Patents by Inventor Michael Shane Wolfe

Michael Shane Wolfe 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: 20240116318
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for determining and verifying operational states of fifth wheels. Certain methods for determining the operational state of the fifth wheel may include sensing, with at least one sensor, magnetic flux caused by a magnet on a movable component movable to lock the fifth wheel to a kingpin of a towed vehicle and determining an end position of the movable component based on the magnetic flux. The end position of the movable component is then compared to a threshold position and an operational state of the fifth wheel is determined based on the comparison of the end position of the movable component to the threshold position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Fontaine Fifth Wheel Company
    Inventors: Carl Gaufin, Michael Shane Wolfe
  • Patent number: 11865882
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for determining and verifying operational states of fifth wheels. Certain methods for determining the operational state of the fifth wheel may include sensing, with at least one sensor, magnetic flux caused by a magnet on a movable component movable to lock the fifth wheel to a kingpin of a towed vehicle and determining an end position of the movable component based on the magnetic flux. The end position of the movable component is then compared to a threshold position and an operational state of the fifth wheel is determined based on the comparison of the end position of the movable component to the threshold position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Fontaine Fifth Wheel Company
    Inventors: Carl Gaufin, Michael Shane Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20230134001
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for determining and verifying operational states of fifth wheels. Certain methods for determining the operational state of the fifth wheel may include sensing, with at least one sensor, magnetic flux caused by a magnet on a movable component movable to lock the fifth wheel to a kingpin of a towed vehicle and determining an end position of the movable component based on the magnetic flux. The end position of the movable component is then compared to a threshold position and an operational state of the fifth wheel is determined based on the comparison of the end position of the movable component to the threshold position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Fontaine Fifth Wheel Company
    Inventors: Carl Gaufin, Michael Shane Wolfe
  • Patent number: 11524536
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for determining and verifying operational states of fifth wheels. Certain methods for determining the operational state of the fifth wheel may include sensing, with at least one sensor, magnetic flux caused by a magnet on a movable component movable to lock the fifth wheel to a kingpin of a towed vehicle and determining an end position of the movable component based on the magnetic flux. The end position of the movable component is then compared to a threshold position and an operational state of the fifth wheel is determined based on the comparison of the end position of the movable component to the threshold position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Fontaine Fifth Wheel Company
    Inventors: Carl Gaufin, Michael Shane Wolfe
  • Patent number: 11124031
    Abstract: A fifth wheel for locking to a kingpin of a towed trailer includes an operating arm pivotable into and between a locked position for locking the kingpin in the fifth wheel and an unlocked position in which the kingpin can be removed from or inserted into the fifth wheel and a housing coupled to the operating arm. A pull handle is slidable in the housing into and between an extended position in which the pull handle extends from the housing and a retracted position in which the pull handle is retracted into the housing. A spring in the housing biases the pull handle towards the retracted position. When the operating arm is pivoted into the locked position the pull handle is forced into the extended position, and after the operating arm is pivoted to the unlocked position the pull handle moves to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Fontaine Fifth Wheel Company
    Inventors: Michael Shane Wolfe, Russell Wayne Melton
  • Publication number: 20200262256
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for determining and verifying operational states of fifth wheels. Certain methods for determining the operational state of the fifth wheel may include sensing, with at least one sensor, magnetic flux caused by a magnet on a movable component movable to lock the fifth wheel to a kingpin of a towed vehicle and determining an end position of the movable component based on the magnetic flux. The end position of the movable component is then compared to a threshold position and an operational state of the fifth wheel is determined based on the comparison of the end position of the movable component to the threshold position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: Fontaine Fifth Wheel COmpany
    Inventors: Carl Gaufin, Michael Shane Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20190263202
    Abstract: A fifth wheel for locking to a kingpin of a towed trailer includes an operating arm pivotable into and between a locked position for locking the kingpin in the fifth wheel and an unlocked position in which the kingpin can be removed from or inserted into the fifth wheel and a housing coupled to the operating arm. A pull handle is slidable in the housing into and between an extended position in which the pull handle extends from the housing and a retracted position in which the pull handle is retracted into the housing. A spring in the housing biases the pull handle towards the retracted position. When the operating arm is pivoted into the locked position the pull handle is forced into the extended position, and after the operating arm is pivoted to the unlocked position the pull handle moves to the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: Fontaine Fifth Wheel Company
    Inventors: Michael Shane Wolfe, Russell Wayne Melton
  • Patent number: 7296817
    Abstract: A stop block for preventing over travel of an adjustable fifth wheel hitch assemblies comprising a generally rectangular solid member having a double curve disposed in said member such that a long portion of said member is higher in elevation than a short portion of said member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Fontaine International
    Inventors: Steven William Mann, Michael Shane Wolfe, Christopher Aaron Bond
  • Patent number: 7114740
    Abstract: A slide rail assembly for providing adjustable positions for fifth wheel hitches including a slide rail having feet extending downward from the underside of the slide rail, adjacent feet being separated by a detent for receiving a slide locking mechanism, each of the feet having a recesses located at the bottom inside corner of each foot, respecting the assembly. The slide rail also comprises teeth with gaps therebetween, where the gaps are vertically aligned with the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Fontaine International
    Inventors: Steven William Mann, Michael Shane Wolfe, H. Thomas Moulton