Cover with spring-biased door for trailer hitch receiver

A receiver cover includes a stationary member that is configured to be secured to an end of a receiver of a trailer hitch. The receiver cover also includes a door which is hingedly connected to the stationary member. A biasing element, such as a spring, causes the door of the receiver cover to be biased in a closed position over the stationary element of the receiver cover. Thus, when the receiver is not in use, the door automatically closes and is secured in a closed position over a receptacle in a receiver with which the receiver cover is used. When access to the receptacle of the receiver is desired, such as for coupling a trailer hitch therewith, the door may be manually opened against the bias of the biasing element so as to expose the receptacle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to receiver covers for receivers of trailer hitches and, more specifically, to receiver covers which facilitate access to the receptacle of a receiver while remaining secured to the outside of the receiver.

2. Background of Related Art

Many vehicles have been equipped with trailer-towing apparatus. For noncommercial vehicles, such as cars and light trucks (e.g., pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, etc.), such trailer-towing apparatus are typically in the form of a permanent vehicle-mounted portion, which includes a receiver, and a trailer hitch, which is removable and securable to the receiver, such as with one or more cotter pins or the like.

When the trailer hitch is not in use, but remains coupled with a receiver therefor, the trailer hitch may protrude a significant distance from the rear of a vehicle and may cause damage to structures or other vehicles. Also, when trailer hitches remain coupled with their receivers for long periods of time, moisture may become trapped therebetween, which may result in rusting or corrosion of one or both of the trailer hitch and the receiver, which may weaken them.

Even when a trailer hitch is removed from a receiver, the exposed end of the receiver may be somewhat undesirable. For example, an exposed end of a receiver may be unsightly. Also, dust, dirt, road debris, moisture, or combinations thereof may be introduced into the receptacle of the receiver, hindering subsequent use thereof, as well as facilitating corrosion of the receiver.

Various types of receiver covers have been developed to maintain a sightly appearance when a trailer hitch is not coupled with a receiver. Typically, conventional receiver covers include an inner receptacle into which an otherwise exposed end of the receiver is introduced, as well as an outer member which shields the end of the receiver onto which the receiver cover has been installed. Typically, the outer member and inner receptacle are integral with one another or fixedly secured to each other. Accordingly, when access to the receiver is desired, the entire receiver cover must be removed from the receiver and stored elsewhere. This often results in loss of receiver covers, as the storage location may be on the back bumper of the vehicle, on a trailer which has been coupled to the vehicle, or some other unsafe location.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,386, issued to Morelock on Feb. 1, 2000 (hereinafter “the '386 patent”), describes another example of a receiver cover. The receiver cover of the '386 patent includes a pliable, resilient annular frame which is positionable around a receiver, with an end of the receiver protruding therethrough. The receiver cover of the '386 patent also includes a living hinge and jacket, which is configured to secure to the end of the receiver around which the frame is positioned. The jacket includes an exterior frame that is configured to be positioned around the outside of the receiver, as well as an extended perimeter, which is configured to be inserted into the receptacle of the receiver. As the receiver cover is formed from a pliable, resilient material, the exterior frame and extended perimeter may be stretched somewhat to secure the jacket to the end of the receiver. This configuration may, however, be somewhat undesirable since the jacket must be aligned with the end of the receiver before being installed thereon. Further, the jacket must be manually reinstalled on the end of the receiver following each use of the receiver.

Sometimes indicia, including the logos of car manufacturers or boat manufacturers, pictures, text, and indicia of various other types, are carried upon the outer members of known receiver covers. As is known in the art, however, it is difficult to secure and to maintain securement of indicia to pliable materials, especially those, like the material of the jacket of the receiver cover described in the '386 Patent, which may be subjected to repeated external stresses.

Accordingly, there is a need for a receiver cover which may be readily installed on an end of a receiver, which provides ready access to a receptacle of the receiver without requiring removal from the receiver, to which indicia may be reliably secured, and which automatically covers the receiver when the receiver is not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes receiver covers that are configured to be secured to the receiver of a trailer hitch, which receiver is permanently mounted to an automobile to adapt the automobile to haul trailers that may be coupled with the type of trailer hitch to, in turn, be coupled with the receiver. A receiver cover that incorporates teachings of the present invention is configured to be secured to the outside of a receiver so as to be positioned over the receptacle of the receiver. Such a receiver cover includes a stationary member, which secures the receiver cover to the receiver, a door, which may be positioned to cover the receptacle of the receiver when the trailer hitch is not in use (i.e., in a closed position) or to fully expose the receptacle of the receiver to facilitate coupling of a trailer hitch thereto (i.e., in an open position), and a hinge, which couples the stationary member and the door to one another and facilitates movement of the door between such closed and open positions.

The stationary member of a receiver cover of the present invention is configured to at least partially surround the outer periphery of the readily accessible end of a receiver, with which the trailer hitch may be coupled. When the stationary member is properly positioned on the receiver, the receptacle of the receiver is fully exposed through an access aperture of the stationary member. The hinge may be located at or near a periphery of the stationary member.

The door may comprise a generally planar member, which, when in a closed position, substantially covers the receptacle of a receiver on which the receiver cover has been positioned. The door may have an ornamental appearance or have an ornamental element secured thereto. The door may also include a latch, which is configured to at least temporarily secure the door in a closed position.

A receiver cover according to the present invention may also include a spring element which associates with the stationary member and the door in such a way as to bias the door from an open position to a closed position.

In use, a receiver cover that incorporates teachings of the present invention may be positioned on a receiver for a trailer hitch with the stationary member thereof securing the receiver cover in position and the door thereof covering the receptacle of the receiver. Until access to the receiver is desired, the door stays substantially in position without having to be introduced into the receptacle of the receiver. When access to the receptacle of the receiver is desired, for example, so that a trailer hitch may be coupled with the receiver, the door may be placed in an open position. The coupling end of a trailer hitch may then be inserted into the receptacle and coupled with the receiver, as known in the art (e.g., with one or more cotter pins). Once the trailer hitch is no longer needed, it may be uncoupled from the receiver and removed from the receiver's receptacle. The door may then be moved to a closed position, in which the receptacle of the receiver is substantially covered. Such movement may be manually effected or automatically effected by way of one or more springs.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a receiver cover10that incorporates teachings of the present invention is depicted. Receiver cover10includes a stationary member12and a door14. Stationary member12and door14are coupled with one another by way of a hinge18.

As shown inFIG. 2, stationary member12includes a first end20, to which hinge18couples door14, and a second end30, which is configured for coupling stationary member12to a receiver100. An access aperture22formed through first end20of stationary member provides access to a receptacle102of receiver100. Access aperture22is continuous with a receiver coupling aperture32of second end30. As depicted, access aperture22may have internal dimensions (e.g., AH and AW (FIG.1)), taken transverse to the length L (FIG. 1) of stationary member12that are smaller than the corresponding internal dimensions of receiver coupling aperture32. As a result, a ridge34may be located at an interior end33of receiver coupling aperture32, at the boundary between first end20and second end30of stationary member12. Such a ridge34prevents stationary member12from sliding too far along the length of a receiver100and, thus, ensures that stationary member12will be properly positioned over and end103of receiver100.

When assembled on a receiver100, end103of receiver100is positioned within receiver coupling aperture32, with an edge104of receiver100positioned proximate to or in abutment with ridge34. In addition, access aperture22is continuous with receptacle102of receiver100. Access aperture22and receptacle102may have substantially the same internal dimensions, as shown, to facilitate the insertion of a trailer hitch (not shown inFIG. 2) into access aperture22, then into receptacle102.

Stationary member12may additionally include one or more securing elements25. As shown inFIG. 5, each securing element includes a threaded aperture26and a complementarily threaded securing screw27. Aperture26extends completely through second end30of stationary member12. Securing screw27is configured to be introduced in aperture26and tightened against an adjacent region of an exterior surface101of receiver100(FIG. 2) or received within an aperture or recess (not shown) which is continuous with exterior surface101.

Door14may comprise a substantially planar member of virtually any shape and size, so long as the shape and size of door14are adequate for substantially covering access aperture22of stationary member12upon being positioned thereover. Although door14may be formed from any suitable material, including plastic, metal, rubber, or the like, it is currently preferred that door14be formed from a rigid material that facilitates securing of indicia200of various types (e.g., metal, plastic, etc.) to an exterior surface16thereof, as shown in FIG.7. Such securing may, for example, be effected with suitable glues, cements, mechanical means (e.g., screws, pins, nuts and bolts, tabs and slots, etc.), or as otherwise known in the art. As best seen inFIG. 7, exterior surface16of door14may include a recessed area17which is configured to at least partially receive such indicia200.

FIG. 8depicts door14as including a wear reduction element90protruding from interior surface15thereof. As shown, wear reduction element90is an elongate element which protrudes from interior surface15of door14a sufficient distance that contact between door14and a trailer hitch110are minimized when trailer hitch110is coupled with receiver100. Wear reduction element90may be located so as to be received by receptacle102of receiver100when door14is in the closed position.

Additionally, wear reduction element90may include a threaded aperture (not shown) which receives a set screw92. An exposed head94of set screw92may be adjusted to a position at which it will contact an edge23of access aperture22when door14is in the closed position, minimizing vibration of door14and, thus, of receiver cover10when a vehicle with which receiver cover10is used is being driven. Set screw92may be adjusted outward to accommodate any wear to head94thereof or to edge23of access aperture22over time and, thus, so that such vibration of door14may be minimized following such wear. In the event that set screw92becomes too worn to prevent such vibration or gets lost, set screw92may be replaced.

FIGS. 3 through 5depict the elements of an exemplary hinge18for coupling door14to stationary member12. Hinge18includes a first hinge member40which is integral with door14or is secured to an interior surface15thereof and which protrudes from interior surface15. As shown, first hinge member40includes two apertures42which are in substantial alignment with one another. The depicted stationary member12of receiver cover10comprises a second hinge member44of hinge18. Second hinge member44includes two coupling elements46, each of which includes an aperture48formed therethrough. Like apertures42, apertures48of coupling elements46are in substantial alignment. Coupling elements46are spaced a sufficient distance apart from one another that first hinge member40may be placed therebetween. Alternatively, a second hinge member may be secured to stationary member12.

When door14and stationary member12are positioned properly relative to one another with first hinge member40and second hinge member44in an assembled relationship, apertures42of second hinge member44align with apertures48of first hinge member40. A hinge pin50, which extends through each of apertures42and48, secures first hinge member40and second hinge member44to one another. Hinge pin50includes enlarged ends52and54, which prevent hinge pin50from sliding out of apertures42and48and, thus, from becoming uncoupled from the remainder of hinge18. As depicted, hinge pin50includes two members56and58, each of which includes a single one of ends52and54. Members56and58are securable to and removable from one another, such as by complementary threading, so as to facilitate introduction of hinge pin50through apertures42and48and, thus, assembly of hinge pin50with first hinge member40and second hinge member44.

Although hinge18is shown as being positioned adjacent to a side of receiver cover10, hinge18may alternatively be positioned adjacent to the top, bottom, or opposite side of receiver cover10and, thus, open in a different direction than that which is illustrated.

In any event, the features of hinge18are configured such that they do not interfere with the insertion of a trailer hitch (not shown inFIGS. 3 through 5) into receptacle102of receiver100(FIG.2).

Moreover, although a particular embodiment of hinge18is depicted, other suitable hinge arrangements, as are within the ordinary skill of one in the art, are also within the scope of the present invention, including, without limitation, the use of so-called “living hinges”, or one or more thinned regions of material at the location where stationary member12and door14are joined to one another.

Referring now toFIG. 6, receiver cover10also includes a biasing element70which is associated with stationary member12and door14in such a way as to cause door14to be biased toward stationary member12, or into a closed position. When used in conjunction with a door14that does not require precise alignment with an end103of a receiver100(FIG.2), biasing element70facilitates the automatic covering of receptacle102of receiver100by door14.

In the exemplary embodiment depicted inFIGS. 3 and 4, biasing element70comprises a coiled spring72which is positioned adjacent to or around a portion of hinge pin50. Ends74and76of coiled spring72respectively abut stationary member12and door14in such a way that adjacent peripheral edges of stationary member12and door14which are located peripherally outside of hinge18are biased away from one another and, thus, the major portions of stationary member12and door14, which are located on the opposite side of hinge18, are biased toward one another. Ends74and76may be at least partially retained in position relative to stationary member12and door14, respectively, by interference fit, by bends formed therein, or by way of retention notches (not shown) formed on opposing surfaces of stationary member12and door14.

Of course, other types of biasing elements are also within the scope of the present invention, including other types of springs, magnets or magnetized elements, and the like.

Turning again toFIG. 4, door14may include a latch80which protrudes therefrom. Latch80is configured to engage a peripheral edge13or a corresponding feature on a peripheral edge13of stationary member12. As shown, latch80is configured to be somewhat flexible so as to facilitate engagement and disengagement of stationary member12and, thus, temporarily retain door14in a closed position relative to stationary member12.

A receiver cover that incorporates teachings of the present invention may optionally include a receptacle for an electrical harness, such as the 4-connection and 7-connection electrical plugs that are commonly used, as known in the art, to connect the electrical systems of trailers with those of the vehicles that are being used to haul such trailers.

Various elements of receiver cover10, including, without limitation, stationary member12, door14, and hinge pin50, may be fabricated by known manufacturing processes. By way of example only, known injection molding techniques may be used to form these and other elements of receiver cover10from a thermoplastic material or fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material. As another example, when metal is used to form one or more of the elements of a receiver cover that incorporates teachings of the present invention, known casting or machining processes may be used.

Referring again toFIGS. 1 and 2, as an example of the use of a receiver cover that incorporates teachings of the present invention, such as the depicted receiver cover10, stationary member12may be positioned over an end103of a receiver100, with end103being introduced into receiver coupling aperture32and abutting ridge34. Securing screw27may then be tightened to secure stationary member12to receiver100.

When access to receiver100is desired, as shown inFIG. 8, door14may be manually opened by pivoting the same about hinge18. As door14is held in place so as to prevent biasing element70(FIG. 6) from moving door14back into the closed position over stationary member12, a trailer hitch110is introduced into and coupled with receiver100, as known in the art. Trailer hitch110then prevents biasing element70from closing door14, so door14rests on trailer hitch110.

Once trailer hitch110is no longer needed, it may be uncoupled from receiver100and removed from receptacle102of receiver100(See FIG.2). Biasing element70(FIG. 6) may then cause door14to be biased toward stationary member12and, thus, moved into a closed position over access aperture22(FIG. 2) of stationary member12and receptacle102of receiver100.

Although the foregoing description includes many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, but merely as providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. Similarly, other embodiments of the invention may be devised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Moreover, features from different embodiments of the invention may be employed in combination. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated and limited only by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the foregoing description. All additions, deletions, and modifications to the invention, as disclosed herein, which fall within the meaning and scope of the claims are to be embraced thereby.