Trailer hitch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9731569-B2
Application number	US-201514952388-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 25, 2015
Priority date	Jan 23, 2015
Publication date	Aug 15, 2017
Grant date	Aug 15, 2017

Abstract

A trailer hitch includes a cross-vehicle beam and a receiver welded to the cross-vehicle beam. The cross-vehicle beam extends from a first end to a second end. The cross-vehicle beam includes a middle section, a first round section, and a second round section. The middle section includes a flat. The first round section is integral with the middle section and extends from the middle section to the first end. The second round section is integral with the middle section and extends from the middle section to the second end. The receiver is welded directly to the flat.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A trailer hitch comprising:
a cross-vehicle beam extending from a first end to a second end;
the cross-vehicle beam including a middle section, a first round section integral with the middle section and extending from the middle section to the first end, and a second round section integral with the middle section and extending from the middle section to the second end;
wherein, in cross-section, the middle section includes a flat extending from a forward end to a rearward end, and a circular arc extending from the forward end to the rearward end of the flat; and
a receiver welded directly to the flat.

2. The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 1 wherein the receiver includes a flat top surface abutting the flat.

3. The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 2 wherein the flat top surface is welded to the flat.

4. The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 1 wherein the receiver includes a flat top surface.

5. The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 4 wherein the flat top surface is welded to the flat.

6. The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a front brace abutting and welded to the circular arc of the middle section, the front brace including a hole receiving the receiver, the receiver being welded to the front brace about the hole.

7. The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the receiver includes a flat top surface, and further comprising a rear brace spaced from the front brace, the rear brace including a tab welded to the flat top surface and a wide portion extending from the tab, the wide portion abutting and welded to the circular arc of the middle portion.

8. The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 7 wherein the receiver includes a side surface extending from the flat top surface, and further comprising a reinforcement abutting and welded to the middle section and to the side surface.

9. The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 1 wherein the receiver includes a side surface extending from the flat top surface, and further comprising a reinforcement welded to the middle section and to the side surface.

10. The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cross-vehicle beam includes a bend between the first round section and the middle section, and wherein the cross-vehicle beam includes a bend between the second round section and the middle section.

11. The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a bracket at the first end and at the second end, the brackets being configured to engage a frame of a vehicle.

12. A towing assembly comprising:
a vehicle frame;
a trailer hitch including a cross-vehicle beam extending from a first end to a second end and fixed to the vehicle frame;
the cross-vehicle beam including a middle section, a first round section extending from the middle section to the first end, and a second round section extending from the middle section to the second end;
wherein the cross-vehicle beam includes bends extending upwardly and inwardly relative to the vehicle frame from the middle section to the first round section and from the middle section to the second round section;
wherein, in cross-section, the middle section includes a flat extending from a forward end to a rearward end, and a circular arc extending from the forward end to the rearward end of the flat; and
a receiver welded directly to the flat.

13. The towing assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein the first round section and the second round section are integral with the middle section.

14. The towing assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein the vehicle frame includes two open ends spaced from each other, and the trailer hitch includes brackets engaged with the vehicle frame in the open ends.

15. The towing assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein the brackets are disposed at the first and second ends of the cross-vehicle beam.

16. The towing assembly as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the first round section and the second round section extend along an axis, and further comprising brackets extending transverse to the axis and engaging the vehicle frame.

17. The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 12 wherein the receiver includes a flat top surface, and further comprising a rear brace including a tab abutting and welded to the flat top surface and a wide portion extending from the tab, the wide portion abutting and welded to the circular arc of the middle section.

18. The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 17 further comprising a front brace spaced from the rear brace, the front brace abutting and welded to the circular arc of the middle section, the front brace including a hole receiving the receiver, the receiver being welded to the front brace about the hole.

19. The trailer hitch as set forth in claim 18 wherein the receiver includes a side surface extending from the flat top surface, and further comprising a reinforcement welded to the middle section and to the side surface.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Mcguckin John Michael
• Rengarajan Sampath

Classifications

• B60D1/485 Primary

  mounted by means of transversal members attached to the frame of a vehicle · CPC title

• B60D1/065 Primary

  characterised by the hitch mechanism · CPC title

• B60D1/488

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