Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ASSEMBLY FOR MOUNTING
AN ACCESSORY TO A VEHICLE
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Serial No. 60/264,417 filed January 26, 2001.
Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to receiver assemblies and,
more particularly, to a receiver assembly incorporating two or more
accessory receivers for receiving and holding various useful accessories
including but not limited to a bike rack, ski rack, cargo carrier, directable
light, flag holder and brush bar.
Background of the Invention
It has long been known to construct towing hitches that are mounted
to vehicles in order to allow the towing of trailers or the like. In recent
years such hitches have been designed to include a receiver box having .a
rearwardly directed opening or cavity for the receipt of a hitch or draw bar
that carries a hitch ball or other means allowing connection to a trailer.
Examples of such a structure include the Insta-Hitch II and Custom Hitch
Receiver 35365 as manufactured by Reese Products, Inc. of Elkhart,
Indiana. Such a hitch receiver is also disclosed in, for example, U.S. Patent
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No. 3,768,837 to Reese.
Recent efforts to enhance the versatility of a hitch receiver have led
to the development of various accessories (e.g., both open and closed
article carriers, bike racks, ski racks, tables,. winches or other equipment)
mounted by means of an accessory mounting bar in the receiver box of a
trailer hitch receiver assembly. Because of their convenience and suitability
to the particular applications/interests of the user, such accessories have
become very popular.
The present invention relates to an apparatus allowing for or
accommodating the mounting of just such an accessory. More specifically,
an assembly with one or more accessory receivers is provided.
Summary of the Invention
In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as
described herein, an improved receiver assembly is provided for towing
a trailer behind a towing vehicle. The receiver assembly includes a
central frame member and a hitch receiver box carried on the central
frame member. The hitch receiver box is adapted to receive a hitch bar
or draw bar for towing a trailer.
The receiver assembly also includes vehicle mounting brackets
carried on the central frame member that allow the receiver assembly to
be secured to the towing vehicle. Additionally, the receiver assembly
includes a first accessory receiver and a first accessory receiver
mounting bracket secured to the first accessory receiver as well as to
the central frame member.
In one embodiment of the present invention the first accessory
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receiver mounting bracket is a mounting plate having a first slot for
receiving the first accessory receiver and a second slot for receiving the
central frame member. The first slot is rectangular and the second slot
is semicircular. The first slot includes a first axis of symmetry and the
second slot includes an axis of symmetry wherein lines A and B along
the axes of symmetry define an included angle of between about 20° to
about 60° and more typically from about 45° to about 50°.
In a second embodiment the first accessory receiver mounting
bracket is a pair of cooperating mounting plates. Each of the pair of
cooperating mounting plates includes an aperture for receiving and
engaging the first accessory receiver. Additionally, where the central
frame member has an outer dimension D, the pair of cooperating plates
are spaced apart a distance D corresponding to the outer dimension D
whereby the pair of cooperating plates engage opposing points on the
central frame member.
In yet another embodiment the first accessory receiver mounting
braclcet is a pair of cooperating mounting plates wherein each of the
pair of cooperating mounting plates includes a first slot for receiving
and engaging the central frame member. Each of the first slots is
semicircular. Additionally, where the first accessory receiver has an
outer dimension D1, the pair of cooperating mounting plates are spaced
apart a distance D1 corresponding to the outer dimension D1. In this
manner the pair of cooperating plates engage opposing points on the
first accessory receiver.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention,
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multiple accessory receivers are provided on the receiver assembly.
Thus, the receiver assembly may be further defined as including a
second accessory receiver and a second accessory receiver mounting
braclcet. The second accessory receiver mounting bracket is secured to
the second accessory receiver as well as to the central frame member.
In a first embodiment the second accessory receiver mounting
bracket is a mounting plate having a first slot for receiving the second
accessory receiver and a second slot for receiving the central frame
member. The first slot is rectangular and the second slot is
semicircular. The first slot includes a first axis of symmetry A and the
second slot includes an axis of symmetry B wherein the axes of
symmetry A and B define an included angle of between about 20° to
about 60° and more typically about 45° to about 50°.
In a second embodiment the second accessory receiver mounting
braclcet is a pair of cooperating mounting plates. Each of the mounting
plates includes an aperture for receiving and engaging the second
accessory receiver. Where the central frame member has an outer
dimension D, the pair of cooperating plates are spaced apart a distance
D corresponding to the outer dimension D whereby the pair of
cooperating plates engage opposing points on the central frame
member.
In a third embodiment the second accessory receiver mounting
bracket is a pair of cooperating mounting plates. Each of the pair of
cooperating mounting plates includes a first slot for receiving and
engaging the central frame member. Each of the first slots is
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semicircular. Where the second accessory receiver has an outer
dimension D1 and the pair of cooperating mounting plates are spaced
apart a distance D1 corresponding to the outer dimension D1, the pair of
cooperating plates engage opposing points on the second accessory
receiver.
