BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Existing removable towballs, generally found on automobiles used when towing a trailer, consist of a towball sliding into a socket and held in place with a pin.

The pin thus forms the only detent keeping the towball in place. When towing a trailer, should a sudden jerk on the towball break the pin, the towball will detach from the towing vehicle, possibly resulting in serious damage to property and injury to people.

The small contact area between the towball and the restraining pin of the current art does not present the safest and most reliable solution to this problem. Furthermore, the pin keeping the towball in place tends to wear out after time, causing the towball to rattle during use.

In addition, the Inventors have further identified a need where an operator of an automobile wishes to temporarily attach a utilitarian object to an automobile, typically to increase the conveyance capacity of the vehicle, to facilitate the conveying of awkward objects, and/or to achieve a certain objective. The current art does not provide a solution which enables an operator to easily attach an object to an automobile for the abovementioned situations, which solution is easy to use, aesthetically pleasing and generally not readily visible when not in use.

The current invention seeks to provide solutions to the above identified problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided an automotive hitch for attaching an object having a specific utilitarian function to an automobile, which hitch includes: a utilitarian contrivance which includes a threaded portion; a threaded receptacle for complementarily receiving, in use, the threaded portion of the contrivance therein, the receptacle being further shaped and configured for attachment to an automobile, in use; and securing means for securing the threaded portion of the contrivance in the threaded receptacle when the portion is received therein, so that the contrivance is releasably attachable to an automobile fitted with said receptacle.

The utilitarian contrivance may include a towball for fastening a trailer to an automobile. It is to be appreciated that the towball is typically shaped so that, when a trailer is connected to the towball, the downward force of the trailer biases the threaded portion into the thread of the receptacle. It is to be appreciated that a trailer may include any of various vehicles designed to be drawn along or towed by another vehicle.

Otherwise, the utilitarian contrivance may include : a shaft defining the threaded portion on one end thereof for threadedly. engaging, in use, the receptacle ; a sleeve configured to fit co-axially about the shaft so that the shaft is able to rotate freely inside the sleeve about a common axis; locating means attached to the sleeve which locating means is configured to locate an object; and locking means configured to lock, in use, the sleeve about the shaft to impede the rotation of the sleeve about the shaft.

Accordingly, the locating means may be shaped and configured to locate a golf bag. The locating means may be shaped and configured to locate a toolbox. The locating means may be shaped and configured to locate a luggage holder. The locating means may be shaped and configured to locate a bicycle holder. The locating means may be shaped and configured to locate a grocery holder. The locating means may be

shaped and configured to locate a camping equipment holder. The locating means may be shaped and configured to locate a winch. The locating means may be shaped and configured to locate a pet holder, e. g. a dog box. It is to be appreciated that the locating means may generally be shaped and/or configured to locate a variety of different objects, and is accordingly not limited to those mentioned above.

The shaft may include positioning means configured to position the sleeve longitudinally on the shaft, i. e. to keep the sleeve from sliding along the axis of the shaft.

Accordingly, the positioning means may include a protrusion on the shaft to restrict the longitudinal movement of the sleeve along the shaft..

The shaft may include a handle portion whereby a user may, in use, rotate the shaft so that the threaded portion of the shaft engages the suitably threaded receptacle. The shaft may define a conventional towball on an end opposite the threaded portion, i. e. a towball for towing a trailer. Alternatively, the handle portion may be configured to define a towball.

The sleeve may include sealing means configured to seal a contact area between the shaft and the sleeve against the ingress of water, dirt, or the like, e. g. o- ring seals.

The locking means may include a detent or similar mechanism which prevents the rotational movement of the sleeve about the shaft. Accordingly, the locking means may include an aperture in the shaft and a corresponding aperture in the sleeve through which a pin is passed, in use, to impede the rotational movement of the sleeve about the shaft.

Otherwise, the locking means may include a latch mechanism. The locking means may include a screw-type pin. The locking means may be configured to be secured in use, i. e. so that the impediment introduced by the locking means, in use, is not easily removable, typically to prevent unauthorized tampering with the locking means.

In addition, the threaded receptacle may include guiding means for guiding the threaded portion into the receptacle in a specific manner, so as to facilitate

the receptacle receiving the threaded portion. Otherwise, the threaded portion may include guiding means for guiding the threaded portion into the receptacle in a specific manner, so as to facilitate the receptacle receiving the threaded portion.

