Slidably Guided Patents (Class 296/26.05)
  • Patent number: 11981246
    Abstract: A lift system for a roof of a camper trailer, including a plurality of actuator assemblies, each actuator assembly for operative engagement with a respective roof support that extends/retracts to raise/lower the roof; at least one control unit for controlling the actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: JACKA INDUSTRIES PTY LTD
    Inventors: Stuart Badman, Malcolm Badman
  • Patent number: 11618369
    Abstract: At least one and, preferably, a pair of generally parallel side wall assemblies for use in a pick-up truck bed are provided. Each of the assemblies includes a vertically extending side wall having an upper surface and a set of linearly spaced pockets extending from the upper surface and into the side wall. Each of the pockets receives and retains a stake in a stowed position within the side wall wherein the bed has a first storage capacity. Each of the pockets allows its stake to move therein to an extended position above the upper surface wherein the bed has a second storage capacity greater than the first storage capacity in the extended positions of the stakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: JVIS-USA, LLC
    Inventor: Shawn P. Murray
  • Patent number: 11572006
    Abstract: A vehicle slide-up to increase interior space within a vehicle, the vehicle slide-up comprising: a vehicle roof with an aperture; a lift-up roof that covers the aperture; a support portion for raising and lowering the lift-up roof, the support portion comprising: an upper pair of rails and a lower pair of rails; a plurality of support mechanisms; and at least one lift mechanism; a plurality of slide-up walls, wherein a top portion of the plurality of slide-up walls is attached to an underside of the lift-up roof and a bottom portion of the plurality of slide-up walls is attached to a rim of the aperture; wherein the support portion is positioned outside of the plurality of slide-up walls. Wherein the lift-up roof is comprise of a first layer, a second layer, and a core; wherein the core is sandwiched between the first and second layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Inventors: Peter J. Tezza, II, Michael Brian Pohmisano
  • Patent number: 11440481
    Abstract: A truck box and side panel lift apparatus for a pickup truck of a type having cab and bed portions includes a toolbox that extends between the side walls of the truck bed. The apparatus includes a pair of bed side panels that are situated inside the side walls of the truck. A pair of support members are slidably coupled to front ends of bed side panels and are slidably movable between retracted configurations displaced away from the toolbox and deployed configurations positioned underneath the lateral ends of the toolbox, respectively. The apparatus includes lift assemblies coupled to the bed side panels for raising or retracting the bed side panels. The toolbox is raised simultaneously with the bed side panels but only if the support members are deployed under ends of the toolbox at the time the side panels are raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: Prentice C. Cooper
  • Patent number: 11383647
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-propelled earth working machine (10) comprising a machine frame (14), a traveling gear (16) supporting the machine frame (14), a working apparatus (30), which is designed for working a subsoil, a driving force machine (46) for providing driving force for the earth working machine (10), an operator platform (28) situated on the machine frame (14) at an elevation level above the contact subsurface (U), and a climbing device (48) situated between the contact subsurface (U) and the operator platform (28), which has a plurality of step treads (54, 56, 58, 60), which are situated in succession along a virtual climbing axis (SA), the climbing device (48) being variable in length along the climbing axis (SA) and for this purpose at least one of the step treads (54, 56, 58, 60) being adjustable relative to at least one other of the step treads (54, 56, 58, 60) with the aid of an adjustment actuator (76).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventors: Tobias Stinner, Christian Berning, Philipp Prassel
  • Patent number: 10618392
    Abstract: A construction machine is provided that has an operating platform, an access for entering the operating platform, a roof and an access control. The roof is disposed on a height-adjustable rack structure that can be actuated manually or by means of a drive in order to set the roof from an upper operating position to a lower transport position and vice versa. In this process, the access protection is moved from a storage position to a functional position in which the access to the operating platform is blocked by the access control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: JOESPH VOEGELE AG
    Inventor: Martin Buschmann
  • Patent number: 10081442
    Abstract: The invention provides a multiple decked cargo container, suitable for use inter alia in aircraft catering operations. The container comprises a floating deck and vertically moveable roof, to allow for an increased load carrying capacity via two vertically stacked storage areas, whilst meeting height restrictions and providing sufficient headroom for ground crew to access the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: DEUTSCHE POST AG
    Inventors: Martin Bryce, Paul Richardson, Kyle Robertson, Mark Defanis
  • Patent number: 9266413
    Abstract: An opening and/or closing device for a movable, flexurally rigid and at least regionally transparent wall element of a motor vehicle is provided. The device includes at least one supporting arm and at least one supporting body. The supporting arm and the supporting body encompass a first end that faces the wall element and is pivoted to the wall element, and encompass a second end that faces away from the wall element and is pivoted to a vehicle structure. By turning the supporting arm and the supporting body, the wall element is moved from an open functional position, in which a vehicle interior is accessible from outside for entry and/or egress and in which the wall element is situated in a frontal area of the motor vehicle, into a closed functional position, in which the vehicle interior is sealed to the outside by the wall element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Friedhelm Engler, Clarence Kim, Richard Shaw
  • Patent number: 8978806
    Abstract: A telescopic frame is disclosed, which is applicable to a foldable bicycle or foldable electric vehicle, and includes a front frame, a rear frame and a telescopic device. First guide rails are symmetrically disposed on two sides of the front frame, second guide rails are symmetrically disposed on two sides of the rear frame, and the first guide rails and the second guide rails are fitted together and slidably connected. The telescopic device is fixed on the rear frame, and an output end of the telescopic device is fixed on the front frame to drive the front frame to be unfolded or folded relative to the rear frame. The telescopic frame is simple in structure and capable of being automatically folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Dongguan Prestige Sporting Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhao Zhang
  • Patent number: 8857880
    Abstract: A modular ramp and cargo box extension assembly is provided for use in connection with a pickup truck cargo box. The ramp assembly has a ramp connector assembly provided on the vehicle tailgate and ramps having a connector for connecting to the ramp connector to serve as loading ramps. The ramp connector has a pivoting clevis bracket and tangs that connects into a channel on the tailgate. Vertical tracks are provided proximate walls of the cargo box and rails are provided in the tracks to retain the ramps and move between retracted and extended positions so as to extend the height of the cargo box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Nicholas Kalergis, Daniel P. Cousino, Frank Victor Bonello
  • Patent number: 8776778
    Abstract: A tailgate barbeque grill for use in the bed of a pickup truck. The grill slides along rails and is stored in the front portion thereof for transport and is positioned in the rear portion and lowered for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Mario Brown
  • Patent number: 8678461
    Abstract: A storage apparatus for a vehicle may include a rear back beam installed to be drawn out from a rear bumper while sliding to a rear side of the vehicle, and a pair of left and right storage boxes installed to be seated on the rear back beam and extending while sliding in a traverse direction of the vehicle when the rear back beam may be drawn out to the rear side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Dong Eun Cha, Seung Mok Lee, Hun Soo Kim, Hoo Taek Cho, Jeong Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 8651547
    Abstract: A system for reducing the air resistance of a truck, particularly an articulated vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a cargo space that is limited downward by a loading floor and in the height thereof by a roof wall spaced apart therefrom. The aim is to provide a system that minimizes the face area of the truck and thus the fuel consumption in dependence on the actual cargo space used. According to one embodiment, the roof wall is height-adjustable opposite the loading floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH
    Inventor: José Manuel Algüera Gallego
  • Patent number: 8608219
    Abstract: A vehicle tailgate is provided with a rack having a transverse cross-member extendable vertically between raised and lowered positions with telescoping supports. A powered cable-drive is connected to the supports move the cross-member between the raised and lowered positions. When the rack is in the lowered position, the cable-drive and supports are concealed within the tailgate and the cross-member forms at least a portion of a top surface of the tailgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gordon M Platto, David Michael Lechkun, Paul Geoffrey Roberts, Terry Lee Steller, William K. Moore
  • Patent number: 8484908
    Abstract: A mobile multi-functional shelter unit, for use as a general working area or for storing and maintaining heavy machinery. The mobile multi-functional shelter unit includes a central structure that has a deployed state and a non-deployed state as well as means for translating from the deployed state to the non-deployed state. The central structure has a base section, a central floor mounted on top of the base section, track means for raising a vehicle from a ground surface onto and off of the central floor. The central structure supports a raisable roof assembly and a lateral pullout assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: One 4 Haul Trans4mer Ltd.
    Inventor: Alcide Hache
  • Publication number: 20130049398
    Abstract: Provided is a camping trailer including an upper frame body, a lower frame body, and a roof frame body all of which are configured to have an identical structure, in which all the upper, lower, and roof frame bodies are extended to be spread or folded to be reduced by an effector body. Accordingly, the camping trailer is not only transported conveniently with a minimized volume thereof during transportation or carriage by reducing the lower, upper, and roof frame bodies thereof to thus enhance improvement of mobility, but also secures a living space with a maximized volume thereof by extending the reduced lower, upper, and roof frame bodies thereof during use, in all directions to thus enhance improvement of space usability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: Sung Hyun PARK
  • Patent number: 8376437
    Abstract: The present truck bed cap consists of an internal frame having a first shelf, a second shelf and a top, wherein the internal frame is connected to corner supports attached to the bed of the truck. In a first motion the top shifts vertically with respect to the internal frame. In a second motion the internal frame shifts vertically with respect to the corner supports and the bed of the truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventor: David Edens
  • Publication number: 20130009420
    Abstract: An armored vehicle has a bottom section which is located on the bottom of the vehicle, at least one armored side section which is located on the side of the vehicle and an armored roof plane which is located on a roof section of the vehicle. In the region of the roof section there is at least one observation position which can be moved in translation by at least one mechanism attached to a carrier, and the observation position is made in one piece and the observation position is made of a transparent material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: Klaus ACKERMANN
  • Patent number: 7959200
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an adjustable lift assembly for a flatbed vehicle such as a pickup truck. The adjustable lift assembly includes an extendible vertical member located at each corner of a vehicle flatbed. A frame is attached to an upper portion of each extendible vertical member. The frame rises and lowers with extension and retraction of the extendible vertical support members. Each extendible vertical member is placed through a respective support collar. The support collars support and maintain the extendible vertical members parallel to each other when the vehicle moves. The present adjustable lift assembly is lightweight and provides stable elevated support for a flatbed vehicle with little or no impediment to the storage area of the vehicle flatbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Trevor Voglmayr
  • Publication number: 20100320791
    Abstract: A guide unit is provided for a height-adjustable cargo floor of a motor vehicle with a retaining part, to which a cargo floor can be fixed, and with a guide, along which the retaining part can be displaced from a lower position into an upper position. In addition, a spring element is provided for prestressing the retaining part into the topmost position. A motor vehicle is also provided with a height-adjustable cargo floor and at least one guide unit of the above-described type that is rigidly fixed to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Fischer, Karsten Mau, Uwe Semmelmann
  • Patent number: 7815015
    Abstract: A towable elevatable stand includes a platform that is always elevated above a trailer bed to at least a minimum elevation, but can be easily raised to selected elevations up to almost double the minimum elevation. This allows for carrying ATV, supplies, etc. on the trailer bed under the platform. Telescoping corner posts with latch pins for securing the platform at selected elevations can be combined with a simple winch, pulleys and cables for raising/lowering the platform. Commercially available parts, light weight materials, and a simple elevating apparatus produce a light weight, cost effective stand that is easy to use, tow and maintain, and which minimizes wind resistance. The platform is perforated for drainage and light weight, and the blind is a pop-up tent that is stowed for towing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: James P. Kerns
  • Patent number: 7758103
    Abstract: A hydraulic lift for mobile living quarters having a liftable top. A fluid pressure source communicates fluid through fluid lines connected to a plurality of lifting members that extend upon receipt of fluid and retract upon discharging fluid. The rate at which fluid is discharged from the lifting members is a function of how much weight each lifting member bears. Each of the fluid lines has a flow control valve between the pressure source and each lifting member. Fluid is communicated through the flow control valve to the lifting member connected to the pressure source the fluid is also communicated through the flow control valve when fluid is discharged from the lifting member. The flow control valve limits the flow rate of the fluid to a constant predetermined rate when the fluid is discharged from the lifting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventors: Mathew Steury, Edwin Steury
  • Publication number: 20100116577
