Underbed hitch mounting system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9834050-B2
Application number	US-201514739076-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 15, 2015
Priority date	Oct 30, 2008
Publication date	Dec 5, 2017
Grant date	Dec 5, 2017

Abstract

An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.

First claim

Having thus described the invention, we claim:

1. An underbed hitch mounting system comprising:
at least one tubular member having a cross-sectional shape a substantial portion of which is defined by an enclosed peripheral wall with a generally hollow section;
a central member attached to said at least one tubular member, said central member having a socket; and
a pair of receiving members attached with said at least one tubular member, said receiving members configured to engage an accessory member.

2. The underbed hitch mounting system of claim 1 , where said socket is configured to have secured thereto a hitch ball.

3. The underbed hitch mounting system of claim 1 , wherein said accessory member includes a leg of a fifth wheel hitch.

4. The underbed hitch mounting system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one tubular member includes a pair of tubular members with said central member positioned between said pair of tubular members.

5. The underbed hitch mounting system of claim 4 , wherein said pair of receiving members are attached with one of said pair of tubular members.

6. The underbed hitch mounting system of claim 5 further comprising a second pair of receiving members attached with a second one of said at least one tubular members, said receiving members configured to engage the accessory member.

7. The underbed hitch mounting system of claim 1 , wherein said accessory member includes a safety chain tie down member.

8. The underbed hitch mounting system of claim 1 , wherein said pair of receiving members are spaced apart from one another.

Assignees

• Cequent Performance Prod Inc
• Horizon Global Americas Inc

Inventors

• Stanifer Eric J
• Mccoy Richard W

Classifications

• B60D1/06

  Ball-and-socket hitches · CPC title

• B60D1/02 Primary

  Bolt or shackle-type couplings · CPC title

• B62D53/0828

  Removable or fold-away traction couplings for non-specialised tractor vehicles · CPC title

• B60D1/488 Primary

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

• B60D1/52

  removably mounted · CPC title