Abstract: An accessory assembly for a bumper region of a vehicle includes a support disposed in the bumper region, and an accessory mounted to the support. The accessory is accessible from the bumper region. The accessory assembly includes a cover attached to the accessory to conceal the accessory in a use position, and the cover is detachable from the accessory to provide access to the accessory in a removed position. A vehicle bumper accessory assembly includes a bumper defining an accessory region, and the support disposed in the accessory region of the bumper. The vehicle bumper accessory assembly includes the accessory that is accessible outside of the bumper. The vehicle bumper accessory assembly includes the cover attached to the accessory to conceal the accessory when the accessory is not in use, and the cover is detachable from the accessory to provide access to use the accessory.

Abstract: A security device for a trailer hitch which includes a ball receptor, the device comprising a base plate, a deflector secured to the base plate, the deflector having an aperture formed therein, the deflector having an inwardly directed upper portion, a cover hingedly connected to the base plate, the cover being movable between an open position permitting access to the ball receptor and a closed position denying access thereto, a locking device mounted to the cover, the locking device including a housing, a plunger mounted within the housing, the plunger being movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the plunger being spring biased to the extended position, and the locking device being secured such that the plunger enters the aperture when the cover is in a closed position.

Abstract: A trailer hitch cover assembly is provided. That trailer hitch cover assembly includes a roller and a flexible cover that is received on the roller. The flexible cover is displaceable between a retracted position wherein the flexible cover is wound onto the roller so as to provide access to a hitch receiver and a deployed position wherein the flexible cover extends from the roller so as to conceal the hitch receiver.

Abstract: An extension for a vehicle having a frame rail and a cross member with a top flange and a bottom flange, with the cross member connected to the frame rail. The extension includes a top bracket having a vertical portion and a top horizontal member, where the top bracket vertical portion has a leading end portion and a trailing end portion. The trailing end portion is adapted to be attached to the frame rail and the top horizontal member is adapted to engage the cross member top flange. An outer plate is attached to the leading end portion of the vertical portion of the top bracket and has a middle horizontal member. A spacer block is positioned between and attached to the top and middle horizontal members. A bottom bracket has a vertical portion and a bottom horizontal member. The bottom bracket vertical portion is attached to the outer plate and the bottom horizontal member is adapted to be attached to the bottom flange of the cross member.

Abstract: In order to connect a trailer coupling, in particular for motor vehicles, comprising a ball neck, a cross member, which is provided with a holding unit for the ball neck, and also two spaced attachment parts, which engage on the cross member and connect the cross member to mounting elements, which are themselves mountable on a rear part of a motor vehicle body, in such a manner that undesirable moments and/or forces are transferred to the motor vehicle body on the lowest possible scale, it is proposed that a connection between the cross member and the mounting elements is achieved only by means of the attachment parts, that the attachment parts have a cross member holding strip element connected to the cross member and that, through at least one curved strip element running to the cross member without connection, the cross member holding strip element runs to a mounting strip element, which is connected to the respective mounting element.

Abstract: A towing hook assembly for a vehicle disposed in a bumper unit may include a stay connected to both distal rear sides of a bumper beam, a towing hook pipe provided at one inner side of the stay through the bumper beam, and a supporting member supporting an exterior circumference of the towing hook pipe, and connected to an interior circumference of the stay.

Abstract: A trailer hitch is disclosed, which is configured to be provided at a rear part of a vehicle. The trailer hitch of the invention includes a pair of hitch side members. Each of the hitch side members including a mounting part and a cross member installation part. The mounting part is configured to be connected to a support portion of a rear side member of the vehicle, and the cross member installation part is configured to protrude from a rear end of the rear side member. The trailer hitch further includes a cross member and a hitch ball support member. The cross member extends in a widthwise direction of the vehicle, and having ends connected to the cross member installation part, and the hitch ball support member has a hitch ball. The upper end of the hitch ball support member is provided on the cross member so as to suspend therefrom.

Abstract: A system attaches a hunter's tree stand to an ATV in order to allow the ATV to easily tow the tree stand. A bracket is removably attached to the rear deck of the ATV, the bracket having a receiver/. A coupler is removably attached to the tree stand and is removably received within the receiver, the coupler being able to pivot both up and down and side to side. A pair of wheels are each attached to a respective one of the bottom of the legs of the tree stand.

Abstract: The system for capturing a vehicle is a device, which is mounted on the front of a first vehicle for deploying a grasping hook for grasping the rear bumper of a second vehicle. In operation, the system begins in a locked configuration, with a hook member being positioned rearward with respect to a lower shaft. When the first vehicle brings an actuating arm in contact with the rear bumper of the second vehicle, pressure on the actuating arm generates rotation in the upper shaft. This rotation of the upper shaft causes disengagement of the lower end of an engaging member from a recess formed in a disc mounted on the lower shaft, causing the resiliently biased lower shaft to rotate. Rotation of the lower shaft rotates an elongated hook support and the hook member into the deployed configuration, with the hook member grasping the rear bumper of the second vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved adaptor for easily and removably coupling a drawbar of a tractor or other vehicle to a standard receiver hitch and a method of using the improved adaptor. The adaptor of the invention includes an adaptor body configured to receive a section of the drawbar, a leg coupled to the adaptor body, the leg extending essentially perpendicular to the adaptor body and having an opening for receiving an end of the receiver hitch. The drawbar is couplable to the adaptor body and the leg is couplable to the end of the receiver hitch.

Abstract: A mount for holding a tow-bar having pivotally attached arms, attachable to a vehicle such as a HMMWV 1114 (the up-armored HMMWV), for holding the tow-bar outside the vehicle. A kit is also provided including materials and hardware for making the mount and including hardware for attaching the mount to the front bumper of a vehicle, and in particular for attaching the mount to the front bumper of a HMMWV 1114.

Abstract: The system for capturing a vehicle is a device, which is mounted on the front of a first vehicle for deploying a grasping hook for grasping the rear bumper of a second vehicle. In operation, the system begins in a locked configuration, with a hook member being positioned rearward with respect to a lower shaft. When the first vehicle brings an actuating arm in contact with the rear bumper of the second vehicle, pressure on the actuating arm generates rotation in the upper shaft. This rotation of the upper shaft causes disengagement of the lower end of an engaging member from a recess formed in a disc mounted on the lower shaft, causing the resiliently biased lower shaft to rotate. Rotation of the lower shaft rotates an elongated hook support and the hook member into the deployed configuration, with the hook member grasping the rear bumper of the second vehicle.

Abstract: A tow hook hitch assembly attaches to one or both of the front tow hooks provided on a four wheel drive vehicle for mounting a tow ball, winch, or other accessory to the front end of the vehicle. The tow hook hitch includes an upper member extending above the tow hook, a lower member extending below the tow hook, a shaped insert secured to the upper member or lower member for extending within the tow hook, and a clamp bolt for securing the aforementioned components together.

Abstract: A wheel lift hitch device for towing a vehicle, particularly a hitch that is assembled from several components to surround and carry an axle of a vehicle to be towed, in which the device becomes a rigid appendage to that vehicle. The appendage serves as a tongue to hitch vehicle to a tow truck with both horizontal and vertical axes at the hitch of the tow truck.

Abstract: A bumper system includes a tubular bumper beam, and a hitch-supporting bracket. The bracket has an inverted U-shaped section that fits downwardly onto the tubular bumper beam, and further has a laterally-extending planar section with a hole therein that is shaped to support a ball hitch for hauling a trailer. The beam has offset end sections that extend parallel a center section of the beam, but that are offset horizontally. An energy absorber is supported by the beam, and is sufficiently structural to form steps outboard of ends of the beam, and a fascia substantially covers the beam and energy absorber for aesthetics.

Abstract: An apparatus for towing a vehicle having a bumper and a frame where the frame of the vehicle includes first and second towing features. The apparatus includes a frame having spaced apart first and second side members, and first and second securing members attached to the first and second side members. The first and second securing mechanism include hooks attached to straps. The hooks engage the towing features and the lengths of the straps are adjusted to secure the vehicle to the towing apparatus.

