Hitch assembly

Abstract

A hitch assembly for mounting to a frame assembly of a vehicle comprises a one-piece hitch mounting structure having a general U-shape with opposing end portions and a centrally disposed intermediate portion between the end portions. A hitch receiver is mounted to the intermediate portion of the hitch mounting structure. The end portions each include a mounting section with a general L-shaped cross-sectional configuration, thereby providing the end portions with horizontally extending mounting flanges structured to mount the hitch assembly to the frame assembly of the vehicle.

1 . A method of forming a hitch assembly for mounting to a frame assembly of a vehicle, the method comprising: 
 bending an elongated substantially tubular body member in a die assembly to form a one-piece hitch mounting structure having a general U-shape with opposing end portions and a centrally disposed intermediate portion between the end portions;    bending the end portions in the die assembly to form a mounting section with a general L-shaped cross-sectional configuration, thereby providing the end portions with horizontally extending mounting flanges structured to mount the hitch assembly to the frame assembly of the vehicle; and    mounting a hitch receiver to the intermediate portion of the hitch mounting structure.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the tubular body member has a generally rectangular cross-section.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising bending the end portions to form an elbow section with a general U-shaped cross-sectional configuration.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising forming a plurality of openings in each of the horizontally extending mounting flanges for mounting the hitch assembly to the frame assembly of the vehicle.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of openings are formed in a piercing operation in the die assembly.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising forming an opening in the intermediate portion of the hitch mounting structure for mounting the hitch receiver.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the opening is cut by a laser in a separate operation from the die assembly.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the intermediate portion is bent into a general V-shape such that the end portions are positioned higher than the opening in the intermediate portion.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising mounting a safety chain mounting structure between the intermediate portion of the hitch mounting structure and the hitch receiver to provide two safety chain openings.