Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02897073 2015-07-10
HITCH ATTACHMENT
BACKGROUND
[I] A vehicle hitch can include a tubular member to which various implements,
such as
bicycle racks or luggage racks, may be attached. Specifically, such an
implement may
include a hitch attachment in the form of a bar that extends into the tubular
member of the
hitch. A standard vehicle hitch tubular member includes a transversely
extending hole
through the tubular member to allow a pin to be inserted through the tubular
member and
through a hole in a bar of the implement. With the pin passing through the
tubular member
and the bar, the bar of the hitch attachment is prevented from slipping out of
the tubular
member.
SUMMARY
[2] Tools and techniques discussed herein can allow for one or more useful
implements
to be attached to a vehicle hitch.
[3] For
example, according to one aspect, the tools and techniques discussed herein
can
include a hitch attachment system that includes a hitch attachment configured
to be secured to
a vehicle hitch and one or more implements configured to be attached to the
vehicle hitch.
[4] According to another aspect, a vehicle hitch implement may be a wire rack
comprising a plurality of horizontally-extending spool axles, with the spool
axles being
vertically displaced from each other and horizontally displaced from each
other.
[5] According to yet another aspect, an implement can be slid into a mating
configuration with a hitch attachment in a sliding motion. A securing
mechanism can be
configured to apply pressure transverse to a direction of the sliding motion
to stabilize the
implement relative to the hitch. The securing mechanism can comprise a housing
that is not a
unitary member with the hitch attachment or the implement (e.g., the housing
may be a
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separate part that is welded, bolted, etc. to the hitch attachment and/or to
the implement), and
a threaded member passing through the housing to press the implement against
the hitch
attachment.
[6] According to yet another aspect, a hitch attachment can include a body
that is
configured to slide into a horizontally-extending hollow tubing of a hitch,
with the hitch
attachment comprising a stabilizing system. The stabilizing system can include
a mechanism
that is configured to move a pressure member in a direction that is transverse
to the
horizontally extending body (such as in a direction that is perpendicular to
the body or at
some other non-zero angle relative to the horizontally extending body) so that
the pressure
member presses against an inwardly-facing surface of the hollow tubing.
[7] According to another aspect, a body of a hitch attachment is slid into
a horizontally-
extending hollow tubing of a vehicle hitch. Also, the hitch attachment can be
stabilized
relative to the vehicle hitch using a stabilizing system. For example, this
stabilizing can
include rotating a threaded member of the stabilizing system so that the
threaded member
moves a pressure member of the stabilizing system in a transverse direction
relative to a
longitudinal axis of the hollow tubing of the hitch and presses the pressure
member against an
inwardly-facing surface of the hollow tubing of the hitch.
[8] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a
simplified form.
The concepts are further described below in the Detailed Description. This
Summary is not
intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject
matter, nor is it
intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Similarly, the invention
is not limited to implementations that address the particular techniques,
tools, environments,
disadvantages, or advantages discussed in the Background, the Detailed
Description, or the
attached drawings.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[9] Fig. I is
a perspective view of a hitch attachment system including a vehicle with a
hitch to which the hitch attachment is secured.
[10] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the hitch attachment system of Fig. 1
without spools
on the wire rack, and without the system including the vehicle and hitch of
Fig. I.
[11] Fig. 3 is a left side view of the hitch attachment system of Fig. 2.
[12] Fig. 4 is a right side view of the hitch attachment system of Fig. 2.
[13] Fig. 5 is a rear view of the hitch attachment system of Fig. 2.
[14] Fig. 6 is a front view of the hitch attachment system of Fig. 2.
[15] Fig. 7 is atop view of the hitch attachment system of Fig. 2.
[16] Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the hitch attachment system of Fig. 2.
[17] Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the attachment system of Fig.
2, also
showing various pins and other fasteners that are not illustrated in Figs. 1-
9.
[18] Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the hitch attachment of the
hitch
attachment system illustrated in the figures.
[19] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a housing for a stabilizing feature of
the hitch
attachment system illustrated in the figures.
[20] Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 in Fig. I.
[21] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the central support of the wire rack in
the hitch
attachment system of Fig. 2.
[22] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a large diameter spool axle from the
hitch
attachment system of Fig. 2.
[23] Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a small diameter spool axle that can be
used with the
hitch attachment system of Fig. 2 in place of one or more of the large
diameter axles
illustrated in other figures.
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[24] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a spool stop for use with the large
diameter spool
axle illustrated in Fig. 14.
[25] Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a spool stop for use with the small
diameter spool
axle illustrated in Fig. 15. The spool stop of Fig. 17 has the same features
as the spool stop of
Fig. 16, but is sized to fit the small diameter spool axle of Fig. 15.
[26] Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the hitch attachment system of Fig. 2,
but with a vise
stand instead of a wire rack being secured in the hitch attachment of the
system.
[27] Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the hitch attachment system of Fig. 18,
but without
the vehicle and hitch, and without illustrating a working part secured in the
vise.
[28] Fig. 20 is a left side view of the hitch attachment system of Fig. 19.
[29] Fig. 21 is a right side view of the hitch attachment system of Fig. 19.
[30] Fig. 22 is a rear view of the hitch attachment system of Fig. 19.
[31] Fig. 23 is a front view of the hitch attachment system of Fig. 19.
[32] Fig. 24 is a bottom view of the hitch attachment system of Fig. 19.
[33] Fig. 25 is a top view of the hitch attachment system of Fig. 19.
[34] Fig. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the hitch attachment system of
Fig. 19.
[35] Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the vertically extending bar of the vise
stand in the
hitch attachment system of Fig. 19.
[36] Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the mounting plate and stem of the vise
stand of Fig.
19.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[37] Referring to Fig. I, a hitch attachment system 100 will be discussed. The
hitch
attachment system 100 can include a vehicle 110 having a rear-facing hitch
112. The hitch
attachment system 100 can further include a hitch attachment 114 that is
secured to the hitch
112 and that extends rearward from the hitch 112. An implement 116 can extend
up from the
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hitch attachment 114. Specifically, in the configuration illustrated in Fig.
1, the implement
116 is a wire rack 118. The wire rack 118 is secured to the hitch attachment
114, and has a
plurality of spools 120. The spools 120 can include a material 122 wound
thereon, such as
wire or some other product. Accordingly, while the wire rack 118 is termed a
"wire" rack
herein for convenience, the spools 120 may be spools of twine, string, rope,
wire, tubing, or
some other product wound onto a spool 120. Accordingly, the hitch attachment
system 100
can enable a useful implement 116 such as the wire rack 118 to be supported by
a vehicle
hitch 112.
[38] The hitch attachment system 100 can allow different implements 116 to be
switched
on the hitch attachment 11, so that the hitch attachment 114 can be used to
support any of a
variety of implements 116. For example, such interchangeable implements may
include any
combination of various different types of implements, such as a wire rack 118,
a platform
luggage rack, a vise stand (discussed below), a goal post-shaped vehicle bed
extender, a bike
rack, and/or some other implement. Additionally, the hitch attachment system
100 can be
configured to stabilize the attachment to the hitch 112 and the attachment to
an implement
116, so that the implement 116 can be stabilized relative to the vehicle 110.
A. Structure of the Hitch Attachment System
[39] Referring still to Fig. 1, the structure of the hitch attachment system
100 will be
discussed in more detail, including two different example implements. The
hitch 112 can
include a tubular member 130, which can extend axially rearward from the
vehicle 110. For
example, the tubular member 130 can be a tubular member with a generally
rectangular cross
section. The tubular member 130 can be any of various different shapes,
thicknesses,
materials, etc. so long as it defines a hole or aperture into which the hitch
attachment 114 can
extend and is sufficiently strong, rigid and durable. For example, the tubular
member can be
a hollow rectangular steel tube. The tubular member 130 can define a pin hole
132 therein
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that extends transversely (i.e., extending in a different direction from the
main longitudinal
direction or axis of the tubular member 130) through the tubular member 130,
such as
extending horizontally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the
tubular member 130
and through both side walls of the tubular member 130.
[40] Referring now to Figs. 1-17, the hitch attachment 114 and the wire rack
118 will be
discussed in more detail. The hitch attachment 114 can include a body 142, a
portion of
which fits into the tubular member 130 of the hitch 112. For example, the body
142 can be a
tubular member with a generally rectangular shaped cross section, which is
smaller than the
cross section of the tubular member 130 of the hitch 112, so that a portion of
the body 142
fits within the hitch 112.
[41] The hitch attachment 114 can include a stabilizing system 150, which can
be utilized
to stabilize the hitch attachment 114 relative to the hitch 112. As part of
the stabilizing
system 150, the body 142 of the hitch attachment 114 can define a threaded
hole 152 in a side
wall of the body 142. The threaded hole 152 of the body 142 can be configured
to align with
the pin hole 132 of the hitch 112 while the hitch attachment 114 is inserted
into the tubular
member 130 of the hitch 112 in an operable configuration, as illustrated in
Fig. 1. The
threaded hole 152 can receive a threaded fastener 154, such as a standard bolt
that can also
pass through the pin hole 132 in the tubular member 130 the hitch 112. The
threaded fastener
154 can be rotated to tighten the threaded fastener 154, thereby pulling the
body 142 of the
hitch attachment 114 toward a side wall of the tubular member 130 of the hitch
112. When
the threaded fastener 154 is fully tightened, the threaded fastener 154 can
press the side wall
of the tubular member 130 of the hitch 112 between a head of the fastener and
a side wall of
the body 142 of the hitch attachment 114. In this configuration, an outer
surface 156 of the
body 142 of the hitch attachment can be pressed against an inner surface 158
of the tubular
member 130 of the hitch 112 (see Fig. 12). This pressing can assist in
stabilizing the hitch
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attachment 114 relative to the hitch 112 by inhibiting horizontal (side-to-
side) rotational
and/or translational movement of the hitch attachment 114.
[42] The stabilizing system 150 can :urther include features to inhibit
vertical (up-and-
down) rotational and/or translational movement of the hitch attachment 114.
Specifically, the
body 142 of the hitch attachment 114 can define an aperture 170, such as a
cutout in a bottom
wall of the body 142 (see, e.g., Figs. 8 and 12). The aperture 170 can be at
least partially
within the tubular member 130 of the hitch 112 while the hitch attachment
system 100 is in
the operational position illustrated in Fig. 1. Additionally, a top wall of
the body142 of the
hitch attachment can include a female threaded hole 172, through which a
threaded fastener
174 such as a bolt can extend, as illustrated in Fig. 12. A washer 175 can be
positioned on
the threaded fastener 174 adjacent to the fastener's head. Additionally, the
hitch attachment
114 can include flanges 180 extending out from the threaded fastener 174 below
the threaded
hole 172 and within the aperture 170. For example, the flanges 180 can each be
a nut that is
fixed to the threaded fastener 174, such as where one or both of the flanges
180 is a lock nut
and/or where one or both of the flanges 180 is welded to the threaded fastener
174.
[43] A pressure member 182 can be sandwiched between the flanges 180 so that
vertical
movement of the threaded fastener 174 forces the pressure member 182 to move
with the
threaded fastener 174. Accordingly, as the threaded fastener 174 is turned
into and out of the
threaded hole 172 in the body 142 of the hitch attachment 114, the pressure
member 182
moves respectively away from and toward the threaded hole 172. Accordingly,
the threaded
fastener 174 can be turned in a first direction to draw the pressure member
182 into the
aperture 170 in the body 142 of the hitch attachment 114 and can be turned in
a second
direction that is opposite to the first direction to push the pressure member
182 away from the
body 142 of the hitch attachment 114 and at least partially out of the
aperture 170. The first
and second directions of travel of the fastener 174 (also the axis of rotation
of the fastener)
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can be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body 142 (also the
direction in which the
body 142 slides into and out of the hitch 112), and/or can move the pressure
member 182 in a
direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body 142. The
first and second
directions of travel of the fastener 174 and/or the direction of movement of
the pressure
member 182 may be selected to be other directions transverse to the
longitudinal axis of the4
body 142, such as another direction that within 5 degrees of being
perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the body 142, or within 10 degrees of being perpendicular
to the
longitudinal axis of the body 142, or within 20 degrees of being perpendicular
to the
longitudinal axis of the body 142, or within 30 degrees of being perpendicular
to the
longitudinal axis of the body 142, or within 45 degrees of being perpendicular
to the
longitudinal axis of the body 142, or within 60 degrees of being perpendicular
to the
longitudinal axis of the body 142, or within 70 degrees of being perpendicular
to the
longitudinal axis of the body 142, or within 80 degrees of being perpendicular
to the
longitudinal axis of the body 142, or within 85 degrees of being perpendicular
to the
longitudinal axis of the body 142. With the hitch attachment system 100 in the
operational
configuration of Fig. 1, the pressure member 182 can be pushed at least
partially out of the
aperture 170 so that the pressure member 182 presses against an inner surface
190 of the
tubular member 130 of the hitch 112. That inner surface 190 of the tubular
member 130 of
the hitch 112 can be perpendicular to the inner surface 158 against which the
outer surface
156 of the body 142 of the hitch attachment is pressed by the threaded
fastener 154. For
example, the inner surface 190 can be an inner surface of a bottom wall of the
tubular
member 130 of the hitch 112, and the inner surface 158 can be an inner surface
of a side wall
of the tubular member 130 of the hitch 112. Accordingly, in the operational
configuration of
Fig. 1 with the stabilizing system 150 engaged, the stabilizing system 150 can
inhibit both
vertical and horizontal movement of the hitch attachment 114 relative to the
hitch 112.
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[44] At an end of the body 142 that is distal from the hitch 112, the hitch
attachment 114
can include an implement-attaching feature 206. In the illustrated example,
the implement
attaching feature 206 can include a vertically-extending sleeve 208, which can
be configured
to receive a portion of an implement 116. For example, the vertically
extending sleeve 208
can be a tubular member, such as a tubular member with a rectangular cross
section. The
vertically extending sleeve 208 can be secured to the body 142 of the hitch
attachment 114 in
any of various ways, such as welding, securing with fasteners, etc.
[45] The vertically extending sleeve 208 can receive a threaded fastener 210
extending
transverse to the longitudinal direction of the sleeve 208. The threaded
fastener 210 can be
rotated to press the implement 116 against the vertically extending sleeve
208. In one
example illustrated in the figures, as can be seen in Fig. 10, the sleeve 208
can define a main
hole 212, which can be surrounded by a recessed area 214. A plurality of
threaded holes 216
(such as four threaded holes 216, as shown in Fig. 11) can pass through a wall
of the
vertically extending sleeve 208 in the recessed area 214. The implement-
attaching feature
206 can further include a housing 220 that is shaped to fit into the recessed
area 214 of the
vertically extending sleeve 208. The housing 220 can include peripheral holes
222 that align
with the threaded holes 216 of the vertically extending sleeve 208 when the
housing 220 is
seated in the recessed area 214. Threaded fasteners 230 can extend through the
peripheral
holes 222 of the housing 220 and into the threaded holes 216 of the vertically
extending
sleeve 208 with the housing 220 seated in the recessed area 214 to secure the
housing to the
vertically extending sleeve 208. The threaded fastener 210, such as an Allen
screw, can be
threaded through a threaded hole 232 in the housing 220, to extend into a
central area of the
vertically extending sleeve 208. The housing 220 can be thicker than the walls
of the sleeve
208 so that the threaded fastener 210 can function without extending beyond
the housing 220,
so that the threads of the threaded fastener 210 can be protected. The
threaded hole 232 can
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be countersunk or otherwise recessed to allow threads of the threaded fastener
210 to be
protected by the housing 220 and still allow sufficient operational room for
the threaded
fastener 210. Accordingly, with a portion of an implement 116 positioned
within the
vertically extending sleeve 208, the threaded fastener 210 can press the
implement 116
against an opposite wall of the vertically extending sleeve 208 to secure the
implement 116 to
the hitch attachment 114 and stabilize the implement 116 relative to the hitch
attachment 114.
Additionally, the vertically extending sleeve 208 may define a pin hole 234
through the
sleeve 208. A pin 236 (see Fig. 9) can extend through the pin hole 234 in the
sleeve 208 and
through a matching hole in the implement 116 to further secure the implement
116 to the
hitch attachment 114. Additionally, the pin 236 may be placed through the pin
hole 234 in
the sleeve 208 and through the implement 116 to hold the implement 116 in
place relative to
the hitch attachment 114 while the threaded fastener 210 is tightened to
stabilize the
implement 116 relative to the hitch attachment 114.
[46] While not shown, the implement-attaching feature 206 could include an
additional
housing that is the same as the housing 220 with a stabilizing threaded
fastener like threaded
fastener 210 in a wall of the vertically extending sleeve 208 that is
perpendicular to a wall of
the vertically extending sleeve where the housing 220 is mounted. Such an
additional
housing and threaded fastener feature could help to further stabilize the
implement 116 by
inhibiting movement in an additional direction.
