FRAME HITCH AND STEP BUMPER

• US 3,578,358 A
• Filed: 08/19/1969
• Issued: 05/11/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald F. Reynolds
• Original Assignee: Donald F. Reynolds
• Inventors: Reynolds, Donald F.
• Application Number:
  US04/851,212
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• US Class Current: 280/500
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/01 Traction couplings or hitches characterised by their type
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/167 consisting of articulated or rigidly assembled bars or tubes forming a V-, Y-, or U-shaped draw gear B60D1/173 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/485 mounted by means of transversal members attached to the frame of a vehicle

Abstract

An accessory for mounting on the frame of a motor vehicle, to provide a frame hitch assembly adapted to be used with the original equipment bumper of the vehicle or which is adapted to support an accessory step bumper. The frame hitch assembly has mounting end plates and reinforcing torque bars adapted for mounting the hitch assembly on the frame without altering the physical characteristics of the frame.

Claims

1. A hitch assembly for mounting on the frame of a motor vehicle, comprising a tubular transverse support member having a generally square cross section, end plates mounted on opposite ends of said transverse support member, each plate extending upward above the transverse support member and having means for mounting them on the outer sides of a motor vehicle frame with the transverse support member positioned to the rear of and below said frame, reinforcing bars connected to the lower portions of said end plates and projecting forward and upward for attachment to said frame, and a tube mounted on the lower wall of the square tubular transverse support member midway between said plates projecting rearwardly for receiving and supporting a drawbar, each of said reinforcing bars being secured at one end to the side of its associated plate and terminating at its other end in a plate turned inward adapted to fit on the lower surface of the vehicle frame, and each of said plates including means for securing brackets of a bumper thereto.

2. A bumper hitch assembly for mounting on the frame of a motor vehicle comprising a hitch assembly having a transverse support member, end plates mounted on opposite ends of said transverse support member, each plate extending upward above the transverse support member and having means for mounting them on the outer sides of a motor vehicle frame with the transverse support member positioned to the rear of and below said frame, reinforcing bars connected to the lower portions of said end plates and projecting forward and upward for attachment to said frame, drawbar attachment means mounted on a lower portion of said transverse support member midway between said plats projecting rearwardly for receiving and supporting a drawbar, and a bumper mounted on said hitch, said bumper having a pair of spaced brackets secured thereto which project forward and are secured to and supported by Said end plates.

3. A bumper hitch assembly as is defined in claim 2, wherein said bumper includes a step plate extending between said brackets, said step plate overlying said drawbar attachment means and being supported thereon.

4. A bumper hitch assembly as is defined in claim 2, wherein said drawbar attachment means includes a tube welded to the undersurface of said support member.

5. In combination, a frame of a motor vehicle, a hitch assembly mounted on said frame comprising a transverse support tube, end plates mounted on opposite ends of said support tube, each plate extending vertically upward above the support tube and secured against the outer sides of said frame, with the support tube positioned to the rear of and below the rearward end of said frame, reinforcing bars connected to the lower portions of said plates extending forward and upward and connected to said frame, a tube for receiving a drawbar connected to the undersurface of said support tube and extending rearwardly therefrom, and a bumper mounted on said hitch assembly, said bumper having a pair of spaced brackets extending forward and secured to and supported by said end plates.

6. In combination, a frame of a motor vehicle, a hitch assembly mounted on said frame comprising a transverse support tube, end plates mounted on opposite ends of said support tube, each plate extending vertically upward above the support tube and secured against the outer sides of said frame, with the support tube positioned to the rear of and below the rearward end of said frame, reinforcing bars connected to the lower portions of said plates extending forward and upward and connected to said frame, a tube for receiving a drawbar connected to the undersurface of said support tube and extending rearwardly therefrom, a step bumper mounted on said hitch assembly, said bumper having a pair of spaced brackets extending forward and secured to said end plates, and a step plate supported on said drawbar tube.