Patents Assigned to Agri Covers, Inc.
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Patent number: 9511703Abstract: A roll-up tarp assembly including front and rear arm assemblies and an extended modified roll tube. The front arm assembly includes a drive assembly that drives an output shaft. The output shaft is removably connectable to the roll tube. The connection between the output shaft and the roll tube has two distinct modes. The output shaft can be removably connected to the roll tube with a clevis pin such that the output shaft and the roll tube rotate together or the output shaft can be retained within the roll tube by a roll pin residing in a peripheral grove in the output shaft so that the output shaft may rotate independently of the roll tube. Methods of installing and using the roll-up tarp assembly are also disclosed as well as methods and kits for converting a manually operated assembly to a motorized assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Shawn J. Wock
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Publication number: 20160303957Abstract: A tonneau cover securing apparatus for removably securing a cover to a support frame attached to a pickup truck. The support frame preferably includes two opposing side rails that can be secured to respective sidewalls of the pickup truck, such that the cover can be secured to the side rails and the pickup truck by the securing apparatus, which preferably includes a channel, a locking member and a draw cord secured to the locking member. The locking member is biased toward a first position in which the securing apparatus can be prevented from disengaging from the respective side rail; wherein the draw cord can draw the locking member from the first position to a second position, in which the securing apparatus can be disengaged from the respective side rail. The securing apparatus preferably includes two locking members. Methods of securing a cover to a pickup truck are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Applicant: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Steven C. Schmeichel
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Patent number: 9421900Abstract: A motorized conversion kit for converting manually operated roll tarps includes front and rear arm assemblies and a roll tube extension. The front arm assembly includes a drive assembly that drives an output shaft. The output shaft is removably connectable to the roll tube extension that is connected to a modified roll tube. The connection between the output shaft and the roll tube extension has two distinct modes. The output shaft can be removably connected to the roll tube extension with a clevis pin such that the output shaft and the roll tube extension rotate together or the output shaft can be retained within the roll tube extension by a roll pin residing in a peripheral grove in the output shaft so that the output shaft may rotate independently of the roll tube extension. Methods of installing and using the conversion kit are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2015Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Shawn J. Wock
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Patent number: 9422009Abstract: Mud flap assemblies including a frame that can be interconnected to a hitch assembly which can be interconnected to a hitch receiver. Mud flap assemblies including a frame, a securing assembly and mud flap panels; the frame having two longitudinal ends and a rear plate that includes a hitch opening spaced for receiving the shaft of the hitch assembly. One frame is designed to rest on a portion of the bumper to minimize vibration of the frame while in use. The mud flap assembly may include a pair of stops or stop assemblies that are preferably adjustable and are constructed and arranged to rest against the bumper. The mud flap assemblies may also include exhaust ventilation apertures and/or protective heat shields. Methods of installing mud flap assemblies are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
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Patent number: 9393854Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for removable attachment of a cover to a pickup truck. The tonneau cover apparatus includes two opposing side rails that can be secured to respective side walls of the pickup truck and a securing apparatus that can be attached to the cover and is engageable with respective side rails to secure the cover to the pickup truck. The securing apparatus includes a channel, a locking member and a draw cord secured to the locking member. The locking member is biased toward a first position in which the securing apparatus can be prevented from disengaging from the respective side rail; wherein the draw cord can draw the locking member from the first position to a second position, in which the securing apparatus can be disengaged from the respective side rail. A tonneau cover apparatus including a cover, a support frame and a securing apparatus is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Steven C. Schmeichel
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Patent number: 9387888Abstract: Mud flap assemblies including a frame, a securing assembly and mud flap panels; the securing assembly enabling the frame to be secured to a hitch assembly having a shaft, for further attachment to a hitch receiver secured to a vehicle; the frame having a rear plate that includes a hitch opening for receiving the shaft of the hitch assembly. The frame is preferably configured to rest on a portion of a bumper of the vehicle to minimize vibration of the frame during use. The mud flap assembly preferably including a pair of stops that are preferably adjustable and are constructed and arranged to rest against the bumper. The mud flap assembly preferably includes enlarged mud flap panels and mud flap support members for additional support of the enlarged mud flap panels. Methods of installing mud flap assemblies are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2016Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
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Patent number: 9272610Abstract: A roll-up tarp apparatus for attachment to an open top truck trailer having a truck box, having end caps at each end that partially cover the top opening. Preferred embodiments include at least one magnet on at least one of the end caps; even more preferably, a plurality of magnets along each end of the end caps, which are configured to releasably secure the flexible tarp to the end cap when the flexible tarp is in the secured position. Preferably, the flexible tarp is wound around an elongated roll bar that is secured to at least one arm that connects the elongated roll bar to the truck box and selectively activates movement of the elongated roll bar to move the flexible tarp from an open position to a secured position. Various embodiments include biasing members to bias the arm(s).Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2014Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Shawn J. Wock
