US5476279A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailer hitch
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-12-06
•
Granted: 1995-12-19
•
Expires: 2013-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A trailer hitch, including a structural frame member which receives a tow bar/hitch ball assembly, and includes a way to attach the structural member to a towing vehicle. The trailer hitch further provides a way to securely mount one or more tow bar assemblies, on, and in, the structural frame member.
Inventors
- 👤 Darrel Klemetsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:54
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/01; B60D1/07; B60D1/48; B60D1/52; B60D1/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A trailer hitch for attachment to a towing vehicle and to which a tow bar assembly can secured in a position to tow, the tow bar assembly including a tubular support and a hitch ball, wherein the trailer hitch comprises: a. a structural frame with a first end which is tubular and open and a second end, and which has a tow bar assembly recipient between the first end and the second end; wherein the first end of the structural frame is sized and shaped to receive and store a tow bar assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A trailer hitch for attachment to a towing vehicle and to which a tow bar assembly can secured in a position to tow, the tow bar assembly including a tubular support and a hitch ball, wherein the trailer hitch comprises: a. a structural frame with a first end which is tubular and open and a second end, and which has a tow bar assembly recipient between the first end and the second end; wherein the first end of the structural frame is sized and shaped to receive and store a tow bar assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A trailer hitch as recited in claim 1, and which further comprises a means to secure the tow bar assembly to the structural frame means when the tubular support means of the tow bar assembly is within the open tubular end of the structural frame means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A trailer hitch as recited in claim 1, and in which the structural frame means has a first tubular end and a second tubular end, wherein the second tubular end is a different size than the first tubular end and may receive a differently sized tubular support means of a tow bar assembly than the first tubular end may receive.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
A trailer hitch as recited in claim 1, and which is further comprised of: a. a plurality of screws attached to the structural frame means; and b. in which the tubular support means of the tow bar assembly includes a plurality of holes corresponding to the plurality of screws attached to the structural frame means, such that the tubular support means of the tow bar assembly can be mounted on the structural frame means by inserting the plurality of screws through the plurality of holes in the tubular support means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A trailer hitch as recited in claim 4, and which is further comprised of a means to secure the tow bar assembly to the structural frame means when the tubular support means of the tow bar assembly is mounted on the structural frame means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A trailer hitch as recited in claim 1, and which is further comprised of a plurality of hangar brackets attached to the structural frame means and which is sized and configured such that the tow bar assembly can be placed and stored therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A trailer hitch as recited in claim 6, and which is further comprised of a means to attach the tow bar assembly to the structural frame when the tubular support of the tow bar assembly is placed and stored in the hangar brackets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A trailer hitch as recited in claim 1, and which is further comprised of a means to secure the tow bar assembly to the structural frame means when the tubular support means of the tow bar assembly is placed into and stored within the hangar brackets.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
100 words
A trailer hitch as recited in claim 1, and which is further comprised of: a. a screw attached to the structural frame means and in which the tubular support means of the tow bar assembly includes a hole; and b. a hangar bracket; and which is configured such that the tubular support means of the tow bar assembly can be mounted onto the structural frame means by inserting the screw through the hole in the tubular support means and the tow bar assembly can be further secured by the structural frame means by also placing it into the hangar bracket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
A trailer hitch as recited in claim 1, and which is further comprised of a tow bar assembly which includes a tubular support means which inserts in and is attachable to the tubular support recipient of the structural frame means, a tow bar means connected to the tubular support means and a hitch ball attached to the tow bar means.
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) | 1998-12-18 | 1999-06-19 | 1999-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-18 | 2003-06-19 | 2003-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-18 | 2007-06-19 | 2007-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |