Patents by Inventor Richard T. Polanic
Richard T. Polanic 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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Patent number: 9242519Abstract: A hitch coupler, comprising a frame is disclosed, wherein the frame includes a plurality of vertically spaced apart plates having apertures disposed there through. A vertically extending clevis pin is adapted to slide within the apertures of the vertically spaced apart plates between an extended position and a retracted position. The pin further includes a pin housing having a guide slot, wherein the guide slot has an offset portion used to lock the pin in either the extended position or the retracted position. Further, the pin houses an internal spring having a torsional bias that urges the pin to a locked position in either the extended or retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2013Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.Inventors: Eric M Terpsma, Richard T. Polanic
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Publication number: 20150054258Abstract: A hitch coupler, comprising a frame is disclosed, wherein the frame includes a plurality of vertically spaced apart plates having apertures disposed there through. A vertically extending clevis pin is adapted to slide within the apertures of the vertically spaced apart plates between an extended position and a retracted position. The pin further includes a pin housing having a guide slot, wherein the guide slot has an offset portion used to lock the pin in either the extended position or the retracted position. Further, the pin houses an internal spring having a torsional bias that urges the pin to a locked position in either the extended or retracted position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: Eric M. Terpsma, Richard T. Polanic
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Patent number: 8708362Abstract: A hitch coupler includes a frame having vertically spaced apart plates extending outwardly therefrom. Each plate includes a pin receiving aperture adapted to receive a pin member therethrough. The pin member is moveable between extended and retracted positions. The pin member includes a pin housing having a vertical guide slot disposed thereon. A lock mechanism is pivotally coupled to the frame member and includes a locking flange which is adapted to engage the guide slot when the pin member is in the extended position. The lock mechanism is biased towards a lock position such that the locking flange of the lock mechanism is adapted to automatically engage the guide slot disposed on the pin housing of the pin member when the guide slot is aligned with the locking flange of the lock mechanism. In the locked position, the locking mechanism acts to retain the pin member in the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2013Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.Inventors: Eric Terpsma, Richard T. Polanic
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Patent number: 8540270Abstract: A hitch coupler includes a frame that includes a back plate, a first plate connected to the back plate, a second plate connected to the back plate at a position spaced from the first plate extending between the first plate and the second plate and cooperating therewith to define an interior space, and a third plate connected to the back plate spaced from the second plate, wherein the first, second and third plates each include an aperture extending therethrough. The frame also includes a pin extending through the first, second and third apertures, such that the pin extends through the interior space and is adapted to slide within the apertures between an extended position and a retracted position, and a spring member biasing the pin towards the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.Inventors: Eric M. Terpsma, Roger L. Jansen, III, Richard T. Polanic
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Patent number: 8336902Abstract: A hitch coupler includes a frame that includes a back plate, a first plate connected to the back plate, a second plate connected to the back plate at a position spaced from the first plate extending between the first plate and the second plate and cooperating therewith to define an interior space, and a third plate connected to the back plate spaced from the second plate, wherein the first, second and third plates each include an aperture extending therethrough. The frame also includes a pin extending through the first, second and third apertures, such that the pin extends through the interior space and is adapted to slide within the apertures between an extended position and a retracted position, and a spring member biasing the pin towards the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.Inventors: Eric M. Terpsma, Roger L. Jansen, III, Richard T. Polanic
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Publication number: 20120299271Abstract: A hitch coupler includes a frame that includes a back plate, a first plate connected to the back plate, a second plate connected to the back plate at a position spaced from the first plate extending between the first plate and the second plate and cooperating therewith to define an interior space, and a third plate connected to the back plate spaced from the second plate, wherein the first, second and third plates each include an aperture extending therethrough. The frame also includes a pin extending through the first, second and third apertures, such that the pin extends through the interior space and is adapted to slide within the apertures between an extended position and a retracted position, and a spring member biasing the pin towards the extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventors: Eric M. Terpsma, Roger L. Jansen, III, Richard T. Polanic
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Publication number: 20120003036Abstract: A hitch coupler includes a frame that includes a back plate, a first plate connected to the back plate, a second plate connected to the back plate at a position spaced from the first plate extending between the first plate and the second plate and cooperating therewith to define an interior space, and a third plate connected to the back plate spaced from the second plate, wherein the first, second and third plates each include an aperture extending therethrough. The frame also includes a pin extending through the first, second and third apertures, such that the pin extends through the interior space and is adapted to slide within the apertures between an extended position and a retracted position, and a spring member biasing the pin towards the extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: January 5, 2012Inventors: Eric M. Terpsma, Roger L. Jansen, III, Richard T. Polanic
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Patent number: 7766361Abstract: A kingpin assembly comprises a housing having a recess located therein, a collar member operably coupled to the housing, and an integral single-piece kingpin having at least a portion located within the recess of the housing, wherein the housing and collar cooperate to rotationally secure the kingpin within the recess of the housing, and wherein the kingpin provides a sole rotational support for the kingpin with respect to the housing and the collar.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2007Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: SAF-Holland, Inc.Inventors: Gerald W. Hungerink, Steven C. Dupay, Richard T. Polanic, Eric M. Terpsma, Jason D. C. Howe, Justin D. Keatley, Daniel R. Dykstra, Randy L. Schutt
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Publication number: 20090108556Abstract: A kingpin assembly comprises a housing having a recess located therein, a collar member operably coupled to the housing, and an integral single-piece kingpin having at least a portion located within the recess of the housing, wherein the housing and collar cooperate to rotationally secure the kingpin within the recess of the housing, and wherein the kingpin provides a sole rotational support for the kingpin with respect to the housing and the collar.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventors: Gerald W. Hungerink, Steven C. Dupay, Richard T. Polanic, Eric M. Terpsma, Jason D.C. Howe, Justin D. Keatley, Daniel R. Dykstra, Randy L. Schutt
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Patent number: 7431321Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly includes a receiver portion including a cylindrically-shaped cavity, a bushing member received within the cavity of the receiver portion, and a hitch member that includes a shaft pivotally received within the bushing member. At least a selected one of the bushing member and the shaft is constructed of a material that substantially eliminates the need for using a separately applied lubricant during use of the trailer hitch assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: SAF-Holland, Inc.Inventors: Eric M. Terpsma, David O. Roe, Richard T. Polanic, Rudolph A. Bahnsen
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Publication number: 20040239077Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly includes a receiver portion including a cylindrically-shaped cavity, a bushing member received within the cavity of the receiver portion, and a hitch member that includes a shaft pivotally received within the bushing member. At least a selected one of the bushing member and the shaft is constructed of a material that substantially eliminates the need for using a separately applied lubricant during use of the trailer hitch assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventors: Eric M. Terpsma, David O. Roe, Richard T. Polanic, Rudolph A. Bahnsen