Jay C Hesse

US Patent:

7753391, Jul 13, 2010

Filed:

Apr 17, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/148112

Inventors:

Jay Hesse - Pender NE, US
Steven R. Lewis - Yankton SD, US
Brent Culbertson - Dakota City NE, US

Assignee:

Automatic Equipment Manufacturing Company - Pender NE

International Classification:

B62D 53/06
B62D 53/08

US Classification:

280439, 280433, 280440

Abstract:

A torsionally-biased, shock-absorbing fifth wheel hitch includes a first mounting mechanism removably and non-rotatably mounting a lower frame portion thereof to the bed of a towing vehicle; an upper frame portion; a second mounting mechanism with a pair of opposing resilient members pivotally mounting the upper frame portion about a horizontally-oriented transverse hitch axis relative to the lower frame portion, the second mounting mechanism having an inactivated configuration wherein the upper frame member is not pivotally biased about the transverse hitch axis relative to the lower frame member and an activated configuration wherein the upper frame member is pivotally biased about the transverse hitch axis relative to the lower frame member; and a fifth wheel hitch mechanism mounted to the upper frame portion.

US Patent:

8276930, Oct 2, 2012

Filed:

Jan 3, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/374550

Inventors:

Jay Hesse - Pender NE, US
Neil Wagner - Winside NE, US
Douglas Prokop - Thurston NE, US

International Classification:

B60D 1/00

US Classification:

280504, 280477

Abstract:

A tow bar having a towing portion with multiple interchangeable towing assemblies each structured to be releasably connectable to towing vehicles having different types and/or sizes of towing hitch apparatus; a towed portion with a body member connected to a pair of rearwardly-extending legs each with a rear connector releasably connectable to a baseplate connector of a towed hitch apparatus of a towed vehicle, at least one of the legs being pivotally connected to the body member; an attaching portion structured to releasably connect each interchangeable towing assembly to the body member; and a storage mechanism structured to releasable secure the tow bar to a baseplate connector of the towed hitch apparatus of the towed vehicle.

US Patent:

7673895, Mar 9, 2010

Filed:

Mar 3, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/074205

Inventors:

Jay Hesse - Pender NE, US
Kevin Robert Fendrick - Pender NE, US
Anthony S. Crippen - Pender NE, US

Assignee:

Automatic Manufacturing Equipment Company - Pender NE

International Classification:

B62D 1/07

US Classification:

2804171, 2804181, 2804411

Abstract:

A converter apparatus for connecting a fifth wheel-type trailer to a towing vehicle having a ball hitch extending above a bed thereof, the apparatus including a horizontal first body member; a clamping mechanism releasably securing the first body member to the ball hitch; a mounting member having a horizontal second body member fixedly secured perpendicularly to and above the first body member, a pair of horizontal arm members perpendicular to and extending adjustably outwardly from opposing ends of the second body member, and a pair of horizontal arm extension members extending adjustably outwardly from opposing ends of each of the arm members; a fifth wheel hitch mechanism; and securing mechanisms releasably securing the fifth wheel hitch mechanism to the arm extension members of the arm members.