US Patent 9381868 Hitch adapter

A hinged hitch adapter apparatus provides pivotal movement to an attached mount. The hinged hitch adapter apparatus may be configured with a receiver mount attachable to a hitch receiver, two elongate members connected at a pivotable joint, and a hitch adapter attached to one of the elongate members that may receive an attached mount. The hinged hitch adapter apparatus may allow mounts and racks connected to a standard hitch receiver tube to be pivoted away from a vehicle to which they are mounted and thereby grant easier and more convenient access to the rear of the vehicle while still providing wide compatibility with existing hitch-mounted devices, such as bicycle racks. The hitch adapter may also permit use of regular towing hitches.