Abstract:
A towing hitch assembly for use with a vehicle and method is provided and includes a towing hitch frame structure, the towing hitch frame structure having a front surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The front surface can be configured to face away from the vehicle. A towing hitch can be located adjacent the towing hitch frame structure, and a mounting assembly can be configured to mount the towing hitch frame structure to a vehicle frame. The mounting assembly can include a first bracket configured to be adjacent the vehicle frame, and a second bracket capable of receiving the first bracket, the second bracket extending along the bottom surface and the front surface of the towing hitch frame structure. The towing hitch assembly according to the disclosed subject matter provides for, among other features, improved styling, safety, loading and bumper attachment.

Description:
This application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/017,896 filed on Dec. 31, 2007, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a towing hitch apparatus, and more particularly, to a towing hitch apparatus that can be mounted directly to a vehicle frame and a method for mounting a towing hitch. 
     2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
     Typically, motor vehicles are assembled with a rear bumper assembly in order to protect the vehicle and its passengers and others during rear end collisions, to provide an attachment structure for lighting assemblies, to provide design features, etc. In many cases, a separate tow hitch assembly is provided below the rear bumper so as to allow the vehicle to tow another vehicle or a trailer. These separate tow hitch assemblies are typically attached to the vehicle frame and include a cross beam that extends transversely across the rear end of the vehicle. A tow hitch receiver is then welded to the cross beam. These conventional tow hitch assemblies are generally made of heavy materials such as steel, etc. Thus, the combination of the tow hitch assembly and bumper assembly often adds a significant amount of weight to the vehicle, which can result in reduced fuel economy. The conventional tow hitch assemblies are also low to the ground which can reduce design choice, reduce towing ability, and raise certain safety concerns. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an integrated rear bumper assembly and towing hitch assembly which is compact and lighter in weight than the conventional tow hitch and rear bumper assemblies. It would also be desirable to provide a towing hitch assembly that is higher from the ground than conventional assemblies and which can be better incorporated into a bumper system for design purposes, varied towing ability, etc. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a towing hitch assembly for mounting to a vehicle can include a towing hitch frame structure, the towing hitch frame structure having a front surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, the front surface configured to face away from the vehicle, a towing hitch located adjacent the towing hitch frame structure, and a mounting assembly configured to mount the towing hitch frame structure to a vehicle frame. The mounting assembly can include a first bracket configured to be adjacent the vehicle frame, and a second bracket capable of receiving the first bracket, the second bracket extending along the bottom surface and the front surface of the towing hitch frame structure. In one embodiment, the second bracket may be L-shaped so that a portion of the second bracket is affixed to the front surface of the towing hitch frame. The first and second brackets may be welded together in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the first and second brackets may be bolted together or bonded together using an adhesive. In one embodiment, the mounting assembly is affixed to both the vehicle frame and the vehicle hitch frame structure using bolts, or alternatively through adhesive bonding, or through a welding process. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the vehicle tow hitch assembly can be integrated with a bumper assembly resulting in a compact and light-weight solution. 
     According to yet another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, at least one accessory attachment bracket is provided adjacent the towing hitch frame structure which allows various accessories, such as a step, to be mounted on the frame structure. 
     According to still another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the vehicle tow hitch assembly is located higher from the ground compared to conventional systems provides various crash safety benefits, styling benefits and allows the assembly to be utilized as a step for certain types of vehicles, such as sport utility vehicles (SUVs). 
     According to still another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a method for mounting a towing hitch to a vehicle frame of a vehicle can include providing a vehicle frame including a lower surface facing downward away from a bottom of the vehicle and a front surface facing away from a rear of the vehicle, a towing hitch frame structure including a towing hitch configured to connect to a vehicle trailer structure, the towing hitch frame structure having a front surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, the front surface configured to face away from a rear of the vehicle, a primary bracket including a primary surface, and a secondary bracket including a secondary surface and an extension portion extending at a substantial angle with respect to the secondary surface. The method can further include connecting the primary bracket to the secondary bracket such that the primary surface is spaced from the secondary surface. The method can also include attaching at least one of the primary bracket and the secondary bracket to the vehicle frame such that at least one of the primary surface and the secondary surface extends along both the lower surface of the vehicle frame and the bottom surface of the towing hitch frame structure and the extension portion extends along the front surface of the towing hitch frame structure. 
