Patent ID: 6443474
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: B60D

Abstract:
A towing hitch for attachment to the rear of a towing vehicle, said hitch comprising:(a) a frame, said frame comprising (i) a transversely extending tubular structural member, said structural member extending between a first end and a second end, and having (A) a front, (B) a rear, (C) a bottom, and (D) a top, (ii) a first tubular receiving member, said first tubular receiving member (A) further comprising a forward end affixed to said transversely extending tubular structural member, and (B) extending rearwardly along a central axis to a first mouth portion, (iii) a second tubular receiving member, said second tubular hitch receiver mounted below said first tubular receiving member, and having (A) a forward end, and (B) extending rearwardly along a central axis to a second mouth portion, said second tubular receiving member having (A) a bottom portion, and (B) an upper forward portion, wherein said upper forward portion is affixed to said bottom of said transversely extending tubular structural member, (iv) a bottom plate, said bottom plate comprising (A) a base portion having an upper surface, and (B) an upwardly extending forward portion, and (C) wherein said upwardly extending forward portion of said bottom plate is affixed to (1) the front of said transverse structural member, and (2) the forward end of said second tubular hitch receiver, and (D) wherein said upper surface of said base portion is joined to said bottom portion of said second tubular hitch receiver; (v) at least two frame mounts, one of said at least two frame mounts affixed proximate said first end of said transverse structural member, and one of said at least two frame mounts affixed proximate said second end of said transverse structural member; (b) a first tubular tow bar insert, said first tubular tow bar insert removeably engageable and snugly interfitting for sliding insertion into said first tubular receiving member, said first tubular tow bar insert further comprising (i) a rearwardly extending hitch receiving portion, (c) a second tubular tow bar insert, said second tubular tow bar insert removeably engageable and snugly interfitting for sliding insertion into said second tubular receiving member, (d) mounts securely affixing said first tubular to bar insert to said second tubular tow bar insert as a singular structural member; (e) a first strengthening stay, said first stay (i) having a rearward end attached adjacent said rearward end of said first or of said second tubular tow bar, and (ii) having a forward end attached adjacent said first end of said transverse structural member; (f) a second strengthening stay, said second strengthening stay (i) having a rearward end attached adjacent said rearward end of said first or of said second tubular tow bar, and (ii) having a forward end attached adjacent said second end of said transverse structural member.