Patents by Inventor Russell E. Hamel

Russell E. Hamel 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: 5277446
    Abstract: A device for coupling the hitch socket of a trailer to the hitch ball of a tow vehicle is attached to a tongue jack having a centered post. A rigid elongate bar comprising a pair of laterally spaced apart beams is mounted around the tongue post below the frame for longitudinal movement, lateral angular movement and vertical angular movement of the bar relative to the tongue. A ring on the bar fore end attaches to the ball such that the ball and socket may be hitched with the ring attached. A cable from a winch attached to the tongue pulls the bar centrally rearward whereby the hitch components are pulled into registry. In an alternate embodiment, a bracket mounting the bar centrally under the tongue includes a roller for bearing against the bar upper surface and supporting the tongue during retraction of the bar. The bar upper surface includes a vertical drop such that, upon registry, the roller descends the vertical drop and lowers the socket onto the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Inventor: Russell E. Hamel