US3964768A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hitch assemblies
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-02-14
•
Granted: 1976-06-22
•
Expires: 1995-02-14
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for hitching a trailer to a towing vehicle in which the hitch apparatus is mounted on the frame of the towing vehicle so as to provide optimum load distribution of the trailer on the towing vehicle frame and thereby on the wheels of the towing vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald F. Reynolds
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:10
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/14; B60D1/167
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A hitch assembly for mounting on the frame of a motor vehicle, comprising a tubular transverse support member, end plates mounted on opposite ends of said transverse support member, each plate extending upward above and forward of the transverse support member and having means at the upper and forward ends for mounting them on the sides of a motor vehicle frame with the transverse member positioned to the rear of and below said frame, tension arms secured at their after ends to the underside of said transverse support member between the opposite ends of the transverse center thereof, said tension arms being relatively long and having means at their forward ends for securing them to opposite sides of said vehicle frame forward of the mountings of said end plates, and a hitch platform including a female hitch receptacle mounted on said transverse support member at the transverse center thereof, said hitch platform having two generally triangular platform plates mounted on the upper and lower surfaces of said transverse support member with the apex of each triangle extending rearwardly, and said female hitch receptacle being secured between said platform plates and having an open end to the rear of said platform plates for receiving a drawbar.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
A hitch assembly for mounting on the frame of a motor vehicle, comprising a tubular transverse support member, end plates mounted on opposite ends of said transverse support member, each plate extending upward above and forward of the transverse support member and having means at the upper and forward ends for mounting them on the sides of a motor vehicle frame with the transverse member positioned to the rear of and below said frame, tension arms secured at their after ends to the underside of said transverse support member between the opposite ends of the transverse center thereof, said tension arms being relatively long and having means at their forward ends for securing them to opposite sides of said vehicle frame forward of the mountings of said end plates, and a hitch platform including a female hitch receptacle mounted on said transverse support member at the transverse center thereof, said hitch platform having two generally triangular platform plates mounted on the upper and lower surfaces of said transverse support member with the apex of each triangle extending rearwardly, and said female hitch receptacle being secured between said platform plates and having an open end to the rear of said platform plates for receiving a drawbar.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The hitch assembly that is defined in claim 1, wherein safety chain holes are located in one of said platform plates on opposite sides of said female hitch receptacle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The hitch assembly that is defined in claim 1, wherein each of said end plates has a tab deflected out of the plane of its plate to a position in engagement with said transverse support member, each said tab being integrally secured to said transverse support member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The hitch assembly that is defined in claim 1, wherein each of said end plates has a bore therein, and the opposite ends of said transverse support member extend into the bores and are welded to the end plates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
199 words
A hitch assembly for mounting on the frame of a motor vehicle comprising a tubular transverse support member, end plates mounted on opposite ends of said transverse support member, each end plate extending above and forward of the transverse support member and having means at the upper and forward ends for mounting them on a motor vehicle frame with the transverse member positioned to the rear of and below said frame, a hitch platform including a female hitch receptacle mounted on said transverse support member at the transverse center thereof, said hitch platform having two generally triangular platform plates mounted on the upper and lower surfaces of said transverse support member with the apex of each triangle extending rearwardly, said female hitch receptacle being integrally secured between said platform plates and having an open end to the rear of said platform plates for receiving a drawbar, and arms secured at their after ends to the underside of said transverse support member between the ends and said transverse center thereof, said arms being relatively long and having means at their forward ends for securing them to opposite sides of said vehicle frame forward of the mountings of said end plates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
199 words
A hitch assembly for mounting on the frame of a motor vehicle comprising a tubular transverse support member, end plates mounted on opposite ends of said transverse support member, each end plate extending above and forward of the transverse support member and having means at the upper and forward ends for mounting them on a motor vehicle frame with the transverse member positioned to the rear of and below said frame, a hitch platform including a female hitch receptacle mounted on said transverse support member at the transverse center thereof, said hitch platform having two generally triangular platform plates mounted on the upper and lower surfaces of said transverse support member with the apex of each triangle extending rearwardly, said female hitch receptacle being integrally secured between said platform plates and having an open end to the rear of said platform plates for receiving a drawbar, and arms secured at their after ends to the underside of said transverse support member between the ends and said transverse center thereof, said arms being relatively long and having means at their forward ends for securing them to opposite sides of said vehicle frame forward of the mountings of said end plates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The hitch assembly that is defined in claim 5, wherein each of said end plates has a tab deflected substantially at a right angle to the plane of the plate, each said tab being welded to the wall of said tubular member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The hitch assembly that is defined in claim 5, wherein said end plates have bores therein into which the ends of said tubular member are fitted, said end plates being welded to said tubular member at said bores.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The hitch assembly that is defined in claim 7, wherein said end plates have flanges projecting laterally from their upper edges for attachment to said motor vehicle frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The hitch assembly that is defined in claim 5, wherein said arms are bolted at their after ends to the underside of said transverse member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The hitch assembly that is defined in claim 5, wherein each of said arms includes a bracket welded to said transverse support member adjacent to said hitch platform, and a bar bolted to said bracket and extending forward therefrom to be secured by said means at its forward end to said vehicle frame.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-22 | 1979-12-22 | 1980-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-22 | 1983-12-22 | 1984-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-22 | 1987-12-22 | 1988-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |