Patents Assigned to Norco Industries, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11964606
    Abstract: A slide-out unit drive assembly for a vehicle body having an opening formed in an exterior wall and a reciprocal slide-out unit (e.g., room or compartment) disposed in the opening and slidable between a retracted position and an extended position. Sliding movement of the slide-out unit is controlled by the drive assembly at least partially arranged within a jamb assembly. The drive assembly may include one or more drive cables extending connected to the slide-out and actuatable to pull the slide-out unit in a first or second direction. The drive assembly may include drive chain that actuates one or more of the drive cables, or the drive assembly may include a drive nut that actuates one or more of the drive cables. Sliding movement of the slide-out unit may be either motor driven or manually powered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: NORCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Bernard F. Garceau
  • Patent number: 11854380
    Abstract: An assembly for correcting an attitude of at least a selected portion of a structure, where the assembly includes a controller affixed to a structure operatively coupled with one or more jacks operable to change the attitude of the structure; and a remote device configured to communicate wirelessly with the controller to change the attitude of a selected portion of the structure. Also disclosed is a method for adjusting an attitude of a movable structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: NORCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Bernard F. Garceau, Leonard Douglas Yoder
  • Publication number: 20230366768
    Abstract: A system for determining a leak in a glove is used in conjunction with a supply of compressed air, the system including a regulator in fluid communication with the source of compressed air. The regulator comprises a housing with an air inlet and an air outlet, a two way valve connected to the air inlet and the air outlet, an air flow meter, and a pressure gauge. The system is also provided with a glove adapter that is configured to make an airtight seal with the glove while inflating and testing the glove for leaks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Casale
  • Patent number: 11745799
    Abstract: A spring hanger assembly may be formed pieces shaped to increase the stiffness and strength. The spring hanger assembly may comprise separate pieces, such as an inner section and an outer section. The spring hanger assembly may be attached to a frame using fasteners or hucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: NORCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Bernard F. Garceau, William A. Aske, Leonard D. Yoder
  • Patent number: 11744418
    Abstract: An improved shop vacuum with wet/dry capability uses a vacuum tube that terminates in a space between the canister and the vacuum compartment such that the fluid and content exiting the vacuum tube is not directly opposed the negative pressure source. This allows the fluid to drain into the canister in a more controlled and less volatile condition, reducing splashing and entrainment of the fluid. Moreover, a second exit for the vacuum has been added to the canister to improve the efficiency of the vacuum and the overall performance of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Romero
  • Patent number: 11655750
    Abstract: A fluid flushing machine for a vehicle engine component uses a pre-heated cleaner/fluid to increase the effectiveness of the cleaning procedure and reduce the time needed to clean the component. The invention is designed to clean air charged coolers, EGR valves, EGR coolers, and other components that over time have become contaminated with carbon build up, oil, and debris. The machine of the present invention has the option to direct heated cleaning fluid through the vehicle engine's cooling system to remove carbon build up, oil, and debris in the vehicle's EGR valve and cooler component. The machine of the present invention is adapted to perform the operation in an engine-off condition by incorporating an integrated or external electronic device to open the vehicle's EGR valve to allow the cleaning fluid to flow through the engine while it is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Casale, Dave Werthmann, Jeff Romero
  • Patent number: 11639129
    Abstract: A slide-out unit drive assembly for a vehicle body having an opening formed in an exterior wall and a reciprocable slide-out unit disposed in the opening and slidable between a retracted position and an extended position. Sliding movement of the slide-out unit is controlled by the drive assembly at least partially arranged within the jambs. The drive assembly may include one or more drive cables extending connected to the slide-out. The drive assembly may include drive chain that actuates one or more of the drive cables, or the drive assembly may include a drive nut that actuates one or more of the drive cables, or the drive assembly may include a block and tackle assembly that actuates one or more of the drive cables. Sliding movement of the slide-out unit may be either motor driven or manually powered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: NORCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Bernard F. Garceau
  • Publication number: 20230116828
    Abstract: A hand-held heating unit is disclosed having a turbine connected to a generator to generate electrical power from a compressed air source. The electrical power produced by the generator is suppled to a transformer to establish a voltage which is in turn used to energize a coil with an alternating current. The current causes a magnetic field to form in the coil that can be used to heat ferrous materials within the coil. A circuit board can control the current and frequency for different applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Casale
  • Patent number: 11584488
    Abstract: A boat may have a deck and a plurality of pontoons or hulls supporting the deck of the boat. The boat may include a starboard side pontoon, a port side pontoon, and possibly a middle pontoon. A positioning assembly may be provided with one or more of the foregoing pontoons. Each of the positioning assemblies may comprise a link assembly coupling the deck to the starboard side pontoon, wherein the link assembly is configured to permit pivoting of the starboard side pontoon relative to the deck from a retracted position, where the starboard side pontoon is proximate to an underside of the deck, to an extended position, where the starboard side pontoon is moved further from the underside, and an actuator provided to position the starboard side pontoon between the retracted position and the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: NORCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Bernard F. Garceau
  • Patent number: 11572019
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a staircase assembly for a vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle (RV). The stair case assembly includes a pair of substantially flat, spaced apart, support brackets that are configured to mount to a vehicle, and define a storage space for a linkage system and associated plurality of steps. The linkage system is configured to move the plurality of attached steps from a vertically orientated stored position to a horizontally oriented deployed position extending outwardly from the vehicle allowing a person to easily enter and exit the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: NORCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Bernard F. Garceau, Bori Krobot
  • Publication number: 20220396468
    Abstract: A vehicle fluid exchange machine is disclosed that allows the technician to control the flow into the vehicle or stand-alone cooling or hydraulic system either manually or automatically based on a safe working pressure for the vehicle. If the vehicle's cooling system can handle a higher pressure for example, the technician may adjust the machine's flow to a flow rate consistent with the higher pressure rating while monitoring the pressure across the system. The default setting for the air injection process is automatic, but can also be switched to manual by the technician.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Applicant: NORCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeff Romero, Dave Werthmann
  • Publication number: 20220087488
    Abstract: An improved shop vacuum with wet/dry capability uses a vacuum tube that terminates in a space between the canister and the vacuum compartment such that the fluid and content exiting the vacuum tube is not directly opposed the negative pressure source. This allows the fluid to drain into the canister in a more controlled and less volatile condition, reducing splashing and entrainment of the fluid. Moreover, a second exit for the vacuum has been added to the canister to improve the efficiency of the vacuum and the overall performance of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Romero
  • Publication number: 20220074340
    Abstract: A fluid flushing machine for a vehicle engine component uses a pre-heated cleaner/fluid to increase the effectiveness of the cleaning procedure and reduce the time needed to clean the component. The invention is designed to clean air charged coolers, EGR valves, EGR coolers, and other components that over time have become contaminated with carbon build up, oil, and debris. The machine of the present invention has the option to direct heated cleaning fluid through the vehicle engine's cooling system to remove carbon build up, oil, and debris in the vehicle's EGR valve and cooler component. The machine of the present invention is adapted to perform the operation in an engine-off condition by incorporating an integrated or external electronic device to open the vehicle's EGR valve to allow the cleaning fluid to flow through the engine while it is turned off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Casale, Dave Werthmann, Jeff Romero
  • Patent number: 11208082
    Abstract: An assembly for correcting an attitude of at least a selected portion of a structure, where the assembly includes a controller affixed to a structure operatively coupled with one or more jacks operable to change the attitude of the structure; and a remote device configured to communicate wirelessly with the controller to change the attitude of a selected portion of the structure. Also disclosed is a method for adjusting an attitude of a movable structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: NORCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Bernard F. Garceau, Leonard Douglas Yoder
  • Patent number: 11148722
    Abstract: A trailer frame is disclosed that comprises a panel with a plurality of inserts installed at certain hard point locations where external components and equipment may be attached. In one embodiment, the inserts are two-piece formed hard points, whereas in other embodiments, the inserts are one piece solid hard points. In some embodiments, the panel is a sandwich panel. The inserts may be installed in the panel in a variety of manners, for example, they may be set flush within shallow pockets machined or routed into the panel's outer skins. Also, brackets may be utilized to interconnect components or equipment to the hard point inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: NORCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Bernard F. Garceau
  • Patent number: 11091130
    Abstract: Aspects herein relate to using a three or more points to control the angular orientation of a structure via three or more jacks, and then stabilizing the structure via one or more stabilizers. In some aspects, the foregoing structure may include, for example, a motor home, recreational vehicle, travel trailer or fifth wheel trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: NORCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Bernard F. Garceau
  • Patent number: 10882438
    Abstract: A drive assembly utilized in combination with slide out includes a beam attached to a beam guide in an arcuate support rail that is attached to the slide out. The beam may have a first row of teeth and a second row of teeth thereon, where the first row of teeth and the second row of teeth extend parallel to each other on opposite sides of the beam. In addition, the teeth in the first row of teeth are offset relative to the teeth in the second row of teeth. The drive assembly further includes a drive gear having a first gear wheel that engages the first row of teeth and a second gear wheel that engages the second row of teeth, as well as an actuator coupled to the beam to selectively extend and retract the beam. The beam may deflect with respect to the arcuate support rail based on its location and the location of the beam guide to aid in leveling of the slide out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: NORCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Bernard F. Garceau
  • Patent number: 10850643
    Abstract: A sofa base system includes a plurality of channel assemblies and a motor. The channel assemblies are disposed on a frame portion adapted for operational engagement with an associated vehicle, and each channel assembly includes a sliding bracket and an outer bracket arranged on the sliding bracket, as well as a guide rod. The sliding bracket and outer bracket are arranged to slide on the guide rods via a plurality of roller members. The sliding bracket and an outer bracket are coupled to a shuttle member that is drive by a drive rod, and the drive rod is operatively connected to the motor via drive shafts and gearboxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: NORCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Alan Neterer, Hermes Hernandez
  • Patent number: 10427654
    Abstract: Aspects herein relate to using a three points to control the angular orientation of a structure via three or more jacks, and then stabilizing the structure via one or more stabilizers. In some aspects, the foregoing structure may include, for example, a motor home, recreational vehicle, travel trailer or fifth wheel trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: NORCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Bernard F. Garceau
  • Patent number: 10400464
    Abstract: Aspects herein relate to using motor velocity as feedback for controlling the extension or retraction of jacks for control of the angular orientation of a structure, or other means for accomplishing the same. Embodiments include a structure orientation control apparatus comprising one or more jacks configured to support a structure, one or more jack drive mechanisms coupled to at least one of the one or more jacks, the one or more jack drive mechanisms configured to extend or retract the one or more jacks, and a jack controller configured to cause the one or more jack drive mechanisms to extend or retract the one or more jacks based on a jack command. The jack controller may be configured to monitor one or more jack velocities during extension or retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: NORCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Bernard F. Garceau, Timothy D. Schultz