US 12,187,234 B2
Latch assembly for pivoting hitch device
Jordan Bowles, Springfield, MO (US); Austin Harrill, Springfield, MO (US); and Luke Kuschmeader, Springfield, MO (US)
Filed by KUAT INNOVATIONS LLC, Springfield, MO (US)
Filed on Oct. 8, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/596,197.
Prior Publication US 2021/0101428 A1, Apr. 8, 2021
Int. Cl. B60R 9/06 (2006.01); B60R 9/10 (2006.01); B60D 1/52 (2006.01)
CPC B60R 9/06 (2013.01) [B60R 9/10 (2013.01); B60D 1/52 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A pivoting hitch device for a vehicle with a receiver hitch, the pivoting hitch device comprising:
a first support member attached to a receiver drawbar, the first support member extending from the receiver drawbar toward a side of the vehicle;
a second support member pivotally attached by a hinge to the first support member near the side of the vehicle and extending therefrom toward the receiver drawbar, and parallel to the first support member in a closed position, the second support member pivotable from the closed position to an open position that is non-parallel to the first support member;
a receiver socket attached to the second support member in proximity to the receiver drawbar when the second support member is in the closed position;
a latch actuator attached to the second support member in proximity to the receiver socket;
a latch bar attached to the second support member in proximity to the hinge;
a latch member attached to the first support member in proximity to the hinge, wherein the latch bar engages the latch member in a latched position; and
a biasing mechanism that biases the latch bar toward the latched position.