Still other objects of the present invention will become apparent
to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there
is shown and described a preferred embodiment of this invention,
simply by way of illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry
out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of
other different embodiments and its several details are capable of
modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the
invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded
as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part
of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention
and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the
invention. In the drawing:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the
receiver assembly of the present invention holding an accessory;
Figures 2a - 2b are respective detailed perspective and side
elevational views of the accessory receiver mounting braclcet of the
first embodiment shown in Figure 1;
Figures 3a - 3b are respective detailed perspective and side
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elevational views of an alternative embodiment of the accessory
receiver mounting braclcet;
Figures 4a - 4b are respective detailed perspective and rear side
elevational views of another alternative embodiment of the accessory
receiver mounting bracket;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of yet another alternative
embodiment wherein the assembly includes accessory mounting
receivers but no receiver box; and
Figure 6 is a partially exploded perspective view showing still
another alternative embodiment wherein the accessory receiver
mounting bracket includes a slot for engaging the central frame
member and the wall of the port includes a slot for engaging the body
of the mounting bracket.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred
embodiments of the invention, examples of which is illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Reference is now made to Figure 1 showing a receiver assembly
10. The receiver assembly 10 includes a central frame member or cross
member 12 preferably formed from a pair of tubular steel sections 14
welded to the opposing side walls 16 of a centrally located receiver box
18 so as to project outwardly in opposing directions. The tubular steel
sections 14 may be formed with a round cross section as shown in the
drawing figures, a square, elliptical, hexagonal or octagonal cross
section or any other appropriate shape providing the necessary strength
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to function as a trailer hitch assembly.
The receiver box 18 includes a reinforced lip 20 defining an
opening leading to a hitch bar receiving cavity 22. Aligned apertures
24 in the opposing side walls 16 of the receiver box 18 allow the secure
connection of a hitch bar in the receiver box in a manner well known in
the art by means of a connecting pin and cooperating pin clip (not
shown). A chain plate 26 is welded to the receiver box 18 and tubular
steel sections 14 in order to strengthen the connection. As is known in
the art, chain plate 26 includes two apertures 28. The safety chains of a
trailer may be connected to the chain plate 26 through engagement in
these apertures 28.
Vehicle mounting brackets 30 are mounted adjacent the distal
end of each tubular section 14. More specifically, the brackets 30 are
welded to the tubular sections 14 in order to complete the connection.
The mounting brackets 30 each include a mounting flange 34 with
apertures 38. Nut and bolt fasteners (not shown) axe extended through
these apertures 38 and cooperating apertures drilled in the frame of the
towing vehicle in order to mount the receiver assembly 10 thereto.
As also shown in Figure 1, the receiver assembly 10
incorporates a pair of accessory receivers 40 carried on the tubular
sections 14 of the central frame member 12. Each of the accessory
receivers 40 is formed from a steel tube that is welded to an accessory
receiver mounting bracket 42 that is, in turn, welded to one of the
tubular sections 14 so that one accessory receiver is positioned between
the receiver box 18 and each mounting bracket 30.
As shown, each accessory receiver 40 includes a circular port or
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opening 44 and cooperating aligned apertures 46 in the sidewall
thereof to allow secure connection of a selected accessory, such as the
vehicle body guard or brush bar 50 shown, by means of a connecting
pin and pin clip of a type well l~nown in the art (not shown) such as
utilized to secure the hitch bar in the receiver box 18. Accessory
receiver 40 shown in the drawing as a round cross section may also be
square, rectangle or any appropriate shape providing the necessary
strength and function.
In use, each of the accessory receivers 40 is oriented with
respect to the central frame member 12, receiver box 18 and the towing
vehicle upon which the assembly 10 is mounted so as to be readily
accessible by the towing vehicle operator. More specifically, the hitch
receiver box 18 extends in a substantially horizontal plane and each
accessory receiver 40 has a longitudinal axis extending in a second
plane projecting upwardly from the plane of the receiver box 18 and
frame member 12 at an included angle of about 10° to about 30°
and
more typically 20°.
The manner in which the structural arrangement of the accessory
receivers 40 benefits the user when attempting to attach a recreational
and/or utilitarian accessory will now be more completely explained.
When the receiver assembly 10 is mounted to the towing vehicle, the
sections 14 of the central frame member 12 are positioned directly
under the bumper of the vehicle. Both the receiver box 18 and the
accessory receivers 40 project from the sections 14 so as to extend to or
beyond the rear edge of the bumper. Additionally, the accessory
receivers 40 project upwardly at an angle of about 10° to about
30°
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(e.g., about 20°) with respect to the receiver box 18, the frame member
12 and the horizontal. Thus, the circular ports or openings 44 of the
accessory receivers 40 are both readily visible and accessible.
Due to this fact, it is relatively easy for the user to engage the
ports or openings 44 of the accessory receivers 40 with the mounting
ends 52 of the vehicle body guard or brush bar 50. At this point, the
lower lip of the accessory receivers 40 function to support the weight
of the accessory 50 as the accessory is being inserted, thereby
providing more convenient ease of manipulation. Additionally, the
circular shape of the accessory ports or openings 44 and cooperating
mounting ends 52 further insure ease of connection. Specifically, since
the ends 52 and the openings 44 in the receivers 40 are both round,
they present continuous, uninterrupted mating sidewalk. Accordingly,
it is not necessary to index the mounting ends 52 in any way to insure
proper geometry for mating; simple alignment is all that is necessary.
