Patent Abstract:
A securing chain attachment assembly is shown and described. The securing chain attachment assembly may include an attachment body selectively and rotatably securable to a towing vehicle, the attachment body rotatable along a first plane. The securing chain attachment assembly may also include a securement member attached to the attachment body, the securement member capable of having selectively secured thereto a securement chain, where the chain attachment member is pivotal along a second plane, the second plane generally parallel to the first plane.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/567,539 entitled “Removable Securing Chain Attachment Assembly,” filed on Dec. 11, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/660,903 entitled “Removable Securing Chain Attachment Assembly” filed on Oct. 25, 2012, now abandoned, which claims the benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/628,135 entitled “Removable Securing Chain Attachment Assembly” filed on Oct. 25, 2011, all of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to an attachment assembly for a towing vehicle and, more particularly, to a removable securing chain attachment assembly to selectively attach a securing chain to a towing vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    It is well known in the art to utilize a trailer hitch to connect a trailer to a towing vehicle. There are many different types of trailer hitches known in the art that may be attached to the towing vehicle in a variety of ways. Some of the most common types of hitches include gooseneck, fifth wheel, rear mount, and the like. Typically, trailers are connected to a towing vehicle by way of a hitch ball secured to the vehicle and a ball socket coupling mechanism on the trailer that mounts over the hitch ball and thereby allows for the trailer to pivot behind the towing vehicle. 
         [0004]    The hitch ball of some hitches, such as goosenecks, for example, is commonly mounted in the load bed of a pickup truck in proximity to the longitudinal centerline of the load bed and generally above the rear axle. The weight of the trailer, therefore, may be generally distributed between the tires on the sides of the towing vehicle. This type of hitch may often be secured to the towing vehicle structure in an opening cut in the bed of the truck so that a substantial portion of the hitch attachment is located below the load bed of the towing vehicle. In addition, the hitch ball typically may be removable or retractable to a stowed position to ensure that the use of the load bed is not substantially hindered by the presence of the hitch ball. 
         [0005]    It is well known in the art, to utilize securing chains with the towed vehicle, gooseneck hitch to which it attaches and the towing vehicle. Securing chains may used to provide a secondary means of connection between the rear of the towing vehicle and the front of the trailer or towed vehicle in case of separation. The securing chain may remain connected to the towing and towed vehicles during operation. Further, the securing chain may assist in maintaining the appropriate spacing between the towing vehicle and towed vehicle during operation. 
         [0006]    The securing chains may be secured between the trailer and an anchor within the towing vehicle. The attachment assemblies for the securing chains often prevent or otherwise inhibit full use of the load bed of the towing vehicle. Further, the securing chains may cause the securing chain attachment assemblies to which the securing chain attaches to have significant forces applied during operation. These forces may be applied in multiple directions depending on several operational factors. Further, prior art attachment assemblies or securing chains may scrape the towing vehicle, such as the bed on which the gooseneck hitch is attached causing damage thereto. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there is a need for a securing chain attachment assembly that does not substantially obstruct the bed of the truck when the hitch is not being used. There is also a need to provide a removable securing chain attachment assembly. Further, there is a need for a securing chain attachment assembly that is able to withstand the multitude of forces applied thereto during operation. Still further, there is a need for a securing chain attachment assembly that may be operable without resulting in damage to the towing vehicle to which it is attached. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    A securing chain attachment assembly is shown and described. The securing chain attachment assembly may include an attachment body selectively and rotatably securable to a towing vehicle, the attachment body rotatable along a first plane. The securing chain attachment assembly may also include a securement member attached to the attachment body, the securement member capable of having selectively secured thereto a securement chain, where the chain attachment member is pivotal along a second plane, the second plane generally parallel to the first plane. 
         [0009]    A securing chain attachment assembly may include an attachment body having an insert portion capable of selective attachment to a receiver of an under bed gooseneck hitch, where the insert portion is rotatable with respect to the attachment body along a first plane, and an elongated securement member pivotally secured with the attachment body along a second plane, the second plane generally perpendicular to the first plane. The securing chain attachment assembly may also include a gate attached to the securement member, the gate selectively positionable in a first direction providing access to attach a securing chain to the securement member. 
         [0010]    A securing chain attachment assembly may include an attachment body having an insert portion capable of selective attachment to a receiver of gooseneck hitch attached below a load bed of a towing vehicle. The securing chain attachment assembly may also include a securement member attached with the attachment body, where the securement member is positionable relative to the load bed of the towing vehicle along at least first and second planes. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Operation of the invention may be better understood by reference to the detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pair of embodiments of a removable securing chain attachment assembly secured to a load bed of a towing vehicle. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the removable securing chain attachment assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the removable securing chain attachment assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the removable securing chain attachment assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the removable securing chain attachment assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the removable securing chain attachment assembly in an unlocked position with a receiver attachment body in phantom of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the removable securing chain attachment assembly in an unlocked position with the receiver attachment body in phantom of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a pair of embodiments of a removable securing chain attachment assembly secured to a load bed of a towing vehicle. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is an elevation view of the removable securing chain attachment assembly of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of the removable securing chain attachment assembly of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the removable securing chain attachment assembly of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the removable securing chain attachment assembly of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a pair of embodiments of a removable securing chain attachment assembly secured to a load bed of a towing vehicle. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the removable securing chain attachment assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the pair of the removable securing chain attachment assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is a first side view of the removable securing chain attachment assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a second side view of the removable securing chain attachment assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is an elevation view of the removable securing chain attachment assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  is an end view of the removable securing chain attachment assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the removable securing chain attachment assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the removable securing chain attachment assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, 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 invention. Moreover, features of the various embodiments may be combined or altered without departing from the scope of the invention. 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 invention. 
         [0034]    A removable securing chain attachment assembly  100  is shown in  FIGS. 1-7 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , a pair of removable securing chain attachment assemblies  100  may be selectively secured in a load bed  74  of a towing vehicle  76 . The present teachings are not limited to any specific number of securing chain attachment assemblies  100  being selectively attached to the towing vehicle  76 . Any number of removably chain attachment assemblies  100  may be used, such as by way of a non-limiting example, one, two, three, four, etc. Further, while a single removable securing chain attachment assembly  100  is described below, if more than one removable securing chain attachment assembly is utilized any appropriate embodiment of the removably chain attachment assembly may be used, including, without limitation utilizing removable securing chain attachment assemblies that are of differing construction. 
         [0035]    The removable securing chain attachment assembly  100  may include a chain attachment arm  110  and a receiver attachment body  120  attached to the chain attachment arm  110 . The chain attachment arm  110  may be pivotally attached to the receiver attachment body  120  in any appropriate manner. By way of a non-limiting example the chain attachment arm  110  may be pivotally attached to the receiver attachment body  120  at a pivot  124 . This may allow the chain attachment arm  110  to generally pivot any appropriate amount at the pivot  124 . 
         [0036]    The chain attachment arm  110  may be of any appropriate shape and size, such as by way of a non-limiting example, being of a generally elongated shape. The chain attachment arm  110  may be of any appropriate material, such as by way of a non-limiting example, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or the like. In some embodiments, the chain attachment arm  110  may generally be of a cast or forged metal, such as steel or any other appropriate material. 
         [0037]    The chain attachment arm  110  may include a chain attaching portion  130  extending therefrom. The chain attaching portion  130  may be monolithically formed or attached through any appropriate process. The chain attaching portion  130  may be of any appropriate shape and size such that a securing chain (not shown) may be selectively attached in any appropriate manner to the chain attaching portion  130 . By way of a non-limiting example, the chain attaching portion  130  may be a generally closed loop of any appropriate shape, such as shown in  FIGS. 1-7 . Alternatively, the chain attaching portion  130  may have a generally open loop, hook or slot shaped to selectively attach thereto the securing chain (not shown). 
