BUMPER COVER ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE TOW HOIST

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a bumper cover assembly (220) for a trailer hitch (202) of a vehicle. The bumper cover assembly (220) includes a bumper cover (208) for covering a cutout (206) provided on a bumper for movement of a ball neck portion (204) of the trailer hitch (202). A first plate (210) is welded to the ball neck portion (204) of the trailer hitch (202). The first plate (210) includes a first slot (210a). A second plate (212) is welded to the bumper cover (208). The second plate (212) has a second slot (212a). A plurality of fasteners (214a, 214b) are connected to a coil spring (216) to secure the first plate (210) and the second plate (212) via the respective first slot (210a) and the second slot (212a).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates to the field of vehicles. More particularly, the present disclosure provides a bumper cover assembly, for example a rear bumper cover assembly for a vehicle tow bar.BACKGROUNDA trailer coupling is a mechanical component which serves to connect a trailer to structural components of the vehicle via a coupling. The trailer coupling is available in various embodiments to realize the connection between the trailer and a vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, a tow hitch (102) includes a ball neck (104). The ball neck (104) may be in a latched or retracted position. There are various mechanisms for moving the ball neck (104) from the retracted position to the engaged position and vice versa. A cutout (106) is provided at the rear of the vehicle to facilitate movement of the ball neck (104) of the tow bar (102). The recess (106) can be kept open during the entire life of the vehicle. The cutout (106), when not closed, may impair the appearance of the vehicle. In addition, dirt or foreign particles may penetrate through the cutout ( 106) and may deposit on the vehicle components, which may damage them. Therefore, there is a need to cover the cutout (106) to protect the components of the vehicle from damage.Many techniques have been developed to avoid the above problems. Thus, Patent Specification DE102004021895B4 describes a trailer coupling for a vehicle. The trailer coupling comprises a vehicle-mounted bearing. The trailer coupling comprises a coupling device which is arranged on the bearing and is pivotable relative to the bearing about a pivot axis at least between an active and a passive position. To cover at least a portion of the bearing and the coupling region, a flexible, sealing cover is provided. A spacer is provided to prevent the flexible cover from being pinched between the bearing and the coupling device. The spacer element is a spacer which is arranged on the bearing such that it can be pivoted about the pivot axis of the coupling device.Although the cited document discloses techniques for covering at least a portion of the bearing and the hitch area, they do not focus on covering the cutout provided for the ball neck of the tow hitch. There is therefore a need for a solution that covers the cutout for the ball neck of the trailer coupling.OBJECT OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSUREA general object of the present disclosure is to provide an efficient cover that avoids the above-mentioned limitations of existing covers and covers a cutout provided for a ball neck portion of a trailer hitch of a vehicle.It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a bumper cover assembly having a tilting mechanism that tilts a bumper cover during engagement of a tow hitch with a tow hitch used to attach a tow hitch to the tow hitch of a vehicle.Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a cover that securely holds a bumper cover in position with a coil spring force and fasteners.Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a cover assembly in which a bumper cover is pulled in a lateral direction to change a position of the bumper cover.SUMMARYAspects of the present disclosure relate to the field of vehicle equipment mechanisms. More particularly, the present disclosure provides a bumper cover assembly, for example a rear bumper cover assembly for a vehicle tow bar.One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a bumper cover assembly attached to a tow bar of a vehicle. The bumper cover assembly includes a bumper cover for covering a cutout provided on a bumper for moving a ball neck portion of the tow bar. The bumper cover assembly includes a first plate welded to the ball neck portion of the tow bar, the first plate having a first slot. The bumper cover assembly includes a second plate welded to the bumper cover, the second plate including a second plate. A plurality of fasteners engaged with a coil spring are provided for fastening the first plate and the second plate via the respective first slot and second slot.In one aspect, the bumper cover may be tilted in a predefined direction via a tilting mechanism when the tow hitch engages a tow hitch.In another aspect, the bumper cover may be pulled in a lateral direction such that a first fastener of the plurality of fasteners moves out of the first slot and rotates clockwise at a predefined angle to change a position of the bumper cover.In another aspect, the first plate may include a sleeve for guiding sliding movement of the first fastener of the plurality of fasteners and the coil spring.In another aspect, a geometric configuration of the bumper cover may be based on a geometric configuration of the bumper, and dimensions of the bumper cover may depend on a surface of the cutout.In another aspect, the first fastening element may have at least one section with a square shaft and a circular shaft.In another aspect, the square shaft can be provided for locking the first fastening element during the engagement and disengagement of the trailer coupling with the trailer coupling.In another aspect, the circular shank may include a plurality of threads to engage a second fastener of the plurality of fasteners.Another aspect is that the coil spring may be disposed between the sleeve and the second fastener of the plurality of fasteners.Another aspect is that a force applied by the coil spring may maintain the first fastener, the second plate, and the bumper cover in a locked position.Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the subject invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals represent like components.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe accompanying drawings serve to further understand the present disclosure and form part of this description. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a cutout provided on a rear bumper of a vehicle for moving the ball neck according to the prior art. FIG. 2A shows a schematic view of a bumper cover assembly for a vehicle tow bar according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2B shows an exploded view of a bumper cover assembly for a vehicle tow bar according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3A shows a schematic view of a bumper cover assembly in an initial position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3B shows a schematic view of a bumper cover assembly in a final position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.The foregoing will become more apparent from the following more detailed description of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are so detailed as to clearly convey the disclosure. The particularity provided, however, is not intended to limit the predictable variations of embodiments; on the contrary, it is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.The embodiments discussed herein relate to the field of vehicle equipment mechanisms. In particular, the present disclosure provides a bumper cover assembly, for example a rear bumper cover assembly for a vehicle tow bar. Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 2-3.FIGS. 2A and 2B show a schematic view ( 200A) and an exploded view ( 200B), respectively, of a bumper cover assembly ( 220) for a trailer hitch ( 202) of a vehicle, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.The bumper cover assembly ( 220) may be secured to the vehicle's tow hitch ( 202) (see FIGS. 2A and 2B ). The trailer coupling ( 202) can be a trailer coupling with a linear cross member ( 202). In some embodiments, the bumper cover assembly (220) may include a bumper cover (208) for covering a cutout (206). The cutout ( 206) may be provided on a bumper, e.g., a rear bumper of the vehicle, for movement of a ball neck portion ( 204) of the tow bar (202). In some embodiments, the bumper cover (208) may be maintained in a locked position when the tow hitch (202) is not in use.In some embodiments, the bumper cover assembly (220) may include a first panel (210). In some embodiments, the first plate (210) may be welded to the ball neck portion (204) of the tow hitch (202). In some embodiments, the first plate (210) may include a first slot (210a). In some embodiments, the first slot (210a) may have any shape, such as, but not limited to, a square slot, a rectangular slot, a circular slot, etc.In some embodiments, the bumper cover assembly (220) may include a second panel (212). In some embodiments, the second plate (212) may be welded to the bumper cover (208). In some embodiments, the second plate ( 212) may include a second slot ( 212 a). In some embodiments, the second fastener (214b) may be, for example, a nut.In some embodiments, the bumper cover assembly (220) may include a plurality of fasteners, e.g., a first fastener (214a) and a second fastener (214b). In some embodiments, the first fastener (214a) may be, for example, a bolt. In some embodiments, the first fastener (214a) may be locked to the first panel (210) via the first slot (210a). In some embodiments, the first fastener (214a) may comprise one or more rectangular elements.In some embodiments, both the first fastener (214a) and the second fastener (214b) may be engaged with a coil spring (216) for securing the first plate (210) and the second plate (212). In some embodiments, the first plate ( 210) and the second plate ( 212) may be fastened via the first slot ( 210 a) and the second slot ( 212 a) using the first fastener ( 214 a) and the second fastener ( 214 b).In some embodiments, the first fastener (214a) may include at least one section having a square shaft and a circular shaft. In some embodiments, the square shaft may be provided for locking the first fastener (214a) during engagement and disengagement of the tow hitch (202) with a tow hitch. The tow bar may attach a tow bar coupler to the tow bar (202). In some embodiments, the circular shank may include a plurality of threads that engage the second fastener (214b).In some embodiments, the bumper cover (208) may be welded to at least a portion of the ball neck portion (204) of the tow hitch (202). The bumper cover (208) may be vertically attached when the ball neck portion (204) is inclined 90 degrees. Further, the bumper cover (208) may be horizontally attached when the ball neck portion (204) is rotated in or counter-clockwise of 90 degrees. That is, the movement of the bumper cover ( 208) may be based on rotation of the ball neck portion ( 204).In some embodiments, the bumper cover (208) may be tilted in a predefined direction via a tilting mechanism during engagement of the tow hitch (202) with the tow hitch that secures the tow hitch to the tow hitch of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the tilting mechanism may be provided to displace the bumper cover (208). In some embodiments, the tilting mechanism may be provided to pivot the bumper cover (208). In some embodiments, the bumper cover (208) may be pulled in a lateral direction such that the first fastener (214a) moves out of the first slot (210a) and rotates clockwise at a predefined angle, for example 90 degrees, to change a position of the bumper cover (208).In some embodiments, a geometric configuration of the bumper cover (208) may be based on a geometric configuration of the bumper. In some embodiments, the dimensions of the bumper cover (208) may depend on a portion of the cutout (206) provided on the bumper for movement of the ball neck portion (204) of the tow bar (202).In some embodiments, the first plate (210) may include a sleeve (not shown) for guiding sliding movement of the first fastener (214a) and the coil spring (216). In some embodiments, the coil spring (216) may be mounted between the sleeve and the second fastener (214b). In some embodiments, a force exerted by the coil spring (216) may maintain the first fastener (214a), the second plate (212), and the bumper cover (208) in a locked position.FIGS. 3A and 3B show schematic views of a bumper cover ( 208) in a home position ( 300A) and an end position ( 300B), respectively, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the bumper cover ( 208) may be positioned in at least two positions, i.e., before and after engagement with a tow hitch. In some embodiments, positioning of the bumper cover (208) may be controlled by a controller. The controller may securely hold the bumper cover (208) in position, e.g., an initial position or an end position, with a force exerted by a coil spring (216) and a plurality of fasteners (214a, 214b).In some embodiments, the position of the bumper cover (208) may be changed by pulling the bumper cover (208) in a lateral direction. By pulling the bumper cover (208) in the lateral direction, one or more rectangular elements on a first fastener (214a) of the plurality of fasteners move out of a first slot (210a) in a first plate (210) and rotate clockwise at a predefined angle (e.g., 90 degrees). When the first fastener (214a) is released after rotation, the bumper cover (208) may be locked in at least one position by the force exerted by the coil spring (216) and the first fastener (214a).While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, variations, or examples included to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person of ordinary skill in the art.ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSUREThe present disclosure provides a cover to efficiently cover a cutout provided for movement of a ball neck portion of a hitch.The present disclosure provides a cover having a tilting mechanism that tilts a bumper cover during engagement of a tow hitch with a tow hitch that secures a tow hitch to the tow hitch of a vehicle.The present disclosure provides a cover assembly that securely holds a bumper cover in position with a coil spring force and fasteners.The present disclosure provides a bumper cover that is pulled in a lateral direction to efficiently change a position of the bumper cover.The present disclosure provides a cover that protects various components of a vehicle by preventing dirt and foreign matter from entering various components of the vehicle via a cutout provided on a bumper.References included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 102004021895B4

