Patents by Inventor Lester E. Carpenter

Lester E. Carpenter 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: 5181590
    Abstract: A frame for luggage includes a plywood floor, a channel-shaped main frame attached to the ends of the floor and projecting therefrom, a pair of A-frame brackets capturing the ends of the floor at their bases and being attached at their apexes to the main frame, a pair of major wheels rotatably mounted on transverse axles fixed to the floor centered longitudinally between the ends of the floor, and a caster wheel mounted to said floor at the each end thereof. The luggage frame is strong, yet lightweight and is supported primarily on the major wheels which being on fixed axles maintain the luggage frame tracking in the direction in which it is pulled while the castered wheels provide low friction ground support for the ends of the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: American Tourister, Inc.
    Inventors: Lester E. Carpenter, Wayne I. Schmitt, Laurence Snell, David Bieber, Donald W. Stucke, Jeremy S. Waltzer
  • Patent number: 5060492
    Abstract: A luggage latch secures a lid to a box. A hasp is mounted on the lid. A bolt and slide are mounted on the box with the bolt being resiliently mounted on the slide. When the lid is closed on the box, the bolt will resiliently snap into position to hold the lid on the box. The latch mechanism is recessed into the luggage so that its external surface is flush with the surface of the luggage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: American Tourister, Inc.
    Inventors: Lester E. Carpenter, John V. Pulichino, Jr., David Bieber
  • Patent number: 5048649
    Abstract: Luggage has a generally rectangular container. A vertical sheath is fixed to the inside of the container along an end wall. A rigid handle is slidably mounted in the sheath and when extended is pivotable to a forwardly-inclined attitude for pulling the luggage. A spring attached to the lower end of the handle returns the handle to a vertical position when it is released. Major wheels are mounted on the luggage by fixed transverse axles adjacent the bottom wall and centered between the forward and rearward end walls. A castered wheel is mounted on the bottom wall adjacent each end wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: American Tourister, Inc.
    Inventors: Lester E. Carpenter, Wayne I. Schmitt, Laurence Snell, David Bieber
  • Patent number: 4976340
    Abstract: An attache case has a generally rectangular container and a lid hinged to the container. An accordion type file folder is attached to the lid. A U-shaped spring attached to the lid adjacent its hinge to the container normally urges the file folder to a closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: American Tourister, Inc.
    Inventors: David Bieber, Lester E. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 4854432
    Abstract: A suitcase is a hollow box having a hollow lid hinged thereto. A divider is stretched across the lid and removably secured to the lid on one side with Velcro fasteners and hooks and rings on the other side. The divider has multiple pockets on each side for clothing articles and accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: American Tourister, Inc.
    Inventors: Lester E. Carpenter, Charles E. Waddell, Jr.
  • Patent number: D280680
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: American Tourister, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey Bomes, John Pulichino, Lester E. Carpenter, John A. Wickman