Patents by Inventor Eric J. Stanifer
Eric J. Stanifer 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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Publication number: 20230406423Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch may include at least one support frame capable of engaging with a towing vehicle. The fifth wheel hitch may further include a cross-member attached to the support frame and an isolation system operatively coupled with the cross-member. The isolation system may include a beam engaged with the cross-member about a first axis, where rotation of the beam about the first axis is dampened via a cross-member isolator. The isolation system may also include a skid plate engaged with the beam about a second axis, where rotation of the skid plate about the second axis is dampened via a wing isolator.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Eric J. Stanifer
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Publication number: 20230406053Abstract: An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy, Brian W. Ward
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Patent number: 11560027Abstract: An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2021Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy, Brian W. Ward
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Patent number: 11560187Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch may include at least one support frame capable of engaging with a towing vehicle. The fifth wheel hitch may further include a cross-member attached to the support frame and an isolation system operatively coupled with the cross-member. The isolation system may include a beam engaged with the cross-member about a first axis, where rotation of the beam about the first axis is dampened via a cross-member isolator. The isolation system may also include a skid plate engaged with the beam about a second axis, where rotation of the skid plate about the second axis is dampened via a wing isolator.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2020Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Eric J. Stanifer
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Publication number: 20220288983Abstract: An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy
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Publication number: 20210221189Abstract: An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy, Brian W. Ward
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Patent number: 10967689Abstract: An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy, Brian W. Ward
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Publication number: 20200283079Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch may include at least one support frame capable of engaging with a towing vehicle. The fifth wheel hitch may further include a cross-member attached to the support frame and an isolation system operatively coupled with the cross-member. The isolation system may include a beam engaged with the cross-member about a first axis, where rotation of the beam about the first axis is dampened via a cross-member isolator. The isolation system may also include a skid plate engaged with the beam about a second axis, where rotation of the skid plate about the second axis is dampened via a wing isolator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Eric J. Stanifer
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Publication number: 20200215862Abstract: An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2020Publication date: July 9, 2020Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy
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Patent number: 10661846Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch may include at least one support frame capable of engaging with a towing vehicle. The fifth wheel hitch may further include a cross-member attached to the support frame and an isolation system operatively coupled with the cross-member. The isolation system may include a beam engaged with the cross-member about a first axis, where rotation of the beam about the first axis is dampened via a cross-member isolator. The isolation system may also include a skid plate engaged with the beam about a second axis, where rotation of the skid plate about the second axis is dampened via a wing isolator.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Eric J. Stanifer
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Patent number: 10589585Abstract: An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy
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Publication number: 20200001671Abstract: An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy, Brian W. Ward
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Patent number: 10406873Abstract: An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy, Brian W. Ward
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Patent number: 10336146Abstract: A securing chain attachment assembly is shown and described. The securing chain attachment assembly may include an attachment body selectively and rotatably securable to a towing vehicle, the attachment body rotatable along a first plane. The securing chain attachment assembly may also include a securement member attached to the attachment body, the securement member capable of having selectively secured thereto a securement chain, where the chain attachment member is pivotal along a second plane, the second plane generally parallel to the first plane.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2017Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy
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Publication number: 20180093540Abstract: An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy
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Patent number: 9834050Abstract: An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy
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Patent number: 9815509Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch may include a skid plate, and a retention system that is supported by the skid plate. The retention system is also operable to receive a coupling member of a towed vehicle to retain the coupling member within the retention system, where engagement of the coupling member with the retention system selectively positions the retention system in a locked and closed position.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2011Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Eric J. Stanifer, Newly Mach
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Publication number: 20170305218Abstract: An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy, Brian W. Ward
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Publication number: 20170183045Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch may include at least one support frame capable of engaging with a towing vehicle. The fifth wheel hitch may further include a cross-member attached to the support frame and an isolation system operatively coupled with the cross-member. The isolation system may include a beam engaged with the cross-member about a first axis, where rotation of the beam about the first axis is dampened via a cross-member isolator. The isolation system may also include a skid plate engaged with the beam about a second axis, where rotation of the skid plate about the second axis is dampened via a wing isolator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2017Publication date: June 29, 2017Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Eric J. Stanifer
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Publication number: 20170151844Abstract: A securing chain attachment assembly is shown and described. The securing chain attachment assembly may include an attachment body selectively and rotatably securable to a towing vehicle, the attachment body rotatable along a first plane. The securing chain attachment assembly may also include a securement member attached to the attachment body, the securement member capable of having selectively secured thereto a securement chain, where the chain attachment member is pivotal along a second plane, the second plane generally parallel to the first plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2017Publication date: June 1, 2017Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy