Patent Publication Number: US-2023150320-A1

Title: Trailer hitch assemblies and methods therefor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/253,638, filed Oct. 8, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to trailer hitch accessories. The invention particularly relates to trailer hitch assemblies having a mounting connection and a trailer coupling device that cooperate to reduce the likelihood of decoupling during towing while also allowing for more rapid, efficient and safe replacement of the trailer coupling device. 
     Trailer hitches serve as connectors between a tow vehicle and a trailer. Receiver type trailer hitches generally include a structural component fixed to the tow vehicle chassis that includes a receiver tube that has a rearward facing opening capable of accepting various hitch mounted components therein, such as trailer hitch ball mounts, hitch bike racks, cargo carriers, etc. 
       FIG.  1    represents a trailer hitch assembly having a common type of trailer hitch mount device (ball mount)  10  that may be releasably coupled to a trailer coupler (hitch) mounted to the tongue of a trailer. The mount device  10  includes a rectangular shank  12  having oppositely-disposed ends and a platform  14  extending from one of the ends. The end of the shank  12  opposite the platform  14  is configured to be inserted into the receiver tube of the trailer hitch such that a pair of holes  16  of the shank  12  align with corresponding holes of the receiver tube of the vehicle. The shank  12  may then be releasably coupled to the receiving tube by inserting a trailer hitch pin  36  through the holes  16  of the shank  12  and the aligned holes of the receiving tube until a distal end of the trailer hitch pin  36  exits an opposite side of the receiving tube. The trailer hitch pin  36  may then be secured with a fastener such as a cotter pin  38  that may be inserted into a hole  40  of the trailer hitch pin  36 . 
     The platform  14  provides a mounting connection for a trailer coupling device (trailer ball)  20 . In this example, the mounting connection of the platform is a through hole  18 . The trailer coupling device  20  includes a spherical body (ball)  22  and a stem extending therefrom. The ball  22  can be any one of a variety of sizes as required to receive a particular sized trailer coupler mounted to a tongue of a trailer. The stem includes an upper stem portion  24 , a circumferential flange  26 , and a lower stem portion  28 . The trailer coupling device  20  may be coupled to the mount device  10  by inserting the lower stem portion  28  through the hole  18  of the platform  14  such that the circumferential flange  26  rests on the platform  14  and the lower stem portion  28  extends from an opposite surface of the platform  14  (e.g., the bottom). The lower stem portion  28  can then be secured with a split lock washer  32  and a threaded nut  34  configured to be threadably coupled with threads  30  on the exterior surface of the lower stem portion  28 . Once the mount device  10  is secured to the tow vehicle by adequately torquing the nut  34 , the trailer coupler can be placed on and secured to the ball  22  of the trailer coupling device  20 . This arrangement allows the trailer to swivel and articulate relative to the tow vehicle. 
     While trailer hitch ball mounts have found continuous and widespread adoption, they are not without shortcomings. For example, during transportation of the trailer, the trailer coupler applies significant radial and rotational forces to the trailer coupling device  20  through its connection with the ball  22 . In addition, the trailer coupling device  20  may experience impact forces and/or vibrations associated with road travel. Over time, these forces may cause the nut  34  and washer  32  to loosen and potentially become decoupled from the lower stem portion  28 . In addition to potentially losing components of the mount device  10 , if the trailer coupling device  20  becomes loose while the tow vehicle is pulling the trailer, for example, on a roadway, significant damage may occur to the tow vehicle, the trailer, and/or other surrounding objects. Consequently, the nut  34  must be torqued to a high torque specification, as examples, about 150 to about 250 ft-lbs. (depending on the size of the lower stem  28 ) to inhibit its loosening. As such, current trailer hitch ball mounts on the market often require large wrenches and in many cases a lubricant, considerable force, and several hours to interchange trailer coupling devices  20 , for example, to replace the trailer coupling device  20  with a different trailer coupling device  20  having a larger or smaller ball  22 . In extreme cases, it may be virtually impossible to replace a trailer coupling device  20  from its mounting device  10 . 
     In view of the above, it can be appreciated that there are certain problems, shortcomings or disadvantages associated with the prior art, and that it would be desirable if a trailer hitch ball mount was available that was capable of at least partly overcoming or avoiding the problems, shortcomings or disadvantages noted above, including the time, efficiency, and simplicity of interchanging trailer balls. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The intent of this section of the specification is to briefly indicate the nature and substance of the invention, as opposed to an exhaustive statement of all subject matter and aspects of the invention. Therefore, while this section identifies subject matter recited in the claims, additional subject matter and aspects relating to the invention are set forth in other sections of the specification, particularly the detailed description, as well as any drawings. 
     The present invention provides trailer hitch mount devices and methods suitable for securing trailers to tow vehicles. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a trailer hitch assembly is provided that includes a trailer hitch mount device have a frame configured to be secured to a tow vehicle, a mounting connection associated with the frame that includes a body with a bore therethrough having a central, longitudinal axis, at least one opening to the bore at an end of the body, a pair of aligned holes on opposite sides of the body, and one or more protuberances that protrude from interior surfaces of the body into the bore and extend within the bore in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bore, and a trailer coupling device configured to be secured to a trailer that includes an elongated stem having one or more recesses formed in exterior surfaces thereof that extend along the elongated stem in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated stem, and a hole through a diameter of the elongated stem having openings on opposite sides thereof. The elongated stem is configured to be received within the bore of the mounting connection such that the one or more protuberances of the mounting connection are aligned with and received within the one or more recesses of the elongated stem and the holes of the mounting connection are aligned with the hole in the stem. The trailer hitch mount device includes a fastener configured to be inserted into a first of the holes of the mounting connection, through the hole of the elongated stem, and out of a second of the holes of the mounting connection while the elongated stem is received in the bore to secure the trailer coupling device relative to the mounting connection in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bore. The one or more protuberances of the mounting connection act as barriers on the recesses of the elongated stem and thereby prevent the elongated stem from rotating within the bore of the mounting connection about the longitudinal axis thereof. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle. The method includes securing a frame of a trailer hitch mount device to the tow vehicle, aligning a central, longitudinal axis of an elongated stem of a trailer coupling device with a central, longitudinal axis of a bore of a mounting connection associated with the frame, aligning one or more protuberances that protrude from interior surfaces of the mounting connection into the bore with one or more recesses formed in exterior surfaces of the elongated stem, inserting the elongated stem of the trailer coupling device into an opening to the bore of the mounting connection such that the one or more protuberances of the mounting connection are received within the one or more recesses of the elongated stem, continuing to insert the elongated stem into the bore until a hole through a diameter of the elongated stem having openings on opposite sides thereof is aligned with a pair of aligned holes on opposite sides of the mounting connection, inserting a fastener into a first of the holes of the mounting connection, through the hole of the elongated stem, and out of a second of the holes of the mounting connection, coupling a trailer to the trailer coupling device, and restricting rotation of the elongated stem within the bore by contacting surfaces of the elongated stem that define the one or more recesses with the one or more protuberances of the mounting connection. 
     Technical effects of trailer hitch assemblies, trailer hitch mount devices, and methods described herein may include the ability to secure the trailer coupling device to the frame of the trailer hitch mount device without using threaded connections that may become decoupled during use. 
     These and other aspects, arrangements, features, and/or technical effects will become apparent upon detailed inspection of the figures and the following description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    contains perspective views of components of a trailer hitch assembly with a conventional trailer hitch mount device for securing a trailer to a tow vehicle. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a trailer hitch assembly with a trailer hitch mount device for securing a trailer to a tow vehicle in accordance with a first nonlimiting embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  3    is an enlarged perspective view of a mounting connection of the mount device of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is a bottom end view of a cylindrical body of the mounting connection of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a trailer coupling device suitable for use with the mount device of  FIG.  2    in accordance with certain nonlimiting aspects of the invention. 
         FIG.  6    is a bottom end view of the trailer coupling device of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  7    is a transverse cross-sectional view of a lower stem portion of the trailer coupling device generally along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  8    is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a trailer hitch assembly with an alternative mounting connection to the mounting connection of  FIGS.  2  through  4    in accordance with an additional nonlimiting embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  9    is a side elevation view of the trailer hitch assembly of  FIG.  8    with the mounting connection operatively assembled with the trailer coupling device of  FIG.  5    and the trailer hitch mount device of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  10    is an isometric view of the trailer coupling device of  FIG.  5    disposed in the mounting connection of  FIG.  8    with the mounting connection shown in phantom for ease of seeing otherwise hidden features. 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of another alternative mounting connection to the mounting connection of  FIGS.  2  through  4    in accordance with yet an additional nonlimiting embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The intended purpose of the following detailed description of the invention and the phraseology and terminology employed therein is to describe what is shown in the drawings, which include the depiction of one or more nonlimiting embodiments of the invention, and to describe certain but not all aspects of what is depicted in the drawings, including the embodiment(s) depicted in the drawings. The following detailed description also identifies certain but not all alternatives of the embodiment(s) depicted in the drawings. As nonlimiting examples, the invention encompasses additional or alternative embodiments in which one or more features or aspects shown and/or described as part of a particular embodiment could be eliminated, and also encompasses additional or alternative embodiments that combine two or more features or aspects shown and/or described as part of different embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims, and not the detailed description, are intended to particularly point out subject matter regarded to be aspects of the invention, including certain but not necessarily all of the aspects and alternatives described in the detailed description. 
     To facilitate the description provided below of the embodiment(s) represented in the drawings, relative terms, including but not limited to, “proximal,” “distal,” “anterior,” “posterior,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “lateral,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “forward,” “rearward,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” “right,” “left,” etc., may be used in reference to the orientation of the mounting connections and coupling devices during use and/or as represented in the drawings. All such relative terms are useful to describe the illustrated embodiment(s) but should not be otherwise interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. 
     Disclosed herein are trailer hitch assemblies including mounting connections  118  and trailer coupling devices (e.g., trailer balls)  120  that are adapted for use in combination with trailer hitch mount devices (ball mounts), including but not limited to the mount device  10  of  FIG.  1   , for coupling trailers to tow vehicles. The mounting connections  118  and trailer coupling devices  120  replace the threaded connections of certain conventional trailer hitch mount devices, such as that of the conventional mount device  10  represented in  FIG.  1   , which may loosen and/or become lost during transportation of the trailer with the tow vehicle. The mounting connections  118  and trailer coupling devices  120  includes one or more complementary features, represented as protuberances  146  and corresponding recesses(s)  152 , that interlock to restrict rotational motion of a connection point between the trailer and the tow vehicle. The mounting connections  118  and trailer coupling devices  120  may also include a pin-type fastener for restricting their vertical motion relative to the trailer and tow vehicle. 
       FIGS.  2  through  4    illustrate a trailer hitch assembly including a first embodiment of the mounting connections  118 ,  FIGS.  8  through  11    illustrate a trailer hitch assembly with alternative embodiments of the mounting connections  118 , and  FIGS.  5  through  7    illustrate the trailer coupling device  120  adapted for use with trailer hitch assemblies including each of the illustrated embodiments of mounting connections  118 . Referring initially to  FIGS.  2  through  4   , a trailer hitch mount device  110  is shown that is similar to the mount device  10  of  FIG.  1    except for integrally incorporating the mounting connection  118  of the first embodiment. The mount device  110  includes a frame having a shank  112  configured to be coupled to a receiver type trailer hitch. The shank  112  has oppositely-disposed ends, with a platform  114  extending from one of the ends. The end of the shank  112  opposite the platform  114  is configured to be inserted into the receiver tube of a trailer hitch such that a pair of holes  116  of the shank  112  can be aligned with corresponding holes of the receiver tube. The shank  112  may then be releasably coupled to the receiving tube by inserting a trailer hitch pin  136  through the holes  116  of the shank  112  and the aligned holes of the receiving tube until a distal end of the trailer hitch pin  136  exits an opposite side of the receiving tube. The trailer hitch pin  136  may then be secured with a fastener such as a cotter pin  138  that may be inserted into a hole  140  of the trailer hitch pin  136 . 
