Technical Field The present invention relates generally to accessories for mounting on receiver assemblies and, more particularly to a utility light accessory for mounting in a receiver port of a receiver assembly.

Summary of the Invention It has long been known to construct towing hitches that are mounted to vehicles in order to allow the towing of trailers or the like. In recent years such hitches have been designed to include a receiver box having a rearwardly directed opening or cavity for the receipt of a hitch or draw bar that carries a hitch ball or other means allowing connection to a trailer.

Examples of such a structure include the Insta-Hitch II and Custom Hitch Receiver 35365 as manufactured by Reese Products, Inc. of Elkhart, Indiana. Such a hitch receiver is also disclosed in, for example. U. S. Patent No. 3,768,837 to Reese.

Recent efforts to enhance the versatility of a hitch receiver have led to development of various accessories (e. g., both open and closed article carriers, bike racks, ski racks, tables, winches or other equipment) mounted by means of an accessory mounting bar in the receiver box of a trailer hitch

receiver assembly. Because of their convenience and suitability to the particular applications/interests of the user, such accessories have become very popular.

In order to allow for or accommodate trailer towing and accessory mounting simultaneously, a trailer hitch assembly with both a trailer hitch receiver and towing accessory ports has been recently developed and is the subject of U. S. Patent Application Serial No. 60/194, 502, filed April 3, 2000. This new trailer hitch receiver assembly includes a central frame member, a mounting bracket carried on each end of the central frame member for securing the central frame member to the vehicle, a hitch receiver box carried on the central frame member and at least one accessory port for receiving and holding a recreational and/or utilitarian accessory.

The present invention relates to a utility light particularly adapted for mounting in a receiver box and/or accessory port of a trailer hitch receiver assembly. The utility light allows the user to illuminate a selected area around his vehicle. Such a utility light may be utilized, for example, to light the area behind a vehicle when attaching a trailer, light a campsite, illuminate a playground area, illuminate a work site or for substantially any other application where illumination is desired or required.

Summary of the Invention In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as described herein, a utility light is provided for attachment to a receiver assembly carried on a vehicle. The utility light includes a housing and a light source held in the housing. Further, the utility light includes a mounting post carrying the housing, a lug or bar for securing to the receiver assembly and a connector for securing the mounting post to the lug.

More specifically describing the invention, the mounting post includes three telescoping sections. Further, a mounting yoke is provided for holding the housing and securing the housing to the mounting post. A first pivot pin connects the housing to the yoke allowing pivotal movement of the housing relative to the yoke in a first plane. A second pivot pin connects the yoke to the mounting post allowing pivotal movement of the yoke relative to the mounting post in a second plane.

The connector includes a threaded tube connector engaging a proximal end of the mounting post, a pair of clamping elements, a pair of threaded fasteners for tightening the clamping elements together against the lug, and a bracket for securing said tube connector to one of said pair of clamping elements. The lug is circular in cross section and the clamping elements allow the mounting post to extend from the lug in substantially any position 360° around the lug.

Together, the 360° adjustability of the connector, the telescoping movement of the mounting post and the pivoting movement of the light source housing in two separate planes relative to the mounting post provide the operator with the necessary flexibility and versatility to light substantially any area around the vehicle as desired for substantially any foreseeable application.

Still other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the

drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

Brief Description of the Drawings The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a receiver assembly of the type to which the utility light of the present invention may be mounted ; Figure 2 is a detailed perspective view of the utility light ; Figure 3 is a detailed top plan view of the post showing the mounting element to which the yoke of the utility light is secured; Figure 4 is a detailed side elevational view showing the mounting of the light housing on a yoke at the end of the post ; Figure 5 is a top plan view showing the 360'swiveling movement of the light housing and yoke around the longitudinal axis of the post; Figure 6 is a detailed perspective view of the connector that clamps to the mounting lug; and Figure 7 is a detailed bottom plan view of the connector shown in Figure 6.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

Detailed Description of the Invention Reference is now made to Figures) and 2 showing, respectively, a

trailer hitch receiver assembly, generally designated by reference numeral 10, and the utility light of the present invention, generally designated by reference numeral 11.