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Patent number: 9260139Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly for attachment about a top of a perimeter of a cargo box of a pickup truck. The tonneau cover assembly including a cover, a support frame and a securing plate having at least one locking member. The securing plate preferably includes two locking members each of which is biased toward a first position in which the respective locking members prevent the securing plate from disengaging from a closed position with respect to the support frame. The locking members are preferably interconnected to opposite ends of a draw cord. The draw cord preferably has a pull loop so that the draw cord can be pulled in order to draw the respective locking members away from the respective first positions, so that each locking member resides in a second position, which allows the securing plate to disengage from the support frame.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
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Patent number: 9254776Abstract: A roll-up tarp apparatus for a truck box having an open top. The roll-up tarp apparatus includes a roll bar, a flexible tarp secured to the truck box and the roll bar, a converter unit, a motive source and an arm operatively connected to the converter unit, the motive source and the roll bar. The roll bar is operatively connected to the truck box and rotatably movable between the first and second longitudinal sides of the truck box. The tarp is secured to the roll bar so that the tarp can roll up on the roll bar to open the truck box and unroll from the roll bar to cover or close the open top. The roll bar is preferably biased in an unroll direction or toward a closed position. In preferred embodiments, at least one biasing member is operatively connected to the roll bar or the arm.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2015Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
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Publication number: 20150246602Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for removable attachment of a cover to a pickup truck. The tonneau cover apparatus includes two opposing side rails that can be secured to respective side walls of the pickup truck and a securing apparatus that can be attached to the cover and is engageable with respective side rails to secure the cover to the pickup truck. The securing apparatus includes a channel, a locking member and a draw cord secured to the locking member. The locking member is biased toward a first position in which the securing apparatus can be prevented from disengaging from the respective side rail; wherein the draw cord can draw the locking member from the first position to a second position, in which the securing apparatus can be disengaged from the respective side rail. A tonneau cover apparatus including a cover, a support frame and a securing apparatus is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2015Publication date: September 3, 2015Applicant: AGRI-COVER, INC.Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Steven C. Schmeichel
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Publication number: 20150224911Abstract: A roll-up tarp apparatus for a truck box having an open top. The roll-up tarp apparatus includes a roll bar, a flexible tarp secured to the truck box and the roll bar, a converter unit, a motive source and an arm operatively connected to the converter unit, the motive source and the roll bar. The roll bar is operatively connected to the truck box and rotatably movable between the first and second longitudinal sides of the truck box. The tarp is secured to the roll bar so that the tarp can roll up on the roll bar to open the truck box and unroll from the roll bar to cover or close the open top. The roll bar is preferably biased in an unroll direction or toward a closed position. In preferred embodiments, at least one biasing member is operatively connected to the roll bar or the arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Applicant: AGRI-COVER, INC.Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
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Patent number: 9056542Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly for attachment about a top of a perimeter of a cargo box of a pickup truck. The tonneau cover assembly including a cover, a support frame and a securing plate having at least one locking member. Preferably, the tonneau cover assembly includes two biased locking members interconnected by a draw cord. The draw cord preferably includes a clip that removably and adjustably secures the draw cord to a channel in the securing plate. The draw cord preferably includes a pull loop that at least partially extends through an opening in the cover.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2014Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
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Patent number: 9045069Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for securing a flexible cover about a cargo box of a pickup truck. The apparatus comprises the cover and a support frame for attachment to the cargo box. The frame has two opposing side rails, each of which has a lock engaging surface. The support frame further includes a pair of securing plate engagement members, each of which is secured to one of the respective opposing side rails. The apparatus further comprises a flexible cover securing plate attached to the cover. The flexible cover securing plate includes a channel and least one locking member. Each locking member is secured within the channel and each respective locking member is engagable with the lock engaging surface of the respective side rail such that the flexible cover securing plate is prevented from disengaging with respect to the respective side rail when it is in a first position.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Steven C. Schmeichel
