Abstract:
A holder securely holds a canopy shade system for providing protection from sun or rain for a worker or during recreation. The holder is attached to a vehicle&#39;s trailer hitch via a receiver tube. A cross arm passes through the receiver tuber and is positionable between a squared position with respect to the receiver tube and an angled position. Telescoping extension arms extend outwardly from each end of the cross arm with a leg located on the distal end of each extension arm, each leg capable of holding an implement such as the canopy shade system.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a device that received within a typical trailer square hitch receiver found on a vehicle, wherein the device holds accessories such as a framed canopy and wherein the holding apparatus is pivotable between a squared position and an angled position. 
     2. Background of the Prior Art 
     Many workers, such as municipal workers and municipal support workers, telephone company technicians, cable technicians, and others spend a large portion of their day working outdoors, either installing an item, such as a traffic light control box for the municipality or repairing the previously installed item. Such workers tend to drive from one job site to another in a pickup truck or van wherein the tools and equipment of the trade are stored. Upon arrival at the job site, the tools, parts, and other equipment needed are unloaded and the work at hand begins. While many workers find this type of work environment particularly enjoyable, Mother Nature can have an adverse effect on a given work day. If the sun is blazing or the rain is pouring, the outdoor worker needs to protect himself or herself from the elements. If the particular job site is surrounded by a grass or other natural area, then the worker can erect a beach type umbrella to help shield the work from the sun or the rain. Although not completely effective, some shade is better than no shade on a hot muggy sun drenched summer afternoon. Unfortunately, many work sites are such that an umbrella cannot be ground inserted. A worker repairing a manhole cover in a downtown street has no effective ability to erect a beach umbrella. Although the worker can carry a standalone base for the umbrella, such bases are bulky, heavy and may take up too much real estate in the work vehicle. 
     Recognizing the limitations of a beach type umbrella, many workers carry about pop up canopy shade systems. Such canopy shade systems have an easy open frame that unfolds from its stored configuration in very short order onto which a shade canopy s secured. Set up and tear down of such canopies is very quick and easy. While more effective and versatile than a beach umbrella, such canopy shade systems are not without their limitations. Such systems are designed to be ground secured either by passing ground anchors through appropriate openings located at the base of the frame post of the canopy frame or via guy wires that are pin secured to the ground. Much like the beach type umbrella, such securement means are not always available to the worker. If the canopy shade system is not secured, then even a modest wind can carry the canopy shade system away, potentially damaging the device and possibly even causing a traffic accident. Additionally, even if the canopy shade system can be ground secured, a worker will often need to move the device a small amount at a given job site. For example, the job site may be such that the canopy system does not cover the entire area and as the worker moves between one area of the site and the other located a short distance away, the canopy shade system needs to be moved the short distance to provide its protection. Such movement of the canopy can become quite laborious and time-consuming. In such a scenario, the worker may spend more time and effort moving the canopy shade system back and forth than on the actual task at hand. 
     What is needed is a system that secures a canopy shade system frame irrespective of the ground upon which the canopy shade system is placed. Such a system must hold the canopy frame securely irrespective of weather conditions. Such a system must permit rapid changing of the position of the canopy shade system as the worker moves about the job site and needs the shading effect delivered by the canopy shade system to move with the worker. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The hitch mounted accessory holder of the present invention addresses the aforementioned needs in the art by providing a device that secures to the trailer hitch of a vehicle and holds a canopy shade system frame securely without the need to further secure the canopy shade system frame to the ground for use by workers, tailgaters and other recreational users, etc. The hitch mounted accessory holder allows the canopy frame to be moved in very short order. The hitch mounted accessory holder is of relatively simple design and construction, being produced using standard manufacturing techniques, so as to be relatively inexpensive to produce so as to be economically attractive to potential consumers of this type of device. The hitch mounted accessory holder is easy to install onto the vehicle and secure to the canopy shade system frame and just as easy to break down at the end of the task. 
