Patents Assigned to U-Haul International, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6631941
    Abstract: A trailer including an inner frame that is made of metal, an outer shell that is made of a non-metal and that at least partially surrounds the inner frame, and at least one wheel rotatably secured to the inner frame. In a preferred embodiment, the outer shell is made of a plastic. The inner frame includes a lower frame portion with which the at least one wheel is rotatably secured, and an upper frame portion that supports at least a portion of the weight of the outer shell. Preferably, the upper frame portion includes a middle support member that extends upwardly from the lower frame portion, and a first bar assembly that is hingedly connected to the middle support member. In another embodiment, a second bar assembly is hingedly connected to the middle support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Votruba, Patrick W. Breslin, Michael H. Dilgard, David L. Simpson, Thomas F. Bone
  • Patent number: 6601867
    Abstract: A trailer having a tongue that defines a longitudinal axis and includes a coupler portion. The coupler portion of the tongue can pivot relative to the longitudinal axis, thereby forming an angle between the coupler portion and the longitudinal axis. In a preferred embodiment, the tongue includes a breakaway coupler assembly. The breakaway coupler assembly includes the coupler portion having a distal end adapted to engage a towing vehicle, and a flex-joint pivotally engaged with the coupler portion. This allows the coupler portion to pivot relative to said flex-joint when a predetermined force is placed on the flex-joint, such as in a jack-knife situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Carty
  • Patent number: 6601908
    Abstract: A trailer including an inner frame that is made of metal, an outer shell that is made of a non-metal and that at least partially surrounds the inner frame, and at least one wheel rotatably secured to the inner frame. In a preferred embodiment, the outer shell is made of a plastic. The inner frame includes a lower frame portion with which the at least one wheel is rotatably secured, and an upper frame portion that supports at least a portion of the weight of the outer shell. Preferably, the upper frame portion includes a middle support member that extends upwardly from the lower frame portion, and a first bar assembly that is hingedly connected to the middle support member. In another embodiment, a second bar assembly is hingedly connected to the middle support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Votruba, Patrick W. Breslin, Michael H. Dilgard, David L. Simpson, Thomas F. Bone
  • Publication number: 20030137155
    Abstract: An adjustable door guide latch slot assembly for aligning a slidable door latch with a fixed door guide includes a striker plate having a latch opening and a door guide having an inner surface with a recessed area on such inner surface, said recess area being larger than said striker plate and having an opening therein, whereby said striker plate may be placed flat against said door guide inner surface in said recessed area and adjustably affixed to said door guide inner surface so that said striker plate latch opening may be made to align properly with said slidable door latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventor: Rich Baranski
  • Patent number: 6592147
    Abstract: A fender includes at least one element extending therefrom that is adapted to engage a mounting bracket affixed to the object to which the fender is to be attached, e.g., a trailer. The element is preferably a curved flange that extends outwardly from an inner bottom edge of the fender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventor: James Lambertus
  • Publication number: 20030115139
    Abstract: An entity records system for tracking information pertaining to a plurality of entities is disclosed. The entity records system preferably includes an entity identification capture to record identification information for each entity, a revenue capture to record revenue information for the entity, a delinquency data capture to record account delinquency information for each entity and a negative payment history capture to track the negative payment history for each entity. The entity records system is preferably available over a network having at least one computer-server in communication with the users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: U-HAUL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Monte V. Hurley, Dennis K. Snelling, Evangeline Moreno, Joanne K. Sasser, Tamara L. Gahring
  • Publication number: 20030114967
    Abstract: A system and methods to allow multiple stations in geographically dispersed locations to monitor and track vehicle repair record and service status information in a coordinated fashion. In a service area comprised of a number of geographically-bounded service regions, at least one regional communications terminal is provided in communication with a plurality of local communications terminals. Each local communications terminal and regional communications terminal communicates with a vehicle service status database. Vehicle service events are entered into a vehicle tracking system and maintained using the vehicle status database. Database files are exchanged between local communications-terminals and regional communications terminals and with a central equipment manager in order to provide timely and accurate dissemination of service status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary D. Good
  • Publication number: 20030107234
    Abstract: A trailer including an inner frame that is made of metal, an outer shell that is made of a non-metal and that at least partially surrounds the inner frame, and at least one wheel rotatably secured to the inner frame. In a preferred embodiment, the outer shell is made of a plastic. The inner frame includes a lower frame portion with which the at least one wheel is rotatably secured, and an upper frame portion that supports at least a portion of the weight of the outer shell. Preferably, the upper frame portion includes a middle support member that extends upwardly from the lower frame portion, and a first bar assembly that is hingedly connected to the middle support member. In another embodiment, a second bar assembly is hingedly connected to the middle support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Votruba, Patrick W. Breslin, Michael H. Dilgard, David L. Simpson, Thomas F. Bone
  • Patent number: 6575523
    Abstract: A trailer including an inner frame that is made of metal, an outer shell that is made of a non-metal and that at least partially surrounds the inner frame, and at least one wheel rotatably secured to the inner frame. In a preferred embodiment, the outer shell is made of a plastic. The inner frame includes a lower frame portion with which the at least one wheel is rotatably secured, and an upper frame portion that supports at least a portion of the weight of the outer shell. Preferably, the upper frame portion includes a middle support member that extends upwardly from the lower frame portion, and a first bar assembly that is hingedly connected to the middle support member. In another embodiment, a second bar assembly is hingedly connected to the middle support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Votruba, Patrick W. Breslin, Michael H. Dilgard, David L. Simpson, Thomas F. Bone
  • Publication number: 20030078852
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an online marketplace for the sale of services associated with self-help moving and relocating are described. A customer enters an online marketplace where service providers offer services relating to moving and relocating, specifically in the “do-it-yourself” moving field. The venue for the online marketplace is an Internet web site or a site on a computer network and is operated by a host that determines which service providers will be listed on the site. A typical self-help moving customer may enter the marketplace after completing an initial transaction with the host, such as reserving a moving truck or trailer and other moving equipment. In many instances this transaction is what initially draws the customer to the site. Once in the marketplace, the customer can view informational content on numerous vendors providing services relating to moving and relocating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Shoen, Samuel J. Shoen, Srinivasan Venkataraman, John Anthony Kestner
  • Patent number: D468992
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Votruba, Patrick W. Breslin, Michael H. Dilgard, David L. Simpson, Thomas F. Bone
  • Patent number: D468993
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Votruba, Patrick W. Breslin, Michael H. Dilgard, David L. Simpson, Thomas F. Bone
  • Patent number: D468994
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Votruba, Patrick W. Breslin, Michael H. Dilgard, David L. Simpson, Thomas F. Bone
  • Patent number: D469334
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Votruba, Patrick W. Breslin, Michael H. Dilgard, David L. Simpson, Thomas F. Bone
  • Patent number: D469335
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Votruba, Patrick W. Breslin, Michael H. Dilgard, David L. Simpson, Thomas F. Bone
  • Patent number: D469336
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Votruba, Patrick W. Breslin, Michael H. Dilgard, David L. Simpson, Thomas F. Bone
  • Patent number: D469681
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Votruba, Patrick W. Breslin, Michael H. Dilgard, David L. Simpson, Thomas F. Bone
  • Patent number: D469683
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Votruba, Patrick W. Breslin, Michael H. Dilgard, David L. Simpson
  • Patent number: D470744
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Votruba, Patrick W. Breslin, Michael H. Dilgard, David L. Simpson, Thomas F. Bone
  • Patent number: D478495
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Votruba, Patrick W. Breslin, Michael H. Dilgard, David L. Simpson, Thomas F. Bone