Patents by Inventor Richard Jeli

Richard Jeli 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: 9376063
    Abstract: A carrier that mounts to a vehicle. In some embodiments, the carrier may include a pair of arms to support a bicycle. Each arm may include one or more securing devices each including a strap to contact a frame region of a bicycle and a pair of buckles to fasten the strap over the frame region. In some embodiments, the carrier may include a mount for a vehicle hitch. The mount may include a pair of user-actuated coupling members, such as a wedge member and a retractable retainer, each configured to attach the mount to the hitch. One of the coupling members (e.g., the retainer) may serve as a backup for the other coupling member to improve safety. In some embodiments, the carrier may include a mast that is releasable for backward pivotal motion away from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Hein, Richard Jeli, Chris Sautter
  • Publication number: 20140246467
    Abstract: A carrier that mounts to a vehicle. In some embodiments, the carrier may include a pair of arms to support a bicycle. Each arm may include one or more securing devices each including a strap to contact a frame region of a bicycle and a pair of buckles to fasten the strap over the frame region. In some embodiments, the carrier may include a mount for a vehicle hitch. The mount may include a pair of user-actuated coupling members, such as a wedge member and a retractable retainer, each configured to attach the mount to the hitch. One of the coupling members (e.g., the retainer) may serve as a backup for the other coupling member to improve safety. In some embodiments, the carrier may include a mast that is releasable for backward pivotal motion away from the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Yakima Innovation Development Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Hein, Richard Jeli, Chris Sautter
  • Patent number: 8602279
    Abstract: A bicycle rack is configured for mounting to a hitch behind a vehicle. The bike rack may include a mast and a mechanism for locking the mast in an upright position, or alternatively, permitting downward rotation of the mast away from the vehicle for access purposes. The rack includes arms and mounting devices for supporting various tubular components for the bicycle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Yakima Innovation Development Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Andrew Austin, Richard Jeli, Aaron Foley, Steve Rodden
  • Patent number: 8490847
    Abstract: An article carrier configured to be detachably mounted to a trailer hitch of a vehicle is disclosed. The article carrier may include a frame having first and second end portions with the first end portion being pivotably mounted to the base allowing the frame to be selectively pivoted about a first axis between a substantially vertical position in which the frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantially horizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base, the first axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and a carrier assembly connected to the second end portion of the frame and configured to support one or more articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Yakima Innovation Development Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Andrew Austin, Richard Jeli, Aaron Foley, Steve Rodden
  • Publication number: 20130062383
    Abstract: A vehicle-mountable bicycle carrier includes a linkage device for mounting the carrier to a vehicle, a base portion or platform to support both wheels of a bicycle, and an arm assembly connected to the base portion. The arm assembly may include a mast member and a jaw member. The jaw member may have a mounting portion received on the mast member and a hook portion attached to the mounting portion and configured to engage a bicycle frame and/or a top portion of a bicycle wheel. The jaw member may have a released configuration where the jaw member, as a unit, is pivotable about and slidable up and down the mast member while the mounting portion remains on the mast member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Richard Jeli
  • Publication number: 20130020365
    Abstract: An article carrier configured to be detachably mounted to a trailer hitch of a vehicle is disclosed. The article carrier may include a frame having first and second end portions with the first end portion being pivotably mounted to the base allowing the frame to be selectively pivoted about a first axis between a substantially vertical position in which the frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantially horizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base, the first axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and a carrier assembly connected to the second end portion of the frame and configured to support one or more articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Andrew Austin, Richard Jeli, Aaron Foley, Steve Rodden
  • Publication number: 20130022440
    Abstract: A bicycle rack for carrying bicycles behind a vehicle includes a tongue configured for connection to a vehicle hitch. A base portion includes wheel trays for supporting the wheels of a bicycle in cooperation with a slidable hook for contacting the top tube of a bicycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Richard Jeli, Andrew Austin, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder
  • Publication number: 20130020364
    Abstract: A bicycle rack is configured for mounting to a hitch behind a vehicle. The bike rack may include a mast and a mechanism for locking the mast in an upright position, or alternatively, permitting downward rotation of the mast away from the vehicle for access purposes. The rack includes arms and mounting devices for supporting various tubular components for the bicycle frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Andrew Austin, Richard Jeli, Aaron J. Foley, Steve Rodden
  • Publication number: 20130020366
    Abstract: An article carrier configured to be detachably mounted to a trailer hitch of a vehicle is disclosed. The article carrier may include a frame having first and second end portions with the first end portion being pivotably mounted to the base allowing the frame to be selectively pivoted about a first axis between a substantially vertical position in which the frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantially horizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base, the first axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and a carrier assembly connected to the second end portion of the frame and configured to support one or more articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Andrew Austin, Richard Jeli, Aaron Foley, Steve Rodden