     The hitch mounted accessory holder of the present invention is comprised of a receiver tube that has a first end and a second end, and a top and a bottom joined by a first side and an opposing second side. The receiver tube also has a first opening with a first edge and a second edge disposed on its first side and a second opening with a third edge and a fourth edge disposed on its second side such that the first edge and the third edge are disposed equidistant to the first end of the receiver tube while the fourth edge is located relatively closer to the second end of the receiver tube compared to the location of the second edge (the second opening is wider relative to the width of the first opening). Either the first end or the second end of the receiver tube is removably received within the hitch receiver of a vehicle such that either the bottom or the top of the receiver tube faces toward a ground level. A generally rectangular shaped tubular cross arm has a third end and an opposing fourth end and third side and an opposing fourth side. The cross arm passes horizontally through the first opening and the second opening of the receiver tube and is pivotally secured to the receiver tube such that the cross arm is rotatable between a first position wherein the third side of the cross arm abuts the first edge of the first opening and the third edge of the second opening (the cross arm is squared with respect to the receiver tube, that is, the longitudinal axis of the cross arm is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the receiver tube) and a second position wherein the third side of the cross arm abuts the first edge of the first opening and the fourth side of the cross arm abuts the fourth edge of the second opening (the cross arm is angled with respect to the receiver tube, that is, the longitudinal axis of the cross arm is at an angle (non-perpendicular and non-parallel) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the receiver tube). The first edge is inwardly beveled toward the second end of the receiver tube and the fourth edge is outwardly beveled toward the second end of the receiver tube such that the first edge is parallel with the third side of the cross arm and the fourth edge is parallel with the fourth side of the cross arm whenever the cross arm is in the second position. A first extension arm has a fifth end and an opposing sixth end such that the fifth end of the first extension arm is removably receivable within the third end of the cross arm while a second extension arm has a seventh end and an opposing eight end such that the seventh end of the second extension arm is removably receivable within the fourth end of the cross arm. The first extension arm and the second extension arm are each telescoping. A first leg is attached to the sixth end of the first extension arm, the first leg having a first longitudinal channel therethrough, while a second leg is attached to the eight end of the second extension arm, the second leg having a second longitudinal channel therethrough. The first leg is positionable between a third position wherein a first longitudinal axis of the first channel is on a gravitationally vertical axis and a fourth position wherein the first longitudinal axis of the first channel is at an angle relative to the gravitationally vertical axis and the second leg is positionable between a fifth position wherein a second longitudinal axis of the second channel is on the gravitationally vertical axis and a sixth position wherein the second longitudinal axis of the second channel is at an angle relative to the gravitationally vertical axis. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of the hitch mounted accessory holder of the present invention with a canopy shade system frame secured thereto. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the receiver tube used with the hitch mounted accessory holder. 
         FIG. 3  is a left side elevation view of the receiver tube. 
         FIG. 4  is a right side elevation view of the receiver tube. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the cross arm positioned within the receiver tube. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one of the extension arms used with the hitch mounted accessory holder. 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the hitch mounted accessory holder in a squared position. 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the hitch mounted accessory holder in an angled position. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the hitch mounted accessory holder illustrating the changing of the position of the cross arm. 
         FIG. 10  is a close-up perspective view of the extension arm mating with the leg. 
