Patent Publication Number: US-10766322-B2

Title: Frame and trim rings for underbed hitch mounting system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/174,388, entitled, “FRAME AND TRIM RINGS FOR UNDERBED HITCH MOUNTING ASSEMBLY,” filed Jun. 11, 2015 which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally related to a towing apparatus and, more particularly, to an underbed hitch mounting system. More particularly, this disclosure is directed to an improved structural frame system and trim rings for an underbed hitch mounting system 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many vehicles are designed to transport freight, goods, merchandise, personal property, and other such cargo. Often, a hitch assembly is utilized to connect a towed vehicle or trailer to a towing vehicle, such as a truck for example, to increase the capacity to transport goods. Many types of coupling devices have been developed for providing this connection between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle. 
     It is well known to utilize a trailer hitch to connect a trailer to a towing vehicle. There are many different types of trailer hitches that may be attached to the towing vehicle in a variety of ways, depending on the type of hitch to be used. Some of the most common types of hitches include gooseneck, fifth wheel, front mount, and the like. Often, the type of hitch used to connect a trailer and a vehicle is determined by the size, shape and other features of the trailer. For example, large trailers such as semi trailers and campers often require a fifth wheel hitch, whereas, small and midsized trailers, such as boat trailers, are better suited for gooseneck trailer hitches. Typically, trailers are connected to a towing vehicle by way of a ball hitch secured to the vehicle and a ball socket coupling mechanism on the trailer that mounts over the ball and thereby allows for the trailer to pivot behind the towing vehicle. 
     Due to the size and weight of many trailers, towing a trailer may cause unsafe conditions for the towing vehicle, such as fishtailing or other unsafe effects. To avoid these unwanted effects, it is preferable to evenly balance and distribute the weight of the trailer over the wheels of the towing vehicle. This is best accomplished by connecting the hitch to the frame or base of the towing vehicle, near the vehicle&#39;s center of gravity. Accordingly, fifth wheel and gooseneck hitches mounted to pickup trucks are often connected to the truck frame underneath the bed of the truck. 
     Traditional fifth wheel hitches include a head assembly for receiving a king pin on a trailer, a base having a plurality of legs, and one or more mounting rails. The mounting rails may be permanently fixed to the frame of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck. For example, the mounting rails may be connected between two portions of a pickup truck frame underneath the truck bed. The mounting rails may include a plurality of holes for receiving the legs of the fifth wheel hitch. 
     Corresponding openings may be cut in the truck bed and aligned with the holes in the mounting rails. The legs of the fifth wheel hitch may be connected to holes in the mounting rails through the openings in the truck bed, thereby securing the fifth wheel hitch to the frame of the truck. When the fifth wheel hitch is not in use, the legs may be disconnected from the holes in the rails and the hitch may be removed from the bed of the truck. Caps may be placed over the holes to allow the truck bed to be used for other purposes. 
     Traditional gooseneck hitches also mount to a pickup truck frame, beneath the bed of a truck. A gooseneck hitch is designed for use in a pickup truck similar to a fifth wheel. The difference is that the gooseneck uses a ball and coupler verses a kingpin and pin receiver. Gooseneck hitches include a mounting plate configured to connect to the frame of a truck, a receptacle in the mounting plate configured to receive a ball hitch, and a hitch ball removably connected to the receptacle and configured to engage a coupling member of the trailer. An opening in the bed of the truck is aligned with the receptacle in the mounting plate, allowing the hitch ball to connect to the receptacle through the opening in the truck bed. The hitch balls themselves are typically removable or retractable so that when the hitch is not in use, the hitch ball may be removed or retracted when not in use, so as not to obstruct the bed of the pick-up truck in any significant manner. 
     Towing vehicles are generally arranged to accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch, but not both. To convert a towing vehicle from accommodating a fifth wheel hitch to a gooseneck hitch or vice versa is time and labor intensive and inefficient. Furthermore, both fifth wheel hitches and gooseneck hitches are preferably mounted to the vehicle frame near the vehicle&#39;s center of gravity. However, since fifth wheel hitches and gooseneck hitches use different mounting configurations, traditionally only one hitch can occupy this location. 