The receptacle may be shaped and configured for attachment to an automobile by means of welding, a nut and bolt arrangement, rivets, screws, and/or the like. Accordingly, the receptacle may be shaped and configured for attachment to a towbar of an automobile.

The securing means may include a detent or similar mechanism which prevents the rotational disengagement of the threaded portion from the threaded receptacle. The securing means may include a cavity in the receptacle through which a pin is passed into an aperture in the threaded portion for inhibiting the rotational disengagement of the threaded portion form the receptacle. The securing means may include a latch mechanism. The securing means may include a screw-type pin.

In addition, the securing means may be configured to be securable so that the securing means itself is secured in place, i. e. so that the securing means is not easily removable once placed in position, typically to prevent unauthorised removal of the threaded portion from the threaded receptacle, e. g. by means of a lock, or the like.

In addition, the hitch may include a protective plug configured to protect the threaded receptacle by the plug including engagement means for securing the plug to the threaded receptacle, and a cover for covering the receptacle to protect the threaded receptacle from the ingress of foreign material, e. g. water, dirt, and/or the like.

The cover may be manufactured from a resiliently flexible material, e. g. rubber, plastic, or the like. The cover may be manufactured from a rigid material, e. g. plastic, metal, or the like. The cover may have reflective properties. The cover may contain promotional indicia, e. g. the name and/or badge of an automobile manufacturer.

The plug may form part of the general structure of the car, in use, i. e. the plug may form part of the bodywork of the car, e. g. such as the bumper, or the like. It is to be appreciated that the plug may hide the receptacle, in use, by camouflaging the receptacle to look like part of, for instance, the bumper of the car.

The hitch may further include a protective casing configured to encase the threaded portion of the contrivance to prevent any damage to the thread of the threaded portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 shows, in side view, an automotive hitch, in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows, in side view, one embodiment of the automotive hitch shown in Figure 1 with the utilitarian contrivance being a towball ; Figure 3 shows, in top view, the automotive hitch shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows, in side view, the automotive hitch shown in Figures 2 and 3 with the towball received by the receptacle; Figure 5 shows, in side view, the threaded receptacle; Figure 6 shows, in front view, the threaded receptacle of Figure 5; Figure 7 shows, in top view, one embodiment of the utilitarian contrivance; Figure 8 shows, in side view, the utilitarian contrivance of Figure 7 where the contrivance is a golf bag carrier; Figure 9 shows, in side view, a further embodiment of the contrivance shown in Figure 7 with the contrivance being a toolbox ; and Figure 10 shows a protective plug.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to the accompanying drawings, an automotive hitch, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

The automotive hitch 10 is generally used for attaching an object having a specific utilitarian function to an automobile (not shown). The hitch 10 includes a utilitarian contrivance 12 which includes a threaded portion 14, and a threaded receptacle 16 for complementarily receiving, in use, the threaded portion 14 of the contrivance 12 therein. The receptacle 16 is further shaped and configured for

attachment to an automobile, in use. The hitch 10 also includes securing means 18 for securing the threaded portion 14 of the contrivance 12 in the threaded receptacle 16 when the portion 14 is received therein, so that the contrivance 12 is releasably attachable to an automobile fitted with said receptacle 16.

It is to be appreciated that, in one embodiment of the invention, the utilitarian contrivance 12 includes a towball 20 for fastening a trailer (not shown) to an automobile. It is to be appreciated that, in one embodiment (not shown) the towball 20 is typically shaped and configured so that, when a trailer is connected to the towball 20, the downward force of the trailer biases the threaded portion 14 into the receptacle 16, i. e. the weight of the trailer corresponds to a direction of the thread of the threaded portion 14 so that the portion 14 is biased into the receptacle 16. Accordingly, a trailer includes any of various vehicles designed to be drawn along or towed by another vehicle.

Otherwise, in a further embodiment of the invention, the utilitarian contrivance 12 includes a shaft 22 which defines the threaded portion 14 on one end thereof for threadedly engaging, in use, the receptacle 16, a sleeve 24 configured to fit co-axially about the shaft 22 so that the shaft 22 is able to rotate freely inside the sleeve 24 about a common axis, and locating means 26 attached to the sleeve 24 which locating means 26 is configured to locate an object. The contrivance further includes locking means 28 configured to lock, in use, the sleeve 24 about the shaft 22 to impede the rotation of the sleeve 24 about the shaft 22.

