Patents by Inventor Larry Steven Ritchey

Larry Steven Ritchey 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: 20250249713
    Abstract: A rocker body assembly includes a rocker body having a top surface with a hook formed thereon and a bore having an oval cross-section formed through the rocker body. The bore includes a crescent-shaped surface adjacent the hook and a primary surface formed on the top surface. A channel formed in the primary surface extends into the oval cross-section of the bore. A J-bolt having a threaded end and a hook end may be slidably disposed through the bore and channel, with a washer and threaded fastener engaging the threaded end to generate a clamping force securing an axle between the hook of the rocker body and the hook end of the J-bolt. The crescent-shaped surface enables rotational alignment of the J-bolt within the bore to accommodate axles of various sizes and is configured to reduce bending stresses and torque applied to the washer, the J-bolt, and the threaded fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2025
    Publication date: August 7, 2025
    Inventors: Larry Steven Ritchey, Andrew Patrick Ritchey
  • Publication number: 20250251011
    Abstract: A high strength J-bolt for a saddle-mount is provided for use in attaching the saddle-mount to an axle of a vehicle. The high strength J-bolt can include a round distal end, a tapered and/or round mid-section, and a hook end with a specified inside bend radius and cross-sectional shape configured to accommodate an increased range of axle sizes. A D-shaped cross-sectional shape can be formed for the hook end to provide for increased contact area with the axle, a larger cross-sectional area, and a higher section modulus along a critical bending axis as compared to a non-critical bending axis to maximize a clamping force that can be applied to the axle and militate against mechanical failure of the high strength J-bolt. A hot forging process can be used to form the shape of the high strength J-bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2025
    Publication date: August 7, 2025
    Inventors: Larry Steven Ritchey, Andrew Patrick Ritchey
  • Publication number: 20250001818
    Abstract: A coupling system for a bolster and a clamp assembly of a saddle-mount. The coupling system includes an externally threaded member and an internally threaded member configured to threadably engage the externally threaded member. A lock plate includes an anti-rotation feature, an aperture to receive the externally threaded member, and a slot extending from an edge of the aperture. A receiving member is configured to abut the lock plate and receive the externally threaded member, wherein the receiving member is one of the bolster and the clamp assembly of the saddle-mount. A split lock washer is disposed on the externally threaded member and positioned between the lock plate and one of a head of the externally threaded member and the internally threaded member. The split lock washer cooperates with the lock plate to militate against a rotation of the externally threaded member with respect to the internally threaded member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: Larry Steven Ritchey, Andrew Patrick Ritchey
  • Publication number: 20240399805
    Abstract: A saddle-mount has a bolster configured to be disposed on a towing vehicle. A head assembly has at least one clamp assembly configured to receive a vehicle to be towed. The head assembly has a socket formed in a bottom surface, and a ball disposed in the socket. The ball is further disposed on the bolster, whereby the head assembly is permitted to freely pivot in any direction about the ball. The clamp assembly has a J-clamp, a rocker portion, and a straight bolt. The J-clamp is slidably disposed in the rocker portion and selectively secured to the rocker by the straight bolt. The straight bolt disposed through the rocker and threaded with the J-clamp, whereby a position of the J-clamp relative to the rocker is controlled by a rotation of the straight bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Larry Steven Ritchey, Andrew Patrick Ritchey
  • Patent number: 12077023
    Abstract: A saddle-mount has a bolster configured to be disposed on a towing vehicle. A head assembly has at least one clamp assembly configured to receive a vehicle to be towed. The head assembly has a socket formed in a bottom surface, and a ball disposed in the socket. The ball is further disposed on the bolster, whereby the head assembly is permitted to freely pivot in any direction about the ball. The clamp assembly has a J-clamp, a rocker portion, and a straight bolt. The J-clamp is slidably disposed in the rocker portion and selectively secured to the rocker by the straight bolt. The straight bolt disposed through the rocker and threaded with the J-clamp, whereby a position of the J-clamp relative to the rocker is controlled by a rotation of the straight bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: WHITE MULE COMPANY
    Inventors: Larry Steven Ritchey, Andrew Patrick Ritchey
  • Publication number: 20220194150
    Abstract: A saddle-mount has a bolster configured to be disposed on a towing vehicle. A head assembly has at least one clamp assembly configured to receive a vehicle to be towed. The head assembly has a socket formed in a bottom surface, and a ball disposed in the socket. The ball is further disposed on the bolster, whereby the head assembly is permitted to freely pivot in any direction about the ball. The clamp assembly has a J-clamp, a rocker portion, and a straight bolt. The J-clamp is slidably disposed in the rocker portion and selectively secured to the rocker by the straight bolt. The straight bolt disposed through the rocker and threaded with the J-clamp, whereby a position of the J-clamp relative to the rocker is controlled by a rotation of the straight bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Larry Steven Ritchey, Andrew Patrick Ritchey
  • Patent number: D986047
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: WHITE MULE COMPANY
    Inventors: Larry Steven Ritchey, Andrew Patrick Ritchey
  • Patent number: D1024758
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: WHITE MULE COMPANY
    Inventors: Larry Steven Ritchey, Andrew Patrick Ritchey
  • Patent number: D1043461
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: WHITE MULE COMPANY
    Inventors: Larry Steven Ritchey, Andrew Patrick Ritchey
  • Patent number: D1057610
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: WHITE MULE COMPANY
    Inventors: Larry Steven Ritchey, Andrew Patrick Ritchey