Patents by Inventor Smith R. Jerry

Smith R. Jerry 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).

  • Trailer hitch assembly and method for connecting a tractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle with force dampening capabilities
    Patent number: 6581953
    Abstract: A trailer hitch uses a draw bar to interconnect tractor and trailer vehicles. The draw bar includes an elongated shank with a transverse throughway. A resilient cushion is disposed in the throughway. A passageway is associated with the throughway to receive a hitch pin such that longitudinal motion of the shank is resiliently resisted by the cushion. The cushion may be disposed in a rigid casing to form a cartridge that inserts into the throughway, and the passageway may be provided by a reciprocating slide member in the casing. Cushions may be employed in the casing to resist motion during both braking and acceleration. Cartridges having differing performance may be interchanged in the system. A method employing such structures is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: Smith R. Jerry
  • Trailer hitch assembly and method for connecting a tractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle with force dampening capabilities
    Publication number: 20030030248
    Abstract: A trailer hitch uses a draw bar to interconnect tractor and trailer vehicles. The draw bar includes an elongated shank with a transverse throughway. A resilient cushion is disposed in the throughway. A passageway is associated with the throughway to receive a hitch pin such that longitudinal motion of the shank is resiliently resisted by the cushion. The cushion may be disposed in a rigid casing to form a cartridge that inserts into the throughway, and the passageway may be provided by a reciprocating slide member in the casing. Cushions may be employed in the casing to resist motion during both braking and acceleration. Cartridges having differing performance may be interchanged in the system. A method employing such structures is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Smith R. Jerry