Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02249732 1998-10-07
HITCH RECEIVER/IMPLEMENT THREADED
FASTENING ASSEMBLY
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a novel hitch receiver/implement
threaded fastening assembly. More particularly, this invention pertains
to a novel device for securing in place an implement such as a tow bar,
hitch, bicycle rack, and the like, in a hitch receiver mounted on a
vehicle. The device replaces a conventional draw pin.
Background of the Invention
Permanent hitches with towing balls attached to the rear of
a vehicle for connecting and pulling a trailer, or other implement carrying
devices, have been known for many years. More recently, to avoid
having the towing ball of the hitch protrude from the rear of the vehicle,
it has become common practice to have a two-part hitch installed at the
rear of the vehicle. The two-part hitch typically comprises a detachable
implement carrying square tube which may or may not include a towing
ball which fits into a permanent square tube hitch receiver secured to the
vehicle. The implement carrying square tube is secured to the hitch
receiver by a detachable draw pin, which holds the two parts together.
When not in use, the implement is detached from the hitch receiver by
withdrawing the draw pin.
Prior methods of attaching implements such as tow bars,
hitches, bicycle racks, and the like to hollow square hitch receivers have
many disadvantages. When a conventional securing or draw pin is used,
CA 02249732 1998-10-07
-2-
it is common for the holes in both the implement tube and the hitch
receiver tube to become elongated over time due to frequent load yanking
of the implement tube in the hitch receiver. This is caused by the
constant starting and stopping of the towing vehicle, and the weight
placed on the hitch. This constant yanking also causes slack and
undesirable movement to develop between the square tube of the
implement and the surrounding square tube of the hitch receiver. In an
effort to reduce the slack and stabilize the implement, it is common
practice to install a second apparatus such as a collar that may contain
one or more bolts that are tightened against the outside of the square tube
walls of the hitch receiver. Another alternative is to use a wedge-shaped
device that is inserted between the walls of the square tube of the
implement and the square tube of the hitch receiver.
Another problem with the conventional draw pin is that
undesirable movement between the implement tube and hitch receiver
transfers undesirable "play" to the in-tow vehicle, and in the case of any
type of rack attached to the hitch receiver (i.e. bicycle rack), this
movement is transferred to the rack and causes it to wobble. Stabilizing
collars/wedges are commonly used to solve this problem.
Apart from the problems where the hitch receiver becomes
stretched and the pin holes elongated, there is a security problem
associated with the conventional draw pin. This is because the draw pin
is easily removed and therefore makes an easy theft target. Locks for the
draw pin have been developed, but these locks are subject to corrosion
from road salt, and the elements, and hence become unworkable over
CA 02249732 1998-10-07
-3-
time. Such locks are also easily broken or damaged, thereby rendering
them ineffective.
Another common problem with conventional hollow square
tube implement attachments and square hollow tube hitch receivers is that
both tubes become concave on the sides if a single long bolt is used to
fasten the two parts together. This happens when the single bolt is
passed through the sidewalls of both the implement tube and the hitch
receiver. The long bolt is secured with a nut which is tightened from one
side only. The tightening of the single nut on the long bolt forces the
sidewalls of both the receiver and implement tubes together. While such
tightening will reduce slack and movement between the receiver tube and
implement tubes, the irregular distorted concave shape caused by the
walls of the two tubes being squeezed together, can cause considerable
difficulty in attempting to separate the implement from the hitch receiver.
Summary of Invention
The invention is directed to an insert device for removably
securing in place the square tube of a detachable implement such as a tow
bar, hitch, bicycle rack, or the like, in a larger size square tube receiver.
The device comprises two separate bolts and a double "U"-shaped spring
metal framework, and replaces a conventional draw pin. The "spring-
loaded" insert is constructed of a pair of complementary parallel and
aligned nuts which are welded onto the double "U"-shape metal frame-
work. To install, the insert is held from the open end, the two spring-
loaded sides are held slightly together, and the insert is slid into the open
CA 02249732 1998-10-07
-4-
end of the square implement tube. The insert device is inserted to the
point where the pair of adjacent nuts are aligned with the two conven-
tional pin holes that are located in the sidewalls of the square hitch
receiver. When the two spring loaded sides are released, the resulting
released tension of the framework against the interior walls of the square
shaped implement tube holds the pair of nuts in place. The purpose of
the metal framework of the insert device is to prevent the pair of nuts
from turning when a complementary pair of bolts are screwed in from
each side through the respective pin holes and are tightened into the pair
of nuts. To connect the implement tube and the hitch receiver, the
square shaped tube of the implement containing the insert is placed in the
square tube of the hitch receiver, and the holes in the side of the
sidewalk of the hitch receiver are aligned with the holes in the sidewalk
of the implement. The two bolts are then inserted, one from each side,
along with lock washers, and are tightened in the nuts to conventional
tightness.
A device for detachably securing an implement to a hitch
receiver comprising;
a) a resilient elongated double "U"-shaped frame which at a
first central location bends in a "U"-shape along a first plane, and the
pair of arms of the frame at a pair of complementary second locations on
the frame, bending in a pair of "U"-shapes in parallel along a second
plane perpendicular to the first plane;
b) a first nut secured within one of the arms of the second "U"-
shape; and
CA 02249732 1998-10-07
c) a second nut secured within the other of the arms of the
second "U"-shape, the first and second nuts being spaced and aligned in
parallel arrangement with one another.
