Patent ID: 6079136
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: G09F

Abstract:
A protective cover element for a vehicle hitch assembly, said vehicle hitch assembly comprising a means for attachment to the rear end of said vehicle, an adjustable draw-hitch element for receiving a ball hitch, said protective cover element comprising:a. a rectangular member having a length and two ends, one of said ends being insertable within said adjustable draw-hitch receiving element and attachable thereto, said insert member having a longitudinal axis and at least two openings along said length perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;b. a pin insertable through one of said openings for attaching said insert member to said adjustable draw-hitch receiving element;c. a message receptacle element directly attached to the other end of said insert member, said message receptacle element comprising a housing member and a transparent lens member;d. a message inserted within said message receptacle housing; and,e. a lighting means for illuminating said message, so that when said ball hitch is removed from said adjustable draw-hitch element, said insert member can be placed therein to provide a protective cover therefor and to provide an illuminated messaging element at the rear of said vehicle.