Under bed hitch mounting system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12070975-B2
Application number	US-202117384918-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 26, 2021
Priority date	Dec 8, 2010
Publication date	Aug 27, 2024
Grant date	Aug 27, 2024

Abstract

A hitch mounting system capable of attaching to a vehicle, where, the vehicle includes a frame and a load bed is disclosed. The hitch mounting system may include at least one rail, the rail being a generally continuous member, where the rail includes at least one end portion, and where the end portion is deformed in a shape capable of attaching to the frame of the vehicle. The hitch mounting system may also include at least one mounting aperture located in the rail, the mounting aperture capable of having secured thereto an accessory.

First claim

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A hitch mounting system comprising:
at least one rail configured to fit between a frame and a load bed of a vehicle and configured to attach with the frame, wherein the at least one rail is a tubular member having a cross-sectional shape defined by an enclosed peripheral wall with a generally hollow section;
at least one mounting aperture located in the rail;
a channel member positioned in the mounting aperture and attached to the rail;
an accessory attachment member attached to the channel member, wherein the accessory attachment member is capable of having an accessory mounting member secured thereto, wherein the channel member includes at least one recess and the accessory attachment member includes at least one flange whereby the flange is insertable into the recess; and
a locking mechanism generally preventing the accessory attachment member from being removed from the channel member, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:
a locking pin;
a first locking aperture positioned in the accessory attachment member; and
a second locking aperture positioned in the channel member, wherein the locking pin is capable of being inserted through the locking aperture and engaging the second locking aperture generally preventing the accessory attachment member from being removed from the channel member.

2. The hitch mounting system of claim 1 further comprising a mid-rail attached to the rail, wherein the mid-rail includes a hitch ball socket, the hitch ball socket capable of having a gooseneck hitch ball secured thereto.

3. The hitch mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the channel member includes at least one leg, wherein the leg is attached to the rail within the mounting aperture and wherein the leg positions the accessory attachment member generally flush with the load bed of the vehicle when the rail is attached to the frame of the vehicle.

4. The hitch mounting system of claim 1 , wherein inserting and rotating the accessory attachment member within the channel member selectively attaches the accessory attachment member to the channel member.

5. The hitch mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the flange is capable of entering the recess and rotation of the accessory attachment member engages the flange with the channel member and selectively attaches the accessory attachment member to the channel member.

6. The hitch mounting system of claim 5 , wherein the accessory attachment member being rotated approximately 90 degrees selectively attaches the accessory attachment member to the channel member.

7. The hitch mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the accessory comprises a fifth wheel hitch.

8. A hitch mounting system comprising:
at least one rail member capable of attaching to a frame of a vehicle generally below a load bed of the vehicle, wherein the at least one rail is a tubular member having a cross-sectional shape defined by an enclosed peripheral wall with a generally hollow section;
a channel member attached to the rail member;
an accessory attachment member selectively attached to the channel member, wherein the accessory attachment member is capable of having an accessory mounting member secured thereto, wherein the channel member includes at least one recess and the accessory attachment member includes at least one flange wherein the flange is capable of entering the recess and rotating the accessory attachment member engages the flange with the channel member and selectively attaches the accessory attachment member to the channel member; and
a locking mechanism generally preventing the accessory attachment member from being removed from the channel member, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:
a locking pin;
a first locking aperture positioned in the accessory attachment member; and
a second locking aperture positioned in the channel member, wherein the locking pin is capable of being inserted through the locking aperture and engaging the second locking aperture generally preventing the accessory attachment member from being removed from the channel member.

9. The hitch mounting system of claim 8 , wherein the channel member comprises a channel.

10. A hitch mounting system comprising:
at least at least one rail capable of attaching to a frame of a vehicle generally below a load bed of the vehicle, wherein the at least one rail is a tubular member having a cross-sectional shape defined by an enclosed peripheral wall with a generally hollow section; at least one mounting aperture located in the rail; and
a receiving member positioned in the mounting aperture and attached to the rail, the receiving member comprising:
a channel member positioned in the mounting aperture and attached to the rail, wherein the channel member has a top surface and includes at least one recess;
an accessory attachment member attached to the channel member by inserting the accessory attachment member into the channel member and rotating the accessory attachment member, wherein the accessory attachment member is capable of having an accessory mounting member inserted into and secured thereto, and whereby the accessory attachment member includes at least one flange sized to fit within the at least one recess; and
a locking mechanism generally preventing the accessory attachment member from being removed from the channel member, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:
a locking pin;
a first locking aperture positioned in the accessory attachment member; and
a second locking aperture positioned in the channel member, wherein the locking pin is capable of being inserted through the locking aperture and engaging the second locking aperture generally preventing the accessory attachment member from being removed from the channel member.

11. The hitch mounting system of claim 10 , wherein rotating the accessory attachment member approximately 90 degrees attaches the accessory attachment member to the channel member by engaging the at least one flange with the channel member.

12. A hitch mounting system capable of attaching to a vehicle, the vehicle having a frame and a load bed, the hitch mounting system comprising:
at least one rail capable of attaching to the frame of the vehicle generally below the load bed of the vehicle, wherein the at least one rail is a tubular member having a cross-sectional shape defined by an enclosed peripheral wall with a generally hollow section;
at least one mounting aperture positioned in a top surface of the rail;
a channel member positioned in the mounting aperture and attached to the rail, wherein the channel member has a top surface positioned generally below the load bed of the vehicle and at least one recess;
an accessory attachment member selectively attached to the channel member, wherein the accessory attachment member is capable of having an accessory secured thereto and wherein the accessory attachment member includes at least one flange insertable into the recess whereby rotation of the accessory attachment member causes the flanges to engage the channel member selectively attaching the accessory attachment member with the channel member; and
a locking mechanism generally preventing the accessory attachment member from being removed from the channel member, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:
a locking pin;
a first locking aperture positioned in the accessory attachment member; and
a second locking aperture positioned in the channel member, wherein the locking pin is capable of being inserted through the locking aperture and engaging the second locking aperture generally preventing the accessory attachment member from being removed from the cha

Assignees

• Horizon Global Americas Inc

Inventors

• Mccoy Richard W

Classifications

• B62D53/08

  Fifth wheel traction couplings {(tractors for handling trailers in terminals B62D49/007)} · CPC title

• B60D1/52

  removably mounted · CPC title

• B60D1/075

  Hitch adaptors · CPC title

• B60D1/06

  Ball-and-socket hitches · CPC title

• B60D1/488 Primary

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