Patents Assigned to Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9656610
    Abstract: A cargo accessory system is shown and described. The cargo accessory system may include a hitch mounting member, and a cargo accessory carrier attached to the hitch mounting member, where the cargo accessory carrier is configured to carry cargo. The cargo accessory system may also include a visual indicator incorporated with the cargo accessory carrier. The visual indicator may include a compatibility indicator identifying at least one hitch receiver to which the hitch member is capable of attaching, and a weight capacity identifying a load capacity of the cargo accessory carrier when the hitch mounting member is attached to the at least one hitch receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Paul Charles Caruso, Jacob S. Belinky, Mark Patrick Scruggs
  • Patent number: 9616720
    Abstract: A channel mount coupler is shown and described. The channel mount may include a body, a socket extending from the body and configured to accept a hitch ball, and a channel mount extending from the body. The channel mount may include a first flange, the first flange including at least one aperture and at least one recess generally circumscribing the aperture, the recess being generally acircular, and a second flange spaced from the first flange. The channel mount may also include an engagement member engaged with the recess, and a fastener engageable with the engagement member and the at least one aperture, where engagement of the engagement member and recess prevents rotation of the engagement member during engagement of the fastener with the engagement member, whereby the first and second flanges are engageable with a towed vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Drake, Eric Anderson, Kevin Rabska, Kawa-She-Quoen Okerlund, Todd Krzanowski
  • Patent number: 9616723
    Abstract: A receiver pin lock for insertion into first and second sized opposed engaging apertures of first and second hitch receivers is shown and described. The receiver pin lock may include a stem, a first stepped portion extend from the stem, and a lock member selectively engageable with the stem, the lock member preventing removal of stem from either of the first and second hitch receivers. The receiver pin lock may also include a second stepped portion positioned on the lock member and extending from the stem, where the stem is configured to operatively engage the first sized engaging apertures of the first hitch receiver and the first and second stepped portions are configured to operatively engage the second sized engaging apertures of the second hitch receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Kawa-She-Quoen Okerlund
  • Patent number: 9610813
    Abstract: A gooseneck hitch attachable to a cross member secured to a frame below a load bed of a vehicle, the cross member having a width is shown and described. The gooseneck hitch may include a beam selectively attachable to the cross member below the load bed and a rail monolithically formed with the beam and extending from the beam. The gooseneck hitch may also include a receptacle monolithically formed with the rail, where the receptacle is capable of selectively securing a hitch ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Jacob William Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9592863
    Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch may include at least one support frame capable of engaging with a towing vehicle. The fifth wheel hitch may further include a cross-member attached to the support frame and an isolation system operatively coupled with the cross-member. The isolation system may include a beam engaged with the cross-member about a first axis, where rotation of the beam about the first axis is dampened via a cross-member isolator. The isolation system may also include a skid plate engaged with the beam about a second axis, where rotation of the skid plate about the second axis is dampened via a wing isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Eric J. Stanifer
  • Patent number: 9579939
    Abstract: A gooseneck coupler is shown and described. The gooseneck coupler may include a first member having at least one aperture, a second member having at least one aperture, the second member telescopingly engaged with the first member where the aperture of the first member is generally aligned with the aperture of the second member, and a base member attached with the second member, the base member having a socket shaped to accept a hitch ball. The gooseneck coupler may also include a locking member pivotally attached with the base member, and a fastening device securing the first and second members. The fasting device may include at least one nut attached with at least one elongated member, where the nut and elongated member are positioned within the second member, and a fastener inserted into the apertures of the first and second members and selectively engaged with the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Rabska, Frank Drake, Erik Alanko
  • Patent number: 9522583
    Abstract: A tie down apparatus that may be utilized for securing an item, such as a safety chain, wherein the tie down apparatus may be used with a hitch mounting system. In one embodiment, the tie down apparatus may include a receiving member, a tie down member, and a clocking member. The receiving member may include an opening located there through. The tie down member may include at least one aperture, wherein the tie down member may be capable of being located and rotated within the receiving member. The tie down member may be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise. The locking member may include at least one leg capable of being housed within the aperture. The locking member may engage the receiving member once the tie down member is rotated, thereby trapping the item within the tie down apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. McCoy
  • Patent number: 9511804
    Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch is shown and described. The fifth wheel hitch may include a base frame configured to be secured to a load bed of a towing vehicle, a trolley operatively engaged with the base frame, the trolley adapted to move along the base frame between first and second positions, and a cam member attached with the base frame, the cam member having a cam path. The fifth wheel hitch may also include a cam follower coupled with the trolley, the cam follower operatively engaged with the cam path, and a fifth wheel head pivotally coupled with the trolley, where the trolley is moved between the first and second positions in response to pivoting of the fifth wheel head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Curl, Newly Mach, Richard McCoy, Eric Stanifer
  • Patent number: 9499017
