Adjustable towing apparatus for vehicles
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A hitch apparatus, comprising:
- a housing configured to be attached to a vehicle;
a tow bar movably disposed within the housing, wherein the tow bar is movable relative to the housing between retracted and extended positions, and is pivotable relative to the housing when in an extended position, and wherein a guide pin extends outwardly from a surface of a proximal end portion of the tow bar and is operably engaged with a slot in the housing to limit movement of the hitch assembly relative to the housing;
an elongated height adjustment member attached to a distal end of the tow bar, wherein the height adjustment member is a tubular member having a rear wall, elongated side walls, and a front wall, and wherein each side wall includes a plurality of vertically spaced apertures formed therethrough;
a hitch member assembly, comprising;
a base having opposite side portions and opposite upper and lower surfaces;
a hitch member extending outwardly from the base upper surface; and
a pair of L-shaped support members, wherein each support member has a first portion secured to a respective side of the base and a second portion that includes a pair of spaced-apart apertures formed therethrough; and
a fastener that is engagable with aligned apertures in the support members and height adjustment member side walls so as to removably secure the hitch member assembly to the height adjustment member at any of the plurality of elevations.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hitch apparatus includes a housing configured to be attached to a vehicle, a tow bar movably disposed within the housing, a hitch member assembly, and a fastener configured to removably secure the hitch member assembly to the height adjustment member at any of a plurality of selected elevations. The tow bar is movable relative to the housing between retracted and extended positions, and is pivotable relative to the housing when in an extended position. As such, a hitch member at the distal end of the tow bar has horizontal and vertical adjustment capabilities.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A hitch apparatus, comprising:
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a housing configured to be attached to a vehicle; a tow bar movably disposed within the housing, wherein the tow bar is movable relative to the housing between retracted and extended positions, and is pivotable relative to the housing when in an extended position, and wherein a guide pin extends outwardly from a surface of a proximal end portion of the tow bar and is operably engaged with a slot in the housing to limit movement of the hitch assembly relative to the housing; an elongated height adjustment member attached to a distal end of the tow bar, wherein the height adjustment member is a tubular member having a rear wall, elongated side walls, and a front wall, and wherein each side wall includes a plurality of vertically spaced apertures formed therethrough; a hitch member assembly, comprising; a base having opposite side portions and opposite upper and lower surfaces; a hitch member extending outwardly from the base upper surface; and a pair of L-shaped support members, wherein each support member has a first portion secured to a respective side of the base and a second portion that includes a pair of spaced-apart apertures formed therethrough; and a fastener that is engagable with aligned apertures in the support members and height adjustment member side walls so as to removably secure the hitch member assembly to the height adjustment member at any of the plurality of elevations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A hitch apparatus, comprising:
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a housing configured to be attached to a vehicle; a tow bar movably disposed within the housing, wherein the tow bar is movable relative to the housing between retracted and extended positions, and is pivotable relative to the housing when in an extended position, and wherein a guide pin extends outwardly from a surface of a proximal end portion of the tow bar and is operably engaged with a slot in the housing to limit movement of the hitch assembly relative to the housing; and an elongated height adjustment member attached to a distal end of the tow bar, wherein the height adjustment member is configured to support a hitch member at a plurality of elevations. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A hitch apparatus, comprising:
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a housing configured to be attached to a vehicle; a tow bar movably disposed within the housing, wherein the tow bar is movable relative to the housing between retracted and extended positions, and is pivotable relative to the housing when in an extended position, and wherein an extent to which the tow bar can pivot relative to the housing progressively increases as the tow bar is progressively extended; and an elongated height adjustment member attached to a distal end of the tow bar, wherein the height adjustment member is configured to support a hitch member at a plurality of elevations. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification