Dual level hitch

• US 6,129,371 A
• Filed: 02/12/1999
• Issued: 10/10/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard A. Powell
• Original Assignee: Richard A. Powell
• Inventors: Powell, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US09/248,925
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 280/461.1, 280/491.5, 280/495, 224/488, 224/495, 224/497, 224/502, 224/504, 224/505, 224/506, 224/519, 224/520, 224/521
• US Class Current: 280/461.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/06 at vehicle front or rear rear luggage compartments within vehicle extensible externally of the vehicle body B60R5/041
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/065 Enclosure-type carriers, e.g. trunks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/10 for cycles

Abstract

A dual level hitch adapted to be connected to the front or rear of a vehicle. The hitch is provided with an upper and lower receiver adapted to receive either a ball mount or a platform for storing cargo. The upper and lower receivers are connected together utilizing a vertical extension bar. The vertical extension bar can be tilted in both the forward as well as the rearward direction to facilitate the opening and closing of a tailgate of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A dual level hitch comprising:

a first lower horizontal bar provided with a first end adapted to be attached to the front end or the rear end of a vehicle and a second end provided with a receiver allowing a cargo load, cargo platform or a ball hitch to be attached thereto;

a support device attached to said first lower horizontal bar proximate to said second end of said first lower horizontal bar;

a vertical bar having an upper end and a lower end, said vertical bar attached to said support device at said lower end of said vertical bar; and

a second upper horizontal bar attached to said upper end of said vertical bar, said second upper horizontal bar provided with a receiver allowing a cargo load or a cargo platform to be attached thereto.

2. The dual level hitch in accordance with claim 1, wherein the vertical distance between said first lower and second upper horizontal bars is adjustable.

3. The dual level hitch in accordance with claim 2, wherein said vertical bar has a plurality of vertically aligned holes, allowing said second upper horizontal bar to be attached to said vertical bar at different locations.

4. The dual level hitch in accordance with claim 1, wherein said support device is removably attached to said first lower horizontal bar.

5. The dual level hitch in accordance with claim 1, wherein said lower end of said vertical bar is attached to said support device by a movable axle.

6. The dual level hitch in accordance with claim 2, wherein said support device includes first and second side members, each side member provided with a plurality of radially arranged holes, and said vertical bar is provided with a hole proximate to its lower end, and further including a securement device passing through one of said radially arranged holes on each of said first and second side members and said hole provided on said lower end of said vertical bar, wherein said vertical bar can be secured to said support device at an angle with respect to horizontal of greater than 60°

or less than 60°

.

7. The dual level hitch in accordance with claim 1, further including a bar attached to said first end of said first lower horizontal bar and either the front end or rear end of the vehicle.