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: 20230271561
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Keith L. PRESCOTT, Jeffrey R. EDGERLY
  • Patent number: 11584307
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Keith L. Prescott, Jeffrey R. Edgerly
  • Patent number: 11390222
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Keith L. Prescott, Jeffrey R. Edgerly
  • Publication number: 20220219614
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Keith L. PRESCOTT, Jeffrey R. EDGERLY
  • Publication number: 20220024389
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Keith L. PRESCOTT, Jeffrey R. EDGERLY
  • Patent number: 11225200
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Keith L. Prescott, Jeffrey R. Edgerly
  • Patent number: 11155217
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Keith L. Prescott, Jeffrey R. Edgerly
  • Publication number: 20210245673
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Keith L. PRESCOTT, Jeffrey R. EDGERLY
  • Patent number: 10926710
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Keith L. Prescott, John D. Fiegener, Joseph R. Flaherty, Thomas J. Hanson, Timothy J. Makris, Michael Tinstman
  • Publication number: 20200055458
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Keith L. PRESCOTT, John D. FIEGENER, Joseph R. FLAHERTY, Thomas J. HANSON, Timothy J. MAKRIS, Michael TINSTMAN
  • Publication number: 20200023787
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Keith L. PRESCOTT, Jeffrey R. EDGERLY
  • Patent number: 10384620
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Keith L. Prescott, Jeffrey R. Edgerly
  • Patent number: 10252681
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Keith L. Prescott, John D. Fiegener, Joseph R. Flaherty, Thomas J. Hanson, Timothy J. Makris, Michael Tinstman
  • Publication number: 20170320448
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Keith L. Prescott, John D. Fiegener, Joseph R. Flaherty, Thomas J. Hanson, Timothy J. Makris, Michael Tinstman
  • Patent number: 9751470
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Keith L. Prescott, John D. Fiegener, Joseph R. Flaherty, Thomas J. Hanson, Timothy J. Makris, Michael Tinstman
  • Patent number: 9649985
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Keith L. Prescott, John D. Fiegener, Joseph R. Flaherty, Thomas J. Hanson, Timothy J. Makris, Michael Tinstman
  • Patent number: 9649987
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Keith L. Prescott, John D. Fiegener, Joseph R. Flaherty, Thomas J. Hanson, Timothy J. Makris, Michael Tinstman
  • Patent number: 9573429
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Keith L. Prescott, Kevin S. Bogoslofski, John Laverack, Greg G. Weaver
  • Patent number: 9440777
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: THULE SWEDEN AB
    Inventor: Keith L. Prescott
  • Publication number: 20160214544
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Keith L. PRESCOTT, John D. FIEGENER, Joseph R. FLAHERTY, Thomas J. Hanson, Timothy J. MAKRIS, Michael TINSTMAN