Automotive bumper with integral hitch cover

Abstract

A bumper assembly for a motor vehicle includes a bumper structure having a bumper beam adapted for attachment to a structure of a motor vehicle such as a frame or rails, or the like. A hitch is attached to the bumper beam, and a bumper cover conceals the bumper beam. The bumper cover has an opening for accessing the hitch and an access door for selectively concealing the hitch. The access door is mounted to the bumper structure such that the access door will be retained upon the bumper structure not only when the access door is concealing the hitch but also when the access door is open to allow an accessory such as a trailer to be coupled to the hitch.

1 . A method for providing an access door for concealing a hitch receiver in a bumper assembly of an automotive vehicle, wherein said bumper assembly has a bumper cover with an aperture for accessing the hitch receiver, with said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an access door having an outer surface and an inner surface, with said access door further having an attaching bracket mounted to said inner surface, with said bracket being adapted for engagement with said hitch receiver, and with said access door being sized so as to engage with said bumper cover and extending about the periphery of said aperture, so as go generally close said aperture, thereby concealing said hitch receiver; and    installing said access door upon said vehicle by engaging said attaching bracket with said hitch receiver, thereby placing the access door in contact with the bumper cover at the periphery of said aperture.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said outer surface of said access door is decorated.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said access door is tethered to said bumper assembly.  
     
     
         4 . An access door adapted to conceal a tubular hitch receiver mounted within a bumper assembly of an automotive vehicle, wherein said bumper assembly has a bumper cover with an aperture for accessing the hitch receiver, with said access door having an outer surface and an inner surface, with said access door further having an attaching bracket mounted to said inner surface, with said attaching bracket being adapted for telescopic engagement with said hitch receiver, and with said access door being sized so as to engage said bumper cover and extending about the periphery of said aperture, so as go generally close the entirety of said aperture, thereby concealing said hitch receiver.  
     
     
         5 . An access door according to  claim 4 , wherein said access door further comprises a tether having a first end attached to said access door and a second end adapted for attachment to a vehicle.  
     
     
         6 . An access door according to  claim 4 , wherein said access door further comprises at least one spring-loaded latch for engaging said attaching bracket with a hitch receiver.