     Some underbed structural bodies are made by components that increase time to market and have higher tooling costs. Additionally, some vehicles, such as light duty trucks that may not be equipped with a frame configured for a 5 th  wheel hitch or gooseneck attachment may not be easily configured to receive support frame components as the layout of the available vehicle structure may not allow for particular strength of configured components. Known designs are described by U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,793,968 and 7,828,317. Further, examples of these designs may be found in commonly owned patents including U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/739,076, entitled, “UNDERBED HITCH MOUNTING SYSTEM,” filed Jun. 15, 2015 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/790,134, entitled “UNDERBED HITCH MOUNTING SYSTEM,” filed Mar. 8, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,067,468 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/609,062, entitled “UNDERBED HITCH MOUNTING SYSTEM,” filed Oct. 30, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,414,009 which claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/197,732, entitled “UNDERBED HITCH MOUNTING SYSTEM,” filed on Oct. 30, 2008, which are all hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference. 
     These patents describe “H” frame structures with integrated castings and safety chain/5 th  wheel pucks. The casting designs are either with an integrated safety chain/5 th  wheel mounting system or are separate from the castings along with the use of square or rectangular shaped tube mill standard tubing to connect the center gooseneck with the four safety chain mounts. These castings are usually expensive and have a long lead time for tooling. 
     Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved apparatus for towing vehicles that allow for selectively accommodating either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch that reduces cost and time for manufacturing. 
     Further, underbed structural frames may be exposed to the bed portion of a vehicle. The configuration of the bed liner or contours of the vehicle bed may hamper bed usage by damaging cargo. 
     Therefore, the disclosed embodiments may solve the problems of the prior art and includes an assembly that may selectively cover exposed portions of the underbed structural frames. 
     SUMMARY 
     An underbed hitch mounting system capable of being connected to a vehicle frame is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may be an apparatus for attaching either a fifth wheel trailer hitch or a gooseneck trailer hitch to a bed of a vehicle. 
     The underbed hitch mounting system comprises a structural frame member operably connectable to a frame of a vehicle under a load bed of the vehicle. The structural frame member includes a first rail and a second rail mount. Each rail mount having a pair of rail members extending therefrom and inserted into the first and second rail mounts. A mid rail connected to the first and second rail mounts. A socket positioned on each of the rail members, each socket engageable with a receiving member. A hitch ball socket positioned on the mid rail, the hitch ball socket engageable with a hitch. The rail members may be made from at least one of bar stock, welded tubing and sheet metal. The rail mounts may have a generally rectangular cross section and the mid rail may have a generally C-shaped cross section that extends between the rail mounts. The mid rail and first and second rail mounts are monolithically formed. A base plate may extend under the mid rail and may extend along at least a portion of the first and second rail mounts. The first and second rail mounts may be generally C-shaped frame members and the base plate may be a generally C-shaped frame member that extends under the mid rail and under and within the first and second rail mounts. The mid rail and first and second rail mounts may include a top portion that is generally monolithically formed and a bottom portion that is generally monolithically formed wherein the top portion is formed separate from the bottom portion and then attached to the bottom portion. The top and bottom portions may be made of folded sheet metal and may include a base plate that extends under and within the mid rail and under a portion of the first and second rail mounts. 
     In one embodiment, provided is a trim and cover assembly to used with the underbed hitch mounting system, the trim and cover assembly comprises a trim member and a cover member that is selectively attached to the trim member. The trim and cover member may be installed along the load bed of a vehicle to cover at least one of the socket and hitch ball socket of the underbed hitch mounting system. 
     In another embodiment, provided is a trim and cover assembly to be installed along a bed of a vehicle comprises a trim member and a cover member that is selectively attached to the trim member. The trim member may be attached to a corrugated portion of the bed of the vehicle. The trim may include a trim profile and the cover member may include a cover profile wherein the trim profile and the cover profile are complimentary to a corrugated profile of the bed of the vehicle. The trim member include an upper flange, wherein a portion of the upper flange may be positioned along a top surface of the bed and a lower flange wherein a portion of the lower flange may be positioned along a bottom surface of the bed. The flange may include a space between the upper flange and the lower flange. The trim member may include a recessed wall having a first height along a first portion of the perimeter and a second height along a second portion of the perimeter such that the second height is greater than the first height. Further, space between the upper flange and the lower flange may be positioned along the recessed wall along the portion with the second height. The trim member may include a recessed wall having a first height along a first portion of the perimeter and a second height along a second portion of the perimeter such that the second height is greater than the first height. The trim member may be snap fit within an opening in the bed of the vehicle. The cover may be snap fit to the trim member. The trim member may include an aperture to receive at least one of the socket and hitch socket. A center portion of the trim member may be raised to follow the contours of the bed. The trim member and cover may include generally symmetrical profiles. The trim member may include a flap portion that extends between a plurality of raised portions of the bed of the vehicle. 
