Patents by Inventor Karl L. Hacken

Karl L. Hacken 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).

  • Trailer hitch
    Patent number: 6935650
    Abstract: An improved fifth wheel hitch for attaching a trailer to a towing vehicle. The hitch includes an outer box support frame having two rails for mounting the trailer hitch to the towing vehicle, a spherical bearing mounted in the frame having a ball joint, and a latch assembly affixed to the spherical bearing to allow the assembly to have two degrees of movement, and a head body. The latch assembly comprises a base plate, a jaw fixed at a first elevation, and a vertically displaceable jaw. A means are provided to raise the vertically displaceable jaw above the level of the fixed jaw to allow release of the king pin latch. When the jaws are coplanar they capture the kingpin of a trailer, and safely lock the trailer to the hitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Curt Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Grinde, Karl L. Hacken, James J. Jordan
  • Trailer hitch
    Patent number: 6846000
    Abstract: An improved fifth wheel hitch for attaching a trailer to a towing vehicle. The hitch includes an outer box support frame having two rails for mounting the trailer hitch to the towing vehicle, a spherical bearing mounted in the frame having a ball joint, and a latch assembly affixed to the spherical bearing to allow the assembly to have two degrees of movement, and a head body. The latch assembly comprises a base plate, a jaw fixed at a first elevation, and a vertically displaceable jaw. A means are provided to raise the vertically displaceable jaw above the level of the fixed jaw to allow release of the king pin latch. When the jaws are coplanar they capture the kingpin of a trailer, and safely lock the trailer to the hitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Curt Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Grinde, Karl L. Hacken, James J. Jordan
  • Trailer Hitch
    Publication number: 20040145151
    Abstract: An improved fifth wheel hitch for attaching a trailer to a towing vehicle. The hitch includes an outer box support frame having two rails for mounting the trailer hitch to the towing vehicle, a spherical bearing mounted in the frame having a ball joint, and a latch assembly affixed to the spherical bearing to allow the assembly to have two degrees of movement, and a head body. The latch assembly comprises a base plate, a jaw fixed at a first elevation, and a vertically displaceable jaw. A means are provided to raise the vertically displaceable jaw above the level of the fixed jaw to allow release of the king pin latch. When the jaws are coplanar they capture the kingpin of a trailer, and safely lock the trailer to the hitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: QA1 Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Grinde, Karl L. Hacken, James J. Jordan