Retractable trailer hitch
US6189910A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 3, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 20, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 3, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60D1/06
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A trailer hitch includes a cylindrical receiver perpendicularly mounted on a horizontal laterally extending tube attached to a vehicle. The receiver carries a slider movable between a first, retracted position substantially entirely disposed beneath the vehicle bumper and a second, extended position wherein the slider projects rearwardly of the vehicle bumper and carries a hitch ball for attachment to a towed object. A cam slot and cam follower are cooperatingly formed on the slider and the receiver, with the cam slot having angularly disposed ends for rotation of the slider between first and second angularly disposed position simultaneous with translation of the slider between first and second retracted and extended positions. A decorative cover overlays the exposed portions of the horizontal tube and the slider when the slider is in the retracted position. A movable member or members carried on the cover are movable to a position exposing access to the slider for movement of the slider between the extended and retracted positions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.