With Other Vehicle Connection Patents (Class 280/501)
  • Patent number: 11053964
    Abstract: A tow-bar mounting system and method for removable and adjustable mounting of a variety of accessories upon a tow-bar structure such as a vehicle trailer hitch or bumper, having clamping mount units and inserting mount units, each clamping mount unit having a plain-angled subunit with a hinging tab and a fastening hole, and a mounting angled subunit with a hinging slot, a fastening tab, dual extended mounting arms, and dual accessory mounting holes, and each inserting mount unit having an inserting body, a single extended mounting arm, and dual accessory mounting holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventor: John Wesley Nicholson
  • Patent number: 10363785
    Abstract: A tow hook seal assembly is provided for a motor vehicle. That tow hook seal assembly includes a housing and a tow hook seal held in the housing. Further the tow hook seal assembly includes a first bumper bolt opening and a second bumper bolt opening. In addition, the tow hook seal assembly includes a cover carried on the housing and enclosing the first and second bumper bolt openings when the cover is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery Lee, David Brian Glickman, Joseph Andrew Hickey
  • Patent number: 9796229
    Abstract: A locking device for obstructing towing of an unattached trailer has a lock base and a single-armed curved interlock bracket. The lock base has a cylindrical leg. The single-armed interlock bracket has an grooved arm sliding along an aperture on the cylindrical leg and may be permanently attached to the lock base. Grooves on the arm allows a locking means to be engaged with the lock bracket at different height. When engaged, the locking means may restrict the interlock bracket from swirling. The open end of the interlock bracket provides flexibility to accommodate trailer couplers with different cap/rim sizes. The cylindrical leg may have a sealed bottom end and may function as a handle. The locking device may also feature a push-in locking mechanism to lock the interlock bracket in a position without using a key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Guoji Yuan
  • Patent number: 9221312
    Abstract: A vehicle towing device with a first extremity comprising a towing member, a second extremity comprising an attachment arrangement, and an elongated part extending there between is provided. The elongated part comprises a first portion and a second portion. The second portion has a conical outer contact surface extending peripherally from the first portion towards the attachment arrangement. The conical contact surface has a first cone radius at an end of the second portion facing the first portion, and a second cone radius at an end of the second portion facing the attachment arrangement. The first cone radius is larger than the second cone radius, and a longitudinal extension of the second portion exceeds the second cone radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anders Sandberg, Anna Lundvall
  • Patent number: 8678423
    Abstract: A towing hook assembly for a vehicle disposed in a bumper unit may include a stay connected to both distal rear sides of a bumper beam, a towing hook pipe provided at one inner side of the stay through the bumper beam, and a supporting member supporting an exterior circumference of the towing hook pipe, and connected to an interior circumference of the stay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Changsup Hwang
  • Patent number: 7992887
    Abstract: A trailer hitch for a single rear wheeled vehicle having a single rear wheel mounted between left and right arms comprises left and right hitch arms having first and second ends. The first ends have first apertures. The second ends are connected together. Shock absorbing bushings are disposed inside the first apertures. Left and right mounting brackets have first and second ends. The first ends of the mounting brackets have first apertures and are fastened to the hitch arms, and the second ends connect to the arms. Fasteners pass through the shock absorbing bushings and through the first aperture of the first end of the mounting brackets to fasten the mounting brackets to the hitch arms. A trailer connector is connected to the second ends of the left and right hitch arms. A vehicle having a trailer hitch is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Thierry Cotnoir, Eric Charlebois, Pierre-Luc Robillard
  • Patent number: 7889062
    Abstract: A removable trailer hitch security system, comprising a housing assembly. The housing assembly comprises first and second ends and at least first, second, third, and fourth walls. The first and second walls comprise first holes that align. The first holes having first cooperative dimensions and shape to receive a first locking pin therethrough. The first end receives a hitch of a trailer assembly. A male member protrudes from the second end. The male member has a distal end. The male member further comprises fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth walls. The fifth and sixth walls comprises second holes that align. The second holes have second cooperative dimensions and shape to receive a second locking pin therethrough. The distal end inserts into a hitch receiver of a vehicle assembly. The present invention further comprises first and second cable assemblies and an electrical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: Hubert Albisa
  • Patent number: 7527309
    Abstract: An integrated rear impact guard and pintle hook assembly is provided which can be releasably secured to the rear underside of a trailer by a plurality of fastening members. The assembly is secured to roadside and curbside slide rails and rear bumper brackets of the trailer under the rear door frame sill. No welding is required for securement of the assembly to the trailer. The assembly includes a rear impact guard which is formed of the rear bumper brackets and a bumper which is attached to the rear bumper brackets at their lower ends. The assembly further includes a main channel which is connected at its opposite ends to the rear bumper brackets, a mount which is connected to the main channel at a center thereof, and a mount plate which is releasably secured to the main channel. A pintle hook may be secured to the mount and mount plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.
