US5158316A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailer hitch extension apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-10-23
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Granted: 1992-10-27
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Expires: 2011-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A plate member is formed of a generally triangular configuration, with a rear edge arranged for mounting to an associated vehicular bumper, including a central opening and spaced, longitudinally aligned slots positioned on opposed sides of the central opening for permitting lateral adjustment of the plate relative to the bumper upon removal of a central fastener directed relative to the central bore. A plurality of openings mounted through the plate adjacent a forward apex of the plate are arranged for multiple positioning of a trailer hitch ball. A modification of the invention includes the selector plate arranged for selective mounting through a forward opening adjacent the apex, wherein the selector plate includes a plurality of trailer hitch ball members for securement to a respective trailer hitch ball permitting selective rotation of the selector plate relative to the forward opening permitting utilization of various sized trailer hitch balls.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles A. Hutchmacher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:20
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/01; B60D1/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
556 words
A trailer hitch extension apparatus arranged for use in combination with a vehicular bumper, the vehicular bumper positioned adjacent a vehicular trail light including a light cover, the apparatus comprising, an extension plate, the extension plate formed of a triangular configuration, including a right edge and a left edge merging together at a frontal apex, with the right edge and the left edge of an equal predetermined length, and a rear edge joined to the right edge and left edge spaced from the frontal apex, and a first bore directed through the extension plate adjacent the rear edge medially of the rear edge, and a right slot positioned to a first side of the first bore, and left slot positioned to a left side of the first bore, wherein the right slot, the left slot, and the first bore are longitudinally aligned along a first longitudinal axis, wherein the first longitudinal axis medially bisects the left slot, the right slot, and the first bore and is arranged parallel to and spaced from the rear edge, and a second longitudinal axis positioned medially between the right edge and the left edge orthogonally bisects the first longitudinal axis, and a forward first bore is directed through the extension plate adjacent the frontal apex, and a forward second bore is positioned adjacent the frontal first bore and adjacent the right edge, and a forward third bore is positioned adjacent the frontal first bore adjacent the left edge, and the forward first bore includes a first radial slot, a second radial slot, and a third radial slot, with each radial slot in communication with the forward first bore and radially aligned with the forward first bore projecting exteriorly of the forward first bore, and the first radial slot is aligned with the second longitudinal axis, and a selection plate, the selection plate including an alignment boss integrally and orthogonally mounted to a bottom surface of the selection plate, the alignment boss including a single boss flange radially projecting exteriorly of the alignment boss for selective reception within one of said first, second, and third radial slots, and a threaded extension coaxially aligned with the alignment boss extending below the alignment boss for projection through the forward first bore and including a fastener selectively securable to the threaded extension to capture the extension plate between the fastener and the selection plate, and ball receiving means mounted in the selection plate for mounting a plurality of mounting balls thereto, and the ball receiving means includes a first flange coplanar with the selection plate extending radially and exteriorly of the selection plate aligned with the flange, and a second flange and a third flange coplanar with the selection plate radially spaced an equal distance relative to one another, and the first flange including a first trailer ball receiving bore directed therethrough, the second flange including a second trailer ball receiving bore directed therethrough, and the third flange including a third trailer ball receiving bore directed therethrough, and the first trailer ball receiving bore, the second trailer ball receiving bore, and the third trailer ball receiving bore arranged for mounting of a first, second, and third respective mounting ball thereto permitting selective use of the first, second, and third mounting balls for securement of a trailer tongue selectively to one of said mounting balls.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
556 words
A trailer hitch extension apparatus arranged for use in combination with a vehicular bumper, the vehicular bumper positioned adjacent a vehicular trail light including a light cover, the apparatus comprising, an extension plate, the extension plate formed of a triangular configuration, including a right edge and a left edge merging together at a frontal apex, with the right edge and the left edge of an equal predetermined length, and a rear edge joined to the right edge and left edge spaced from the frontal apex, and a first bore directed through the extension plate adjacent the rear edge medially of the rear edge, and a right slot positioned to a first side of the first bore, and left slot positioned to a left side of the first bore, wherein the right slot, the left slot, and the first bore are longitudinally aligned along a first longitudinal axis, wherein the first longitudinal axis medially bisects the left slot, the right slot, and the first bore and is arranged parallel to and spaced from the rear edge, and a second longitudinal axis positioned medially between the right edge and the left edge orthogonally bisects the first longitudinal axis, and a forward first bore is directed through the extension plate adjacent the frontal apex, and a forward second bore is positioned adjacent the frontal first bore and adjacent the right edge, and a forward third bore is positioned adjacent the frontal first bore adjacent the left edge, and the forward first bore includes a first radial slot, a second radial slot, and a third radial slot, with each radial slot in communication with the forward first bore and radially aligned with the forward first bore projecting exteriorly of the forward first bore, and the first radial slot is aligned with the second longitudinal axis, and a selection plate, the selection plate including an alignment boss integrally and orthogonally mounted to a bottom surface of the selection plate, the alignment boss including a single boss flange radially projecting exteriorly of the alignment boss for selective reception within one of said first, second, and third radial slots, and a threaded extension coaxially aligned with the alignment boss extending below the alignment boss for projection through the forward first bore and including a fastener selectively securable to the threaded extension to capture the extension plate between the fastener and the selection plate, and ball receiving means mounted in the selection plate for mounting a plurality of mounting balls thereto, and the ball receiving means includes a first flange coplanar with the selection plate extending radially and exteriorly of the selection plate aligned with the flange, and a second flange and a third flange coplanar with the selection plate radially spaced an equal distance relative to one another, and the first flange including a first trailer ball receiving bore directed therethrough, the second flange including a second trailer ball receiving bore directed therethrough, and the third flange including a third trailer ball receiving bore directed therethrough, and the first trailer ball receiving bore, the second trailer ball receiving bore, and the third trailer ball receiving bore arranged for mounting of a first, second, and third respective mounting ball thereto permitting selective use of the first, second, and third mounting balls for securement of a trailer tongue selectively to one of said mounting balls.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
143 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a support post integrally and orthogonally mounted to a top surface of the selection plate, with the support post including a reflector housing pivotally mounted relative to an upper terminal end of the support post, and a flexible sheath directed into the reflector housing and extending exteriorly thereof, wherein a fiber optic cable is directed coextensively through the flexible sheath and extends exteriorly thereof within the reflector housing, and a rear terminal end of the fiber optic cable is directed through a rear terminal end of the flexible sheath, and a suction cup secured to the sheath radially directing the sheath therethrough, and the suction cup arranged for mounting to the vehicular light cover for directing light through the fiber optic cable and into the reflector housing for selective illumination of said selection plate.
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) | 1995-10-27 | 1996-04-27 | 1996-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-27 | 2000-04-27 | 2000-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-27 | 2004-04-27 | 2004-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |