← Back to Patent Explorer
US4546994A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Universal trailer hitch

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-10-26
•
Granted: 1985-10-15
•
Expires: 2003-10-26
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A universal trailer hitch assembly provides a variety of trailer hitch pin configurations to be secured to a load bed of a pickup truck and includes an under load bed support frame secured to a reinforcing plate within the load bed. The support frame is bolted to the truck frame and has a locking hitch mechanism secured thereto providing easy removal of the hitch pin configuration held by said hitch assembly.

Inventors

  • 👤 Jake E. Taylor

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 21:43
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D53/00; B62D53/04; B62D53/08; B62D53/0842; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/01; B60D1/07; B62D53/0807; B62D53/0828; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S280/00; Y10S280/901

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 138 words
A universal trailer hitch assembly to be positioned to a frame of a pickup truck comprising a main support frame including at least two spaced parallel tubular members, cross support members, means for securing said cross support members to said spaced parallel tubular members, a hitch support secured to said cross support members, movable sleeves on the ends of said spaced parallel tubular members, a bracket on each of said sleeves for securing the same to said frame of the pickup truck and to a truck bed, a reinforcing bed plate secured to said main support frame, means for securing said reinforcing bed plate to said truck bed and said main support frame and to said truck frame, a trailer hitch movably secured within said hitch support, means for selectively locking said trailer hitch within said hitch support.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 138 words
A universal trailer hitch assembly to be positioned to a frame of a pickup truck comprising a main support frame including at least two spaced parallel tubular members, cross support members, means for securing said cross support members to said spaced parallel tubular members, a hitch support secured to said cross support members, movable sleeves on the ends of said spaced parallel tubular members, a bracket on each of said sleeves for securing the same to said frame of the pickup truck and to a truck bed, a reinforcing bed plate secured to said main support frame, means for securing said reinforcing bed plate to said truck bed and said main support frame and to said truck frame, a trailer hitch movably secured within said hitch support, means for selectively locking said trailer hitch within said hitch support.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 31 words
The universal trailer hitch assembly of claim 1 wherein said means for securing said cross support members to said spaced parallel tubular members comprises sockets on said spaced parallel tubular members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
The universal trailer hitch assembly of claim 1 wherein said hitch comprises a base plate having a post extending therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 25 words
The universal trailer hitch support of claim 1 wherein said reinforcing bed plate is apertured and has a hitch support sleeve aligned with said aperture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 79 words
The universal trailer hitch assembly of claim 1 wherein said means for selectively locking said trailer hitch within said hitch support comprises a bifurcated main member having a guide rod and a hitch engagement pin, a control rod selectively engaged in said bifurcated main member, a latch lock bracket, a locking pin in communication with said latch lock bracket and said bifurcated main member, means for resiliently urging said hitch engagement pin into locking relation through said hitch support.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3527476A Cited
US3433503A Cited
US3659876A Cited
US3790188A Cited
US3826516A Cited
US3820821A Cited
US3893713A Cited
DE2846080A1 Cited
US4256324A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1988-10-14 1989-04-15 1989-10-15 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1992-10-14 1993-04-15 1993-10-15 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1996-10-14 1997-04-15 1997-10-15 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag