Abstract:
A hitch step is adapted to be attached into a standard receiver-type hitch of a pickup truck, or other similarly equipped vehicle. The device is an attachable step enabling one to gain access to a rear portion of the vehicle. The device is configured to accommodate a variety of vehicles and step widths.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention is a continuation of, was first described in, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/090,999, filed Dec. 12, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a step-up bumper assembly designed to attach to a hitch of a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     With sales at an all-time high, the popularity of the pick-up style truck as an everyday vehicle is more wide spread than it ever has been. Their utility and convenience in hauling items coupled with the availability of luxury interiors and extended cab space have made the pickup a popular alternative to other vehicles. The availability of aftermarket accessories also enhances the attractiveness of pickup trucks as well. Several of these aftermarket products, such as hitch steps, bumper platforms, and running boards, are designed to improve access to various interior and exterior areas on the vehicle. While they do their job fairly well, they are very utilitarian in appearance, and even tend to detract from the appearance of the vehicle. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which a hitch step can be provided with an enhanced visual appearance. The use of the present invention provides access to all points of a motor vehicle in a manner which is not only quick, easy, and effective, but stylish as well. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide such a step that is capable of being removably attached to a hitch receiver of a vehicle. The step comprises a hitch adapter, a hitch block having a bottom surface attached to the hitch adapter, and at least one (1) step plate affixed to an upper surface of the hitch block. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide such a hitch adapter having an insert tube with a pin receiver capable of being removably attached to the hitch receiver, a support tube having a support plate attachable to the hitch block, and an offset tube attached to and spanning between the insert tube and the support tube. The offset tube has a pair of angles that offsets the insert tube from the support tube to maintain a parallel arrangement therebetween. A limit plate is also provided, disposed about a periphery of the insert tube between the pin aperture and the offset tube. The limit plate limits the travel of the insert tube inside the hitch receiver. In at least one (1) embodiment, the hitch adapter is provided as a unitary embodiment. 
     Another object is to provide such a hitch block that is generally a rectangular polyhedron. In at least one (1) embodiment, the hitch block is a hardwood. 
     Yet another object is to provide such a step plate that is generally rectangular. In various embodiments, the step plate is either a diamond plate or a four-way safety plate. Other embodiments also provided for a plurality of step plates. In all embodiments, it is preferred that the singular step plate or plurality of step plates are arranged so they are centrally located on the hitch block. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental top perspective view of a hitch step  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a pair of step plates  80 ; 
         FIG. 2  is an environmental top perspective view of the hitch step  10  in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention, showing a unitary step plate  90 ; 
         FIG. 3  is bottom perspective view of the hitch step  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the hitch adapter  30  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of the hitch adapter  30  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear elevation view of the hitch adapter  30  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a first side elevation view of the hitch adapter  30  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an opposite side elevation view of the hitch adapter  30  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the hitch adapter  30  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of a hitch adapter  30 , from an under side, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  hitch step 
               20  hitch block 
               25  ledge 
               30  hitch adapter 
               35  insert tube 
               40  tube aperture 
               45  limit plate 
               50  offset tube 
               55  support tube 
               60  support plate 
               65  plate aperture 
               70  block fastener 
               80  step plate 
               85  plate aperture 
               90  unitary step plate 
               100  vehicle 
               105  vehicle cargo area 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 and 3-10 . An alternate embodiment is depicted in  FIG. 2 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one (1) particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a hitch step (herein referred to as the “system”)  10 , which primarily provides a ledge  25  preferably composed of a hardwood hitch block  20  capable of supporting a user&#39;s weight, attached to a hitch of a vehicle  100 . The user may more easily be able to gain access to elevated portions of that vehicle  100 , such as a vehicle cargo area  105 . The ledge  25  may also serve other utility purposes, such as, but not limited to, a seating area, or an additional cargo-carrying platform. Due to the outboard positioning of various segments, the system  10  may also serve as a deflector of incidental contact for the vehicle  100 . The terms “front” and “back” or “rear” are used consistent with the front and back/rear directions of the vehicle  100  to which the system  10  may be attached. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 3-10 , major projection views and isometric views of the system  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The system  10  includes a hitch adapter  30  and a wooden hitch block  20 . The hitch block  20  is configured to be a rectangular polyhedron composed of any of a variety of hardwoods typically utilized for wooden support structures. The hitch block  20  may be rough-hewn, or planed and sanded, with any type of coating, or treatment, to inhibit deterioration and provide aesthetic appeal as may suit the taste of a particular user. The wooden hitch block  20  preferably has a cross-sectional size of nominally three inches (3 in.) high by eight inches (8 in.) thick. It is understood that other nominal sizes may be accommodated in any other embodiment without limiting the scope of the system  10 . 
     An upper surface of the hitch block  20  is a horizontal plane generally referred to as a ledge  25 . The ledge  25  may be provided with a step plate  80 ,  90  to improve traction on the ledge  25 . The step plate  80 ,  90  may be a diamond plate or a four-way safety plate in order to achieve this improved traction. The step plate  90  may be disposed upon the ledge  75  as a single piece as is shown in  FIG. 2 , or may be divided into a plurality of step plates  80  (such as a pair of step plates  80  as in a preferred embodiment) spaced over the surface of the ledge  25  in some manner. The unitary step plate  90  is envisioned as encompassing the same area as all of the preferred step plates  80  plus all the gaps therein. The step plate  80 ,  90  is attached to the ledge  25  by means of a plurality of fasteners each passing through one (1) of a plurality of plate fasteners  85  aligned with a fastener of the ledge  25  (not shown). The system  10  may be adapted to span any portion of the rear of the vehicle  100  to suit the purposes and taste of a user. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-10 , isolated views of a hitch adapter  30  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The hitch adapter  30  is configured to have an insert tube  35  at a proximal end sized to removably fit within any standard category receiver-type hitch on a vehicle  100  without limiting the scope of the system  10 . The insert tube  35  is provided with a pin aperture  40  into which a standard hitch pin, commensurate with the specific category hitch utilized on the vehicle  100 , can be inserted to secure the hitch adapter  30 . A distal end of the hitch adapter  30  has a support tube  55 , which may be an extension of the insert tube  35 . In a preferred embodiment, the support tube  55  and the insert tube  35  are separate pieces attached to each other by an offset tube  50 , which results in the longitudinal axes of the insert tube  35  and the support tube  55  lying along disparate horizontal planes. The offset tube  50  may be disposed at any angle, up to ninety degrees (90°) to influence the distance between the longitudinal centerline of insert tube  35  and that of the support tube  55 . The insert tube  35 , the offset tube  50 , and the support tube  55  are preferably composed of structural steel tubing and joined together by a welding process. It is understood that other materials, such as metallic bars, or other structural shapes, may be utilized without limiting the scope of the system  10 . 
     A limit plate  45  is attached to the insert tube  35  so as to govern the depth to which the insert tube  35  may be installed within the receiver-type hitch as well as partially covering that aperture so as to inhibit the entrance of debris and contaminants which may have a deleterious effect. The limit plate  45  may be comprised of a single plate having an accommodating aperture (not specifically shown) through which the insert tube  35  is routed, or a plurality of plates affixed to the insert tube  35 , preferably by welding, to serve the intended purpose. A rectangular, planar support plate  60  is attached, preferably by welding, to an upper face of the support tube  55 . The support plate  60  is configured to lie in a perpendicular plane to the longitudinal centerline of the support tube  55 . The support plate  60  is provided with a plurality of plate apertures  65  through which block fasteners  70  are routed for the removable attachment of the hitch block  20 . The support plate  60  is fastened to a lower face of the hitch block. The block fasteners  70  are configured to be lag bolts of an appropriate size to retain the hitch block  20  and withstand the normal forces placed thereon. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the enabled user in a simple and straightforward manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the system  10 , it would be installed as indicated either in  FIG. 1 or 2 . The method of installing and utilizing the system  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring a model of the system  10  having a desired style to suit the taste of a user; inserting the insert tube  35  into the hitch receiver; utilizing the ledge  25  to access a desired portion of the vehicle cargo area  105  by stepping onto and standing upon the ledge  25 . The ledge  25  may also be utilized as a seat, or as a horizontal support for other selected items. The system  10  may provide some damage reduction benefit to the vehicle  100  in an entirely passive manner. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.