TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER COVER

Abstract

The trailer hitch receiver cover of the present invention has a resilient means for covering and sealing the peripheral collar or flange of the hitch receiver. It also has integrally-formed means for covering and sealing the lateral holes in the hitch receiver. In alternative embodiments, the lateral hole sealing means is accomplished by structure that is disposed either internally to the trailer hitch receiver or externally to it.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front, top and right side perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the trailer hitch receiver cover constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectioned front, top and right side perspective view of the cover illustrated in FIG. 1FIG. 3 is a cross-sectioned and top plan view of the cover illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the cover prior to engagement with a trailer hitch receiver.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that illustrated in FIG. 3 but showing the cover fully engaged with the trailer hitch receiver.

FIG. 5 is the second preferred embodiment of the trailer hitch receiver cover constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectioned front, top and right side perspective view of the cover illustrated in FIG. 5

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectioned and top plan view of the cover illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 showing the cover prior to engagement with a trailer hitch receiver.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to that illustrated in FIG. 7 but showing the cover fully engaged with the trailer hitch receiver.

FIG. 9 is the third preferred embodiment of the trailer hitch receiver cover constructed in accordance with the present invention

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectioned front, top and right side perspective view of the cover illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectioned and top plan view of the cover illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 showing the cover prior to engagement with a trailer hitch receiver.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to that illustrated in FIG. 11 but showing the cover fully engaged with the trailer hitch receiver.

Claims

1. A cover for use with a trailer hitch receiver, the trailer hitch receiver having opposing side walls and apertures defined within said side walls, said cover comprising a front face with edges, the edges of the front face extending rearwardly of the front face,a pair of opposing side members extending rearwardly of the front face, anda tab extending from each of the side members to seal the side wall apertures of the receiver.

2. A cover for use with a trailer hitch receiver, the receiver being a square-shaped elongate metal tube having a square cross-section and an opening, a first side wall, a second side wall, the first side wall including a first side wall aperture and the second side wall including a second side wall aperture, the side wall apertures being linearly aligned, and a peripheral collar or flange, said flange completely encircling the receiver at its opening, said cover comprising a front face with edges, the edges of the front face extending rearwardly of the front face,a pair of opposing side members extending rearwardly of the front face, anda tab extending from each of the side members to seal the side wall apertures of the receiver tube.

3. The trailer hitch receiver cover of claim 2 wherein the opposing side members of the cover are disposed to the outside of the receiver and each side member further comprises an inner surface, said tabs extending inwardly towards the receiver from each side member inner surface.

4. The trailer hitch receiver cover of claim 2 wherein the opposing side members of the cover are disposed to the inside of the receiver and each side member further comprises an outer surface, said tabs extending outwardly towards the receiver from each side member outer surface.

5. The trailer hitch receiver cover of claim 2 wherein the side members are disposed to the inside of the side walls of the receiver and form a substantially continuous inwardly-extending member.

6. The trailer hitch receiver cover of claim 2 wherein the flange of the receiver includes a rearwardly-facing flange surface and the opposing side members of the cover further comprise lips and an inner capture cavity recess wherein the capture cavity recess and the lips engage the rearwardly-facing surfaces of the receiver flange such that debris, water or other foreign matter is prevented from entering the receiver.

7. The trailer hitch receiver cover of claim 6 wherein the cover further comprises a resilient gasket that is disposed within the inner capture cavity recess.

8. The trailer hitch receiver cover of claim 2 wherein the cover is constructed of a single piece of material, said material being a resilient and weather-resistant rubber material.

9. The trailer hitch receiver cover of claim 8 wherein the cover is made of a material that is fabricated in any color that is available for molding of rubber material.

10. The trailer hitch receiver cover of claim 5 wherein the cover further comprises a bottom edge at the front face and a pull tab disposed immediately below the bottom edge of the front face, the pull tab being used to aid in the removal of the cover from the receiver flange.