         [0038]    The chain attachment arm  110  may include a pair of arms  134  that extend distally from the chain attaching portion  130 . The arms  134  may be of any appropriate shape and size, such as by way of a non-limiting example, being generally elongated arms as shown. The arms  134  may extend a predetermined distance from one another as they extend from the chain attaching portion  130 . The arms  134  may be integrally formed as a monolithic unit with the chain attaching portion  130  or may be attached thereto through a subsequent operation. Further, each of the arms  134  may include apertures  140 . The apertures  140  may be of any appropriate shape and size. The apertures  140  of each arm  134  may be generally aligned with one another. 
         [0039]    The receiver attachment body  120  may include an insert body  144  of any appropriate configuration. The receiver attachment body  120  may also include a load bed engaging portion  146  attached with the insert body  144  in any appropriate manner, such as being formed as a monolithic unit, welding, fastening, or the like. A generally cylindrical sleeve  148  may be attached to at least one of the load bed engaging portion  146  and the insert body  144 . However, in some embodiments, the receiver attachment body  120  may not include the load bed engaging portion  146 . 
         [0040]    The sleeve  148  may be attached to the at least one of the load bed engaging portion  146  and the insert body  144  in any appropriate manner. The sleeve  148  may be fastened, welded, adhered using adhesives, integrally formed with the load bed engaging portion  146 , or the like. The sleeve  148  may also be fastened, welded, adhered using adhesives, integrally formed with the insert body  144 , or the like. The sleeve  148  may include a generally hollow portion (not shown). The sleeve  148  may be of a length L that it generally fits between the arms  134  of the chain attachment arm  110 , which may form a portion of the pivot  124 . 
         [0041]    The pivot  124  may include a pin  154  inserted through the apertures  140  of the arms  134  and through the sleeve  148 . The pin  154  may include a head  156  sized and shaped to engage one of the arms  134  and to prevent passing through the aperture  140 . The pin  154  may include an aperture  158  that may be transversely spaced from the head  156 . The aperture  156  may be shaped and sized to accept a cotter pin  160  selectively securing the pin  154  in the apertures  140  and the hollow portion  150  of the sleeve  148 . The pin  154  may be of a configuration to permit the chain attachment arm  110  to pivot relative to the receiver attachment body  120  along the pivot  124 . 
         [0042]    The receiver attachment body  120  may be capable of being selectively attached to an under bed gooseneck hitch mounting system  170 . The under bed gooseneck hitch mounting system  170  may be any appropriate under bed mounting system that may have selectively attached thereto a gooseneck hitch (not shown). By way of a non-limiting example, the under bed gooseneck hitch mounting system  170  may be that shown and described in U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 20100109285, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The under bed hitch mounting system  170  may include at least one receiver  172 . The receiver  172  may be below a load bed  74  of the towing vehicle  76 . By way of a non-limiting example, the receiver  172  may be located immediately below an aperture  178  in the load bed  74  of the towing vehicle  76 . The receiver  172  may be of any appropriate shape and size. The receiver  172  may be a puck mounting system that may allow the under bed gooseneck hitch mounting system  170  to be installed in the load bed  74  of the towing vehicle  76  with only four small apertures  178 . Utilizing the puck mounting system may provide uninhibited use of the load bed  74  of the towing vehicle  76  truck bed when removable securing chain attachment assembly  100  is dismounted. 
         [0043]    The removable securing chain attachment assembly  100  may take advantage of an under bed mounting system designed for the various types of hitches. These types of hitches may mount on top of an under bed rail mounting system where the hitch ball may either be removed or folded down for easy access. For example, removable securing chain attachment assembly  100  may allow users that have an existing rail kit to use the receivers  72  for safety chain hook ups on gooseneck trailers. 
         [0044]    The load bed engaging portion  146  may be of any appropriate shape such that when the receiver attachment body  120  is selectively secured to the receiver  172 , the load bed engaging portion  146  may be generally in close proximity to the load bed  74  of the towing vehicle  76 . This may result in the removable securing chain attachment assembly  100  being aesthetically pleasing when selectively attached to the towing vehicle  76 . By way of a non-limiting example, the load bed engaging portion  146  may be of a generally cylindrical shape such as the generally “puck” shape shown. The load bed engaging portion  146  may extend slightly above or below the load bed  74  or may be generally planar with the load bed  74 . The load bed engaging portion  146  may generally rest on the receiver  172 . 
         [0045]    The insert body  144  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as being shaped for insertion into the receiver  172 , a non-limiting example of which is shown in  FIGS. 2, 6-7 . Although illustrated as substantially cylindrical in shape, it is to be understood that the insert body  144  may be shaped to accommodate any type, shape and sized receiver  172 . The receiver  172  may include an inner portion (not shown) that may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a curved or rounded shape, by way of a non-limiting example. 
         [0046]    The insert body  144  may include a cavity  182 . The cavity  182  may be positioned at any appropriate location within the insert body  144 . The cavity  182  may be of any appropriate shape or size. The insert body  144  may include apertures  185 . The apertures  185  may be located through the insert body  144 . The apertures  185  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a cylindrical shape, by way of a non-limiting example. The apertures  185  may also be positioned at any appropriate location on the insert body  144 . 
         [0047]    The insert body  144  may include a plunger  189 . The plunger  189  may be located within the cavity  182  of the insert body  144 . The plunger  189  may be of any appropriate shape or size. The insert body  144  may also include an elongated member  191 . The elongated member  191  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generally cylindrical shape, by way of a non-limiting example. The elongated member  191  may include a first end  192  and a second end  193 . The first end  192  may be connected to the plunger  189  in any appropriate manner. 
         [0048]    The removable securing chain attachment assembly  100  may include a cam lever  195 . The cam lever  195  may be provided to allow a user to selectively adjust the removable securing chain attachment assembly  100  between locked and unlocked positions. The cam lever  195  may include a handle portion  197  and a camming body  199  laterally disposed from the handle portion  197 . The handle portion  197  may be shaped and sized to assist a user with gripping such. The camming surface  199  may be of any appropriate shape, such as by way of a non-limiting example, being a generally cylindrical shape. The cam lever  195  may engage the second end  193  of the elongated member  191 . The cam lever  195  may further include a washer member  200 . The washer member  200  may be of any appropriate shape and size and is not limited to that shown. The camming surface  199  may rotate on the washer member  200  when moving to and from the locked position and the unlocked position. 
         [0049]    The cavity  182  may allow the elongated member  191  and the plunger  189  to be selectively engaged with one or more locking members  203 , such as a ball bearing, by way of a non-limiting example, between a locked position and a released or unlocked position. In the locked position the plunger  189  may engage the locking members  203  to push the locking members  203  outwardly beyond the insert body  144  via the apertures  185 . The locking members  203  may engage, for example, the receiver  172  to generally prevent the removable change attachment assembly  100  from being removed from the receiver  172 . Such a configuration may ensure that the removable change attachment assembly  100  may remain in the locked position to generally prevent disconnection from the receiver  172  while towing. 
         [0050]    Further, the locking members  203  may be shaped such that the insert body  144  may be capable of rotating while being locked within the receiver  172 . The rotation of the insert body  144  may permit the entire removable securing chain attachment assembly  100  to rotate in the receiver  172  when locked therein. By way of a non-limiting example, the removable securing chain attachment assembly  100  may be capable of rotating approximately  360  degrees, but may rotate any amount. This may permit the removable securing chain attachment assembly  100  to rotate to be positioned in a preselected location in the load bed  74  of the towing vehicle  76 . Further, when the removable securing chain attachment assembly  100  is in the locked position with a chain attached thereto, the removable securing chain attachment assembly  100  may rotate to generally prevent excessive forces from being applied to the removable securing chain attachment assembly  100  during operation. 
         [0051]    Similarly, the pivoting of the removable securing chain attachment assembly  100  may further permit the appropriate positioning of the removable securing chain attachment assembly  100  when assembling. The user may upon insertion of the removable securing chain attachment assembly  100   
         [0052]    In the released or unlocked position, as shown in  FIGS. 6-7 , the camming surface  199  may be positioned so that the plunger  189  may disengage from the locking members  203 . This may result in the locking members  203  to be selectively positioned within the apertures  185  such that the locking members  203  may disengage from the receiver  172  and return toward the center of the insert body  144 . 
         [0053]    As indicated above, the removable securing chain attachment assembly  100  may be removed from or placed in the receiver  172  in a manner that may not require disconnection from the side or underneath of the towing vehicle  76 . After insertion into the receiver  172 , the cam lever  195  may be actuated or otherwise pivoted toward a locked position. The actuation of the cam lever  195  may cause the cam surface  199  to engage the second end  193  of the elongated member  191 . This may then selectively position the plunger  189  toward the locking members  203  such that the locking members  203  may generally extend from the apertures  185 . This then may place the removable securing chain attachment assembly  100  in the locked position. As previously noted, in this locked position, the removable securing chain attachment assembly  100  may be capable of rotating and pivoting relative to the receiver  172 . 
         [0054]    Additional embodiments of a removable securing chain attachment assembly according the present teachings are described below. In the descriptions, all of the details and components may not be fully described or shown. Rather, the features or components are described and, in some instances, differences with the above-described embodiments may be pointed out. Moreover, it should be appreciated that these other embodiments may include elements or components utilized in the above-described embodiments although not shown or described. Thus, the descriptions of these other embodiments are merely exemplary and not all-inclusive nor exclusive. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the features, components, elements and functionalities of the various embodiments may be combined or altered to achieve a desired removable securing chain attachment assembly without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0055]    In other embodiments, examples of which are shown in  FIGS. 8-12 , a removable securing chain attachment assembly  400  may include a chain attachment arm  410  and a receiver attachment body  420 . The chain attachment arm  410  may be pivotally attached to the receiver attachment body  420  in any appropriate manner. In some embodiments, the chain attachment arm  410  may be pivotally attached to the receiver attachment body  420  at a pivot point  424  such that the chain attachment arm  410  may generally pivot relative to the receiver attachment body  420  at the pivot  424 . 
         [0056]    The chain attachment arm  410  may be of any appropriate shape and size, such as by way of a non-limiting example, being of a generally elongated shape. The chain attachment arm  410  may include a chain attaching portion  430 . The chain attaching portion  430  may be of any appropriate shape and size such that the securing chain (not shown) may be selectively attached to the chain attaching portion  430 . In some embodiments, the chain attaching portion  430  may be a generally closed loop of any appropriate shape. Further, the chain attaching portion  430  may have a generally open loop or slot, but that is otherwise shaped to selectively attach thereto the securing chain (not shown). The chain attachment arm  410  may include a pair of arms  434  that extend from the chain attaching portion  430 . The arms  434  may extend a predetermined distance from one another as they extend toward the chain attaching portion  430 . The arms  434  may be integrally formed as a monolithic unit with the chain attaching portion  430  or may be attached thereto through a subsequent operation. Further, each of the arms  434  may include apertures  440 . The apertures  440  may be of any appropriate shape and size. The apertures  440  of each arm  434  may be generally aligned with one another. 
         [0057]    The receiver attachment body  420  may include an insert body (not shown) of any appropriate configuration. The receiver attachment body  420  may also include a load bed engaging portion  446  attached with the insert body  444  in any appropriate manner, such as being formed as a monolithic unit, welding, fastening, or the like. A generally cylindrical sleeve  448  may be attached to at least one of the load bed engaging portion  446  and the insert body. However, in some embodiments, the receiver attachment body  420  may not include the load bed engaging portion  446 . The sleeve  448  may be attached to the at least one of the load bed engaging portion  446  and the insert body in any appropriate manner. In some embodiments, the sleeve  448  may be fastened, welded, adhered using adhesives, integrally formed with the load bed engaging portion  446 , or the like. The sleeve  448  may be fastened, welded, adhered using adhesives, integrally formed with the insert body, or the like. The sleeve  448  may be of a length L that it generally fits between the arms  434  of the chain attachment arm  410 , which may form a portion of the pivot  424 . The pivot  424  may include a pin  454  inserted through the apertures  440  of the arms  434  and through the hollow portion of the sleeve  448 . The pin  454  may permit the chain attachment arm  410  to pivot relative to the receiver attachment body  420 . 
         [0058]    The receiver attachment body  420  may be capable of being selectively attached to an under bed gooseneck hitch mounting system  170  as further described above. The removable securing chain attachment assembly  400  may include a cam lever  495 . The cam lever  495  may be provided to allow a user to selectively adjust the removable securing chain attachment assembly  400  between the locked and unlocked positions. The cam lever  495  may include a handle portion  497  and a camming body  499  laterally disposed from the handle portion  497 . The handle portion  497  may be shaped and sized to assist a user with gripping such. The camming surface  499  may be of any appropriate shape, such as by way of a non-limiting example, being a generally cylindrical shape. The cam lever  495  may engage a locking mechanism (not shown) as further described above. 
         [0059]    The removable securing chain attachment assembly  400  may be capable of rotating when locked within the receiver  172 . In some embodiments, the removable securing chain attachment assembly  400  may be capable of rotating approximately  360  degrees when locked within the receiver  172 . Further, the removable securing chain attachment assembly  400  may be capable of pivoting along pivot  424 . The rotating and pivoting of the removable securing chain attachment assembly  400  may permit the removable securing chain attachment assembly  400  to be selectively or automatically positioned in the appropriate position. This may generally reduce the amount of force that may otherwise be applied to the removable securing chain attachment assembly  400  during operation thereof. 
         [0060]    Other embodiments of a removable securing chain attachment assembly  600  are shown in  FIGS. 13-21 . In these embodiments, the removable securing chain attachment assembly  600  may include a chain attachment arm  610  and a receiver attachment body  620 . The chain attachment arm  610  may be pivotally attached to the receiver attachment body  620  in any appropriate manner. By way of a non-limiting example, the chain attachment arm  610  may be pivotally attached to a generally closed loop  621  of the receiver attachment body  620 . 
         [0061]    The chain attachment arm  610  may be of any appropriate shape and size, such as by way of a non-limiting example, being of a generally elongated oval shape. The chain attachment arm  610  may include a chain attaching portion  630 . The chain attaching portion  630  may be of any appropriate shape and size such that the securing chain (not shown) may be selectively attached to the chain attaching portion  630 . The chain attaching portion  630  may be a generally closed loop of any appropriate shape. Further, the chain attaching portion  630  may have a generally open loop, hook or slot shaped to have selectively attached thereto the securing chain (not shown). 
         [0062]    The chain attaching portion  630  may include a selectively openable arm or gate  637 . The gate  637  may of any appropriate shape or size such that it is capable of being selectively opened to attach the securing chain chain to the chain attaching portion  630  and selectively closeable to lock the securing chain to the chain attaching portion  630 . Opening the gate or arm  637  may permit the chain attaching portion  630  to be selectively removed from or attached to the closed loop  621 . Any appropriate gate or arm  637  may be used. The present teachings are not limited to the gate or arm  637  shown. By way of a non-limiting example, the gate  637  may include a first pivot member  639  that may permit the gate  637  to pivot with respect to the chain attaching portion  630 . Any appropriate pivoting member may be used without departing from the present teachings. The gate  637  may include a locking member  641  that may pivot with respect to the pivot member  639  to open the chain attaching portion  630  and may when engaged with the chain attaching portion  630  generally securely remain in place. Any appropriate configuration may be used without departing from the present teachings. 
