Hitch accessory storage device

Abstract

The present invention relates to hitch accessory storage devices and methods of use thereof. The storage devices of the present invention are used to mount and store hitch accessories when not in use, i.e., when a hitch accessory is not mounted to a vehicle. In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the hitch accessory storage device comprises (i) a frame having a floor support, a wall support, and a hitch accessory support running between said floor support and wall support and (ii) a locating pin, wherein the locating pin is configured to be received by a through hole located within a hitch accessory.

1 . A hitch accessory storage device, which comprises: 
 (a) a frame having a floor support, a wall support, and a hitch accessory support running between said floor support and wall support; and    (b) a locating pin, wherein the locating pin is configured to be received by a through hole located within a hitch accessory.    
   
   
       2 . The hitch accessory storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the through hole is located in a tubular plug portion of the hitch accessory, wherein the tubular plug portion is adapted to be removably attached to a hitch receiver of a vehicle.  
   
   
       3 . The hitch accessory storage device of  claim 2 , which further comprises a plug stop, wherein the plug stop (a) is located below the locating pin, (b) makes contact with a bottom surface of the tubular plug portion of the hitch accessory, and (c) enables the hitch accessory to be held in a substantially horizontal position.  
   
   
       4 . The hitch accessory storage device of  claim 1 , which further comprises a bridge pin, wherein the bridge pin is configured to be inserted into a through hole located within the locating pin.  
   
   
       5 . The hitch accessory storage device of  claim 4 , wherein the bridge pin secures the hitch accessory to the locating pin.  
   
   
       6 . The hitch accessory storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the locating pin is integrally formed with said hitch accessory support.  
   
   
       7 . The hitch accessory storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the locating pin is removably attachable to different locations of said hitch accessory support.  
   
   
       8 . The hitch accessory storage device of  claim 1 , which comprises multiple locating pins, wherein each locating pin is configured to be received by a through hole located within a separate hitch accessory.  
   
   
       9 . The hitch accessory storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the hitch accessory is selected from the group consisting of cargo carriers, tow bars, tailgate tables, and bike racks.  
   
   
       10 . A method for storing a hitch accessory device, which comprises: 
 (a) providing a frame having a floor support, a wall support, and a hitch accessory support running between said floor support and wall support; and    (b) sliding a through hole located within a hitch accessory onto a locating pin affixed to said hitch accessory support.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the through hole is located in a tubular plug portion of the hitch accessory, wherein the tubular plug portion is adapted to be removably attached to a hitch receiver of a vehicle.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a bottom surface of the tubular plug portion rests on a top surface of a plug stop affixed to said hitch accessory support, such that the hitch accessory is held in a substantially horizontal position.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , which further comprises providing a bridge pin, wherein the bridge pin is configured to be received by a through hole located within the locating pin.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the bridge pin secures the hitch accessory to the locating pin.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the locating pin is integrally formed with said hitch accessory support.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the locating pin is removably attachable to different locations of said hitch accessory support.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the hitch accessory support comprises multiple locating pins, wherein each locating pin is configured to be received by a through hole located within a separate hitch accessory.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the hitch accessory is selected from the group consisting of cargo carriers, tow bars, tailgate tables, and bike racks.  
   
   
       19 . A wall-mounted hitch accessory storage device, which comprises a bracket having (a) one or more holes for receiving one or more screws for securing the bracket to a wall and (b) two locating pins, wherein a first locating pin is configured to be received by a through hole located within a hitch accessory and a second locating pin is positioned to make contact with a surface of a tubular plug portion of the hitch accessory.  
   
   
       20 . The wall-mounted hitch accessory storage device of  claim 19 , wherein the second locating pin is positioned below the first locating pin, such that the second locating pin makes contact with a bottom surface of the tubular plug portion of the hitch accessory.  
   
   
       21 . The wall-mounted hitch accessory storage device of  claim 19 , wherein the second locating pin is positioned above the first locating pin, such that the second locating pin makes contact with a top surface of the tubular plug portion of the hitch accessory.