Patents by Inventor Keith L. Prescott
Keith L. Prescott 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).
-
Publication number: 20230271561Abstract: A hitch-mount bicycle carrier including a stinger, a support member coupled to the stinger by a variably configurable hub, a foot having a distal end disposed distally from the support member, and a manual actuator disposed at a distal end of the support member. The stinger is configured to be inserted into a hitch receiver of a vehicle. The support member is configured to be disposed in a plurality of orientations relative to the stinger. The support member supports one or more bicycles. The manual actuator includes a trigger coupled to the variably configurable hub to dispose the support member in the plurality of orientations. A portion of the foot is disposed below the trigger when the support member is in a bicycle carrying position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Inventors: Keith L. PRESCOTT, Jeffrey R. EDGERLY
-
Patent number: 11584307Abstract: A hitch-mount bicycle carrier including a stinger, a support member coupled to the stinger by a variably configurable hub, a foot having a distal end disposed distally from the support member, and a manual actuator disposed at a distal end of the support member. The stinger is configured to be inserted into a hitch receiver of a vehicle. The support member is configured to be disposed in a plurality of orientations relative to the stinger. The support member supports one or more bicycles. The manual actuator includes a trigger coupled to the variably configurable hub to dispose the support member in the plurality of orientations. A portion of the foot is disposed below the trigger when the support member is in a bicycle carrying position.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2022Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Thule Sweden ABInventors: Keith L. Prescott, Jeffrey R. Edgerly
-
Patent number: 11390222Abstract: A hitch-mount bicycle carrier including a vehicle engaging frame, an elongate support member coupled to the vehicle engaging frame, a foot, and a trigger. The vehicle engaging frame has a proximal end configured to be coupled to a hitch receiver of a vehicle. The elongate support member has a longitudinal axis and a distal end. The elongate support member is configured to move between a plurality of orientations relative to the vehicle engaging frame. The foot is fixedly coupled to and extends distally from the distal end of the elongate support member. The foot defines an interior space, and the trigger is disposed within the interior space. A distal end of the foot is the distal-most end of the bicycle carrier. The foot and the trigger are configured to be gripped by a user, and the trigger is configured to translate linearly.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2021Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Thule Sweden ABInventors: Keith L. Prescott, Jeffrey R. Edgerly
-
Publication number: 20220219614Abstract: A hitch-mount bicycle carrier including a stinger, a support member coupled to the stinger by a variably configurable hub, a foot having a distal end disposed distally from the support member, and a manual actuator disposed at a distal end of the support member. The stinger is configured to be inserted into a hitch receiver of a vehicle. The support member is configured to be disposed in a plurality of orientations relative to the stinger. The support member supports one or more bicycles. The manual actuator includes a trigger coupled to the variably configurable hub to dispose the support member in the plurality of orientations. A portion of the foot is disposed below the trigger when the support member is in a bicycle carrying position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2022Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: Keith L. PRESCOTT, Jeffrey R. EDGERLY
-
Publication number: 20220024389Abstract: A hitch-mount bicycle carrier including a vehicle engaging frame, an elongate support member coupled to the vehicle engaging frame, a foot, and a trigger. The vehicle engaging frame has a proximal end configured to be coupled to a hitch receiver of a vehicle. The elongate support member has a longitudinal axis and a distal end. The elongate support member is configured to move between a plurality of orientations relative to the vehicle engaging frame. The foot is fixedly coupled to and extends distally from the distal end of the elongate support member. The foot defines an interior space, and the trigger is disposed within the interior space. A distal end of the foot is the distal-most end of the bicycle carrier. The foot and the trigger are configured to be gripped by a user, and the trigger is configured to translate linearly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Keith L. PRESCOTT, Jeffrey R. EDGERLY
-
Patent number: 11225200Abstract: A bicycle carrier includes a vehicle engaging frame portion configured to be coupled a carrying vehicle and a rearward extending support member coupled to the vehicle engaging frame portion by a variably configurable hub configured to set the support member in a plurality of orientations relative to the vehicle engaging frame portion. The support member accommodates one or more bicycles and the support member is configured to be coupled to an add-on support member that accommodates one or more additional bicycles. The add-on support member includes an actuator configured to set the support member in the plurality of orientations relative to the vehicle engaging frame.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2021Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: Thule Sweden ABInventors: Keith L. Prescott, Jeffrey R. Edgerly
-
Patent number: 11155217Abstract: A bicycle carrier convertible between a first configuration in which one or more bicycles are accommodated and a second extended configuration in which one or more additional bicycles are accommodated for transport on a carrying vehicle. The bicycle carrier can include a vehicle engaging frame configured to be mounted on a carrying vehicle. An elongate rearward extending support member can be coupled to the frame at a proximate end of the support member by a variably configurable hub configured to set the support member in a plurality of orientations relative to the frame. A manual actuator can be operably coupled to the variably configurable hub by a linkage. A distal end of the support member can be positioned away from the frame and configured to be alternately coupled to the actuator, or an add-on support member that accommodates one or more additional bicycles coupled to the bicycle carrier.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2019Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: Thule Sweden ABInventors: Keith L. Prescott, Jeffrey R. Edgerly
-
Publication number: 20210245673Abstract: A bicycle carrier includes a vehicle engaging frame portion configured to be coupled a carrying vehicle and a rearward extending support member coupled to the vehicle engaging frame portion by a variably configurable hub configured to set the support member in a plurality of orientations relative to the vehicle engaging frame portion. The support member accommodates one or more bicycles and the support member is configured to be coupled to an add-on support member that accommodates one or more additional bicycles. The add-on support member includes an actuator configured to set the support member in the plurality of orientations relative to the vehicle engaging frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Keith L. PRESCOTT, Jeffrey R. EDGERLY
-
Patent number: 10926710Abstract: A carrier rack mountable to a vehicle includes a splined member, a first arm rotationally coupled about the splined member, and a latch coupled to the first arm. The splined member includes a plurality of splines disposed along an external surface of the splined member. The splined member is disposed through an aperture in a proximal end of the first arm. The latch is configured to engage the splined member to fix the first arm about the splined member.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Thule Sweden ABInventors: Keith L. Prescott, John D. Fiegener, Joseph R. Flaherty, Thomas J. Hanson, Timothy J. Makris, Michael Tinstman
-
Publication number: 20200055458Abstract: A carrier rack mountable to a vehicle includes a splined member, a first arm rotationally coupled about the splined member, and a latch coupled to the first arm. The splined member includes a plurality of splines disposed along an external surface of the splined member. The splined member is disposed through an aperture in a proximal end of the first arm. The latch is configured to engage the splined member to fix the first arm about the splined member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: Keith L. PRESCOTT, John D. FIEGENER, Joseph R. FLAHERTY, Thomas J. HANSON, Timothy J. MAKRIS, Michael TINSTMAN
-
Publication number: 20200023787Abstract: A bicycle carrier convertible between a first configuration in which one or more bicycles are accommodated and a second extended configuration in which one or more additional bicycles are accommodated for transport on a carrying vehicle. The bicycle carrier can include a vehicle engaging frame configured to be mounted on a carrying vehicle. An elongate rearward extending support member can be coupled to the frame at a proximate end of the support member by a variably configurable hub configured to set the support member in a plurality of orientations relative to the frame. A manual actuator can be operably coupled to the variably configurable hub by a linkage. A distal end of the support member can be positioned away from the frame and configured to be alternately coupled to the actuator, or an add-on support member that accommodates one or more additional bicycles coupled to the bicycle carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Keith L. PRESCOTT, Jeffrey R. EDGERLY
-
Patent number: 10384620Abstract: A bicycle carrier convertible between a first configuration in which one or more bicycles are accommodated and a second extended configuration in which one or more additional bicycles are accommodated for transport on a carrying vehicle. The bicycle carrier can include a vehicle engaging frame configured to be mounted on a carrying vehicle. An elongate rearward extending support member can be coupled to the frame at a proximate end of the support member by a variably configurable hub configured to set the support member in a plurality of orientations relative to the frame. A manual actuator can be operably coupled to the variably configurable hub by a linkage. A distal end of the support member can be positioned away from the frame and configured to be alternately coupled to the actuator, or an add-on support member that accommodates one or more additional bicycles coupled to the bicycle carrier.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2015Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Thule Sweden ABInventors: Keith L. Prescott, Jeffrey R. Edgerly
-
Patent number: 10252681Abstract: A carrier rack mountable to a vehicle includes a splined member, a first arm rotationally coupled about the splined member, and a latch coupled to the first arm. The splined member includes a plurality of splines disposed along an external surface of the splined member. The splined member is disposed through an aperture in a proximal end of the first arm. The latch is configured to engage the splined member to fix the first arm about the splined member.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2017Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Thule Sweden ABInventors: Keith L. Prescott, John D. Fiegener, Joseph R. Flaherty, Thomas J. Hanson, Timothy J. Makris, Michael Tinstman
-
Publication number: 20170320448Abstract: A carrier rack mountable to a vehicle includes a splined member, a first arm rotationally coupled about the splined member, and a latch coupled to the first arm. The splined member includes a plurality of splines disposed along an external surface of the splined member. The splined member is disposed through an aperture in a proximal end of the first arm. The latch is configured to engage the splined member to fix the first arm about the splined member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: Keith L. Prescott, John D. Fiegener, Joseph R. Flaherty, Thomas J. Hanson, Timothy J. Makris, Michael Tinstman
-
Patent number: 9751470Abstract: A bicycle carrier rack mountable to a vehicle includes a mounting member configured to abut against the vehicle and a flexible strap coupled to the mounting member, the flexible strap having a free end. A blocker is disposed at the free end of the flexible strap and a hooked end piece is removably coupled to the free end of the flexible strap. The hooked end piece includes a distal end having a hooked portion and a proximal end. A cover has a passage extending therethrough from a first end of the cover to a second end of the cover. The cover is slidably disposed about the flexible strap and configured to enclose the blocker and a portion of the hooked end piece within an interior of the cover. The blocker inhibits movement of the flexible strap through the proximal end of the hooked end piece in the proximal direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2016Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Thule Sweden ABInventors: Keith L. Prescott, John D. Fiegener, Joseph R. Flaherty, Thomas J. Hanson, Timothy J. Makris, Michael Tinstman
-
Patent number: 9649985Abstract: Trunk mountable bicycle carrier racks and various improved aspects thereof such as retractable spool mechanism, cable end-hooks, anti-sway device, improved rotatable hubs, and improved frame supports.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2010Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Thule Sweden ABInventors: Keith L. Prescott, John D. Fiegener, Joseph R. Flaherty, Thomas J. Hanson, Timothy J. Makris, Michael Tinstman
-
Patent number: 9649987Abstract: A bicycle carrier rack mountable to a vehicle includes a hub having an elongate member with a plurality of teeth disposed on an external surface of the elongate member. An upper mounting member is rotatably coupled to the hub and configured to abut against the vehicle and a lower mounting member is coupled to the hub and configured to abut against the vehicle. A latch having a locked position and an unlocked position is coupled to the upper mounting member. The latch is interferingly fitted against one or more teeth of the elongate member in the locked position and positioned away from the elongate member in the unlocked position, and the upper mounting member is rotatable about the elongate member when the latch is in the unlocked position and fixed about the elongate member when the latch is in the locked position.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2016Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Thule Sweden ABInventors: Keith L. Prescott, John D. Fiegener, Joseph R. Flaherty, Thomas J. Hanson, Timothy J. Makris, Michael Tinstman
-
Patent number: 9573429Abstract: An insert bar assembly for a hitch-rack carrier comprises a self-locating securement pin. The insert bar assembly can comprise an elongate hitch-attachment bar which in turn comprises a hitch-receiver insert portion located at an insertable end of the bar. The assembly can include a flexible securement pin or a rigid securement pin resiliently joined to the bar at a fixed distance from the engagement end of the pin. The assembly accommodates repetitive, same location positioning of the engagement end of the pin at a pin-tip facing surface on the bar in the pin-secured configuration of the insert bar assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Thule Sweden ABInventors: Keith L. Prescott, Kevin S. Bogoslofski, John Laverack, Greg G. Weaver
-
Patent number: 9440777Abstract: A bicycle wheel anchor for securing differently sized bicycle wheels onto a load carrier is disclosed. A bicycle wheel anchor can include a bicycle wheel receiver configured to accept bicycle wheels of different sizes. The anchor can include an elongate wheel securement strap having a tongue portion which is spaced apart from a tail portion located on an opposite side of an intermediate extension portion of the strap. The tail portion of the strap can comprise a catch to be anchored at different locations on the anchor in a plurality of variously located catch-trap. The anchor can include a first catch-trap positioned a distance away from a second catch-trap, such that a different length of the strap is available for extension about the wheel receiver in a first installed configuration than in a second installed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: THULE SWEDEN ABInventor: Keith L. Prescott
-
Publication number: 20160214544Abstract: A bicycle carrier rack mountable to a vehicle includes a hub having an elongate member with a plurality of teeth disposed on an external surface of the elongate member. An upper mounting member is rotatably coupled to the hub and configured to abut against the vehicle and a lower mounting member is coupled to the hub and configured to abut against the vehicle. A latch having a locked position and an unlocked position is coupled to the upper mounting member. The latch is interferingly fitted against one or more teeth of the elongate member in the locked position and positioned away from the elongate member in the unlocked position, and the upper mounting member is rotatable about the elongate member when the latch is in the unlocked position and fixed about the elongate member when the latch is in the locked position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Keith L. PRESCOTT, John D. FIEGENER, Joseph R. FLAHERTY, Thomas J. Hanson, Timothy J. MAKRIS, Michael TINSTMAN