Multiple Hitch Assembly

Abstract

A height adjustable multiple hitch assembly including a shank hitch channel platform and a tow mount member with a base block configured for squared alignment within the channel having opposed flanges with aligned pairs of side holes, the block blasé having a plurality of through holes for engaged coupling with corresponding aligned side holes by a fastening member to thereby reduce the movement between the hitch platform and tow mount member that may be enhanced by a dampener member attached to a rear planar surface of the block base or a recessed column of the channel member.

Claims

1. A multiple hitch assembly for hitching a tow accessory to a vehicle, comprising: a hitch platform having a shank tube member with an elongate end portion configured for telescoped coupled engagement within a receiver tube attached to the tow vehicle, a channel member having a recessed column disposed between a pair of opposed flanges, wherein the shank tube member is affixed to a back surface of the recessed column such that the channel member is longitudinally disposed along a substantially perpendicular axis opposite the elongate end portion of the shank tube, a plurality of paired side holes transversely aligned in the opposed flanges; a tow mount member having a block base configured for slidable correspondence within the opposed flanges and recessed column of the channel member, wherein the block base has a planar rear surface disposed between opposed side walls, and a receiver end opposite to the planar rear surface, wherein the receiver end includes a plurality of tow accessory mounts radially disposed in different directions from a pedestal, and wherein a plurality of through holes are disposed through the block base, wherein the plurality of through holes are configured such that aligned correspondence with the paired side holes of the flange members positions an one of the plurality of tow accessory mounts in an upward facing use position; and at least one fastening member configured for coupling the through hole of the base block between the paired side holes of the channel member, wherein coupled engagement of the fastening member with at least one of the plurality of through holes and paired side holes squarely aligns block base within the channel member such that the side walls and the planar rear surface of the block base are simultaneously compressed against a corresponding opposed surfaces of the opposed flanges and recessed column of the channel member, and wherein no portion of the block base extends beyond a top end and a bottom end of the channel member when the fastening member is in coupled engagement.

2. The multiple hitch assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tow accessory mounts includes at least two hitch receiver balls of differing diameters.

3. The multiple hitch assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least two hitch receiver balls of differing diameters comprises three hitch receiver balls of differing diameters.

4. The multiple hitch assembly of claim 2, further comprising a pintle hook.

5. The multiple hitch assembly of claim 2, wherein the block base is dimensioned such that the locking member is capable of detachably coupling the through holes so as to rotatably orient an one of the plurality of tow accessory mounts in an upward use position while the hitch platform is in coupled engagement with the tow vehicle.

6. The multiple hitch assembly of claim 2, further comprising a tow hook member or a step member.

7. The multiple hitch assembly of claim 3, further comprising a tow hook member or a step member.

8. The multiple hitch assembly of claim 3, wherein two of the three hitch receiver balls are disposed outwardly along a linear axis, and further includes a step member disposed between the two opposed hitch receiver balls, wherein the step member is disposed outwardly along a linear axis from another of the three hitch receiver balls.

9. The multiple hitch assembly of claim 6, wherein the two three hitch receiver balls are perpendicularly disposed, and further includes a hook member or a step member disposed outwardly along a linear axis from one of the hitch receiver balls.

10. The multiple hitch assembly of claim 7, wherein two of the three hitch receiver balls are disposed outwardly along a linear axis, and further includes a hook member disposed between the two opposed hitch receiver balls and disposed outwardly along a linear axis from another of the three hitch receiver balls.

11. The multiple hitch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a dampener member affixed to at least a portion of the recessed column such that squared coupling of the at least one fastening member of the through hole of the base block between the aligned side holes compresses the dampener member upon the planar rear surface of the base block.

12. The multiple hitch assembly of claim 11, wherein the dampener member is affixed with at least one screw.

13. The multiple hitch assembly of claim 11, wherein the dampener member is affixed by adhesion, fusion or coating.

14. The multiple hitch assembly of claim 11, wherein the dampener member is detachably affixed.

15. The multiple hitch assembly of claim 11, wherein the dampener member is affixed to at least a portion of the recessed column and wherein the at least a portion of the recessed column is an area within 1 inch of an upper edge, at least a portion within 1 inch of a lower edge and at least a portion within 1 inch of an abutment of the interior side wall of the pair of flanges.

16. The multiple hitch assembly of claim 15, wherein the dampener member includes a hollow center portion.

17. The multiple hitch assembly of claim 16, wherein the fastening member is at least one elongate clip pin.

18. The multiple hitch assembly of claim 17, wherein at least one elongate clip pin is two clip pins and the plurality of through holes in the block base are two pairs of through holes disposed perpendicularly through a rotatable axis of the block base.

19. A multiple hitch assembly for hitching a tow accessory to a vehicle, comprising: a hitch platform having a shank tube member with an elongate end portion configured for telescoped coupled engagement within a receiver tube attached to the tow vehicle, a channel member having a recessed column disposed between opposed flanges, wherein the shank tube member is affixed to a back surface of the recessed column such that the channel member is longitudinally disposed along a substantially perpendicular axis opposite the elongate end portion, a plurality of paired side holes transversely aligned in the opposed flanges; a tow mount member having a block base configured for slidable correspondence within the opposed flanges and recessed column of the channel member, wherein the block base has a planar rear surface and a receiver end opposite to the planar rear surface, wherein the receiver end includes a plurality of tow accessory mounts radially disposed in different directions from a pedestal, and wherein a plurality of through holes are disposed through the block base, wherein the plurality of through holes are configured such that aligned correspondence with the side holes of the flange members positions an one of the plurality of tow accessory mounts in an upward facing use position; a dampener member affixed along at least a portion of the recessed column such that squared coupling of the at least one fastening member of the through hole of the base block between any of the aligned side holes compresses the dampener member against the planar rear surface of the base block; and at least one fastening member configured for coupling at least one of the plurality of through holes of the base block with corresponding paired side holes of the channel member, wherein coupled engagement of the fastening member with at least one of the plurality of through holes and corresponding aligned side holes squarely aligns block base within the channel member such that side walls and the planar rear surface are simultaneously compressed against corresponding opposed surfaces of the opposed flanges and recessed column of the channel member whereby no portion of the block base extends beyond a top end and a bottom end of the channel member when the fastening member is in coupled engagement.

20. The multiple hitch assembly of claim 19, wherein the dampener member is affixed by adhesion, fusion or coating.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of the inventive multiple hitch assembly.

[0031] FIG. 1B is a side perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the multiple hitch assembly of the present invention depicting the concealed dampener member in dashed lines.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a third embodiment of a multiple hitch assembly.

[0033] FIG. 2B is a side perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a multiple hitch assembly.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with the step hitch in an upward facing position.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a top view of the exemplary embodiment in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a multiple hitch assembly including a dampener member.

[0037] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the hitch platform member of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0038] 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 dual or triple hitch mount configurations with or without a step hitch member such as detailed below. The illustrated as well as alternative embodiments may be used for original equipment installations and as an after-market accessory.

[0039] In exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-6, multiple hitch assembly 1, 1′, 1″ includes a hitch platform 10 having an elongate shank end portion 2 configured for telescoped coupled engagement within a corresponding receiver tube mounted beneath a bumper of a tow vehicle (not shown) by well-known mounting techniques, such as by bolting or welding. In the illustrated embodiment a platform shank tube 2 is sized and configured for telescoped seating within a 1.5-inch square or 2-inch receiver tube (internal dimensions). As is readily apparent, the hitch dampener assembly of the present invention may be employed with other sizes of shapes of hitch receiver tubes.

[0040] Hitch platform 10 has a channel member 8 with a recessed column disposed between opposed flanges 14. Channel member 8 is affixed to a back surface of the recessed column such that the channel member 8 is longitudinally disposed along a substantially perpendicular axis opposite elongate end portion 2 of shank tube member 10. Channel member 8 has opposed flanges 14 with a plurality of spaced pairs of aligned side holes 18.

[0041] The multiple hitch assembly 1 includes a multiple tow mount member 20 that, as best shown in FIGS. 3-5, has a block base 12 with a planar rear face and opposed side walls configured for squarely aligned slidable correspondence within opposed flanges 14 and a recessed column of channel member 8.

[0042] As most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, multiple tow mount member 20 further includes receiver end 4 opposite to the planar rear surface. Receiver end 4 includes a plurality of various tow accessory mounts.

[0043] Various embodiments of the multiple hitch assembly may deploy two, three or more hitch receiver balls of differing diameters. As shown in FIG. 2, some embodiments include a pintle hook 7 for secured coupling of a hitch ball 4A. Various embodiments configure a fastening member 16 for detachably coupling the through holes so as to rotatably orient an one of the plurality of tow accessory mounts in an upward use position while the hitch platform is in coupled engagement with the tow vehicle.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1A, receiver end 4 of tow mount member 20 may include hitch receiver balls 4A, 4B and/or 4C and step member 6. FIG. 1B shows an alternative embodiment wherein tow mount member 20′ features receiver end 4′ includes hook member 4D opposite step member 6′ and perpendicularly disposed from hitch balls 4B′ and 4C′ aligned along a linear axis. Now referring to FIGS. 2 and 2B, hitch assembly 1″ provides tow mount member 20″ that further includes pintle hook 7, 7″ for securing a hitch ball 4A″, 4B″, 4C″ or other tow receiver of receiver end 4″.

[0045] Now referring to FIGS. 1-6 conjunctively, a plurality of paired through holes 24 are disposed through a rotational axis of block base 12 and configured such that aligned correspondence with side holes 18 of flange members 14 positions an one of the plurality of tow accessory mounts on tow mount receiver end 4 in an upward facing use position.

[0046] Now referring to FIGS. 1-5, the illustrated embodiments further include fastening member 16 configured for coupling through holes 24 of base block 12 between paired side holes 18 disposed in flanges 14 of channel member 8. Coupled engagement of fastening member 16 with through holes 24 and side holes 16 squarely aligns block base 12 within channel member 8 such that no portion of block base 12 extends beyond an end of the channel member 8, as best shown in FIGS. 3-5. Such squared and aligned engagement of block base 12 within the peripheries of channel member 8 simultaneously compresses the corresponding opposed surface area of the side walls and the planar rear surface of block base 12 against the opposed flanges and recessed column of channel member 9 to thereby reduce movement and associated noise between abutted surfaces thereof.

[0047] In such illustrated embodiments, fastening member 16 includes clip pins 16A, commercially known as cotter pins, configured for coupled engagement with corresponding aligned side holes 18 and through holes 24, wherein a clip 16B is secured in locked engagement with a corresponding clip hole so as to secure tow mount member 20/20″ within channel member 8 of hitch platform 10.

[0048] Rotatable orientation and subsequent secured coupled engagement of fastening member 16 through aligned side holes 18 and through holes 24 to position step 6 in an upward facing position facilitates ready access to a rooftop surface and elevated objects. The step may in various embodiments be configured in a parallelogram, oval or curvilinear shape that can be configured for accommodating one or both feet of a user.

[0049] The exemplary embodiment as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 is configured with a substantially rectangular shape and sized to accommodate at least part of a user's foot sole. It can be readily surmised that in alternative embodiments the step member may be variously dimensioned to facilitate a desired function or design.

[0050] In some embodiments such as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, step member 6 may be disposed outwardly along a linear axis from hitch ball receiver 4A and between hitch receiver ball 4B and hitch receiver ball 4C disposed outwardly along a linear axis. In other embodiments such as shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B, multiple tow mount member 20 may include a tow hook member 7 disposed between the two opposed hitch receiver balls 4B, 4C and disposed outwardly from hitch receiver ball 4A.

[0051] Now referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, various embodiments further affix a dampener member 22 to a portion of the corresponding opposed surfaces of the block base 12 of the multiple tow mount member 20 or the recessed column of the channel member 20 such that squared coupling of the at least one fastening member of the through hole of the base block between the aligned side holes compresses the dampener member upon the planar rear surface of the base block so as to reduce movement and rubbing therebetween.

[0052] Some embodiments include dampener member 22 affixed onto the rear surface of a block base of a multiple tow mount member such as, for example, a dual or triple ball hitch mount or receiver. In other embodiments, dampener member 22 may be affixed to an inner surface of the recessed column disposed between opposed flanges of a hitch platform. According to the present invention, dampener member 22 is affixed to the rear planar surface of the block base 12 of tow mount member 20 or recessed column of shank hitch platform 10 such that dampening of movement and frictional rubbing of corresponding opposed surfaces is deployable in any position regardless height adjustments thereto.

[0053] In various embodiments, dampener member 22 is affixed to at least a portion of the recessed column that includes an area of within 1 inch of an upper edge of channel member 8, at least a portion within 1 inch of a lower edge of channel member 8 and at least a portion within 1 inch of an abutment of the interior side wall of the pair of flanges. In some embodiments, dampener member 22 may include a hollow center portion.

[0054] In other embodiments, dampener member 22 may be affixed by a single metal screw or multiple screws, adhered, embedded, inlaid, fused, coated or fixed by coating, painting, spraying or utilizing other means or materials well known in the art.

[0055] Some embodiments provide a detachable dampener member that may be applied to original equipment lacking the dampener member.

[0056] Representative embodiments of such multiple hitch assemblies particularly suitable for after-market applications includes a combination of rubber and metal screw thread configured to engage a corresponding threaded hole the back surface of a corresponding base block or inner surface of a hitch platform recessed column.

[0057] As illustrated in FIG. 6, dampener member 22 may be affixed to the recessed column of channel mount 8 with a plurality of screws 28. In alternative embodiments, dampener member 22 may be affixed by adhesion, fusion or coating. In some embodiments, dampener member 22 is detachable.

[0058] The scope of the claimed invention extends to other mount assemblies including but not limited to single or multiple hitch balls of differing diameters, hook mounts, step mounts, pintle hooks, clasps, chain links or any tow accessory mount adaptable to trailers, platforms, racks, and containers for cargo, bicycles, motorcycles, wheelchairs, carriers and other types of receiver mounted devices.

[0059] The composition of the dampener member 22 is preferably a polymeric rubber material. However, the dampener member 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 mount member.

[0060] Moreover, the shape of the hitch dampener pad of the present invention can take on various configurations which may include linear, curvilinear, hollow, 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 dampener pad composition's mechanical properties, including without limitation, vibration and impact absorption capacity, pliability, tensile strength and density.

[0061] 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 comport 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.

[0062] 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 invention. Various embodiments of the present invention is intended for use with receiver hitch systems including trailer mounts as well as other tow accessories. Some embodiments may be used for original equipment installations and as an after-market item.

[0063] 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.