Jeremy Dinkmeyer Lucas

US Patent:

7971896, Jul 5, 2011

Filed:

Dec 31, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/347765

Inventors:

Andy Hughes - Livonia NY, US
Robb Augustine - Dublin OH, US
Jamison Weirup - Marysville OH, US
Jeremy Lucas - Delaware OH, US

Assignee:

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. - Tokyo

International Classification:

B60D 1/14

US Classification:

280495, 280500

Abstract:

A towing hitch assembly for use with a vehicle and method is provided and includes a towing hitch frame structure, the towing hitch frame structure having a front surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The front surface can be configured to face away from the vehicle. A towing hitch can be located adjacent the towing hitch frame structure, and a mounting assembly can be configured to mount the towing hitch frame structure to a vehicle frame. The mounting assembly can include a first bracket configured to be adjacent the vehicle frame, and a second bracket capable of receiving the first bracket, the second bracket extending along the bottom surface and the front surface of the towing hitch frame structure. The towing hitch assembly according to the disclosed subject matter provides for, among other features, improved styling, safety, loading and bumper attachment.