Patents Assigned to The Kingstar Company
  • Patent number: 11938873
    Abstract: A repositionable toilet system for a bathroom or water closet of an RV, camper, boat, or other portable living quarter, allows for a dry bath (including a shower stall that can be somewhat isolated from the toilet) without permanently sacrificing otherwise useful floor space within the living quarter. The toilet is supported on a moveable platform that is repositionable between a stowed position in which the toilet is inside of the shower stall and a deployed/extended position in which the toilet is outside the shower stall. The moveable platform may be locked at the stowed or deployed position during travel or during use of the living quarter. The toilet may be fully self-contained, refillable, and emptyable, or the toilet may be plumbed into the water supply and waste collection system of the RV or camper, such as with flexible supply and drain lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: The Kingstar Company
    Inventors: Marcus Niemela, Michael R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 11840197
    Abstract: A vehicle-mountable accessory for a vehicle includes an access platform or landing for accessing a portion of the vehicle. The accessory is removably coupled to the vehicle. The access platform may be pivotably operable between a stowed configuration for travel and a deployed configuration that provides access to the vehicle. A deployable step or set of stairs nest under or inside of the body of the access platform and slideably deploy from the access platform to provide additional access to reach the access platform. The stairs are returned to a nested configuration for travel. The set of stairs may also pivot during deployment to improve vertical access to the access platform. The accessory includes a storage unit for storage and support of various equipment, tools, and accessories. A piece of equipment, such as a generator, can be securely mounted on top of the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: The Kingstar Company
    Inventors: Marcus Niemela, Cal G. Niemela, Michael R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 11713089
    Abstract: A deployable hay pod elevator system for a transport trailer, such as a livestock trailer, provides a readily deployable hay pod, storage pod, or supply platform with the trailer, and is readily stowable above the trailer in a raised configuration for travel. The elevator system includes a deployable supply platform and a lift system configured to raise and lower the supply platform relative to the trailer. The lift system may include a screw drive system or a winch and cable system to vertically raise and lower the deployable supply platform. The lift system may pivot or rotate the hay pod over the top of the trailer for transportation purposes. The deployable hay pod elevator system can be fitted to a truck, a van, or other types of vehicles and can be configured to store and transport various materials, such as hay, tools, or livestock tack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: The Kingstar Company
    Inventors: Marcus Niemela, Cal G. Niemela, Michael R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 11678641
    Abstract: A hinge locking system is provided for locking pivotable hinge parts at a desired angular position relative to one another. The hinge locking system includes a locking pin, a plate with a locking pin receiver, a movable pin receiver defining an axial bore for receiving the locking pin, and a pair of spaced-apart limit stops along the plate. The movable pin receiver is movable relative to the plate, and the limit stops are selectively contacted by the movable pin receiver to limit the maximum relative movement of the movable pin receiver. When the axial bore of the movable pin receiver aligns with the plate's locking pin receiver, the locking pin is insertable through the locking pin receiver and the axial bore in the movable pin receiver, to thereby lock the movable pin receiver and the hinge parts against further movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: The Kingstar Company
    Inventors: Charles Hallstrom, Cal G. Niemela
  • Patent number: 11638411
    Abstract: A deployable corral system for any upright wall, including a wall of a transport trailer, provides a readily deployable corral along the trailer, and is readily stowable along the trailer in a retracted configuration for travel. The corral includes a pair of spaced-apart and extendable corral rails with a pivoting cross-rail extending from the distal end of each extendable corral rail. When the extendable corral rails are extended the cross-rails are spaced from an exterior side of the livestock trailer, and when the extendable corral rails are retracted the cross-rail is positioned near an upright wall of the trailer. The deployable corral system optionally includes a manual deployment assist system to assist a user during deployment and stowage of the corral. Additional features may include a deployable shade awning, a deployable trough, and extendable vertical support stands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: The Kingstar Company
    Inventors: Marcus Niemela, Cal G. Niemela, Cole S. Stout
  • Patent number: 11420547
    Abstract: A deployable hay pod elevator system for a transport trailer, such as a livestock trailer, provides a readily deployable hay pod, storage pod, or supply platform with the trailer, and is readily stowable above the trailer in a raised configuration for travel. The elevator system includes a deployable supply platform and a vertical raising and lowering mechanism or lift system configured to move the supply platform relative to the trailer. The lift includes a pivot arm system coupled to a sidewall of the trailer and a lift assist mechanism, such as a linear actuator, to vertically raise and lower the deployable supply platform. The elevator system includes a supply platform pivot actuation mechanism to adjust the angle of the platform relative to the pivot arm during stowage and deployment of the system. The elevator system may be fitted to various types of vehicles to store and transport various materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: The Kingstar Company