     In one embodiment, provided is an underbed hitch mounting system that comprises a structural frame member operably connectable to a frame of a vehicle under a load bed of the vehicle. The structural frame member comprises a first rail mount and a second rail mount. A first rail member and a second rail member may extend from and be inserted into the first rail mount. A mid rail may be connected to the first and second rail mounts. A socket may be positioned on each of the first and second rail members, each socket engageable with a receiving member. A hitch ball socket may be positioned on the mid rail, the hitch ball socket engageable with a hitch wherein the first and second rail members may be made from at least one of bar stock and sheet metal. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Objects and advantages together with the operation of the invention may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a top perspective view of a structural frame of an underbed hitch mounting system in a embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the structural frame of the underbed hitch mounting system of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1C  illustrates a cross sectional view of the structural frame of the underbed hitch mounting system of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a top perspective view of a structural frame of an underbed hitch mounting system in a embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the structural frame of the underbed hitch mounting system of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates a cross sectional view of the structural frame of the underbed hitch mounting system of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a top perspective view of a structural frame of an underbed hitch mounting system in a embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the structural frame of the underbed hitch mounting system of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates a cross sectional view of the structural frame of the underbed hitch mounting system of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the structural frame of the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a frame mount bracket of the structural frame of the underbed hitch mounting system; 
         FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G, and 5H  illustrate various schematic side views of alternate embodiments of the structural frame of the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of an underbed hitch mounting system mounted to a frame of a vehicle; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates a side cross sectional view of an embodiment of the structural frame of the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates a side cross sectional view of a portion of  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the structural frame of the underbed hitch mounting system attached to the underside of a vehicle bed; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of a trim member and a cover for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trim member for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12A  illustrates a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the trim ring for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12B  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the trim ring for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12C  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the trim ring for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trim member and cover for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trim member for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15A  illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trim member for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15B  illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trim member for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16A  illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trim member for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16B  illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trim member for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17A  illustrates a cross sectional view of embodiments of the trim member for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17B  illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trim member for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18A  illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trim member for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18B  illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trim member for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19A  illustrates a cross sectional view of embodiments of the trim member for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19B  illustrates a cross sectional view of embodiments of the trim member for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20A  illustrates a bottom perspective view of embodiments of the trim member for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20B  illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trim member for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20C  illustrates a perspective view of embodiments of the trim member for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a perspective view of trim members for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a perspective view of trim members for the underbed hitch mounting system of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present teachings, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the respective scope of the present teachings. Moreover, features of the various embodiments may be combined, switched, or altered without departing from the scope of the present teachings, e.g., features of each embodiment disclosed herein may be combined, switched, or replaced with features of the other embodiments disclosed herein. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the present teachings. 
     As used herein, the words “example” and “exemplary” mean an instance, or illustration. The words “example” or “exemplary” do not indicate a key or preferred aspect or embodiment. The word “or” is intended to be inclusive rather an exclusive, unless context suggests otherwise. As an example, the phrase “A employs B or C,” includes any inclusive permutation (e.g., A employs B; A employs C; or A employs both B and C). As another matter, the articles “a” and “an” are generally intended to mean “one or more” unless context suggest otherwise. 
       FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, and 3C  illustrate embodiments for a structural frame member  20  for an underbed hitch mounting system  10 . The underbed hitch mounting system  10  may be used with towing vehicles that allow for selectively accommodating either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. Trailer hitches, such as a gooseneck or fifth wheel hitches may be mounted to a truck bed. These types of hitches are often mounted beneath the truck bed (see  FIG. 9 ) in conjunction with the truck&#39;s own frame rails (See  FIG. 6 ), such as with cross members or rails, for example. 