Abstract: A generally plate-like mounting member is provided for rigid securement to a tow hitch area of a towing vehicle and the mounting member is of non-circular configuration in plan shape and includes upwardly convergent inclined peripheral edges. A generally horizontal plate-like fixture is provided and includes a downwardly opening cavity of a shape complimentary to the shape of the mounting member with the side walls of the cavity also being upwardly convergent so as to match the inclination of the peripheral edges of the mounting member. The upper side of the fixture includes a plurality of tow hitch balls projecting upwardly therefrom in horizontally spaced relation and the plan shape of the mounting member and cavity is such that the fixture may be downwardly secured over the mounting member in a plurality of predetermined rotated positions about a vertical axis relative to the mounting member equal to the number of hitch ball members mounted from the fixture.

Abstract: Nearly everyone who drives an automobile has experienced engine failure or other problems with the transmission, cooler lines, drive shaft, differential or electrical components or has run out of gas at one time or another. The disabled car is immobilized until the driver is fortunate enough to obtain outside help to tow or push the car to a place for repair. The present invention comprises an accessory which can be carried in the vehicle trunk and which, when connected to the rear of the vehicle, will push the vehicle to safety. It comprises a motorized wheeled unit controllable from the disabled vehicle which fastens to the rear bumper or to a trailer hitch (if the vehicle has one) or to a temporary, removable type trailer hitch of the disabled vehicle and pushes it while the driver steers in a normal manner.

Abstract: An improved tow bar assembly used to tow cars or trailers located on uneven terrain. The assembly uses two tow bars. One end of each tow bar is attached to a bumper housing. Each bumper housing is removably clamped to the bumper of a disabled vehicle by a chain which has one end secured to the undercarriage of the vehicle and the other end engaged to a chain hook member. The chain is pulled tight by tightening wing nuts threaded onto the upper end of a bolt which causes a spring located between the wing nuts and the top of the bumper housing to pull the chain tight. A socket member located where the other ends of the tow bars join together engages a ball member mounted on a supporting structure of a tow vehicle providing a universal-type joint. The socket member is secured to the ball member by a rotating latch member which uses a pin to prevent the latch member from rotating relative to the socket member, effectively locking the socket member to the ball member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined trailer/wheelchair which can either be towed behind a powered cart or be manually pushed as a wheelchair and which includes features such as a removable or telescoping tow bar, an articulated hitch mechanism adapted to connect the tow bar to a towing cart, arms to prevent inadvertent rearward tipping of the trailer when uncoupled from a towing cart, and easy disassembly.

Abstract: A tow bar assembly used to tow cars located on uneven terrain. The assembly uses two tow bars. One end of each tow bar is attached to a bumper housing. Each bumper housing is removably clamped to the bumper of a disabled vehicle by a chain which has one end secured to the undercarriage of the vehicle and the other end engaged to a chain hook member. The chain is pulled tight by tightening wing nuts threaded onto the upper end of a bolt which causes a spring located between the wing nuts and the top of the bumper housing to pull the chain tight. A socket member located where the other ends of the tow bars join together engages a ball member mounted on a supporting structure of a tow vehicle providing a universal-type joint. The socket member is secured to the ball member by a rotating latch member which uses a pin to prevent the latch member from rotating relative to the socket member, effectively locking the socket member to the ball member.

Abstract: A bumper hitch for quick and firm connection to the bumper of a variety of vehicles is particularly adapted for connection to the front bumper to allow manuevering or parking of a boat trailer, for example with direct observation by the driver. The hitch includes a vertical member formed of slightly spaced yet connected angles. One leg of the top of each angle is bent horizontally to form a hook to engage the top of the bumper with the other leg of the angle being cut away above the bend. A bottom anchor includes an upturned angle to engage the bottom of the bumper, such angle being secured to a threaded stud extending through the slot so that the bottom anchor may be drawn tight. The interior of the hitch includes a height adjustable wooden pad to protect the bumper finishing. The exterior includes a welded horizontal projection supporting a ball trailer hitch.

Abstract: A vehicle towbar assembly includes a pair of face plates fastened to the towbar frame and abutting the front bumper of a towed vehicle. A slide adjustment member secured to the face plate rests on the top of the bumper to hold the towbar frame up. Tow chains are used to secure the vehicle frame to the towbar frame. The slide adjustment member has a body portion and a T-shaped slot defined by a pair of fingers which extend from the body portion of the adjustment member. The face plate is disposed within the slot with the fingers encompassing the face plate. When the slide adjustment member is substantially perpendicular to the face plate, the adjustment member will readily slide up and down on the face plate. When the slide adjustment member is canted on the face plate, the face plate will bind in the slide and remain in a fixed position.

