Patent Document

BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    1. The Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates to towing apparatus, and, more particularly, to novel systems and methods for receiver-type hitches on vehicles to tow trailers.  
           [0003]    2. The Background Art  
           [0004]    Trailers have been towed since the earliest days of the wheel. A cart or wagon towed behind an animal is a trailer. In modem times, trailers are secured to towing vehicles by a multiplicity of methods. Tractor-trailer rigs use fifth-wheel towing systems. Similarly, recreational vehicles sometimes use fifth-wheel towing systems.  
           [0005]    A continuing popular apparatus for securing a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle is the “receiver hitch.” A receiver hitch relies on a receiver cavity or tube securely mounted to the frame of a towing vehicle. The receiver is reinforced and provided with an aperture for receiving a trunnion. A trunnion may be secured into the receiver. On the trunnion may be mounted a hitch. The hitch may be a pin hitch or ball hitch, typically, but need not be limited thereto.  
           [0006]    For recreational users, receiver hitches present two common problems. The more important problem may be the difficulty of attaching a greasy hitch to a vehicle and disattaching the same after use. Although receiver-type hitches are generally adaptable to receive various trunnions with various types of hitches, the very nature of a receiver hitch may make it problematic. If a trunnion is not removed after use, then a person may accidentally strike a shin or knee on the extending hitch or trunnion when no towed vehicle is attached. If the hitch is removed, it is cumbersome to move, requires some immediate storage place, and may be filthy with grease. Due to the weight of the hitch and trunnion assembly, a person removing the trunnion and hitch from a receiver is likely to soil clothing.  
           [0007]    Another problem with receiver hitches is the adjustment of altitude of the hitch itself Recreational users may have multiple towed vehicles. For example, a boat trailer, a snowmobile trailer, a utility hauling trailer, and the like may be manufactured at different and arbitrary hitch heights. Similarly, a trunnion may be used on different vehicles having different heights. Accordingly, it may be advantageous to provide a hitch that is easily adjustable between multiple positions of elevation.  
           [0008]    Thus, it would be an advance in the art to provide a receiver-type hitch mount that can be stowed without projecting inconveniently far from the bumper, substantially within the envelope of a vehicle, or even without extending behind the bumper on certain embodiments. Ready access, and substantial weightless or self-supporting deployment of a hitch mount is extremely desirable. However, any adjustability in altitude would be a plus.  
           [0009]    Along with an adjustment in altitude, it is common to use different sizes of ball hitches. Accordingly, selective stowage and presentation, selectivity of multiple sizes of ball hitches on a single mount, without having to use a wrench to replace the ball hitch, alone or in combination would be a benefit and convenience.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a mount mechanism for a receiver-type hitch system. The mount should be deployable and stowable at the election of a user. The mount and hitch system should be supportable on a trunnion of a conventional receiver-type hitch system, without adaptation thereof. Moreover, the hitch mount system should fit within an envelope or footprint close to that of the vehicle itself This may reduce the hazards of walking or working near the rear of a vehicle.  
           [0011]    It is an additional object of the invention to provide access to multiple levels of hitch height and multiple hitch sizes, such as ball diameters. It is a further object of the invention to provide an option to select among hitch heights, deployment and stowage options, and hitch sizes, without requiring substantial lifting of the weight of the trunnion and mount system.  
           [0012]    It is another object of the invention to provide a mechanism that does not require substantial effort for alignment by the user, in order to be adjusted between a deployed and stowed position, between a first altitude and a second altitude, or between a first and second hitch size.  
           [0013]    Consistent with the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, an apparatus is disclosed, in suitable detail to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. In certain embodiments an apparatus in accordance with the present invention may include a trunnion connecting to a pivot. The pivot connects a base to a hitch. A base supports a mount, which mount may be moved between a stowed and a deployed position. The mount may include a platform for supporting a hitch. A beam may provide the main pivotal member to rotate or pivot about the base. Usually, the base may be fixed with respect to the trunnion.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a rear quarter, perspective view (with respect to the front-to-rear orientation of a vehicle) of one embodiment of a receiver-type hitch-mounting mechanism, in a deployed position, in accordance with the invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a lower, rear quarter, perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, in a stowed position;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a rear quarter, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention for implementing a hitch-mounting mechanism, in a stowed position;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a rear quarter, perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 3 in a deployed position;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a rear quarter, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a receiver-type hitch-mounting mechanism in accordance with the invention, in a stowed position; and  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a rear quarter, perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 5 in a deployed position;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is a rear quarter, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a receiver-type hitch mounting mechanism, in accordance with the invention, in a deployed position.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8 is a rear quarter, perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 7, in a stowed position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]    It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in FIGS. 1 through 8, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is as broad as claimed herein. The illustrations are merely representative of certain, presently preferred embodiments of the invention. Those presently preferred embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.  
