Abstract:
The trailer hitch receiver cover of the present invention has a resilient means for covering and sealing the peripheral collar or flange of the hitch receiver. It also has integrally-formed means for covering and sealing the lateral holes in the hitch receiver. In alternative embodiments, the lateral hole sealing means is accomplished by structure that is disposed either internally to the trailer hitch receiver or externally to it.

Description:
This application claims the priority and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/779,726 filed Mar. 7, 2006. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to motor vehicles, trailer hitches and trailer hitch receivers. More particularly, it relates to covers for use with trailer hitch receivers of current manufacture. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Motor vehicles are frequently outfitted with means for towing trailers and the like. This towing means most usually takes the form of a hollow tubular receiver that is mounted at the rear of the towing vehicle. This hollow tubular receiver typically comprises a hollow metal tube having a square cross section and also having a peripheral collar or flange at the rear-most portion of the hollow tube. The tube is dimensioned so as to receive a portion of a mounting hitch having a spherical ball disposed at one end. The opposite end of the mounting hitch is typically another square member that mates with the tube of the trailer hitch receiver and is slidably insertable into and out of it. The outer dimension of the inserted end of the mounting hitch and the inner dimension of the receiver tube are similar such that a close tolerance between those two components is achieved. This arrangement ensures that there is minimal vibration and movement between those two components. To secure the mounting hitch within the receiver tube, however, the user must insert a locking pin or bolt through linearly aligned holes formed both in the receiver tube and in the inserted end of the mounting hitch. 
   When the mounting hitch is removed from the trailer hitch receiver, the unused opening at the end of the trailer hitch receiver is exposed to the elements. Those elements include water, dirt and salt, all of which can result in a deposit of dirt and debris collecting within the hitch receiver as well as corrosion and rusting of the inside surface of the hitch receiver. Such debris accumulation, rust and corrosion can impede, or even completely prevent, the later insertion of the mounting hitch within the hitch receiver. 
   To prevent the inside of the hitch receiver from being exposed to the elements, certain plugs have been introduced into the motor vehicle marketplace. The intended purpose of many such plugs, however, is to simply cover up the unattractive opening to the hitch receiver with some sort of novelty plug. Accordingly, such plugs are designed to do little more than incorporate a face piece that simply butts up against the face of the peripheral collar of the trailer hitch receiver. This presents a less than perfect cover for the trailer hitch receiver opening against the elements and does absolutely nothing to cover up the lateral holes in the hitch receiver, which holes also serve as secondary entry ways for water, dirt and salt to get into the hitch receiver. 
   In the view of these inventors, there is a need to provide a trailer hitch receiver cover that effectively wraps around and sealingly engages the primary opening at the peripheral collar or flange of the hitch receiver so as to prevent the exposure of the hitch receiver interior to the elements. What is also needed is such a hitch receiver cover that also incorporates means for sealing the lateral holes in the hitch receiver as well as the primary opening to the hitch receiver interior. What is also needed is such a cover that integrates both features in a single unitary device. What is also needed is such a cover that is fabricated of a resilient and flexible material. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide a new and useful trailer hitch receiver cover that effectively wraps around the peripheral collar or flange of the hitch receiver to prevent the exposure of the hitch receiver interior to the elements; that also incorporates means for sealing the lateral holes in the hitch receiver; that incorporates both features in a single unitary device; and that allows the device to be made of a resilient and flexible material. 
   The trailer hitch receiver cover of the present invention has obtained these objects. It provides for a trailer hitch receiver cover that has a resilient means for covering and sealing the peripheral collar or flange of the hitch receiver. It also provides for integrally-formed means for covering and sealing the lateral holes in the hitch receiver. In alternative embodiments, the lateral hole sealing means is accomplish by structure that is disposed either internally to the trailer hitch receiver or externally to it. 
   The foregoing and other features of the trailer hitch receiver cover of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front, top and right side perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the trailer hitch receiver cover constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectioned front, top and right side perspective view of the cover illustrated in  FIG. 1   
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectioned and top plan view of the cover illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  showing the cover prior to engagement with a trailer hitch receiver. 
       FIG. 4  is a view similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 3  but showing the cover fully engaged with the trailer hitch receiver. 
       FIG. 5  is the second preferred embodiment of the trailer hitch receiver cover constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectioned front, top and right side perspective view of the cover illustrated in  FIG. 5   
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectioned and top plan view of the cover illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  showing the cover prior to engagement with a trailer hitch receiver. 
       FIG. 8  is a view similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 7  but showing the cover fully engaged with the trailer hitch receiver. 
       FIG. 9  is the third preferred embodiment of the trailer hitch receiver cover constructed in accordance with the present invention 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectioned front, top and right side perspective view of the cover illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectioned and top plan view of the cover illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10  showing the cover prior to engagement with a trailer hitch receiver. 
       FIG. 12  is a view similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 11  but showing the cover fully engaged with the trailer hitch receiver. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals represent like structure and elements throughout,  FIG. 1  illustrates a first preferred embodiment of the trailer hitch receiver cover, generally identified  10 , that is constructed in accordance with the present invention. The cover  10  comprises a unitary structure having a front face  12 . Extending rearwardly of the front face  12  is a top wrap-around edge  13  and a bottom wrap-around edge  15 , as well as a first side edge  16  and a second side edge  18 . All of the edges  13 ,  15 ,  16 ,  18  are integrally formed with the front face  12 . 
   The cover  10  is intended to be placed over the end of a trailer hitch receiver tube  1 . See  FIGS. 2 through 4 . The receiver tube  1  is a typical square-shaped elongate metal tube having a square cross-section and further having a first side wall  2  and a second side wall  3 . The first side wall  2  includes a first side wall aperture  4  and the second side wall  3  includes a second side wall aperture  5 . The apertures  4  and  5  are linearly aligned. Forwardly of the receiver hitch tube  1 , and at its distal-most portion relative to the vehicle (not shown) that it is attached to, is a peripheral collar or flange  8 . At the first side wall  2 , the flange  8  includes a rearwardly-facing first flange surface  6 . At the second side wall  3 , the flange  8  includes a similar rearwardly-facing second flange surface  7 . Although identified as separate structures for purposes of explanation only, it is to be understood that the rearwardly-directed surfaces  6 ,  7  of the flange  8  are actually part of the same structure, the flange  8  completely encircling the receiver  1 . 
   It is to be understood that the lips  24 ,  34  discussed above form portions of a continuous lip structure that completely encircles and captures the peripheral collar or flange  8  of the receiver tube  1 . It is also to be understood that the inner capture cavity  14  is also a structure that completely encircles and captures the peripheral collar or flange  8  of the receiver tube  1 . 
   In this first preferred embodiment, a pair of rearwardly-directed side extension members  20 ,  30  extend rearwardly from the front face  12  of the cover  10 . More specifically, the extension members  20 ,  30  extend rearwardly from the first side edge  16  and the second side edge  18 , respectively, of the front face  12 . The first extension member  20  includes an inner surface  26 . Extending perpendicularly inward from the inner surface  26  is a lip  24  and a tab  28 , the tab  28  being disposed further rearwardly of the lip  24  relative to the front face  12 . Similarly, the second extension member  30  includes an inner surface  36  having a lip  34  and a tab  38  extending perpendicularly inward from it. Forwardly of the lips  24 ,  34  is an inner capture cavity  14 . This inner capture cavity  14  is defined at a portion by a first capture cavity recess  22  and by a second capture cavity recess  32  at the lip  24  of the first extension member  20  and at the lip  34  of the second extension member  30 , respectively. 
   In application, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the cover  10  is urged towards the receiver  1  such that the tabs  28 ,  38  of the extension members  20 ,  30 , respectively, pass over the collar or flange  8  of the receiver  1 . As the inner capture cavity  14  and the lips  24 ,  34  are urged towards the flange  8 , the cover  10  will have enough resiliency to allow the lips  24 ,  34  to pass over the flange  8  thereby allowing the capture cavity recess  22  of the first extension member  20  to engage the rearwardly-facing surface  6  of the receiver flange  8 . Similarly, the capture cavity recess  32  of the second extension member  30  will engage the rearwardly-facing surface  7  of the receiver flange  8 , thereby fully engaging the cover  10  with the collar or flange  8  and preventing any debris, water or other foreign matter from entering the receiver tube  1  at that end. 
   With the capture cavity  14  fully engaged with the collar or flange  8 , the tab  28  of the first side extension member  20  is a position that it can be urged into the first side wall aperture  4 . At the same time, the tab  38  of the second side extension member  30  is in a position that it can be urged into the second side wall aperture  5 , thereby preventing the entry of debris, water and other foreign matter into the receiver tube  1  at those apertures  4 ,  5  as well. This functionality allows the interior of the receiver tube  1  from becoming contaminated by dirt and corrosive agents, thus preserving the integrity of the inside surfaces of the tube  1  under all adverse conditions. The fully engaged cover  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . To remove the cover  10  from the receiver tube  1 , the reverse of the steps identified above are performed by the user. 
   It is the intention of these inventors, and it is also to be understood by one skilled in the art, that the cover  10  of the first preferred embodiment be constructed of a single piece of material, preferably a resilient and weather-resistant rubber or other flexible material. Furthermore, the cover may be made of other materials and may be fabricated in virtually any color that is available for molding of such products. 
   It should also be noted that the first preferred embodiment of the cover  10  includes a pull tab  17  disposed immediately below the bottom edge  15  of the front face  12 . The pull tab  17  may be used to aid in removal of the cover  10 . It may also be used to house the face of an electrical plug (not shown) that normally extends from the rear of the towing vehicle (also not shown) to prevent its contamination and exposure to the elements when the trailer is disconnected from the towing vehicle. While this is an added feature of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, such is not a limitation of the invention. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , it illustrates a second preferred embodiment of the trailer hitch receiver cover, generally identified  100 , that is constructed in accordance with the present invention. The cover  100  similarly comprises a unitary structure having a front face  112 . Extending inwardly of the front face  112  is a top wrap-around edge  113  and a bottom wrap-around edge  115 , as well as a first side edge  116  and a second side edge  118 . 
   As with the first preferred embodiment, the cover  100  of the second embodiment is intended to be placed over the end of a trailer hitch receiver tube  1 . See  FIGS. 6 through 8 . Again, the receiver tube  1  is a typical square-shaped elongate metal tube having a square cross-section and further having side walls  2 ,  3  and side wall apertures  4 ,  5 , respectively, and a collar or flange  8 , the flange  8  having a front face  9 . In this second preferred embodiment, a pair of rearwardly-directed first and second extension members  120 ,  130  extend rearwardly from the front face  112  of the cover  100 . As compared to the first embodiment, however, the extension members  120 ,  130  are disposed to the inside of the hitch receiver  1 , the extension members  120 ,  130  being resiliently flexible toward and away from one another. The first extension member  120  includes an outer surface  126 . Extending perpendicularly outward from the outer surface  126  is a tab  128 . Similarly, the second extension member  130  includes an outer surface  136  having a tab  138  extending perpendicularly outward from it. Rearwardly of the front face  112  is an inner capture cavity  114 . This capture cavity  114  is defined, in part, by the first side edge  116  and a proximal portion  122  of the first extension member  120  and by the second side edge  118  and a proximal portion  132  of the second extension member  130 . It is to be noted that the same structure exists as to the top and bottom side edges  113 ,  115 , respectively, as well. 
   As shown in  FIG. 7 , the cover  100  is urged towards the receiver  1  such that the tabs  128 ,  138  of the extension members  120 ,  130 , respectively, slide into the receiver  1 . As the inner capture cavity  114  is urged towards the peripheral collar or flange  8 , the cover  100  will have enough resiliency to envelop flange  8 , thereby urging the front face  9  of the flange  8  to engage a resilient gasket  140  that is held in place adjacent the front face  112  of the cover  10 . The gasket  140  prevents any debris, water or other foreign matter from entering the receiver tube  1  at that end. At the same time that the capture cavity  114  and gasket  140  become fully engaged with the flange  8 , the tab  128  of the first extension member  120  is urged into the first side wall aperture  4  and the tab  138  of the second extension member  130  is urged into the second side wall aperture  5 , thereby preventing the entry of debris, water and other foreign matter into the receiver tube  1  at those apertures  4 ,  5  as well. This functionality allows the receiver tube  1  from becoming contaminated by dirt and corrosive agents, thus preserving the integrity of the inside surfaces of the tube  1  under adverse conditions. The fully engaged cover  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . To remove the cover  100  from the receiver tube  1 , the reverse of the steps identified above are performed. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9 , it illustrates yet a third preferred embodiment of the trailer hitch receiver cover, generally identified  210 , that is constructed in accordance with the present invention. The cover  210  comprises a unitary structure having a front face  212 . Extending inwardly of the front face  212  is a top wrap-around edge  213  and a bottom wrap-around edge  215 , as well as a first side edge  216  and a second side edge  218 . In this third embodiment, note that the second side edge  218  is configured with a pair of slits  217  which define the edges of a side edge finger  219 . Though not shown in  FIG. 9 , it is intended that this structure exists at the first side edge  216  of the cover  210  as well. 
   As with the two other prior embodiments, the cover  210  is intended to be placed over the end of a trailer hitch receiver tube  1 . See  FIGS. 10 through 12 . The receiver tube  1  is the same square-shaped elongate metal tube as previously described. In this third preferred embodiment, a single hollow extension member  250  protrudes rearwardly of the face  212  of the cover. The extension member  250  includes a pair of rearwardly-directed side walls  220 ,  230 . The first side wall  220  includes an outer surface  226 . Extending outwardly of the outer surface  226  is a tab  228 . Similarly, the second side wall  230  includes an outer surface  236  having a tab  238  extending outwardly from it. An inner capture cavity  214  is defined between a proximal portion  222  of the first side wall  220  and the cover first side edge  216  and by a proximal portion  232  of the second side wall  230  and the cover second side edge  218 . Additionally, the catch tab  219  includes a lip  211 , the catch tab  219  and lip  211  structure existing to each side  216 ,  218  of the cover  210 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 11 , the cover  210  is urged towards the receiver  1  such that the hollow extension member  250  is introduced into the receiver  1 . As the inner capture cavity  214  and the lips  211  are urged towards the flange  8 , the cover  210  and the catch tabs  219  will have enough resiliency to allow the lips  211  to pass over the peripheral collar or flange  8 . Note also that the lips  211  have a ramped outer surface that facilitates movement over the flange  8 . As the lips  211  continue to pass over the flange  8 , the front face  9  of the flange will come into contact with a gasket  240  disposed within the capture cavity  214 . Ultimately, the lips  211  will snap into place thereby engaging the rearwardly-facing surfaces  6 ,  7  of the front flange  8 . As the capture cavity  214  becomes fully engaged with the hitch receiver flange  8 , the tab  228  of the first side wall  220  will seat into the first side wall aperture  4  and the tab  238  of the second side wall  230  will seat into the second side wall aperture  5 , thereby preventing the entry of debris, water and other foreign matter into the receiver tube  1  at those apertures  4 ,  5  as well. As described earlier, this allows the receiver tube  1  from becoming contaminated by dirt and corrosive agents and preserves the integrity of the inside surfaces of the tube  1  under adverse environmental conditions. The fully engaged cover  210  is illustrated in  FIG. 12 . To remove the cover  210  from the receiver tube  1 , the lips  211  must be lifted to disengage them from the flange  8  and then the reverse of the other steps identified can be performed. 
   Accordingly, it will be seen that there has been provided a new and useful trailer hitch receiver cover that effectively wraps around the peripheral collar or flange of the hitch receiver to prevent the exposure of the hitch receiver interior to the elements. The cover also incorporates means for sealing the lateral holes in the hitch receiver and provides both features in a single unitary device. The cover can be fabricated of a resilient and flexible material.