         [0063]    The receiver attachment body  620  may include a post  643  and a load bed engaging portion  646 . The receiver attachment body  620  may be capable of being selectively attached to an under bed gooseneck hitch mounting system  170  as further described above or as otherwise is appropriate. The post  643  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a cylindrical, ovalar, triangular or rectangular. By way of a non-limiting example and as shown in  FIGS. 16-21 , the post  643  may include a generally T-shape engaging member  657 , but is not limited to the shape shown. The post  643  may also be curved into a generally hooked shape engaging member as it extends away from the load bed engaging portion  646 . 
         [0064]    In use, for example, a consumer may place receiver attachment body  620  on top of the receiver  172 , so that the post  634  may drop into the corresponding aperture receiver  172 . Once the post  634  is placed within the receiver  172 , the consumer may rotate the receiver attachment body  620  any appropriate amount, such as by way of a non-limiting example, ninety degrees, either clockwise or counterclockwise, into a lock position. The engaging member  657  may engage a portion of the receiver  172  securing the removably securing chain attachment assembly  600  to the receiver  172 . To remove the removably securing chain attachment assembly  600 , a user may rotate the receiver attachment body  620  in a direction generally opposite to that described above. The engaging member  657  may release from the receiver  172  and the removably securing chain attachment assembly  600  may be removed from the receiver  172 . 
         [0065]    When the components of the removable securing chain attachment assembly  600  have been rotated into the correct position, the post  634  will drop into place. A locking component (not shown) may prevent the removable securing chain attachment assembly  600  from coming out of the receiver  172  during use. 
         [0066]    The removable securing chain attachment assembly  600  may be capable of rotating when locked within the receiver  172 . The removable securing chain attachment assembly  600  may be capable of rotating approximately  360  degrees when locked within the receiver  172 . By way of a non-limiting example, the chain attaching portion  630  may rotate relative to the load bed engaging portion  646 . Further, the removable securing chain attachment assembly  600  may be capable of pivoting. More specifically, the chain attaching portion  630  may be capable of pivoting when selectively attached to the closed loop  621 . The rotating and pivoting of the removable securing chain attachment assembly  600  may permit the removable securing chain attachment assembly  600  to be selectively or automatically positioned in the appropriate position. This may generally reduce the amount of force that may otherwise be applied to the removable securing chain attachment assembly  600  during operation thereof 
         [0067]    Further, the load bed engaging portion  646  may include an anti-rotation member (not shown) that may generally prevent the load bed engaging portion  646  from rotating. The chain attaching portion  630 , however, may still rotate relative to the load bed engaging portion  646 . By way of a non-limiting example, the anti-rotation member may include a pair of ears that extend down from  646  to engage  172  preventing the load bed engaging portion  646  from rotating. The ears may engage any appropriate portion of the removably securing chain attachment assembly  646 , the receiver  172  or the load bed  76 . The ears may be attached with the load bed engaging portion  646 . The ears may be capable of selective positioning in a non-engaging position upon engagement of the removable securing chain attachment assembly  600  with the receiver  172 . The ears may be capable of further selective positioning in an engaging position when the removable securing chain attachment assembly  600  is engaged with the receiver  172 . By way of a non-limiting example, the ears may be positioned upward when engaging the removable securing chain attachment assembly  600  and down after engagement of the removable securing chain attachment assembly. The chain attachment arm  610  or any portion thereof may generally prevent the ears from moving to the non-engaged position, e.g., move upward. The anti-rotation member may generally prevent heavily loaded side loads from applying to the removably securing chain attachment assembly  600  during operation 
         [0068]    Although the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that the invention 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.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1