A bike rack is mountable from a traditional receiver hitch and utilizes at least one of the two pedal crank arms of the bike for securing and supporting the bike. The pedal crank arm is received in a pedal crank receiver which tightens to the pedal crank arm and holds the pedal crank arm in a set rotational position. The pedal crank receiver is connected to a main shank of the bike rack for supporting the weight of the bike from the receiver hitch. The bike rack also includes a cradle supporting the bottom bracket shell of the bike, and a second support structure which holds the bike at a location spaced from the pedal crank receiver, both connected to the main shank.

A bike rack is mountable from a traditional receiver hitch and utilizes at least one of the two pedal crank arms of the bike for securing and supporting the bike. The pedal crank arm is received in a pedal crank receiver which tightens to the pedal crank arm and holds the pedal crank arm in a set rotational position. The pedal crank receiver is connected to a main shank of the bike rack for supporting the weight of the bike from the receiver hitch. The bike rack also includes a cradle supporting the bottom bracket shell of the bike, and a second support structure which holds the bike at a location spaced from the pedal crank receiver, both connected to the main shank.

A hitch cross path alert system for a vehicle is presented. A first sensor may detect whether a hitch is connected to a hitch receiver connected to the vehicle. A second sensor may identify a pedestrian in proximity to the vehicle. A processor may be configured to predict a path of the pedestrian based on data captured by the second sensor and to cause the vehicle to output an audio or visual warning to the pedestrian.

A spring bar coupling device is described for coupling a spring bar of a weight distributing trailer hitch to a trailer frame. The spring bar coupling device can include a spring bar support operable to interface with and support a spring bar of a weight distributing trailer hitch. The spring bar support can have a vertical support arm having a first coupler opening, and a lower spring bar stop extending from the vertical support arm to provide a lower interface for the spring bar. The spring bar coupling device can also include a channel bracket having at least two opposing walls defining a vertically oriented channel operable to receive the vertical support arm, and a second coupler opening in at least one of the two walls. The first and second coupler openings can be configured to be aligned with one another at a first coupling location when the vertical support arm is located at least partially within the vertically oriented channel. In addition, the spring bar coupling device can include at least one coupler operable to extend into the first and second coupler openings to couple the spring bar support to the channel bracket.

An improved hitch ball mount includes a draw bar shank having vibration-isolating member disposed over a portion of an outer surface of a draw bar rod. The vibration-isolating member comprises a vibration-absorbing material, and the draw bar shank is sized to fit closely within a receiver tube of a receiver hitch assembly so that the vibration-isolating member contacts the interior of the receiver tube when the draw bar is positioned within the receiver tube. The vibration-absorbing material can comprise a layer of composite or rubberized material. The vibration-isolating member can be a removable sleeve that can be slidingly positioned over the draw bar rod or it can be a layer of vibration-absorbing material molded over a portion of the draw bar rod. In some embodiments, one or more protrusions can be disposed on the outer surface of the draw bar rod.

A trailer hitch apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tubular receiving member, a base, an arm extending from the base, a first tow ball having a threaded shaft, and a second tow ball having a threaded opening configured to selectively couple to the threaded shaft of the first tow ball. The tubular receiving member is configured to be removably attached to a vehicle. A retainer assembly is configured to be selectively engage the first tow ball.

A quick hitch attachment device for coupling the attachment element of a truck bed type system to a quick hitch. The attachment device includes a mounting member tube, a ball hitch assembly and two or more coupling members adapted to mount a mounting member to the quick hitch. The ball hitch assembly includes a stem configured to be slidably received in the tube.

A quick hitch attachment device for coupling the attachment element of a truck bed type system to a quick hitch. The attachment device includes a mounting member tube, a ball hitch assembly and two or more coupling members adapted to mount a mounting member to the quick hitch. The ball hitch assembly includes a stem configured to be slidably received in the tube.

Connecting straps for use for example in sports activities and methods of attaching the connecting straps. In one example, a connection strap system includes a connecting strap and a peg strap configured to be attached to the connecting strap. An example of the connecting strap includes (a) a sleeve of webbing having a first end and a second end and having a loop at each end, each loop having a base and a free end, (b) disposed within the sleeve of webbing, a band of elastic material extending in a continuous loop, and (c) an attachment strap, adjacent each loop, configured to secure a portion of the band to the webbing at the base of each loop. In some cases, the band has a solid, polygonal cross-sectional shape. The peg strap has a peg-loop at each end.

Connecting straps for use for example in sports activities and methods of attaching the connecting straps. In one example, a connection strap system includes a connecting strap and a peg strap configured to be attached to the connecting strap. An example of the connecting strap includes (a) a sleeve of webbing having a first end and a second end and having a loop at each end, each loop having a base and a free end, (b) disposed within the sleeve of webbing, a band of elastic material extending in a continuous loop, and (c) an attachment strap, adjacent each loop, configured to secure a portion of the band to the webbing at the base of each loop. In some cases, the band has a solid, polygonal cross-sectional shape. The peg strap has a peg-loop at each end.