Drawings
The following drawings illustrates specific embodiments of
the invention but are not to be construed as restricting or unduly limiting
the spirit and scope of the overall invention.
FIG. 1 illustrates a side, partial section view of the securing
device held inside the tube of an implement, which in turn is held within
the tube of a hitch receiver.
FIG. 2 illustrates a section view taken along section lines A-
A of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 illustrates a section view taken along section lines B-
B of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the securing device.
FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the securing device.
FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the securing device.
FIG. 7 illustrates a rear view of the securing device.
CA 02249732 1998-10-07
-6-
Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments of the Invention
The invention is directed to a securing device for securing
in place the square tube of any implement such as a tow bar, hitch,
bicycle rack, or the like, in the larger rectangular tube of a conventional
hitch receiver. The device eliminates the need to use a conventional
securing or draw pin to secure the implement in the hitch receiver. The
disadvantages inherent in connecting a conventional implement with a
conventional hitch receiver using a conventional draw pin are eliminated
by using the securing device. This device eliminates all movement in the
hitch receiver, thereby eliminating the wobble in racking implements and
reducing in-tow vehicle sway. The device eliminates the need for
collars/wedges.
The draw pin is replaced by the securing device which is
fitted inside the square tube of the implement. The securing device
inside the square tube of the implement is secured to the square tube of
the hitch receiver by utilizing a pair of bolts, one bolt inserted in each
side of the sidewall of the hitch receiver, and tightened in the nuts of the
securing device. By using the device of the invention, the walls of the
implement tube and the hitch receiver are tightly cinched together and
movement or slack is eliminated. The securing device thus prevents
movement and attendant wear on the implement and the hitch receiver
because the implement is held steady in position in the hitch receiver
tube. The device eliminates the need for stabilizing collars and wedges.
Furthermore, theft is deterred because wrenches are required to remove
the securing bolts. The sidewalk of the implement and the hitch receiver
CA 02249732 1998-10-07
tubes do not become distorted or concave in shape because the implement
and the hitch receiver are secured together by using a pair of bolts, one
from each side, rather than a single bolt which threads from one side of
the hitch receiver to the other and a single nut.
Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a side partial
section view of the securing device 10 held in place in the interior of the
implement tube 8 of the implement 6. The implement tube 6 in turn is
held in place in the interior of a hitch receiver tube 4 of a hitch receiver
tube 2. The device is constructed of a pair of nuts 12, 14 (only nut 12
is visible in FIG. 1) and a double "U"-shaped (only one "U" is shown on
this plane) spring rod 16 with a curved nose 20 at one end. The nuts are
welded in place within the arms of the securing device 10 by welds 18.
FIG. 2 illustrates a section view taken only section lines A-A
of FIG. 1. As seen in FIG. 2, the securing device 10 as seen in this
plane, is constructed in the shape of a "U" with a pair of securing nuts
12, 14 located in the mid region of each parallel arm of the securing
device 10. The pair of nuts 12, 14 are welded respectively to the pair of
parallel arms of the spring rod framework of the securing device 10 by
welds 18. As is also illustrated in FIG. 2, the pair of side bolt holes 5
of the outer hitch receiver tube 4 and the respective holes 7 of the inner
implement tube 8, and the respective threaded holes in the pair of nuts
12, 14, are aligned so as to receive the threads and stems of a pair of
securing bolts 9 with washers 11.
CA 02249732 1998-10-07
_g_
FIG. 3 illustrates a section view taken along section lines B-
B of FIG.1. This figure clearly shows the square inner tube 8 held
within the square outer tube 4. It also shows the securing device with the
pair of parallel aligned nuts 12 and 14 aligned with the side bolt holes 5
and 7. The nuts 12 and 14 are held in place in the interior of the square
tube 8 by the springs 16.
The base of the interior of the square inner tube 8 typically
has a protruding flashing 15. The securing device has an upwardly
curved nose 20 to avoid jamming against the flashing 15 when the
securing device is inserted into the inner tube 8.
FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the securing device, with
"U"-shaped spring rod 16 and nut 12 welded by weld 18 to spring rod
16. The figure also illustrates the curved nose 20 which facilitates
insertion of the securing device into the tube 8.
FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the securing device, and the
"U"-shaped spring rod 16 curved at nose 20. The pair of parallel aligned
nuts 12 and 14 are held in the mid region of the parallel arms of the
spring rod 16.
FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the securing device with the
pair of nuts 12 and 14 held in spaced, parallel, aligned orientation, within
the arms of the double "U"-shaped spring rod 16 by welds 18.
CA 02249732 1998-10-07
-9-
FIG. 7 illustrates a rear view of the securing device. This
figure in particular illustrates the parallel relationship between the two
arms of the spring rod 16 and the aligned pair of nuts 12 and 14 held in
the two arms of the spring rod 16.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of
the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible
in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope
thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in
accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.
