LED TRAILER HITCH

The present invention is directed to an interchangeable, modular, trailer hitch system which incorporates an LED light assembly built into the hitch assembly. The LED lighting assembly may be wired directly into the towing vehicle's backup lighting system or it may be provided with an on-off switch which may be positioned inside the tow vehicle or outside the tow vehicle near where the hitch is mounted on the vehicle. Central to the present invention is a LED light housing which mounts to the shank of the trailer ball mount. The shank is inserted through an aperture in the light housing and the light housing is rigidly connected to the shank by means of bolts which are inserted through openings in the top of the light housing and screwed into corresponding threaded bolt holes in the upper surface of the shank. Once the light housing is secured to the shank the shank can be inserted into the hitch receiver and locked in place in the standard manner.

This present invention generally relates to trailer hitches and more particularly relates to a trailer hitch having built in lights which provide for a greater efficiency and safety when being used at night or other times of reduced visibility.

BACKGROUND

The standard trailer hitch is not provided with a lighting means to illuminate the tongue of the trailer when the user is attempting to connect the hitch to the trailer at night when it is dark or at the other times of reduced visibility. The standard backup lights on a typical pickup truck or other tow vehicle do not provide an adequate amount of illumination when the user is attempting to back up to the trailer in poor lighting conditions. This necessitates several attempts before the hitch is properly lined up with the trailer tongue or it requires the presence of a second individual to hold a light source on the trailer. A need therefore exists to provide a solution to these shortcomings in previous trailer hitches. The present invention addresses this and other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an interchangeable, modular, trailer hitch system which incorporates an LED light assembly built into the hitch assembly. The LED lighting assembly may be wired directly into the towing vehicle's backup lighting system or it may be provided with an on-off switch which may be positioned inside the tow vehicle or outside the tow vehicle near where the hitch is mounted on the vehicle.

Central to the present invention is a LED light housing which mounts to the shank of the trailer ball mount. The shank is inserted through an aperture in the light housing and the light housing is rigidly connected to the shank by means of bolts which are inserted through openings in the top of the light housing and screwed into corresponding threaded bolt holes in the upper surface of the shank. Once the light housing is secured to the shank the shank can be inserted into the hitch receiver and locked in place in the standard manner.

The light housing is preferably constructed from a metal, such as steel or aluminum. This provides a sturdy housing which protects the LED lights and additionally provides a step which allows the user to be able to step up and retrieve items from the back of the towing vehicle. To facilitate the use of the housing as a step a strip of non-slip material may be provided on the top surface of the housing.

The lighted trailer hitch of the present invention is shown inFIG. 1. As shown, the trailer hitch10is comprised of a light module housing12mounted on the shank14of the trailer hitch16. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the trailer hitch is a step down hitch known to those skilled in the art.

The light module housing12is shown in detail inFIGS. 2, 3 and 5.FIG. 2shows the top profile of the housing. Mounting holes18(a) and18(b) are provided in the top surface20of the housing.FIG. 3shows the front of the housing12. Square opening22(a) and22(b) are provided in the front surface24of the housing. The lights26for the lighted trailer hitch of the subject invention are mounted within openings22(a) and22(b). Light26is shown inFIG. 6outside of the light module housing12. In the embodiment shown, the lights are square in shape, however, those skilled in the art will understand that circular or rectangular configured lights could also be utilized. In the preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the lights are LED lights.

FIG. 5shows a side cross-sectional view of the light module housing12. As shown inFIG. 5bolt holes18(a) and18(b) extend inward within housing12by means of cylindrical extensions26(a) and26(b). The bottom surface28(a) and28(b) of extension26(a) and26(b) contact the top surface of the trailer hitch shank14when the shank is inserted through aperture30(shown inFIG. 3) in the housing12.

A standard ball hitch32is shown inFIG. 7. Threaded mounting holes34(a) and34(b) are provided in the upper surface of shank36. When shank36is inserted through module12mounting holes34(a) and34(b) align with mounting holes18(a) and18(b). The light module housing is secured to the shank by means of mounting bolts38. The trailer hitch is shown mounted within the light module housing12inFIG. 8.

The light module housing12of the present invention can be used with trailer hitches of different types known to those skilled in the art.FIG. 9shows a dual ball hitch attachment40that is typically utilized with a step down hitch. A step down hitch42is shown inFIG. 10. The step down hitch allows for adjustment of the height of the hitch ball to align with the height of the trailer tongue. As shown inFIG. 10the vertical leg of the hitch42is provided with a plurality of apertures44extending through the leg. The user would align the apertures46on the dual ball hitch with the desired apertures on the vertical leg and then the u-shaped retaining bolt47would be inserted through the apertures44and hold in place by means of cotter pins48.

As shown inFIG. 10in the step down hitch a support bracket50is provided to strengthen the hitch and provide support to vertical leg42. The use of a step down hitch requires the use of a modified light module housing as shown inFIG. 4. The modified light module housing52includes a slot cut53in the housing to accommodate support bracket50on the step down hitch. As shown inFIG. 4the bottom of the housing52includes two apertures54(a) and54(b) and threaded into corresponding bolt holes located in the bottom of the light housing.

A different hitch attachment which can be used in connection with the subject invention is shown inFIG. 11. The L-shaped bracket is mounted on vertical leg42and held in place by means of U-shaped retaining bolt47and cotter pins48.

The modular nature of the present invention allows for the user to utilize a single light module housing which is easily interchangeable with and can be used in connection with a variety of trailer hitches.