         [0024]    Those of ordinary skill in the art will, of course, appreciate that various modifications to the details of the Figures may easily be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention. Thus, the following description of the Figures is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain presently preferred embodiments consistent with the invention as claimed.  
         [0025]    Referring to FIG. 1, specifically, while also referring generally to FIGS.  1 - 8 , an apparatus  10  or hitch mount  10  may be secured to a receiver of a towing vehicle. The apparatus  10  may include a trunnion  12  adapted to slidably fit within a receiver in a comparatively snug, supported, locked position. In general, a pin aperture  13  or simply an aperture  13  through the trunnion  12  may receive a pin (not shown) for locking the trunnion  12  with respect to a receiver (not shown).  
         [0026]    The trunnion  12  of the apparatus  10  may define certain directions  14 - 24 . The directions  14 - 24  may also define, or be defined by, a vehicle orientation. A longitudinal direction  14  extends in the direction that the trunnion  12  will typically be oriented. A lateral direction  16  is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction  14 . The longitudinal direction  14  and lateral direction  16  define a substantially horizontal plane with respect to a vehicle on a level surface. Of course, all directions  14 - 24  may be aligned with an arbitrary set of reference directions. Accordingly, horizontal and vertical have meaning only by way of example, and not by way of limitation.  
         [0027]    A transverse direction  18  is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction  14  and the lateral direction  16 . The transverse direction  18  and the longitudinal direction  14  may form or define a first vertical plane. The lateral direction  16  and transverse direction  18  may together define a different vertical plant orthogonal to the first.  
         [0028]    With respect to each of the directions  14 ,  16 ,  18 , rotational directions  20 ,  22 ,  24 , respectively, may be useful in describing the apparatus  10 . A circumferential direction  20  may describe arcs formed with respect to an axis extending in the axis  14  or longitudinal direction  14 . The circumferential direction  22  may describe arcs formed about the lateral axis  16  or direction  16 . The circumferential direction  24  may describe arcs formed about the transverse axis  18  or direction  18 . As will be clear from the circumferential directions  20 ,  22 ,  24 , the directions  14 ,  16 ,  18  may alternatively be referred to as axes  14 ,  16 ,  18 , respectively.  
         [0029]    A trunnion  12  may have a portion thereof defined as a base  26 . Alternatively, a base  26  may actually include a plate, bar, beam, or other structure for strengthening the trunnion  12 . Also, the base  26  may provide a means for attaching a pivot  28  to the trunnion  12 . The pivot  28  may be secured to the trunnion, may be independent therefrom, or may be a removable device  28 . In one embodiment, the pivot  28  is a pin  28  received in and through the base  26 .  
         [0030]    A mount  30 , secured by the pivot  28 , is movable with respect the base  26 . Typically, the mount  30  pivots about the base  26 , and about the pivot  28  in a circumferential direction  22 , in the embodiment of FIG. 1.  
         [0031]    For convenience, a pivot  28  may be left attached effectively permanently to the base  26 . Likewise, the pivot  28  may secure permanently the mount  30  to the base  26 . In one embodiment, the pivot  28  is removable, but may, as a practical matter, not need to be removed except perhaps to modify the mount  30 .  
         [0032]    By leaving the mount  30  secured by the pivot  28  to the base  26 , a lock  32  may be easily engaged. The lock  32  may require alignment in a single direction, the circumferential direction  22  about a lateral direction  16 . By promoting and including tolerances suitable for easy alignment, the apparatus  10  may have a lock  32  represented by a single shaft, or the like, to fix the mount  30  with respect to the base  26 , and the pivot  28 .  
         [0033]    A principal function of the mount  30  is to support a hitch  34 . The hitch  34  may be a ball-type hitch  34 . The hitch  34  is desirably attached opposite the receiver end  36  of the trunnion  12 , or vehicle end  36 , at the load end  38  or operational end  38 .  
         [0034]    Referring to FIG. 2, while continuing to refer to FIG. 1, and more generally to FIGS.  1 - 8 , a base  26  may be embodied in a block  40 . The block  40  may be drilled, machined, or otherwise worked to provide an aperture  42  or pivot aperture  42  therethrough in a direction  14 ,  16 ,  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, the aperture  42  extends in a lateral direction  16 .  
