Hitch ball mount and method of forming the hitch ball mount

Abstract

A hitch ball mount is shown and described. The hitch ball mount may include a generally tubular body having first and second end portions, the first end portion engageable with a hitch receiver of a towing vehicle, and a drop portion monolithic with the tubular body and formed between the first and second end portions of the tubular member. The hitch ball mount may further include a hitch ball mounting portion monolithic with the drop portion and tubular body, the hitch ball mounting portion formed at the second end portion of the tubular member and extending from the drop portion, where a hitch ball is selectively attachable to the hitch ball mounting portion.

1 . A method of forming a hitch ball mount comprising the steps of:
 providing a generally tubular member having first and second end portions;   stamping the tubular member between the first and second end portions forming a drop portion; and   stamping the second end portion of the tubular member forming at least a portion of a hitch ball mounting portion.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming the drop portion, hitch receiver portion and hitch ball mounting portion are performed substantially simultaneously whereby the tubular member, drop portion and hitch receiver portion are a monolithic unit. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the steps of stamping the tubular member include hydro-forming. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of stamping the second end portion of the tubular member fully forms the hitch ball mounting portion. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of forming an axial through-hole extending through the hitch ball mounting portion. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising forming an a circular recess positioned axially relative to the through-hole with the through-hole being within the recess. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming the portion of the hitch ball mounting portion forms a cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the steps of:
 inserting at least one insert into the cavity of the hitch ball mounting portion; and   stamping the hitch ball mounting portion fully forming the hitch ball mounting portion.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of grinding an end portion of the hitch ball mounting portion. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of attaching a generally protective layer to an end portion of the hitch ball mounting portion. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of attaching the generally protective layer inhibits corrosion at the end portion of the hitch ball mounting portion. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of attaching the generally protective layer includes welding the end portion of the hitch ball mounting portion. 
     
     
         13 . A method of forming a hitch ball mount comprising the steps of:
 providing a generally tubular member having first and second end portions;   inserting the tubular member into a die; and   stamping the tubular member forming a drop portion and a hitch ball mounting portion.   
     
     
         14 . A method of forming a hitch ball mount comprising the steps of:
 providing a generally tubular member having first and second end portions, wherein the first end portion is selectively attachable to a hitch receiver of a towing vehicle;   inserting the tubular member into a die;   stamping the tubular member between the first and second end portions forming a drop portion; and   stamping the tubular member at the second end portion forming a hitch ball mounting portion.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the steps of stamping the tubular member between the first and second end portions and the second end portion are performed generally simultaneously. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of dwelling the stamping of the tubular member during stamping the tubular member between the first and second end portions forming the drop portion. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of dwelling the stamping of the tubular member during stamping the tubular member at the second end portion forming the hitch ball mounting portion. 
     
     
         18 . A method of forming a hitch ball mount comprising the steps of:
 providing a monolithic tubular member having first and second end portions with a cavity extending between the first and second end portions;   stamping the tubular member between the first and second end portions forming a drop portion;   stamping the tubular member at the second end portion forming a hitch ball mounting portion; and   generally eliminating the cavity from the hitch ball mounting portion.