IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,272,662
Granted Patent B2
US 8,272,662 · App. 12/603,755 · Granted Sep 25, 2012

Coupler assembly

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,272,662
App. No.
12/603,755
Granted
Sep 25, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present application describes a gooseneck coupler assembly that may include a gooseneck trailer pivot, an extension arm, and a pivot retention mechanism having a ball socket. The ball socket may engage with a hitch ball located on a towing vehicle. The gooseneck trailer pivot may be mounted on a towed vehicle or trailer and be capable of pivoting about a vertical axis relative to the trailer. During engagement, the ball socket and the extension arm may provide tilt capability but thereby prevent any rotational movement relative to the hitch ball. However, the gooseneck coupler assembly may still be able to tilt fore-and-aft or side-to-side relative to the hitch ball. Therefore, the only pivotal movement relative to a vertical axis would be permitted at the gooseneck trailer pivot.

Claims (34)

1. A coupler assembly comprising:

a trailer pivot capable of engagement with a towed vehicle;

an extension arm including a socket, wherein said extension arm is attached to said trailer pivot;

a retention arm attached to said socket; and

a pivot retention assembly secured to a towing vehicle and capable of engagement with a hitch ball, said pivot retention assembly having:

a support plate.

2. The coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein said retention arm is capable of engaging said support plate.

3. The coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein said extension arm extends outwardly from said trailer pivot.

4. The coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein said socket is shaped to receive said hitch ball.

5. The coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein said hitch ball is capable of attachment to the towing vehicle.

6. The coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein said retention arm is generally aligned with a center of said hitch ball.

7. The coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein said pivot retention assembly prevents rotation about a first vertical axis at said hitch ball.

8. The coupler assembly of claim 7 , wherein said trailer pivot is capable of rotation about a second vertical axis.

9. The coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein said retention arm is directly attached to and extends from said socket.

10. The coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein said pivot retention mechanism includes a retention pocket capable of engaging the retention arm.

11. A coupler assembly for coupling a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle, said coupler assembly comprising:

a trailer pivot capable of engagement with the towed vehicle;

an extension arm including a socket, wherein said extension arm is attached to said trailer pivot;

a retention arm attached to said socket;

a pivot retention assembly secured to the towing vehicle, said pivot retention assembly having a support plate; and

wherein said pivot retention assembly prevents rotation of the towing vehicle relative to said extension arm.

12. The coupler assembly of claim 11 , wherein said pivot retention assembly prevents rotation about a first vertical axis.

13. The coupler assembly of claim 12 , wherein said trailer pivot is capable of rotation about a second vertical axis.

14. The coupler assembly of claim 11 , wherein said retention arm is capable of engaging said support plate.

15. The coupler assembly of claim 11 , wherein said extension arm extends outwardly from said trailer pivot.

16. The coupler assembly of claim 11 , wherein said retention arm is directly attached to and extends from said socket.

17. The coupler assembly of claim 11 , wherein said pivot retention mechanism includes a retention pocket capable of engaging the retention arm.

18. A coupler assembly for coupling a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle, said coupler assembly comprising:

a pivot capable of engaging the towed vehicle;

an extension arm assembly attached to said pivot, said extension arm assembly including a socket capable of engaging a hitch ball;

a retention arm attached to and extending from said socket; and

a pivot retention assembly secured to the towing vehicle and capable of engaging said retention arm to prevent rotation of the towing vehicle relative to said extension arm assembly.

19. The coupler assembly of claim 18 , wherein said pivot retention assembly includes a support plate.

20. The coupler assembly of claim 18 , wherein said pivot retention assembly prevents rotation about a first vertical axis and said trailer pivot is capable of rotation about a second vertical axis.

Assignments (21)
FIRST LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 18, 2025
From: AIRTEX INDUSTRIES, LLC; AIRTEX PRODUCTS, LP; APC INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, LLC; APC PARENT, LLC; ASC INDUSTRIES, INC.; AUTOLITE OPERATIONS LLC; AVM EXPORT, INC.; BPI ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC; BPI EC, LLC; BPI HOLDINGS INTERNATIONAL, LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC CHINA LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC INDIA LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC LLC; CARDONE INDUSTRIES, INC.; CARRAND COMPANIES, INC.; CARTER CARBURETOR HOLDINGS, LLC; CARTER CARBURETOR, LLC; CARTER FUEL EXPORT, INC.; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC; CHAMPION LABORATORIES, INC.; CWD HOLDING, LLC; CWD INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS I, LLC; CWD INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS II, LLC; CWD, LLC; DALTON CORPORATION; DALTON CORPORATION, KENDALLVILLE; MANUFACTURING FACILITY DALTON CORPORATION, ASHLAND; MANUFACTURING FACILITY DALTON CORPORATION, STRYKER MACHINING FACILITY CO.; DALTON CORPORATION, WARSAW MANUFACTURING FACILITY; EAGLE CASTING, LLC; EAGLE MACHINING, LLC; FIRST BRANDS GROUP INTERMEDIATE, LLC; FIRST BRANDS GROUP, LLC; FRAM GROUP IP LLC; FRAM GROUP OPERATIONS LLC; FRAMAUTO HOLDINGS, LLC; FUEL FILTER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GLOBAL REMAN VENTURES, LLC; HEATHERTON HOLDINGS, LLC; HOPKINS ACQUISITION, INC.; HOPKINS MANUFACTURING CORPORATION; HORIZON EURO FINANCE LLC; HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.; HORIZON GLOBAL COMPANY LLC; HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION; HORIZON INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; IBI INTERNATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; INTERNATIONAL BRAKE INDUSTRIES, INC.; JASPER ACQUISITION CORP.; JASPER RUBBER PRODUCTS, INC.; KTRI HOLDINGS, INC.; KTRI OFFSHORE HOLDINGS, LLC; LONGMAN ENTERPRISES, INC.; PHNX ACQUISITION CORP.; PREMIER MARKETING GROUP, LLC; PYLON MANUFACTURING CORP.; PYLON SOUTH BEND, INC.; QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE, L.L.C.; QUALIS ENTERPRISES, LLC; QUALITOR ACQUISITION INC.; QUALITOR AUTOMOTIVE, LLC; QUALITOR SUBSIDIARY H, INC.; QUALITOR SUBSIDIARY S, INC.; QUALITOR, INC.; REMAN MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL LLC; SDC TX, LLC; SMART CHOICE, LLC; SPECIALTY PUMPS GROUP, INC.; STRONGARM, LLC; TAE BRAKES, LLC; TAE CHINA HOLDINGS, INC.; TMD INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; TMD MEXICO LLC; TOLEDO MOLDING & DIE, LLC; TRANSPORTATION AFTERMARKET ENTERPRISE, LLC; TRICO HOLDING CORPORATION; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; TRICO TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; TRIDONEX USA LLC; UCI ACQUISITION HOLDINGS (NO. 4) LLC; UCI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS PARENT, INC.; UCI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; UCI INTERNATIONAL, LLC; UCI PENNSYLVANIA, INC.; UCI-AIRTEX HOLDINGS, INC.; UNITED COMPONENTS, LLC; UNIVERSAL AUTO FILTER LLC; VIPER ACQUISITION I, INC.; VIPER ACQUISITION, INC.; WALBRO LLC; WALBRO MIDCO LLC; WEM US CO.
To: GLAS USA LLC
Reel/Frame 071674/0688 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 9, 2021
From: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.; C.P. WITTER LIMITED; WESTFALIA-AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
To: ATLANTIC PARK STRATEGIC CAPITAL FUND, L.P., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 055262/0949 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 9, 2021
From: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC, SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS COLLATERAL AGENT (AS SUCCESSOR TO JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.)
To: HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION; WESTFALIA-AUTOMOTIVE GMBH; HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 055262/0842 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 11, 2020
From: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC
To: HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION; HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
Reel/Frame 053453/0229 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 052463/0091 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2020
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 052918/0733 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 17, 2020
From: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
To: ENCINA BUSINESS CREDIT, LLC
Reel/Frame 052183/0590 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 20, 2019
From: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.; HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
To: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 048648/0006 →
MERGER Recorded May 10, 2017
From: CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.
To: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
Reel/Frame 042435/0260 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 22, 2015
From: CEQUENT TOWING PRODUCTS, INC.
To: CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 036150/0317 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (024120/0535) Recorded Jul 16, 2015
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS SECOND LIEN AGENT
To: CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 036125/0710 →
SECURITY INTEREST (ABL) Recorded Jul 8, 2015
From: CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 036082/0668 →
SECURITY INTEREST (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jul 6, 2015