It is to be appreciated that with the shaft 22 being able to rotate freely inside the sleeve 24 enables the threaded portion 14 to be threadedly engaged with the receptacle 16 without requiring the locating means 26 (and the object so located) to rotate along with the shaft 22 when the threaded portion 14 is screwed into the receptacle 16.

Accordingly, depending on a variety of possible embodiments, the locating means 26 may be shaped and configured to locate a golf bag, a toolbox, a luggage holder, a bicycle holder, a grocery holder, a camping equipment holder, a winch, a pet holder, a cooking appliance, e. g. a barbeque, and/or the like. It is to be appreciated that the locating means 26 may generally be shaped and/or configured to locate a large

variety of different objects depending on the required application, and is accordingly not limited to those mentioned above.

For example, the locating means 26 may be shaped and configured as a bicycle holder to enable an automobile fitted with the receptacle 16 to transport a bicycle.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, the shaft 22 includes positioning means 30 configured to position the sleeve 24 longitudinally on the shaft 22, i. e. to keep the sleeve 24 from sliding along the axis of the shaft 22. Accordingly, in the embodiment shown, the positioning means 30 includes protrusions on the shaft 22 to restrict the longitudinal movement of the sleeve 24 along the shaft 22.

The shaft 22 also includes a handle portion 34 whereby a user may, in use, rotate the shaft 22 so that the threaded portion 14 engages the threaded receptacle 16. In a further embodiment (not shown), the shaft 22 defines a conventional towball on an end opposite the threaded portion 14, i. e. a towball for towing a trailer. It is to be appreciated that in this manner the hitch 10 enables the functionality of the utilitarian contrivance 12, e. g. a bicycle holder, along with the possibility to tow a trailer at the same time.

Generally, the sleeve 24 includes sealing means 36 configured to seal a contact area between the shaft 22 and the sleeve 24 against the ingress of water, dirt, or the like. In the embodiment shown, the sealing means 36 is rubber o-ring seals.

The locking means 28 is a detent or similar mechanism which prevents the rotational movement of the sleeve 24 about the shaft 22. Accordingly, in the embodiment shown, the locking means 28 includes an aperture in the shaft 22 and a corresponding aperture in the sleeve 24 through which a pin is passed, in use, to impede the rotational movement of the sleeve 24 about the shaft 22.

Otherwise, in a further embodiment of the invention (not shown), the locking means 28 may include a latch mechanism, screw-type pin, or the like. The locking means 28 may also be configured to be secured in use, i. e. so that the

impediment introduced by the locking means 28, in use, is not easily removable, typically to prevent unauthorized tampering with the locking means 28.

In a yet further embodiment of the invention (not shown), the threaded receptacle 16 includes guiding means for guiding the threaded portion 14 into the receptacle 16 in a specific manner, so as to facilitate the receptacle 16 receiving the threaded portion 14. Otherwise, the threaded portion 14 may include guiding means for guiding the threaded portion 14 into the receptacle 16 in a specific manner, so as to facilitate the receptacle 16 receiving the threaded portion 14. The guiding means (not shown) typically includes a guiding pin, or the like. It is to be appreciated that the guiding means generally enables a user to insert the threaded portion 14 of the contrivance 12 into the receptacle 16 without undue effort.

The receptacle 16 is generally shaped and configured for attachment to an automobile. Depending on the attachment required, the receptacle may be attached by means of welding, a nut and bolt arrangement, rivets, screws, and/or the like.

Accordingly, the receptacle typically attaches to a towbar (not shown) of an automobile.

The securing means 18 used to secure, in use, the threaded portion 14 in the receptacle 16 includes a detent or similar mechanism which prevents the rotational disengagement of the threaded portion 14 from the threaded receptacle 16. In the embodiment of the invention shown, the securing means 18 includes a cavity in the receptacle 16 through which a pin is passed into an aperture in the threaded portion 14 for inhibiting the rotational disengagement of. the threaded portion 14 from the receptacle16 when the threaded portion is completely engaged by the receptacle 16. It is to be appreciated that the aperture in the threaded portion 14 will not align with the cavity in the receptacle 16 unless the threaded portion 14 is completely screwed into the receptacle 16. In further embodiments of the invention (not shown), the securing means 18 may include a latch mechanism, a screw-type pin, or the like.

