Bernard G Fandrich

6502846, Jan 7, 2003

Mar 19, 2002

10/102278

Bernard Gust Fandrich - Lodi CA
Don Frederick Linger - Stockton CA

Valley Industries LLC - Lodi CA

B60D 152

2804915, 280901, 410 80, 410101

An under-bed mounting system installed beneath a cargo bed floor of a vehicle includes both a male pin and a female receptacle. A releasable locking mechanism is defined between the pin and the receptacle to permit installation and removal of desired components such as a fifth wheel hitch. The pin including opposing first and second ends and an intermediate portion, a groove being disposed within said intermediate portion and including a stem and a base portion. A portion of the receptacle is received within said groove, selectively contacting said stem during installation and contacting at least the base portion after said installation. In one embodiment, the groove of the pin is generally L-shaped, the receptacle including a rod that is selectively received in the groove. In a second embodiment the pin is a scissor clamp with opposing jaws pivotable about a common hinge. The jaws engage the inner periphery of the receptacle.

6520528, Feb 18, 2003

Jan 25, 2001

09/769668

Bernard G. Fandrich - Lodi CA
Don F. Linger - Stockton CA

Valley Industries LLC - Lodi CA

B60D 148

280496, 2804915

An underbed gooseneck hitch assembly includes a channel housing that is secured to a pair of angle brackets. The angle brackets are secured to a pair of frame mounting brackets, which are in turn mounted to the frame rails of the vehicle. The hitch assembly also includes a ball socket for receiving a ball hitch. A pull cable handle assembly includes a spring biased retaining pin that can be retracted from and inserted into the ball hitch to secure the ball hitch for use. The ball hitch protrudes above the cargo bed and is attachable to a gooseneck trailer. Insertion of the ball hitch is accomplished by turning the handle of the pull cable handle assembly to an unlocked position, rotating the handle to a locked position, and inserting the ball hitch into the ball socket. The ball hitch is properly aligned with the retaining pin by inserting the ball hitch completely into the ball socket and aligning indicia on the ball hitch with a notch on the ball socket. Removal of the ball hitch is accomplished by turning the handle of the pull cable handle assembly to the unlocked position, pulling the handle outwardly until the retaining pin is no longer received in the ball hitch, rotating the handle to the locked position, and removing the ball hitch from the ball socket.

D483704, Dec 16, 2003

Aug 1, 2002

29/164908

Bernard G. Fandrich - Lodi CA

Valley Industries LLC - Lodi CA

1216

D12162

6467791, Oct 22, 2002

Nov 27, 2000

09/723105

Bernard Gust Fandrich - Lodi CA
Don Frederick Linger - Stockton CA

Valley Industries LLC - Lodi CA

B60D 152

2804915, 280901

An under-bed mounting system installed beneath a cargo bed floor of a vehicle includes both a male pin and a female receptacle. A releasable locking mechanism is defined between the pin and the receptacle to permit installation and removal of desired components such as a fifth wheel hitch. The pin including opposing first and second ends and an intermediate portion, a groove being disposed within said intermediate portion and including a stem and a base portion. A portion of the receptacle is received within said groove, selectively contacting said stem during installation and contacting at least the base portion after said installation. In one embodiment, the groove of the pin is generally L-shaped, the receptacle including a rod that is selectively received in the groove. In a second embodiment the pin is a scissor clamp with opposing jaws pivotable about a common hinge. The jaws engage the inner periphery of the receptacle.