Patents by Inventor Mark David Hayes
Mark David Hayes 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).
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Patent number: 10399500Abstract: The invention relates to an actuatable compact vehicle step with first and second step portions that bifurcate from a single axis when moving from nested to extended positions to provide two or more tiered steps, the second step in a position substantially below the first step when deployed. In various embodiments, step portions travel on curved tracks from the nested position to allow them to be both well-concealed when nested and optimally extended when deployed.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Rock-Slide Engineering, LLCInventor: Mark David Hayes
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Publication number: 20190126834Abstract: The invention relates to an actuatable compact vehicle step with first and second step portions that bifurcate from a single axis when moving from nested to extended positions to provide two or more tiered steps, the second step in a position substantially below the first step when deployed. In various embodiments, step portions travel on curved tracks from the nested position to allow them to be both well-concealed when nested and optimally extended when deployed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Applicant: Rock-Slide Engineering, LLCInventor: Mark David Hayes
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Patent number: 10059268Abstract: A drive system for an automatic step including an actuator for moving an automatic step, a crank arm pivotally coupled to the actuator and pivotable about a central shaft, and a first link pivotally coupled to the crank arm, the first link having first and second ends. The linkage comprises one or more force mitigation mechanisms capable of reducing forces eccentric to the actuator. A first force mitigation mechanism engages when the step is deployed or nearly deployed by aligning the central shaft with the first and second ends of the first link along a first axis to generally place eccentric forces originating from the step against the central shaft of the crank arm instead of directly engaging the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2017Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: CURT MANUFACTURING, LLCInventors: Mark David Hayes, Justin Sampson, Dave Luman
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Publication number: 20180009385Abstract: This invention relates to a drive system for an automatic step. Some embodiments include a rotary actuator for moving an automatic step, a crank arm pivotally coupled to the actuator and pivotable about a central shaft, and a first link pivotally coupled to the crank arm, the first link having first and second ends. The system has one or more force mitigation mechanisms capable of reducing forces eccentric with respect to the actuator. A first force mitigation mechanism engages when the step is deployed or nearly deployed by aligning the central shaft with the first and second ends of the first link along a first axis to generally place eccentric forces originating from the step against the central shaft of the crank arm instead of directly engaging the actuator. A second force mitigation mechanism allows the crank arm to yield without forcing the actuator by using a clutch adjacent to the central shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Applicant: Rock-Slide Engineering, LLCInventors: Mark David Hayes, Justin Sampson, Dave Luman
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Patent number: 9771024Abstract: Rocker guards with automatic step are disclosed that provide robust protection from damage due to rock obstacles to rocker panels and also provide an automatic step to facilitate easy entry and exit from a lifted vehicle. Some embodiments of a rocker guard with automatic step for a vehicle (rocker) can include a body formed to protect rocker panels of a vehicle without damaging the rocker or a step located within the body when the step is in a retracted position, mounts attached to the body for attaching to a vehicle, and an actuator coupled to the step and the body, the actuator being configured to automatically lower the step out of the body to an extended position and retract the step to the retracted position. One embodiment of the invention has a body with an interior volume operable to receive a cartridge with an actuator for moving the automatic step and one or more support legs for extending the automatic step away from the body when the automatic step is coupled to the one or more support legs.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2016Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Rock-Slide Engineering, LLCInventors: Mark David Hayes, Justin Sampson, Dave Luman
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Publication number: 20160288718Abstract: Rocker guards with automatic step are disclosed that provide robust protection from damage due to rock obstacles to rocker panels and also provide an automatic step to facilitate easy entry and exit from a lifted vehicle. Some embodiments of a rocker guard with automatic step for a vehicle (rocker) can include a body formed to protect rocker panels of a vehicle without damaging the rocker or a step located within the body when the step is in a retracted position, mounts attached to the body for attaching to a vehicle, and an actuator coupled to the step and the body, the actuator being configured to automatically lower the step out of the body to an extended position and retract the step to the retracted position. One embodiment of the invention has a body with an interior volume operable to receive a cartridge with an actuator for moving the automatic step and one or more support legs for extending the automatic step away from the body when the automatic step is coupled to the one or more support legs.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: Mark David Hayes, Justin Sampson, Dave Luman
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Patent number: 8833781Abstract: Rocker guards with automatic step are disclosed that provide robust protection from damage due to rock obstacles to rocker panels and also provide an automatic step to facilitate easy entry and exit from a lifted vehicle. Some embodiments of a rocker guard with automatic step for a vehicle (rocker) can include a body formed to protect rocker panels of a vehicle without damaging the rocker or a step located within the body when the step is in a retracted position, mounts attached to the body for attaching to a vehicle, and an actuator coupled to the step and the body, the actuator being configured to automatically lower the step out of the body to an extended position and retract the step to the retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2010Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Rock-Slide Engineering LLCInventor: Mark David Hayes
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Publication number: 20120104719Abstract: Rocker guards with automatic step are disclosed that provide robust protection from damage due to rock obstacles to rocker panels and also provide an automatic step to facilitate easy entry and exit from a lifted vehicle. Some embodiments of a rocker guard with automatic step for a vehicle (rocker) can include a body formed to protect rocker panels of a vehicle without damaging the rocker or a step located within the body when the step is in a retracted position, mounts attached to the body for attaching to a vehicle, and an actuator coupled to the step and the body, the actuator being configured to automatically lower the step out of the body to an extended position and retract the step to the retracted position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Inventor: Mark David Hayes
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Patent number: D718195Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2014Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Rock-Slide Engineering LLCInventor: Mark David Hayes
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Patent number: D751953Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Rock-Slide Engineering, LLCInventors: Mark David Hayes, Justin Sampson