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).

  • Publication number: 20230406423
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Eric J. Stanifer
  • Publication number: 20230406053
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy, Brian W. Ward
  • Patent number: 11560027
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy, Brian W. Ward
  • Patent number: 11560187
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Eric J. Stanifer
  • Publication number: 20220288983
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy
  • Publication number: 20210221189
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy, Brian W. Ward
  • Patent number: 10967689
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy, Brian W. Ward
  • Publication number: 20200283079
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Eric J. Stanifer
  • Publication number: 20200215862
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy
  • Patent number: 10661846
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Eric J. Stanifer
  • Patent number: 10589585
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy
  • Publication number: 20200001671
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy, Brian W. Ward
  • Patent number: 10406873
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy, Brian W. Ward
  • Patent number: 10336146
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy
  • Publication number: 20180093540
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy
  • Patent number: 9834050
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy
  • Patent number: 9815509
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Eric J. Stanifer, Newly Mach
  • Publication number: 20170305218
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy, Brian W. Ward
  • Publication number: 20170183045
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Eric J. Stanifer
  • Publication number: 20170151844
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Eric J. Stanifer, Richard W. McCoy