US4181320A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailer hitch protector
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-05-06
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Granted: 1980-01-01
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Expires: 1997-05-06
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a protector for a trailer hitch assembly having a trailer hitch ball supported on a trailer hitch neck. The protector includes an integral covering member having an outer covering member surface and an inner covering member surface. The inner covering member surface defines an internal region capable of receiving the trailer hitch ball. An aperture in the covering member is defined by a plurality of resilient covering member fingers to receive the trailer hitch ball within the internal region of the integral covering member. The covering member fingers resiliently engage the trailer hitch neck to position the covering member relative to the trailer hitch assembly. The outer covering member surface may be established in the shape of a commercial product, such as an oil container, an outboard motor power head or the like. Written or color indicia may be included on the outer covering member surface distinctive of a trademark of the commercial product.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter H. Wellborn, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 03:21
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/58; B60D1/60; B60D1/605; F; F02; F02B; F02B61/00; F02B61/04; F02B61/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
A protector for a trailer hitch assembly having a trailer hitch ball supported on a trailer hitch neck, comprising in combination: an integral rigid member having an outer covering member surface and an inner covering member surface; said inner covering member surface defining an internal region in said covering member capable of receiving the trailer hitch ball; said integral covering member being a relatively thin structure with the contour of said inner covering member surface being substantially similar to the contour of said outer covering member surface; aperture means in said covering member defined by a plurality of resilient covering member fingers for enabling the trailer hitch ball to be received within said internal region of said integral covering member with said covering members fingers resiliently engaging the trailer hitch neck; said resilient covering member finger being defined by a plurality of slots in said integral covering member; and said aperture means being substantially smaller than the trailer hitch neck enabling said covering member fingers to be folded inwardly with the outside surface of each of said covering member finger resiliently engaging the trailer hitch neck and with the terminal ends of each of said resilient covering member fingers to resiliently engage the base of the trailer hitch ball.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
A protector for a trailer hitch assembly having a trailer hitch ball supported on a trailer hitch neck, comprising in combination: an integral rigid member having an outer covering member surface and an inner covering member surface; said inner covering member surface defining an internal region in said covering member capable of receiving the trailer hitch ball; said integral covering member being a relatively thin structure with the contour of said inner covering member surface being substantially similar to the contour of said outer covering member surface; aperture means in said covering member defined by a plurality of resilient covering member fingers for enabling the trailer hitch ball to be received within said internal region of said integral covering member with said covering members fingers resiliently engaging the trailer hitch neck; said resilient covering member finger being defined by a plurality of slots in said integral covering member; and said aperture means being substantially smaller than the trailer hitch neck enabling said covering member fingers to be folded inwardly with the outside surface of each of said covering member finger resiliently engaging the trailer hitch neck and with the terminal ends of each of said resilient covering member fingers to resiliently engage the base of the trailer hitch ball.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
197 words
A protector for a trailer hitch assembly having a trailer hitch ball supported by a trailer hitch neck, comprising in combination: an internal rigid covering member having an outer covering member surface and an inner covering member surface; said inner covering member surface defining an internal region in said covering member capable of receiving the trailer hitch ball; said integral covering member being a relatively thin structure with the contour of said inner covering member surface being substantially similar to the contour of said outer covering member surface; aperture means in said covering member for enabling the trailer hitch ball to be received within said internal region of said integral covering member and for engaging the trailer hitch neck; and each of said plurality of slots having a width substantially equal to the width of each of said resilient covering member fingers forming a passageway adjacent each of said covering member fingers; said aperture means being slightly smaller than the trailer hitch neck enabling the terminal ends of said resilient covering member finger to resiliently engage the trailer hitch neck; and means establishing the outer covering member surface to be in the shape of a commercial product.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
197 words
A protector for a trailer hitch assembly having a trailer hitch ball supported by a trailer hitch neck, comprising in combination: an internal rigid covering member having an outer covering member surface and an inner covering member surface; said inner covering member surface defining an internal region in said covering member capable of receiving the trailer hitch ball; said integral covering member being a relatively thin structure with the contour of said inner covering member surface being substantially similar to the contour of said outer covering member surface; aperture means in said covering member for enabling the trailer hitch ball to be received within said internal region of said integral covering member and for engaging the trailer hitch neck; and each of said plurality of slots having a width substantially equal to the width of each of said resilient covering member fingers forming a passageway adjacent each of said covering member fingers; said aperture means being slightly smaller than the trailer hitch neck enabling the terminal ends of said resilient covering member finger to resiliently engage the trailer hitch neck; and means establishing the outer covering member surface to be in the shape of a commercial product.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A protector as set forth in claim 2, wherein said shape of the commercial product includes the shape of the container of the commercial product.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A protector as set forth in claim 2, wherein said shape of the commercial product includes the shape of a motor oil container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A protector as set forth in claim 2, wherein said shape of the commercial product includes the shape of an outboard motor power head.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A protector as set forth in claim 2, wherein said shape of the commercial product includes the shape of a liquid bottle container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A protector as set forth in claim 2, wherein said shape of the commercial product includes the shape of an orange.
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) | 1982-12-31 | 1983-07-02 | 1984-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-12-31 | 1987-07-02 | 1988-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-12-31 | 1991-07-02 | 1992-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |