Hitch assembly with frame mounting radius cut outs

Abstract

A hitch assembly system may comprise a fixed actuator support bracket that includes one or more radius cut outs and a first pin hole. The system may further comprise a modular actuator connection bracket that includes a first bracket end that is connected to an upper portion of the fixed actuator support bracket. A lower link of the system may include a link end that comprises a second pin hole, wherein the lower link is pivotally connected to the fixed actuator support bracket via a pin or bolt that is inserted in the first pin hole and the second pin hole. The system may also comprise an electric linear actuator that includes a first actuator end that is connected to the modular actuator connection bracket and the lower link, in which the lower link is moved by extension or retraction of the electric linear actuator to pivot.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hitch assembly system, comprising:
 a fixed actuator support bracket that includes one or more radius cut outs for receiving at least one tubular frame member of a vehicle frame and a first pin hole;   a modular actuator connection bracket including a first bracket end that is connected to an upper portion of the fixed actuator support bracket;   a lower link including a link end that comprises a second pin hole, wherein the lower link is pivotally connected to the fixed actuator support bracket via a pin or bolt that is inserted in the first pin hole and the second pin hole; and   an electric linear actuator including a first actuator end that is connected to a second bracket end of the modular actuator connection bracket and a second actuator end that is connected to a body of the lower link,   wherein the lower link is moved by extension or retraction of the electric linear actuator to pivot with respect to a lower portion of the fixed actuator support bracket.   
     
     
         2 . The hitch assembly system of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed actuator support bracket includes a third pin hole for receiving an additional pin, further comprising an additional lower link including an additional link end that comprises a fourth pin hole, where the additional lower link is pivotally connected to the fixed actuator support bracket via an additional pin or bolt that is inserted in the third pin hole and the fourth pin hole. 
     
     
         3 . The hitch assembly system of  claim 2 , wherein the lower link is a part of a first hitch assembly and the additional lower link is a part of a second hitch assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The hitch assembly system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the fixed actuator support bracket includes a first pair of pin holes, and the first bracket end of the modular actuator connection bracket includes a second pair of pin holes, and wherein the fixed actuator support bracket and the modular actuator connection bracket are at least connected by insertion of one or more removable pins or bolts into at least one pin hole in each of the first pair of pin holes and the second pair of pin holes. 
     
     
         5 . The hitch assembly system of  claim 4 , wherein a radius cut out of the one or more radius cut outs included in the fixed actuator support bracket is disposed between the first pair of pin holes. 
     
     
         6 . The hitch assembly system of  claim 1 , wherein a radius cut out of the one or more radius cut outs included in the fixed actuator support bracket is disposed at a bend in a middle portion of the fixed actuator support bracket. 
     
     
         7 . The hitch assembly system of  claim 1 , wherein fixed actuator support bracket includes two parallel bracket plates that are separated and joined by a space bar. 
     
     
         8 . The hitch assembly system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the fixed actuator support bracket further includes a third pin hole for storing a spare pin. 
     
     
         9 . The hitch assembly system of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed actuator support bracket is mounted to the at least one tubular frame member of the vehicle frame, further comprising a top link that is pivotally connected to a top link bracket on the vehicle frame or the fixed actuator support bracket. 
     
     
         10 . The hitch assembly system of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed actuator support bracket is welded to the at least one tubular frame member of the vehicle frame at the one or more radius cut outs. 
     
     
         11 . A vehicle, comprising:
 a vehicle frame; and   a hitch assembly system mounted to the vehicle frame, the hitch assembly system comprising:
 a fixed actuator support bracket that includes one or more radius cut outs for receiving at least one tubular frame member of the vehicle frame and a first pin hole; 
 a modular actuator connection bracket including a first bracket end that is connected to an upper portion of the fixed actuator support bracket; 
 a lower link including a link end that comprises a second pin hole, wherein the lower link is pivotally connected to the fixed actuator support bracket via a pin or bolt that is inserted in the first pin hole and the second pin hole; and 
 an electric linear actuator including a first actuator end that is connected to a second bracket end of the modular actuator connection bracket and a second actuator end that is connected to a body of the lower link, 
 wherein the lower link is moved by extension or retraction of the electric linear actuator to pivot with respect to a lower portion of the fixed actuator support bracket. 
   
     
     
         12 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the fixed actuator support bracket includes a third pin hole for receiving an additional pin, further comprising an additional lower link including an additional link end that comprises a fourth pin hole, where the additional lower link is pivotally connected to the fixed actuator support bracket via an additional pin or bolt that is inserted in the third pin hole and the fourth pin hole. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the lower link is a part of a first hitch assembly of the vehicle and the additional lower link a part of a second hitch assembly of the vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the upper portion of the fixed actuator support bracket includes a first pair of pin holes, and the first bracket end of the modular actuator connection bracket includes a second pair of pin holes, and wherein the fixed actuator support bracket and the modular actuator connection bracket are at least connected by insertion of one or more removable pins or bolts into at least one pin hole in each of the first pair of pin holes and the second pair of pin holes. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle of  claim 14 , wherein a radius cut out of the one or more radius cut outs included in the fixed actuator support bracket is disposed between the first pair of pin holes. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein a radius cut out of the one or more radius cut outs included in the fixed actuator support bracket is disposed at a bend in a middle portion of the fixed actuator support bracket. 
     
     
         17 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein fixed actuator support bracket includes two parallel bracket plates that are separated and joined by a space bar. 
     
     
         18 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the upper portion of the fixed actuator support bracket further includes a third pin hole for storing a spare pin. 
     
     
         19 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the fixed actuator support bracket is mounted to the at least one tubular frame member of the vehicle frame, further comprising a top link that is pivotally connected to a top link bracket on the vehicle frame or the fixed actuator support bracket. 
     
     
         20 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the fixed actuator support bracket is welded to the at least one tubular frame member of the vehicle frame at the one or more radius cut outs.