[47] Referring still to Figs. 1-17, the wire rack 118 (which is an example of
an implement
116 that can be used with the hitch attachment 114) will be discussed in more
detail. The
wire rack 118 can include a central support 250, which can include a
vertically-extending bar
252 extending up from the vertically extending sleeve 208 of the hitch
attachment 114. For
example, the vertically-extending bar 252 can be a tubular member whose cross
sectional size
and shape allow it to fit within the vertically extending sleeve 208 of the
hitch attachment
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114. The vertically extending bar 252 can define a pin hole 254 extending
through the bar
252, which can be positioned to align with the pin hole 234 in the vertically
extending sleeve.
The pin hole 234 and the pin hole 254 can receive the pin 236, as discussed
above.
Additionally, the threaded fastener 230 of the hitch attachment 114 can press
against a
portion of the vertically extending bar 252 that extends into the vertically
extending sleeve
208 to stabilize the central support 250 of the wire rack 118 relative to the
hitch attachment
114, as discussed above.
[48] The central support 250 can also include horizontally extending bars 260,
which
form a staggered alternating pattern of forward-extending and then rearward-
extending bars
extending from the vertically extending bar 252 as the central support 250
rises above the
hitch attachment 114. For example, as illustrated in the Figures, in one
example, the central
support 250 can include a lowest forward extending bar 262, with a lowest
rearward
extending bar 264 being above the lowest forward extending bar 262. The
central support
can include another forward extending bar 266 immediately above the lowest
rearward
extending bar 264, and yet another rearward extending bar 268 immediately
above the
forward extending bar 266. Thus, the horizontally extending bars 260 can be in
a staggered
configuration of alternating forward extending bars 262 and 266 and rearward
extending bars
264 and 268 going up the central support 250. Such a staggered configuration
can form an
ornamental appearance and can also allow for the more room for spools on axles
from each of
the bars, as opposed to a non-staggered linear configuration.
[49] At the end of each horizontal bar 260, the central support 250 can
include a pair of
spool axle mounts 280, with one spool axle mount 280 on each side (left and
right sides) of
the horizontal bar 260. Each spool axle mount can include a tube 282 that
extends to the side
from the horizontal bar 260, and an annular flange 284 that extends radially
out from an end
of the tube 282 distal from the horizontal bar 260. Additionally, each spool
axle mount 280
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can define a pin hole 286 extending through the tube 282 of the mount 280.
Also, each
mount 280 can define a threaded hole 288 that extends through one wall of the
tube 282 of
the mount 280. A pin 290 can extend through each pin hole 286 and a threaded
fastener 292
can extend through each threaded hole 288 to secure a spool axle 310 to the
central support
250 of the wire rack 118 (see Fig. 9).
[50] Accordingly, the wire rack 118 can include multiple spool axles 310, with
a spool
axle extending to a side from each axle mount 280. Each spool axle 310 can be
a circular
cross-sectioned rod including an insert section 312 that is sized to fit
within the tube 282 of a
corresponding mount 280. Each insert section 312 can include a pin hole 314
that aligns with
the pin hole 286 so that a pin 290 can extend through the pin hole 286 in the
mount and
through the pin hole 314 in the corresponding insert section 312 of the spool
axle 310. Each
spool axle 310 can also include a support section 320 that extends away from
the insert
section 312 in a sideways direction (i.e., to the right or left as oriented
relative to the vehicle
110). Near an end of the support section 320 distal from the insert section
312, the support
section 320 can define a pin hole 322 extending transversely through the
support section 320.
[51] A spool stop 330 can be attached to an end of each support section 320
distal from
the insert section 312. Each spool stop 330 (illustrated alone in Figs. 16-17)
can include a
tube 332 and a flange 334 at an end of the tube 332. The flange 334 can face
inwardly
toward the central support 250 of the wire rack 118. The tube 332 of each
spool stop 330 can
define a pin hole 336 extending transversely through the tube 332. The pin
hole 336 of the
spool stop 330 can align with the pin hole 322 of the corresponding support
section 320 of a
spool axle 310, and can receive a spool stop pin 340 to secure the spool stop
330 to the
support section 320 of the spool axle 310 (see Fig. 9).
[52] The spool axles 310 can come with different diameters in their support
sections 320.
For example, a smaller diameter spool axle 350 may be used to allow for spools
with smaller
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diameter central holes, while larger diameter spool axles 360 may be used for
spools that are
heavier, but have larger diameter central holes. Also, spool axles 310 with
different
diameters in the support sections 320 can have corresponding spool stops 330
with matching
tubes 332 that allow for an optimal fit with the corresponding spool axle
support section 320
to fit within the corresponding tube 332. As can be seen, smaller diameter
support sections
320 may be used with insert sections 312 that are larger than the diameters of
the support
sections 320 (compare Figs. 14 and 15).
[53] The wire rack could have any of various other configurations and still
accomplish
the functions and produce the benefits discussed herein. For example, the main
bar of the
central support could extend in a upwardly-sloping direction rather than a
vertical direction,
and bars extending out from the main bar could extending in sloping directions
rather than
horizontally. Additionally, other support structures besides the bars
discussed above could be
used.
[54] In addition to its function, the design illustrated in Figs. 1-17 for the
wire rack 118 is
particularly ornamental. It is noted that such an ornamental design could take
various forms,
and could include all or only portions of the features illustrated in Figs. 1-
17. For example,
the design could exclude the vehicle and the vehicle hitch, as well as other
features of the
wire rack and/or hitch attachment. For example, the design may omit one or
more of the
features of the stabilizing system discussed above, and/or fasteners (threaded
fasteners, pins,
etc.) and/or holes, apertures, and/or housings that are positioned and shaped
for purposes of
securing the various components together and stabilizing them relative to each
other in a
stable manner. Additionally, the wire rack 118 may be considered a separate
design from the
hitch attachment 114, and the combination thereof may be considered yet
another design.
Similarly, the vise stand discussed below can be considered a separate design
from the hitch
attachment, and separate from the vise shown in the figures. Additionally, the
combination
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of the vise stand and the hitch attachment can be considered yet another
ornamental design.
As with the wire rack designs, the vise stand designs may also include or
exclude one or more
of the various combinations of different types of features discussed above
(fasteners, holes,
apertures, stabilizing features, etc.).
[55] Referring now to Figs. 18-28, the hitch attachment system 100 the hitch
attachment
114 discussed above can be secured to a vise stand 410. The vise stand 410 can
include a
vertically extending bar 412, which can define a pair of pin holes 414 and 416
at different
heights on the bar to allow for vertical adjustment of the vise stand 410 (see
Fig. 26). One of
the pin holes 414 or 416 can be aligned with the pin hole 234 in the sleeve
208, and with the
pin 236 extending through the pin hole 414 or 416 in the vertically extending
bar 412 and
through the pin hole 234 in the sleeve 208.
[56] Near a top end of the vertically extending bar 412, the vise stand 410
can include a
housing 430 that can be the same as the housing 220 discussed above. The
housing 430 can
be seated in and secured to the vertically extending bar 412 in the same
manner as the
housing 220 is seated in and secured to the vertically extending sleeve 208,
with the housing
430 including the same features as the housing 220, and the vertically
extending bar 412
including a recess 432 and peripheral holes 434 that are the same as the
recessed area 214 and
peripheral holes 222 in the vertically extending sleeve 208 discussed above.
The vise stand
410 can further include threaded fasteners 433 securing the housing to the
vertically
extending bar 412, and can further include a threaded fastener 440 that can be
threaded
through a threaded hole 442 in the housing 430 to extend into a central area
of the vertically
extending bar 412.
[57] The vise stand 410 can further include a horizontally extending mounting
plate 450
and a stem 452 descending from a central portion of the mounting plate 450.
The stem 452
can extend downwardly into a top portion of the vertically extending bar 412.
Accordingly,
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with at least a portion of the stem 452 extending into the vertically
extending bar 412, the
threaded fastener 440 can press the stem 452 against an opposite wall of the
vertically
extending bar 412 to secure and stabilize the stem 452 relative to the
vertically extending bar
412. Thus, the vise stand 410 can secure and stabilize the vise mounting plate
450 relative to
the hitch attachment 114. Additionally, a vise 480, such as the chain vise
shown in the
illustrations, can be secured to the vise mounting plate 450 in a standard
manner. The hitch
attachment system 100 can thereby secure and stabilize the vise 480 relative
to the hitch 112
of the vehicle 110. This can allow the vise 480 to be used for one or more of
various vise
operations, such as securing a mechanical part while work is performed on the
part.
B. Materials and Manufacturing/Assembly of the Hitch Attachment System
[58] The structural components of the hitch attachment system 100 can be made
of a
material that is rigid and durable, and that can withstand high levels of
torque and pressure,
such as the torque and pressure applied when securing and stabilizing the
various threaded
fasteners in the hitch attachment system and when using one or more of the
implements. For
example, the components can be light gauge steel. The pins and threaded
fasteners can be
standard threaded fasteners, such as pins, Allen screws, bolts, nuts, etc.
[59] The manufacture of the hitch attachment system can use stock materials
such as
rectangular steel tubing, steel rods, etc. Some components (such as the body
142 and the
vertically extending sleeve 208 of the hitch attachment 114; the bar 252, bars
260 and spool
axle mounts 280 of the wire rack 118; and the mounting plate 450 and stem 452
of the vise
stand 410) can be secured together by welding. Additionally, the various holes
can be drilled,
and the threaded holes can be tapped with threads. The housing 220 can be
screwed in place
relative to the vertically extending sleeve 208, and the housing 430 can be
screwed in place
relative to the vertically extending bar 252. Manufacture of some components,
such as the
housing 220 and housing 430 may involve the use of dyes and/or milling. Other
milling or
CA 02897073 2015-07-10
other cutting processes (laser cutting, torch cutting, grinding, and/or some
other cutting
process) may be used to form the recess 432, the recessed area 214, and the
aperture 170.
[60] Additionally, manufacturing can involve assembling the components of the
stabilizing system 150. This assembling process can include placing the washer
175 on the
threaded fastener 174 and threading the fastener 174 into the female threaded
hole 172 as
illustrated in Fig. 12. A first flange 180 can be placed on the threaded
fastener. For example,
if the first flange is a nut, the first flange 180 can be screwed onto the
bolt and welded in
place or secured in some other manner (e.g., using an adhesive, etc.). The
pressure member
182 can then be positioned on the threaded fastener 174 adjacent to the first
flange 180, and
the second flange 180 can be positioned adjacent to the pressure member 182 so
that the
pressure member 182 is sandwiched between the flanges 180. The second flange
180 can be
secured to the threaded fastener 174, such as by the second flange 180 being a
lock nut or by
welding the second flange to the threaded fastener 174. The flanges 180 can be
positioned so
that the threaded fastener 174 can be rotated through the female threaded hole
172 to move
the pressure member so that the pressure member 182 can slide partially into
the hitch 112 in
one position but can apply pressure to the inside wall of the hitch 112 in
another position. As
discussed, the threaded fastener 174 can be rotated to move the pressure
member 182
between these positions.
C. Use of the Hitch Attachment System
[61] In using the hitch attachment system 100, an implement 116 can be chosen.
The
hitch attachment 114 can be secured to the hitch 112, and the implement 116
can be secured
to the hitch attachment 114 and set up for use.
[62] In a first example of using the wire rack 118, the hitch attachment 114
can be
secured to the hitch 112 and stabilized. Specifically, the end of the body 142
that includes
the threaded hole 152 can be inserted in the tubular member 130 of the hitch
112 until the
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threaded hole 152 of the hitch attachment aligns with the pin hole 132 of the
hitch 112. This
can be done with the pressure member 182 being drawn into the aperture 170 so
that the
pressure member 182 does not interfere with the body 142 sliding into the
tubular member
130. With the hitch attachment 114 so positioned, the threaded fastener 154
can be inserted
through the pin hole 132 and screwed into the threaded hole 152 in the body
142. The
threaded fastener 154 can be tightened to pull the body 142 of the hitch
attachment 114
toward a side wall of the tubular member 130 of the hitch 112 and inhibit
horizontal
translation and rotation of the hitch attachment 114 relative to the hitch
112. Additionally,
the threaded fastener 174 can be screwed down into the threaded hole 172 to
move the
pressure member 182 downward to press against the hitch 112, to inhibit
vertical translation
and rotation of the hitch attachment 114 relative to the hitch 112.