    Inventor: Francis S. Smidler
  • Patent number: 7472919
    Abstract: In one embodiment a detachable tow hook assembly comprises a housing defining a passageway for detachably receiving a locking end portion of a tow hook for use in towing a vehicle. Desirably, the tow hook is inserted and rotated to a locking position for retention in place during towing of a vehicle without requiring fasteners or any retaining pins to retain the tow hook in place. Exemplary configurations for tow hooks, tow hook locking portions and tow hook receiving housings are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler Trucks North America LLC
    Inventors: Walter Hill Pratt, Napolyon Isikbay
  • Patent number: 7275754
    Abstract: Support structure (1) for a hitch ball (61) and a depressor (62), wherein a fastening mechanism (2) is provided for securement to a carrier (81) by means of quick-action coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: Josef Scharmüller
  • Patent number: 7222873
    Abstract: A tow hook hitch assembly attaches to one or both of the front tow hooks provided on a four wheel drive vehicle for mounting a tow ball, winch, or other accessory to the front end of the vehicle. The tow hook hitch includes an upper member extending above the tow hook, a lower member extending below the tow hook, a shaped insert secured to the upper member or lower member for extending within the tow hook, and a clamp bolt for securing the aforementioned components together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: E. Walter Rodgers
  • Patent number: 6457734
    Abstract: A front receiver assembly for use with vehicles having front tow hooks. This front receiver assembly attaches to a vehicle's front tow hooks and can be mounted or dismounted quickly. This front hitch assembly is adaptable for use with nearly any hitch connector product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Richard C. Hansen
  • Patent number: 6457733
    Abstract: A front spotting trailer hitch assembly for use with vehicles having front tow hooks. This front hitch assembly works well for easily back trailers into positions, such as for storage. This front spotting trailer hitch assembly attaches to the front tow hooks and allows a user to attach a hitch ball to the hitch assembly for towing. This front spotting trailer hitch assembly is able to be quickly attached and detached from the vehicle having front tow hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Richard C. Hansen
  • Patent number: 5772230
    Abstract: A towing arm device comprising an elongated arm with mounting structure at one end of the arm for pivotally attaching the arm to a tractor hitch at the rear of the tractor to enable pivoting of the arm upward and downward about the axis of the tractor hitch. The towing arm device has an eyelet mounting plate for mounting to the bumper of a truck for towing the truck by the tractor. The arm has a hydraulically actuated latch receivable in the eyelet from beneath the eyelet and hydraulically engagable with the eyelet for latching the other end of the towing arm to the eyelet on the bumper of the truck. The towing arm has a hydraulic piston and cylinder for pivoting the tow arm upward to engage the other end of the towing arm with the eyelet from beneath the eyelet for the latching operation whereby the towing arm may connect the tractor to the truck for the tractor to tow the truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventor: Myron A. Kemnitz
  • Patent number: 5716066
    Abstract: A tow assembly is provided for use in a vehicle having a generally laterally extending front bumper rail and generally longitudinally extending, opposing first and second side rails. The tow assembly includes first and second bumper mounting brackets each securely attached to the front bumper rail and first and second side mounting brackets each securely attached to the first and second side rails, respectively. The tow assembly further includes first and second detachable coupling members engaging and extending between the bumper and mounting brackets on respective sides of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Saturn Corporation
    Inventors: Shu-Ying Chou, Alethea Keesia Morris, Giles David Bryer
  • Patent number: 5507515