  • Publication number: 20120298707
    Abstract: Carriers for a bicycle and methods of mounting a bicycle carrier to a vehicle are disclosed. In some examples, the carriers may include a first frame structure configured to couple to a vehicle and a second frame structure configured to couple to the vehicle. The carriers may additionally include a body disposed between the first and second frame structures. The first frame structure may be mounted to the body and the second frame structure may be slidably received within the body. The carriers may further include a first cable device. The first cable device may include a first cable reel rotatably mounted to the body, and a first cable having a first hook end portion configured to attach to a first portion of the vehicle. The first cable may be configured to be wound around the first cable reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, James Buckroyd, Richard Jeli, Lyle Ramsdale
  • Publication number: 20120261449
    Abstract: A rack for carrying skis and snowboards on top of a vehicle includes a pair of clamp devices equipped for mounting on a pair of crossbars. Each clamp device has a collapsible position which reduces its forward facing profile when not being used to carry cargo items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Jeli, Mike Kemery, Steve Rodden, Peter Jones
  • Publication number: 20120234883
    Abstract: A versatile rack for carrying one or more bicycles on the rear of a vehicle includes two or more frame structures connected and coordinated through a pair of hubs. One of the frame structures has a pair of parallel arms equipped with saddle mounts and stabilizers for supporting and securing one or more bicycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, James Owen, Richard Jeli
  • Patent number: 8235267
    Abstract: A bicycle rack for carrying bicycles behind a vehicle includes a tongue configured for connection to a vehicle hitch. A base portion includes wheel trays for supporting the wheels of a bicycle in cooperation with a slidable hook for contacting the top tube of a bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Richard Jeli, Andrew Austin, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder
  • Patent number: 8235268
    Abstract: A bicycle rack is configured for mounting to a hitch behind a vehicle. The bike rack may include a mast and a mechanism for locking the mast in an upright position, or alternatively, permitting downward rotation of the mast away from the vehicle for access purposes. The rack includes arms and mounting devices for supporting various tubular components for the bicycle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Andrew Austin, Richard Jeli, Aaron Foley, Steve Rodden
  • Patent number: 8210408
    Abstract: An article carrier configured to be detachably mounted to a trailer hitch of a vehicle is disclosed. The article carrier may include a frame having first and second end portions with the first end portion being pivotably mounted to the base allowing the frame to be selectively pivoted about a first axis between a substantially vertical position in which the frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantially horizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base, the first axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and a carrier assembly connected to the second end portion of the frame and configured to support one or more articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Andrew Austin, Richard Jeli, Aaron Foley, Steve Rodden
  • Publication number: 20120125964
    Abstract: A compact carrier apparatus includes one or more bicycle carriers. Each carrier includes wheel support sections configured to engage front and rear bicycle wheels, and a stabilizing arm with a gripping member configured to grip one of the wheels. A wheel support section includes a wheel engagement member disposed on an outer edge of the carrier support structure and oriented so that an engaged wheel projects beyond the outer edge. A bracing arm may selectively extend in a cantilevered fashion relative to the support structure to provide an additional load-bearing support point for such a wheel. The stabilizing arm may be mounted to the support structure at a location rearward of a wheel engagement member, and pivotable to a carrying position to grip the wheel. The path of the stabilizing arm, in the carrying position, traverses the center of the wheel and avoids passing over the fork or the brakes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Richard Jeli, Andrew Austin, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder
  • Patent number: 8136709
    Abstract: A rack for carrying skis and snowboards on top of a vehicle includes a pair of clamp devices equipped for mounting on a pair of crossbars. Each clamp device has a collapsible position which reduces its forward facing profile when not being used to carry cargo items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Jeli, Mike Kemery, Steve Rodden, Peter Jones
  • Patent number: 8113398
    Abstract: A compact carrier apparatus includes one or more bicycle carriers. Each carrier includes wheel support sections configured to engage front and rear bicycle wheels, and a stabilizing arm with a gripping member configured to grip one of the wheels. A wheel support section includes a wheel engagement member disposed on an outer edge of the carrier support structure and oriented so that an engaged wheel projects beyond the outer edge. A bracing arm may selectively extend in a cantilevered fashion relative to the support structure to provide an additional load-bearing support point for such a wheel. The stabilizing arm may be mounted to the support structure at a location rearward of a wheel engagement member, and pivotable to a carrying position to grip the wheel. The path of the stabilizing arm, in the carrying position, traverses the center of the wheel and avoids passing over the fork or the brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Richard Jeli, Andrew Austin, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder
  • Patent number: D656455
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, James S. Owen, Richard Jeli
  • Patent number: D663675
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, James S. Owen, Richard Jeli