HITCH VIBRATION DAMPENER

Abstract

A hitch vibration dampener assembly and method of use thereof including a tow mount member including a base portion with a vibration dampener pad affixed to the back surface such that coupling of the tow mount member by locked engagement of at least one elongated pin successively received through paired side holes disposed in flanges of a hitch platform channel compresses a vibration dampener material upon the back panel of the hitch platform to thereby reduce the movement between the tow mount member and hitch assembly.

Claims

1. A hitch vibration dampener assembly, comprising: a vehicle hitch platform having a shank tube portion configured for telescoped engagement with a receiver tube attached to a vehicle, wherein the vehicle hitch platform has a base portion opposite the shank tube portion, wherein the planar base includes opposed planar side surfaces and an abutment portion including a planar end; at least one through hole disposed between the opposed side surfaces; a tow mount member having a receiver portion configured for coupling at least one tow accessory, and an integral channel portion with opposed flanges and a recessed back portion, wherein the channel portion is configured for fitted correspondence with the abutment portion; at least one pair of side holes disposed in the opposed flanges, wherein the side holes are in aligned pairs; a vibration dampener material affixed to at least a portion of the channel portion, such that the vibration dampener material and the tow mount member move in tandem; and at least one locking member configured for coupling the through hole of the base portion between the aligned side holes of the channel member such that coupled engagement of the locking member with the side holes compresses the vibration dampener material upon a corresponding portion of the abutment portion of the base portion of the vehicle hitch platform to thereby secure the hitch member in squared alignment within the channel portion.

2. The hitch vibration dampener assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one through hole comprises two through holes spaced apart for aligned coupled engagement with a corresponding aligned pair of the plurality of side holes

3. The hitch vibration dampener assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one pair of side holes is a plurality of paired side holes.

4. The hitch vibration dampener assembly of claim 1, wherein the vibration dampener material is adhered on a substantial portion of the recessed back of the channel portion.

5. The hitch vibration dampener assembly of claim 1, wherein the vibration dampener material is adhered on a substantial portion of the recessed back and at least a portion of an interior surface of the opposed flanges of the channel portion.

6. The hitch vibration dampener assembly of claim 1, wherein the vibration dampener material is applied as a spray, a paint or an adhesive layer.

7. A hitch vibration dampener assembly, comprising: a vehicle hitch platform having a shank tube portion configured for telescoped engagement with a receiver tube attached to a vehicle, wherein the vehicle hitch platform has a base portion with opposed planar side surfaces and an abutment portion including a planar end surface opposite the shank tube portion; at least one through hole disposed between the opposed side surfaces; a tow mount member having receiver portion configured for coupling at least one tow accessory, and an integral channel portion with opposed flanges and a recessed back portion, wherein the channel portion is configured for fitted correspondence with the abutment portion; at least one pair of side holes disposed in the opposed flanges, wherein the side holes are in aligned pairs; a vibration dampener material affixed to at least a portion of the abutment portion, such that the vibration dampener material and the tow mount member move in tandem, wherein the vibration dampener material is detachable; and at least one locking member configured for coupling the through hole of the planar base portion between the aligned side holes of the channel member such that coupled engagement of the locking member with the side holes compresses the vibration dampener material upon a corresponding portion of the abutment portion of the base portion of the vehicle hitch platform to thereby secure the hitch member in squared alignment within the channel portion.

8. A hitch vibration dampener assembly, comprising: a hitch platform having a shank tube portion configured for telescoped engagement within a receiver tube attached to a vehicle, a channel portion including a recessed column perpendicularly disposed between opposed flanges, a plurality of side holes disposed in the opposed flanges wherein the side holes are disposed to form aligned pairs; a tow mount member having a distal portion configured with an integral receiver end for detachable hitch mounting of a towed accessory, and a rear portion having a planar back surface integrally extending from the distal portion of the tow mount member, wherein the rear portion is configured for aligned abutment within the channel portion of the hitch platform, and wherein there is at least one through hole in the rear portion configured for aligned correspondence with the aligned pairs of side holes disposed in the opposed flanges; a vibration dampener pad affixed in abutted alignment to the planar back surface of the rear portion such that the vibration dampener pad stays fixed to the planar back surface when not in aligned abutment within the channel portion of the hitch platform and wherein the vibration dampener pad moves in tandem with the tow mount member, wherein the vibration dampener pad is detachably attachable; and at least one elongated pin configured for coupling the through hole of the rear portion and the aligned pair of side holes such that locked engagement of the at least one elongated pin with the aligned pair of the side holes secures the planar back surface of the rear portion of the tow mount member to thereby compress the vibration dampener pad upon the recessed column of the channel portion of the hitch platform to thereby dampen frictional noise due to contact between the hitch platform and the tow mount member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the hitch vibration dampener assembly of the present invention attached to a receiver tube.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the exemplary dual hitch ball hitch ball vibration dampener assembly employing a hitch vibration dampener pad shown in FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the exemplary hitch vibration dampener assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 includes vibration dampener pad 22 affixed directly to a planar back surface 8 of a rear portion 6 of a dual flange ball tow mount member 20.

[0023] It is to be expressly understood that the illustrative embodiment is a representation of the invention for explanatory purposes only and is not meant to unduly limit the claimed invention. The representative embodiment of the present invention is intended for use with receiver hitch systems including trailer mounts but also includes other two hitch mount members such as detailed below. The illustrated as well as alternative embodiments may be used for original equipment installations and as an after-market accessory.

[0024] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, a shank tube hitch platform 10 is attachable within a corresponding receiver tube mounted beneath a bumper of a vehicle by well-known mounting techniques, such as by bolting or welding (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment a platform shank tube 2 is sized and configured for telescoped seating within a 1½ inch square or 2-inch square receiver tube (internal dimensions). As is readily apparent, the hitch vibration dampener of the present invention may be employed with other sizes of shapes of hitch receiver tubes. In the exemplary embodiment described herein, tow mount member 20 is illustrated as a trailer dual hitch ball mount. However, the claimed invention also includes tow mount members having single hitch ball, step mounts or any carrier mounted thereon, such as bicycle carriers, ski carriers, cargo compartments, platforms and other types of receiver mounted devices.

[0025] Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, tow hitch platform 10 is detachably securable to a tow mount member 20. Tow mount member 20 includes distal portion with a receiving end configured as dual hitch receiver ball mounts 4. A rear portion 6 of tow mount member 20 integrally extended from the distal portion is sized and configured for aligned abutment within a channel portion of recessed column 12 of universal hitch platform 10. The rear portion 6 includes a planar back surface 8 and two through holes 24 configured for aligned coupled engagement with corresponding paired side holes 18A and 18B. Elongated pins 16 are successively received through first side holes 18A, through holes 24 and corresponding second side holes 18B to couple the fear portion 6 within recessed column 12 of the channel portion formed between opposing dual flanges 14 and thereby engages planar back surface 8 such that securing elongated pins 16 couples tow hitch member 20 into locked engagement and thereby compresses the vibration dampener pad 22 upon a corresponding portion of recessed column 12 between opposing dual flanges 14. Subsequent insertion of locking clips 26 through holes on ends of elongated pins 16 further secures tow mount member 20 into locked engagement with hitch platform 10.

[0026] Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, hitch vibration dampener pad 22 according to the present invention is shown as circular in shape and measures about 1½ inches in diameter. FIG. 1 illustrates vibration dampener pad 22 in dashed lines as a concealed component. Alternative configurations of the pad dimensions may vary in accordance with the use and dimensions of the respective platform, tow accessory and vehicle in connection with which it is being deployed.

[0027] The composition of the hitch vibration dampener pad 22 is preferably a polymeric rubber material. However, the body of hitch vibration dampener pad 22 may be composed of any elastomer, or pliable, impact or vibration-absorbing material of suitable density, flex, and durability and is functionally adaptable to dampen, buffer, dissipate or attenuate, a vibration, impact, shock, stress, strain or torque exerted by an external force. The impact absorbing or dampening composition of vibration dampener pad 22 is configurable in any suitable size and shape such as, for example, a curved or circular device, bumper, washer, block, sheet, sleeve or other form that is adaptable to the geometry of the tow hitch platform and tow mount member.

[0028] Hitch vibration dampener pad 22 may be affixed by a single metal screw as shown in FIG. 2 or multiple screws, or alternatively be fused or adhered to the back of the dual ball base with an industrial strength epoxy, or utilizing other means or materials well known in the art.

[0029] Moreover, the shape of the hitch vibration dampener pad of the present invention can take on various configurations which may include linear, curvilinear, convex or concave portions. The scope of the present invention expressly contemplates and includes any shape as well as composition providing the impact and vibration absorbing or attenuation, the extent of which may correspond to the hitch vibration dampener pad composition's mechanical properties, including without limitation, vibration and impact absorption capacity, pliability, tensile strength and density.

[0030] As will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art of tow hitch assembly design and engineering, the extent and impact receiving and attenuation capacity of the device of the present invention correlates to the dampener surface area, thickness and density. More specifically, the vibration dampener pad 22 surface area, thickness and density comports with the connection tension of the hitch vibration dampening assembly exerted which is a function of the weight, shape and size, aerodynamics as well as force and torque exerted on the tow hitch assembly when in use.

[0031] It is to be expressly understood that the descriptive embodiment is provided herein for explanatory purposes only and is not meant to unduly limit the claimed inventions. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is intended for use with receiver hitch systems including trailer mounts as well as carriers. The preferred embodiment may be used for original equipment installations and as an after-market item.

[0032] Hence, it is to be further expressly understood that these exemplary embodiments are provided for descriptive purposes only and not meant to unduly limit the scope of the claimed inventions. Other embodiments are also considered to be within the scope of the present inventions.