     The underbed hitch mounting system  10  may include at least one rail mount or cross member  30  and at least one mid rail or adapter plate  40 . For example, the mounting system  10  may include two rail mounts  30  and one mid rail or adapter plate  40 . The rails  20  may be configured to support a gooseneck hitch or a fifth wheel hitch (not shown). Typical fifth wheel hitches may include a plurality of legs to connect the hitch to a vehicle. While the underbed hitch mounting system  10  may be shown and described as having two rail mounts  30  and one mid rail or adapter plate  40 , it is to be understood that there may be any appropriate number of rails or adapter plates and it should not be limited to that shown and described herein. 
     The rail mounts  30  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally tubular, square or rectangular shape. Each rail mount  30  may be attached to a rail member  32  which may include one or more sockets  34  (See  FIG. 7 ). The sockets  34  may be of any appropriate shaper or size, such as a generally ovular, circular or rectangular shape. The sockets  34  may be configured to receive and support the legs of a fifth wheel hitch. The legs may be secured to the rails  32  through the sockets  34  by any appropriate means, such as by fasteners, being welded, or the like. 
     The rails  32  may include connecting holes or mounting apertures  36  ( FIG. 7 ). The mounting apertures  36  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally circular, ovular or rectangular shape. There may be any number of appropriate mounting apertures  36  and should not be limited to that shown and described herein. 
     The mounting apertures  36  may be utilized for connecting another member to the rails  32 , such as the frame mount brackets  50  (see  FIGS. 7, 8A and 8B ). The mounting apertures  36  may also be used to connect the rails  32  of the hitch mounting system  10  to the underbed of the towing vehicle frame. For example, the rails  32  may be connected to the towing vehicle frame, such as underneath the truck bed ( FIG. 7 ). 
     The rails  32  may include one or more frame mount brackets  50  ( FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7 ). The frame mount brackets  50  may be utilized for connecting the rails  32  to the frame  52 . The rails  32  may be connected to the frame mount brackets  50  by any appropriate means, such as with fasteners, welding or the like. The frame mount brackets  50  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a general L-shape, rectangular plate or the like. The frame mount brackets  50  may be sized and shaped to engage a vehicle frame. 
     Typical vehicle frames  52  may include two parallel steel members ( FIG. 6 ). An end of the structural frame member  20  may connect to a first member of the frame  52  and an opposite end of the structural frame member  20  may connect to a second member of the vehicle frame  52 . The rail mounts  30  and rails  32  may extend between the frame mount brackets  50 . The rail mounts  30  and rails  32  may be of a length sufficient to span the distance between the frame mount brackets  50  when those brackets engage the vehicle framework  52 . The frame mount brackets  50  may form a generally L-shaped bracket to engage the frame  52 . The frame mount brackets  50  may be attached to the frame  52  by any approaprtie means, such as with fasteners, welding or the like. 
     The mid rail or adapter plate  40  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally rectangular or tubular shape that may span the length between the rail mounts  30  ( FIGS. 1A -C 4 ). The mid rail or adapter plate  40  may be configured to connect to the rail mounts  30 . The mid rail or adapter plate  40  may be attached to the rails by any appropriate means, such as with fasteners, welding or the like. Additionally, the adapter plate  40  may be a generally continuous and uniform monolithic construction with the rail mounts  30 . 
     The adapter plate  40  may be of a one piece construction or may include several sections that may be secured together by welding, fasteners or the like. When the mid rail  40  is connected to the rail mounts  30 , the rail mounts  30  may be approximately flush with and parallel to one another. 
     The mid rail  40  may also include a base member  46 . The base member  46  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally square, rectangular or tubular shape. The base member  46  may be a plate and may be attached to the bottom of the mid rail  40 . The base member  46  may be attached to the mid rail  40  by any appropriate means, such as by welding, fasteners or the like. The base member  46  may also be secured to the rail mounts  30 , such as on the underside of the rail mounts  30  ( FIG. 1B ). In one embodiment, the base member  46  may have a continuous H type shape having portions that extend along the bottom of the rail mounts  30  and a portion that extends along the bottom of the mid rail  40 . The base member  46  may have a shape that extends passed the edges of the bottom of the mid rail  40  as illustrated by  FIG. 1B . 
