Patents by Inventor Allen M. Williams

Allen M. Williams has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6082751
    Abstract: An extendable and retractable step structure mounted to a recreational or like vehicle to facilitate passenger ingress and egress. The step structure basically includes a frame mountable to the vehicle beneath a doorway or other passenger ingress-egress location, at least one step tread and a movable linkage arrangement supporting the step tread from the frame for controlled movement between a retracted position wherein the step tread and the linkage arrangement are withdrawn into frame and an extended position wherein the step tread and the linkage arrangement are extended outwardly from the frame. Four embodiments are disclosed, two being equipped with a single step tread, a third having two step treads, and a fourth having three step treads, for selective use in differing vehicles having differing above-road elevations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Fred E. Hanes, Allen M. Williams
  • Patent number: 6035464
    Abstract: An arrangement for supporting, inclining, and reclining a rear section of a folding bed frame structure of a sofa bed includes a rear bed section; an intermediate bed section pivotally connected to the rear bed section; a slide link extending between and pivotally connected at opposite ends thereof to the rear bed section and to the intermediate bed section; a ratchet element pivotally connected to the slide link and including a notch for engaging the intermediate bed section and supporting the rear bed section when inclined at a first inclination relative to the intermediate bed section; and a cam surface located on the ratchet element that causes the ratchet element to automatically disengage from the intermediate bed member for reclining of the rear bed section relative to the intermediate bed section when the rear bed section is inclined at a second inclination greater than the first inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Hickory Springs
    Inventor: Allen M. Williams
  • Patent number: 5970537
    Abstract: A folding bed frame structure comprises spaced apart folding side frame assemblies connected with transversely extending cross members by a combination of mating frictionally interfitting "swaged" and tongue-and-slot connections which do not require or utilize fasteners, thereby permitting the structure to be shipped and stored in disassembled condition. Side frame elements of the bed frame structure have an angled base portion with an arcuate portion extending therefrom to simulate the appearance of tubular elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Fred E. Hanes, Allen M. Williams, Michael L. Cope
  • Patent number: 5855030
    Abstract: A folding sofa bed frame structure has a TV control link and an associated toothed ratchet element connected thereto, by which the rear end section of the structure can be selectively positioned in two differing "TV" positions. A cam portion on the ratchet element automatically effects disengagement from either TV position upon pivoting of the rear end section into a substantially perpendicular relation to the main intermediate section of the structure. The ratchet arrangement is effective to automatically engage into and disengage from either TV position without manual manipulation, other than manual lifting of the rear end section, and is automatically effective to disengage when the bed frame structure is folded into the sofa frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Allen M. Williams