    Inventors: Marcus Niemela, Cal G. Niemela, Michael R. Jackson, Cole S. Stout
  • Patent number: 11419427
    Abstract: A convertible furniture system or futon includes a convertible frame assembly that is mountable in an interior space and is deployable between a bench configuration and a flat, bed configuration. The frame assembly includes a back frame and a bottom frame that are pivotably coupled together and coordinate to form either the bench configuration that provides a user an upright seat or the bed configuration that provides the user a flat, substantially horizontal bed to lie down on. A user can maneuver the system from the bench configuration into the bed configuration and vice versa. The system may be installed inside of various interior living quarters, including inside of mobile vehicles. The system includes various support elements mounted to the interior space, the support element may be selectively engaged to support the system in the bed or bench configurations and during deployment and stowage of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: The Kingstar Company
    Inventors: Cal G. Niemela, Terry L. Lahti, Marcus Niemela
  • Patent number: 11414317
    Abstract: A movable storage system provides a repositionable storage location for livestock tack, including saddles and blankets. The system is particularly well suited for horse trailers and other types of transport trailers. The system includes a pivotably movable upright panel or wall that is fitted with horizontal storage arms or shelves for supporting various equipment and tack. The system can be repositioned at different angular positions relative to the upright stationary walls of the trailer, as desired. The system includes hinges coupling one side of the storage system to the trailer to provide a vertical pivot axis about which the system is pivotable. Latches are provided to secure the system at a desired angular position within the trailer. Storage compartments and gates may be included with the storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: The Kingstar Company
    Inventor: Marcus Niemela
  • Patent number: 10568297
    Abstract: A livestock living quarter for a transport trailer, such as a livestock trailer, provides livestock stalls and mangers inside the trailer. The living quarter includes at least one stall for a livestock animal, the stall defined by a chest wall, an interior wall, and a front wall set parallel to the interior wall. A second stall may be provided, with the interior wall of the first stall providing a divider wall between the first and second stalls, and acting as a front wall of the second stall. The stall divider may be pivotable to allow for entry of a livestock animal into the stall. A manger is disposed in front of the stall for storage of feed that is accessible to the livestock animal in the stall. Optionally, a water trough is accessible at the manger, and other spaces may provide living quarters or facilities for an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: The Kingstar Company
    Inventors: Marcus Niemela, Charles Hallstrom
  • Patent number: 10405516
    Abstract: A deployable corral system for a transport trailer, such as a livestock trailer, provides a readily deployable corral along the trailer, and is readily stowable along the trailer in a retracted configuration for travel. The corral includes a pair of spaced-apart and extendable corral rails with a cross-rail extending between distal ends of the extendable corral rails. When the extendable corral rails are extended the cross-rail is spaced from an exterior side of the livestock trailer, and when the extendable corral rails are retracted the cross-rail is positioned near a roof of the trailer. The extendable corral rails move between the extended and retracted positions manually, or automatically with a drive system. Optionally, the drive system is powered by motors associated with linear or rotary actuators. Further options may include storage bins along the cross-rail, a deployable shade awning, a deployable trough, jack stands, securing flaps, and position sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: The Kingstar Company
    Inventors: Marcus Niemela, Cal G. Niemela, Charles Hallstrom
  • Patent number: 10206369
    Abstract: A deployable corral system for a transport trailer, such as a livestock trailer, provides a readily deployable corral along the trailer, and is readily stowable along the trailer in a retracted configuration for travel. The corral includes a pair of spaced-apart and pivotably-extendable corral rails with a cross-rail extending between distal ends of the extendable corral rails. When the extendable corral rails are extended the cross-rail is spaced from an exterior side of the livestock trailer, and when the extendable corral rails are retracted the cross-rail is positioned near a roof of the trailer. A drive system is operable to move the extendable corral rails between the extended and retracted positions. Optionally, the drive system is powered by motors associated with linear or rotary actuators. Further options may include storage bins along the cross-rail, a deployable shade awning, and a deployable trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: The Kingstar Company
    Inventors: Marcus Niemela, Cal G. Niemela, Charles Hallstrom