IP Library Granted Patent US 9,242,520
Granted Patent B2
US 9,242,520 · App. 13/833,789 · Granted Jan 26, 2016

Gooseneck hitch ball

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,242,520
App. No.
13/833,789
Granted
Jan 26, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A hitch ball is shown and described. The hitch ball may include a ball member, a body extending from the ball member, and a locking member in communication with the body. The hitch ball may also include a first release mechanism positioned in the ball member, the first release mechanism operatively coupled with the locking member, where positioning the first release mechanism in an first direction positions the locking member in a disengaged position, and a second release mechanism positioned in the body, the second release mechanism operatively coupled with the locking member, where positioning the second release mechanism in a second direction positions the locking member in the disengaged position.

Claims (45)

1. A hitch ball comprising:

a ball member;

a body extending from the ball member;

a locking member in communication with the body;

a first release mechanism positioned in the ball member, the first release mechanism operatively coupled with the locking member, wherein positioning the first release mechanism in a first direction positions the locking member in a disengaged position; and

a second release mechanism positioned in the body, the second release mechanism operatively coupled with the locking member, wherein positioning the second release mechanism in a second direction positions the locking member in the disengaged position.

2. The hitch ball of claim 1 , wherein the first release mechanism includes a handle positioned within the ball member.

3. The hitch ball of claim 1 , wherein the second release mechanism includes a handle engaged with the body axially spaced from the ball member.

4. The hitch ball of claim 1 , both of the ball member and body are configured for insertion into a socket.

5. The hitch ball of claim 1 , wherein the first and second directions are a same direction.

6. The hitch ball of claim 1 , further comprising a plunger, the plunger in operative engagement with the locking member.

7. The hitch ball of claim 6 , wherein the second release mechanism is operatively engaged with the plunger.

8. The hitch ball of claim 6 , wherein the second release mechanism includes a handle selectively engageable with either of the plunger or the body.

9. A hitch ball assembly comprising:

a socket;

a ball member insertable within the socket;

a body extending from the ball member, the body insertable within the socket wherein the ball member is configured to be inserted in the socket and the body is configured to be inserted in the socket;

a release mechanism; and

a locking member in operative communication with the release mechanism, the release mechanism accessible from both of the ball member and body, wherein the release member positions the locking member from a first position engaged with the socket and a second position disengaged from the socket.

10. The hitch ball assembly of claim 9 , further comprising an engaging device positioned with the socket, wherein the locking mechanism engages the engaging device in the first position.

11. The hitch ball assembly of claim 10 , wherein the engaging device includes a generally annular groove positioned in the socket.

12. The hitch ball assembly of claim 10 , wherein the engaging device includes first and second annular grooves positioned in the socket, the first and second annular grooves axially spaced apart.

13. The hitch ball assembly of claim 9 , wherein the release mechanism is operatively engaged with the ball member and the body.

14. The hitch ball assembly of claim 9 , wherein the release mechanism is accessible to a user when the ball member inserted into the socket.

15. The hitch ball assembly of claim 9 , wherein the release mechanism is biased in a locked position whereby the locking member is in the first position.

16. The hitch ball assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a first handle operatively engaged with the release mechanism, the first handle positioned in the ball member.

17. The hitch ball assembly of claim 16 , further comprising a second handle operatively engaged with the release mechanism, the second handle positioned in the body axially spaced from the first handle.

18. The hitch ball assembly of claim 17 , wherein the second handle is accessible when the ball member extends downward into the socket.

19. A hitch ball comprising:

a ball member configured for insertion into a socket of a hitch assembly;

a body extending from the ball member, the body configured for insertion into the socket of the hitch assembly; and

a locking member located in the body, the locking member moveable between a first engaged position and a second disengaged position, wherein the locking member in the first position locks the ball member in both an upright position relative to the socket and an inverted position relative to the socket.

20. The hitch ball of claim 19 , further comprising a release mechanism in operative communication with the locking member, the release mechanism positionable between a first position moving the locking member to the first engaged position to a second position moving the locking member to the second disengaged position.

21. The hitch ball of claim 20 , further comprising first and second handles operatively coupled with the release mechanism.

22. The hitch ball of claim 21 , wherein the first handle is positioned in the ball member and the second handle is positioned in the body.

23. The hitch ball of claim 22 , wherein the release mechanism includes a plunger whereby the second handle includes a handle member selectively attachable to the plunger opposite the ball member.

24. The hitch ball of claim 22 , wherein the second handle includes a handle member selectively attachable to the body opposite the ball member.

25. A hitch ball comprising:

a ball member

a body extending from the ball member, the body configured for insertion into the socket of the hitch assembly;

a locking member located in the body member, the locking member moveable between a first engaged position and a second disengaged position;

a plunger located in the body and in operative engagement with the locking member;

a handle in operative communication with the plunger, the handle rotatable between first and second positions, wherein the handle in the first position allows the locking member to be moveable to the first engaged position locking the body in the socket; and

a second handle in operative communication with the plunger, the second handle positioned in the body axially spaced from the handle.

26. The hitch ball assembly of claim 25 , wherein the handle in the second position allows the locking member to be moveable to the second disengaged position releasing the body from engagement with the socket.

Assignments (14)
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 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2020
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.; HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 052224/0615 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 17, 2020
From: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
To: ENCINA BUSINESS CREDIT, LLC
Reel/Frame 052183/0590 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2019
From: HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION; HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 049872/0219 →
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 →
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 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 1, 2013
From: MIDA, LYNN H.; BELINKY, JACOB S.
To: CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 030721/0455 →