     In  FIG.  2   , the mounting connection  118  includes an opening  144 A in the upper surface of the platform  114  and a cylindrical body  144 B extending downward from the lower surface of the platform  114 . In this embodiment, the cylindrical body  144 B is fixed to the platform  114  in any suitable manner. Together, the opening  144 A and cylindrical body  144 B define an elongated cavity (bore)  144 C ( FIG.  4   ) that extends entirely through the platform  114  and cylindrical body  144 B, from the upper surface of the platform  114  and through the lower end of the cylindrical body  144 B. The opening  144 A and bore  144 C are represented as sharing a central, longitudinal axis. 
     The cylindrical body  144 B in  FIGS.  2  and  3    is an integral feature of the platform  114  as a result of the cylindrical body  144 B being machined, cast, or otherwise formed as part of the platform  114 . Alternatively, the cylindrical body  144 B could be separately fabricated and then assembled with or attached to the platform  14  of  FIG.  1    or a modification thereof, as discussed below in reference to  FIGS.  8  through  11   . 
     In  FIG.  2   , the cylindrical body  144 B is centrally located in the platform  114  in relation to the width of the platform  14  and located adjacent a distal end of the platform  114  relative to the shank  112 , though it is foreseeable that the cylindrical body  144 B could be attached to the distal end or to a side of the platform  114 . Also, though the cylindrical body  144 B in this example extends only from the lower surface of the platform  114 , the cylindrical body  144 B could extend through the platform  114  such that portions of the cylindrical body  144 B extend from one or both upper and lower surfaces of the platform  114 . 
     A pair of protuberances  146  extend from interior surfaces of the opening  144 A and cylindrical body  144 B to project radially inward into the bore  144 C. In this nonlimiting embodiment, the protuberances  146  define continuous elongated rails or ribs, each having a V-shaped cross-section and extending along the entire length of the bore  144 C within the body  144 B and in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bore  144 C.  FIG.  4    illustrates in phantom an alternative shape of the protuberances  146  as being arcuate in shape. Further alternatives include the mounting connection  118  having fewer or more protuberances  146 , protuberances  146  that are not continuous along their lengths or otherwise do not extend along an entire length of the bore  144 C, and/or protuberances  146  that have different cross-sectional shapes from each other. 
     As best seen in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , a single pair of aligned holes  148  are formed on opposite sides of the cylindrical body  144 B. Although not required, in this embodiment the holes  148  have a common central axis that is perpendicular to a geometric line between the pair of protuberances  146 . In the embodiment of  FIG.  11   , more than one pair of aligned holes  148  are provided, one pair above the other, so that the length of the cylindrical body  144 B can be sized to accommodate platforms  14  or  114  of different thicknesses, for example, a 1-inch thick hitch on a dump truck or a ½-inch thick hitch on a smaller vehicle, to promote the universality of the mounting connection  118 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  5  through  7   , the trailer coupling device  120  (e.g., a trailer ball) is represented as configured to be secured to the mounting connection  118  of the platform  114  and function as the connection between the mounting device  110  and a trailer. The trailer coupling device  120  includes a spherical body (ball)  122  configured to mate with a trailer coupler on a trailer tongue of a trailer. As with the ball  22  of  FIG.  1   , the ball  122  can be any one of a variety of sizes that may be required to receive a particular trailer coupler mounted to a trailer tongue. In the nonlimiting embodiment shown, an elongated stem extending from the ball  122  includes an upper stem portion  124  adjacent the ball  122 , a circumferential flange  126  adjacent the upper stem portion  124 , and a lower stem portion  128  extending from the circumferential flange  126 . 
     The lower stem portion  128  is sized and configured to be received within the bore  144 C of the mounting connection  118  to secure the trailer coupling device  120  to the mounting device  110 . Therefore, since in this embodiment the bore  144 C is cylindrical except for the protuberances  146 , the lower stem portion  128  of the trailer coupling device  120  may also be cylindrical with the exception of recesses  152  formed in exterior surfaces thereof and configured to receive the protuberances  146  of the mounting connection  118 . The cross-sectional shapes of the recesses  152  are preferably complementary to the protuberances  146 , in this case, as a result of defining valleys having V shaped cross sections extending along the exterior surfaces of the lower stem portion  128  parallel to a central, longitudinal axis of the elongated stem. Alternatively, the lower stem portion  128  may include fewer or more recesses  152 , may have recesses  152  that do not extend along an entirety of the bore  144 C, may have recesses  152  having other cross-sectional shapes, and/or may have recesses  152  with different cross-sectional shapes. The sizes and shapes of the recesses  152  are only limited by the size and shapes of the corresponding protuberances  146  of the mounting connection  118  that must be receivable within the recesses  152 . 
     The lower stem portion  128  may also include a hole  154  through a diameter thereof having openings on opposite sides thereof. In certain embodiments, the lower stem portion  128  is configured to be located within the bore  144 C to an extent such that the circumferential flange  126  rests on the platform  114 . In such embodiments, inserting the lower stem portion  128  through the bore  144 C to the extent that the circumferential flange  126  contacts the platform  114  causes the hole  154  of the lower stem portion  128  and the pair of holes  148  of the mounting connection  118  to be axially aligned along a single axis. 
     In the arrangement of  FIGS.  3  through  7   , the central, longitudinal axes of the holes  148  of the mounting connection  118  are perpendicular to a geometric line or plane extending between the two protuberances  146 , and a central, longitudinal axis of the hole  154  of the lower stem portion  128  is perpendicular to a geometric line or plane extending between the two recesses  152 . It should be understood that this arrangement is merely exemplary, and the relative positions of the holes  148  of the mounting connection  118  and the protuberances  146 , and the hole  154  of the lower stem portion  128  and the recesses  152  may have other arrangements. However, regardless of the specific arrangement between these elements, the holes  148  of the mounting connection  118  and the hole  154  of the lower stem portion  128  should be capable of aligning when the lower stem portion  128  is received within the bore  144 C and the protuberances  146  are received within the recesses  152 . 
     Once the lower stem portion  128  has been received within the bore  144 C and the holes  148  of the mounting connection  118  and the hole  154  of the lower stem portion  128  are aligned, a fastener may be inserted into one of the holes  148  of the mounting connection  118 , through the hole  154  of the elongated stem, and out through the other paired hole  148  of the mounting connection  118 . For example,  FIG.  5    represents the trailer coupling device  120  as including a trailer ball pin  156  (e.g., a trailer hitch pin or miniature trailer hitch pin) configured to be received within the holes  148  of the mounting connection  118  and the hole  154  of the lower stem portion  128  and secured by inserting a secondary fastener, such as a cotter pin  158 , through a hole  160  in the trailer ball pin  156 . 
     With the trailer coupling device  120  assembled with the mounting connection  118  as described above, the protuberances  146  of the mounting connection  118  may contact surfaces of the lower stem portion  128  that define the recesses  152  and act as barriers that restrict if not prevent rotation of the trailer coupling device  120  within the bore  144 C of the mounting connection  118  about the longitudinal axis thereof. In addition, the trailer ball pin  156  may contact edges of the holes  148  of the mounting connection  118  and act as a barrier that restricts movement of the trailer coupling device  120  within the bore  144 C in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bore  144 C. 
       FIGS.  8  through  10    illustrate another example embodiment of a trailer hitch assembly, in which the mounting connection  118  and its cylindrical body  144 B may be separately fabricated and then assembled with the platform  14 , as previously noted. In this embodiment, the mounting connection  118  is formed essentially of only the cylindrical body  144 B. Unlike the embodiment of  FIGS.  2  through  4   , the mounting connection  118  in this embodiment is separate from and not fixedly attached to the platform  14 , that is, it is not integrally incorporated as a part of the platform  14 .  FIGS.  8  and  9    illustrate the mounting connection  118  of this embodiment operatively assembled with the platform  14  of the conventional mount device  10  of  FIG.  1    by aligning the bore  144 C of the cylindrical body  144 B with the hole  18  in the platform  14  and abutting the upper end of the cylindrical body  144 B (in which the opening  144 A is formed) against the lower surface  14 A of the platform  14 , and then securing the cylindrical body  144 A to the platform  14  with the trailer coupling device  120 . In this embodiment, no modifications are required of the mount device  10  are required and the mounting connection  118  and trailer coupling device  120  may be able to rotate in unison within the hole  18  in the platform  14 . Alternatively, the cylindrical body  144 B could be fixedly attached to the lower surface  14 A of the platform  114  beneath the opening  18 , for example with a weld or other type of permanent coupling. In this arrangement, the hole  18  through the platform  14  does not include the protuberances  146 , but rather has a substantially smooth inner surface, such as that of a substantially cylindrical through bore. 
     As best seen in  FIGS.  8  and  10   , the mounting connection  118  has a generally cylindrical body  144 B with the elongated cavity  144 C formed by a central through bore extending along the central axis of the cylindrical body  144 B. Two radially inwardly projecting protuberances  146  in the form of V-shaped vertical ribs extending the length of the elongated cavity  144 C are disposed on diametrically opposite sides of the inner surface of the elongated cavity  144 C. A pair of holes  148  through opposite sides of the circumferential wall of the cylindrical body  144 B are axially diametrically aligned to receive the pin  156  therethrough. The holes  148  are disposed axially along the length of the cylindrical body  144 B approximately midway between the top end and the bottom end of the cylindrical body  144 B, although other locations are possible. In this arrangement, the axis through the holes  148  is orthogonal to a plane defined by the two protuberances  146 . 
     On the trailer coupling device, the recesses  152  are diametrically aligned on opposite sides of the lower stem portion  128 , and the hole  154  is axially aligned along a diameter that is orthogonal to a plane define by the two recesses  152 . In this way, the sliding interfit of the protuberances  146  into the recesses  152  helps ensure proper alignment of the holes  148  of the mounting connection  118  with the hole  154  of the trailer coupling device  120  when assembling the two pieces together, thereby eliminating or reducing the difficulty of aligning all three holes so that the pin  156  can be inserted therethrough. This can make it easier and faster to operatively assembly the mounting connection  118  to the trailer coupling device  120 . 
     As best seen in  FIG.  10   , the outer surface of the cylindrical body  144 B has a flattened portion  148 D, the outer periphery of the circumferential flange  126  has a flattened surface  126 A that are generally aligned with each other, for example along a common plane or parallel planes, when the hole  154  is axially aligned with the holes  148 . The flattened portion  148 D is generally orthogonal to the hole  148 , and the plane of the flattened portion  126 A is generally orthogonal to the hole  154 . Optionally, a second set of complementary flattened portions  126 A and  148 D may also be disposed on the opposite sides of the respective circumferential flange  126  and cylindrical portion  144 B, the back side as seen in  FIG.  10   . These flattened portions  126 A and  148 D can provide an additional aid to help a user rotationally align the mounting connection  118  with the trailer coupling device  120  when assembling them together by visually and/or tactilely aligning the flattened portions  126 A and  148 D when bringing the mounting connection and the trailer coupling device together. 
     As best seen in  FIG.  9   , to assemble the trailer hitch assembly with the trailer coupling device  120  in an operative configuration on the trailer hitch mount device  10 , the lower stem portion  128  of the trailer coupling device  120  slides (downwardly) into and through the hole  18  through the platform  14  of the mount device  10 . Next, the mounting connection  118  slides (upwardly) onto the portion of the lower stem portion  128  extending below the bottom surface of the platform. To do this, the lower stem portion  128  is inserted into the opening  144 A of the mounting connection  118  with the protuberances  146  in the through bore  144 A axially aligned with the recesses  152  on the lower stem portion  128  until the holes  148  are axially aligned with the hole  154 . With the holes  148  and  154  so aligned, the pin  156  is inserted through the aligned holes  148  and  154 , thereby locking the mounting connection  118  to the lower stem portion  144 B of the trailer coupling device  120 , which also has the effect of operatively assembling, mounting, and securing the trailer coupling device  120  to the trailer hitch mount device  10 . As before, the pin  156  can further be locked into place extending through the holes  148  and  154  with a cotter pin  158  or other secondary fastener. If it later desired to remove the trailer coupling device  120  from the trailer hitch mount device  10 , for example to change out to a different hitch or have no ball hitch, this process can simply be reversed. Thus, the example embodiment of  FIGS.  8  through  11    provides an embodiment of the invention that can be easily retrofitted to and operatively used with the conventional trailer hitch mount device  10  without having to permanently alter the trailer hitch mount device by permanently affixing the mounting connection  118  thereto. 
       FIG.  11    shows a portion of another alternative of a trailer hitch assembly in which the mounting connection  118  may be placed in the existing hole  18  in the platform  14  of  FIG.  1    or in an enlarged hole in a modified platform. In the nonlimiting example of  FIG.  11   , the cylindrical body  144 B is separately fabricated and received in the hole  18  (or enlarged hole) in the platform  14 , with the upper end of the cylindrical body  144 B having a flange  144 D that rests on the upper surface of the platform  14 . In the example of  FIG.  11   , the flange  144 D could be omitted, the cylindrical body  144 B could be secured within the hole  18  (or enlarged hole) by welding, and/or the cylindrical body  144 B and hole  18  (or enlarged hole) could have complementary threads such that the cylindrical body  144 B is secured to the platform  14  with threads alone or in combination with a weld. Alternatively, the cylindrical body  144 B could be welded to the platform  14  beneath the opening  18 . 
     The mounting connections  118  described above provide for methods of coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle. The method may include securing the frame of the trailer hitch mount device  110  to the tow vehicle, for example, by inserting the shank  112  into the receiver tube of the trailer hitch such that the pair of holes  116  of the shank  112  align with the corresponding holes of the receiver tube of the tow vehicle. The shank  112  may then be secured with the trailer hitch pin  136 . 
     To couple the trailer coupling device  120 , the method may include aligning the central, longitudinal axis of the elongated stem of the trailer coupling device  120  with the central, longitudinal axis of the bore  144 C of the mounting connection  118 , and simultaneously aligning the one or more protuberances  146  extending from the interior surfaces of the mounting connection  118  into the bore  144 C with the recesses  152  formed in the exterior surfaces of the elongated stem. Once all of these elements are aligned, the lower stem portion  128  of the trailer coupling device  120  may be inserted into the opening to the bore  144 C of the mounting connection  118  such that the protuberances  146  are received within the recesses  152 , and to an extent that the hole  154  through the elongated stem is aligned with the pair of holes  148  of the mounting connection  118 . 
     In the embodiments represented in the drawings, this may include inserting the lower stem portion  128  of the elongated stem into the bore  144 C of the mounting connection  118  until the circumferential flange  126  rests on the frame which causes the hole  154  of the lower step portion and the holes  148  of the mounting connection  118  to be aligned. The trailer coupling device  120  may then be secured with a fastener such as the trailer ball pin  156 . Thereafter, the trailer may be secured to the trailer coupling device  120 . Generally, this includes covering the ball  122  of the trailer coupling device  120  with the trailer coupler and locking the trailer coupler thereon. As the trailer is towed with the tow vehicle, rotation of the elongated stem is preferably restricted within the bore  144 C as a result of surfaces of the recesses  152  formed in the lower stem portion  128  contacting surfaces of the protuberances  146  of the mounting connection  118 . 
     While the invention has been described in terms of a specific or particular embodiment, it should be apparent that alternatives could be adopted by one skilled in the art. For example, the trailer hitch mount device  110  and its components could differ in appearance and construction from the embodiment described herein and shown in the figures, functions of certain components of the trailer hitch mount device  110  could be performed by components of different construction but capable of a similar (though not necessarily equivalent) function, and various materials could be used in the fabrication of the trailer hitch mount device  110  and/or its components. Accordingly, it should be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to any embodiment described herein.