Abstract: A towing system for vehicles with rear bumpers, including an anchor plate mounted to the underside of the rear bumper, a bracket secured to the anchor plate with a channel therein and a pair of laterally disposed flanges projecting from the top edges of the channel, a tongue arranged to be slideably mated to the bracket and mounted in the channel portion thereof so as to dispose one end of the tongue rearwardly of the bumper, an end plate welded to the end of the tongue projecting rearwardly of the bumper, the end plate having a lip portion disposed above the end of the bracket in intimate abuttment with the rearward edge of the anchor plate, and a ball hitch mount welded to the end plate for mounting a ball hitch thereto for towing a vehicle.

Abstract: A wire roller includes a wire receiving spool rotatably supported on a frame adapted for support on a vehicle. The power means for rotating the spool includes an electric motor supported on the frame and coacting drive means on the motor and spool for rotating the spool in response to operation of the electric motor. The frame may be supported on a vehicle by a clamp assembly including a pair of coacting clamp jaws which are pivotally connected together by an adjustable connection for accommodating bumpers of various dimensions. A torque applicator is operatively associated with one clamp jaw for pivotally moving said clamp jaws into clamping engagement on a vehicle bumper.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted towing system for use with tubular rear bumpers affixed to the frame of a vehicle at a height substantially above the trailer towing tang of the towed vehicle, including an anchor plate mounted to the underside of the rear bumper, a gusset attached to the top of the anchor plate and to the forward portion of the rear bumper, a bracket secured to the underside of the anchor plate and having a channel therein, one of the open ends of the channel facing the rear of the vehicle, a tongue slideably mateable with the channel in the bracket and extending therebeyond, a pin passed through matching holes in the tongue and bracket to lock the tongue in place relative to the bracket, an end plate with a lip along the top thereof secured about the rear end of the tongue, a standoff secured to the end plate and depending therefrom, a ball hitch mounting tang secured to the other end of the standoff, and a load transfer strap secured at one end to the end of the end of the standoff joined to the ball hitc

Abstract: A hitch is disclosed which readily attaches itself via hitch assemblies to the bumper of an automobile and simultaneously secures the cross bar or draft bar of the hitch in a manner which requires no threading devices to obtain the securing action. In fact the securing action is by the simple movement of a lever into an over centered position on the hitch assembly and this in cooperation with two chains thereof, one attached to the upper margin and the other attached to the lower margin of the bumper or possibly the frame of the car securingly clasps not only the hitch assembly to the bumper but the draft bar to the hitch assembly. Preferably, two hitch assemblies are provided one located near each end of the cross or draft bar. Thus with "snaps" of each lever into over center position the bumper hitch is secured to the automobile awaiting for connection of the trailer tow bar thereof for coupling to an awaiting trailer.

Abstract: A bumper mounted carrier rack of the type having spaced downwardly extending rack legs on the bumper of a vehicle. The carrier rack is detachably mounted on the vehicle bumper by bumper mounting brackets which include tubular posts dimensioned to receive the legs of the carrier rack. The tubular posts have an outwardly flared leg on their upper end and are clamped to the bumper by a bumper clamp having an opening for receiving the post and arranged to underlie the lip to support the post at a level closely adjacent the top of the bumper. Bumper hangers secure the bumper clamp and posts to the bumper. In one embodiment, the bumper hangers are provided with multiple purpose hooks for use on flange type as well as flangeless bumpers. In another embodiment, bumper engaging hangers are provided for use on box type bumpers as well as covered bumpers.

Abstract: A trailer hitch for mounting on the front or rear bumper of a vehicle is disclosed. The hitch is useful for hauling trailers of various types and is particularly useful in launching boats from boat trailers while secured by the hitch to the front end of the vehicle. The trailer hitch comprises, a main hitch member having a bumper catch thereon, a pivot member pivotally connected to the main hitch member, a second bumper catch connected to the pivot member, adjustable legs connected to the main hitch member for supporting the hitch on the bumper, and a handle for drawing the second bumper catch against the edge of the bumper.