    Abstract: An adjustable trailer hitch device that is affixed to the undercarriage of a vehicle so as to be supported by the chassis and bumper mounting brackets thereof without modification, welding, drilling, or bolting. The hitch is adjustable as to width, height, and depth, and includes a retractable tension cord having a hook at the end thereof for hooking onto the chassis. The tension cord is tensioned by winding or reeling, and also by extending the length of a vertically oriented compression member extending fore of the vehicle from the aft section of the hitch so as to apply an increased force to the underside of the chassis of the vehicle. A pair of vertically and horizontally adjustable jaws retractably grip the port and starboard bumper mounting brackets of the vehicle which, with the hook, attach the hitch device to the chassis of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Inventors: Aaron T. Schellenberg, Albert T. Schellenberg
  • Patent number: 5501482
    Abstract: A wheel coupling for attaching a vehicular device to a vehicle wheel and having mounting brackets which are adapted for connection to selected lug bolts of a wheel to mount the coupling on the wheel and adjustable to permit mounting of the wheel coupling on wheels having different numbers of lug bolts and lug bolt spacings. A vehicular trailer hitch and snow/ice traction device embodying the wheel coupling, and a lug bolt gauge for aiding adjustment of the coupling to the proper configuation for different lug bolt numbers and spacings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: William J. McClive
  • Patent number: 4607858
    Abstract: A rectangular mounting plate is provided for mounting on the outer surface of a vehicle bumper in slightly spaced relation relative thereto and in the usual license plate mounting location. The mounting plate includes structure for supporting a license plate therefrom in position overlying the outerface of the mounting plate and a support plate is provided including structure defining opposing channels extending along opposite marginal portions thereof in which the corresponding marginal portions of the mounting plate are slidingly receivable, whereby the support plate may be slidingly engaged over the mounting plate. Further, the support and mounting plates include structure for releasably retaining the support plate in positions supported from the mounting plate in substantially full registry therewith and the support plate includes outstanding hitch structure to which the hitch construction on the forward end of the trailer tongue may be removably universally coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1986
    Assignee: Woody's Welding Inc.
    Inventor: Howard W. Wagner
  • Patent number: 4438945
    Abstract: An assembly for mounting a work object on a vehicle or the like in a predetermined position relative to a pair of members borne by the venicle, the assembly having a first component mountable on one of the members adjacent to the predetermined position and a second component having a work object mount and adapted for releasable attachment to the first component and for slidable attachment to the other of the members to support the work object mount in the predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Assignee: Pollution Controls Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley F. Curtis
  • Patent number: 4397475
    Abstract: A trailer hitch apparatus adapted to mount to the frame of a vehicle for towing a trailer includes a hitch frame having at least one forwardly extending member. A rear mounting bracket mountable to the hitch frame at a varying predetermined vertical position secures the hitch frame to the vehicle frame. A tow bar is affixed to the hitch frame for receiving a trailer. A forward brace, including an upward projecting portion and a laterally extending portion having an extendable abutment surface, is mountable at differing predetermined vertical and horizontal positions along the forward extending member. The laterally extending portion of the forward brace is mountable projecting inward or outward for positioning beneath vehicle frames of different widths. The extendable abutment surface is extendable to abut with the vehicle frame to spread towing loads over a greater portion of the vehicle frame and allowing compensation for wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Assignee: DMI, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Dietrich, Sr., Michael G. Kovach
  • Patent number: 4239253
    Abstract: A vehicle body extender having a frame, at least one housing supported by the frame, the frame resiliently attached to an axle by a spring, wheels rotatably mounted at each end of the axle, the frame comprising of at least two frame members longitudinally extending towards the vehicle to which the extender is to be coupled, a connecting device to rigidly connect the longitudinally extending frame member to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Inventor: Richard R. Golze