Jason Jay Kraai

US Patent:

7837216, Nov 23, 2010

Filed:

Apr 6, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/418719

Inventors:

Jason J. Kraai - Hull IA, US

Assignee:

Dethmers Manufacturing Company - Boyden IA

International Classification:

B60D 1/54
B60D 1/14
B60D 1/167

US Classification:

2804914, 2804913, 2804915, 280494

Abstract:

A tow bar apparatus has a hitch member, a pair of linkages, and a pair of tow bars. The hitch member has a receiver tube adapted to removably engage a towing vehicle, and a vertical pivot post having a vertical axis that is generally orthogonal to the surface when the hitch member is mounted on the towing vehicle. Each of the pair of linkages connects the hitch member to a proximal end of one of the pair of tow bars. Each linkage includes a vertical aperture that pivotally mounts the linkage on the vertical pivot post, and a horizontal pivot pin attached to one of the pair of tow bars. A towed vehicle attachment element of a distal end of each of the tow bars is adapted to be removably attached to the towed vehicle.

US Patent:

8573629, Nov 5, 2013

Filed:

Feb 16, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/706239

Inventors:

Jason Jay Kraai - Hull IA, US
Russell Mark Ensz - Matlock IA, US

Assignee:

Dethmers Manufacturing Company - Boyden IA

International Classification:

B60D 1/54
B60D 1/14
B60D 1/167

US Classification:

2804914, 2804913, 2804915, 280494

Abstract:

A tow bar has first and second bar elements telescopically engaged to slide between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration. A latch housing mounted on the second bar element pivotally mounts a latch element. A locking sear having a sear locking surface and a sear back surface is pivotally mounted to move between a locking position and an unlocking position. In the locking position, a sear locking surface abuts a latch stop of the first bar element to lock the first and second bar elements in the extended configuration. In the unlocking position, the sear locking surface disengages the latch stop, allowing the first and second bar elements to move to the collapsed configuration.

US Patent:

8573630, Nov 5, 2013

Filed:

Mar 13, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/418784

Inventors:

Jason J. Kraai - Hull IA, US
Russell Mark Ensz - Matlock IA, US

Assignee:

Dethmers Manufacturing Company - Boyden IA

International Classification:

B60D 1/54
B60D 1/14
B60D 1/167

US Classification:

2804914, 2804913, 2804915, 280494

Abstract:

A tow bar has a first bar element, a second bar element, and a latch mechanism. The first bar element has a proximal end, a first elongate body, and a latch stop opposite the proximal end. The second bar element has a distal end, a second elongate body, and a latch end opposite the distal end. The first bar element is telescopically engaged within the second bar element to slide between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration. The latch mechanism is adapted to abut the latch stop to lock the first and second bar elements in the extended configuration.

US Patent:

7690673, Apr 6, 2010

Filed:

Dec 1, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/291601

Inventors:

Jason J. Kraai - Hull IA, US

Assignee:

Dethmers Manufacturing Company - Boyden IA

International Classification:

B60D 1/60

US Classification:

280507, 280508, 280511, 280513

Abstract:

A ball hitch coupler permits self-latching with a ball hitch. The ball hitch coupler has a housing with a generally downwardly facing open socket for receiving a ball hitch. A ball clamp member within the open socket is attached to an adjustment lever by a clamp rod that extends through a top surface of the housing. A camming surface provided on the lever causes the clamp rod to pull the ball clamp member upwardly and outwardly from the socket as the lever is pivoted to an open position. When the lever is in a neutral ready position, a ball hitch may be inserted into the socket and will automatically be coupled with the ball hitch coupler without further adjustment.

US Patent:

20150097355, Apr 9, 2015

Filed:

Oct 9, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/049613

Inventors:

- Boyden IA, US
Jason J. Kraai - Hull IA, US

Assignee:

Dethmers Manufacturing Company - Boyden IA

International Classification:

B60D 1/01
B60D 1/36

US Classification:

280434

Abstract:

A fifth wheel latching assembly is provided having first and second locking assemblies. The first locking assembly includes first and second jaw members, which are movable between open and locked configurations. In the locked configurations, at least one of the first and second jaw members locks a kingpin in place for towing. The second locking assembly includes a latch element which is movable between open and locked positions. In its closed position, the latch element locks a kingpin in place for towing. The first and second locking assemblies independently lock the kingpin in place. Kingpin insertion causes automatic locking of the first and second locking assemblies.