Patents by Inventor Frank Drake
Frank Drake 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: 20130270498Abstract: A winch assembly is described and shown herein. The winch assembly may include a first housing member having a first retaining member formed therein and a second housing member having a second retaining member formed therein, the second housing member secured to the first housing member forming a winch housing. The winch assembly may further include a drive system generally positioned within the winch housing, and a winch drum operatively coupled with the drive system and rotationally secured with the first and second retaining members.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventors: Victor Burneister, Kawa-She-Quoen Wm. Okerlund, Frank Drake, Todd Walstrom, Eric Anderson
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Patent number: 8286986Abstract: A gooseneck coupler for engaging a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle is described. The coupler includes an outer tube having apertures that is moveable relative to an inner tube secured to a base plate. A locking plate is pivotally secured to the base plate, wherein the locking plate and base plate both include alignable locking pin apertures. A locking assembly includes a handle and a locking pin that is insertable into the locking pin apertures. A support bracket is secured to the inner tube. The support bracket includes a stop portion and a spacer portion that aligns the locking pin into the locking pin apertures. The coupler also includes set screws locatable through the apertures, wherein the set screws are tightened onto the inner tube to prevent movement of the outer tube. The set screws function as a visual indicator that the outer tube has been over extended.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.Inventors: Frank Drake, Michael Murphy
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Publication number: 20120211966Abstract: A gooseneck coupler may be used on a towing vehicle to help tow certain types of towed vehicles, such as trailers. The gooseneck coupler may include a first member, a second member pivotally attached to the first member, where the second member is capable of pivoting relative to the first member from a first position to a second position. The gooseneck coupler may also include an opening in the first member, the opening sized to receive a hitch ball, and a clinch mechanism located within the opening where the hitch ball is wedged between the clinch mechanism and the second member when the second member is in the second position relative to the first member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2011Publication date: August 23, 2012Inventors: Frank Drake, Kevin Rabska
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Publication number: 20120211965Abstract: A gooseneck coupler may be used on a towing vehicle to help tow certain types of towed vehicles, such as trailers. The gooseneck coupler may include a first tube, a base member attached to the first tube, and a locking member pivotally attached to the base member—the locking member being capable of engaging a hitch ball. The gooseneck coupler may also include a locking mechanism attached to the locking member, where the locking mechanism is capable of securing the locking member in engagement with the hitch ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2011Publication date: August 23, 2012Inventors: Frank Drake, Kevin Rabska
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Publication number: 20120153598Abstract: A gooseneck coupler for engaging a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle is described. The coupler includes an outer tube having apertures that is moveable relative to an inner tube secured to a base plate. A locking plate is pivotally secured to the base plate, wherein the locking plate and base plate both include alignable locking pin apertures. A locking assembly includes a handle and a locking pin that is insertable into the locking pin apertures. A support bracket is secured to the inner tube. The support bracket includes a stop portion and a spacer portion that aligns the locking pin into the locking pin apertures. The coupler also includes set screws locatable through the apertures, wherein the set screws are tightened onto the inner tube to prevent movement of the outer tube. The set screws function as a visual indicator that the outer tube has been over extended.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Inventors: Frank Drake, Michael Murphy
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Patent number: 8181983Abstract: A jack assembly for adjusting the height of a trailer is provided. The jack assembly is moveable between an operable and a stowed position. The assembly includes a tube having a slot portion and a slide block moveable within the slot portion. A post connected to the slide block protrudes through an opening in the slot portion to engage a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism is movable between a clamped position where the slide block is clamped to the tube to prevent the jack from moving, and an unclamped position where the slide block is movable within the slot portion to allow the jack assembly to be moved between an operable position and a stowed position.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Cequent Trailer ProductsInventors: Todd Walstrom, Michael Murphy, Frank Drake
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Patent number: 8083250Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other examples associated with a hitch ball coupler are described herein. In one example, a coupler includes a body and a cap. The body and cap are pivotally connected on a first end. The body includes a first recess and a shoulder. The cap is selectively moveable between a closed position and an open position. The cap includes a second recess that selectively forms a socket with the first recess, and an arm extending from a second end that engages the shoulder when the cap is in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2010Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Cequent Trailer Products, Inc.Inventors: Frank Drake, Kevin Rabska
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Publication number: 20110127752Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other examples associated with a hitch ball coupler are described herein. In one example, a coupler includes a body and a cap. The body and cap are pivotally connected on a first end. The body includes a first recess and a shoulder. The cap is selectively moveable between a closed position and an open position. The cap includes a second recess that selectively forms a socket with the first recess, and an arm extending from a second end that engages the shoulder when the cap is in the open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2010Publication date: June 2, 2011Inventors: Frank Drake, Kevin Rabska
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Patent number: 7871098Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other examples associated with a hitch ball coupler are described herein. In one example, a coupler includes a body and a cap. The body and cap are pivotally connected on a first end. The body includes a first recess and a shoulder. The cap is selectively moveable between a closed position and an open position. The cap includes a second recess that selectively forms a socket with the first recess, and an arm extending from a second end that engages the shoulder when the cap is in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2008Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Cequent Trailer Products, Inc.Inventors: Frank Drake, Kevin Rabska
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Patent number: 7798034Abstract: A retention assembly for a jack is disclosed. The retention assembly includes a housing, a bushing, a shaft, a gear, a pin, and a spring. The housing includes a housing aperture, into which the bushing is positioned. The shaft, which includes a shaft aperture, extends through the bushing such that the portion of the shaft defining the shaft aperture is positioned within the housing. The gear, which includes a gear aperture, is positioned on the shaft such that the gear and shaft apertures align to accommodate the pin. The spring is positioned on the shaft and within the housing such that a first end of the spring applies a force to the bushing to retain the bushing in the housing aperture and a second end of the spring engages the pin to retain the pin within the shaft and gear apertures.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2006Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Cequent Trailer Products, Inc.Inventor: Frank Drake
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Publication number: 20100213429Abstract: A jack assembly having multiple degrees of freedom is described. The jack assembly may provide the user the ability to select single degrees of freedom as desired. The jack assembly may include a pair of jacks, a connecting rod assembly, and a pivot adapter. The jacks may be engaged with a trailer and are adjustable along a Z-axis. The jacks may include an outer tube in a telescopic relationship with an inner tube and a drop leg in a telescopic relationship with the inner tube. The connecting rod assembly may be located between the jacks and be adjustable along an X-axis. The pivot adapter may be capable of pivoting the jacks in a Y-Z plane. The adapter may include a first end secured to an end of the connecting rod assembly and a second end secured to one of the jacks.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2010Publication date: August 26, 2010Inventors: Frank Drake, Michael Murphy
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Patent number: 7731219Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a trailer tongue pivot hinge are described herein. In an embodiment, a pivot assembly for a tongue of a towing trailer includes a trailer arm adapter, a coupler arm adapter, and a pivot member. The trailer arm adapter includes an engagement face positioned at an angle, along with a pivot hinge member and a coupling hinge member extending from the engagement face, where the coupling hinge member is opposed to the pivot hinge member. The coupler arm adapter includes an engagement face positioned at an angle, along with a pivot hinge member and a coupler hinge member extending from the engagement face, where the second coupling hinge member is opposed to the second pivot hinge member. The pivot member is positioned to pivotally engage the trailer arm adapter to the couple arm adapter.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Cequent Trailer Products, Inc.Inventors: Kawa-She-Quoen Okerlund, Todd Walstrom, Frank Drake
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Publication number: 20100133783Abstract: A jack assembly for adjusting the height of a trailer is provided. The jack assembly is moveable between an operable and a stowed position. The assembly includes a tube having a slot portion and a slide block moveable within the slot portion. A post connected to the slide block protrudes through an opening in the slot portion to engage a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism is movable between a clamped position where the slide block is clamped to the tube to prevent the jack from moving, and an unclamped position where the slide block is movable within the slot portion to allow the jack assembly to be moved between an operable position and a stowed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2009Publication date: June 3, 2010Inventors: Todd Walstrom, Michael Murphy, Frank Drake