     The mid rail  40  may include a receiver  42  that may be configured to receive a hitch ball. For example, the receiver may be a hitch ball socket that may be configured to receive the hitch ball. The hitch ball socket  42  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally cylindrical shape. The hitch ball socket  42  may be located at any appropatie position on the adapter plate  40 , such as the approximate center of the adapter plate  40 . For example, the hitch ball socket  42  may be configured to receive a removable hitch ball with spring-loaded ball bearings. It should be appreciated, however, that the receptacle may be configured to receive any appropriate type of hitch ball and should not be limited to that described herein. 
     The hitch ball socket  42  may include a raised collar  48 . The raised collar  48  may be of any appropatie shape or size, such as one that may extend above and approximately perpendicularly to the surface of the adapter plate  40 . The raised collar  48  may protrude through or be accessible through an aperture in the bed of a vehicle. 
     The underbed hitch mounting system  10  may utilize a puck mounting system whereby the trailer hitch may be installed in the pickup truck bed with only four small holes (not shown). Utilizing a puck mounting system may provide uninhibited use of the truck bed when the hitch is dismounted. The puck mounting system may also provide for a wider platform and mounting surface, which increases the stability. The puck mounting system may be used with any appropriate trailer hitch mounting kit, such as those that utilize rail mounts  30  or cross members for example, such as with the “Signature Series” produced and sold by Cequent. 
     The underbed hitch mounting system  10  may include at least two rail mounts or cross members  30 . The cross members  30  may include rails  32  and sockets  34  for attachment with a puck or receiving member. The cross members  30  may be attached to the vehicle framework  52  by any appropriate means, such as with fasteners, by welding or the like. 
     Holes may be drilled in the truck bed corresponding to the locations of the sockets  34  in the rails  32  and the hitch ball socket  42 . A fifth wheel hitch may be removably connected to the sockets  34  in the rails  32  through the holes located in the truck bed. A hitch ball may be removably connected to the hitch ball socket  42  through the hole in the truck bed, whereby a gooseneck hitch may be utilized. 
       FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C  illustrate an embodiment of the underbed hitch mounting system  10 . The rail mounts  30  are made from bar stock welded tubing or sheet metal parts. The bar stock may be machined or heat treated. The bar stock material may be used at frame mounting points and fifth wheel attachment areas with welded tubing or sheet metal parts. This may allow the system to meat normal layout constraints of existing vehicle frame configurations but also meat strength requirements for connection to the frame and support for the appropriate fifth wheel hitch or gooseneck assembly. Further, the use of bar stock and press broken sheet metal allows for a quick production lead time and lower tooling costs. In one embodiment, the rail mounts  30  and mid rail  40  are made of sheet metal material and the rail members  32  are made of a solid bar stock material that has been heat treated and machined. 
     The rail mounts may have a generally rectangular cross section and the mid rail  40  has a C-shaped cross section and extends between the rail mounts  30 . The base plate  46  extends under the mid rail  40  and extends along at least a portion of the lengths of the rail mounts  30 . 
       FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C  illustrate another embodiment of the underbed hitch mounting system  10 . The mid rail  40  and rail mounts  30  are generally monolithically formed. The rail mounts  30  may be made of folded sheet metal and formed into generally C-shaped frame members wherein the base plate  46  may be a tube steel or C-shaped frame that extends under the mid rail  40  and under and within the rail mounts  30 . 
       FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C  illustrate another embodiment of the underbed hitch mounting system  10 . The adapter plate  40  and rail mounts  30  include a top portion  60  ( FIG. 3C ). The top portion  60  may be generally monolithically formed. The top portion  60  may be attached to a bottom portion  62  that is formed into structural tube framing from folded sheet metal. The bottom portion  62  may also be monolithically formed. The bottom portion  62  may be generally monolithically formed separate from the top portion  60 . The top and bottom portions  60 ,  62  may be made of folded sheet metal and formed into frame members wherein the adapter plate  40  and rail mounts  30  may be formed into tube steel framing. The base plate  46  may be a tube steel or C-shaped frame that extends under and within the mid rail  46  and under a portion of the lengths of the rail mounts  30 . As illustrated by  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the top and bottom portions may be attached together along cantilevered portions  70  that extend from a perimeter of the tube portions of the structural framing member  10  and may be attached together along vertical portions  72  that extend from a perimeter portion of the structural framing member  10 . The cantilevered portions  70  may extend generally perpendicular relative to the vertical portions  72  of attachment. The cantilevered portions may extend from a portion of the perimeters of the mid rail  40  and rail mounts  30 . 
