Patents by Inventor James C. Hensley

James C. Hensley has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10759401
    Abstract: A brake controller for controlling the brakes of a towed vehicle which is pulled by a towing vehicle comprises a sensor assembly which determines the position of the brake pedal of the towing vehicle, and if necessary, compensates for inertia which can affect the output of some sensors. The output of the sensor assembly is transmitted to a processor, which in turn transmits a signal (the strength of which is a function of the pedal position) to brakes of the towed vehicle to activate the brakes of the towed vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: James C. Hensley Revocable Living Trust A
    Inventor: James C. Hensley
  • Patent number: 8226106
    Abstract: A trailer hitch having an adjustable hitch bar for coupling with a tow vehicle and a front member coupled with the adjustable hitch bar. A rear member couples with a trailer frame and a yoke couples between the rear member and the trailer frame. Converging links connect between the front member and the rear member, whereby the angular position between the front member and the rear member can be varied. The converging links effectively move the pivot point between the tow vehicle and trailer forward of the hitch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: James C. Hensley Revocable Living Trust A
    Inventor: James C. Hensley
  • Publication number: 20110037242
    Abstract: A trailer hitch having an adjustable hitch bar for coupling with a tow vehicle and a front member coupled with the adjustable hitch bar. A rear member couples with a trailer frame and a yoke couples between the rear member and the trailer frame. Converging links connect between the front member and the rear member, whereby the angular position between the front member and the rear member can be varied. The converging links effectively move the pivot point between the tow vehicle and trailer forward of the hitch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: JAMES C. HENSLEY REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST A
    Inventor: James C. Hensley
  • Patent number: 7857344
    Abstract: A trailer hitch having an adjustable hitch bar for coupling with a tow vehicle and a front member coupled with the adjustable hitch bar. A rear member couples with a trailer frame and a yoke couples between the rear member and the trailer frame. Converging links connect between the front member and the rear member, whereby the angular position between the front member and the rear member can be varied. The converging links effectively move the pivot point between the tow vehicle and trailer forward of the hitch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: James C. Hensley
  • Publication number: 20090033061
    Abstract: A trailer hitch having an adjustable hitch bar for coupling with a tow vehicle and a front member coupled with the adjustable hitch bar. A rear member couples with a trailer frame and a yoke couples between the rear member and the trailer frame. Converging links connect between the front member and the rear member, whereby the angular position between the front member and the rear member can be varied. The converging links effectively move the pivot point between the tow vehicle and trailer forward of the hitch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: James C. Hensley Revocable Living Trust A
    Inventor: James C. Hensley
  • Patent number: 7364180
    Abstract: A hitch assembly for coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle includes a number of assemblies, including converging links and a slide assembly, that effectively places the pivot point for the trailer ahead of the actual hitch assembly, which in turn enhances the stability of the combination tow vehicle and trailer, rendering it less susceptible to swaying or fishtailing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: James C. Hensley Revocable Living Trust A
    Inventor: James C. Hensley
  • Patent number: 6851696
    Abstract: A hitch assembly for coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle includes a number of assemblies, including converging links and a slide assembly, that effectively places the pivot point for the trailer ahead of the actual hitch assembly, which in turn enhances the stability of the combination tow vehicle and trailer, rendering it less susceptible to swaying or fishtailing. This is done without placing tongue weight on converging links or the slide assembly so that the hitch assembly can accommodate a larger gross trailer load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: James C. Hensley Revocable Living Trust A
    Inventor: James C. Hensley
  • Patent number: 6050649
    Abstract: A brake controller for use in a tow vehicle to control the application of towed vehicle brakes. The brake controller is responsive to movement of the tow vehicle brake pedal to send electronic brake control signals to the towed vehicle brakes, actuating the brakes in proportion to the movement of the brake pedal. An optical coupler senses movement of the brake pedal by a graduated increase in transmitted light, or by counting marks associated with a spring-tensioned cable or chain secured between the tow vehicle firewall and the brake pedal arm. A microcontroller is incorporated into the brake controller to adjust the proportionality of the brake actuation in response to operator gain settings, and to allow for manual actuation of the towed vehicle brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: James Hensley Revocable Trust A
    Inventor: James C. Hensley
  • Patent number: 5660409
    Abstract: An anti-sway trailer hitch for connecting a trailer to a tow vehicle. The hitch includes a first pivotal element attached to the tow vehicle and a second pivotal element attached to the trailer with a set of a converging link assembly on the first element connecting it to the second element. The converging link assembly projects the effective pivot point forward adjacent the rear axle of the tow vehicle and prevents lateral sway while allowing changes in the angular relationship between the two elements as the tow vehicle and trailer negotiate turns. The second pivotal element includes a yoke attached to the trailer frame. The yoke includes Spaced apart side members with a hitch ball mount in sliding engagement with the side members. The trailer is attached to the hitch ball. A pivotally attached strut extends between the first pivotal element and the-hitch ball mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Inventor: James C. Hensley
  • Patent number: 4811967
    Abstract: A hitch for connecting a trailer to a tow vehicle includes a hitch bar which projects from the tow vehicle and a hitch box which receives the end of the hitch bar and is coupled to one trailer through a hitch ball and a socket-type coupler. The hitch bar has a shank provided along its four sides with beveled surfaces that are presented outwardly and rearwardly. The hitch box, on the other hand, has a box-like enclosure provided with a forwardly presented open end through which the shank of the hitch bar projects. The enclosure furthermore contains beveled surfaces which conform to the beveled surfaces on the hitch bar shank and indeed seat against those surfaces when the hitch bar is fully inserted into the hitch box. The beveled surfaces of the hitch bar and box are maintained in this seated condition by over center clamps, and when so seated, the hitch box will not shift relative to the hitch bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Inventor: James C. Hensley
  • Patent number: 4722542
    Abstract: A hitch assembly for coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle includes a mounting member positioned firmly at the rear of the tow vehicle, another mounting member connected to the tongue of the trailer such that it will not turn relative to the trailer about a vertical axis, and a pair of short connecting links which extend between the two mounting members and are pivotally connected to each. The connecting links are of equal length and converge forwardly. This has the effect of placing the effective pivot point for the trailer ahead of the actual hitch assembly, which in turn enhances the stability of the combination tow vehicle and trailer, rendering it less susceptible to swaying or fishtailing in the presence of side winds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Inventor: James C. Hensley