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Publication number: 20090127825Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other examples associated with a hitch ball coupler are described herein. In one example, a coupler includes a body and a cap. The body and cap are pivotally connected on a first end. The body includes a first recess and a shoulder. The cap is selectively moveable between a closed position and an open position. The cap includes a second recess that selectively forms a socket with the first recess, and an arm extending from a second end that engages the shoulder when the cap is in the open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2008Publication date: May 21, 2009Inventors: Frank Drake, Kevin Rabska
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Publication number: 20090108568Abstract: A trailer coupler and a method for securing a trailer coupler to a trailer frame are disclosed. The trailer coupler has an attachment portion for securing the trailer coupler to a towing vehicle. The trailer coupler is adjustable and movable from a first position to a second position. The sides of the trailer coupler are at a first angle at the first position and at a second angle at the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventors: Frank Drake, Kevin Rabska, Todd Walstrom
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Publication number: 20080315561Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a trailer tongue pivot hinge are described herein. In an embodiment, a pivot assembly for a towing trailer includes a first adapter and a second adapter. The first adapter is arranged to be attachable to a first trailer frame member and includes a body; an engagement face forming a front surface of the body; a pivot hinge member extending from the engagement face; and a coupling hinge member extending from the engagement face and opposed to the first pivot hinge member; and a receiver. The receiver is adapted for securing a trailer accessory to the first adapter. The second adapter is arranged to be attachable to a second trailer frame member and pivotably attachable to the first adapter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventors: Eric Anderson, Kawa-She-Quoen Okerlund, Todd Walstrom, Frank Drake
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Publication number: 20080292390Abstract: A coupler includes a first telescopic member having a first pair of coaxially aligned apertures, and a second telescopic member having a second pair of coaxially aligned apertures. The second pair of apertures is capable of coaxial alignment with the first pair of apertures during telescopic engagement between the first and second telescopic members. A pin member having a head is capable of insertion through the coaxially aligned first and second pairs of apertures. At least one of the second apertures is sized to receive the head therethrough to engage the first telescopic member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2007Publication date: November 27, 2008Inventors: Todd Walstrom, Kevin Rabska, Frank Drake
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Publication number: 20080258431Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a trailer tongue pivot hinge are described herein. In an embodiment, a pivot assembly for a tongue of a towing trailer includes a trailer arm adapter, a coupler arm adapter, and a pivot member. The trailer arm adapter includes an engagement face positioned at an angle, along with a pivot hinge member and a coupling hinge member extending from the engagement face, where the coupling hinge member is opposed to the pivot hinge member. The coupler arm adapter includes an engagement face positioned at an angle, along with a pivot hinge member and a coupler hinge member extending from the engagement face, where the second coupling hinge member is opposed to the second pivot hinge member. The pivot member is positioned to pivotally engage the trailer arm adapter to the couple arm adapter.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2008Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventors: Kawa-She-Quoen Okerlund, Todd Walstrom, Frank Drake
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Publication number: 20080146397Abstract: A motorized jack assembly that is used with trailers that has a functional combination of several outputs providing different speeds for raising or lowering the jack. The jack has a drop leg feature to allow for quickly raising or lowering the jack. The motorized jack assembly has an actuator having a motor integrated with a gearbox that not only has the capacity to handle a relatively heavy load, but also have the ability to handle small and midsize loads at efficient speeds. The jack has a cover for protecting the actuator and providing user friendly controls for operating the actuator and the jack.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventor: Frank Drake
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Patent number: D595921Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2008Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Cequent Trailer Products, Inc.Inventors: Todd Walstrom, Eric Anderson, Todd Trowbridge, Joseph J. Peschmann, Kawa-She-Quoen Okerlund, Victor Burmeister, Frank Drake