Patent ID: 8905425

Claim:
A hitch apparatus, comprising: a housing configured to be attached to a vehicle, wherein the housing comprises opposite front and rear portions, wherein the housing comprises spaced-apart first and second sections that define a cavity, wherein the first section has an elongated slot formed therethrough, and wherein the housing comprises a pair of guide posts extending between the first and second sections to form a restricted opening; a tow bar movably disposed within the housing cavity, wherein the tow bar is a tubular member and comprises a distal end and an open proximal end, wherein the tow bar extends through the restricted opening and is movable relative to the housing between retracted and extended positions, and is pivotable relative to the housing when in an extended position, wherein a rod extends through the tow bar adjacent the tow bar proximal end, wherein a guide member is secured to a distal end of the rod and extends outwardly from the tow bar and is operably engaged with the slot in the first section, and wherein the tow bar comprises a pair of tow bar guide wings at a medial portion thereof, each extending outwardly from an opposite side portion of the tow bar, wherein each tow bar guide wing is configured to engage a respective post such that an extent to which the tow bar can pivot relative to the housing progressively increases as the tow bar is progressively extended; and a locking mechanism operably secured to the housing rear portion that releasably engages the tow bar to maintain the tow bar in a retracted position, wherein the locking mechanism comprises: a latching member rotatably mounted to the housing, wherein the latching member is configured to extend into the tow bar open proximal end and rotate from an open rod receiving position to a closed rod retaining position holding the tow bar in the retracted position; and a handle operably connected to the latching member, wherein the handle, in response to user activation thereof, rotates the latching member to the open rod receiving position and releases the rod.