Patent ID: 6820890
Filing Date: 2004-11-23
Classification: B60D

Abstract:
A reinforcement ring for a vehicle hitch receiver tube, comprising:a square stamping including four elongated portions each of which has opposite ends connected to ends of adjacent elongated portions such that the elongated portions cooperate to define a square opening; the elongated portions each having a J-shaped cross section including a front flange and an rear flange; each front flange having opposite ends connected to ends of adjacent front flanges such that the front flanges can extend around the hitch receiver tube; and each rear flange extending inwardly from the associated front flange toward the center of the square opening with a curved shape having a distal extremity, and each rear flange having opposite ends connected to ends of adjacent rear flanges such that the rear flanges can cover an axial end of the hitch receiver tube, the distal extremity of each rear flange including an engagement portion for engaging the axial end of the hitch receiver tube, the distal extremity of each rear flange also including an inner surface that provides an uninterrupted contour between the rear flange and the interior of the hitch receiver tube, and the distal extremity of each rear flange also including a chamfer that facilitates insertion of a hitch tongue into the hitch receiver tube.