Patents by Inventor Robert Keith Laney

Robert Keith Laney 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: 10351185
    Abstract: A fifth wheel coupling device is adapted for a towing vehicle that vertically receives a kingpin of a trailer. The device includes a plate having a kingpin hole formed therethrough defining a vertical path adapted to permit entry of the kingpin into the kingpin hole and through the plate along the vertical path, and to prevent release of the kingpin out of the kingpin hole along a lateral path leading outside the plate. A support base is attached to the plate, and is adapted to mount the plate to the towing vehicle. A lifting mechanism is operatively connected to the plate and is adapted to be mounted on the towing vehicle for raising and lowering the plate relative to the trailer. A locking mechanism is movably attached to the plate and is provided with an actuating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Fontaine Fifth Wheel Company
    Inventors: James Matthew Rhodes, Robert Keith Laney, Steven W. Mann
  • Patent number: 9676429
    Abstract: A fifth wheel coupling device is adapted for a towing vehicle that vertically receives a kingpin of a trailer. The device includes a plate having a kingpin hole formed therethrough defining a vertical path adapted to permit entry of the kingpin into the kingpin hole and through the plate along the vertical path, and to prevent release of the kingpin out of the kingpin hole along a lateral path leading outside the plate. A support base is attached to the plate, and is adapted to mount the plate to the towing vehicle. A lifting mechanism is operatively connected to the plate and is adapted to be mounted on the towing vehicle for raising and lowering the plate relative to the trailer. A locking mechanism is movably attached to the plate and is provided with an actuating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Fountaine Fifth Wheel Company
    Inventors: James Matthew Rhodes, Robert Keith Laney, Steven W. Mann
  • Patent number: 9327782
    Abstract: A fifth wheel includes a top plate having a throat that is adapted to receive a kingpin of a trailer. The fifth wheel is equipped with a locking mechanism including a jaw slidably connected to the top plate and slidable between a closed position where the jaw blocks passage of a kingpin out of the throat of the fifth wheel and an open position where a kingpin may pass into and out of the throat of the fifth wheel. The jaw has an edge adapted to engage a kingpin positioned in the throat of the fifth wheel when the jaw is in the closed position. A bias device urges the jaw towards the closed position. The fifth wheel further includes a mechanism for moving the jaw between the open and closed positions. Further, the top plate of the fifth wheel is configured to allow service and/or replacement of the jaw from the top of the fifth wheel while it is assembled to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Fontaine Fifth Wheel
    Inventors: Steven Michael Alldredge, Robert Todd Shelton, Charles Leon Rosato, Timothy Norman Johnson, James H. Adams, Robert Keith Laney, Carl Brent Gaufin, Thomas David Hewer
  • Publication number: 20150158535
    Abstract: A fifth wheel includes a top plate having a throat that is adapted to receive a kingpin of a trailer. The fifth wheel is equipped with a locking mechanism including a jaw slidably connected to the top plate and slidable between a closed position where the jaw blocks passage of a kingpin out of the throat of the fifth wheel and an open position where a kingpin may pass into and out of the throat of the fifth wheel. The jaw has an edge adapted to engage a kingpin positioned in the throat of the fifth wheel when the jaw is in the closed position. A bias device urges the jaw towards the closed position. The fifth wheel further includes a mechanism for moving the jaw between the open and closed positions. Further, the top plate of the fifth wheel is configured to allow service and/or replacement of the jaw from the top of the fifth wheel while it is assembled to a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Fontaine Fifth Wheel
    Inventors: Steven Michael Alldredge, Robert Todd Shelton, Charles Leon Rosato, Timothy Norman Johnson, James H. Adams, Robert Keith Laney, Carl Brent Gaufin, Thomas David Hewer