Patents by Inventor Don F. Linger
Don F. Linger 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).
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Patent number: 7918476Abstract: A hitch assembly comprises housing that includes a generally cylindrical socket with an inner diameter and a slot along an outer periphery of the socket. A hitch ball includes a base that is selectively received within the socket. The base includes a radial groove that generally aligns with the slot. A sliding member selectively engages the slot and the radial groove to retain the hitch ball within the socket.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: Valley Towing ProductsInventor: Don F. Linger
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Patent number: 7240913Abstract: A latch mechanism for a fifth wheel hitch that automatically closes a jaw and locks the hitch when the hitch engages a kingpin. The latch mechanism includes a handle that is used set the latch for receiving the kingpin. The latch mechanism also includes a latching member that is biased toward a closed position and tripped in response to engagement of the kingpin with a jaw.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Valley Industries, L.L.C.Inventors: Donald H. Kahrs, Don F. Linger
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Patent number: 6557883Abstract: A glider fifth wheel attachment assembly includes a support frame including a pair of spaced guide rails and a pair of upright assemblies attached to the guide rails. Each upright assembly includes a lower sleeve portion for receiving a respective guide rail, an intermediate housing portion vertically above the sleeve portion, and an upper mounting portion vertically above the housing portion. A head assembly may be adjustably mounted between respective housing portions of the upright assemblies. At least one roller is positioned within each housing portion of the upright assemblies such that the at least one roller contacts an upper surface of an upper guide rail. In addition, the glider fifth wheel attachment assembly includes a latching assembly for releasably locking the glider fifth wheel attachment assembly between a first and a second position.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Valley IndustriesInventors: Don F. Linger, Jeffrey V. Sweeney
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Patent number: 6520528Abstract: An underbed gooseneck hitch assembly includes a channel housing that is secured to a pair of angle brackets. The angle brackets are secured to a pair of frame mounting brackets, which are in turn mounted to the frame rails of the vehicle. The hitch assembly also includes a ball socket for receiving a ball hitch. A pull cable handle assembly includes a spring biased retaining pin that can be retracted from and inserted into the ball hitch to secure the ball hitch for use. The ball hitch protrudes above the cargo bed and is attachable to a gooseneck trailer. Insertion of the ball hitch is accomplished by turning the handle of the pull cable handle assembly to an unlocked position, rotating the handle to a locked position, and inserting the ball hitch into the ball socket. The ball hitch is properly aligned with the retaining pin by inserting the ball hitch completely into the ball socket and aligning indicia on the ball hitch with a notch on the ball socket.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Valley Industries LLCInventors: Bernard G. Fandrich, Don F. Linger
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Publication number: 20020149171Abstract: A glider fifth wheel attachment assembly includes a support frame including a pair of spaced guide rails and a pair of upright assemblies attached to the guide rails. Each upright assembly includes a lower sleeve portion for receiving a respective guide rail, an intermediate housing portion vertically above the sleeve portion, and an upper mounting portion vertically above the housing portion. A head assembly may be adjustably mounted between respective housing portions of the upright assemblies. At least one roller is positioned within each housing portion of the upright assemblies such that the at least one roller contacts an upper surface of an upper guide rail. In addition, the glider fifth wheel attachment assembly includes a latching assembly for releasably locking the glider fifth wheel attachment assembly between a first and a second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2002Publication date: October 17, 2002Inventors: Don F. Linger, Jeffrey V. Sweeney
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Publication number: 20020060443Abstract: An underbed gooseneck hitch assembly includes a channel housing that is secured to a pair of angle brackets. The angle brackets are secured to a pair of frame mounting brackets, which are in turn mounted to the frame rails of the vehicle. The hitch assembly also includes a ball socket for receiving a ball hitch. A pull cable handle assembly includes a spring biased retaining pin that can be retracted from and inserted into the ball hitch to secure the ball hitch for use. The ball hitch protrudes above the cargo bed and is attachable to a gooseneck trailer. Insertion of the ball hitch is accomplished by turning the handle of the pull cable handle assembly to an unlocked position, rotating the handle to a locked position, and inserting the ball hitch into the ball socket. The ball hitch is properly aligned with the retaining pin by inserting the ball hitch completely into the ball socket and aligning indicia on the ball hitch with a notch on the ball socket.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2001Publication date: May 23, 2002Applicant: Valley Industries LLCInventors: Bernard G. Fandrich, Don F. Linger