    Abstract: An enhanced mobility device is disclosed. The device has an enclosure defining an interior and an exterior and having a floor defining an opening therein. At least one access opening allows passage between the exterior and interior. A plurality of clamps attach to the interior of the enclosure. The access opening is sized to allow passage of a personal mobility device from the exterior to the interior where the mobility device may be secured to the enclosure for transport by the plurality of clamps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Dick Bixler, Nancy Cudney
  • Patent number: 7665768
    Abstract: The invention concerns a road trailer whose frame consists of profiles having a fin to support the floor and grooves on their upper and lower faces able to retain in rotation bolt heads and the lower edges of sidewalls (10). The side members and cross bars are joined by corner pieces which have a vertical orifice to receive the lower end of a post (9) comprising orthogonal grooves housing the side edges of the sidewalls (10). The corner pieces (30) have two perpendicular arms respectively fitted into the adjacent ends of profiles forming the frame. Mounting of the elements requires little tooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: SMART Transport Solutions
    Inventor: Bernard Duval
  • Patent number: 7464977
    Abstract: An elevating cargo support assembly configured to extend across and between a top portion of the two opposite sidewalls of the bed on a pickup truck comprising: i) a central cargo support member having a track extending along its lower side portion between its opposite end portions; ii) two slides positioned within, and carried by the track; iii) two pivoting arms, each having an inner end portion hingably and slidably attached to a different one of the slides in the track extending along the cargo support member, and each having an outer end portion hingably carried by the top portion of one of the sides of the bed on the pickup truck; and, iv) releasable slide lock to releasably lock each of the slides and a corresponding one of the pivoting arms in an opposite end portion of the central cargo support member to thereby maintain the central cargo support member in an elevated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: Brent A. Price
  • Patent number: 7360814
    Abstract: An interior space expansion system for use with a structure needing collapsible and/or expandable space, including: a base structure having an aperture therethrough; a movable structure disposed within a central region of the base structure when in a sunken position and substantially exterior the base structure when in an elevated position; and a lifting system coupled to the base structure and the movable structure. The base structure is a trailer or recreational vehicle. The movable structure includes a cab a carriage and a footing. The lifting system couples to the footing and transitions the movable structure between the sunken and elevated positions. The lifting system is not substantially disposed within the central region of the base structure when the movable structure is in the elevated position. There is a cap member for covering the aperture when the movable structure is in the sunken position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventors: Leo L. Castagno, Melvin Price, James L. Spillman, Bradley M. Price, Robert L. Bonner
  • Patent number: 7261354
    Abstract: A retractable and extensible trailer comprising: a base assembly; a moveable top assembly moveably attached to the base assembly and configured to be infinitely adjustable between a lowered position and an upper position; a trailer substructure in communication with the base assembly; a base front and/or rear folding door located at the front and/or rear of the base assembly and in rotative communication with the trailer substructure. The base front and/or rear folding door comprises: an upper ramp in rotative communication with the trailer substructure; at least one locking plate in fixed communication with the upper ramp; at least one connector plate in rotative communication with the at least one locking plate; and a lower ramp in fixed communication with the at least one connector plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventor: Steven P. Lozano
  • Patent number: 7246843
    Abstract: An extendable and retractable support system for raising and lowering structures, including covers or tops of mobile and immobile dwellings which includes a plurality of telescopic assemblies. The telescopic assemblies include at least two tube members that are provided with enclosed sides and a centrally located internal channel structure that is parallel to and proximal to a center of the tube members, though which internal channel structures one of a plurality of spring elements extends. A mechanism extends and retracts the spring elements thereby causing the telescopic assemblies to extend and retract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Lambright
  • Patent number: 7240938
    Abstract: The present invention provides a slide-out mechanism that adjusts the elevation of a slide-out room relative to the main body of a vehicle. In one preferred embodiment, the slide-out mechanisms includes an acme screw elevator on a telescoping support arm below the slide-out room. As the slide-out room extends or retracts, the acme screw elevator increases or decreases the height of the slide-out room so as to allow full retraction within the vehicle body and complete level extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: RBW Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond W. Blodgett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7234759
