Patents by Inventor Brian S. Hildreth

Brian S. Hildreth has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method for manufacturing a trailer hitch assembly
    Patent number: 6348112
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a trailer hitch assembly for use with automobiles, trucks and other vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly comprises a crossbeam assembly and a pair of side brackets disposed on opposite ends of the crossbeam assembly. The crossbeam assembly and the side brackets are made of an ultra-high-strength steel material having a bainitic microstructure. The trailer hitch is fabricated from boron steel preheated to a temperature in the austenite range. The steel is then formed while in the austenite range in a forming die then subsequently quenched to achieve a bainitic microstructure and assembled as a trailer hitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. Hildreth, Mark Lawrence Bewick