Patents by Inventor Kevin McAllister
Kevin McAllister 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: 20240262139Abstract: A spring bar coupling device is described for coupling a spring bar of a weight distributing trailer hitch to a trailer frame. The spring bar coupling device can include a spring bar support operable to interface with and support a spring bar of a weight distributing trailer hitch. The spring bar support can have a vertical support arm having a first coupler opening, and a lower spring bar stop extending from the vertical support arm to provide a lower interface for the spring bar. The spring bar coupling device can also include a channel bracket having at least two opposing walls defining a vertically oriented channel operable to receive the vertical support arm, and a second coupler opening in at least one of the two walls. The first and second coupler openings can be configured to be aligned with one another at a first coupling location when the vertical support arm is located at least partially within the vertically oriented channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2024Publication date: August 8, 2024Inventors: Kevin McAllister, Morgan McAllister, Todd Mendenhall, Brandon Doman
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Publication number: 20240075776Abstract: A height adjustable hitch receiver is disclosed and described.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventor: Kevin McAllister
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Patent number: 11897298Abstract: A weight distributing trailer hitch and associated method are described. The weight distributing trailer hitch can include a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle. The weight distributing trailer hitch can also include a ball portion to facilitate coupling with a tongue of a trailer. In one embodiment, the weight distributing trailer hitch can further include a spring bar vertically pivotal relative to the hitch portion, and an adjustment mechanism actuatable to selectively adjust a tilt angle of the spring bar relative to the hitch portion to vary preload on the spring bar and adjustably distribute weight of the trailer relative to the vehicle. In another embodiment, the weight distributing trailer hitch can further include a spring bar for distributing weight of the trailer relative to the vehicle, and a load measurement device to determine a magnitude of a downward force on the hitch ball.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Weigh Safe, LLCInventors: Kevin McAllister, Morgan McAllister, Todd Mendenhall, Brandon Doman
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Patent number: 11752815Abstract: A height adjustable hitch receiver is disclosed and described.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Weigh Safe, LLCInventor: Kevin McAllister
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Publication number: 20230278380Abstract: A ball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer is disclosed. The ball mount can include a ball portion having a hitch ball configured to couple with a tongue of a trailer. The ball mount can also include a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle. In addition, the ball mount can include a load measurement device associated with the ball portion to determine a magnitude of a downward force on the hitch ball. The load measurement device can include a reservoir having a fluid and a piston disposed therein, and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the reservoir. The hitch ball can be configured to exert a force on the piston, thereby affecting a pressure of the fluid in response to the downward force on the hitch ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicant: Weigh Safe, LLCInventor: Kevin McAllister
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Publication number: 20230264530Abstract: A spring bar coupling device is described for coupling a spring bar of a weight distributing trailer hitch to a trailer frame. The spring bar coupling device can include a spring bar support operable to interface with and support a spring bar of a weight distributing trailer hitch. The spring bar support can have a vertical support arm having a first coupler opening, and a lower spring bar stop extending from the vertical support arm to provide a lower interface for the spring bar. The spring bar coupling device can also include a channel bracket having at least two opposing walls defining a vertically oriented channel operable to receive the vertical support arm, and a second coupler opening in at least one of the two walls. The first and second coupler openings can be configured to be aligned with one another at a first coupling location when the vertical support arm is located at least partially within the vertically oriented channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Applicant: Weigh Safe, LLCInventors: Kevin McAllister, Morgan McAllister, Todd Mendenhall, Brandon Doman
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Patent number: 11701932Abstract: A ball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer is disclosed. The ball mount can include a ball portion having a hitch ball configured to couple with a tongue of a trailer. The ball mount can also include a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle. In addition, the ball mount can include a load measurement device associated with the ball portion to determine a magnitude of a downward force on the hitch ball. The load measurement device can include a reservoir having a fluid and a piston disposed therein, and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the reservoir. The hitch ball can be configured to exert a force on the piston, thereby affecting a pressure of the fluid in response to the downward force on the hitch ball.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2020Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Weigh Safe, LLCInventor: Kevin McAllister
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Patent number: 11565557Abstract: A spring bar coupling device is described for coupling a spring bar of a weight distributing trailer hitch to a trailer frame. The spring bar coupling device can include a spring bar support operable to interface with and support a spring bar of a weight distributing trailer hitch. The spring bar support can have a vertical support arm having a first coupler opening, and a lower spring bar stop extending from the vertical support arm to provide a lower interface for the spring bar. The spring bar coupling device can also include a channel bracket having at least two opposing walls defining a vertically oriented channel operable to receive the vertical support arm, and a second coupler opening in at least one of the two walls. The first and second coupler openings can be configured to be aligned with one another at a first coupling location when the vertical support arm is located at least partially within the vertically oriented channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2019Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Weigh Safe, LLCInventors: Kevin McAllister, Morgan McAllister, Todd Mendenhall, Brandon Doman
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Publication number: 20220250426Abstract: A height adjustable hitch receiver is disclosed and described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2022Publication date: August 11, 2022Inventor: Kevin McAllister
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Publication number: 20220176760Abstract: A weight distributing trailer hitch and associated method are described. The weight distributing trailer hitch can include a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle. The weight distributing trailer hitch can also include a ball portion to facilitate coupling with a tongue of a trailer. In one embodiment, the weight distributing trailer hitch can further include a spring bar vertically pivotal relative to the hitch portion, and an adjustment mechanism actuatable to selectively adjust a tilt angle of the spring bar relative to the hitch portion to vary preload on the spring bar and adjustably distribute weight of the trailer relative to the vehicle. In another embodiment, the weight distributing trailer hitch can further include a spring bar for distributing weight of the trailer relative to the vehicle, and a load measurement device to determine a magnitude of a downward force on the hitch ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2022Publication date: June 9, 2022Applicant: Weigh Safe, LLCInventors: Kevin McAllister, Morgan McAllister, Todd Mendenhall, Brandon Doman