[0003]

Claims

A bumper cover assembly (220) for a trailer hitch (202) of a vehicle, the bumper cover assembly (220) comprising: a bumper cover (208) for covering a cutout (206) provided on a bumper for movement of a ball neck portion (204) of the trailer hitch (202); a first plate (210) welded to the ball neck portion (204) of the trailer hitch (202), the first plate (210) having a first slot (210a); a second plate (212) welded to the bumper cover (208), the second plate (212) having a second slot (212a); and a plurality of fasteners (214a, 214b) engaged with a coil spring (216) to secure the first plate (210) and the second plate (212) via the respective first slot (210a) and second slot (212a).The bumper cover assembly (220) of claim 1, wherein the bumper cover (208) is tilted in a predefined direction during engagement of the tow hitch (202) with a tow hitch via a tilting mechanism.The bumper cover assembly (220) of claim 1, wherein the bumper cover (208) is pulled in a lateral direction such that a first fastener (214a) of the plurality of fasteners (214a, 214b) moves out of the first slot (210a) and rotates clockwise at a predefined angle to change a position of the bumper cover (208).The bumper cover assembly (220) of claim 1, wherein the first plate (210) comprises a sleeve for guiding sliding movement of a first fastener (214a) of the plurality of fasteners (214a, 214b) and the coil spring (216).The bumper cover assembly (220) of claim 1, wherein a geometric configuration of the bumper cover (208) is based on a geometric configuration of the bumper, and wherein the dimensions of the bumper cover (208) depend on a surface of the cutout (206).The bumper cover assembly (220) of claim 1, wherein a first fastener (214a) of the plurality of fasteners (214a, 214b) comprises at least a portion having a square shaft and a circular shaft.The bumper cover assembly (220) of claim 6, wherein the square shaft is provided for locking the first fastener (214a) during engagement and disengagement of the tow hitch (202) with a tow hitch.The bumper cover assembly (220) of claim 6, wherein the circular shank includes a plurality of threads for engaging a second fastener (214b) of the plurality of fasteners (214a, 214b).The bumper cover assembly (220) of claim 4, wherein the coil spring (216) is mounted between the sleeve and a second fastener (214b) of the plurality of fasteners (214a, 214b).The bumper cover assembly (220) of claim 9, wherein a force exerted by the coil spring (216) maintains the first fastener (214a), the second plate (212), and the bumper cover (208) in a locked position.

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