Trailer hitch protectors and methods

Abstract

Trailer hitch protectors have a flexible body member sized and configured to be sleeved over a tow bar tongue associated with a trailer hitch assembly. The body member most preferably includes an opposed pair of generally U-shaped inner and outer lateral walls which are spaced apart from one another so as to define a cushion space therebetween and thereby provide cushioned protection laterally of the tow bar tongue when received within the body member. A series of spaced-apart flexible connecting webs extending between said inner and outer lateral walls within the cushion space may be provided so as to provide further cushioning effect. In especially preferred embodiments, the flexible body member has an upper wall joined to both the inner and outer lateral walls, and has an aperture adapted to surround a hitch ball attached to the tow bar tongue of the trailer hitch assembly. The upper wall will thereby include a pair of opposed upper neck flanges which define therebetween a slit opening to allow access to said aperture therein. Similarly, the flexible body member may include a lower wall joined to the inner lateral wall and spaced from the upper wall to define a generally U-shaped channel therewith. The U-shaped channel thus accommodates a rearward portion of the tow bar tongue of the trailer hitch assembly so as to allow the body member to be sleeved thereover. The lower wall most preferably has an aperture in opposed registry to the aperture formed in said upper wall.