     According to yet another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a towing hitch assembly for mounting to a vehicle can include a towing hitch frame structure, the towing hitch frame structure having a front surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, the front surface configured to face away from a rear of the vehicle. The towing hitch assembly can further include a vehicle frame including a bottom surface and a front surface configured to face away from a rear of the vehicle, the bottom of the vehicle frame being substantially co-planar with the bottom surface of the towing hitch frame structure. A towing hitch can be located adjacent the towing hitch frame structure. A mounting assembly can be configured to mount the towing hitch frame structure to the vehicle frame, the mounting assembly including a bracket structure that has a primary surface extending along both the bottom surface of the vehicle frame and the bottom surface of the towing hitch frame structure, the bracket structure including an extension portion that includes a secondary surface that is configured at an angle greater than zero with respect to the primary surface and extends along the front surface of the towing hitch frame structure. 
     Still other aspects, features, and attendant advantages of the disclosed subject matter will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description of embodiments constructed in accordance therewith, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosed subject matter will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and method, given only by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary towing hitch apparatus made in accordance with principles of the disclosed subject matter; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the towing hitch apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded perspective view of an exemplary mounting assembly made in accordance with principles of the disclosed subject matter; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the mounting assembly taken along line IV-IV of  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary towing hitch apparatus including an accessory mounting bracket made in accordance with principles of the disclosed subject matter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawing figures, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements throughout the several figures. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a towing hitch assembly  100  made in accordance with the principles of the disclosed subject matter. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the towing hitch assembly includes a towing hitch frame structure  110 , a towing hitch  120  coupled to towing hitch frame structure  110  and a mounting assembly  130  located at opposite ends of the towing hitch frame structure  110 .  FIG. 1  also shows accessory attachment brackets  160  which are disposed adjacent a front surface  205  of the towing hitch frame structure  110 . The towing hitch frame structure  110  of  FIG. 1  can be described as a cross beam having any number of cross-sectional shapes, including rectangular, triangular, polygonal, non-symmetrical, etc. This cross beam is sized so as to extend along the width a vehicle to which it is mounted. It should be understood, however, that the towing hitch frame structure  110  according to the disclosed subject matter can take on any number of shapes and configurations capable of being coupled to a vehicle&#39;s frame and capable of receiving the towing hitch  120 . The towing hitch  120  is located adjacent to the towing hitch frame structure  110  and may be positioned at any point along the towing hitch frame structure  110 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the towing hitch may be located at about the center of the towing hitch structure  110 . One end of the towing hitch  120  may be coupled to the towing hitch frame structure  110 , while another end is capable of being coupled to another object, such as a trailer for towing various structures or vehicles. Coupling of the towing hitch  120  to the towing hitch frame structure  110  can be accomplished by a variety of mechanisms, including through welding or the use of various fasteners, such as bolts, screws or adhesives. 
