Patents by Inventor Colin Connell

Colin Connell 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).

  • Patent number: 8590915
    Abstract: A system for providing support to an articulating trailer hitch used to interconnect a trailer and a towing vehicle. The system includes an adjustable, removable and repositionable link which interconnects the trailer frame and one or more spring bars providing load-distributing forces to the trailer and towing vehicle. The spring bars include an adjustable, rigid link which maintains the vertical position of the hitch assembly when disconnected from the towing vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Colin Connell
  • Patent number: 8556287
    Abstract: An adaptor for securing a fifth wheel hitch to the bed of a towing vehicle is described. The fifth wheel hitch is typically part of a larger assembly having attachment lugs configured to be removably secured to receptacles in mounting rails permanently attached to the bed of the towing vehicle. Newer towing vehicles are provided with recessed sockets in the vehicle bed, rather than permanently mounted rails, to eliminate obstructions to placement of cargo in the bed. The present invention is, therefore, an adaptor for securing existing fifth wheel assemblies to these newer towing vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Colin Connell
  • Patent number: 8439387
    Abstract: An adaptor for securing a fifth wheel hitch to the bed of a towing vehicle is described. The fifth wheel hitch is typically part of a larger assembly having attachment lugs configured to be removably secured to receptacles in mounting rails permanently attached to the bed of the towing vehicle. Newer towing vehicles are provided with recessed sockets in the vehicle bed, rather than permanently mounted rails, to eliminate obstructions to placement of cargo in the bed. The present invention is, therefore, an adaptor for securing existing fifth wheel assemblies to these newer towing vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Colin Connell
  • Publication number: 20120098234
    Abstract: A system for providing support to an articulating trailer hitch used to interconnect a trailer and a towing vehicle. The system includes an adjustable, removable and repositionable link which interconnects the trailer frame and one or more spring bars providing load-distributing forces to the trailer and towing vehicle. The spring bars include an adjustable, rigid link which maintains the vertical position of the hitch assembly when disconnected from the towing vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: COLIN CONNELL
  • Patent number: 7726678
    Abstract: A sliding fifth wheel assembly for slidably connecting a trailer hitch to a vehicle, comprising at least one rail connectable to the vehicle and a platform connectable to the trailer hitch. The platform is slidably mounted to the rail for movement between a forward position and a rearward position. At least one stop bar is connected to the platform, and at least one locking bar is pivotally mounted to the rail for selective engagement with the stop bar to retain the platform in either the forward position or the rearward position. The locking bar may be selectively engaged by at least one actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Hensley Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Connell, Robert Hillman