    Abstract: A multi-story house trailer includes a frame, a plurality of wheels supporting said frame and a multi-story structure disposed on said frame and including a first and a top floor together with a storage floor and wherein the first and top floors have reduced ceiling height of about 100 to 120 cm and the storage floor has a height of about 40 cm. An upper deck is also provided and is accessible from the interior of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventor: Amnah Alohali
  • Patent number: 7014238
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a unit utilized in the practice of outdoor sports, specifically, but not solely, for stalking and legally hunting animals. Specifically it refers to an automatically and reversibly transformable trailer-to-raised lookout platform from which the animals may be observed for the purpose of filming them, photographing them or hunting them. It is characterized by consisting of a cube-shaped structure with at least one set of wheels and a hitch for connecting it to a towing vehicle, with a roof made up of a platform and an awning which may be raised and lowered by means of telescoping arms located in each corner and activated by an elevation system which raises the platform above the trailer thus forming the floor of an observation and lookout cabin, as well as the awning which at the same time is raised above the platform making between the awning and the platform means for covering the side opening of the cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Jaime Humberto Gutierrez Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 6921120
    Abstract: The load carrying capability of a bed of a truck or the back of an SUV is increased by length and weight of the load by including a platform that is movable to the height of the wheel well so that a load that measures say, 4?×8? fits above the wheel well so that the limited space between wheel wells do not impair the load and the wheel wells absorb part of the load. In one embodiment a camming arrangement with a guide rail cam and roller followers attached to the platform place the platform in sliding relationship and raises the platform as it slides rearwardly. In another embodiment a foldable linkage is utilized to raise the platform. Jack can be employed to raise the platform and a brake is added prevent the platform from moving backwards once deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Inventor: David R. Ervin
  • Patent number: 6895886
    Abstract: A skirt for a boat hoist is provided to enclose a boat on the hoist. The skirt includes a plurality of panels adapted to be hung from the canopy frame of the hoist. One of the panels is a door panel which can be raised and lowered to provide access to the boat. Another panel is a rear panel extending across the rear end of the hoist and being moveable between raised and lowered positions to allow entry and exit of the boat to and from hoist. The door and rear panels are moveable independently of the side and front panels. The panels are weighted and may have wind vents to prevent blowing the panels in the wind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventors: Richard F. Pawlowski, Todd R. Pawlowski
  • Patent number: 6896313
    Abstract: A convertible cargo bed cover can function as both a tonneau cover and a cargo bed cap. The cover is raised by motorized elements to be substantially aligned with a roof of a passenger cabin of the vehicle. Side and rear window panels stored inside the cover can be installed to transform the cover to a cap to enlarge available enclosed cargo space. Rear pillars are installed at the rear corners of the tonneau cover in its raised position to complete the installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth S Mack, Thomas S Moore, Russell C Fielding
  • Patent number: 6820915
    Abstract: A convertible cargo bed cover can function as both a tonneau cover and a cargo bed cap. The cover is raised by motorized elements to be substantially aligned with a roof of a passenger cabin of the vehicle. Side and rear window panels stored inside the cover can be installed to transform the cover to a cap to enlarge available enclosed cargo space. Rear pillars are installed at the rear corners of the tonneau cover in its raised position to complete the installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth S Mack, Thomas S Moore, Russell C Fielding
  • Patent number: 6761387
    Abstract: A lift assembly that can be reversibly installed in the bed of a pick-up truck or other flat bed transport means. At least four telescoping support legs are disposed at the four corners of the truck bed and support the upper rails on which the load is placed. The support legs are made up of a series of nested threaded segments driven by a similarly threaded drive shaft. A reversible motor associated with each support leg enables the segments to rotate in a forward direction to raise the load and to rotate in the reverse direction to lower the load. The motors are activated simultaneously and powered by the truck battery. The raising and lowering motion is smooth and continuous and can be stopped at any desired height. The lift assembly enables the height of the load to be easily changed by one person without any disturbance or shifting of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Inventor: Glenn Sloss
  • Patent number: 6698810