     The mounting assembly  130  is located at each end of the towing hitch frame structure  110  and facilitates attachment of the towing hitch frame structure  110  to a vehicle frame. An exemplary configuration of the mounting assembly  130  will be described below in greater detail but as can be seen from  FIG. 1 , can include a first bracket  140  in communication with a second bracket  150 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the mounting assembly  130  in greater detail. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the mounting assembly  130  is affixed to the towing hitch frame structure  110 . In this embodiment, the towing hitch frame structure  110  has a five-sided polygonal cross-sectional shape. The towing hitch frame structure  110  has a front surface  205 , a top surface  210  and a bottom surface  215 . The mounting assembly  130  includes a first bracket  140  and a second bracket  150 . The second bracket  150  receives the first bracket  140  in such a manner as to form a “clamshell” structure. In one embodiment of the invention, the first bracket  140  and the second bracket  150  are MIG welded together to form the “clamshell” structure. In another embodiment, the first bracket  140  is bolted to the second bracket  150 . The mounting assembly  130  is affixed to both a vehicle frame  250  and the bottom surface  215  of the towing hitch frame  110  through the use of a welding process, bolts, or other attachment structure(s). In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the second bracket  150  has an L-shape so that a portion of it is affixed to the front surface  205  of the towing hitch frame  110 . In this manner, the towing hitch frame structure  110  is mounted to the vehicle frame  250  via the mounting assembly  130 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the mounting assembly  130  before the first bracket  140  is placed into contact with the second bracket  150 . The arrows shown in  FIG. 3  illustrate the manner in which the first and second brackets are coupled together to form a “clamshell” mounting assembly. In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the first bracket has a first curved lip  305 , an opposing second curved lip  310  and a third curved lip  315 . Each of the first curved lip  305 , the second curved lip  310  and the third curved lip  315  are curved in the direction of the second bracket  150 . The second bracket  150  has a first curved edge  325  and an opposing second curved edge  330 . The second bracket also has an extension edge  320  that can be L-shaped. The second bracket  150  is capable of receiving the first bracket  140  in a manner such that the first curved lip  305  is in contact with the first curved edge  325 , the second curved lip  310  is in contact with the second curved edge  330  and the third curved lip  315  is in contact with the L-shaped edge  320 . In one embodiment, the first bracket  140  is welded to the second bracket  150  at the points of contact described above. In another embodiment, the first bracket  140  is affixed to the second bracket  150  through the use of bolts or other attachment structure(s). 
       FIG. 4  shows a cross sectional view of the first bracket  140  and the second bracket  150  taken along line IV-IV of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  shows that the second bracket  150  is capable of receiving the first bracket  140  so as to form a “clamshell” bracket.  FIG. 4  also shows that the first curved lip  305  is in contact with the first curved edge  325  and the second curved lip  310  is in contact with the second curved edge  330 . In one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the first curved lip  305  and the first curved edge  325  may be welded together, while the second curved lip  310  may be welded to the second curved edge  330 . Alternatively, the curved lip  305  can be affixed to the curved edge  325  though the use of bolts or adhesives. In addition, each of the brackets could be directly connected to the vehicle frame without direct connection between brackets. 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a towing hitch assembly  100 .  FIG. 5  shows the towing hitch frame structure  110  and the mounting assembly  130 , which includes a first bracket  140  and a second bracket  150 . A step accessory  505  is mounted on the towing hitch frame structure  110  and is supported by the accessory attachment bracket  160 . The combination of the accessory attachment bracket  160  and the towing hitch frame structure  110  provides support for the step accessory  505  allowing it to support loads. Typically, the step accessory  505  is used to allow a user to easily access either items in the vehicle or the vehicle itself. For example, if the step accessory  505  is used on a pick-up truck, a user can climb into the bed of the truck by mounting/climbing on the step accessory  505 . 
     Of course, other accessories can be mounted on the hitch frame structure  110  such as clips, bike mounts, light assemblies, etc. 
     It should be noted that several of the disclosed structures that make up the hitch mount can be varied in terms of shape, size, material, connections, etc., without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed subject matter. For example, the first bracket  140  and second bracket  150  can be configured differently, such as including different shaped brackets and different connection criteria. Specifically, the bracket  140  is shown as fitting in clam-shell type fashion into bracket  150 . However, it is possible that the bracket  150  fits within bracket  140  or that each of the brackets  140  and  150  mate in a different manner with each other. The shape of the brackets  140  and  150  can also differ from the shape shown in the Figures. For example, the brackets  140  and  150  could be rounded or oval in plain view, triangular, etc. The upper bracket could include the extension or L-shaped edge that is attached to the front surface  205  of the hitch frame structure  110 . It is also possible that the brackets  140  and  150  can be combined into a single, unitary structure that could be formed via extrusion or casting, etc., and results in a shape that is similar to that of the final structure when brackets  140  and  150  are attached to each other. 
     Also, the shape of the structure when brackets  140  and  150  are attached to each other can become thicker from a distal portion to a proximal portion along a longitudinal axis of the brackets  140  and  150 . The shape can remain the same thickness or become thinner depending on various design, structural strength, and other requirements. 
     While the invention has been described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes can be made, and equivalents employed, without departing from the scope of the invention. The foregoing description of embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed subject matter. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents. The entirety of each of the aforementioned documents is incorporated by reference herein.