Integrally formed gooseneck hitch assembly
View Patent ↗A gooseneck hitch attachable to a cross member secured to a frame below a load bed of a vehicle, the cross member having a width is shown and described. The gooseneck hitch may include a beam selectively attachable to the cross member below the load bed and a rail monolithically formed with the beam and extending from the beam. The gooseneck hitch may also include a receptacle monolithically formed with the rail, where the receptacle is capable of selectively securing a hitch ball.
1. A gooseneck hitch selectively attachable to a cross member transversely secured to a vehicle frame below a load bed of a vehicle, the cross member defining an aperture, the gooseneck hitch comprising:
first and second transverse rail sections;
a receptacle, selectively securing a hitch ball, attached to the first and second rail sections;
at least one beam; and
wherein the beam, the first transverse rail section, and the second transverse rail section are formed as a monolithic unit having a flat upper surface and the receptacle is aligned with the aperture of the cross member when the monolithic unit is attached to the cross member;
wherein the at least one beam fits completely within a longitudinal width of the cross member upon attachment to the cross member.
2. The gooseneck hitch of claim 1 , wherein the monolithic unit is selectively attachable to a bottom surface of the cross member.
3. The gooseneck hitch of claim 1 , wherein the monolithic unit is formed through casting.
4. The gooseneck hitch of claim 1 , further comprising a web generally positioned between at least two selected from: the beam, the first rail section, and the second rail section.
5. The gooseneck hitch of claim 4 , wherein the web is formed as part of the monolithic unit.
6. The gooseneck hitch of claim 4 , wherein the web includes at least one recessed portion.
7. The gooseneck hitch of claim 4 , wherein a cross sectional thickness of a vertical portion of the web is less than a cross sectional thickness of a vertical portion of the receptacle.
8. The gooseneck hitch of claim 1 , wherein the at least one beam, the first rail section, the second rail section, and the receptacle are weld free.
9. The gooseneck hitch of claim 1 , wherein the first transverse rail section is curved.
10. The gooseneck hitch of claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal width of the monolithic unit bisecting the receptacle is less than at least one parallel longitudinal width that does not bisect the receptacle.
11. The gooseneck hitch of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of apertures formed through the upper surface of monolithic unit, the plurality of apertures receiving fasteners when the monolithic unit is attached to the cross member.
12. The gooseneck hitch of claim 11 , wherein a longitudinal width of the monolithic unit bisecting the receptacle is less than at least one parallel longitudinal width that does not bisect the receptacle.
13. The gooseneck hitch of claim 1 , further comprising at least two apertures formed in the monolithic unit proximate to transversely opposing ends of the first rail section.
14. The gooseneck hitch of claim 13 , further comprising at least two apertures formed in the monolithic unit proximate to transversely opposing ends of the second rail section.
15. The gooseneck hitch of claim 14 , wherein a longitudinal width of the monolithic unit bisecting the receptacle is less than at least one parallel longitudinal width that does not bisect the receptacle.
16. The gooseneck hitch of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of ribs on an underside of the monolithic unit.
17. The gooseneck hitch of claim 1 , wherein a bottom portion of the monolithic unit includes at least one open cavity.
18. A gooseneck hitch assembly selectively attachable to a vehicle frame, the assembly comprising:
a single cross member;
a gooseneck hitch, attached to the cross member, the gooseneck hitch comprising:
a first rail section defining a central portion of a first transverse edge;
a second rail section defining a central portion of a second transverse edge formed opposite to the first transverse edge, wherein the second rail portion is curved, wherein the first and second rail sections are longitudinally spaced apart but form a substantially flat upper surface;
a receptacle formed between the first and second rail sections, the receptacle configured to have accepted therein a hitch ball;
a plurality of ribs formed on an underside of the substantially flat upper surface, wherein a portion of the ribs are positioned between the receptacle and at least one of the first and second rail sections;
wherein the receptacle, the first rail section, and the second rail section are monolithically formed.
19. A gooseneck hitch comprising:
a first rail section defining a central portion of a first transverse edge;
a second rail section defining a central portion of a second transverse edge formed opposite to the first transverse edge, wherein the second rail portion is curved and wherein the first and second rail sections are longitudinally spaced apart but form a substantially flat upper surface;
a receptacle formed between the first and second rail sections, wherein the receptacle is configured to accept a hitch ball;
a plurality of ribs formed on an underside of the substantially flat upper surface, wherein a portion of the ribs connect between any combination of the following: the receptacle, the first rail section, and the second rail section;
wherein at least the receptacle, the first rail section, and second rail sections are monolithically formed; and
wherein a cross section thickness of a vertical portion of the receptacle is greater than a cross section thickness of a vertical portion of any of the plurality of the ribs.