    Abstract: The subject of the current invention is an eight-functions-in-one truck tailgate extender. It consists of a load-carrying member positioned parallel to and proximate the upper edge of a truck tailgate with one or more telescoping assemblies connecting the load-carrying member to either the tailgate or to the truck body. Depending on the degree of extension of the telescoping assemblies, the load-carrying member may be resting on or near the top of the tailgate, or it may be extended at various lengths up to the full extension of the telescoping assemblies. A locking mechanism between the individual elements of the telescoping assemblies allows the load-carrying member to be affixed at varying distances away from the top of the tailgate. Further, the load-carrying member has a plurality of holes, or other suitable means along its length, to serve as tie-down points for various width loads. The load-carrying member can also be fitted with one or more horizontal, elongate members which serve as a bicycle rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: David A. M. Lane
  • Patent number: 6663160
    Abstract: A cargo bed cover is provided for enclosing the cargo bed of a vehicle. A generally planar outer frame is mounted to the cargo bed, and two generally planar inner frames are connected with hinges to the outer frame for pivoting relative to the outer frame. The inner frames are moveable between a position with the inner frame generally parallel to the outer frame and a position with the inner frame at an angle relative to the outer frame. A generally planar cover panel is connected with a hinge to each inner frame for pivoting relative to the inner frame between a position with the cover panel is generally parallel to the inner frame and a position with the cover panel is at an angle relative to the inner frame. Each cover panel is slidingly connected to the inner frame for sliding relative to the inner frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventors: Randy D. Yarbrough, Charles W. Kemp
  • Patent number: 6662983
    Abstract: A multi-configuration, multi-purpose rack system which has at least 20 separate and useful configurations for carrying a very wide variety of objects on a vehicle. The rack system is economical to manufacture, easy to use, and may be disassembled into its component parts, stored in it's own folding platform and conveniently carried in the cargo area of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventors: David A. M. Lane, John R. Lean
  • Patent number: 6601896
    Abstract: An operating mechanism for use in a vehicle having a bedroom slide out, the bedroom slide out having a platform which is movable laterally relative to a vehicle having a stationary floor. The operating mechanism laterally moves the movable room section relative to the stationary room section between a retracted position and an extended position, and has a height adjustable frame. The frame includes overlapping side members which are slidably moveable relative to each other and fastenable at two or more discrete heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy L. Nye, Robert H. Schneider
  • Patent number: 6527336
    Abstract: A utility trailer includes a base frame with wheels attached and a cap. The cap is moveable between a first position in which the bottom of the cap is in sealing engagement with the base frame, and a second position vertically displaced from the first position. In the first position, the cap forms a sealed enclosure for protecting contents loaded onto the base frame. In the second position, the cap is raised to facilitate loading and unloading of the contents as well as to permit access to loaded contents from substantially any location around the perimeter of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventors: Mark S. Hernandez, Ira Jaffe
  • Patent number: 6526702
    Abstract: A plurality of wheeled cabinets, including single-sided cabinets (20) and double-sided cabinets (21), is movably mounted upon fixed rail assemblies (90) and (90A). Each cabinet is fitted with an extendable privacy partition (80), an automatically deployed safety-spacer assembly (110), and is capable of accepting both factory-finished and custom-fabricated furniture and fixture infill packages (24) that provide the activity spaces (23) created in between the cabinets with all of the appurtenances necessary to particularize these spaces into functionally specific rooms. A continuous conductor rail (100) supplies power, telephone, and data to the residential program deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Wesley C. Jones
  • Patent number: 6517134
    Abstract: A vehicle utility rack system includes a pair of single support racks for providing an elevated hauling and working station. Each single support rack includes a T-shaped support structure having a lower vertical member and upper horizontal member, and angular-shaped retention structures disposed adjacent to and connected with opposite lateral end portions of the upper horizontal member so as to extend in an upward direction relative thereto and define opposite outer limits of a horizontal support region on the upper horizontal member. The rack system also includes a dual support rack structure having a single support rack, an auxiliary support rack, and a brace member supporting the auxiliary support rack in a cantilevered fashion from the single support rack and disposing them in spaced apart upright orientations to provide the elevated hauling and working station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Tommy M. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 6474027
    Abstract: A mobile aircraft hangar designed to provide a temporary enclosed working environment for workers performing aircraft maintenance, evaluation and support. The hangar includes a mobile housing assembly designed to enclose a section of the wing or fuselage of an aircraft. The housing assembly is assembled over a chassis with four wheels and steering mechanism that enables the housing assembly to be easily driven around an aircraft. The housing assembly includes one end wall and two vertical side walls, forming a three-sided enclosing structure. Formed on the housing assembly opposite the end wall is a main opening through which a section of the fuselage or wing may extend. The housing assembly also includes moveable floor panels that can be arranged in different configurations for working on different sections of the aircraft. Optional lift actuators are provided which enable the housing assembly to be raised or lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: Michael S. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6467830
    Abstract: A self-contained toolbox adapted for use in the bed of a truck. The toolbox covering at least a major portion of the bed of the truck. The toolbox including an external box and an internal box having an interior opening. The internal box fitting within the external box and being movable from a first position where the external box covers at least some of the access to the interior opening of the internal box, and a second position, above the external box, where the external box does not inhibit access to the interior opening of the internal box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventor: Richard J. Cortright
  • Patent number: 6447038
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of trailers and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a boat trailer which incorporates a cover for the trailer to enclose a stored boat upon the trailer. The cover is selectively raised by a winch mechanism to facilitate the loading and off loading of the boat from the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventors: Grady L. Davis, Diane J. Davis
  • Patent number: 6443516
    Abstract: A cableless extendable and retractable support system for raising and lower a structure that includes a base, a structure to be raised and lowered relative to the base, a plurality of telescopic assemblies coupled between the base and structure to be raised and lowered, a plurality of spring elements having ends that are coupled between the plurality of telescopic assemblies and a lift tube assembly, the lift tube assembly including a mechanism which, when activated, selectively extends or retracts each of the plurality of spring elements therefrom and a housing which encloses the entire mechanism that extends and retracts the plurality of spring elements. According to one embodiment, the mechanism that extends and retracts the plurality of spring elements includes a drive screw and a driven screw and a pair of opposed push blocks which are mounded on the drive and driven screws, the first ends of each of the plurality of spring elements being coupled to the pair of push blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Lambright
  • Publication number: 20020084662
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of trailers and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a boat trailer which incorporates a cover for the trailer to enclose a stored boat upon the trailer. The cover is selectively raised by a winch mechanism to facilitate the loading and off loading of the boat from the trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Grady L. Davis, Diane J. Davis
  • Publication number: 20020032993
    Abstract: A mobile aircraft hangar designed to provide a temporary enclosed working environment for workers performing aircraft maintenance, evaluation and support. The hangar includes a mobile housing assembly designed to enclose a section of the wing or fuselage of an aircraft. The housing assembly is assembled over a chassis with four wheels and steering mechanism that enables the housing assembly to be easily driven around an aircraft. The housing assembly includes one end wall and two vertical side walls, forming a three-sided enclosing structure. Formed on the housing assembly opposite the end wall is a main opening through which a section of the fuselage or wing may extend. The housing assembly also includes moveable floor panels that can be arranged in different configurations for working on different sections of the aircraft. Optional lift actuators are provided which enable the housing assembly to be raised or lowered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Michael S. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6325447
    Abstract: An electric lift camper top is provided for covering a rectangular head clearance opening (31) in a vehicle top structure for camper modification. The camper top consists of a bottom frame (32), including compression springs (38), attached to the vehicle surrounding the opening with a top frame (42) which is in turn attached to the compression springs urging the frames apart. A roof (54) is attached onto the top frame covering the opening in the vehicle. A flexible wall (58) is attached to both the top and bottom frame, securing them together forming a sealed enclosed area, when extended, to allow head room within the vehicle interior. Raising and lowering linkage means, employing front and rear connecting arms (78) and (80) are also jointly attached to the top and bottom frame. Electric drive means, in the form of an electric motor (82) and worm gear (84), are attached to the linkage such that the connecting arms are angularly separated raising or lowering the roof electrically using vehicle electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventor: Ming C. Kuo