Trailer hitch assembly

Abstract

A trailer hitch assembly is removably attachable to a receiver connected to a towing vehicle. The receiver has a rectangular port defining a receptacle. The trailer hitch assembly includes a support arm assembly and at least one hitch ball. The support arm assembly has a first support arm and a second support arm. Each of the first and second support arms are sized and dimensioned to be disposed in the receptacle for attachment to the receiver. The at least one hitch ball is supported by the support arm assembly.

1 . A trailer hitch assembly removably attachable to a receiver connected to a towing vehicle, the receiver having a rectangular port defining a receptacle, the trailer hitch assembly comprising: 
 a support arm assembly having a first support arm and a second support arm, each of the first and second support arms being sized and dimensioned to be disposed in the receptacle for attachment to the receivers the support arm assembly constructed so as to be positioned in a towing position when the first support arm is positioned within the receptacle, and the support arm assembly constructed so as to be positioned in one of a first and second stowed position when the second support arm is positioned within the receptacle; and    at least one hitch ball supported by the support arm assembly.    
   
   
       2 . The trailer hitch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first support arm and the second support arm are positioned perpendicular to one another.  
   
   
       3 . The trailer hitch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second support arms are mounted such that upon the first support arm being positioned within the receptacle the second support arm extends perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the receptacle.  
   
   
       4 . The trailer hitch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second support arms are mounted such that the second support arm extends horizontally when the first support arm is positioned within the receptacle and the support assembly is in the towing position.  
   
   
       5 . The trailer hitch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second support arms are fixed relative to one another.  
   
   
       6 . The trailer hitch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the hitch ball is positioned laterally in a horizontal direction from the rectangular port when the trailer hitch assembly is positioned in one of the first and second stowed positions.  
   
   
       7 . The trailer hitch assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a step member; and    a ball support plate extending between the support assembly and the step member.    
   
   
       8 . The trailer hitch assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the step member is connected to the ball support plate.  
   
   
       9 . The trailer hitch assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the step member extends beyond an outer periphery of the ball support plate.  
   
   
       10 . The trailer hitch assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a step member positioned in parallel with the first support arm.  
   
   
       11 . The trailer hitch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second support arms are mounted such that the first support arm extends horizontally when the second support arm is positioned within the receptacle and the support assembly is in the first stowed position.  
   
   
       12 . The trailer hitch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first support arm and the hitch ball are aligned with a longitudinal axis of the receptacle when the support arm assembly is positioned in the towing position.