Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-23
2003-06-24
Hurley, Kevin (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
C280S491500, C293S106000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06581955
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to rear bumpers for motor vehicles and, more specifically, to a tow hitch rear bumper assembly for a motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known that a motor vehicle is equipped with a rear bumper assembly in order to protect its body in a low speed vehicle collision condition. It is also known that a separate tow hitch assembly may be equipped to a rear end of the motor vehicle in order to provide the motor vehicle with additional towing capacity. The rear bumper assembly typically includes a beam that extends transversely across the rear end of the motor vehicle. The tow hitch assembly typically includes a tow hitch receiver which is disposed under and welded to a transverse tubular cross member and the tubular cross member is mounted to a frame of the motor vehicle through a pair of mounting brackets.
Although the above separate rear bumper and tow hitch assemblies have worked well, it is desirable to integrate these two assemblies into a single assembly in order to share their rigidity for both functions. It is also desirable to have an assembly, which will be lightweight and more durable while still meeting the motor vehicle towing requirement. It is further desirable to provide an integrated assembly that will enhance the rear bumper protection function in a low speed vehicle collision condition. It is yet further desirable to provide an assembly in which the tow hitch extends through the rear bumper. It is still further desirable to provide a cover for the tow hitch and rear bumper. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide an integrated tow hitch and rear bumper assembly for a motor vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is a tow hitch rear bumper assembly for a motor vehicle. The tow hitch rear bumper assembly includes a rear bumper for attachment to a frame of the motor vehicle. The tow hitch rear bumper assembly also includes a tow hitch extending through and integral with the rear bumper.
In addition, the present invention is a cover assembly for a motor vehicle including a rear bumper for attachment to a frame of the motor vehicle and a tow hitch extending through and integral with the rear bumper. The cover assembly also includes a rear bumper fascia for attachment to the motor vehicle to conceal the rear bumper and a removable door attached to the rear bumper fascia to conceal the tow hitch.
One advantage of the present invention is that a tow hitch rear bumper assembly is provided for a motor vehicle. Another advantage of the present invention is that the tow hitch rear bumper assembly integrates a tow hitch and rear bumper for a motor vehicle. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the tow hitch rear bumper assembly has a tow hitch which extends through the rear bumper to raise the height or clearance of the tow hitch relative to a driving surface. Still another advantage of the present invention is that the tow hitch rear bumper assembly reduces possible damage to the motor vehicle in a low speed vehicle collision condition. A further advantage of the present invention is that the tow hitch rear bumper assembly is lightweight and meets motor vehicle towing requirements. Yet a further advantage of the present invention is that a cover assembly is provided for a motor vehicle to cover a tow hitch and rear bumper of the motor vehicle.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood, after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Aquinto Stephen Michael
Laster Robert Todd
Sharif Irfan
Smith Scott Alan
Bejin Gigette M.
Ford Global Technologies L.L.C.
Hurley Kevin
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