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An aircraft having vertical takeoff and landing capability provided with at least first and second laterally extending paddle wheels rotatable on a central axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft fuselage and between its nose and tail.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8083250 | Coupler for towed vehicles Apparatus, methods, and other examples associated with a hitch ball coupler are described herein. In one example, a coupler includes a body and a cap. The body and cap are pivotally connected on a first end. The body includes a first recess and a shoulder. The cap i... | 12/27/2011 |
| 7871098 | Coupler for towed vehicles Apparatus, methods, and other examples associated with a hitch ball coupler are described herein. In one example, a coupler includes a body and a cap. The body and cap are pivotally connected on a first end. The body includes a first recess and a shoulder. The cap i... | 01/18/2011 |
| 7556279 | Pivotal trailer hitch Trailer hitch (10) has a pivotal ball mount (30) having upper and lower wedge-shaped parallel plates (52, 54) that are connected by pivot pin (64) to the opening (31) of socket (29). Lock lever (34) is pivotally mount... | 07/07/2009 |
| 7413212 | Trailer theft-thwarting coupling dock An improved trailer theft-thwarting coupling dock to prevent unauthorized coupling and hauling of the trailer coupling dock includes a coupling dock body, a upper mechanism, a lower mechanism and a lock assembly. The upper mechanism has a upper handle fastening to t... | 08/19/2008 |
| 7378013 | Gooseneck trailer coupler A coupler comprised of a coupler housing having a first opening formed therein. The opening has a concave cavity. A cylindrical socket is formed within the housing. A second opening in the housing communicates with the cylindrical socket. A lock ring is provided, th... | 05/27/2008 |
| 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 |
| 7044494 | Tow-hitch apparatus A tow hitch comprised of an elongated shank of rectangular cross-section. The shank has four side surfaces. A first tow ball of a first dimension is fixedly mounted to a first of the side surfaces. A second tow ball of a second dimension is fixedly mounted to a seco... | 05/16/2006 |
| 7017935 | Trailer coupler A ball hitch coupler for use with a towing vehicle having a ball hitch. The ball hitch coupler provides an improved and simplified structure designed to make assembly and coupling to the ball hitch easy, while not compromising coupler strength or security. The ball ... | 03/28/2006 |
| 6976695 | Trailer hitch coupler lock assembly The present invention provides a trailer coupler lock assembly for securing a coupler whether attached to or detached from a hitch ball of a trailer or vehicle, the coupler attachable to the hitch ball supported by one of the trailer or vehicle, the locking assembly... | 12/20/2005 |
| 6973892 | Quick release coupler for an inflatable towable vehicle The present invention provides a quick disconnect coupler for an inflatable towable vehicle including a body member attached to the towing connection of the towable vehicle and a selectively movable arm having a first end pivotally attached to the body member. The a... | 12/13/2005 |
| 6902182 | Hitch device A hitch device for use with a pulling vehicle and a trailer, including a first hitch arm and a second upwardly directed hitch arm. At a second end of the second upwardly directed hitch arm is a joint allowing rotation about at least two axes. The hitch device positi... | 06/07/2005 |
| 6820889 | Apparatus for transporting manufactured housing A hitch assembly that is specially designed for transporting large and heavy manufactured housing units. The hitch assembly is of a one piece unitary construction that includes angularly extending sides that define an included angle of between approximate 50 and 60 ... | 11/23/2004 |
| 6811176 | Device for receiving and securing a ball A coupling device is provided for receiving and securing a ball, the ball being attached to the structure to be coupled, including a tow vehicle in the case of a trailer hitch application. Various embodiments of the device for both tongue and “goose neck” traile... | 11/02/2004 |
| 6789815 | Stowable-lock, convertible-pintle hitch A towing apparatus is provided including, in one embodiment, a pintle hitch having a retainer and an associated retainer lock. The retainer may be coupled with a mount by way of a pivot allowing it to rotate into and out one or more selected positions. The retainer ... | 09/14/2004 |
| 6616169 | Device for receiving and securing a ball A coupling device is provided for receiving and securing a ball, the ball being attached to the structure to be coupled, such as a tow vehicle in the case of a trailer hitch application. Various embodiments of the device for both tongue and "goose neck" t... | 09/09/2003 |
| 6523629 | Tandem mobile robot system A robotic vehicle system for terrain navigation mobility provides a way to climb stairs, cross crevices, and navigate across difficult terrain by coupling two or more mobile robots with a coupling device and controlling the robots cooperatively in tandem.... | 02/25/2003 |
| 6523849 | Device for receiving and securing a ball A coupling device is provided for receiving and securing a ball, the ball being attached to the structure to be coupled, such as a tow vehicle in the case of a trailer hitch application. Various embodiments of the device for both tongue and "goose neck" t... | 02/25/2003 |
| 6523850 | Device for receiving and securing a ball A coupling device is provided for receiving and securing a ball, the ball being attached to the structure to be coupled, such as a tow vehicle in the case of a trailer hitch application. Various embodiments of the device for both tongue and "goose neck" t... | 02/25/2003 |
| 6505848 | Device for receiving and securing a ball A coupling device is provided for receiving and securing a ball, the ball being attached to the structure to be coupled, including a tow vehicle in the case of a trailer hitch application. Various embodiments of the device for both tongue and "goose neck"... | 01/14/2003 |
| 6488306 | Mobility platform coupling device and method for coupling mobility platforms A coupling device for connecting a first mobility platform to a second mobility platform in tandem. An example mobility platform is a robot. The coupling device has a loose link mode for normal steering conditions and a locking position, tight link mode f... | 12/03/2002 |
| 6481740 | Ball and socket trailer hitch assembly A socket assembly for a trailer hitch includes a ball clamp member which has lateral arms or wings that limit the pivotal movement of the ball clamp member thereby improving the opportunity for the ball to properly fit in and totally seat within the cavit... | 11/19/2002 |
| 6467793 | Gooseneck coupler A coupling device (10) for allowing a user to connect a trailer (104) having a gooseneck assembly to a hitch ball (102) of a towing vehicle (106). The coupling device includes a housing (12), jaws (24 and 26) and a locking mechanism (32). The jaws are piv... | 10/22/2002 |
| 6464241 | Gooseneck trailer hitch A gooseneck trailer hitch formed of a top plate pivotally attached to a base plate, wherein each plate is formed by investment casting and the components and features of each plate are integrally formed therewith. The top plate is an elongated structure t... | 10/15/2002 |
| 6419259 | Device for receiving and securing a ball A coupling device is provided for receiving and securing a ball, the ball being attached to the structure to be coupled, such as a tow vehicle in the case of a trailer hitch application. Various embodiments of the device for both tongue and "goose neck" t... | 07/16/2002 |
| 6412314 | Trailer hitch lock module A trailer hitch module for engaging a trailer tongue socket includes a base and a ball fixed to the base for engaging a socket cup. A locking arm is provided and pivotally attached to the base so that it is movable in a plane parallel to the base between ... | 07/02/2002 |
| 6367834 | Device for receiving and securing a ball A coupling device is provided for receiving and securing a ball, the ball being attached to the structure to be coupled, such as a tow vehicle in the case of a trailer hitch application. Various embodiments of the device for both tongue and "goose neck" t... | 04/09/2002 |
| 6312004 | Apparatus for maintaining connection between a towing vehicle and a trailer A hitch assembly for use with a vehicle, where the hitch assembly incorporates a tow loop adapted to be easily coupled to a claw, hook or other like implement of a towing chain or alternatively to a towing strap or rope. The hitch assembly comprises a rec... | 11/06/2001 |
| 6224084 | Trailer coupler A trailer coupler is described in which a pair of elongated hitch capturing members, each having a hitch socket part at a forward end are mounted to a base member for selective movement forward and rearwardly between a forwardly extended and open hitch re... | 05/01/2001 |
| 6186532 | Trailer coupler A trailer coupler in which a pair of hitch capturing members, each having a hitch socket are movable relative to one another and to a base member. The base member mounts the hitch capturing members for selective movement between a forwardly extended and o... | 02/13/2001 |
| 6164681 | Automatic hitch coupler A pivotal guide for a trailer hitch which guides a trailer socket to engage a hitch ball when the user forces the trailer guide to engage the trailer socket. A base plate is pivotally connected to a hitch bar, which when a trailer tongue engages a base pl... | 12/26/2000 |
| 5887885 | Self-locking trailer hitch assembly A self-locking trailer hitch assembly includes an elongated housing attachable to the draw bar of a towed vehicle, and the housing includes an attachment end and an opposite socket which is shaped to receive a vertically-projecting ball member. The ball m... | 03/30/1999 |
| 5725234 | Ball-type coupler for trailers and the like A ball-type coupler is disclosed for attaching a trailer to a ball. The coupler includes a housing having an inner wall defining a void formed therein with a generally hemispherical end for receiving a ball. One or more elongate rotatable rods are dispose... | 03/10/1998 |
| 5632501 | Self-latching trailer coupler A self-latching trailer coupler for use with a ballhead coupling post is disclosed. The coupler includes a housing having a forward portion that forms a receiving socket, and a rear portion. A latching member is disposed within the rear portion of the hou... | 05/27/1997 |
| 5582420 | Modified coupler system and method for retrofitting same A coupler system attachable to a hitchball and a method and kit for retrofitting existing couplers where a lock hasp receiving opening is provided in a free end of a closing lever on the coupler and a lock pin opening is provided in the coupler frame. A l... | 12/10/1996 |
| 5573263 | Automatic trailer hitch lock A self-latching trailer hitch for securing and releasing a hitch ball attached to a towing vehicle. The hitch maintains itself in a ball receiving position and when placed over the hitch ball, automatically locks into a ball securement position without th... | 11/12/1996 |
| 5482309 | Scissor closure coupler for gooseneck trailers A scissor coupler, for attaching to a trailer hitch ball having a widest point and a neck, comprising a top plate, a bottom plate, a hinge bolt, and a main spring connected between the top plate and bottom plate. The hinge bolt attaches the top plate and ... | 01/09/1996 |
| 5421600 | Trailer coupler safety system Safety apparatus for use with a trailer of the type having brakes is shown. If the latch mechanism on the trailer hitch is not properly closed, the brakes on the trailer are engaged thereby preventing the trailer from being towed. In addition, a warning d... | 06/06/1995 |
| 5385363 | Trailer hitch A trailer hitch for securing a trailer to a towing vehicle includes a holding plate fixed to the end of a vertical column portion of the trailer hitch tongue. The holding plate possesses a first aperture dimensioned to receive a hitch ball. A latch plate ... | 01/31/1995 |
| 5382109 | Coupling device Interengageable male-female style coupling device with a pivotally movable lock plate having an entrance/egress aperture with a tapered entering surface. The tapered surface both facilitates engagement of coupling members and acts to securely fasten the c... | 01/17/1995 |
| 5350209 | Handle for a trailer ball-mount A gripping device provided with handles is adapted to engage the ball of a conventional trailer hitch as a convenience in handling the hitch when it is removed from the towing vehicle. The preferred form of the device provides a clam shell-type grasping a... | 09/27/1994 |
