IP Library Granted Patent US 12,070,975
Granted Patent B2
US 12,070,975 · App. 17/384,918 · Granted Aug 27, 2024

Under bed hitch mounting system

Inventor: Richard W. McCoy (Granger, IN)
Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
B60D1/488B60D1/015B60D1/06B60D1/075B60D1/52
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,070,975
App. No.
17/384,918
Granted
Aug 27, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A hitch mounting system capable of attaching to a vehicle, where, the vehicle includes a frame and a load bed is disclosed. The hitch mounting system may include at least one rail, the rail being a generally continuous member, where the rail includes at least one end portion, and where the end portion is deformed in a shape capable of attaching to the frame of the vehicle. The hitch mounting system may also include at least one mounting aperture located in the rail, the mounting aperture capable of having secured thereto an accessory.

Claims (64)

1. A hitch mounting system comprising:

at least one rail configured to fit between a frame and a load bed of a vehicle and configured to attach with the frame, wherein the at least one rail is a tubular member having a cross-sectional shape defined by an enclosed peripheral wall with a generally hollow section;

at least one mounting aperture located in the rail;

a channel member positioned in the mounting aperture and attached to the rail;

an accessory attachment member attached to the channel member, wherein the accessory attachment member is capable of having an accessory mounting member secured thereto, wherein the channel member includes at least one recess and the accessory attachment member includes at least one flange whereby the flange is insertable into the recess; and

a locking mechanism generally preventing the accessory attachment member from being removed from the channel member, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:

a locking pin;

a first locking aperture positioned in the accessory attachment member; and

a second locking aperture positioned in the channel member, wherein the locking pin is capable of being inserted through the locking aperture and engaging the second locking aperture generally preventing the accessory attachment member from being removed from the channel member.

2. The hitch mounting system of claim 1 further comprising a mid-rail attached to the rail, wherein the mid-rail includes a hitch ball socket, the hitch ball socket capable of having a gooseneck hitch ball secured thereto.

3. The hitch mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the channel member includes at least one leg, wherein the leg is attached to the rail within the mounting aperture and wherein the leg positions the accessory attachment member generally flush with the load bed of the vehicle when the rail is attached to the frame of the vehicle.

4. The hitch mounting system of claim 1 , wherein inserting and rotating the accessory attachment member within the channel member selectively attaches the accessory attachment member to the channel member.

5. The hitch mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the flange is capable of entering the recess and rotation of the accessory attachment member engages the flange with the channel member and selectively attaches the accessory attachment member to the channel member.

6. The hitch mounting system of claim 5 , wherein the accessory attachment member being rotated approximately 90 degrees selectively attaches the accessory attachment member to the channel member.

7. The hitch mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the accessory comprises a fifth wheel hitch.

8. A hitch mounting system comprising:

at least one rail member capable of attaching to a frame of a vehicle generally below a load bed of the vehicle, wherein the at least one rail is a tubular member having a cross-sectional shape defined by an enclosed peripheral wall with a generally hollow section;

a channel member attached to the rail member;

an accessory attachment member selectively attached to the channel member, wherein the accessory attachment member is capable of having an accessory mounting member secured thereto, wherein the channel member includes at least one recess and the accessory attachment member includes at least one flange wherein the flange is capable of entering the recess and rotating the accessory attachment member engages the flange with the channel member and selectively attaches the accessory attachment member to the channel member; and

a locking mechanism generally preventing the accessory attachment member from being removed from the channel member, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:

a locking pin;

a first locking aperture positioned in the accessory attachment member; and

a second locking aperture positioned in the channel member, wherein the locking pin is capable of being inserted through the locking aperture and engaging the second locking aperture generally preventing the accessory attachment member from being removed from the channel member.

9. The hitch mounting system of claim 8 , wherein the channel member comprises a channel.

10. A hitch mounting system comprising:

at least at least one rail capable of attaching to a frame of a vehicle generally below a load bed of the vehicle, wherein the at least one rail is a tubular member having a cross-sectional shape defined by an enclosed peripheral wall with a generally hollow section; at least one mounting aperture located in the rail; and

a receiving member positioned in the mounting aperture and attached to the rail, the receiving member comprising:

a channel member positioned in the mounting aperture and attached to the rail, wherein the channel member has a top surface and includes at least one recess;

an accessory attachment member attached to the channel member by inserting the accessory attachment member into the channel member and rotating the accessory attachment member, wherein the accessory attachment member is capable of having an accessory mounting member inserted into and secured thereto, and whereby the accessory attachment member includes at least one flange sized to fit within the at least one recess; and

a locking mechanism generally preventing the accessory attachment member from being removed from the channel member, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:

a locking pin;

a first locking aperture positioned in the accessory attachment member; and

a second locking aperture positioned in the channel member, wherein the locking pin is capable of being inserted through the locking aperture and engaging the second locking aperture generally preventing the accessory attachment member from being removed from the channel member.

11. The hitch mounting system of claim 10 , wherein rotating the accessory attachment member approximately 90 degrees attaches the accessory attachment member to the channel member by engaging the at least one flange with the channel member.

12. A hitch mounting system capable of attaching to a vehicle, the vehicle having a frame and a load bed, the hitch mounting system comprising:

at least one rail capable of attaching to the frame of the vehicle generally below the load bed of the vehicle, wherein the at least one rail is a tubular member having a cross-sectional shape defined by an enclosed peripheral wall with a generally hollow section;

at least one mounting aperture positioned in a top surface of the rail;

a channel member positioned in the mounting aperture and attached to the rail, wherein the channel member has a top surface positioned generally below the load bed of the vehicle and at least one recess;

an accessory attachment member selectively attached to the channel member, wherein the accessory attachment member is capable of having an accessory secured thereto and wherein the accessory attachment member includes at least one flange insertable into the recess whereby rotation of the accessory attachment member causes the flanges to engage the channel member selectively attaching the accessory attachment member with the channel member; and

a locking mechanism generally preventing the accessory attachment member from being removed from the channel member, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:

a locking pin;

a first locking aperture positioned in the accessory attachment member; and

a second locking aperture positioned in the channel member, wherein the locking pin is capable of being inserted through the locking aperture and engaging the second locking aperture generally preventing the accessory attachment member from being removed from the channel member.

13. The hitch mounting system of claim 12 , wherein the channel member is positioned entirely below the load bed of the vehicle.

14. A hitch mounting system comprising:

at least one rail configured to fit between a frame and a load bed of a vehicle and configured to attach with the frame, wherein the at least one rail is a tubular member having a cross-sectional shape defined by an enclosed peripheral wall with a generally hollow section;

a mounting aperture located in the rail;

a receiving member positioned over the mounting aperture, wherein the receiving member comprises an attachment portion and a puck portion, wherein the attachment portion comprises at least one flange welded to the rail and the puck portion is configured to accept for engagement an accessory attachment member;

a channel member positioned in the mounting aperture and attached to the rail; and

a locking mechanism generally preventing the accessory attachment member from being removed from the channel member, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:

a locking pin;

a first locking aperture positioned in the accessory attachment member; and

a second locking aperture positioned in the channel member, wherein the locking pin is capable of being inserted through the locking aperture and engaging the second locking aperture generally preventing the accessory attachment member from being removed from the channel member.

15. The hitch mounting system of claim 14 , wherein the rail comprises a second mounting aperture and a second receiving member, wherein the second receiving member comprises a second attachment portion and a second puck portion, wherein the second attachment portion comprises a second at least one flange welded to the rail and the second puck portion is configured to accept for engagement an accessory attachment member.

16. A hitch mounting system comprising:

at least one rail capable of attaching to a frame of a vehicle generally below a load bed of the vehicle;

at least one mounting aperture located in the rail; and

a receiving member positioned in the mounting aperture and attached to the rail, the receiving member comprising:

a channel member positioned in the mounting aperture and attached to the rail, wherein the channel member has a top surface and includes at least one recess;

an accessory attachment member attached to the channel member by inserting the accessory attachment member into the channel member and rotating the accessory attachment member, wherein the accessory attachment member is capable of having an accessory mounting member inserted into and secured thereto, and whereby the accessory attachment member includes at least one flange sized to fit within the at least one recess;

a locking mechanism generally preventing the accessory attachment member from being removed from the channel member, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a locking pin;

a first locking aperture positioned in the accessory attachment member; and

a second locking aperture positioned in the channel member, wherein the locking pin is capable of being inserted through the locking aperture and engaging the second locking aperture generally preventing the accessory attachment member from being removed from the channel member.

