Patent ID: 8960574
Filing Date: 2015-02-24
Classification: B60P,B60R,E01C

Abstract:
1. In combination, a towing vehicle and a hitch bar assembly adapted for removable attachment in rear of the towing vehicle, comprising: a vehicle having a rearwardly disposed vehicle door or tailgate, the vehicle having a width; an elongate, straight hitch attachment arm having a hitch attachment end and a swivel attachment end opposite the hitch attachment end; a swivel disposed at the swivel attachment end of the hitch attachment arm; an elongate, straight swivel arm having a swivel attachment end attached to the swivel and a distal end opposite the swivel attachment end, the distal end being adapted for supporting a load, the swivel arm having a length, wherein the length is less than half the width of the vehicle, the swivel arm being pivotal between a first position overlying the hitch attachment arm to support the load above the hitch attachment arm and a second position extending substantially 180° opposite the hitch attachment arm to provide access to the rear of the towing vehicle, wherein the swivel arm has a generally medially disposed spreader support portion, the hitch bar assembly further comprising: a spreader hopper supported by the hopper supports; a spreader mechanism disposed below the hopper and above the swivel arm and spreader support arm; a hollow, cylindrical support sleeve having an upper portion, an upper end, a lower portion, and a lower end; a lower collar disposed concentrically about the lower portion of the support sleeve, the lower collar having a lower end welded to the lower end of the support sleeve, the swivel attachment end of the hitch attachment arm being welded to the lower collar, the hitch attachment arm extending radially from the lower collar; a swivel collar pivotally disposed concentrically about the support sleeve above the lower collar, the swivel attachment end of the swivel arm being welded to the swivel collar, the swivel arm extending radially from the swivel collar, the swivel collar being pivotal 180° around the sleeve; and an upper collar welded concentrically about the upper end of the support sleeve, the upper collar and the lower collar capturing the swivel collar therebetween.