US5037122A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protective cover for a trailer hitch
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-07-13
•
Granted: 1991-08-06
•
Expires: 2010-07-13
Abstract
Abstract A cover for a trailer hitch, to prevent inadvertent injury to personnel when the hitch is not being used. An upstanding dome is provided for use with hitches of the type having a ball. The dome incircles the ball, and in addition provides a clearance space above the top of the ball, such that the cover can yield when jarred by the knee or leg of a person, thereby preventing injury. The cover has a base which is preferably oversize with respect to the dimensions of the hitch bar, and is provided with internal ribs or other cushinong structures that are yieldable. The ribs engage the surface of the bar such that when the cover is inadvertently bumped, the ribs yield, again preventing injury to the leg of a person. The cover also serves to protect parts of the hitch from corrosion.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank S. Beckerer, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/58; B60D1/60; B60D1/605; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32606; Y10T403/32631; Y10T403/32681; Y10T403/32696
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A safety cover for a trailer hitch comprising a hitch ball and a hitch bar, said hitch bar having an upper surface and having side surfaces, the safety cover comprising in combination: a) a molded, resilient base portion comprising substantially channel-like enclosure means having a top wall portion and side wall portions, to overlie the upper surface of the hitch bar and the side surfaces thereof, said base portion further having an opening to enable the hitch bar to be received in the channel-like enclosure means, and b) an upstanding hollow dome having a top wall and a side wall connected therewith, said dome and base portion being molded integrally with one another and constituting a cover for both the hitch ball and the hitch bar, to prevent injury to personnel resulting from inadvertent contact with the trailer hitch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A safety cover for a trailer hitch comprising a hitch ball and a hitch bar, said hitch bar having an upper surface and having side surfaces, the safety cover comprising in combination: a) a molded, resilient base portion comprising substantially channel-like enclosure means having a top wall portion and side wall portions, to overlie the upper surface of the hitch bar and the side surfaces thereof, said base portion further having an opening to enable the hitch bar to be received in the channel-like enclosure means, and b) an upstanding hollow dome having a top wall and a side wall connected therewith, said dome and base portion being molded integrally with one another and constituting a cover for both the hitch ball and the hitch bar, to prevent injury to personnel resulting from inadvertent contact with the trailer hitch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a) said base portion and dome comprise material selected from the group consisting of foam rubber and foam plastic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a) said dome is constituted of resilient material to enable it to yield a limited extent when subjected to impact.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-08-05 | 1995-02-04 | 1995-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-05 | 1999-02-04 | 1999-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-05 | 2003-02-04 | 2003-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |