Patents Assigned to Williams Innovations, LLC
-
Publication number: 20140097595Abstract: A hitch apparatus includes a frame configured to be secured to a vehicle and that is pivotable about a first axis, a guide that is movably secured to the frame and pivotable about a second axis substantially transverse to the first axis, and a tow bar movably secured to the guide and movable relative to the guide between retracted and extended positions. The hitch apparatus includes a user controlled positioning system with a user input device that is configured to allow a user to extend and retract the tow bar and to articulate the tow bar up-down and left-right so as to position the tow bar distal end at a desired position within a three-dimensional coordinate system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: Williams Innovations, LLCInventors: Thomas M. Williams, JR., William David Woolf
-
Publication number: 20130049326Abstract: A hitch apparatus includes a housing configured to be attached to a vehicle, a tow bar movably disposed within the housing, and a weight distribution apparatus attached to a distal end of the tow bar. The tow bar is movable relative to the housing between retracted and extended positions, and is pivotable relative to the housing when in an extended position. The weight distribution apparatus comprises a hitch member configured to receive a coupling apparatus of a towed vehicle, and at least one weight distributing member configured to extend rearwardly from the vehicle and be attached to the towed vehicle. The hitch member may be any type of coupling apparatus such as a ball coupler, a pintle hook, a cushioned pintle hook, a swivel pintle hook, a lunette ring, and a clevis pin attachment.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2012Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: Williams Innovations, LLCInventor: Williams Innovations, LLC
-
Patent number: 8302987Abstract: A hitch apparatus includes a housing configured to be attached to a vehicle, a tow bar movably disposed within the housing, a hitch member assembly, and a fastener configured to removably secure the hitch member assembly to the height adjustment member at any of a plurality of selected elevations. The tow bar is movable relative to the housing between retracted and extended positions, and is pivotable relative to the housing when in an extended position. As such, a hitch member at the distal end of the tow bar has horizontal and vertical adjustment capabilities.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Williams Innovations, LLCInventors: Thomas M. Williams, Jr., Gregory S. Hopper, David Allen Dekarske
-
Patent number: 8276931Abstract: A coupling apparatus includes a base, an arm extending from the base, a first tow ball extending from a first side of the arm, and a second tow ball extending from an opposite second side of the arm. The base is configured to be removably attached to a vehicle in opposite first and second positions such that the first tow ball is in an upright orientation when the base is attached to a vehicle in the first position, and the second tow ball is in an upright orientation when the base is attached to a vehicle in the second position. Each of the first and second end portions of the base includes a respective post, and a retainer assembly is configured to be removably attachable to each post.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Williams Innovations, LLCInventors: David Allen DeKarske, Thomas M. Williams, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7976052Abstract: A lock assembly for selectively latching the pivoting tongue of a steerable trailed vehicle includes an actuator assembly on the vehicle connected by a cable to latch bolt for spring biasing in discrete positions into aligned apertures for enabling and preventing tongue pivoting. The tongue is provided with a winch assembly having a cable attached to the trailed vehicle and operable for raising and lowering the tongue. The tongue includes a hitch assembly having an extendable and pivotable lunette for connection with a proximately located towing vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2009Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Williams Innovations, LLCInventor: Thomas M. Williams, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7850193Abstract: A quick release assembly for remotely actuating operative disconnection between vehicles includes a lock bolt ejection assembly for remotely ejecting a lock bolt normally maintaining a coupling between the vehicles thereby allowing independent movement of the vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2010Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Williams Innovations, LLCInventor: Thomas M. Williams, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7669878Abstract: A quick release assembly for remotely actuating operative disconnection between vehicles includes a lock bolt ejection assembly for remotely ejecting a lock bolt normally maintaining a coupling between the vehicles thereby allowing independent movement of the vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2008Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Williams Innovations, LLCInventor: Thomas M. Williams, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7614636Abstract: A lock assembly for selectively latching the pivoting tongue of a steerable trailed vehicle includes an actuator assembly on the vehicle connected by a cable to latch bolt for spring biasing in discrete positions into aligned apertures for enabling and preventing tongue pivoting.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2007Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Williams Innovations, LLCInventor: Thomas M. Williams, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7584984Abstract: A hitch assembly for connecting a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle include a housing mounted on the towing tongue of the towed vehicle having a tow bar mounted in an internal cavity having a restricted throat. Tow bar can be extended and pivoted to position a hitching eyelet on a variably proximately located towed vehicle. The tow arm coacts with the walls of the cavity to provide a torque on the tongue upon forward or rearward movement of the towing vehicle. Upon rearward movement of the towed vehicle, the tow bar attains an aligned nested position in the cavity and a lock assembly is actuated for locking the tow arm to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2007Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Williams Innovations, LLCInventor: Thomas M. Williams, Jr.