Patents Assigned to Automatic Equipment Manufacturing Co.
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Publication number: 20230182515Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a fifth wheel hitch and method of using a fifth wheel hitch that is mounted to a bed of a towing vehicle, and more specifically, to a fifth wheel hitch that is vertically secured to a kingpin of a fifth wheel trailer without requiring the use of adapters or extensions. One aspect of the fifth wheel hitch and method of use includes a hitch head assembly that is adjustable in height such that the fifth wheel hitch is compatible with different sizes of towing vehicles and fifth wheel trailers. The hitch head assembly also incorporates a funnel shaped design for receiving the kingpin of the fifth wheel trailer in a vertical fashion to prevent the kingpin from sliding horizontally out of the hitch head after being pulled forward by the towing vehicle. A four-way pivot joint accommodates instantaneous variations in pitch and/or roll attitudes between the towing vehicle and the fifth wheel trailer connected by the fifth wheel hitch.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2023Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: Automatic Equipment Manufacturing Co.Inventor: Paul M. Choquette
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Patent number: 11602960Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a fifth wheel hitch and method of using a fifth wheel hitch that is mounted to a bed of a towing vehicle, and more specifically, to a fifth wheel hitch that is vertically secured to a kingpin of a fifth wheel trailer without requiring the use of adapters or extensions. One aspect of the fifth wheel hitch and method of use includes a hitch head assembly that is adjustable in height such that the fifth wheel hitch is compatible with different sizes of towing vehicles and fifth wheel trailers. The hitch head assembly also incorporates a funnel shaped design for receiving the kingpin of the fifth wheel trailer in a vertical fashion to prevent the kingpin from sliding horizontally out of the hitch head after being pulled forward by the towing vehicle. A four-way pivot joint accommodates instantaneous variations in pitch and/or roll attitudes between the towing vehicle and the fifth wheel trailer connected by the fifth wheel hitch.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2021Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: AUTOMATIC EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING CO.Inventor: Paul Choquette
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Publication number: 20220305854Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a fifth wheel hitch and method of using a fifth wheel hitch that is mounted to a bed of a towing vehicle, and more specifically, to a fifth wheel hitch that is vertically secured to a kingpin of a fifth wheel trailer without requiring the use of adapters or extensions. One aspect of the fifth wheel hitch and method of use includes a hitch head assembly that is adjustable in height such that the fifth wheel hitch is compatible with different sizes of towing vehicles and fifth wheel trailers. The hitch head assembly also incorporates a funnel shaped design for receiving the kingpin of the fifth wheel trailer in a vertical fashion to prevent the kingpin from sliding horizontally out of the hitch head after being pulled forward by the towing vehicle. A four-way pivot joint accommodates instantaneous variations in pitch and/or roll attitudes between the towing vehicle and the fifth wheel trailer connected by the fifth wheel hitch.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2021Publication date: September 29, 2022Applicant: AUTOMATIC EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING CO.Inventor: PAUL CHOQUETTE
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Patent number: 6845851Abstract: A system for controlling the braking system of a towed vehicle being towed by a towing vehicle having a towing vehicle subsystem for the towing vehicle and a towed vehicle subsystem for the towed vehicle. The towing vehicle subsystem includes a towing vehicle control mechanism having a brakes-on indicator and a towing vehicle receiver mechanism for receiving wireless modulated digital signals.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2004Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Automatic Equipment Manufacturing Co.Inventors: Robert A. Donaldson, Surgit Gill, Kyle Stanton