Abstract: A tow hook assembly for mounting to a front end of a vehicle. The tow hook assembly includes a base plate for mounting to the vehicle, the base plate having a central aperture for aligning over an opening in a mounting base on the vehicle. A tow hook has a shaft and an expanded base, with the aperture in the base plate receiving the shaft, and the expanded base being larger than the aperture to prevent the tow hook from being pulled through the base plate. In response to a frontal impact, however, the tow hook is released from the base plate, the shaft traveling freely through the aperture and the opening in the mounting base, so that minimal force of impact is transferred from the tow hook to the vehicle.

Abstract: A receiver tube for a trailer hitch assembly including a hollow metal tube stock wherein the receiving end thereof is provided with a cold formed reinforcing flange formed of the outermost end of the tube stock is folded upon itself.

Abstract: A cantilevered hitch dolly is used with and in combination with a vehicle trailer hitch extending from the vehicle to support a storage container thereon. The dolly includes a platform having a hitch receiver member. A connector removably connects the hitch receiver member to an exposed end of the trailer hitch to provide cantilever support of the platform above ground level, so that when the platform is connected to the trailer hitch, the vehicle may be moved with the dolly firmly joined to the vehicle and free of any contact with the ground level. A plurality of swiveled legs are mounted on opposite sides of the platform, and are lowered when the vehicle is in place and the dolly is being removed from attachment to the vehicle. Wheels are mounted on bottom ends of the swiveled legs to allow the dolly to be readily moved about after detachment from the vehicle and being wheeled back into position for attaching the hitch receiver member to the trailer hitch.

Abstract: A trailer hitch apparatus for use with a lunette eye mounting includes a housing with a lunette eye on one end. A housing has a plurality of rectangular inserts, the inserts having a recess on one face adapted to hold and enclose a lunette eye and hold the lunette eye of the trailer firmly within the housing. A retention pin extends through the apertures in the housing the lunette eye of the trailer and the apertures in the rectangular inserts to hold the adapter and parts together. For attachment to a towing truck or other vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus allows one to mount a utilitarian accesory on a pair of mounting arms on a receiver assembly. The apparatus includes a utilitarian accesory and a mounting assembly including a pair of posts that are connected to that accesory. The posts include mounting sections that when engaged with the accesory mounting arms on the receiver assembly define an included angle of between 1-45°, 5-45° or 10-45° with a horizontal plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a trailer hitch receiver including a cross member, a hitch receiver box carried on the cross member and a pair of opposed mounting brackets. Each of the opposed mounting brackets includes a first mounting arrangement or series of apertures that secures the mounting brackets to the cross member in a first position and a second mounting arrangement or second set of mounting apertures for securing the mounting brackets to main frame member in a second position. Additionally, each mounting bracket includes a notch in the forward edge thereof which provides the necessary clearance for mounting the mounting brackets inboard of mounting flanges carried by the cross member. Accordingly, the mounting brackets may also be mounted in an inboard or outboard position as necessary to meet the needs of any particular application.

Abstract: A bumper assembly for a motor vehicle includes a bumper structure having a bumper beam adapted for attachment to a structure of a motor vehicle such as a frame or rails, or the like. A hitch is attached to the bumper beam, and a bumper cover conceals the bumper beam. The bumper cover has an opening for accessing the hitch and an access door for selectively concealing the hitch. The access door is mounted to the bumper structure such that the access door will be retained upon the bumper structure not only when the access door is concealing the hitch but also when the access door is open to allow an accessory such as a trailer to be coupled to the hitch.

Abstract: A hitch adapter for connecting at least one accessory, such as a bicycle carrier, a motorcycle carrier, a platform for hauling cargo, a lift platform, a storage compartment, a truck bed extenders or a roof rack extender, to a receiver hitch.

Abstract: A tractor having a cargo box and an axle mounted hitch ball in which the hitch ball projects upward through an opening in the cargo box floor. This arrangement enables the ball to be used when the cargo box is mounted to the tractor. Furthermore, since the ball is mounted to the axle and not the cargo box, greater load carrying capacity is achieved and the hitch can be used when the box removed from the tractor.

Abstract: A tow hook mount is adapted to resist movement of the tow hook in a towing direction. The mount is also adapted to release the tow hook by allowing the tow hook to move in a direction opposite to the towing direction when contacted by a force in such direction. The tow hook is an elongated member having a towing end and a mounting end. The mounting end includes a front mount and a rear mount, each having a slot extending substantially opposite to the towing direction. In a low impact collision, the tow hook is arranged to move or break away from the automobile upon application of an impact force to the tow hook which is less than an activation force required to activate an airbag on the vehicle.

Abstract: There is provided a hook mounting structure that comprises a vehicle body structural member having a bottom part and two side parts that extend upward from both side edges of the bottom part to be joined to a lower surface of a floor; a tow hook mounted on a lower surface of the bottom part of the vehicle body structural member; and a reinforce having a bottom part joined to the bottom part of the vehicle body structural member and two side parts joined respectively to the two side parts of the vehicle body structural member, at least one of the side parts and the bottom part of the reinforce being connected to each other via a continuous part extending diagonally therebetween.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly (10) includes a U-shaped frame (12), hitch receiver box (14) carried on the frame (12) and a pair of mounting brackets (28) for securing the frame to a towing vehicle. Upstanding bumper guards (40) are provided on the frame (12) at each end. The bumper guards (40) provide bumper and rear quaterpanel protection to the vehicle.

Abstract: A side swing hitch for a rear end of an agricultural combine. The hitch includes a hitch support bracket having opposite end portions and an intermediate portion therebetween, a first of the end portions including at least one element for mounting to a rear chassis member of the combine with the other end portion suspended in a position rearward of the rear axle assembly connected to the chassis member. A draw bar is pivotally mounted to the second end portion of the hitch support bracket for pivotal movement between a rearwardly extending towing position generally perpendicular to the rear axle assembly and at least one generally transversely extending stored position at least generally perpendicular to the towing position and beside the rear axle assembly, the draw bar having an opposite end including a hitch element connectable to a tongue of a vehicle such as a trailer or cart to be towed by the combine.

Abstract: A receiver tube for a trailer hitch assembly including a hollow metal tube stock wherein the receiving end thereof is provided with a cold formed reinforcing flange formed of the outermost end of the tube stock is folded upon itself.

Abstract: A towbar for storage carts includes an adjustable width base which may be expanded to attach to vertically positioned frame members of a storage cart, and also includes a tongue assembly which attaches to the base and pivots such that the tongue assembly may be raised or lowered to accommodate attachment of the towbar for storage carts to motorized vehicles having differing heights.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a trailer hitch receiver including a cross member, a hitch receiver box carried on the cross member and a pair of opposed mounting brackets. Each of the opposed mounting brackets includes a first mounting arrangement or series of apertures that secures the mounting brackets to the cross member in a first position and a second mounting arrangement or second set of mounting apertures for securing the mounting brackets to main frame member in a second position. Additionally, each mounting bracket includes a notch in the forward edge thereof which provides the necessary clearance for mounting the mounting brackets inboard of mounting flanges carried by the cross member. Accordingly, the mounting brackets may also be mounted in an inboard or outboard position as necessary to meet the needs of any particular application. The drawings and preferred embodiment do not and are not intended to limit the ordinary meaning of the claims and their fair and broad interpretation in any way.

Abstract: A unibody style automobile has bumper attachment pads for a crash bar and bumper cover assembly of conventional configuration. Removal of these bumper components provides access to these pads for a load carrier or beam that defines two coupling connections for a frame selected from a plurality of frames, each designed for a different load. All the frames have one fixed slide bolt received in one of the two sockets in the beam. A second bolt provides a very secure attachment point for each of these frames.

Abstract: A tractor having a cargo box and an axle mounted hitch ball in which the hitch ball projects upward through an opening in the cargo box floor. This arrangement enables the ball to be used when the cargo box is mounted to the tractor.Furthermore, since the ball is mounted to the axle and not the cargo box, greater load carrying capacity is achieved and the hitch can be used when the box removed from the tractor.

Abstract: A support arm (86) is provided for a multipositionable apparatus. The support arm includes a body having an arcuate guide surface (16) interrupted by at least two latching notches (118, 120, 122).

Abstract: A vehicle hitch assembly (10) includes a stamped sheet metal cross tube (16) of an elongated shape with a central hitch support section (18) and lateral ends (20) mounted on the vehicle. A pair of stamped sheet metal members (22) of the sheet metal cross tube (16) each have intermediate portions (24) that project away from each other as well as having spaced peripheral flanges (26, 28) that are engaged with and secured to the peripheral flanges of the other stamped sheet metal member. The central hitch support section (18) of the stamped sheet metal cross tube (16) has a hitch ball support (32) for mounting a ball hitch on the hitch assembly.

