Patents Assigned to Williams Innovations, LLC
  • Publication number: 20140097595
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Williams Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Williams, JR., William David Woolf
  • Publication number: 20130049326
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Williams Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Williams Innovations, LLC
  • Patent number: 8302987
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Williams Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Williams, Jr., Gregory S. Hopper, David Allen Dekarske
  • Patent number: 8276931
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Williams Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: David Allen DeKarske, Thomas M. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7976052
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Williams Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7850193
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Williams Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7669878
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Williams Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7614636
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Williams Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7584984
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Williams Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M. Williams, Jr.