Attachment assembly for a vehicle

Abstract

An attachment assembly for a vehicle having a receiver for pulling an object or being pulled. The attachment assembly includes a support member for connection to the receiver and an attachment member connected to the support member to provide both pivotal and rotational movement.

1 . An attachment assembly comprising:
 a support member having a longitudinal axis and being adapted to be at least partially disposed in a receiver of a vehicle;   a shaft member attached to said support member and being rotatable relative to said support member about said longitudinal axis; and   an attachment member extending through said shaft member and being pivotal relative to said shaft member and said support member about said longitudinal axis for allowing pulling of an object with the vehicle or the vehicle being pulled.   
     
     
         2 . An attachment assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said shaft member has a head. 
     
     
         3 . An attachment assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said shaft member has a shaft extending axially from said head. 
     
     
         4 . An attachment assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said head has an aperture extending therethrough, said attachment member extending through said aperture. 
     
     
         5 . An attachment assembly an set forth in  claim 1  including a retainer to retain said shaft member to said support, member, 
     
     
         6 . An attachment assembly as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said retainer is a nut having an aperture extending therethrough with a plurality of internal threads for matingly engaging threads of said shaft member. 
     
     
         7 . An attachment assembly as set forth in  claim 5  including a locking feature for locking said retainer and said shaft member together to prevent said retainer from disengaging said shaft member. 
     
     
         8 . An attachment assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said attachment member has a generally closed shape. 
     
     
         9 . An attachment assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said support member has a flange plate at one end thereof, said flange plate extending outwardly beyond said support member and having a central aperture extending therethrough along said longitudinal avis to receive said shaft member. 
     
     
         10 . An attachment assembly comprising:
 a support member extending longitudinally and having a hollow interior, said support member adapted to be at least partially disposed in a hollow receiver of a vehicle, said support member having a longitudinal axis and a flange plate at one end thereof, said flange plate extending outwardly beyond said support member and having a central aperture extending therethrough along said longitudinal axis and communicating with said hollow interior;   a shaft member having a shaft extending through said central aperture and a head at one end of said shaft, said head having an aperture extending therethrough;   an attachment member having a generally closed shape extending through said aperture in said head and being pivotal relative to said head; and   a retainer disposed within sale hollow interior of said support member adjacent said flange plate and engaging said shaft to retain said shaft member to said support member and allow rotational movement about said longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         11 . An attachment, assembly as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said retainer is a nut having an aperture extending therethrough with a plurality of internal threads for matingly engaging threads of said shaft. 
     
     
         12 . An attachment assembly as set forth in claim Id including a locking feature for locking said retainer and said shaft member together to prevent said retainer from disengaging said shaft. 
     
     
         13 . An attachment assembly comprising:
 a support member extending longitudinally and having a hollow interior, said support member adapted to be at least partially disposed in a hollow receiver of a vehicles, said support member having a longitudinal axis and a flange plate at one end thereof, said flange plate extending outwardly beyond said support member and having a central aperture extending therethrough along said longitudinal axis and communicating with said hollow interior;   a shaft member extending through said central aperture, said shaft member having a head, said head having an aperture extending therethrough;   a retainer disposed within said hollow interior of said support member adjacent said flange plate and engaging said shaft member to retain said shaft member to said support member; and   an attachment member having a generally closed shape extending through said aperture in said head and being both pivotal and rotatable relative to said head about said longitudinal axis to provide both pivotal and rotational movement for pulling an object with the vehicle or the vehicle being pulled.   
     
     
         14 . An attachment assembly as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said retainer is a nut having an aperture extending therethrough with a plurality of internal threads for matingly engaging threads of said shaft member. 
     
     
         15 . An attachment assembly as set forth in  claim 14  including a locking feature for locking said retainer and said shaft member together to prevent said retainer from disengaging said shaft member.