In addition, the securing means 18 may be configured to be securable so that the securing means 18 itself is secured in place, in use, i. e. so that the securing means 18 is not easily removable once placed in position, typically to prevent unauthorized removal of the threaded portion 14 from the threaded receptacle 16, e. g. by means of a lock, or the like.

In a preferred embodiment, the hitch 10 also includes a protective plug 38 configured to protect the threaded receptacle 16 by the plug 38 including engagement means 38.1 for securing the plug 38 to the threaded receptacle 16, and a cover 38.2 for covering the receptacle 16 to protect the threaded receptacle 16 from the ingress of foreign material, e. g. water, dirt, and/or the like. It is to be appreciated that the engagement means 38. 1 typically includes a threaded part similar to the threaded portion 14, as shown.

The cover 38.2 is typically manufactured from a resiliently flexible material, e. g. rubber, plastic, or the like. The cover 38.2 may also be manufactured from a rigid material, e. g. plastic, metal, or the like. The cover 38.2 generally has reflective properties. In addition, the cover 38.2 may also contain promotional indicia, e. g. the name and/or badge of an automobile manufacturer, or the like.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plug 38 forms part of the general structure of the automobile, in use, i. e. the plug 38 forms part of the bodywork of the car, e. g. such as the bumper, or the like. It is to be appreciated that the plug 38 typically hides the receptacle 16, in use, by camouflaging the receptacle 16 to look like part of, for instance, the bumper of the car. In this manner the receptacle 16 is hidden from sight when the automobile is not used for towing, or the like.

In a still further embodiment, the hitch 10 includes a protective casing configured to encase the threaded portion 14 of the contrivance 12 to prevent any damage to the thread of the threaded portion 14.

In use, a user will typically remove the plug 38 from the bumper (not shown) of an automobile which has been fitted with the receptacle 16. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the receptacle is fitted behind a bumper of an automobile for aesthetic reasons. The user will then screw the threaded portion 14 of the contrivance into the receptacle 16. It is to be appreciated that the contrivance may be any number of possible utilitarian devices depending on the function the user wishes to perform, e. g. towing a trailer, carrying luggage, transporting a bicycle, or the like.

When the threaded portion 14 of the contrivance 12 is fully screwed into the receptacle 16, the apertures in both the receptacle and the threaded portion will align which enables the user to insert the pin through the apertures to secure the threaded portion 14 in the receptacle 16. Accordingly, the user is then able to perform the function he/she so wishes with the particular configured contrivance 12, whereafter the contrivance can be removed and the receptacle hidden from sight using the protective plug 28.

It is to be appreciated that the hitch 10 is manufactured from steel with appropriate strength and tensile characteristics to withstand the tensions associated with towing a trailer, carrying a load, or the like.

It is further to be appreciated that, in a preferred embodiment, the thread of the receptacle 16 and the corresponding thread of the threaded portion 14 are configured so that the threaded portion will only require minimal revolutions to completely engage the receptacle 16 whilst still assuring an attachment with optimal strength between the threaded portion 14 and the receptacle 16.

It shall be understood that the examples are provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and is not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable scope of the invention.

The Inventors regard it as an advantage that the invention provides optimal safety and reliability when attaching the utilitarian contrivance to an automobile whilst maintaining simplicity of design. The threaded connection between the receptacle and the contrivance provides a much larger connection surface between the components than existing configurations, and eliminates the possibility of components rattling and/or moving while towing a trailer, carrying a load, or the like.

The Inventors further regard it as an advantage that the invention facilitates the temporary locating of a utilitarian contrivance on an automobile so that the contrivance is easily removable when not in use. The Inventors regard it as a further advantage that the contrivance attaches to an automobile in a manner which is

aesthetically pleasing, specifically when the contrivance is removed from said automobile.

The Inventors also regard it as an advantage that the protective plug protects the receptacle from the ingress of dirt while providing space for promotional indicia and/or automotive safety equipment, e. g. reflectors. The protective plug also camouflages the receptacle to look like part of the bodywork of the automobile.