IP Library Granted Patent US 8,360,458
Granted Patent B2
US 8,360,458 · App. 13/541,976 · Granted Jan 29, 2013

Removable safety chain tie down apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,360,458
App. No.
13/541,976
Granted
Jan 29, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A tie down apparatus that may be utilized for securing an item, such as a safety chain, wherein the tie down apparatus may be used with a hitch mounting system. In one embodiment, the tie down apparatus may include a receiving member, a tie down member, and a clocking member. The receiving member may include an opening located there through. The tie down member may include at least one aperture, wherein the tie down member may be capable of being located and rotated within the receiving member. The tie down member may be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise. The locking member may include at least one leg capable of being housed within the aperture. The locking member may engage the receiving member once the tie down member is rotated, thereby trapping the item within the tie down apparatus.

Claims (39)

1. A hitch mounting system comprising:

at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame;

at least one socket formed in the at least one rail;

a mid rail connected to the at least one rail, wherein the mid rail includes a hitch ball socket;

a receiving member capable of being secured to the at least one socket;

a body member capable of being inserted into the receiving member; and

a locking member extending through the body member, wherein rotating the body member in a direction displaces the locking member perpendicular to the direction of rotation engaging the locking member with the receiving member.

2. The hitch mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the receiving member is capable of engagement with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch.

3. The hitch mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the hitch ball socket is capable of engagement with a hitch ball.

4. The hitch mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the body member comprises a tie down member having at least one aperture.

5. The hitch mounting system of claim 4 , wherein the tie down member includes a locking tab capable of securing the locking member within the tie down member.

6. The hitch mounting system of claim 4 , wherein the locking member includes a lifting tab and at least one leg capable of being housed within the at least one aperture of the tie down member.

7. The hitch mounting system of claim 6 , wherein the lifting tab is located on an opposite side of the at least one leg, the lifting tab capable of lifting the locking member to release the locking member from the receiving member.

8. The hitch mounting system of claim 7 , wherein a chain is capable of being attached to the tie down member whereby the chain being attached generally prevents the lifting tab from lifting the locking member.

9. A hitch mounting system comprising:

at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes a pair of sockets integrally formed with the at least one rail;

a mid rail capable of being connected to the at least one rail, wherein the mid rail includes a hitch ball socket;

a receiving member capable of being secured within the socket;

a body member having at least one aperture, wherein the body member is capable of engagement with the receiving member;

a locking member having at least one leg capable of being housed within the at least one aperture of the body member; and

wherein upon rotation of the body member about a first axis the locking member is displaced in a second axis parallel with the first axis engaging the locking member with the receiving member.

10. The hitch mounting system of claim 9 , wherein the hitch ball socket includes a hitch ball that is capable of engagement with a gooseneck hitch.

11. The hitch mounting system of claim 9 , wherein the locking member includes a lifting tab distally positioned from the at least one leg and a locking tab capable of securing the locking member within the body member.

12. The hitch mounting system of claim 9 , wherein the body member comprises a tie down member.

13. The hitch mounting system of claim 12 , wherein the tie down member includes a generally rectangular post, wherein the post substantially prevents rotation of the tie down member beyond a first position when the locking member engages the receiving member.

14. A hitch mounting system comprising:

at least one tubular member;

a central member attached to the tubular member;

a pair of integrally formed members having first and second end portions, wherein the first end portions are received within the tubular member and the second end portions are capable of attaching to a frame of a vehicle;

a socket integrally formed in each of the pair of integrally formed members;

a pair of receiving members, wherein each of the pair of receiving members is positioned in the sockets;

a body member inserted into the receiving member; and

a locking member extending through the body member, wherein rotating the body member in a direction displaces the locking member perpendicular to the direction of rotation engaging the locking member with the receiving member securing the body member to the receiving member.

15. The hitch mounting system of claim 14 , wherein rotating the body member to a second position disengages the locking member from the receiving member.

16. The hitch mounting system of claim 15 , wherein the body member includes an aperture and the locking member includes a leg capable of being housed within the aperture.

17. The hitch mounting system of claim 16 , wherein the locking member includes a lifting tab distally positioned from the leg and extending substantially perpendicular relative to the leg, the lifting tab capable of lifting the locking member disengaging the locking member from the receiving member.

18. The hitch mounting system of claim 17 , wherein at least a portion of a chain is capable of engaging the body member.

19. The hitch mounting system of claim 18 , wherein engagement of the chain with the body member generally prevents the lifting tab from lifting the locking member.

20. The hitch mounting system of claim 14 , wherein the at least one tubular member includes first and second tubular members wherein the central member is attached between the first and second tubular members forming a generally H-shaped one-piece assembly.

Assignments (16)
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: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.; HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 052224/0615 →
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 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 →
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 →