Abstract: A combination tow hook and base plate system for connecting a tow bar to a towed vehicle. The system includes transversely opposed tow hook members, each having a closed loop configuration, connected to the towed vehicle. The system also includes base plate members configured to be operatively connected to the tow bar, each base plate member including a horizontally oriented spacer plate, a stiffener, an optional cross member interconnecting the base plate members, and a tow bar connector mechanism. The system further includes connector mechanisms configured to operatively connect the base plate members to the tow hook members, each connector mechanism including a connector plate, a spacer configured to be slidably insertable through the closed loop configuration of the respective tow hook member, and a fastening mechanism. The connector plates, spacer plates, and fastening mechanisms are configured to cooperatively and removably secure the base plate members to the tow hook members.

Abstract: An accessory mounting adapter (30) includes a cross member (32), a mounting bar (34) carried on that cross member (32) and extending in a first plane P1 and a pair of accessory ports (48) adapted to allow two-point connection to an accessory. Each accessory port (48) extends in a second plane P2 where planes P1 and P2 define an acute included angle of between substantially about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees.

Abstract: A vehicle trailer hitch including an aluminum tubular U-shaped strut and a cast aluminum receiver mounted thereto. Ends of the strut tube are flatted to form integral planar mounting flanges for mounting the hitch to a vehicle.

Abstract: An front wall of an armored vehicle is formed with a large-diameter hole and has a tow hitch in turn having a generally cup-shaped reinforcement plate having an outer periphery engaging an inner face of the front wall around the hole. This plate is forwardly concave toward the hole and the outer periphery is welded to the inner face of the wall by a weld. A tow-eye bar fixed to the center of the reinforcement plate extends forward through the hole. The hole and plate are circular and the plate is of greater diameter than the hole.

Abstract: A side swing hitch for a rear end of an agricultural combine. The hitch includes a hitch support bracket having opposite end portions and an intermediate portion therebetween, a first of the end portions including at least one element for mounting to a rear chassis member of the combine with the other end portion suspended in a position rearward of the rear axle assembly connected to the chassis member. A draw bar is pivotally mounted to the second end portion of the hitch support bracket for pivotal movement between a rearwardly extending towing position generally perpendicular to the rear axle assembly and at least one generally transversely extending stored position at least generally perpendicular to the towing position and beside the rear axle assembly, the draw bar having an opposite end including a hitch element connectable to a tongue of a vehicle such as a trailer or cart to be towed by the combine.

Abstract: A vehicle hitch assembly (10) includes a stamped sheet metal cross tube (16) of an elongated shape with a central hitch support section (18) and lateral ends (20) mounted on the vehicle. A pair of stamped sheet metal members (22) of the sheet metal cross tube (16) each have intermediate portions (24) that projects away from each other as well as having spaced peripheral flanges (26, 28) that are engaged with and secured to the peripheral flanges of the other stamped sheet metal member. The central hitch support section (18) of the stamped sheet metal cross tube (16) has a hitch ball support (32) for mounting a ball hitch on the hitch assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a trailer hitch receiver including a cross member, a hitch receiver box carried on the cross member and a pair of opposed mounting brackets. Each of the opposed mounting brackets includes a first mounting arrangement or series of apertures that secures the mounting brackets to the cross member in a first position and a second mounting arrangement or second set of mounting apertures for securing the mounting brackets to main frame member in a second position. Additionally, each mounting bracket includes a notch in the forward edge thereof which provides the necessary clearance for mounting the mounting brackets inboard of mounting flanges carried by the cross member. Accordingly, the mounting brackets may also be mounted in an inboard or outboard position as necessary to meet the needs of any particular application.

Abstract: A vehicle trailer hitch including an aluminum tubular U-shaped strut and a cast aluminum receiver mounted thereto. Ends of the strut tube are flatted to form integral planar mounting flanges for mounting the hitch to a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle integrated hitch and bumper support assembly (10) and a method for making the support assembly from tube stock includes an elongated tube (12) having an intermediate portion (14) and end portions (16) that are cut so that the elongated tubes can be cut from tube stock whose length is less than the combined length of the elongated tubes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a trailer hitch receiver including a cross member, a hitch receiver box carried on the cross member and a pair of opposed mounting brackets. Each of the opposed mounting brackets includes a first mounting arrangement or series of apertures that secures the mounting brackets to the cross member in a first position and a second mounting arrangement or second set of mounting apertures for securing the mounting brackets to main frame member in a second position. Additionally, each mounting bracket includes a notch in the forward edge thereof which provides the necessary clearance for mounting the mounting brackets inboard of mounting flanges carried by the cross member. Accordingly, the mounting brackets may also be mounted in an inboard or outboard position as necessary to meet the needs of any particular application.

Abstract: There is provided a hook mounting structure that comprises a vehicle body structural member having a bottom part and two side parts that extend upward from both side edges of the bottom part to be joined to a lower surface of a floor; a tow hook mounted on a lower surface of the bottom part of the vehicle body structural member; and a reinforce having a bottom part joined to the bottom part of the vehicle body structural member and two side parts joined respectively to the two side parts of the vehicle body structural member, at least one of the side parts and the bottom part of the reinforce being connected to each other via a continuous part extending diagonally therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a trailer hitch receiver including a main frame member, a hitch receiver box carried on the main frame member and a pair of opposed mounting brackets. Each of the opposed mounting brackets includes a first mounting arrangement or series of apertures that secures the mounting brackets to the main frame member in a first position and a second mounting arrangement or second set of mounting apertures for securing the mounting brackets to main frame member in a second position. Additionally, each mounting bracket includes a notch in the forward edge thereof which provides the necessary clearance for mounting the mounting brackets inboard of mounting flanges carried by the main frame member. Accordingly, the mounting brackets may also be mounted in an inboard or outboard position as necessary to meet the needs of any particular application.

Abstract: A vehicle trailer hitch including an aluminum tubular U-shaped strut and a cast aluminum receiver mounted thereto which engages with an electrical connector. Ends of the strut are flatted to form integral planar mounting flanges for mounting the hitch to a vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that attaches to a bicycle seat stem for allowing connection of a trailering device for pulling by the bicycle. The apparatus has an elongated body with an aperture on one end for receiving a bicycle seat stem and a socket on the opposite end for attaching a trailer or other device. A rack can be combined with the apparatus.

Abstract: A receiver assembly includes a central frame member including a hitch receiver box, a pair of mounting brackets carried on the central frame member, a pair of accessory receivers carried on said central frame member and a vehicle body guard mounted in the pair of accessory receivers. The vehicle body guard is a continuous tube shaped so as to project above the hitch receiver box so as not to interfere with hitch bar or draw bar connection in that box.

Abstract: A vehicle trailer hitch including an aluminum tubular U-shaped strut and a cast aluminum receiver mounted thereto. Ends of the strut tube are flatted to form integral planar mounting flanges for mounting the hitch to a vehicle.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly (10) includes a frame member (12) and hitch receiver box (18), a pair of mounting brackets (30) and a pair of accessory ports (50) carried on the frame member inboard of the mounting brackets (30). The accessory ports (50) each project rearwardly from the frame member (12) a distance D and include a circular opening for receiving a recreational and/or utilitarian accessory. The receiver box (18) has a first longitudinal axis extending in a first plane A. The accessory ports (50) are parallel and have a second longitudinal axis extending in a second plane B where the planes A and B define an included angle of approximately 10-30%.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly (10) includes a U-shaped frame (12), hitch receiver box (14) carried on the frame (12) and a pair of mounting brackets (28) for securing the frame to a towing vehicle. Upstanding bumper guards (40) are provided on the frame (12) at each end. The bumper guards (40) provide bumper and rear quaterpanel protection to the vehicle.

Abstract: A tractor having a cargo box and an axle mounted hitch ball in which the hitch ball projects upward through an opening in the cargo box floor. This arrangement enables the ball to be used when the cargo box is mounted to the tractor. Furthermore, since the ball is mounted to the axle and not the cargo box, greater load carrying capacity is achieved and the hitch can be used when the box removed from the tractor.

Abstract: A towable pallet jack includes a pallet jack, a hitch pump handle, a removable male hitch, and a handle portion. The hitch pump handle extends from a pump unit at a rear of the pallet jack. A locking cavity is formed on the other end of the hitch pump handle and is sized to receive a hitch ball. The removable male hitch is inserted into the pair of forks. A second embodiment of the towable pallet jack utilizes a scissors pallet jack with a pivotal hitch attached to a rear of the pallet jack. A third embodiment of the towable pallet jack includes a pallet jack and hitch pump handle. The hitch pump handle is offset such that thereof may be attached to a fork of a succeeding pallet jack. A fourth embodiment of the towable pallet jack uses a straight hitch pump handle which is pivotally attached to a rear of the pallet jack at one side thereof. A fifth embodiment of the towable pallet jack including a female swinging hitch and a hitch pump handle with a expandable male hitch.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly for towing a trailer behind a towing vehicle includes a frame member including a hitch receiver box, a mounting bracket carried on each end of the frame member and a tow hook integrally formed in each of said mounting brackets.

Abstract: A receiver tube for a trailer hitch assembly including a hollow metal tube stock wherein the receiving end thereof is provided with a cold formed reinforcing flange formed of the outermost end of the tube stock is folded upon itself.

Abstract: A vehicle trailer hitch including an aluminum tubular U-shaped strut and a cast aluminum receiver mounted thereto. Ends of the strut tube are flatted to form integral planar mounting flanges for mounting the hitch to a vehicle.

Abstract: A high strength trailer hitch. The hitch is affixed to the rear of a towing vehicle. The apparatus includes a frame having a transversely extending tubular structural member extending between a first end and a second end and having a front, a rear, a bottom, and a top. A rearwardly extending first tubular receiving member is provided with its forward end affixed to the rear of the transverse tubular structural member. A second tubular receiving member is provided mounted below the first tubular receiving member. An upper forward portion of the second tubular receiving member is affixed below the transverse structural member. A first and a second tubular tow bar inserts are provided in said first and said second tubular receiving members, respectively. A first strengthening stay and a second strengthening stay are affixed between the rearward end of tow bar inserts and the transverse tubular member, to provide high strength against lateral movement of the first and second tow bar inserts.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly includes a cross member, a pair of mounting brackets carried on the cross member, a first receiver box carried on the cross member and extending in a substantially horizontal plane and a second receiver box carried on the cross member and extending upwardly at an angle between 10-30° with respect to the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A front receiver assembly for use with vehicles having front tow hooks. This front receiver assembly attaches to a vehicle's front tow hooks and can be mounted or dismounted quickly. This front hitch assembly is adaptable for use with nearly any hitch connector product.

Abstract: A front spotting trailer hitch assembly for use with vehicles having front tow hooks. This front hitch assembly works well for easily back trailers into positions, such as for storage. This front spotting trailer hitch assembly attaches to the front tow hooks and allows a user to attach a hitch ball to the hitch assembly for towing. This front spotting trailer hitch assembly is able to be quickly attached and detached from the vehicle having front tow hooks.

Abstract: A hitch assembly (10) for mounting adjacent an underneath surface (102A) of a bed (102) of a truck (100) to enable the truck to tow a vehicle having a gooseneck coupling. The hitch assembly has a retractable hitch ball (28, 228) which allows for retracting the hitch ball out of the bed of the truck when not in use. The hitch assembly includes a mounting assembly, a container (24) and a hitch ball. The container is mounted in an opening (14E) of a mounting plate (14) of the mounting assembly such that the open top end of the container is adjacent an opening in the bed of the truck. The hitch ball is positioned in the container with a compression spring (29) located between the hitch ball and the closed, lower end (24B) of the container. The compression spring acts to move the hitch ball into the semi-retracted position when the locking mechanism (34) is unlocked. When the hitch ball is moved to the fully extended or fully retracted position, the locking mechanism automatically locks the hitch ball in position.

Abstract: A swinging article carrier assembly includes a mounting arm for securing to a vehicle, a swing arm pivotally secured to the mounting arm and a base pivotally secured to the swing arm. An article carrier is held on that base.

Abstract: A motorcycle hitch device for using a motorcycle to pull a trailer. The motorcycle hitch device includes a pair of brackets each attached to the bottom surface of the fender such that the brackets face each other. Each of a pair of saddles is attached to one of the brackets. A hitch portion comprises a plate having a top side and a bottom side. A ball hitch is attached to the top side of the plate. A pair of mountings removably couple the plate to the saddles. Each of the mountings comprising a bar attached to the bottom side of the plate, each of the bars is extendable into one of the saddles. Each of a pair of pins is extendable through one of the saddles and an associated bar for removably securing the bars to the saddles.