Assignments (2)
FIRST LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 18, 2025
From: AIRTEX INDUSTRIES, LLC; AIRTEX PRODUCTS, LP; APC INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, LLC; APC PARENT, LLC; ASC INDUSTRIES, INC.; AUTOLITE OPERATIONS LLC; AVM EXPORT, INC.; BPI ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC; BPI EC, LLC; BPI HOLDINGS INTERNATIONAL, LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC CHINA LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC INDIA LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC LLC; CARDONE INDUSTRIES, INC.; CARRAND COMPANIES, INC.; CARTER CARBURETOR HOLDINGS, LLC; CARTER CARBURETOR, LLC; CARTER FUEL EXPORT, INC.; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC; CHAMPION LABORATORIES, INC.; CWD HOLDING, LLC; CWD INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS I, LLC; CWD INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS II, LLC; CWD, LLC; DALTON CORPORATION; DALTON CORPORATION, KENDALLVILLE; MANUFACTURING FACILITY DALTON CORPORATION, ASHLAND; MANUFACTURING FACILITY DALTON CORPORATION, STRYKER MACHINING FACILITY CO.; DALTON CORPORATION, WARSAW MANUFACTURING FACILITY; EAGLE CASTING, LLC; EAGLE MACHINING, LLC; FIRST BRANDS GROUP INTERMEDIATE, LLC; FIRST BRANDS GROUP, LLC; FRAM GROUP IP LLC; FRAM GROUP OPERATIONS LLC; FRAMAUTO HOLDINGS, LLC; FUEL FILTER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GLOBAL REMAN VENTURES, LLC; HEATHERTON HOLDINGS, LLC; HOPKINS ACQUISITION, INC.; HOPKINS MANUFACTURING CORPORATION; HORIZON EURO FINANCE LLC; HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.; HORIZON GLOBAL COMPANY LLC; HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION; HORIZON INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; IBI INTERNATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; INTERNATIONAL BRAKE INDUSTRIES, INC.; JASPER ACQUISITION CORP.; JASPER RUBBER PRODUCTS, INC.; KTRI HOLDINGS, INC.; KTRI OFFSHORE HOLDINGS, LLC; LONGMAN ENTERPRISES, INC.; PHNX ACQUISITION CORP.; PREMIER MARKETING GROUP, LLC; PYLON MANUFACTURING CORP.; PYLON SOUTH BEND, INC.; QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE, L.L.C.; QUALIS ENTERPRISES, LLC; QUALITOR ACQUISITION INC.; QUALITOR AUTOMOTIVE, LLC; QUALITOR SUBSIDIARY H, INC.; QUALITOR SUBSIDIARY S, INC.; QUALITOR, INC.; REMAN MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL LLC; SDC TX, LLC; SMART CHOICE, LLC; SPECIALTY PUMPS GROUP, INC.; STRONGARM, LLC; TAE BRAKES, LLC; TAE CHINA HOLDINGS, INC.; TMD INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; TMD MEXICO LLC; TOLEDO MOLDING & DIE, LLC; TRANSPORTATION AFTERMARKET ENTERPRISE, LLC; TRICO HOLDING CORPORATION; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; TRICO TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; TRIDONEX USA LLC; UCI ACQUISITION HOLDINGS (NO. 4) LLC; UCI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS PARENT, INC.; UCI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; UCI INTERNATIONAL, LLC; UCI PENNSYLVANIA, INC.; UCI-AIRTEX HOLDINGS, INC.; UNITED COMPONENTS, LLC; UNIVERSAL AUTO FILTER LLC; VIPER ACQUISITION I, INC.; VIPER ACQUISITION, INC.; WALBRO LLC; WALBRO MIDCO LLC; WEM US CO.
To: GLAS USA LLC
Reel/Frame 071674/0688 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 26, 2021
From: MCCOY, RICHARD W.
To: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
Reel/Frame 056974/0334 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 16685080 · Nov 15, 2019
Continuation 15459034 · Mar 15, 2017
Continuation 13992331
Provisional Application 61421156 · Dec 8, 2010
Related Publication 20210347217A1 · Nov 11, 2021