[63] The central support 250 of the wire rack 118 can be positioned so that
the bottom of
the vertically extending bar 252 slides into the vertically extending sleeve
208 of the hitch
attachment 114 with the pin hole 234 of the sleeve 208 aligning with the pin
hole 254 in the
vertically extending bar 252. Additionally, the threaded fastener 210 can be
tightened to
secure the wire rack 118 to the hitch attachment 114 and stabilize the wire
rack 118 relative
to the hitch attachment 114.
[64] The spool axles 310 can be secured to the axle mounts 280. Specifically,
the insert
section 312 of each axle 310 can be inserted into the corresponding axle mount
280, with the
pin hole 314 in the axle 310 aligning with the pin hole 286 in the axle mount
280. With the
axle 310 so positioned, the pin 290 can be inserted through the pin hole 314
and pin hole 286.
Also, the threaded fastener 292 can be tightened to stabilize the axle 310
relative to the axle
mount 280. One or more spools 120 can be slid onto each spool axle 310. A
spool stop 330
can be positioned on each spool axle 310 with the flange 334 facing toward a
spool 120 that
has been slid onto the axle 310, with the pin hole 336 of the spool stop 330
aligning with the
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pin hole 322 in the axle 310. A spool stop pin 340 can be inserted through the
pin hole 336
and the pin hole 322 to secure the spool stop 330 to the axle 310. This spool
mounting can be
repeated for each of multiple spools 120 and spool axles 310. Thus, the wire
rack 118 can
allow for spools for dispensing or taking up elongated material such as wires,
with the wire
rack 118 being stabilized relative to the vehicle hitch 112.
[65] The mounting and use of the vise stand 410 will now be discussed. The
vertically
extending bar 412 can be slid into and secured to the hitch attachment 114 in
the same
manner as discussed above for the wire rack 118. This can involve selecting
one of the
multiple pin holes 414 or 416 of the vertically extending bar 412 to align
with the pin hole
234 in the sleeve 208 of the hitch attachment 114. The pin 236 can be inserted
through the
pin hole 234 and the pin hole 414 or 416. The stem 452 of the mounting plate
450 can be
inserted into the top of the vertically extending bar 412, and the threaded
fastener 440 can be
screwed into the threaded hole 442 to press the stem 452 against the
vertically extending bar
412 and stabilize the mounting plate 450 relative to the vertically extending
bar 412. The
vise 480 can be secured and stabilized relative to the mounting plate 450 in a
standard
manner, such as by inserting and tightening bolts or other threaded fasteners.
Accordingly,
the vise stand 410 and hitch attachment 114 of the hitch attachment system 100
can combine
to secure and stabilize the vise 480 relative to the vehicle hitch 112.
[66] The hitch attachment system 100 may produce one or more substantial
benefits. For
example, the hitch attachment can provide different implements 116 that can be
used with the
same hitch attachment 114. Additionally, the hitch attachment system 100 can
stabilize an
implement relative to the hitch attachment 114, and relative to the hitch 112.
One or more of
these benefits can be provided in a hitch attachment system 100 that is easy
to use. One or
more of these benefits may be provided by all or only a portion of the hitch
attachment
system 100 discussed above, or with a system having features that are similar
to those of
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hitch attachment system 100. For example, features of the stabilizing system
150 may be
used with other implements with or without a separable hitch attachment that
can be used
with multiple different implements. For example, the features of the
stabilizing system 150
could be incorporated into a hitch-mounted bicycle rack without a separable
hitch attachment.
[67] The subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily
limited to the
benefits described herein. A particular implementation of the invention may
provide all,
some, or none of the benefits described herein. Although operations for the
various
techniques are described herein in a particular, sequential order for the sake
of presentation, it
should be understood that this manner of description encompasses
rearrangements in the
order of operations, unless a particular ordering is required. For example,
operations
described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed
concurrently.
[68] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred
embodiments set
forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation
consistent with the
description as a whole. For example, the hitch attachment with the stabilizing
system may be
configured to be permanently secured to an implement so that the hitch
attachment and
implement form a single unitary member. As another example, the stabilizing
system may be
configured so that a female threaded fastener moves to move the pressure
member, rather
than the male threaded fastener moving to move the pressure member as
discussed above.
Further, the pressure member may be a part of the moving threaded (female or
male) fastener
(such as where the pressure member is a circular flange or disc fixed to a
moving male or
female threaded fastener).
19
