailer hitch assembly includes a
support arm assembly and at least one hitch ball. The support arm
assembly has a first support arm and a second support arm. Each of
the first and second support arms are sized and dimensioned to be
disposed in the receptacle for attachment to the receiver. The at
least one hitch ball is supported by the support arm assembly.
Inventors: |
Wooten; Donald W.; (Dallas,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DUNLAP CODDING & ROGERS, P.C.
PO BOX 16370
OKLAHOMA CITY
OK
73113
US
|
Family ID: |
36695999 |
Appl. No.: |
11/823979 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11041376 |
Jan 24, 2005 |
7258359 |
|
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11823979 |
Jun 29, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/511 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60D 1/52 20130101; B60D
1/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/511 |
International
Class: |
B60D 1/06 20060101
B60D001/06 |
Claims
1. A trailer hitch assembly removably attachable to a receiver
connected to a towing vehicle, the receiver having a rectangular
port defining a receptacle, the trailer hitch assembly comprising:
a support arm assembly having a first support arm and a second
support arm, each of the first and second support arms being sized
and dimensioned to be disposed in the receptacle for attachment to
the receivers the support arm assembly constructed so as to be
positioned in a towing position when the first support arm is
positioned within the receptacle, and the support arm assembly
constructed so as to be positioned in one of a first and second
stowed position when the second support arm is positioned within
the receptacle; and at least one hitch ball supported by the
support arm assembly.
2. The trailer hitch assembly of claim 1, wherein the first support
arm and the second support arm are positioned perpendicular to one
another.
3. The trailer hitch assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and
second support arms are mounted such that upon the first support
arm being positioned within the receptacle the second support arm
extends perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the receptacle.
4. The trailer hitch assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and
second support arms are mounted such that the second support arm
extends horizontally when the first support arm is positioned
within the receptacle and the support assembly is in the towing
position.
5. The trailer hitch assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and
second support arms are fixed relative to one another.
6. The trailer hitch assembly of claim 1, wherein the hitch ball is
positioned laterally in a horizontal direction from the rectangular
port when the trailer hitch assembly is positioned in one of the
first and second stowed positions.
7. The trailer hitch assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a
step member; and a ball support plate extending between the support
assembly and the step member.
8. The trailer hitch assembly of claim 7, wherein the step member
is connected to the ball support plate.
9. The trailer hitch assembly of claim 7, wherein the step member
extends beyond an outer periphery of the ball support plate.
10. The trailer hitch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a
step member positioned in parallel with the first support arm.
11. The trailer hitch assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and
second support arms are mounted such that the first support arm
extends horizontally when the second support arm is positioned
within the receptacle and the support assembly is in the first
stowed position.
12. The trailer hitch assembly of claim 1, wherein the first
support arm and the hitch ball are aligned with a longitudinal axis
of the receptacle when the support arm assembly is positioned in
the towing position.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.
11/041,376, filed on Jan. 24, 2005, which is hereby expressly
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Trailer hitches are well known in the towing industry. There
are many different types of trailer hitch configurations attached
to the back end of a variety of different vehicles, such as pick-up
trucks, flatbed trucks, station wagons, sport utility vehicles and
the like. The trailer hitches are used to tow many different types
of trailers. Generally, trailer hitches which are attached to the
back end of a vehicle protrude from the rear of the vehicle, thus
increasing the length of the vehicle. When the trailer is attached
to the hitch connected to the vehicle the fact that the hitch
protrudes from the vehicle doesn't raise much concern. However,
concerns may arise when the trailer is not connected to the hitch.
For example, due to the increase in length of the vehicle most
drivers tend to misjudge the distance of objects behind the
vehicle, thus raising the risk of accidents with other vehicles or
damage to the driver's vehicle. Moreover, the hitch extending
beyond the rear end of the vehicle also causes a safety hazard
because people can walk into it.
[0004] To avoid such problems, most drivers will remove the trailer
hitch from the receiver connected to the vehicle and place it in
the trunk, back, or cab of the vehicle. However, this increases the
chances of the vehicle becoming dirty due to the trailer hitch
being greasy or dirty. Further, driving with a trailer hitch in the
open cab of a vehicle increases the risk of damage to an individual
or the vehicle. For example, during a traffic accident the trailer
hitch can become a flying projectile.
[0005] To this end, although trailer hitches of the existing art
are operable, further improvements are desirable to enhance the
ease of use of the trailer hitch. It is to such a trailer hitch
assembly that the present invention is directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trailer hitch assembly
constructed in accordance with the present invention removably
attachable to a receiver of a towing vehicle in a towing
position.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the trailer hitch assembly
removably attached to the towing vehicle in a first stowed
position.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the trailer hitch assembly
removably attached to the towing vehicle in a second stowed
position.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the trailer hitch assembly
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the trailer hitch assembly
illustrated in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS.
1-5, shown therein and designated by reference numeral 10 is a
trailer hitch assembly constructed in accordance with the present
invention. The trailer hitch assembly 10 is removably attachable to
a receiver 12 connected to a towing vehicle (not shown) in a towing
position (FIG. 1), a first stowed position (FIG. 2) and a second
stowed position (FIG. 3). The towing vehicle can be any vehicle
used for towing such as a pick-up truck, flatbed truck, sport
utility vehicle, station wagon, snowmobile, mower, or the like. The
receiver 12 has a rectangular port defining a receptacle 14. The
receiver 12 also includes one or more holes 16 which can be used to
secure the trailer hitch assembly 10 to the vehicle, as will be
discussed further herein. The construction and attachment of
receivers is well known in the art and could include various
configurations. Thus, no further description or discussion will be
made with respect to the receiver 12.
[0012] The trailer hitch assembly 10 includes a support arm
assembly 18, a ball support plate 20, a hitch ball 22, and a step
member 24. The support arm assembly 18 has a first support arm 26
and a second support arm 28. The first support arm 26 and the
second support arm 28 can be constructed from steel, aluminum, or
any other rigid material and can be produced at various lengths.
Further, although the first support arm 26 and the second support
arm 28 are shown as tubular, it should be understood that the first
support arm 26 and the second support arm 28 may be solid as well.
The first and second support arms 26 and 28, respectively, are
sized and dimensioned to be disposed in the receptacle 14 for
attachment to the receiver 12.
[0013] The first support arm 26 has a first end 30 and a second end
32. The second support arm 28 has a first end 34 and a second end
36. The second end 32 of the first support arm 26 is connected to
the first end 34 of the second support arm 28 such that when the
first end of the first arm 26 is positioned within the receptacle
14, the second support arm 28 extends perpendicular to a
longitudinal axis of the receptacle 14. Thus, the first support arm
26 and the second support arm 28 are substantially perpendicular to
one another. However, it should be understood that the connection
formed between the first support arm 26 and the second support arm
28 may not be perpendicular so long as the second support arm 28
extends a distance away from the first support arm 26 such that the
first and second support arms 26 and 28 can be positioned
individually within the receptacle 14. The first support arm 26 and
the second support arm 28 can be connected by any means known in
the art, such as welding, bonding, bolting, or any other such means
known in the art for connecting one thing to another.
[0014] The first support arm 26 is shown provided with a hole 38
and the second support arm 28 is provided with holes 39. When the
first support arm 26 is disposed in the receptacle 14, the hole 38
is aligned with the corresponding hole 16 in the receptacle 14. A
pin or bolt (not shown) is inserted into the holes 38 and 16 to
secure the first support arm 26 to the receiver 12. Likewise, when
the second support arm 28 is disposed in the receptacle 14, one of
the holes 39 is aligned with the hole 16 in the receptacle 14. A
pin is inserted into the holes 39 and 16 to secure the second
support arm 28 to the receiver 12.
[0015] The ball support plate 20 has a first end 40, a second end
42, a first side 44, and a second side 46. The first end 40 of the
ball support plate 20 is supported by the support arm assembly 18.
The first end 40 of the ball support plate 20 can be connected to
the support arm assembly 18 by any means known in the art, such as
welding, bonding, bolting, or other such means known in the art for
connecting one thing to another.
[0016] At least one hitch ball 22 is supported by the support arm
assembly 18. Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, the hitch ball 22
is mounted near the second end 42 of the ball support plate 20.
Typically, the hitch ball 22 is fixed to a threaded screw which
penetrates the ball support plate 20 and a bolt 48 is screwed
thereon to secure the hitch ball 22 to the ball support plate 20.
However, it should be understood that the hitch ball 22 can be
attached to the ball support plate 20 by any means known in the
art, such as welding, bonding, or other such means. Although a
single hitch ball 22 is shown in FIGS. 1-5, it should be understood
that the support arm assembly 18 and the ball support plate 20 can
each be adapted so that a plurality of hitch balls may be
attached.
[0017] The step member 24 has a first end 50, a second end 52, a
first side 54 and a second side 56. The first side 54 of the step
member 24 is shown attached to the second side 46 of the ball
support plate 20 near the first end 50 of the step member 24. The
step member 24 may be connected by any means known in the art, such
as welding, bonding, bolting, or the like. The trailer hitch
assembly 10 may be inverted, as shown in FIG. 3, so that the second
side 56 of the step member 24 can be used as a step by the user of
the trailer hitch assembly 10. Optionally, the first and second
support arms 26 and 28, respectively, can be used as a step when
not disposed in the receptacle 14 of the receiver 12, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0018] In use, referring to FIG. 1, the trailer hitch assembly 10
is placed in the towing position wherein the first support arm 26
is disposed in the receptacle 14 so that the hitch ball is
positioned so as to engage or receive a trailer (not shown) and the
second support arm 28 extends perpendicular to a longitudinal axis
of the receptacle 14. Referring to FIG. 2, the trailer hitch
assembly 10 is placed in the first stowed position wherein the
first support arm 26 is removed from the receptacle 14 and the
second support arm 28 is disposed in the receptacle 14 such that
the first support arm 26 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis of the receptacle 14. Referring to FIG. 3, the trailer hitch
assembly 10 is placed in the second stowed position wherein the
trailer hitch assembly 10 is inverted so that the second side 56 of
the step member 24 may be utilized as a step by the user of the
trailer hitch assembly 10. The second support arm 28 is disposed in
the receptacle 14 and the first support arm 26 and the step member
24 extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the receptacle
14.
[0019] Changes may be made in the combinations, operations, and
arrangements of the various parts and elements described herein
without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as
defined in the following claims.
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