The receiver assembly 10 includes a central frame member or cross member 12 preferably formed from a pair of tubular steel sections 14 welded to the opposing side walls 16 of a centrally located receiver box 18 so as to project outwardly in opposing directions. The tubular steel sections 14 may be formed with a round cross section as shown in the drawing figures, a square cross section or any other appropriate shape providing the necessary strength to function as a trailer hitch assembly.

The receiver box 18 includes a reinforced lip 20 defining an opening leading to a hitch bar receiving cavity 22. Aligned apertures 24 in the opposing side walls 16 of the receiver box 18 allow the secure connection of a hitch bar in the receiver box in a manner well known in the art by means of a connecting pin and cooperating pin clip (not shown). A chain plate 26 of steel material is welded to the receiver box 18 and tubular steel sections 14 in order to strengthen the connection. As is known in the art, chain plate 26 includes two apertures 28. The safety chains of a trailer may be connected to the chain plate 26 through engagement in these apertures 8.

Vehicle mounting brackets 30 are mounted adjacent the distal end of each tubular section 14. More specifically, each mounting bracket 30 includes a notch 32 sized and shaped to receive the tubular section 14. The brackets 30 are welded to the tubular sections 14 in order to complete the connection.

The mounting brackets 30 each include a mounting flange 34 and an upwardly projecting mounting lug 36, both with apertures 38. Nut and bolt fasteners (not shown) are extended through these apertures 38 and cooperating apertures drilled in the frame of the towing vehicle in order to mount the trailer hitch assembly 10 thereto.

As also shown in Figure 1, the receiver assembly 10 incorporates a pair of tow hooks or loops 40, one integrally formed in each mounting bracket 30. The tow hooks 40 may be engaged with a tow line such as a rope, chain or cable in order to complete certain towing applications. As also shown, the trailer hitch assembly 10 includes a pair of accessory receivers 50 carried on the tubular sections 14 of the central frame member 12. Each of the accessory receivers 50 is formed from a steel tube that is welded to the section 14 so that one accessory receiver is positioned between the receiver box 18 and each mounting bracket 30.

As shown, each accessory receiver 50 includes a circular port or opening 52 and cooperating aligned apertures 54 in the side wall thereof to allow secure connection of a useful accessory by means of a connecting pin and pin clip of a type well known in the art such as utilized to secure the hitch bar in the receiver box 18. Each of the accessory receivers 50 is oriented with respect to the central frame member 12, receiver box 18 and the towing vehicle upon which the assembly 10 is mounted so as to be readily accessible by the towing vehicle operator.

As best shown in Figure 2, the utility light 1 of of the present invention includes a housing 60 that holds a light source 62 behind a lens 64. The light source 62 (e. g., a 12 volt, 55 watt halogen light sealed against the weather) is powered through the electrical system of the vehicle to

which the utility light) 1 is connected by means of the wire lead/cord 66 and a cooperating plug (not shown) which may be secured, for example, into the trailer light wiring harness (not shown) or into a separate dedicated wiring harness if desired.

As best shown in Figure 4, the housing 60 is secured to a mounting post 70 by means of a yoke 72. More specifically, a first pivot pin 74 connects the housing 60 to the yoke 72 and allows relative pivotal movement of the housing with respect to the yoke through an axis of approximately 30-100° (see action arrows A in Figure 4).

As also shown in Figures 3 and 5, the yoke 72 is secured to the distal end of the mounting post 70 by means of a second pivot pin 76. More specifically, the pivot pin 76 is secured in a mating threaded aperture 75 formed in a mounting element 77 staked in the lumen of the post 70. The second pivot pin 76 allows the housing to be pivoted a full 360'around the end of the post 70 in a second plane (note action arrows B in Figure 5). In the embodiment shown, the first and second planes are substantially perpendicular to one another.