     
    
    
     Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, it is seen that the hitch mounted accessory holder of the present invention, generally denoted by reference numeral  10 , is comprised of a receiver tube  12  that has a first end  14  that is removably receivable within the trailer hitch receiver R of a vehicle V in appropriate fashion and secured thereto by inserting a pin  16  through openings  18  that align with corresponding openings (not illustrated) on the trailer hitch receiver R, the receiver tube  12  also having a second end  20 . The receiver tube  12  is a square tube stock member that has a first side  22  and an opposing second side  24 , joined by a top  26  and a bottom  28 . A first generally rectangular shaped opening  30  is located on the first side  22  while a second generally rectangular shaped opening  32  is located on the second side  24  of the receiver tube  12 . The first opening  30  has a first side edge  34  and a second side edge  36  while the second opening  32  has a third side edge  38  and a fourth side edge  40 . The first side edge  34  of the first opening  30  and the third side edge  38  of the second opening  30  (the side edges  34  and  38  closer to the first end  14  of the receiver tube  12 ) are generally parallel and aligned with one another and are of the same height. However, as seen, the fourth side edge  40  of the second opening  32  is closer to the second end  20  of the receiver tube  12  relative to the second side edge  36  of the first opening  30 . These two side edges  36  and  40  are of the same height so that the first opening  30  and the second opening are of substantially similar height, however, the second opening  32  is wider laterally (side edge to side edge) relative to the width of the first opening  30 , the second opening  32  being on the order of about 50 percent wider relative to the width of the first opening  30 , although the width differential can be more or less than this approximate 50 percent depending on the desired angle of rotation of the device as more fully discussed below. As seen, the second side edge  36  of the first opening  30  is inwardly beveled or tapered toward the second end  20  of the receiver tube  12  while the fourth side edge  40  of the second opening  32  is outwardly beveled or tapered toward the second end  20  of the receiver tube  12 . A first pair of corresponding pivot openings  42  is located on the top  26  and bottom  28  of the receiver tube  12  proximate the first side  22 , while a first pair of corresponding securement openings  44  is located on the top and bottom  28  of the receiver tube proximate the second side  24  thereof and at least one second pair of corresponding securement openings  46  is located on the top  26  and bottom  28  of the receiver tube  12  also proximate the second side  24 . 
     A cross arm  48  is provided and is a square tube stock member that has a centrally disposed second pair of corresponding pivot openings  50  and a centrally disposed third pair of corresponding securement openings  52 . A fourth pair of corresponding securement openings  54  is located proximate either end of the cross arm  48 . 
     An extension arm  56  is removably secured to each end of the cross arm  48 . As seen, each extension arm  56  comprises a connector tube  58  that has a fifth pair of corresponding securement openings  60  on an end thereof and a series of sixth corresponding securement opening pairs  62  located along the length of the connector tube  58 . An outer tube  64  has a seventh pair of corresponding securement openings  66  on a first end  68  thereof. A flange  70  is secured to an opposing second end  72  of the outer tube  64  in appropriate fashion (welding, etc.). 
     A leg  74  is provided and is a square tube stock member with one of the its sides essentially open save for a small lip  76  running down each edge of the open side. The leg  74  has a series of eight corresponding securement openings  78  located along its height. 
     In order to use the hitch mounted accessory holder  10  of the present invention, the first end  14  of the receiver tube  12  is received within the hitch receiver R of the vehicle V in appropriate fashion and pin secured thereat. The receiver tube  12  is positioned such that the two openings  30  and  32  face outwardly and either the top  26  or the bottom  28  of the receiver tube  12  faces toward the ground V. The cross arm  48  is passed through the first opening  30  and the second opening  32  such that the second pair of pivot openings  50  of the cross arm  48  align with the first pair of pivot openings  42  located on the receiver tube  12 . A pivot pin or bolt  80  is passed through the aligned openings  42  and  50  in order to pivotally secure the cross arm  48  to the receiver tube  12 . The cross arm  48  is positioned as desired, either in a squared position, as seen in  FIG. 7  wherein the cross arm  48  and the receiver tube  12  are essentially normal to one another, or an angled position, as seen in  FIG. 8 , wherein the cross arm  48  and the receiver tube  12  are angularly disposed with respect to one another. If the cross arm  48  is in the squared position, then the third pair of securement openings  52  of the cross arm  48  is aligned with the first pair of securement openings  44  of the tube receiver  12  and a pin or bolt  82  is passed through the aligned openings  44  and  52 . In this squared position, a side of the cross arm  48  generally abuts the first side edge  34  of the first opening  30  and the third side edge  38  of the second opening  32 . If the cross arm  48  is in the angled position, then the third pair of securement openings  52  of the cross bar  48  is aligned with the second pair of securement openings  46  of the receiver tube  12  and a pin or bolt  84  is passed through the aligned openings  46  and  52 . In this angled position, a side of the cross arm  48  generally abuts the second side edge  36  of the first opening  30  and the fourth side edge  40  of the second opening  32 , the beveling of the side edges  36  and  40  helping give a more secure hold of the cross bar  48  to the receiver tube  12 . In the angled position, the side of the cross arm  48  that extends out from the second opening  32  pivots away the vehicle V on that side, so that if this side of the cross arm  48  is to pivot away from the passenger side of the vehicle V, then the second opening  32  faces outwardly in the passenger side direction. If the cross arm  48  is instead to pivot away from the driver&#39;s side of the vehicle V, then the receiver tube  12  is flipped 180 degrees within the receiver hitch R so that the second opening  32  faces outwardly in the driver&#39;s side direction of the vehicle V—of course the openings can be such that the first edge of the first opening and the third edge of the second opening are still parallel yet closer to the second end of the receiver tube (the end opposite the end that is received within the receiver hitch R), such reversal being a mere equivalent of the described invention. 
