Above-bed goose neck towing apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10987982-B2
Application number	US-201815909204-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 1, 2018
Priority date	Mar 1, 2017
Publication date	Apr 27, 2021
Grant date	Apr 27, 2021

Abstract

An above-bed, gooseneck hitch and component mounting system is described. The system includes a pair of intersecting rails which overlap via an interlocking and/or coping joint, thereby forming an X-shape frame. The gooseneck connection is disposed at the central intersection of the rails, and optional quick connect/disconnect safety chain hooks and/or component ports may be integrated on one or more of the legs emanating from the central intersection.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A gooseneck hitch assembly comprising:
a pair of intersecting cross members formed into an X shape;
a receptacle formed at a central intersection of the pair of cross members;
a first attachment point formed on a top-facing side of one of the pair of cross members and a second attachment point formed on a top-facing side of an other of the pair of cross members;
mounting points provided at opposing ends of each of the pair of cross members, the mounting points configured to attach to a frame of a vehicle via an underbed attachment system; and
a cover plate having a skirt attached to the top-facing of the first and second cross members, said cover plate having a through-opening aligned with the receptacle.

2. The gooseneck hitch assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting points include at least one of: direct-to-puck connections and quick disconnect mechanisms.

3. The gooseneck hitch assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a receiving opening of the receptacle also exposed along said top-facing side.

4. The gooseneck hitch assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting points are formed on an under-facing side of each of the pair of cross members, said under-facing side defining an opposite side relative to a receiving opening of the receptacle.

5. A gooseneck hitch assembly comprising:
a first cross member having mounting points formed in a bottom-facing side at opposite ends of the cross member;
a second cross member having mounting points formed in a bottom-facing side at opposite ends of the cross member, wherein the mounting points are configured to attach to a frame of a vehicle via an underbed attachment system;
wherein the first cross member has a cope or interlocking cut centered at a midpoint of the first cross member to connect with a corresponding cut in the second cross member centered at a midpoint of the second cross member;
wherein a receptacle having a top-facing side opening is formed in the midpoints of the first and second cross members;
wherein the first and second cross members, when connected, are symmetrical;
a first attachment point formed on a top-facing side of one of the pair of cross members and a second attachment point formed on a top-facing side of an other of the pair of cross members; and
a cover plate having a skirt attached to a top-facing of the first and second cross members, said cover plate having a through-opening aligned with the receptacle.

6. The assembly of claim 5 , wherein the first and second cross members, when connected, form a pair of supplementary angles in which each supplementary angle includes one acute angle and one obtuse angle.

7. The assembly of claim 6 , wherein the acute angles are transversely opposed and the obtuse angles are longitudinally opposed.

8. The assembly of claim 5 , wherein the attachment points are recessed hooks or quick connect/disconnect mechanisms.

9. The assembly of claim 5 , wherein the mounting points of the first and second cross members include at least one of: direct-to-puck connections and quick disconnect mechanisms.

10. The assembly of claim 5 , wherein spacers are coupled to the first cross member to ensure the first cross member remains level when the mounting points are attached to an underbed attachment system.

11. A gooseneck hitch assembly attachable to an underbed attachment system, the gooseneck hitch assembly comprising:
a first tubular cross member having mounting points at opposite ends;
a second tubular cross member having mounting points at opposite ends and a cope or intersecting cut at a midpoint of the second tubular cross member, said cope or intersecting cut securing the first tubular cross member to the second tubular cross member in a symmetrical configuration, wherein the mounting points are configured to attach to the underbed attachment system;
a receptacle formed at the midpoint; and
at least one attachment point formed on one or both of the first and second tubular cross members; and
a cover plate having a skirt attached to a top-facing of the first and second cross members, said cover plate having a through-opening aligned with the receptacle.

12. The gooseneck hitch assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of symmetrically placed spacers coupled to an under-facing side of the first or second tubular cross member.

13. The gooseneck hitch assembly of claim 12 , wherein the spacers are positioned proximate to both mounting points.

Assignees

• Horizon Global Americas Inc

Inventors

• Fritz Erik
• Dunlavey Matt
• Garner Kevin
• Ward Brian

Classifications

• F02C3/22

  the fuel or oxidant being gaseous at standard temperature and pressure (F02C3/28 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60D1/488 Primary

  mounted directly to the chassis of the towing vehicle · CPC title

• F02C9/28

  Regulating systems responsive to plant or ambient parameters, e.g. temperature, pressure, rotor speed (F02C9/30 - F02C9/38, F02C9/44 take precedence) · CPC title

• B60D1/06 Primary

  Ball-and-socket hitches · CPC title

• B60D1/52

  removably mounted · CPC title