As should be further appreciated from reviewing Figure 2, the post 70 comprises three telescoping sections 78,80 and 82 with the upper section 78 being concentrically received in the intermediate section 80 and the intermediate section 80 being concentrically received in the lower section 82. This telescoping arrangement allows the length of the post 70 to be adjusted as desired by the operator (e. g., from about three to about six feet in length). Threaded collar clamps 84, 86 at the uppermost ends of the intermediate and low ermost sections 80,82 respectively, allow the telescoping post 7Q to be secured in any desired extended or retracted

position. A threaded tube connector 95 is anchored to the bottom or proximal end of the lowermost telescoping section 82 of the post 70.

A connector in the form of a clamp, generally designated by reference numeral 88, is provided to secure the post 70 to a mounting lug 90 (see Figures 6 and 7). As will be described in greater detail below, the lug 90 is used to secure the utility light to the receiver assembly 10. The clamp 88 comprises two clamping elements 89. The clamping elements are clamped together by means of a pair of threaded fasteners 98 (e. g. bolts) that pass through cooperating apertures in the clamping elements 89 and may be tightened by means of the tri-wing knobs 102 that complete the connection.

As should be further appreciated, the threaded fasteners 98 also pass through a light bracket 92 that is carried on one of the clamping elements 89. The light bracket 92 cooperates with the associated clamping element 89 to capture the head of a carriage bolt 94. The projecting threaded end of the carriage bolt 94 may be tightened into the tube connector 95 in order to secure the clamp 88 to the post 70 through the telescoping section 82.

The clamp 88 is secured to the mounting lug 90 by first loosening the tri-wing knobs 102 and slightly separating the clamping elements 89.

The clamping elements 89 are then pulled over the lug 90. When the clamping elements 89 are in the desired position, the tri-wing knobs 102 are tightened so as to draw the clamping elements 89 together about the lug 90 and provide a secure connection.

The entire utility light assembly 11 may then be secured to the receiver assembly 10. In the embodiment illustrated, the lug 90 is adapted to be concentrically received within one of the accessory receivers 50.

Cooperating opposed apertures 104 in the lug 90 are aligned with the

cooperating opposed apertures 54 in the side wall of the accessory receiver 50. A connecting pin 106 including a head 108 is then inserted through the aligned apertures 104, 54 and a pin clip 110 is then secured in the groove 112 at the end of the pin opposite the head (see also Figure 2). Together, the head 108 and the pin clip 110 prevent inadvertent removal of the pin 106 from the apertures 104 and 54 thereby positively securing the connection. After installation the electrical plug on the end of the wire lead 66 is connected into the electrical wiring harness to provide the power connection for illuminating the light source 62.

The light source 62 is a very versatile performer which may be used for substantially any application since it may be directed to illuminate substantially any area around the vehicle to which it is connected.

Specifically, the light source 62 may be extended or retracted (i. e., raised and lowered) by manipulation of the telescoping post 70. It may be pivoted and swivelled in two different planes on the pivot pins 74, 76 connecting the housing 60 to the yoke 72 and the yoke 72 to the post 70. Still further, the light may also be directed by pivoting the post 70 in a 360'are around the lug 90 through adjustment of the clamp 88. With four means to adjust the positioning of the light source 62, infinite adjustability is provided to meet most any need.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, the lug 90 could be sized and shaped for receipt and connection in the trailer hitch receiver 18 if desired. Thus, the utility light 11 could be connected to a trailer hitch receiver assembly 10

not including any accessory receivers 50. The tight ! 1 could also be mounted to a receiver assembly 10 that only incorporates one or more accessory ports 50 and does not incorporate a receiver box 18 and thus, is not otherwise equipped for trailing towing. Further, a longer cord 66 could be provided along with a tripod stand. This would allow the utility light 1 1 to be positioned substantially anywhere on the ground around the vehicle within the reach of the cord 66.

The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.