Celebrity Inventors
Glam girl Heddy Lamar may have used her good looks to good effect on the silver screen, but she put her smarts to better use as an inventor. During World War II, she co-patented a frequency-switching system for torpedo guidance that was considered years ahead of its time.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7992886 | Articulated fifth wheel selective adjustment means An articulated selective adjustment apparatus carried within the pedestal of a fifth wheel assembly comprises a mounting plate pivotally connected to a plunger arm configured for selective extension and withdrawal from the pedestal, and having ends to which are pivo... | 08/09/2011 |
| 7984920 | Adjusting device, air deflecting system, control member and device enabling aerodynamic resistance of a semi-trailer to be reduced A device for adjusting a fifth wheel, comprising a displacement device provided with two guide rails placed on the vehicle, in particular on a tractor semi-trailer combination in the longitudinal direction thereof, said guide rails whereon a slide may be installed c... | 07/26/2011 |
| 7938429 | Fifth wheel coupling with inter-frame mount An integrated cross-member mount comprises an inter-frame mount seated within opposing longitudinal channels of parallel adjacent truck frame members and comprises a top surface within each lateral portion of which is defined a longitudinally-oriented row of spaced-... | 05/10/2011 |
| 7938428 | Bracket assembly for a fifth wheel coupling A bracket assembly for an adjustable fifth wheel hitch is suitable for mounting to a slide rail assembly, which itself is mounted to parallel longitudinal truck frame members, where the slide rails have a generally t-shaped cross-section. The slide rail is comprised... | 05/10/2011 |
| 7874569 | Displacement device for a fifth-wheel traction coupling A displacement device for a fifth wheel traction coupling with two base bars and a fifth wheel traction coupling supporting top part which includes two bearing chocks which are slidingly fixed to the base bars and telescoping in a locked position thereof into each b... | 01/25/2011 |
| 7871096 | Displaceable fifth-wheel hitch assembly A method and apparatus for providing a displaceable fifth-wheel hitch assembly configured to be mounted in a bed of a truck. The displaceable fifth-wheel hitch assembly includes a platform track, a displaceable platform, and an adjustment assembly. The platform trac... | 01/18/2011 |
| 7862067 | Adjusting device, air deflecting system, control member and device enabling aerodynamic resistance of a semi-trailer to be reduced A device for adjusting a fifth wheel, comprising a displacement device provided with two guide rails placed on the vehicle, in particular on a tractor semi-trailer combination in the longitudinal direction thereof, said guide rails whereon a slide may be installed c... | 01/04/2011 |
| 7789412 | Adjusting device, air deflecting system, control member and device enabling aerodynamic resistance of a semi-trailer to be reduced The invention concerns a device for adjusting a fifth wheel, comprising a displacement device provided with two guide rails placed on the vehicle, in particular on a tractor semi-trailer combination in the longitudinal direction thereof, said guide rails whereon a s... | 09/07/2010 |
| 7753390 | Fifth wheel assembly A fifth wheel assembly comprises a fifth wheel having a plurality of journal bearings extending generally downward from its underside, and an “I-shaped” transverse beam member for mounting the assembly to a truck frame. The beam member is dimensioned to span acr... | 07/13/2010 |
| 7717451 | Sliding device for a fifth wheel coupling A sliding device for a fifth wheel coupling, which includes two guide rails mounted on a vehicle in the longitudinal direction thereof and a slide which can be displaced on the guide rails. A locking device mounted on the slide can be brought into an open position a... | 05/18/2010 |
| 7694992 | Fifth wheel assembly A fifth wheel assembly comprises a fifth wheel having a plurality of journal bearings extending generally downward from its underside, and an “I-shaped” transverse beam member for mounting the assembly to a truck frame. The beam member is dimensioned to span acr... | 04/13/2010 |
| 7584982 | Moveable hitch with stress-free elevated bearing guide A bearing guide for a hitch allows lateral movement of the hitch. The bearing guide is elevated relative to the bearing surface. Two trucks roll on wheels each about their own elevated guide for fore-and-aft rolling of the hitch point. The bearing guide also provide... | 09/08/2009 |
| 7549666 | Articulating hitch for fifth wheel trailers A device for automatically repositioning the pivot point between a fifth wheel trailer and truck. The hitch is composed of a base with integral first pivot member, two forward converging links, a second pivot member to which a spindle is attached. Pivotally attached... | 06/23/2009 |
| 7506886 | Slidable fifth-wheel hitch A slidable trailer hitch apparatus comprises a trailer hitch head operable to receive a cooperating portion of a trailer, the trailer hitch head adapted to be slidable and rotatable relative to the vehicle about an axis of rotation, first and second parallel spaced ... | 03/24/2009 |
| 7416204 | Lightweight narrow-span fifth wheel A short span fifth wheel hitch comprising a hitch plate, at least one back rib, a peripheral flange connected to ends of the back rib, and a main rib extending between the back rib and a portion of the peripheral flange, with the main rib being connected to ends of ... | 08/26/2008 |
| 7353671 | Adjustable width coupler latch lock An adjustable coupler lock for locking a trailer hitch such that a trailer cannot be removed from a vehicle. The coupler lock comprises a lock body with a locking mechanism and a locking plate, and also comprises a shaft having a narrow and a flange end, and also ha... | 04/08/2008 |
| 7296817 | Fifth wheel slide rail stop block A stop block for preventing over travel of an adjustable fifth wheel hitch assemblies comprising a generally rectangular solid member having a double curve disposed in said member such that a long portion of said member is higher in elevation than a short portion of... | 11/20/2007 |
| 7264259 | Fifth wheel hitch assembly A fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a mounting assembly, an arched base assembly, a head assembly and a jaw assembly carried by the head assembly. The jaw assembly includes a stepped jaw body. The head assembly includes a single piece, weldless and seamless skid p... | 09/04/2007 |
| 7261311 | Fifth wheel hitch assembly with self-locator Typical fifth wheel hitch assemblies require the operator to leave the cab of the vehicle to put the fifth wheel hitch assembly into position to receive a king pin of a trailer. The present invention is a fifth wheel hitch assembly that comprises a base assembly, a ... | 08/28/2007 |
| 7198282 | Cross member A cross member for a heavy duty over-the-highway tractor having an integral fifth wheel hitch such that the fifth wheel hitch is connected to the cross member rather than to brackets mounted to the frame rails of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the fifth wheel hitch... | 04/03/2007 |
| 7185906 | Fifth wheel coupling for a towing vehicle A fifth wheel coupling includes a receiver that is suspended from the frame of a towing vehicle by a linkage mechanism to permit limited relative longitudinal and vertical displacement of the towing vehicle and a towed vehicle. The receiver is mounted on a wishbone ... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7168531 | Self-contained brake and remote control system for a trailer A self-contained trailer braking system comprises a fifth wheel hitch attached to a trailer frame, where the trailer hitch further comprises a kingpin to engage a fifth wheel of a towing vehicle. A sliding mechanism is attached to the kingpin, where the sliding mech... | 01/30/2007 |
| 7140633 | Fifth wheel mounting and cross member assembly A fifth wheel mounting assembly for mounting a fifth wheel hitch plate to a frame of a tractor that includes a pair of first support members adapted to be fixedly coupled to a pair of rails of a tractor, and each having a plurality of first apertures, and a pair of ... | 11/28/2006 |
| 7125034 | Towing hitch assembly A towing hitch assembly adapted to be connected to a towing unit and a towed unit is disclosed. In general, the towing hitch assembly comprises a support connector releasably attachable to a towing hitch of a towing vehicle and pivotally connected to at least two ar... | 10/24/2006 |
| 7121573 | Vehicle accessory mounting system Vehicle accessory mounting systems are limited in the accessories mountable thereto and interfere with the use of the bed. The present invention, however, is a vehicle accessory mounting system that comprises a frame assembly having an opening and a locking cavity b... | 10/17/2006 |
| 7114740 | Fifth wheel slide rail and related method of assembly A slide rail assembly for providing adjustable positions for fifth wheel hitches including a slide rail having feet extending downward from the underside of the slide rail, adjacent feet being separated by a detent for receiving a slide locking mechanism, each of th... | 10/03/2006 |
| 7111862 | Unitized fifth wheel and rear axle suspension A modular suspension system for short distance repositioning tractors, often referenced as terminal tractors, isolating the shock and impact of a retractable fifth wheel and rear axle from the frame of the terminal tractor by the arrangement of a rear axle and fifth... | 09/26/2006 |
| 7108274 | Carrier assembly for movably supporting a fifth wheel assembly A carrier assembly is mounted on the spaced frame members of a tractor for movably supporting a fifth wheel assembly thereon. An integral one piece slide rail is secured to each of the frame members and has a plurality of individual rack sections separately welded t... | 09/19/2006 |
| 7097193 | Gooseneck trailer hitch and method The gooseneck trailer hitch assembly includes a block tube that is fixed to a trailer frame. A top plate is fixed to the block tube. A vertical shaft is connected to the top plate. A steel spherical member is slidably mounted on the vertical shaft. Two rings are cla... | 08/29/2006 |
| 7062884 | Locking assembly for shutters A lock for retaining shutters in a closed position is disclosed. The lock includes backing and retention brackets, and a fastener. The backing bracket is mounted to a dwelling to maintain the shutters spaced from the dwelling when the shutters are in the closed posi... | 06/20/2006 |
| 7044492 | Connection arrangement comprising a fifth wheel Coupling arrangement intended for mounting on a towing vehicle provided with parallel frame side members and for coupling the towing vehicle detachably to a towed vehicle such as a trailer. The arrangement incorporates a fifth wheel which is tiltably connected to th... | 05/16/2006 |
| 7017934 | Tractor dolly A portable dolly for use in towing a tractor including at least one wheel for moving the dolly, a king pin configured for placement in a mating engagement with a fifth wheel on the tractor, and a plurality of chains for connecting the dolly to the tractor, wherein t... | 03/28/2006 |
| 6981715 | Sliding hitch A sliding hitch for receiving a trailer includes a rectangular base member having opposed end portions attachable to a bed of a truck. The sliding hitch further includes a plurality of stationary members aligned with each other. One of the plurality of stationary me... | 01/03/2006 |
| 6979023 | Die cast sub-frame A pound or number sign shaped (#-shaped) die cast sub-frame includes first and second horizontal members and first and second vertical members. The sub-frame has four arm mounting portions provided at four corners thereof, respectively. The arm mounting portion is a... | 12/27/2005 |
| 6969090 | System for mounting hitches to hydroformed frames A hitch structure for connection between a pair of elongated, laterally spaced hydroformed frame members of a vehicle chassis having preformed apertures formed therein. The hitch structure comprises a hitch base adapted to receive a hitch ball member, a pair of side... | 11/29/2005 |
| 6957823 | Hitch assembly A hitch assembly including a frame for being attached to a tow vehicle; a cradle assembly pivotally attached to the frame for pivotal fore and aft movement; a hitch receiver mounted to the cradle assembly for being attached to a trailer; a leaf spring mounted to the... | 10/25/2005 |
| 6942236 | Fifth wheel hitch with rocker A fifth wheel hitch includes a head assembly having a skid plate with an opening for receiving a king pin of a trailer and a locking jaw assembly for securing the king pin in proper position with the trailer over the skid plate. Additionally, the fifth wheel hitch i... | 09/13/2005 |
| 6923460 | Split-frame for heavy trucks A split-frame, heavy truck, suspension system for trucks that haul trailers made of three moveable interlocked rigid frames referred to as the front frame, rear frame, and interconnecting frame. The front frame supports the cab, engine, and transmission. The rear pr... | 08/02/2005 |
| 6877757 | Pivoting fifth wheel hitch trailer pin assembly A fifth wheel trailer pin assembly characterized by having a horizontally pivoting joint to reduce the transmission of lateral flex and stress between the units coupled by the hitching assembly. The trailer pin assembly is designed to be used with conventional fifth... | 04/12/2005 |
| 6736420 | Carrier assembly for a fifth wheel A carrier assembly for a fifth wheel mounted on a semi-trailer tractor includes a pair of generally parallel spaced rail assemblies, each comprising a bed plate, a rack of teeth superimposed over the bed plate and a rack cover plate superimposed over the rack of tee... | 05/18/2004 |
