Protective cover for a trailer hitch

Abstract

A protective cover for use in conjunction with a receiver hitch on a vehicle for towing a trailer. The protective cover includes a housing having a flexible frame and a jacket coupled to the frame by a living hinge. The flexible frame is formed to surround the receiver hitch and the jacket closes about the opening of the hitch. A locking mechanism is provided on the jacket opposite the living hinge to lock the jacket to the flexible frame about the receiving hitch. The flexible frame also includes a seat for supporting an electrical component such as a flat plug for supplying a light system to the trailer. The flat plug is removably placed within the seat and is covered by the jacket when the jacket is in a closed position. The jacket is also provided with an interior frame and an exterior frame for aiding in clamping the jacket around the opening of the receiver hitch. The interior frame of the jacket has an outer perimeter equal to or smaller than the interior perimeter of the receiver hitch. The exterior frame of the jacket has an interior perimeter equal to or greater than the outer perimeter of the receiver hitch. The jacket is also provided with a flat surface for placing advertisements, logos, or safety signs. The protective cover is removably seated around a receiving hitch and is readily opened and closed by unlocking and locking the jacket. When opened, the protective cover is still removably fixed to the hitch and becomes part of the receiving hitch.