     Each extension arm  56  is attached to a respective one end of the cross arm  48  by sliding the connector tube  58  into the cross arm  48  and aligning the fourth pair of securement openings  54  of the cross arm  48  with the fifth pair of securement openings  60  of the connector tube  58  and passing a pin or bolt  86  through the aligned openings  54  and  60 . The outer tube  64  receives the opposing end of the connector tube  58  and the seventh pair of securement openings  66  of the outer tube  64  are aligned with a respective one pair of sixth securement openings  62  on the connector tube  58  depending on the desired length of extension of the extension arm  56  that is desired and passing a pin or bolt  88  through the aligned openings  62  and  66 . Of course, the extension arm need not be telescoping but can be made of a single arm, however for versatility (including being able to accommodate canopy shade systems of various widths) and for ease of storage and transport, the break down telescoping nature of the extension arm  56  is preferred. 
     The height of each leg  74  is adjusted as needed by a pivot pin or bolt  90  that passes through an upper opening  92  located on the flange  70  and through a respective one of the desired securement openings  78  located on the leg  74 . A second pin  94  passes through a lower opening  96  located on the flange  70  below the upper opening  92 , this lower opening  96  being horizontally oblong in order to allow the longitudinal angle of the leg  74  to pivot between being essentially vertical and being angled. This angling of the leg  74  may be necessary as the legs L of many fully erected canopy frames F tend to be slightly angled so that the longitudinal angle of the leg  74  is adjusted to match the angle of the frame post L of the canopy shade system. 
     The various pins or bolts are secured in any desired fashion after being passed through their respective aligned openings (cotters, etc.,). 
     An appropriate device, such as the frame post L of the frame F of the canopy shade system is secured to the leg  74  by positioning a portion of the frame post L within the channel of the leg  74  and adjusting the longitudinal angle of the leg  74  as needed. Advantageously, the channel within the leg  74  is sufficient in size to allow the frame post L of the canopy shade system to rotate therein in order to allow the canopy shade system to be rotated into a desired position, as may be necessary as the sun travels across the sky. A second frame post L of the canopy shade system may be secured within the opposing leg  74  on the opposing extension arm  56 —or a second canopy shade system (or other implement) can be secured within this opposing leg  74 . The frame post L is held within the channel of the leg  74  via the small lip  76 , however, a set screw (not illustrated) or other appropriate device can be used for a more secure hold of the frame post L (or other device) within the channel of the leg  74 . 
     If the worker P decides to move the canopy shade system, say from the squared position to the angled position, then the pin  82  is removed from the first securement openings and third securement openings  52  and the cross arm  48  is rotated until its third securement openings  52  align with the second securement openings  46  of the receiver tube  12  and the pin  82  is inserted through the now aligned second securement openings  46  and third securement openings  52 . 
     Of course, other implements can be substituted for one or both of the legs  74  depending on the user&#39;s needs by unbolting the leg  74  from the flange  70  and bolting the desired implement to the flange  70 . Such implements can include a beach type of umbrella holder, a grill holder, a fishing pole holder (none illustrated), etc. 
     When use of the hitch mounted accessory holder  10  is no longer needed, the various pins are unpinned from their respective parts, the various components are decoupled from one another, the receiver tube  12  is unpinned and detached from the trailer hitch receiver R and the device is stored in appropriate fashion. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to an embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.