Patents by Inventor William E. Fortune

William E. Fortune 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: 8225679
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a load carrier foot (1) and a torque indicator device (25, 34, 44, 532, 74) for use with various sports equipment accessory devices, preferably a load carrier foot, the torque indicator providing a signal alerting an operator that a desired torque has been reached, thereby avoiding over-tightening or under-tightening of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Joseph R. Flaherty, William E. Fortune, Jr., Keith Prescott, Joakim Persson, Eric Anders Gustavsson
  • Publication number: 20110068137
    Abstract: A kayak carrier for a vehicle that can be adjusted infinitely for supporting a wide range of kayaks of various sizes is disclosed herein. The kayak carrier can include four supports, two for the front and two for the rear of a vehicle. The supports can be comprised of foam and have through holes to accept a guide to couple the supports together, thereby forming saddles which can rest on the rear and the front of a vehicle. The kayak carrier can be secured to the vehicle via straps. A kayak can be secured to the kayak carrier via straps or netting. The rear supports can further include a relatively low-friction surface, compared to the front supports, to facilitate sliding to ease kayak installation. The front supports can include a relatively high-friction surface, compared to the rear supports, to prevent slippage. Additionally, the bottom surfaces of the supports can include a similar relatively high-friction surface to prevent the supports from sliding on the roof of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Frederick G. Murray, William E. Fortune
  • Publication number: 20100192704
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a load carrier foot (1) and a torque indicator device (25, 34, 44, 532, 74) for use with various sports equipment accessory devices, preferably a load carrier foot, the torque indicator providing a signal alerting an operator that a desired torque has been reached, thereby avoiding over-tightening or under-tightening of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: THULE SWEDEN AB
    Inventors: Joseph R. Flaherty, William E. Fortune, JR., Keith Prescott