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Patent number: 9039065Abstract: A roll-up tarp apparatus for a truck box having first and second ends, first and second longitudinal sides and an open top. The apparatus includes a tarp, a roll bar, an arm and a biasing member. The first longitudinal edge of the tarp is interconnected to the first longitudinal side of the truck box and the second longitudinal edge of the tarp is attached to the roll bar member. The roll bar is operatively connected to the truck box and is rotatably movable between the first and second longitudinal sides of the truck box, which enables the tarp to close or open the truck box. At least one biasing member is operatively connected to the roll bar or the arm, with the biasing member able to exert a tensioning force in the direction of the second longitudinal side of the truck box so that the tarp is under tension.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2013Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
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Patent number: 8985669Abstract: A motorized conversion kit for converting manually operated roll tarps includes front and rear arm assemblies and a roll tube extension. The front arm assembly includes a drive assembly that drives an output shaft. The output shaft is removably connectable to the roll tube extension that is connected to a modified roll tube. The connection between the output shaft and the roll tube extension has two distinct modes. The output shaft can be removably connected to the roll tube extension with a clevis pin such that the output shaft and the roll tube extension rotate together or the output shaft can be retained within the roll tube extension by a roll pin residing in a peripheral groove in the output shaft so that the output shaft may rotate independently of the roll tube extension. Methods of installing and using the conversion kit are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
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Publication number: 20140354006Abstract: A roll-up tarp apparatus for attachment to an open top truck trailer having a truck box, having end caps at each end that partially cover the top opening. Preferred embodiments include at least one magnet on at least one of the end caps; even more preferably, a plurality of magnets along each end of the end caps, which are configured to releasably secure the flexible tarp to the end cap when the flexible tarp is in the secured position. Preferably, the flexible tarp is wound around an elongated roll bar that is secured to at least one arm that connects the elongated roll bar to the truck box and selectively activates movement of the elongated roll bar to move the flexible tarp from an open position to a secured position. Various embodiments include biasing members to bias the arm(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: AGRI-COVER, INC.Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Shawn J. Wock
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Patent number: 8875419Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The plow blade includes a limiting apparatus that limits upward movement of the retention apparatus. Preferably, the limiting apparatus includes a retention pin that can be secured within one of a plurality of vertically spaced apertures in the mounting upright(s) such that vertical positioning of the retention pin is adjustable. The snow plow further preferably includes a hoist or lifting upright having a lifting assembly, wherein the lifting assembly can raise the plow blade off of the ground.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
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Patent number: 8857885Abstract: A roll-up tarp apparatus for attachment to an open top truck trailer having a truck box, having end caps at each end that partially cover the top opening. Preferred embodiments include at least one magnet on at least one of the end caps; even more preferably, a plurality of magnets along each end of the end caps, which are configured to releasably secure the flexible tarp to the end cap when the flexible tarp is in the secured position. Preferably, the flexible tarp is wound around an elongated roll bar that is secured to at least one arm that connects the elongated roll bar to the truck box and selectively activates movement of the elongated roll bar to move the flexible tarp from an open position to a secured position. Various embodiments include biasing members to bias the arm(s).Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2013Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Shawn J. Wock
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Patent number: 8857887Abstract: Tonneau cover assemblies including a cover and side rails that are attached to sidewalls of the cargo box. The cover and side rails include magnetic fastener elements or a combination of hook and loop and magnetic fasteners to secure the cover to the side rails. Preferably, the respective side rails will have a raised ridge so that magnets on the respective sides of the cover can abut against this raised ridge to prevent the magnets from sliding off of the side rail. Various embodiments further include an end plate having two spring biased locking members and a draw cord interconnecting the two locking members; wherein the draw cord includes a pull loop which can be drawn away from the end plate to draw the respective locking members away from respective the side rails so that the end plate can be disengaged from the respective side rails.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
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Publication number: 20140021738Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for securing a flexible cover about a cargo box of a pickup truck. The apparatus comprises the cover and a support frame for attachment to the cargo box. The frame has two opposing side rails, each of which has a lock engaging surface. The support frame further includes a pair of securing plate engagement members, each of which is secured to one of the respective opposing side rails. The apparatus further comprises a flexible cover securing plate attached to the cover. The flexible cover securing plate includes a channel and least one locking member. Each locking member is secured within the channel and each respective locking member is engagable with the lock engaging surface of the respective side rail such that the flexible cover securing plate is prevented from disengaging with respect to the respective side rail when it is in a first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: AGRI-COVER, INC.Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Steven C. Schmeichel