         [0035]    A deployment aperture  44  or aperture  44  may extend in a direction parallel to that of the pivot aperture  42  in order to receive a lock  32  for securing the mount  30  in a deployed position. In the embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 2  a stowage aperture  46  opposed to the deployment aperture  44  may receive a lock  32  or locking pin  48  therethrough to secure the mount  30  in a stowed position.  
         [0036]    The lock  32  in certain embodiments may be little more than a pin  48 , and the pivot  28  may likewise be a suitably sized and fabricated pin  50 . The pins  48 ,  50  may be secured by a lynch pin  52  or other type of keeper  54 , respectively. A nut, locknut, key, pin, clip, or other securement mechanism  54  may serve the function of the lynch pin  52  or keeper  54  in securing the pins  48 ,  50 .  
         [0037]    In one embodiment, the pin  48  may have a head  56 . The head  56  may be integrally formed with the pin, or may be welded thereto, threaded thereon, or the like. In one embodiment, the pin  48  may be a monolithic piece of steel of suitable strength and toughness, with the head  56  integrally formed thereon. Similarly, the pivot  28 , embodied as a pin  50 , may include a head  58 . The heads  56 ,  58  preclude the pins  48 ,  50  from experiencing excessive motion in a lateral direction  16 , in their corresponding apertures,  42 ,  44 ,  46 .  
         [0038]    A platform  60  may have an aperture (not shown) to act as a pin hitch point, or to receive a stud or bolt (not shown) securing the hitch  34  or ball hitch  34  to the platform  60 . The platform  60  may be secured to the mount  30 , or as part of the mount  30  by means of a fastener  62 , such as the weld  62  illustrated.  
         [0039]    In one embodiment, a principal portion of the mount  30  may be formed as a beam  64 , or as a pair of beams  64 . To accommodate the geometry of the trunnion  12 , the pin aperture  13 , and so forth, in operation, as well as the receiver (not shown) that will receive the trunnion  12 , the beam  64  may have a corner  65 . Thus, the beam  64  may angle between the base  26  and the platform  60  at some suitable orientation. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 4 , the beams  64  have comers  65  formed at right angles. By contrast, the beam  64  in the embodiment of FIGS.  5 - 6  may be formed at a different angle. The angle of the corner  65  may be formed according to good engineering practice, and to improve the functionality of the beam  64  in pivoting the mount  30  about the base  26 , without interference with other portions of the apparatus  10 .  
         [0040]    The hitch  34  may be a conventional ball hitch  34 . For example, the hitch  34  may have a base  66  formed to fit against the platform  60 . Extending above the base  66  may be an integral or fabricated shank  68 . The shank  68  in a forged hitch  34  is of the same homogeneous material as the ball  70 . In other embodiments, worked metals, such as hot- or cold-worked steel may be combined in a fabrication to make a base  66 , a shank  68 , and a ball  70 . Nevertheless, in one presently preferred embodiment, the base  66 , and shank  68  extending therefrom, and the ball  70  may be formed as a single integral (monolithic), uniform piece.  
         [0041]    Typically, a ball  70  may have a flat  72  to provide clearance with a hitch of a towed vehicle. Thus, the load bearing member is supported in all three directions  14 ,  16 ,  18  by the ball  70 , itself. Accordingly, the ball also provides a pivot mechanism. Typically, a hitch  34  may be secured by a stud or bolt (not shown) mounted to the base  66  and secured by a nut  74  opposite the ball  70  through the platform  60 . In certain embodiments, a safety loop may receive a bolt or chain as required by law in some states, or a locking pin for orientation during fabrication.  
         [0042]    Referring to FIGS.  3 - 4 , while continuing to refer generally to FIGS.  1 - 8 , the apparatus  10  may include a base  26  that is not rectangular. For example, the pivot  28  securing the mount  30  to the base  26  and trunnion  12 , may itself be cylindrical. The mount  30  may have a lock  32  that uses or relies upon a single deployment aperture  44 . For example, a stowage aperture  46 , may actually be identical to the deployment aperture  44 , but the orientation of the mount  30  about the pivot  28  changes between a deployed position (see FIG. 4) and a stowed position (see FIG. 3).  
         [0043]    As illustrated, the hitch  34  may still be positioned selectively between a stowed position and a deployed position. The pivot  28 , however, may rely on a pin  50  having more functions in certain alternative embodiments. For example, the pin  50  may support the loads in all directions  14 - 24 . By contrast, the loading in the apparatus  10  of FIGS.  1 - 2  is somewhat more complex.  
         [0044]    The concept of a lynch pin  52  or keeper  54  may still be relied upon. Likewise, a head  58  on the pivot  28  (pivot pin  50  being a specific embodiment) may support a load in a transverse direction  18 , rather than providing retainage in a lateral direction  16 . Nevertheless, as a practical matter, the pin  32  may support loads in the transverse direction  18  depending upon the design of clearances between the head  58  and the cylinder  78  of the base  26 . Likewise the clearance between the pin  32  and the aperture  44  through the cylinder  78 , and the pin  50  may be significant.  
         [0045]    The beam  64  may be monolithic, rather than multiple beams  64  of previously described embodiments. The beam  64  may include a corner  65  in order to orient the platform  60  suitably, while providing clearance for pivoting the hitch  34  between a stowed position (see FIG. 3) and a deployed position (see FIG. 4). The beam  64  may include a riser  80  or riser portion  80  angled at some interior angle  82  or exterior angle  83  with respect to the platform  60  (see FIG. 6).  
         [0046]    For convenience, any of the pins  48 ,  50  may include a handle  86  for manipulation. When tolerances or clearances are tight, some rotation of a pin  48 ,  50  may be beneficial in order to remove or insert the pin  48 ,  50 . One additional point concerning the head  58 , of the pin  50  is the that the head  58  may be either removable or integral. Since the locking pin  32  actually secures the position of the pivot  50 , no great risk is presented by the head  58  being threaded or otherwise secured to the pin  50 , rather than being secured monolithically. Thus, the pin  50  may be replaceable by one of different length (e.g. height) to provide a desired offset  88  in various embodiments of the apparatus  10  manufactured or sold.  
         [0047]    Referring to FIGS.  5 - 6 , while continuing to refer generally to FIGS.  1 - 8 , an apparatus  10  having a trunnion  12  mounted to a base  26  securing a pivot  28  rotatable about a transverse axis  18  in a circumferential direction  24  may rely on a lock  32 . The lock  32  may secure the pivot  28  between a stowed position (see FIG. 5) and a deployed position (see FIG. 6). In the illustrated embodiment, the pin  50  forms a principal element  50  of the pivot  28 , in conjunction with the cylinder  78  forming the principal portion of the base  26 , the mount  30  may include an additional or second pivot  90 . In this embodiment, a more compact profile may position the hitch  34  higher, with respect to the trunnion  12  and base  28 , providing more ground clearance between the mount  30 , and the ground.  
         [0048]    In this alternative embodiment, a fastener  62 , such as a weld  62 , may secure the pivot  90 . The pivot  90  may include a housing  94  receiving a pin  96  therethrough to pivot. The pin  96  may be retained by a keeper  92  such as a lock ring  92 , as illustrated, or the like. Again, the keeper  92  may secure the pin  96  against excessive movement, or escape from the housing  94 . Nevertheless, during actual deployment, the security and load bearing to maintain the pin  96  in position are actually the responsibility of the second pin  110  kept in place by a lynch pin  112  or other keeper  112 . Bolts, pins, latches, and other fastening mechanisms may substitute for any of the locks  32 . Nevertheless, as a practical matter, pins  48 ,  110  as well as the pivot pins  58 ,  96 , may be fashioned in any manner suitable for efficient manufacture and function.  
         [0049]    In one embodiment, the aperture  97  may extend through the housing  94 , and the pin  96 , at a single location. Nevertheless, in the embodiment of FIGS.  5 - 6 , the aperture  97  may extend through the pin  96  along mutually orthogonal axis therethrough. Accordingly, the pin  96  may be rotated between a position of deployment with a first ball  70  up and useable, and a second deployed position with a second ball  100  up and useable.  
         [0050]    In one embodiment, the pivot  28  may rotate the mount  30  to position the ball  70  directly under the trunnion  12  in a stowed position. In an alternative embodiment, the aperture  97 , may actually comprise two apertures, positioned at angles substantially orthogonal to one another, through the pin  96 . Thus, the mount  30  may be rotated at right angles along a longitudinal axis  14 , and locked there by the pin  110 . Thereafter, the mount  30  may be rotated about a transverse access  18  of the pin  50 , to position the mount  30  under the trunnion  12 . Thus, the movement of the mount  30  between a deployed position and a stowed position may include two rotations or pivots and two locks  32 ,  110 .  