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Patent number: 6386570Abstract: A glider fifth wheel attachment assembly includes a support frame including a pair of spaced guide rails and a pair of upright assemblies attached to the guide rails. Each upright assembly includes a lower sleeve portion for receiving a respective guide rail, an intermediate housing portion vertically above the sleeve portion, and an upper mounting portion vertically above the housing portion. A head assembly may be adjustably mounted between respective housing portions of the upright assemblies. At least one roller is positioned within each housing portion of the upright assemblies such that the at least one roller contacts an upper surface of an upper guide rail. In addition, the glider fifth wheel attachment assembly includes a latching assembly for releasably locking the glider fifth wheel attachment assembly between a first and a second position.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2001Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Valley Industries LLCInventors: Don F. Linger, Jeffrey V. Sweeney
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Patent number: 6357777Abstract: A glider fifth wheel automatic adjustment assembly includes a support frame including a pair of spaced guide rails and a pair of upright assemblies attached to the guide rails. Each upright assembly includes a lower sleeve portion for receiving a respective guide rail, an intermediate housing portion vertically above the sleeve portion, and an upper mounting portion vertically above the housing portion. A head assembly may be adjustably mounted between respective housing portions of the upright assemblies. At least one roller is positioned within each housing portion of the upright assemblies such that the at least one roller contacts an upper surface of an upper guide rail. In addition, the glider fifth wheel attachment assembly includes a latching assembly for releasably locking the glider fifth wheel attachment assembly between a first and a second position.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Valley IndustriesInventors: Don F. Linger, Jeffrey V. Sweeney
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Publication number: 20010020776Abstract: A glider fifth wheel attachment assembly includes a support frame including a pair of spaced guide rails and a pair of upright assemblies attached to the guide rails. Each upright assembly includes a lower sleeve portion for receiving a respective guide rail, an intermediate housing portion vertically above the sleeve portion, and an upper mounting portion vertically above the housing portion. A head assembly may be adjustably mounted between respective housing portions of the upright assemblies. At least one roller is positioned within each housing portion of the upright assemblies such that the at least one roller contacts an upper surface of an upper guide rail. In addition, the glider fifth wheel attachment assembly includes a latching assembly for releasably locking the glider fifth wheel attachment assembly between a first and a second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2001Publication date: September 13, 2001Inventors: Don F. Linger, Jeffrey V. Sweeney
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Patent number: 6247720Abstract: A glider fifth wheel attachment assembly includes a support frame including a pair of spaced guide rails and a pair of upright assemblies attached to the guide rails. Each upright assembly includes a lower sleeve portion for receiving a respective guide rail, an intermediate housing portion vertically above the sleeve portion, and an upper mounting portion vertically above the housing portion. A head assembly may be adjustably mounted between respective housing portions of the upright assemblies. At least one roller is positioned within each housing portion of the upright assemblies such that the at least one roller contacts an upper surface of an upper guide rail. In addition, the glider fifth wheel attachment assembly includes a latching assembly for releasably locking the glider fifth wheel attachment assembly between a first and a second position.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1999Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Valley Industries LLCInventors: Don F. Linger, Jeffrey V. Sweeney
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Patent number: 6105989Abstract: A device for eliminating rattle in a receiver-type hitch due to movement between hitch components includes a collar, an adjustment bolt, a lock nut and a second nut. The collar has a center wall and two side walls forming a U-shaped bracket that can fit over a reinforcing lip of the hitch receiver tube. A front wall on the collar has an opening for receiving a mount shank as it enters the receiver tube. An adjustment bolt extends through the center wall to tighten the collar onto the hitch receiver tube. When the adjustment bolt is tightened, the center wall of the collar moves away upward away from the receiver tube, causing the opening in the front wall to lift the shank against the inner wall of the tube and prevent it from moving within the tube. The lock nut then holds the entire anti-rattle assembly into position. Thus, the anti-rattle device prevents hitch rattling with a minimum of components.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1998Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: Valley Industries, LLCInventor: Don F. Linger