Hitch bar

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11345200-B2
Application number	US-201716338892-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 4, 2017
Priority date	Oct 4, 2016
Publication date	May 31, 2022
Grant date	May 31, 2022

Abstract

A hitch bar with improved strength incorporating a protruded flanges or wings is provided. The protruded portion may be attached to the frame. The protruded portion may include a profile oriented at a substantially perpendicular angle relative to the frame. The profile may provide a zone of distributing a load throughout the hitch bar. The hitch bar may further include a slotted opening integrated with the horizontal portion providing additional zone of distributing a load along the frame. The hitch bar may further include a plurality of cross members at the transitional portion having a second profile.

First claim

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed:

1. A hitch bar comprising:
a vertical portion;
a transition portion connected to the vertical portion; and
a horizontal portion connected to the transitional portion and positioned at an opposite end of the vertical portion, wherein the horizontal portion comprises a vehicle end and a towing end; and
a protruded portion attached to the horizontal portion, the protruded portion having a profile oriented at a perpendicular angle relative to the horizontal portion, the profile providing a zone of distributing a load along the horizontal portion and wherein the protruded portion flares out in a transverse plane from the vehicle end toward the towing end of the horizontal portion.

2. The hitch bar of claim 1 , wherein the protruded portion further includes an opening.

3. The hitch bar of claim 1 further comprising a slot integrated with the protruded portion extending along the horizontal portion.

4. The hitch bar of claim 1 , further comprising a slotted opening integrated with the horizontal portion providing additional zone of distributing a load along the horizontal portion.

5. The hitch bar of claim 1 , further comprising a cross member in the transitional portion.

6. A hitch bar comprising:
a vehicle attachment member capable of selective engagement with a towing vehicle;
a shank extending from the vehicle attachment member, the shank having a length;
a guide member positioned in and extending at least a portion of the length of the shank; and
a protruded portion attached to the vehicle attachment member, the protruded portion having a profile oriented at a perpendicular angle relative to the vehicle attachment member and wherein the protruded portion has a width greater than the vehicle attachment member, the profile distributing a load along with vehicle attachment member.

7. The hitch bar of claim 6 , wherein the protruded portion includes a generally V-shape relative from the vehicle attachment member.

8. The hitch bar of claim 6 , wherein the protruded portion includes a generally elevated shape to an apex relative from the vehicle attachment member.

9. The hitch bar of claim 8 , the protruded portion further includes a blended profile.

10. The hitch bar of claim 6 , wherein the protruded portion includes a round opening.

11. The hitch bar of claim 6 , wherein the protruded portion includes a rectangular opening.

12. The hitch bar of claim 11 , wherein the generally rectangular opening is positioned adjacent to the apex.

13. The hitch bar of claim 6 , wherein the protruded portion includes a slot.

14. The hitch bar of claim 6 , wherein the protruded portion is positioned in proximity to the vehicle attachment member.

15. A hitch bar comprising:
a vehicle attachment member capable of selective engagement with a towing vehicle;
a shank extending from the vehicle attachment member, the shank having a length;
a guide member positioned in and extending at least a portion of the length of the shank; and
a protruded portion attached to the vehicle attachment member, the protruded portion having a profile oriented at a perpendicular angle relative to the vehicle attachment member, the profile distributing a load along with vehicle attachment member and wherein the protruded portion includes a round opening.

16. A hitch bar comprising:
a vehicle attachment member capable of selective engagement with a towing vehicle;
a shank extending from the vehicle attachment member, the shank having a length;
a guide member positioned in and extending at least a portion of the length of the shank; and
a protruded portion attached to the vehicle attachment member, the protruded portion having a profile oriented at a perpendicular angle relative to the vehicle attachment member, the profile distributing a load along with vehicle attachment member and wherein the protruded portion includes a rectangular opening.

17. A hitch bar comprising:
a vehicle attachment member capable of selective engagement with a towing vehicle;
a shank extending from the vehicle attachment member, the shank having a length;
a guide member positioned in and extending at least a portion of the length of the shank; and
a protruded portion attached to the vehicle attachment member, the protruded portion having a profile oriented at a perpendicular angle relative to the vehicle attachment member, the profile distributing a load along with vehicle attachment member and wherein the protruded portion includes a slot.

Assignees

• Horizon Global Americas Inc

Inventors

• Draper Owen W

Classifications

• B60D1/46 Primary

  vertically · CPC title

• B60D1/24

  characterised by arrangements for particular functions · CPC title

• B60D1/42 Primary

  for being adjustable · CPC title