Patents by Inventor James B. O'Brien

James B. O'Brien 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: 5152092
    Abstract: The traffic safety device of the invention incorporates a see-through, vinyl or rubber-type bag, inflatable to a height of some 4-5 feet and to a width to approximate that of a typical lane of traffic. The inside rear surface of the bag is provided with a reflective material to reflect headlight illumination through any one of a number of highway warning signs that may be draped across the outside front surface of the bag. A pair of elastic straps are stretched to encircle the bag as it is inflated, and automatically pull and guide the bag back into a storage box for the device as the bag is deflated and the straps return to their original lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Inventor: James B. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 4721239
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for supporting detachable, roof-top automotive, carrying racks of the type usually secured to vehicle rain gutters is disclosed. The bracket assembly may be used on vehicles having no rain gutters and includes a bracket plate member having a generally planar portion and a flange portion which is formed to have a generally W-shaped cross section that extends away from the planar portion for releasable coupling of rack mounting assembly thereto. The shape of the flange allows the bracket assembly to be used to anchor a roof-top rack to either a side wall or the roof of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: Konakorp
    Inventors: Samuel C. Gibbs, III, Bradley S. Bishop, James B. O'Brien