Hitch receiver brush

A brush for a trailer hitch receiver. The brush includes a head shaped to conform to an interior channel of a trailer hitch receiver. This allows the brush to be used to clean the interior of a trailer hitch receiver, which is generally challenging to clean. In various embodiments, the head of the brush can be integral with the shaft. In other embodiments, the brush can include multiple interchangeable heads so that the cleaning tool can be used for multiple different types or sizes of trailer hitch receivers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cleaning tools. More specifically, the present invention relates to cleaning tools intended for cleaning trailer hitch receivers.

Trucks, vans, cars, and other vehicles often have a trailer hitch assembly that it utilized to removably attach a trailer to the vehicle for hauling boats or trailers. The interior of a trailer hitch receiver has a tendency to accumulate dirt, debris, and rust throughout normal operation. It is undesirable for dirt, debris, and rust to occupy the trailer hitch receiver because they make it difficult to remove trailer hitches engaged with the receiver. Struggling to disengage a trailer hitch from a receiver encrusted in debris or rust can be frustrating and occasionally even dangerous. On some occasions, individuals are forced to resort to forcibly striking the receiver in order to disengage it from a trailer hitch, which can result in damage to both the trailer hitch and the receiver. Therefore, there exists a need for a tool adapted for cleaning trailer hitch receivers so that accumulated dirt, debris, and rust can be removed before they cause difficulty.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of cleaning tools now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a brush for a trailer hitch receiver. A brush for a trailer hitch receiver. The brush includes a head shaped to conform to an interior channel of a trailer hitch receiver. This allows the brush to be used to clean the interior of a trailer hitch receiver, which is generally challenging to clean. In various embodiments, the head of the brush can be integral with the shaft. In other embodiments, the brush can include multiple interchangeable heads so that the cleaning tool can be used for multiple different types or sizes of trailer hitch receivers

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 3, there is shown a perspective view of a brush and a perspective view of a brush inserted within a hitch receiver. The brush includes a head102disposed at a distal end of a shaft101. The head102includes a plurality of bristles103extending therefrom. The shaft101of the brush can further include a padded portion104disposed at an end of the shaft101opposing the head102for ease in gripping the brush. In one embodiment of the brush, as depicted inFIG. 1, the head102and the shaft101are integrally affixed together. In other embodiments, the brush includes multiple interchangeable heads.

The head102of the brush is configured to conform to an interior channel of a trailer hitch receiver for cleaning thereof. The bristles103form the shape of a rectangular cuboid, which conforms to the shape of an interior302of a trailer hitch receiver301. The width of the head102, as formed by the bristles103, is equal to the width of the trailer hitch receiver interior302to a close tolerance thereof. The bristles103are constructed from a material that has sufficient rigidity to serve as a scraping or cleaning surface. In one embodiment, e.g., the bristles103are constructed from steel.

Referring now toFIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of a brush including a removable head. In this embodiment of the brush, the head102is connectable to the shaft101via a removable connector201. The connector201can include a projection that is received within a corresponding recess and held in place via press or friction fit, as depicted. In alternative embodiments, the connector201can include a magnetic connector, a decent pin connector, or any other such connectors that provide a removable connection.

Referring now toFIGS. 4A-C, there are shown perspective views of a brush having heads of varying width. In one embodiment, wherein the head is removably attachable to the shaft101, the brush can be provided with a plurality of interchangeable heads102a,102b,102cthat are removably affixable to the shaft101. The interchangeable heads102a,102b,102cof different widths are needed because trailer hitch receivers differ in size. The size of the trailer hitch receiver generally depends upon the type of vehicle with which it is utilized. Conventional automobiles generally utilize a 1.25″×1.25″ receiver. Trucks and SUVs generally utilize a 2″×2″ receiver. A 2.5″×2.5″ receiver can be utilized for commercial applications. Therefore, in an illustrative embodiment, the brush is provided as an assembly including a first head102ahaving a width of a, a second head102bhaving a width of b, and a third head102chaving a width of c, wherein the a<b<c. This allows the brush assembly to be customized for application in three differently sized trailer hitch receivers. In one embodiment, a is equal to 1.25″, b is equal to 2″, and c is equal to 2.5″. Note that as the height and width of conventional trailer hitch receivers are equal, “width” as used herein is used to interchangeably refer to both the width and height dimensions of the heads102a,102b,102c.

In one embodiment, interchangeable heads102a,102b,102care all uniform in length. In this embodiment, the length of the interchangeable heads102a,102b,102cis, e.g., 4″. A length of 4″ conforms to a common length of a trailer hitch receiver, allowing the present brush to clean the entire length of the interior of the trailer hitch.