         [0051]    One may note that a height  88  characterizing a distance between a platform  60  and a trunnion  12 , may be selected in any embodiment of a hitch. However, in certain embodiments, an apparatus  10  in accordance with the invention may provide an offset  102  between the trunnion and the platform  60 , or an offset  104  between some dimension or center of the pin  96  and the platform  60 . Thus, the offset  104  may be reversed by rotation of the pin  96 , placing the ball hitch  100  in the upper position with the hitch  34  in the lower position. Thus, the offset  104  may actually be reversed by a rotation on the pin  96 . If the ball hitch  70  and the hitch  100  are of different sizes, alternative hitches may be mounted on the same mount  30 . If the ball hitches  70 ,  100  are of identical size, the rotation of the pivot  96  may provide an elevation difference. Thus, both elevation and hitch size may be selectively varied by a user.  
         [0052]    A mount  30  pivotably secured to a base  26  portion of a trunnion  12 , may support a platform  60 . The platform  60  may receive a bolt or stud for securing thereto a hitch  34 , such as a ball hitch  70 ,  100 . In certain embodiments, a beam  64  may be formed as part of the mount  30 , in order provide both the pivoting function and the attachment to the base  26 , simultaneously with attachment to the hitch. The apparatus may include one or more pins  48 ,  50 ,  96 ,  110  for pivoting the mount  30  with respect to the base  26 , and portions of the mount  30  with respect to other portions of the mount  30 , in order to selectively stow and deploy the hitch  34 . In selected embodiments, additional pivots within the mount mechanism may provide virtually instantly adjustable height of the hitch, without a need for a user to separate load-bearing members of the apparatus  10  from one another. Likewise, a user need not support any substantial portion of the weight of the hitch system  10  in order to selectively deploy and stow, or to selectively position the hitch  34 .  
         [0053]    Referring to FIGS.  7 - 8 , while continuing to refer generally to FIGS.  1 - 8 , an apparatus  10  having a trunnion  12  supports a pivot  28  rotatable about a transverse axis  18  in a circumferential direction  24 . A lock  32  may secure the pivot  28  between a stowed position and a deployed position. The pin  50  or pivot  50  supports rotation with respect to the trunnion  12 .  
         [0054]    In this embodiment, a fastener  62 , such as a weld  62 , may secure a variety of a pivot  90  including a housing  94  with a pin  96  for locking. The pin  96  may be retained as discussed hereinbefore, against excessive movement or escape. Similarly, deployment security and load bearing rely on the second pin  110 , secured by a lynch pin  112  or other keeper  112 . Again, bolts, pins, latches, and other fasteners may substitute.  
         [0055]    The aperture  97  may extend through the housing  94 , and the pin  96 , at a single location. In the configuration illustrated, the pin  96  may rotate a mounting block  120  between several positions of deployment. For example, the block  120  may present a first ball  70  oriented to protrude up for use. Alternatively, a second deployment position may present a second ball  100 . Similarly a third ball hitch  122 , or more, may secure to one or more apertures  124  in the block  120 .  
         [0056]    In one embodiment, the pivot  28  may rotate the block portion  120  of the mount  30  to position the hitches  70 ,  100 ,  120  directly under the trunnion  12  in a stowed position. The size and geometry of the pin  50  may be configured to provide a distance  126  or clearance  126  for accepting the block  120  with or without a ball therebetween.  
         [0057]    The aperture  97 , need only comprise two apertures  97 , or one for each pair of positions (hitches) provided. Thus, the mount  30  may be rotated at right angles along a longitudinal axis  14 , and locked there by the pin  110 . Rotating about a transverse axis  18  of the pin  50  positions the mount  30  under the trunnion  12 . As with the simpler version, movement between a deployed position and a plurality of stowed position may be accomplished by only two rotations and two locks  32 ,  110 .  
         [0058]    In the embodiment of FIGS.  7 - 8 , the block  120  need not be symmetrical. Thus, offsets  102 ,  104 , or the like may be built into any dimension of the block  120  to provide various heights for hitches  70 ,  100 ,  122 . Hitches  70 ,  100 ,  122  may be of different sizes, positioned at different heights, or both. That is, hitches  70 ,  100 ,  122  of different sizes may be pivoted into position selectively. Alternatively, offsets  102 ,  104  may position hitches  70 ,  100 ,  122  at different heights. Alternatively, certain of the hitches  70 ,  100 ,  122  may be of identical size, others of different sizes, with all positionable by rotation of the pivot  96  to provide the predetermined choice of ball  70 ,  100 ,  122  and height selected by a user.  
         [0059]    From the above discussion, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a trunnion supporting a base. On the base, a pivot secures a mount that may be selectively positioned between a stowed and a deployed position.  
         [0060]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its structures, methods, or other essential characteristics as broadly described herein and claimed hereinafter. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Technology Category: b