     In the embodiments illustrated by the figures, the folded sheet metal may be made of various separately formed pieces of folded sheet metal that may be welded together in a structural framing orientation that may support the forces required by a gooseneck or 5 th  wheel hitch. 
       FIGS. 4, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G, and 5H  illustrate various schematic views of alternate embodiments of possible attachments between the structural frame  52  of the vehicle, the rail member  32 , and the frame mount brackets  50  of underbed hitch mounting system  10  of the present invention 
       FIGS. 10-23  illustrate various embodiments of trim member and a cover that may be installed along the bed of a vehicle to cover the exposed portions of the underbed hitch mounting system  10 .  FIG. 10  illustrates a bezel or trim member  100  and a cover  110  attached to a corrugated truck bed  130 . The trim member  100  and cover  110  include a profile that is configured to adapt to the corrugated profile of the truck bed and selectively cover the exposed portions of the sockets  34  in the rails  32  and the hitch ball socket  42  of the underbed hitch mounting assembly system  10 . The cover  110  may be snap fit to the trim member  100  and the trim member may have an aperture  120  for receiving the sockets  34 ,  42  therein. The trim member  100  and cover  110  may be made from any materials such as polymers, plastic, rubber or the like. The trim member  100  and cover  110  may be injection molded that follows the shape of the bed  130 . The center portion of the trim member  100  may be raised to follow the contours of the corrugated profile of the bed  130  and may includes structural support when attached to the vehicle bed. The trim member  100  and cover  110  may be symmetrical and may cover any edges exposed or cut into the bed of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the trim member  100  may include a trim profile and the cover  110  member may include a cover profile wherein the trim profile and the cover profile may be complimentary to a corrugated profile of the bed of the vehicle. See  FIGS. 10-15B . 
     In one embodiment, as illustrated by  FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C , the trim member  100  may include a gap  140  within the trim along a center portion  150  to receive a raise portion of the contours of the vehicle bed therein (see  FIGS. 10, 11, 12A, 12B, 12C, 16A and 16B ). In another embodiment, the trim member  100  may not include a gap  140  (See  FIGS. 15A and 15B ). 
     The trim member  100  may include an upper flange  160  the generally surrounds the perimeter of the trim member  100 . A portion of the upper flange  160  may be positioned along a top surface of the bed  130 . The trim member  100  may include a lower flange  165  that extends from a portion of the trim member  100 . The lower flange  165  may be positioned along either sides of the trim member  100  along the center portion  150  and may be positionable along a bottom surface of the bed  130 . The lower flange  165  may also be along the gap  140  in the upper flange  160 . The lower flange  165  may be placed within the gap  140  as the gap  140  may between the upper flange  160  and the lower flange  165 . The lower flanges  165  may allow the trim member  100  to be snap fit within the bed  130 . 
     The trim member  100  may include a recessed wall  170  having a first height  172  along a first portion of the perimeter and a second height  174  along a second portion of the perimeter such that the second height  174  is greater than the first height  172 . The gap  140  may be positioned along the recessed wall along the portion with the second height  174 . The trim member  100  can be snap fit within an opening in the bed of the vehicle. The cover  110  may be snap fit to the trim member  100 . The cover  110  may include a finger hole  190  for a user to easily attach or remove the cover  110  from the trim member  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the first height  172  and the second height  174  of the recessed wall  170  may be generally equal wherein the upper flange  160  includes a rim elevation having a common distance from the surface of the corrugated bed  130 . See  FIGS. 16A, 16B, 18A, and 18B . Alternatively, the rim elevation of the upper flange  160  maybe recessed within the bed  130  such that the rim elevation of the upper flange  160  is generally aligned with the surface of the bed  130 . See  FIGS. 20A, 20B, and 20C . In some embodiment, the trim member  100  may include a flap portion  180  that extends between raised portions of the vehicle bed. The falp portion  180  may be positioned under and against the surface of the bed (see  FIGS. 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B, 19A, and 19B ) or the flap portion  180  may be positioned over and against the surface of the bed (see  FIGS. 20A, 20B, and 20C ). These embodiments may be used with various bed profiles and aligned along the areas of the vehicle bed as illustrated by  FIGS. 21 and 22 . 
     Although the embodiments of the present teachings have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the present teachings are not to be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that the present teachings described herein is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter. The claims as follows are intended to include all modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalent thereof.