Patents by Inventor Francis Bernart

Francis Bernart 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: 11938766
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to data collection and communication related to after-market and external vehicle systems, such as towing systems, cargo carrying systems, trailer breakaway systems, brake systems, braking control systems, and the like. Data is sensed, processed, shared, and further leveraged throughout the discrete components of the system, and possibly via internet and other communications' links, to effect various beneficial actions with minimal driver/user interaction or intervention. In the same manner, data from the system may be used for diagnostic reasons, safety controls, and other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Fred Brickley, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Francis Bernart
  • Publication number: 20220379674
    Abstract: A folding trailer hitch is provided. The hitch includes a pair of bracket sidewalls each having two parallel columns of indexing holes. A hitch plate is included having a ball mount portion and an indexing portion. The indexing portion includes an upper indexing channel extending from an upper opening in a first side of the indexing portion to an upper opening in a second side of the indexing portion. The indexing portion also includes a lower indexing channel parallel to the first indexing channel and extending from a lower opening in a first side of the indexing portion to a lower opening in a second side of the indexing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventor: Francis Bernart
  • Publication number: 20220324276
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to data collection and communication related to after-market and external vehicle systems, such as towing systems, cargo carrying systems, trailer breakaway systems, brake systems, braking control systems, and the like. Data is sensed, processed, shared, and further leveraged throughout the discrete components of the system, and possibly via internet and other communications' links, to effect various beneficial actions with minimal driver/user interaction or intervention. In the same manner, data from the system may be used for diagnostic reasons, safety controls, and other purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Fred Brickley, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Francis Bernart
  • Patent number: 11370255
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to data collection and communication related to after-market and external vehicle systems, such as towing systems, cargo carrying systems, trailer breakaway systems, brake systems, braking control systems, and the like. Data is sensed, processed, shared, and further leveraged throughout the discrete components of the system, and possibly via internet and other communications' links, to effect various beneficial actions with minimal driver/user interaction or intervention. In the same manner, data from the system may be used for diagnostic reasons, safety controls, and other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Fred Brickley, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Francis Bernart
  • Publication number: 20190359018
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to data collection and communication related to after-market and external vehicle systems, such as towing systems, cargo carrying systems, trailer breakaway systems, brake systems, braking control systems, and the like. Data is sensed, processed, shared, and further leveraged throughout the discrete components of the system, and possibly via internet and other communications' links, to effect various beneficial actions with minimal driver/user interaction or intervention. In the same manner, data from the system may be used for diagnostic reasons, safety controls, and other purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Fred Brickley, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Francis Bernart
  • Patent number: 10377196
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to data collection and communication related to after-market and external vehicle systems, such as towing systems, cargo carrying systems, trailer breakaway systems, brake systems, braking control systems, and the like. Data is sensed, processed, shared, and further leveraged throughout the discrete components of the system, and possibly via internet and other communications' links, to effect various beneficial actions with minimal driver/user interaction or intervention. In the same manner, data from the system may be used for diagnostic reasons, safety controls, and other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Fred Brickley, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Francis Bernart
  • Publication number: 20190054783
    Abstract: A hitch ball mount is shown and described. The hitch ball mount may include a generally tubular body having first and second end portions, the first end portion engageable with a hitch receiver of a towing vehicle, and a drop portion monolithic with the tubular body and formed between the first and second end portions of the tubular member. The hitch ball mount may further include a hitch ball mounting portion monolithic with the drop portion and tubular body, the hitch ball mounting portion formed at the second end portion of the tubular member and extending from the drop portion, where a hitch ball is selectively attachable to the hitch ball mounting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Francis Bernart, Thomas DePietro
  • Patent number: 10106001
    Abstract: A hitch ball mount is shown and described. The hitch ball mount may include a generally tubular body having first and second end portions, the first end portion engageable with a hitch receiver of a towing vehicle, and a drop portion monolithic with the tubular body and formed between the first and second end portions of the tubular member. The hitch ball mount may further include a hitch ball mounting portion monolithic with the drop portion and tubular body, the hitch ball mounting portion formed at the second end portion of the tubular member and extending from the drop portion, where a hitch ball is selectively attachable to the hitch ball mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Francis Bernart, Thomas DePietro
  • Publication number: 20170368897
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to data collection and communication related to after-market and external vehicle systems, such as towing systems, cargo carrying systems, trailer breakaway systems, brake systems, braking control systems, and the like. Data is sensed, processed, shared, and further leveraged throughout the discrete components of the system, and possibly via internet and other communications' links, to effect various beneficial actions with minimal driver/user interaction or intervention. In the same manner, data from the system may be used for diagnostic reasons, safety controls, and other purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Fred Brickley, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Francis Bernart
  • Patent number: 9738125
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to data collection and communication related to after-market and external vehicle systems, such as towing systems, cargo carrying systems, trailer breakaway systems, brake systems, braking control systems, and the like. Data is sensed, processed, shared, and further leveraged throughout the discrete components of the system, and possibly via internet and other communications' links, to effect various beneficial actions with minimal driver/user interaction or intervention. In the same manner, data from the system may be used for diagnostic reasons, safety controls, and other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Fred Brickley, Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Francis Bernart
  • Publication number: 20160297264
    Abstract: A hitch ball mount is shown and described. The hitch ball mount may include a generally tubular body having first and second end portions, the first end portion engageable with a hitch receiver of a towing vehicle, and a drop portion monolithic with the tubular body and formed between the first and second end portions of the tubular member. The hitch ball mount may further include a hitch ball mounting portion monolithic with the drop portion and tubular body, the hitch ball mounting portion formed at the second end portion of the tubular member and extending from the drop portion, where a hitch ball is selectively attachable to the hitch ball mounting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Francis Bernart, Thomas DePietro
  • Patent number: 9308789
    Abstract: A hitch ball mount is shown and described. The hitch ball mount may include a generally tubular body having first and second end portions, the first end portion engageable with a hitch receiver of a towing vehicle, and a drop portion monolithic with the tubular body and formed between the first and second end portions of the tubular member. The hitch ball mount may further include a hitch ball mounting portion monolithic with the drop portion and tubular body, the hitch ball mounting portion formed at the second end portion of the tubular member and extending from the drop portion, where a hitch ball is selectively attachable to the hitch ball mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Cequent Consumer Products
    Inventors: Francis Bernart, Thomas DePietro
  • Publication number: 20150074924
    Abstract: A ramp is shown and described. The ramp may include a frame having first and second end portions and a ramp surface extending substantially between the frame and positioned between the first and second end portion. The ramp may also include a plate extending at least partially between the frame and positioned adjacent to at least one of the first and second end portions, where the frame, ramp surface and plate are monolithic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Cequent Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Bernart
  • Patent number: D738796
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Cequent Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas DePietro, Francis Bernart
  • Patent number: D778211
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Cequent Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas DePietro, Francis Bernart
  • Patent number: D782894
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Cequent Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas DePietro, Joshua James Krohn, Mark Timothy Horton, Francis Bernart
  • Patent number: D783923
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Cequent Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Bernart, Matthew Romanak
  • Patent number: D793024
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Francis Bernart, Matthew Romanak
  • Patent number: D797012
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Horizon Global Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas DePietro, Francis Bernart
  • Patent number: D867228
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Thomas DePietro, Francis Bernart