Patents by Inventor Nick Erickson

Nick Erickson 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).

  • Patent number: 9145178
    Abstract: A fifth-wheel hitch assembly is provided that converts a gooseneck hitch installed on a vehicle into a fifth-wheel hitch for receiving a kingpin. The hitch assembly generally includes a base assembly, a T-arm assembly for securing the gooseneck ball or gooseneck post of the installed gooseneck hitch, and a hitch head. The T-arm assembly includes a mechanism for pulling up on the gooseneck hitch, thus securing the base assembly against the vehicle bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: NSD Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Nick Erickson, Steven Houge
  • Patent number: 8272661
    Abstract: A gooseneck hitch assembly is provided for attaching to a towing vehicle. The hitch assembly generally includes a hitch ball head assembly and retaining assembly for receiving and securing the hitch ball head assembly. The retaining assembly includes a channel coupled to a locking collar. Once the hitch ball head assembly is inserted into the channel, the collar is released and resilient members guide the collar to its offset resting position to lock the hitch ball head assembly in place. Alternatively, the collar is released and resilient members guide a lever into a circumscribed groove of the hitch ball head assembly, thereby locking the hitch ball head assembly in place. The hitch ball head is removable and may be selectively received by the retaining assembly in both towing and inverted positions. Optionally, the hitch assembly may be protected or covered by a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Nick Erickson
  • Publication number: 20120126509
    Abstract: A gooseneck hitch assembly is provided for attaching to a towing vehicle. The hitch assembly generally includes a hitch ball head assembly and retaining assembly for receiving and securing the hitch ball head assembly. The retaining assembly includes a channel coupled to a locking collar. Once the hitch ball head assembly is inserted into the channel, the collar is released and resilient members guide the collar to its offset resting position to lock the hitch ball head assembly in place. Alternatively, the collar is released and resilient members guide a lever into a circumscribed groove of the hitch ball head assembly, thereby locking the hitch ball head assembly in place. The hitch ball head is removable and may be selectively received by the retaining assembly in both towing and inverted positions. Optionally, the hitch assembly may be protected or covered by a housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: SCHULING HITCH CO.
    Inventor: Nick Erickson
  • Publication number: 20110115195
    Abstract: A fifth-wheel hitch assembly is provided that converts a gooseneck hitch installed on a vehicle into a fifth-wheel hitch for receiving a kingpin. The hitch assembly generally includes a base assembly, a T-arm assembly for securing the gooseneck ball or gooseneck post of the installed gooseneck hitch, and a hitch head. The T-arm assembly includes a mechanism for pulling up on the gooseneck hitch, thus securing the base assembly against the vehicle bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: SCHULING HITCH CO.
    Inventors: Nick Erickson, Steven Houge