Patent ID: 8944516
Filing Date: 2015-02-03
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
1. A cargo hauling apparatus for an associated motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a support member; a hitch configured for receiving the support member and for mounting the support member to the associated motor vehicle; and a self-tightening mounting assembly to mount the support member to the hitch, the self-tightening mounting assembly includes a fastener having a fastener head at a first end and a shank extending therefrom with external threads at a second end; a first wedge member including an opening adapted to receive the fastener shank therethrough, the first wedge member further including an angled surface that extends from a first, narrow end to a second, enlarged end configured for receipt in the associated hollow tube of the associated vehicle hitch; a second wedge member including an opening adapted to receive the fastener shank therethrough, the second wedge member further including an angled surface that extends from a first, narrow end to a second, enlarged end configured for receipt in the associated hollow tube of the associated vehicle hitch, the angled surface of the second wedge member disposed in facing, sliding engagement with the angled surface of the first wedge member; a fastener nut threadably received on the fastener threads and adapted for operative engagement with one end of the first and second wedge members, so that rotation of the fastener relative to the fastener nut in a first direction draws the first and second wedge members toward one another and the angled surfaces selectively expand outwardly in response to the fastener and fastener nut drawing the wedge members toward one another, the angled surfaces of the first and second wedge members selectively expand outwardly in response to the fastener drawing the wedge members toward one another; and wherein the self-tightening mounting assembly includes a hollow tube having multiple engaging pads that selectively move inwardly and outwardly through openings in a sidewall of the tube in response to movement of the wedge members to release or engage an inner surface of the hitch.