Patent US5344172A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5344172A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailer hitch assembly system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1993-02-05
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Granted: 1994-09-06
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Expires: 2013-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A trailer hitch system utilizing a support member which includes a well that is accessible at the exterior of a vehicle. The support member is connected to the frame of the vehicle. A hitch element including a base portion, is capable of lying within the well of the support member such that a fitting for hitching a trailer is available for use external to the well. A lock removably holds the hitch element to base portion within the well. Thus a variety of hitch elements are interchangeable with the present assembly system.
Inventors
- 👤 Fritz Jaun
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:34
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/48; B60D1/52; B62; B62D; B62D53/00; B62D53/04; B62D53/08; B62D53/0807; B62D53/0828
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A trailer hitch system for a vehicle comprising: a. a support member, said support member including a well accessible at the exterior surface of the vehicle; b. mounting means for connecting said support member to the vehicle such that said well only extends below the exterior surface of the vehicle, said mounting means including a clamp connected to said support member for releasably fixing said support member to the frame of the vehicle, said clamp comprising a first plate substantially vertically disposed and mated to said support member, a first holding means for holding said first plate to the frame of the vehicle, a second plate substantially horizontally disposed, and a second holding means for sandwiching the frame of the vehicle between said second plate and said support member; c. a hitch element said hitch element including a base portion capable of lying within said well of said support member, said hitch element further including a fitting for hitching a trailer; and d. locking means for removably holding said hitch element base portion within said well of said support member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A trailer hitch system for a vehicle comprising: a. a support member, said support member including a well accessible at the exterior surface of the vehicle; b. mounting means for connecting said support member to the vehicle such that said well only extends below the exterior surface of the vehicle, said mounting means including a clamp connected to said support member for releasably fixing said support member to the frame of the vehicle, said clamp comprising a first plate substantially vertically disposed and mated to said support member, a first holding means for holding said first plate to the frame of the vehicle, a second plate substantially horizontally disposed, and a second holding means for sandwiching the frame of the vehicle between said second plate and said support member; c. a hitch element said hitch element including a base portion capable of lying within said well of said support member, said hitch element further including a fitting for hitching a trailer; and d. locking means for removably holding said hitch element base portion within said well of said support member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 1 in which said hitch element is slidable relative to said well of said support member and additionally comprises stop means for arresting sliding of said hitch element base portion relative to said well of said support member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 2 in which said mounting means connects said support member to the frame of the vehicle, said well of said support member is formed by a wall appended to said support member, and said locking means includes an elongated member capable of penetrating said wall and engaging said base of said hitch element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 in which said mounting means includes a plate connected to the frame of the vehicle, said support member having a slot capable of engaging a portion of said plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 3 in which said elongated member further includes a lever handle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 in which said hitch element fitting includes a goose neck receiver.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 in which said hitch element fitting includes a fifth wheel receiver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 3 in which said stop means includes a multiplicity of apertures in said wall forming said well of said support member, and said elongated member being capable of passing through each of said multiplicity of apertures.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 8 in which said elongated member further includes a securing clip for confining said elongated member to any of said multiplicity of apertures in said wall forming said well of said support member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
144 words
A trailer hitch assembly system for use with a hitch element comprising: a. a support member, said support member including a well accessible at the exterior of the vehicle, the hitch element fitting within said well; b. mounting means for connecting said support member to the vehicle; said mounting means further including a clamp for releasably fixing said support member to the frame of the vehicle, said clamp comprising a first plate substantially vertically disposed and mated to said support member, a first holding means for holding said first plate to the frame of the vehicle, a second plate substantially horizontally disposed, and a second holding means for sandwiching the frame of the vehicle between said second plate and said support member, and c. locking means for removably holding at least a portion of the hitch element within said well of said support member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
144 words
A trailer hitch assembly system for use with a hitch element comprising: a. a support member, said support member including a well accessible at the exterior of the vehicle, the hitch element fitting within said well; b. mounting means for connecting said support member to the vehicle; said mounting means further including a clamp for releasably fixing said support member to the frame of the vehicle, said clamp comprising a first plate substantially vertically disposed and mated to said support member, a first holding means for holding said first plate to the frame of the vehicle, a second plate substantially horizontally disposed, and a second holding means for sandwiching the frame of the vehicle between said second plate and said support member, and c. locking means for removably holding at least a portion of the hitch element within said well of said support member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 10 in which the hitch element is slidable relative to said well of said support member and additionally comprises stop means for arresting sliding of the hitch element relative to said well of said support member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 11 in which the mounting means connects said support member to the frame of the vehicle, said well of said support member is formed by a well appended to said support member, and said locking means includes an elongated member capable of penetrating said wall and engaging said base of said hitch element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 12 in which said mounting means includes a plate connected to the frame of the vehicle, said support member having a slot capable of engaging a portion of said plate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 13 in which said elongated member further includes a lever handle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 14 in which said stop means includes a multiplicity of apertures in said wall forming said well of said support member, said elongated member being capable of passing through each of said multiplicity of apertures.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 15 in which said elongated member further includes a securing clip for confining said elongated member to any of said-multiplicity of apertures in said wall forming said well of said support member.
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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) | 1997-09-05 | 1998-03-07 | 1998-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-09-05 | 2002-03-07 | 2002-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-09-05 | 2006-03-07 | 2006-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |