Patent Publication Number: US-2007096430-A1

Title: Hitch assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      This application is a divisional application and claims priority to application Ser. No. 10/777,208 filed Feb. 13, 2004, which application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to hitch assemblies.  
      2. Description of Related Art  
      Known hitch assemblies include a mounting assembly with a hitch receiver and a safety chain tube secured thereto, e.g., by welding. Typically, the mounting assembly is formed by welding two channel-shaped members together to form a tube; then, the tube is bent into a U-shape. Mounting brackets are formed and welded to ends of the tube for attaching the mounting assembly to a vehicle frame. Thus, known hitch assemblies are manufactured from several parts with an elaborate process including stamping, forming, and welding.  
      The present invention provides improvements over known hitch assemblies to simply the manufacturing process, reduce the number of parts, and improve safety.  
      Also, it is known to provide hitch assemblies with retractable hitches that can be manually and automatically moved between an extended position and a retracted position.  
      The present invention provides improvements over known retractable hitch assemblies to facilitate use and operation.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      One aspect of the invention relates to a hitch assembly having an improved hitch mounting structure for mounting the hitch assembly to a vehicle frame. This aspect of the invention provides a hitch assembly for mounting to a frame assembly of a vehicle. The hitch assembly comprises a one-piece hitch mounting structure having a general U-shape with opposing end portions and a centrally disposed intermediate portion between the end portions. A hitch receiver is mounted to the intermediate portion of the hitch mounting structure. The end portions each include a mounting section with a general L-shaped cross-sectional configuration, thereby providing the end portions with horizontally extending mounting flanges structured to mount the hitch assembly to the frame assembly of the vehicle.  
      Another aspect of the invention provides a hitch assembly for mounting to a frame assembly of a vehicle. The hitch assembly comprises a one-piece hitch mounting structure having a general U-shape with opposing end portions and a centrally disposed intermediate portion between the end portions. A hitch receiver is mounted to the intermediate portion of the hitch mounting structure. The end portions each include a mounting section with a general U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, thereby providing the end portions with vertically extending mounting flanges structured to mount the hitch assembly to the frame assembly of the vehicle.  
      Another aspect of the invention provides a method of forming a hitch assembly for mounting to a frame assembly of a vehicle. The method comprises bending an elongated substantially tubular body member in a die assembly to form a one-piece hitch mounting structure having a general U-shape with opposing end portions and a centrally disposed intermediate portion between the end portions; bending the end portions in the die assembly to form a mounting section with a general L-shaped cross-sectional configuration, thereby providing the end portions with horizontally extending mounting flanges structured to mount the hitch assembly to the frame assembly of the vehicle; and mounting a hitch receiver to the intermediate portion of the hitch mounting structure.  
      Another aspect of the invention provides a method of forming a hitch assembly for mounting to a frame assembly of a vehicle. The method comprises bending an elongated substantially tubular body member in a die assembly to form a one-piece hitch mounting structure having a general U-shape with opposing end portions and a centrally disposed intermediate portion between the end portions; bending the end portions in the die assembly to form a mounting section with a general U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, thereby providing the end portions with vertically extending mounting flanges structured to mount the hitch assembly to the frame assembly of the vehicle; and mounting a hitch receiver to the intermediate portion of the hitch mounting structure.  
      Another aspect of the invention relates to a retractable hitch assembly that can be electrically actuated to move between an extended position and a retracted position. This aspect of the invention provides a retractable hitch assembly for mounting to a frame assembly of a vehicle. The retractable hitch assembly comprises a hitch mounting structure with end portions and a centrally disposed intermediate portion between the end portions. The end portions are structured to mount the retractable hitch assembly to the frame assembly of the vehicle. A retractable hitch mechanism is securely mounted to the hitch mounting structure. The retractable hitch mechanism includes an outer hitch receiver mounted to the intermediate portion of the hitch mounting structure. An inner hitch receiver is telescopically mounted within the outer hitch receiver for sliding movement with respect to the outer hitch receiver between an extended position and a retracted position. The retractable hitch mechanism includes a reversible electric motor. A gear arrangement is operatively mounted between the reversible electric motor and the inner hitch receiver. The reversible electric motor is electrically actuated to selectively drive the inner hitch receiver with respect to the outer hitch receiver via the gear arrangement between the extended and retracted positions thereof.  
      Other aspects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this disclosure and which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of this invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments of this invention. In such drawings:  
       FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view illustrating a hitch assembly constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the hitch assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the hitch assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the hitch assembly show in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the hitch assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the hitch assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view through line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ;  
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view through line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6 ;  
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view through line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 6 ;  
       FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a hitch assembly;  
       FIG. 11  is a top view of the hitch assembly shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
       FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of the hitch assembly shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
       FIG. 13  is a front view of the hitch assembly shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
       FIG. 14  is a side view of the hitch assembly shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
       FIG. 15  is a top view of the hitch assembly shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
       FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view through line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15 ;  
       FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view through line  17 - 17  of  FIG. 15 ;  
       FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view through line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 15 ;  
       FIG. 19  is a rear perspective view illustrating a retractable hitch assembly constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 20  is a top view of the retractable hitch assembly shown in  FIG. 19 ;  
       FIG. 21  is front perspective view of the retractable hitch assembly shown in  FIG. 19 ;  
       FIG. 22  is a front view of the retractable hitch assembly shown in  FIG. 19 ;  
       FIG. 23  is a side view of the retractable hitch assembly shown in  FIG. 19 ;  
       FIG. 24  is a front perspective view illustrating a retractable hitch receiver of the retractable hitch assembly shown in  FIG. 19 ;  
       FIG. 25  is a top view of the retractable hitch receiver shown in  FIG. 24  with the inner components thereof in phantom lines;  
       FIG. 26  is a side view of the retractable hitch receiver shown in  FIG. 24  with the inner components thereof in phantom lines;  
       FIG. 27  is a front view of the retractable hitch receiver shown in  FIG. 24  with the inner components thereof in phantom lines;  
       FIG. 28  is a front perspective view of the retractable hitch receiver shown in  FIG. 24  with the inner components thereof in phantom lines;  
       FIG. 29  is a front perspective view similar to  FIG. 28  with a cover removed; and  
       FIG. 30  is an exploded view of the retractable hitch receiver shown in  FIG. 24 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS  
       FIGS. 1-9  illustrate a hitch assembly  10  constructed according to an embodiment of the present invention. As is conventional, the hitch assembly  10  is typically mounted to a rearward end of a vehicle for use in pulling trailers, for example. However, the hitch assembly  10  may be disposed along a forward end of the vehicle. The hitch assembly  10  may be utilized on any suitable vehicle, such as trucks, sport utility vehicles, and construction equipment, for example.  
      As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the hitch assembly  10  includes three main components that are securely mounted to one another. Specifically, the hitch assembly  10  includes a hitch mounting structure  12 , a hitch receiver  14 , and a safety chain mounting structure  16 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , the hitch mounting structure  12  is formed from an elongated substantially tubular body member having a generally rectangular cross-section. However, the hitch mounting structure  12  may be formed from a tubular body member having other suitable cross-sectional configurations, e.g., circular, square, etc. The elongated body member is bent in a die assembly into a general U-shape (when viewed from above as in  FIG. 2 ) to provide a one-piece hitch mounting structure  12  with opposing end portions  18  and a centrally disposed intermediate portion  20  extending between the end portions  18 .  
      In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated tubular body member is bent such that the end portions  18  have similar cross-sectional configurations. However, the end portions  18  may have different configurations from one another. Also, the tubular body member is bent such that cross-sectional configurations of the end portions  18  are different than the cross-sectional configuration of the intermediate portion  20 .  
      Specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 6-9 , the intermediate portion  20  of the hitch mounting structure  12  has a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration (see  FIG. 8 ), while the end portions  18  each have an elbow section  22  with a general U-shaped cross-sectional configuration (see  FIG. 7 ) and a mounting section  24  with a general L-shaped cross-sectional configuration (see  FIG. 9 ). Specifically, the tubular body member is bent or pinched by the die assembly such that walls of tubular body member are moved adjacent to one another to form the general U-shaped elbow section  22  and the general L-shaped mounting section  24  of the end portions  18 . The mounting sections  24  of the end portions  18  are configured to be operatively connected to the frame assembly of a vehicle for mounting the hitch assembly  10  to the vehicle. The intermediate portion  20  is configured to be operatively connected to the hitch receiver  14  and the safety chain mounting structure  16 .  
      The generally L-shaped cross-sectional configuration of the mounting sections  24  provides a generally horizontally extending mounting flange  26 . A plurality of openings  28 , e.g., three openings, are provided in each of the horizontally extending mounting flanges  26  for mounting the hitch assembly  10  to the frame assembly of a vehicle. For example, fasteners, such as bolts, may extend through respective openings  28  in the mounting flanges  26  and into corresponding openings provided in the frame assembly of the vehicle to fixedly attach the hitch assembly  10  to the vehicle. However, the mounting flanges  26  of the hitch assembly  10  may be secured to the frame assembly of the vehicle in any other suitable manner, e.g., by welding.  
      The generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration of the elbow sections  22  adds strength and rigidity to the elbow sections  22 , thereby preventing deformation of the end portions  18  with respect to the intermediate portion  20  in use. Also, the generally L-shaped configuration of the mounting sections  24  adds strength and rigidity to the mounting sections  24 , thereby preventing deformation of the mounting sections  24  with respect to the vehicle frame assembly and/or failure of the mounting sections  24 , e.g., mounting sections  24  ripping free from the vehicle frame assembly.  
      The intermediate portion  20  includes an opening  30  therethrough for receiving the hitch receiver  14 . Also, the intermediate portion  20  is bent by the die assembly into a general V-shape (when viewed from the front as in  FIG. 4 ) such that end portions  18  are positioned higher than the opening  30  in the intermediate portion  20 . In use, this configuration positions the hitch receiver  14  mounted to the intermediate portion  20  below the end portions  18  that are mounted to the vehicle frame assembly, thereby positioning the hitch receiver  14  away from the vehicle frame assembly for easier access (see  FIG. 5 ).  
      The hitch receiver  14  includes a generally square-shaped body portion  32  with a receiver ring  34  provided on one end thereof. The receiver ring  34  may be formed in one piece with the body portion  32  or may be formed separately and attached thereto. The receiver ring  34  is provided on the hitch receiver  14  to facilitate engagement of a hitch with the hitch receiver  14 . The end of the hitch receiver  14 , opposite to the receiver ring  34 , is received within the opening  30  provided in the intermediate portion  20  of the hitch mounting structure  12 . The hitch receiver  14  is secured within the opening  30  by welding, for example.  
      In use, a hitch (not shown) is slidably received within the hitch receiver  14  and secured thereto with a locking pin (not shown). Specifically, the hitch receiver  14  includes aligned openings  36  in opposing side walls (see  FIGS. 3 and 5 ) that are aligned with opposing openings provided on the hitch to allow a locking pin, e.g., cotter pin, to extend through the aligned openings to secure the hitch to the hitch receiver  14 . The hitch may have any suitable structure, such as a ball mount or a pin mount. Also, the hitch may be secured to the hitch receiver  14  in any other suitable manner.  
      As best shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , the safety chain mounting structure  16  is formed of a round rod that is bent to provide the safety chain mounting structure  16  with a mounting section  38  and a pair of arcuate end sections  40 . The arcuate end sections  40  extend slightly upwardly from the mounting section  38  (see  FIG. 4 ). The safety chain mounting structure  16  may be bent into the desired shape in any suitable manner, e.g., by a die assembly. As illustrated, the mounting section  38  is mounted, e.g., by welding, to a lower surface of the intermediate portion  20  of the hitch mounting structure  12  and the arcuate sections  40  are mounted, e.g., by welding, to a lower surface of the hitch receiver  14  so as to provide two openings  42 . In use, safety chains of a trailer may be connected to the safety chain mounting structure  16  through engagement within the openings  42 . A safety chain mounting structure  16  will be provided on all trailer hitches.  
      In an embodiment, the method of forming the hitch assembly  10  includes forming the hitch mounting structure  12  in a die assembly, e.g., bending die, and then welding the hitch receiver  14  and the safety chain mounting structure  16  to the hitch mounting structure  12 . The die assembly is provided in a press that exerts a suitable magnitude of force, e.g., 2000 lbs., for bending the elongated tubular body member into the desired shape of the hitch mounting structure  12 . In one embodiment, the die assembly first forms the intermediate portion  20  of the hitch mounting structure  12  and then forms the end portions  18 . Alternatively, the portions  18 ,  20  may be formed simultaneously or in any other suitable order. Also, the elongated tubular body member may be hydroformed prior to bending it in the die assembly to enlarge the diameter of the tubular body member. However, the elongated tubular body member may be bent into the desired form of the hitch mounting structure  12  in any other suitable manner, e.g., hydroforming.  
      In an embodiment, the plurality of openings  28  in the end portions  18  of the hitch mounting structure  12  are pierced in a piercing operation that is an integral part of the die assembly. However, the plurality of openings  28  may be formed in a piercing operation that is separate from the die assembly, e.g., mechanically or laser cut.  
      In an embodiment, the opening  30  in the intermediate portion  20  of the hitch mounting structure  12  is cut by a laser in a separate operation from the die assembly. However, the opening  30  may be formed in any other suitable manner, e.g., mechanically cut or formed in an operation that is part of the die assembly.  
       FIGS. 10-18  illustrate another embodiment of a hitch assembly, indicated as  210 . The structure of the hitch assembly  210  is substantially similar to the hitch assembly  10  described above. In contrast, the mounting section  224  of the end portions  218  of the hitch mounting structure  212  have a general U-shaped cross-sectional configuration that provides a vertically extending mounting flange  226  for mounting the hitch assembly  210  to the frame assembly of a vehicle, as will be further discussed.  
      Specifically, the hitch assembly  210  includes a hitch mounting structure  212 , a hitch receiver  214 , and a safety chain mounting structure  216 . Similar to the hitch assembly  10  described above, the hitch mounting structure  212  is formed from an elongated substantially tubular body member having a generally rectangular cross-section. The elongated body member is bent in a die assembly into a general U-shape (when viewed from above as in  FIG. 11 ) to provide a one-piece hitch mounting structure  212  with opposing end portions  218  and a centrally disposed intermediate portion  220  extending between the end portions  218 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 15-18 , the intermediate portion  220  of the hitch mounting structure  212  has a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration (see  FIG. 17 ), while the end portions  218  each have an elbow section  222  with a general U-shaped cross-sectional configuration (see  FIG. 16 ) and a mounting section  224  with a general U-shaped cross-sectional configuration (see  FIG. 18 ). Specifically, the tubular body member is bent or pinched by the die assembly such that walls of tubular body member are moved adjacent to one another to form the general U-shaped elbow section  222  and the general U-shaped mounting section  224  of the end portions  218 . The mounting sections  224  of the end portions  218  are configured to be operatively connected to the frame assembly of a vehicle for mounting the hitch assembly  210  to the vehicle. The intermediate portion  220  is configured to be operatively connected to the hitch receiver  214  and the safety chain mounting structure  216 .  
      The generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration of the mounting sections  224  provides a generally vertically extending mounting flange  226 . A plurality of openings  228 , e.g., three openings, are provided in each of the vertically extending mounting flanges  226  for mounting the hitch assembly  210  to the frame assembly of a vehicle. For example, fasteners, such as bolts, may extend through respective openings  228  in the mounting flanges  226  and into corresponding openings provided in the frame assembly of the vehicle to fixedly attach the hitch assembly  210  to the vehicle. However, the mounting flanges  226  of the hitch assembly  210  may be secured to the frame assembly of the vehicle in any other suitable manner, e.g., by welding.  
      The generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration of the elbow sections  222  adds strength and rigidity to the elbow sections  222 , thereby preventing deformation of the end portions  218  with respect to the intermediate portion  220  in use. Also, the generally U-shaped configuration of the mounting sections  224  adds rigidity to the mounting sections  224 , thereby preventing deformation of the mounting sections  224  with respect to the vehicle frame assembly and/or failure of the mounting sections  224 , e.g., mounting sections  224  ripping free from the vehicle frame assembly.  
      The intermediate portion  220  includes an opening  230  therethrough for receiving the hitch receiver  214 . Also, the intermediate portion  220  is bent by the die assembly into a general V-shape (when viewed from the front as in  FIG. 13 ) such that end portions  218  are positioned higher than the opening  230  in the intermediate portion  220  (see  FIG. 14 ).  
      The hitch receiver  214  includes a generally square-shaped body portion  232  with a receiver ring  234  provided on one end thereof. The end of the hitch receiver  214 , opposite to the receiver ring  234 , is received within the opening  230  provided in the intermediate portion  220  of the hitch mounting structure  212 . The hitch receiver  214  is secured within the opening  230  by welding, for example.  
      In use, a hitch (not shown) is slidably received within the hitch receiver  214  and secured thereto with a locking pin (not shown). Specifically, the hitch receiver  214  includes aligned openings (not shown) in opposing side walls that are aligned with opposing openings provided on the hitch to allow a locking pin, e.g., cotter pin, to extend through the aligned openings to secure the hitch to the hitch receiver  214 . The hitch may have any suitable structure, such as a ball mount or a pin mount. Also, the hitch may be secured to the hitch receiver  214  in any other suitable manner.  
      As best shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , the safety chain mounting structure  216  is formed of a round rod that is bent to provide the safety chain mounting structure  216  with a mounting section  238  and a pair of arcuate end sections  240 . The arcuate end sections  240  extend slightly upwardly from the mounting section  238  (see  FIG. 13 ). The safety chain mounting structure  216  may be bent into the desired shape in any suitable manner, e.g., by a die assembly. As illustrated, the mounting section  238  is mounted, e.g., by welding, to a lower surface of the intermediate portion  220  of the hitch mounting structure  212  and the arcuate sections  240  are mounted, e.g., by welding, to a lower surface of the hitch receiver  214  so as to provide two openings  242 . In use, safety chains of a trailer may be connected to the safety chain mounting structure  216  through engagement within the openings  242 . However, a safety chain mounting structure may not be provided on the hitch assembly  210 .  
      The hitch assemblies  10 ,  210  provide a simplified product that enables a simplified manufacturing process with respect to known hitch assemblies. Specifically, by forming the hitch mounting structure  12 ,  212  of the hitch assembly  10 ,  210  with one piece in a die assembly, many parts can be eliminated. Also, by eliminating the number of welds required to form the hitch assembly  10 ,  210 , the hitch assembly  10 ,  210  is safer and more reinforced.  
       FIGS. 19-30  illustrate a retractable hitch assembly  310  constructed according to an embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the retractable hitch assembly  310  is similar to the hitch assembly  10  described above. That is, the hitch mounting structure  312  of the retractable hitch assembly  310  is similar to the hitch mounting structure  12  of the hitch assembly  10 . In contrast, the retractable hitch assembly  310  has been modified to include a retractable hitch mechanism  344  for moving a hitch between an extended position and a storage or retracted position, as will be further discussed.  
      The retractable hitch assembly  310  includes a hitch mounting structure  312  and a retractable hitch mechanism  344  securely mounted thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, the hitch mounting structure  312  has the same structure and method of manufacture as the hitch mounting structure  12  of hitch assembly  10  described above.  
      Specifically, the hitch mounting structure  312  is formed from a substantially tubular body member that is bent in a die assembly into a general U-shape (when viewed from above as in  FIG. 20 ) to provide a one-piece hitch mounting structure  312  with opposing end portions  318  and a centrally disposed intermediate portion  320  extending between the end portions  318 . As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 21 , the intermediate portion  320  of the hitch mounting structure  312  has a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration, while the end portions  318  each have an elbow section  322  with a general U-shaped cross-sectional configuration and a mounting section  324  with a general L-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The mounting sections  324  provide a generally horizontally extending mounting flange  326  with a plurality of openings  328 , e.g., three openings, for mounting the hitch assembly  310  to the frame assembly of a vehicle. The intermediate portion  320  includes an opening  330  therethrough for mounting the retractable hitch mechanism  344 .  
      The hitch mounting structure  3   12  of the retractable hitch assembly  310  may include mounting sections with a general U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, as in the hitch mounting structure  212  of hitch assembly  210  described above. The U-shaped configuration would provide generally horizontally extending mounting flanges with a plurality of openings, e.g., three openings, for mounting the hitch assembly  310  to the frame assembly of a vehicle. However, the retractable hitch mechanism  344  may be incorporated into any other suitable hitch mounting structure or frame for moving a hitch between extended and retracted positions.  
      As best shown in  FIGS. 24-30 , the retractable hitch mechanism  344  includes an outer hitch receiver  346  that is mounted within the opening  330  of the intermediate portion  320  of the hitch mounting structure  312  by welding, for example. The outer hitch receiver  346  includes a generally square-shaped body portion  348  with an elongated opening  350  in one of the side walls and a circular opening  352  in an upper wall. Also, aligned openings  354  are provided in opposing side walls of the outer hitch receiver  346 . When mounted, the outer hitch receiver  346  extends thorough the intermediate portion  320  such that the elongated opening  350  is on one side of the intermediate portion  320  and the aligned openings  354  are one the other side of the intermediate portion  320  (e.g., see  FIG. 23 ).  
      An inner hitch receiver  356  is telescopically mounted within the outer hitch receiver  346  for sliding movement with respect to the outer hitch receiver  346 . The inner hitch receiver  356  includes a generally square-shaped body portion  358  with a receiver ring  360  provided on one end thereof. The receiver ring  360  may be formed in one piece with the boy portion  358  or may be formed separately and attached thereto. The receiver ring  360  is provided on the inner hitch receiver  356  to facilitate engagement of a hitch with the inner hitch receiver  356 . The end of the inner hitch receiver  356 , opposite to the receiver ring  360 , is received within the outer hitch receiver  346 . The inner hitch receiver  356  includes a circular opening  362  in an upper wall. Also, a pair of aligned openings  364  are provided in opposing side walls of the inner hitch receiver  356 .  
      A selectively operable driving mechanism  366  is mounted on the outer hitch receiver  346  and operatively engaged with the inner hitch receiver  356  to selectively drive the inner hitch receiver  356  with respect to the outer hitch receiver  346  between an extended position and a storage or retracted position. In the illustrated embodiment, the driving mechanism  366  includes a reversible electric motor  368  and a rack and pinion gear arrangement  370 .  
      Specifically, a support plate  372  is rigidly mounted to the upper wall of the outer hitch receiver  346 . The support plate  372  has openings  374 ,  376  through an intermediate portion thereof Also, the support plate  372  has a plurality of openings  378 , e.g., four openings, along outer edges thereof for securing a cover  380  thereto by fasteners  382 .  
      The motor  368  is suitably powered, e.g., 7-12 volts, for driving the inner hitch receiver  356  between extended and retracted positions. The rack and pinion gear arrangement  370  includes a pinion gear  384  provided on the output shaft of the motor  368  and a rack  386  provided on one of the side walls of the inner hitch receiver  356 . The rack  386  on the inner hitch receiver  356  extends through the elongated opening  350  in the outer hitch receiver  346 .  
      The motor  368  is rigidly mounted to the support plate  372  such that the pinion gear  384  extends through the opening  374  in the support plate  372  and into driving engagement with the rack  386  provided on the inner hitch receiver  356 . A gear cover  388  is mounted to the support plate  372  to enclose the rack and pinion gear arrangement  370 . Also, the cover  380  is mounted to the support plate  372  to enclose the motor  368 .  
      The motor  368  may be electrically actuated, e.g., by a switch, to selectively drive the inner hitch receiver  356  with respect to the outer hitch receiver  346  via the rack and pinion gear arrangement  370 . This moves the inner hitch receiver  356  between the extended and retracted positions.  
      In the illustrated embodiment, a locking assembly  390  is provided to lock the inner hitch receiver  356  in the extended position. The locking assembly  390  is mounted to the support plate  372  adjacent the motor  368 . Specifically, the locking assembly  390  includes a solenoid  392  having a drive shaft that is movable between extended and retracted positions. A locking pin  394  is rigidly mounted to the drive shaft so as to move with the drive shaft between extended and retracted positions.  
      The solenoid  392  is rigidly mounted to the support plate  372 , e.g., by brackets  396 , such that the locking pin extends through the opening  376  in the support plate  372  and through the circular opening  352  in the upper wall of the outer hitch receiver  346 . The solenoid  392  may be electrically connected to the motor  368  such that the solenoid  392  is actuated when the inner hitch receiver  356  reaches the extended position. When actuated, the solenoid  392  moves the locking pin  394  from the retracted position into the extended position. In the extended position, the locking pin  394  extends into the circular opening  362  in the upper wall of the inner hitch receiver  356  which is aligned with the circular opening  352  in the outer hitch receiver  346  when the inner hitch receiver  356  is in the extended position. This locks the inner hitch receiver  356  with respect to the outer hitch receiver  346  to prevent any relative movement. The solenoid  392  moves the locking pin  394  back into the retracted position when the motor  368  is actuated to move the inner hitch receiver  356  back into the retracted position.  
      In the illustrated embodiment, a safety chain mounting structure is not provided on the retractable hitch assembly  310 . However, any suitable safety chain mounting structure, such as the one described above in hitch assemblies  10 ,  210 , may be provided on the retractable hitch assembly  310 .  
      In use, a hitch (not shown) may be slidably received within the inner hitch receiver  356  and secured thereto with a locking pin (not shown), e.g., cotter pin. Specifically, the hitch includes aligned openings in opposing side walls that are aligned with selected ones of the opposing openings  364  provided on the inner hitch receiver  356  to allow the locking pin to extend through the aligned openings to secure the hitch to the inner hitch receiver  356 . The hitch may have any suitable structure, such as a ball mount or a pin mount. Also, the locking pin may extend through aligned openings  364 ,  354  in the outer and inner hitch receivers  346 ,  356  and into the openings in the hitch to secure the hitch. However, the hitch may be secured to the inner hitch receiver  356  in any other suitable manner.  
      When the inner hitch receiver  356  is in the extended position, the hitch thereof is disposed outwardly away from the frame assembly and the rear bumper of the vehicle. When the inner hitch receiver  356  is in the retracted position, the hitch is disposed internally of the rear bumper so it is not exposed. The retractable hitch assembly  310  allows the vehicle to be more aesthetically appealing because the hitch can be hidden from view.  
      It can thus be appreciated that the aspects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The foregoing specific embodiments have been provided to illustrate the structural and functional principles of the present invention, and are not intended to be limiting. To the contrary, the present invention is intended to encompass all modifications, alterations, and substitutions within the spirit and scope of the detailed description.