Additionally, the mounting ends 52 may be flexed slightly in virtually
any direction during mating as an additional aid when making the
connection.
Once properly aligned, the mounting ends 52 slide readily into
the receivers 40. When fully seated, cross apertures (not shown) in the
ends 52 are in alignment with the apertures 44. A connecting pin (not
shown) is then positioned in these apertures and a pin clip (not shown)
is used to secure the pin in position. The resulting two point
connection through the receivers 40 dramatically increases the stability
of the connection between the vehicle body guard or brush bar 50 and
the vehicle. Of course, the vehicle body guard/brush bar 50 may be
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easily removed by removing the pin clips and connecting pins and
pulling the ends 52 from the receivers 40.
Reference is now made to Figures 2a and 2b which illustrate in
detail the accessory receiver mounting bracket 42. The mounting
5 bracket 42 comprises a mounting plate having a first slot 60 for
receiving the accessory receiver 40 and a second slot 62 for receiving a
tubular section 14 of the central frame member 12. Thus, where the
receiver 40 is circular in cross section, the first slot 60 is rectangular in
shape and where the tubular section 14 of the central frame member 12
10 is circular in cross section, the second slot 62 is semicircular in shape.
Of course, the slots 60, 62 are shaped to correspond to the shape of the
receiver 40 and tubular section 14 of the central frame member 12,
respectively, no matter what shape they assume. Weld beads illustrated
at W complete the connection of the receiver 40, the mounting bracket
42 and the tubular section 14.
In order to provide the desired upward orientation and
projection of the receivers 40 on the central frame member 12, the slots
60, 62 are provided in a particular orientation best illustrated in Figure
2b. As illustrated, the first slot 60 includes a first axis of symmetry.
The second slot 62 includes a second axis of symmetry. Lines A and B
extending along these axes of symmetry define an included angle G of
between about 20° to about 60° and more typically about
45° to about
50°.
An alternative embodiment that may be substituted in place of
the mounting bracket 42 shown in Figures 1, 2a and 2b is illustrated in
Figures 3a and 3b. This mounting bracket 42' comprises a pair of
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cooperating mounting plates 70. Each of the mounting plates 70
includes an aperture 72 for receiving and engaging the accessory
receiver 40.
As illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b, the tubular section 14 of the
central frame member 12 has an outer dimension D. The pair of
cooperating plates 70 are spaced apart a distance D corresponding to
the outer dimension D of the tubular section 14. In this manner the pair
of cooperating plates 70 engage opposing points 74 on the tubular
section 14 of the central frame member 12. Where the plates 70 are
formed from steel like the accessory receiver 40 and the tubular section
14, weld beads W may be utilized to complete the connection of these
component parts.
Yet another embodiment of the accessory receiver mounting
bracket 42" is shown in Figures 4a and 4b. The mounting bracket 42" of
this embodiment is a pair of cooperating mounting plates 80. Each of
the mounting plates 80 includes a first slot 82 for receiving and
engaging the tubular section 14 of the central frame member 12.
Where that tubular section is circular the configuration of the slot 82 is
semicircular or circular. Of course, it should be appreciated that the
slot 82 is configured to match at least a portion of the peripheral outline
of the tubular section 14 regardless of its configuration or shape (e.g.,
square, rectangular, hexagonal, elliptical).
In the illustrated embodiment the accessory receiver 40 has an
outer dimension DI. The pair of cooperating plates 80 are spaced apart
a distance DI corresponding to the outer dimension D1 of the accessory
receiver 40. Thus, the cooperating plates 80 engage opposing points
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84 on the accessory receiver 40. Where the plates 80 are constructed
from steel, weld beads W may be provided to complete the secure
connection between the accessory receiver 40, the mounting bracket 42"
and the tubular section 14 of the central frame member 12.
The foregoing description of three possible embodiments of the
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention
to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are
possible in light of the above teachings.
For example, embodiments may be provided without the hitch
receiver box. As illustrated in Figure 5, such an embodiment may
include a single piece central frame member or cross bar 90 if desired.
While not useful for towing a trailer such embodiments allow one to
transport and utilize various accessories in a convenient and efficient
manner. Further, such an assembly is suitable for use on smaller,
relatively low power vehicles that are not suited for trailer towing but
are capable of accommodating and transporting a desired accessory.
In accordance with still another possible embodiment, as shown
in Figure 6, the accessory mounting bracket 42"' may only include a
slot 62 for engaging the outer wall of the central frame member 12. In
this configuration, the wall of the receiver 40 includes a pair of slots 63
for receiving the body of the bracket 42"'. Where all component parts
42"', 40 are steel, the connection may be completed by welding.
The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best
illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical
application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize
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the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications
as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications
and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by
the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth
to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.
