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).
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Patent number: 10759401Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 19, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: James C. Hensley Revocable Living Trust AInventor: James C. Hensley
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Patent number: 8226106Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 22, 2010Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: James C. Hensley Revocable Living Trust AInventor: James C. Hensley
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Publication number: 20110037242Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: JAMES C. HENSLEY REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST AInventor: James C. Hensley
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Patent number: 7857344Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 31, 2008Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Inventor: James C. Hensley
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Publication number: 20090033061Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2008Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: James C. Hensley Revocable Living Trust AInventor: James C. Hensley
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Patent number: 7364180Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 29, 2004Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: James C. Hensley Revocable Living Trust AInventor: James C. Hensley
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Patent number: 6851696Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 13, 2004Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: James C. Hensley Revocable Living Trust AInventor: James C. Hensley
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Patent number: 6050649Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 27, 1998Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: James Hensley Revocable Trust AInventor: James C. Hensley
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Patent number: 5660409Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 29, 1996Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Inventor: James C. Hensley
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Patent number: 4811967Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 2, 1987Date of Patent: March 14, 1989Inventor: James C. Hensley
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Patent number: 4722542Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 17, 1986Date of Patent: February 2, 1988Inventor: James C. Hensley