Patent ID: 7641214

Claim:
An energy-absorbing trailer hitch receiver comprising: a tube having a first aperture and a second aperture opposite said first aperture; said tube also having a first slot and a second slot opposite said first slot; a first protrusion between said first aperture and said first slot, said first protrusion creating a narrow passage between said first aperture and said first slot, said narrow passage having a width that is less than a width of said first slot; a second protrusion between said second aperture and said second slot, said second protrusion creating a narrow passage between said second aperture and said second slot, said narrow passage having a width that is less than a width of said second slot; and a pin extending through said first aperture, said second aperture and a trailer hitch located therebetween, for the purpose of creating an energy-absorbing trailer hitch receiver when said pin travels from said first and second apertures to said first and second slots when subjected to a predetermined level of force.