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Patent number: 11267301Abstract: A weight distributing trailer hitch and associated method are described. The weight distributing trailer hitch can include a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle. The weight distributing trailer hitch can also include a ball portion to facilitate coupling with a tongue of a trailer. In one embodiment, the weight distributing trailer hitch can further include a spring bar vertically pivotal relative to the hitch portion, and an adjustment mechanism actuatable to selectively adjust a tilt angle of the spring bar relative to the hitch portion to vary preload on the spring bar and adjustably distribute weight of the trailer relative to the vehicle. In another embodiment, the weight distributing trailer hitch can further include a spring bar for distributing weight of the trailer relative to the vehicle, and a load measurement device to determine a magnitude of a downward force on the hitch ball.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2018Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Weigh Safe, LLCInventors: Kevin McAllister, Morgan McAllister, Todd Mendenhall, Brandon Doman
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Publication number: 20210094370Abstract: A spring bar coupling device is described for coupling a spring bar of a weight distributing trailer hitch to a trailer frame. The spring bar coupling device can include a spring bar support operable to interface with and support a spring bar of a weight distributing trailer hitch. The spring bar support can have a vertical support arm having a first coupler opening, and a lower spring bar stop extending from the vertical support arm to provide a lower interface for the spring bar. The spring bar coupling device can also include a channel bracket having at least two opposing walls defining a vertically oriented channel operable to receive the vertical support arm, and a second coupler opening in at least one of the two walls. The first and second coupler openings can be configured to be aligned with one another at a first coupling location when the vertical support arm is located at least partially within the vertically oriented channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2019Publication date: April 1, 2021Applicant: Weigh Safe, LLCInventors: Kevin McAllister, Morgan McAllister, Todd Mendenhall, Brandon Doman
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Publication number: 20210094371Abstract: A weight distributing trailer hitch and associated method are described. The weight distributing trailer hitch can include a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle. The weight distributing trailer hitch can also include a ball portion to facilitate coupling with a tongue of a trailer. In one embodiment, the weight distributing trailer hitch can further include a spring bar vertically pivotal relative to the hitch portion, and an adjustment mechanism actuatable to selectively adjust a tilt angle of the spring bar relative to the hitch portion to vary preload on the spring bar and adjustably distribute weight of the trailer relative to the vehicle. In another embodiment, the weight distributing trailer hitch can further include a spring bar for distributing weight of the trailer relative to the vehicle, and a load measurement device to determine a magnitude of a downward force on the hitch ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2018Publication date: April 1, 2021Applicant: Leap Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Kevin McAllister, Morgan McAllister, Todd Mendenhall, Brandon Doman
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Publication number: 20210053404Abstract: A ball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer is disclosed. The ball mount can include a ball portion having a hitch ball configured to couple with a tongue of a trailer. The ball mount can also include a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle. In addition, the ball mount can include a load measurement device associated with the ball portion to determine a magnitude of a downward force on the hitch ball. The load measurement device can include a reservoir having a fluid and a piston disposed therein, and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the reservoir. The hitch ball can be configured to exert a force on the piston, thereby affecting a pressure of the fluid in response to the downward force on the hitch ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Applicant: Weigh Safe, LLCInventor: Kevin McAllister
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Publication number: 20200317011Abstract: A ball assembly for attachment to a ball mount is described. The ball assembly can include a ball post that is securable to a ball mount. A hitch ball is slidably coupled to the ball post at a ball end of the ball post. A load gauge is disposed at the gauge end of the ball post. A load transfer element is operably associated with both the hitch ball and the load gauge so as to cause a load measurement to display on the load gauge based upon a load applied to the hitch ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: Weigh Safe, LLCInventor: Kevin McAllister
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Patent number: 10759241Abstract: A ball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer is disclosed. The ball mount can include a ball portion having a hitch ball configured to couple with a tongue of a trailer. The ball mount can also include a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle. In addition, the ball mount can include a load measurement device associated with the ball portion to determine a magnitude of a downward force on the hitch ball. The load measurement device can include a reservoir having a fluid and a piston disposed therein, and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the reservoir. The hitch ball can be configured to exert a force on the piston, thereby affecting a pressure of the fluid in response to the downward force on the hitch ball.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Weigh Safe, LLCInventor: Kevin McAllister
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Patent number: 10625547Abstract: A ball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer is disclosed. The ball mount can comprise a ball portion for interfacing with a ball configured to couple with a tongue of a trailer, a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle, and a load measurement device associated with the hitch portion. The hitch portion can be configured to pivot relative to the hitch receiver about a fulcrum in response to a downward force on the ball, with the hitch receiver resisting rotation of the hitch portion about the fulcrum thereby inducing a load on the hitch portion. The load measurement device can be configured to determine a magnitude of the downward force on the ball based on the load on the hitch portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Weigh Safe, LLCInventor: Kevin McAllister
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Patent number: 10596869Abstract: A ball assembly for attachment to a ball mount is described. The ball assembly can include a ball post that is securable to a ball mount. A hitch ball is slidably coupled to the ball post at a ball end of the ball post. A load gauge is disposed at the gauge end of the ball post. A load transfer element is operably associated with both the hitch ball and the load gauge so as to cause a load measurement to display on the load gauge based upon a load applied to the hitch ball.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2017Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Weigh Safe, LLCInventor: Kevin McAllister
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Publication number: 20190322145Abstract: A height adjustable hitch receiver is disclosed and described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2018Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventor: Kevin McAllister
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Patent number: 10106002Abstract: A height adjustable hitch receiver is disclosed and described.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Inventor: Kevin McAllister