From: CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 036062/0554 →
RELEASE OF REEL/FRAME 029537/0582 Recorded Nov 15, 2013
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: TRIMAS CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR TO MASCO TECH, INC.); TRIMAS COMPANY LLC; ARMINAK & ASSOCIATES LLC; ARROW ENGINE COMPANY; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC. (SUCCESSOR TO CEQUENT ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS, INC., CEQUENT TOWING PRODUCTS, INC., CEQUENT TRAILER PRODUCTS, INC., FULTON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC., HIDDEN HITCH INTERNATIONAL, AND THEODORE BARGMAN, INC.); COMPAC CORPORATION; INNOVATIVE MOLDING; LAMONS GASKET COMPANY; MONOGRAM AEROSPACE FASTENERS, INC.; NI INDUSTRIES, INC.; NORRIS CYLINDER COMPANY; RIEKE-ARMINAK CORP.; RIEKE CORPORATION; RIEKE LEASING CO., INCORPORATED; TRIMAS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC
Reel/Frame 031645/0436 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 28, 2012
From: TRIMAS CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR TO MASCOTECH, INC.); TRIMAS COMPANY LLC; ARMINAK & ASSOCIATES LLC; ARROW ENGINE COMPANY; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC. (SUCCESSOR TO CEQUENT ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS, INC., CEQUENT TOWING PRODUCTS, INC., CEQUENT TRAILER PRODUCTS, INC., FULTON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC., HIDDEN HITCH INTERNATIONAL, AND THEODORE BARGMAN, INC.); COMPAC CORPORATION; INNOVATIVE MOLDING; LAMONS GASKET COMPANY; MONOGRAM AEROSPACE FASTENERS, INC.; NI INDUSTRIES, INC.; NORRIS CYLINDER COMPANY; RIEKE-ARMINAK CORP.; RIEKE CORPORATION; RIEKE LEASING CO., INCORPORATED; TRIMAS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 029537/0582 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 13, 2012
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
To: TRIMAS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 029291/0265 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2011
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: TRIMAS CORPORATION; ARROW ENGINE COMPANY; BEAUMONT BOLT & GASKET, INC.; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT TOWING PRODUCTS, INC.; COMPAC CORPORATION; CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; CUYAM CORPORATION; DEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DI-RITE COMPANY; ENTEGRA FASTENER CORPORATION; FULTON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; HAMMERBLOW ACQUISITION CORP.; THE HAMMERBLOW COMPANY, LLC; HI-VOL PRODUCTS LLC; INDUSTRIAL BOLT & GASKET, INC.; KEO CUTTERS, INC.; LAKE ERIE PRODUCTS CORPORATION; LAMONS GASKET COMPANY; LAMONS METAL GASKET CO.; LOUISIANA HOSE & RUBBER CO.; MONOGRAM AEROSPACE FASTENERS, INC.; NETCONG INVESTMENTS, INC.; NI INDUSTRIES, INC.; NI WEST, INC.; NORRIS CYLINDER COMPANY; NORRIS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.; NORRIS INDUSTRIES, INC.; PLASTIC FORM, INC.; REESE PRODUCTS, INC.; RESKA SPLINE PRODUCTS, INC.; RIEKE CORPORATION; RIEKE OF INDIANA, INC.; RIEKE LEASING CO., INCORPORATED; RIEKE OF MEXICO, INC.; TOWING HOLDING LLC; TRIMAS COMPANY LLC; TRIMAS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; WESBAR CORPORATION; DRAW-TITE, INC.; RICHARDS MICRO-TOOL, INC.
Reel/Frame 026706/0434 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 4, 2010
From: TRIMAS COMPANY, LLC FKA K.S. DISPOSITION, INC; TRIMAS COMPANY LLC; TRIMAS CORPORATION; ARROW ENGINE COMPANY; BEAUMONT BOLT & GASKET, INC.; TRIMAS COMPANY LLC FKA COMMONWEALTH DISPOSITION, LLC; COMPAC CORPORATION; CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; CUYAM CORPORATION; DI-RITE COMPANY; DRAW-TITE, INC.; ENTEGRA FASTENER CORPORATION; FULTON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT TOWING PRODUCTS, INC. FKA HITCH 'N POST, INC.; INDUSTRIAL BOLT & GASKET, INC.; KEO CUTTERS, INC.; LAKE ERIE SCREW CORPORATION; LAMONS METAL GASKET CO.; LOUISIANA HOSE & RUBBER CO.; MONOGRAM AEROSPACE FASTENERS, INC.; NETCONG INVESTMENTS, INC.; TRIMAS COMPANY LLC FKA NI FOREIGN MILITARY SALES CORP.; NI INDUSTRIES, INC.; NI WEST, INC.; NORRIS CYLINDER COMPANY; NORRIS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.; NORRIS INDUSTRIES, INC.; PLASTIC FORM, INC.; REESE PRODUCTS, INC.; RESKA SPLINE PRODUCTS, INC.; RICHARDS MICRO-TOOL, INC.; RIEKE CORPORATION; RIEKE OF INDIANA, INC.; RIEKE OF MEXICO; RIEKE LEASING CO.; TRIMAS COMPANY, LLC FKA TRIMAS FASTENERS, INC.; TRIMAS COMPANY, LLC FKA TRIMAS SERVICES CORP.; WESBAR CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 024390/0471 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 28, 2010
From: HITCH 'N POST, INC.
To: CEQUENT TOWING PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 024294/0863 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 23, 2010
From: TRIMAS CORPORATION; TRIMAS COMPANY LLC; ARROW ENGINE COMPANY; CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; COMPAC CORPORATION; DEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; HI-VOL PRODUCTS LLC; KEO CUTTERS, INC.; LAKE ERIE PRODUCTS CORPORATION; MONOGRAM AEROSPACE FASTENERS, INC; NI INDUSTRIES, INC.; NORRIS CYLINDER COMPANY; RICHARDS MICRO-TOOL, INC.; RIEKE CORPORATION; RIEKE LEASING CO.; RIEKE OF MEXICO, INC.; THE HAMMERBLOW COMPANY, LLC; TRIMAS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; LAMONS GASKET COMPANY; TOWING HOLDING LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS SECOND LIEN AGENT
Reel/Frame 024120/0535 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 8, 2010
From: MCCOY, RICHARD W.; CARUSO, PAUL; TALLIEU, DAVID
To: CEQUENT TOWING PRODUCTS
Reel/Frame 023909/0801 →