Patents by Inventor Mark M. Audo

Mark M. Audo 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: 20100244406
    Abstract: A semi-tractor including a pair of C-shaped frame rails and having a rail distance therebetween, a fifth wheel hitch having mounting areas therein, mounting brackets located within the mounting areas, and a support assembly supporting the mounting brackets. An outside distance between the mounting areas is shorter than the rail distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: William J. Hicks, Roger L. Elkins, Steven C. Dupay, Mark M. Audo, Samuel A. Martin
  • Publication number: 20080265545
    Abstract: A short span fifth wheel hitch comprising a hitch plate, at least one back rib, a peripheral flange connected to ends of the back rib, and a main rib extending between the back rib and a portion of the peripheral flange, with the main rib being connected to ends of the peripheral flange. The fifth wheel hitch also includes skirts extending from the hitch plate adjacent the back rib. At least two pairs of mounting ribs are located interior of the peripheral flange and the back rib, each pair of mounting ribs including aligned apertures for accepting a mounting pin therein, whereby a mounting bracket can be inserted into a space between the mounting ribs of each pair of mounting ribs and the mounting pin can be placed through the aligned apertures and the mounting bracket to connect the fifth wheel hitch to a tractor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: William J. Hicks, Roger L. Elkins, Steven C. Dupay, Mark M. Audo, Samuel A. Martin
  • Patent number: 7416204
    Abstract: A short span fifth wheel hitch comprising a hitch plate, at least one back rib, a peripheral flange connected to ends of the back rib, and a main rib extending between the back rib and a portion of the peripheral flange, with the main rib being connected to ends of the peripheral flange. The fifth wheel hitch also includes skirts extending from the hitch plate adjacent the back rib. At least two pairs of mounting ribs are located interior of the peripheral flange and the back rib, each pair of mounting ribs including aligned apertures for accepting a mounting pin therein, whereby a mounting bracket can be inserted into a space between the mounting ribs of each pair of mounting ribs and the mounting pin can be placed through the aligned apertures and the mounting bracket to connect the fifth wheel hitch to a tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: SAF-Holland, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Hicks, Roger L. Elkins, Steven C. Dupay, Mark M. Audo, Samuel A. Martin
  • Patent number: 7140633
    Abstract: A fifth wheel mounting assembly for mounting a fifth wheel hitch plate to a frame of a tractor that includes a pair of first support members adapted to be fixedly coupled to a pair of rails of a tractor, and each having a plurality of first apertures, and a pair of first mounting brackets each including a plurality of apertures that receive mounting hardware therein, wherein the mounting hardware extends through the plurality of apertures of the first mounting bracket and through the plurality of first apertures of the support members, thereby fixedly coupling the mounting brackets with the support members. Each mounting bracket further includes an inwardly exposed aperture adapted to receive a mounting pin therein for pivotally coupling a fifth wheel hitch plate to the mounting brackets, and a recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: The Holland Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark M. Audo, David R. Pernesky, Steven C. Dupay, Michael H. Ginocchio, Gerald W. Hungerink
  • Publication number: 20040021290
    Abstract: An integrated fifth-wheel hitch and axle suspension assembly for mounting on a truck with a pair of spaced apart frame rails comprises a fifth-wheel hitch carriage adapted for mounting a fifth-wheel hitch, a pair of suspension brackets for mounting an axle suspension component and an integrating connector rigidly connecting the fifth-wheel hitch carriage to the suspension brackets at opposite sides of the hitch carriage. The integrating connector, the hitch carriage and the suspension brackets define an elongated opening for slidably receiving the truck frame rails so that the integrated fifth-wheel hitch and axle suspension assembly can slide as a unit onto the truck frame rails. An integrated connection interface includes a plurality of electronic and pneumatic connectors in a connector harness for selectively connecting electronic and pneumatic systems on a truck with electronic and pneumatic components of an integrated fifth-wheel hitch and axle suspension assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: William J. Hicks, Roger L. Elkins, Steven C. Dupay, Mark M. Audo
  • Publication number: 20030047906
    Abstract: A short span fifth wheel hitch comprising a hitch plate, at least one back rib, a peripheral flange connected to ends of the back rib, and a main rib extending between the back rib and a portion of the peripheral flange, with the main rib being connected to ends of the peripheral flange. The fifth wheel hitch also includes skirts extending from the hitch plate adjacent the back rib. At least two pairs of mounting ribs are located interior of the peripheral flange and the back rib, each pair of mounting ribs including aligned apertures for accepting a mounting pin therein, whereby a mounting bracket can be inserted into a space between the mounting ribs of each pair of mounting ribs and the mounting pin can be placed through the aligned apertures and the mounting bracket to connect the fifth wheel hitch to a tractor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: William J. Hicks, Roger L. Elkins, Steven C. Dupay, Mark M. Audo, Samuel A. Martin
  • Publication number: 20030047907
    Abstract: An integrated fifth-wheel hitch and axle suspension assembly for mounting on a truck with a pair of spaced apart frame rails comprises a fifth-wheel hitch carriage adapted for mounting a fifth-wheel hitch, a pair of suspension brackets for mounting an axle suspension component and an integrating connector rigidly connecting the fifth-wheel hitch carriage to the suspension brackets at opposite sides of the hitch carriage. The integrating connector, the hitch carriage and the suspension brackets define an elongated opening for slidably receiving the truck frame rails so that the integrated fifth-wheel hitch and axle suspension assembly can slide as a unit onto the truck frame rails. An integrated connection interface includes a plurality of electronic and pneumatic connectors in a connector harness for selectively connecting electronic and pneumatic systems on a truck with electronic and pneumatic components of an integrated fifth-wheel hitch and axle suspension assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: William J. Hicks, Roger L. Elkins, Steven C. Dupay, Mark M. Audo, Samuel A. Martin