Stowaway, receiver hitch
US6460870B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 27, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 27, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60D1/54
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A trunnion, adapted to fit in a receiver, attached to a vehicle as a receiver-type hitch system, provides selective deployment and stowage of a hitch. An optional base secured to the trunnion may receive a pivot. A mount, secured by the pivot to the base, swings between a deployed and a stowed position. Alignments are one-dimensional, typically circumferentially positioning a locking pin aperture and a corresponding locking pin about a radius with respect to a pivot axis. A platform of the mount may contain an aperture for operating as a pin hitch aperture, or for receiving a stud or bolt for securing a ball hitch, or two hitches. In certain embodiments, multiple ball hitches may be attached at once to the platform. Selection of ball hitch sizes, and positioning of the ball hitch altitude may also be accomplished by pivots built into the mount.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.