    Abstract: A hitch mount configured to be selectively attached to a vehicle, the vehicle having an under bed hitch mounting system is shown and described. The hitch mount may include at least one transverse member, at least one longitudinal member attached with the at least one transverse member, the at least one longitudinal member including first and second apertures, the first and second apertures of different size, and first and second fastening devices configured to selectively engage the under bed hitch mounting system and the first and second apertures, respectively. The hitch mount may also include first and second biasing members operatively engaged with the first and second fastening, the biasing members applying a load against the under bed hitch mounting system, and first and second handles pivotally and rotatably attached with the first and second fastening devices, the handles having a camming surface configured to engage the first and second biasing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Brian Ward
  • Patent number: 9428105
    Abstract: A trailer signal converter includes a plurality of inputs, including a first towing vehicle turn light signal, a second towing vehicle turn light signal, and a trailer brake signal. The trailer brake signal may be a pulse-width modulated signal. The trailer signal converter selectively drives the turn and stop light signals on the trailer based on the input signals. In a three-wire system, the signal converter may be configured to receive a brake signal input and a brake light input and selectively drive the trailer stop light signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Motts, Larry Eccleston, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 9370976
    Abstract: A hitch ball assembly generally includes a ball member and a body connected to the ball member. A passageway extends longitudinally within the body and at least one locking member may be in communication with the passageway to lock the hitch ball in place. An elongated member within the passageway is biased to engage the locking member. The body further includes an opening arranged transverse to the passageway. A release mechanism is positioned within an opening in the body transverse to the passageway. The release member is in communication with the elongated member to move the elongated member between a locked position and an unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Mike Orlos
  • Patent number: 9358933
    Abstract: A bike carrier capable of attaching to the rear of a vehicle is described. The bike carrier includes a first adjustable member that is adjustable to a plurality of positions and a second member that is pivotally secured to the first member. The second member is also adjustable to a plurality of positions independent of the fixed positions of said first member. The bike carrier includes at least one mount rail secured to the first and second members. The mount rail is capable of carrying a bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean Phillips
  • Patent number: 9254790
    Abstract: Apparatus for a bike rack for securing at least one bicycle are described herein. The bike rack is attachable to a vehicle receiver hitch. The bike rack includes a hub assembly, hitch insert assembly, and support wing assembly. The tub assembly includes a pair of hubs each having an arm. The hitch insert assembly includes a first end and a second end. The first end is located within the hub assembly and the second end is engageable with the receiver hitch. The hubs are rotatably adjustable about the first end of the hitch insert assembly. The support wing assembly includes a first wing engageable with the arm of the first hub and a second wing engageable with the arm of the second hub. The bike rack also includes an integral locking member and a pair of independently moveable cradles on each wing. Each cradle includes a bike support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Matthew Dreger, Gail Rae Matheus, Paul Caruso, Mitchell Auerbach, Maurice R. Fredricks, Todd Ireland, Brett Kooistra, Sean Phillips
  • Patent number: 9248713
    Abstract: A safety chain engaging device for a towing vehicle having a gooseneck hitch attached with a rail of the towing vehicle is shown and described. The safety chain engaging device may include a first bracket configured to be secured with the rail of the towing vehicle, and a second bracket attached with the first bracket, the second bracket including a plate member spaced from the first bracket. The safety chain engaging device may also include at least one safety chain engaging member secured with the plate member, where the safety chain engaging member is configured to be laterally spaced from the rail upon securement of the first bracket with the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn H. Mida, Gail R. Matheus
  • Patent number: 9242520
    Abstract: A hitch ball is shown and described. The hitch ball may include a ball member, a body extending from the ball member, and a locking member in communication with the body. The hitch ball may also include a first release mechanism positioned in the ball member, the first release mechanism operatively coupled with the locking member, where positioning the first release mechanism in an first direction positions the locking member in a disengaged position, and a second release mechanism positioned in the body, the second release mechanism operatively coupled with the locking member, where positioning the second release mechanism in a second direction positions the locking member in the disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn H. Mida, Jacob S. Belinky
  • Patent number: 9206022
    Abstract: Disclosed is a winch assembly that may include a first housing member having a first retaining member formed therein and a second housing member having a second retaining member formed therein, the second housing member secured to the first housing member forming a winch housing. The winch assembly may further include a drive system generally positioned within the winch housing, and a winch drum operatively coupled with the drive system and rotationally secured with the first and second retaining members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Burneister, Kawa-She-Quoen Wm. Okerlund, Frank Drake, Todd Walstrom, Eric Anderson
  • Patent number: 9150201
    Abstract: A trailer mounted proportional brake controller for a towed vehicle and a method of controlling the brakes of a towed vehicle is described. The brake control unit may control the brakes of a towed vehicle. The brake control unit may include a power control unit and a hand control unit. The power control unit may be connected to the brakes of the towed vehicle and the power control unit may be capable of selectively controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle based on a set of braking parameters. The hand control unit may be configured to remotely communicate with the power control unit. The hand control unit may be capable of transmitting information to the power control unit to adjust at least one of the braking parameters and receiving information from the power control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Edward Smith, Mark William Austin, Richard Lyons Hilsbos, Chandrakumar Kulkarni
  • Patent number: D760124
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Rabska
  • Patent number: D777064
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Rabska
  • Patent number: D832671
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dhananjay Gangakhedkar, Matthew Romanak, Curt Geidman