Patents Assigned to HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
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Patent number: 11034398Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Michael R. Curl, Newly Mach, Richard McCoy, Eric Stanifer
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Patent number: 10994793Abstract: 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 locking member. The receiving member may include an opening located there through. The tie down member may include at least one aperture, wherein the locking member may extend therethrough. The locking member may selectively engage the receiving member. The locking member may include a head that engages with a safety chain member positioned on the tie down apparatus to prevent disengagement between the locking member and the receiving member.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2017Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventor: Brian Ward
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Patent number: 10987982Abstract: An above-bed, gooseneck hitch and component mounting system is described. The system includes a pair of intersecting rails which overlap via an interlocking and/or coping joint, thereby forming an X-shape frame. The gooseneck connection is disposed at the central intersection of the rails, and optional quick connect/disconnect safety chain hooks and/or component ports may be integrated on one or more of the legs emanating from the central intersection.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Erik Fritz, Matt Dunlavey, Kevin Garner, Brian Ward
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Patent number: 10967688Abstract: An under bed hitch mounting apparatus is shown and described. The under bed hitch mounting apparatus may comprise a first bracket attachable to a frame of a vehicle below a load bed of the vehicle and a second bracket attachable to the frame of the vehicle below a load bed of the vehicle, the second bracket transversely spaced from the first bracket. The under bed hitch mounting apparatus may also include a first receiving member attached with the first bracket, the first receiving member configured to engage an accessory member, where at least a portion of the first receiving member extends above the load bed of the vehicle, and a second receiving member attached with the second bracket, the first receiving member configured to engage the accessory member, where at least a portion of the second receiving member extends above the load bed of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Kevin Garner, Matt Dunlavey, Erik Fritz, Brian Ward
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Patent number: 10967689Abstract: An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy, Brian W. Ward
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Patent number: 10960718Abstract: A weight distribution system is shown and described. The weight distribution system may include a spring arm configured to be operatively engaged between plate members of a ball mount, and a pin member inserted into the spring arm, the pin member configured to secure the spring arm with the ball mount. The weight distribution system may also include an attachment mechanism configured to selectively place the spring arm in mechanical communication with a towed vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Marvin Hanson
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Patent number: 10953713Abstract: A towbar with a hitch adaptor system incorporating a detachable receiving member and a detachable hitch ball is shown and described. The towbar with a hitch adaptor system may include a linkage member, a connecting member, a coupler and a receiver member. The receiver member may also include a detachable receiving hitch and a detachable hitch ball.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Jacob Belinky, Yung-Hao Kung, Russell Brzezinski
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Patent number: 10946841Abstract: A brake control unit includes a processor, a first high side driver and a second high side driver. The processor sends signals to the first high side driver and the second high side driver. The first and second high side drivers process the signals independent of each other. The processor diagnoses faults and locations of faults based on feedback from the high side drivers. The first high side driver controls the braking of a first trailer brake. The second high side driver controls the braking of a second trailer brake.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2017Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Nicholas Albert Cekola, Dennis Michael Morse, Marvin Hoot, Yilong Chen, Srikanth Kadudula
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Patent number: 10894454Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 20, 2018Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Brian Ward
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Patent number: 10870454Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 5, 2019Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Jacob William Mitchell
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Patent number: 10850580Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 7, 2019Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventor: Richard W. McCoy
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Patent number: 10843513Abstract: A tie down apparatus for securing an item is shown and described herein. The tie down apparatus may include first and second body members, where the first body member is configured to be located and rotated about a first axis within a first receiving member and the second body member is configured to be located and rotated about a second axis within a second receiving member. The tie down apparatus may also include first and second locking members each extending through the first and second body members, respectively, where rotating the first and second body members about the respective first and second axes engages the first and second locking members and generally prevents removal of the first and second body members from the first and second receiving member, and a safety chain holding member selectively engaged with either of the first and second body members.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventor: Richard McCoy
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Patent number: 10836225Abstract: Disclosed is a detachable receiver apparatus for a hitch assembly. The apparatus includes a body having an attachment portion and a receiver portion. The attachment portion may be selectively attached to a frame of a towing vehicle. The receiver portion may be selectively attached to a receiver member. The receiver member may selectively attach to a hitch bar. In one embodiment, the receiver portion is received within the receiver member. In another embodiment, the receiver portion defines a cavity for receiving the receiver member. The attachment portion may include at least one locking member for selectively locking or unlocking the attachment portion to the frame of the towing vehicle. The assembly may include an actuator for selectively locking and unlocking the locking member.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2017Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Thomas Edward Robinson, Henry J. Guthard, Jordan Mazurek
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Patent number: 10792965Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 4, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Lynn H. Mida, Gail R. Matheus
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Patent number: 10766322Abstract: The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include a structural frame member including at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch. Also provided is an underbed hitch mounting system having at least one socket and receiving member exposed above a bed of a vehicle. The system includes trim and ring brackets configured to cover the exposed socket and receiving members along the bed of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2016Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Michael J. McGory, Piyush Pradeepkumar Khater, Joel Thomas Runyan
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Patent number: D894799Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventor: Alex Burroughs
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Patent number: D896137Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2019Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Theodore J. Siegel, Eric Yukich, Michael Maurer, Douglas Soulsby, Alex Burrows, Alex Meyer
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Patent number: D905526Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2018Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Dhananjay Gangakhedkar, Matthew Romanak, Curt Geideman
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Patent number: D909922Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2017Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Theodore J. Siegel, Eric Yukich, Michael Maurer, Doug Soulsby, Alex Meyer
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Patent number: D914321Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventor: Gregory T. Goetsch