Abstract: A towing apparatus of enhanced stability is illustrated for attaching an automobile and other vehicle to be towed to a towing vehicle wherein diverging arms are pivoted adjacent one end of a central bar or frame member which extends rearwardly from a towing vehicle with a slide carried thereon for attachment at predetermined positions along the bar, and diverging links each having pivotal connection on one end on a respective arm and on the other end to the slide member. A chain attaching means is provided for use with the tow bar wherein respective chains carried by the arms are positioned in spread relation adjacent a free end of respective arms and extend inwardly across one another and are attachable to spaced vehicle frame members thus serving as a towing and positioning chain with an extending portion acting as a safety chain.

Abstract: A bumper hitch has a clamp applied to a vehicle bumper by a flexible strap and hooks. The flexible strap is initially wound on rotatable cross members to initially engage the hooks with the upper and lower, inner edges of the bumper. Screws at opposite ends of the cross members are tightened to move the cross members in vertical slots, one towards the other, to tension the straps, and causing tight engagement of the hooks with the edges of the bumper, to securely mount the clamp on the bumper. A plate on the clamp has a hole to receive a pin on the companion hitch part. The pin is vertically disposed at the end of a support arm which is inclined relative to a connector plate, enabling inversion of the pin and arm to effect a connection at different elevations.

Abstract: The invention provides a hitch intended especially as a bumper hitch for automobiles and employing a pair of adjustable-length chains to connect the hitch to the bumper. The two chains are connected to the arms of a centrally-pivoted, two-armed lever and the lever pivot is moved backwards by a cam to tighten them simultaneously, with the lever pivoting to take up inequalities. The cam pivots about the lever pivot and engages a reaction member to produce the tightening movement, the cam having a "dead" position on tightening so that it will not move voluntarily out of that position. The hitches can be used in pairs on a transverse trailer-ball carrying bar which extends through the hitch bodies and also constitutes the reaction member for each hitch cam. The hitches are retained on the bar and slide freely thereon until the cam is moved to the tightened position, when it also locks the respective hitch in transverse position on the bar by its reaction engagement with the bar.

Abstract: A hitch assembly is disclosed which readily attaches itself to the bumper of an automobile and simultaneously secures the cross bar or draft bar of the hitch in a manner which requires no threading devices to obtain the securing action. In fact the securing action is by the simple movement of a lever into an over centered position on the hitch assembly and this in cooperation with two chains thereof, one attached to the upper margin and the other attached to the lower margin of the bumper or possibly the frame of the car securingly clasps not only the hitch assembly to the bumper but the draft bar to the hitch assembly. Preferably hitch assemblies are provided one at each end of the cross or draft bar. Thus with "snaps" of each lever into over center position the bumper hitch is secured to the automobile awaiting for connection of the trailer tow bar thereof for coupling to an awaiting trailer.

Abstract: A "rental" type of bumper hitch assembly is disclosed which includes a drawbar having a coupling mechanism attached to each end thereof, each coupling mechanism provides two points of attachment to the upper edge of a bumper of a towing vehicle, and one point of attachment to the lower edge of the bumper, the upper points of attachment include a chain having hooks on each end with the chain passing through a curved passageway in the bumper hitch, the lower point of attachment is accomplished by a chain connected to a tensioning bolt which bears against the bumper hitch.

Abstract: A quick detachable bumper hitch for towing a motorcycle employing manually operated means for raising and lowering the front wheel of the cycle to maintain a given relationship with the road surface on which the rear wheel of the motorcycle is being supported.

Abstract: A coupling head is illustrated for securing a towing assembly to the bumper of a vehicle wherein a pivoted mounting member to which a chain is fastened is provided with a locking member for securing said mounting member after it is pivoted to a chain tightening position.

Abstract: The universal curved towbar comprises a pair of curved arm assemblies which are pivoted upon a coupler assembly, and diverge to include bumper mounting assemblies on their distal ends. The curved arm assemblies lie in a lateral plane, with their convex surfaces facing each other, thereby allowing significantly improved clearance between the bumper of the towing vehicle and the arm assemblies themselves. At the distal ends of the curved arm assemblies are three distinct bumper engagement means, including a lower bumper clamping chain which is tensioned against an upper bumper clamp, together with a redundant tensioning through a safety chain attached to the frame of the towed vehicle. At the distal ends of the curved arm assemblies there is further provided a spreader bar assembly, which both adjustably maintains the bumper mounting assemblies in position, and adds significantly increased overall rigidity to the entire towbar assembly.