Patents Assigned to Yakima Products
  • Patent number: 9126539
    Abstract: A load-carrying device may be configured for use with a crossbar mounted to a vehicle roof. The load-carrying device may include a body having a load-bearing surface and an arm pivotably mounted to the body. The arm of the device may be pivotable between a collapsed position and an in-use position. A proximal end of the arm may be operatively connected to the body, and may move toward one end of the body when the arm is pivoted from the collapsed position to the in-use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Jason A. Sagen
  • Patent number: 8905278
    Abstract: A cargo box is configured for mounting on crossbars on top of a vehicle. The cargo box includes a control assembly for operating a latch assembly on one side of the cargo box. The control assembly includes a toggle switch which may be enabled or disabled by operation of a lock device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Elliot, Dave Condon
  • Publication number: 20140097220
    Abstract: A rack for carrying cargo on top of a vehicle includes a pair of crossbars. Each crossbar spans a pair of rails. The crossbars are connected to the rails by towers. Each tower has a claw assembly which is adjustable along two axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Yakima Products, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130062383
    Abstract: A vehicle-mountable bicycle carrier includes a linkage device for mounting the carrier to a vehicle, a base portion or platform to support both wheels of a bicycle, and an arm assembly connected to the base portion. The arm assembly may include a mast member and a jaw member. The jaw member may have a mounting portion received on the mast member and a hook portion attached to the mounting portion and configured to engage a bicycle frame and/or a top portion of a bicycle wheel. The jaw member may have a released configuration where the jaw member, as a unit, is pivotable about and slidable up and down the mast member while the mounting portion remains on the mast member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Richard Jeli
  • Patent number: 8393508
    Abstract: A rack for carrying cargo on top of a vehicle includes a pair of crossbars. Each crossbar spans a pair of rails. The crossbars are connected to the rails by towers. Each tower has a claw assembly which is adjustable along two axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Dave Condon
  • Patent number: 8387842
    Abstract: A car top carrier incorporating improved dual-functioning hinge/latch mechanisms connected by a drive bar that translates pivotal rotation to open and close the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John Mark Elliott, Chris Sautter
  • Patent number: 8387839
    Abstract: A rack for mounting on a spare tire assembly of a vehicle includes a mounting plate engagable to a spare tire mounting bracket of the vehicle, and a mast connected to the mounting plate in a substantially vertical position. The rack also includes a shoulder member connected proximate a top end of the mast and mountable proximate the top end of the mast using a connector at more than one position along a horizontal axis relative to the mast. A hub assembly is connected to the shoulder member, and a pair of arms are connected to the hub assembly that are configured to carry one or more bikes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, James Buckroyd, Zac Elder
  • Publication number: 20130022440
    Abstract: A bicycle rack for carrying bicycles behind a vehicle includes a tongue configured for connection to a vehicle hitch. A base portion includes wheel trays for supporting the wheels of a bicycle in cooperation with a slidable hook for contacting the top tube of a bicycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Richard Jeli, Andrew Austin, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder
  • Publication number: 20130020366
    Abstract: An article carrier configured to be detachably mounted to a trailer hitch of a vehicle is disclosed. The article carrier may include a frame having first and second end portions with the first end portion being pivotably mounted to the base allowing the frame to be selectively pivoted about a first axis between a substantially vertical position in which the frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantially horizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base, the first axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and a carrier assembly connected to the second end portion of the frame and configured to support one or more articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Andrew Austin, Richard Jeli, Aaron Foley, Steve Rodden
  • Publication number: 20130020364
    Abstract: A bicycle rack is configured for mounting to a hitch behind a vehicle. The bike rack may include a mast and a mechanism for locking the mast in an upright position, or alternatively, permitting downward rotation of the mast away from the vehicle for access purposes. The rack includes arms and mounting devices for supporting various tubular components for the bicycle frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Andrew Austin, Richard Jeli, Aaron J. Foley, Steve Rodden
  • Publication number: 20130020361
    Abstract: A fork mount for securing a bicycle fork to a crossbar that comprises a top clamp including a pair of side surfaces having substantially aligned openings, an upper crossbar surface having a hole, and an adjustment surface with a plurality of substantially horizontal grooves. The fork mount further comprises a bottom clamp that has a groove engager frictionally engagable within each groove to form a pivot point to a clamped position, and a lower crossbar surface with a hole. When in the clamped position, the upper and lower crossbar surfaces form a crossbar opening and the holes of each crossbar surface are substantially alignable. The fork mount comprises a connector that is engagable through the substantially alignable holes of each crossbar surface, wherein the connector secures the top and bottom clamps in the clamped position. A skewer is extendable through the substantially aligned openings of the top clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Kevin E. Lesley
  • Publication number: 20130020365
    Abstract: An article carrier configured to be detachably mounted to a trailer hitch of a vehicle is disclosed. The article carrier may include a frame having first and second end portions with the first end portion being pivotably mounted to the base allowing the frame to be selectively pivoted about a first axis between a substantially vertical position in which the frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantially horizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base, the first axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and a carrier assembly connected to the second end portion of the frame and configured to support one or more articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Andrew Austin, Richard Jeli, Aaron Foley, Steve Rodden
  • Publication number: 20130015220
    Abstract: A bicycle rack for carrying a bicycle adjacent the rear of a vehicle. The bicycle rack includes an adjustable frame assembly having a first frame member attached to a second frame member attached At least one support arm is configured for sliding and pivotal movement between a stowed position and an extended position in which the arm engages the housing to support a bicycle adjacent the vehicle. A mounting assembly is positionable on the support arm to hold the bicycle in place during travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Duncan Robins, Joseph J. Settelmayer, Scott R. Allen
  • Publication number: 20120321409
    Abstract: A theft resistant strap and buckle assembly for securing cargo on a vehicle rack includes a strap and a buckle. The strap is reinforced to resist cutting. The buckle has a lock and cam device that operates to prevent loosening of the strap when the buckle is locked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Kevin E. Lesley
  • Publication number: 20120298707
    Abstract: Carriers for a bicycle and methods of mounting a bicycle carrier to a vehicle are disclosed. In some examples, the carriers may include a first frame structure configured to couple to a vehicle and a second frame structure configured to couple to the vehicle. The carriers may additionally include a body disposed between the first and second frame structures. The first frame structure may be mounted to the body and the second frame structure may be slidably received within the body. The carriers may further include a first cable device. The first cable device may include a first cable reel rotatably mounted to the body, and a first cable having a first hook end portion configured to attach to a first portion of the vehicle. The first cable may be configured to be wound around the first cable reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, James Buckroyd, Richard Jeli, Lyle Ramsdale
  • Publication number: 20120261449
    Abstract: A rack for carrying skis and snowboards on top of a vehicle includes a pair of clamp devices equipped for mounting on a pair of crossbars. Each clamp device has a collapsible position which reduces its forward facing profile when not being used to carry cargo items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Jeli, Mike Kemery, Steve Rodden, Peter Jones
  • Patent number: 8282254
    Abstract: An aerodynamic cargo box configuration includes a bottom portion hinged to a lid. The lid has a receptacle for receiving a photovoltaic light device substantially flush with, and below, the outer surface of the lid. A photovoltaic light assembly may include a cup portion and a top portion, the top portion containing a photovoltaic cell and the bottom portion containing electronics and an array of one or more light elements configured to provide optimal illumination to an interior space of an elongate rectangular cargo box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, John Mark Elliott, James Owen
  • Publication number: 20120234881
    Abstract: Load-carrying members for vehicle roofs are disclosed. In some examples, the load-carrying members may be configured for use with a crossbar mounted to a vehicle roof. In some examples, the load-carrying members may include a body and an arm pivotably mounted to the body. The body may have a load-bearing surface and may be configured to engage the crossbar and retain the load-carrying member proximate the crossbar. The arm may be configured to pivot between a first position and a second position and about an axis that is transverse to the crossbar. In some examples, the load-carrying members may include a pair of spaced apart mounting blocks and a clamping member configured to engage the crossbar in opposition to the pair of spaced apart mounting blocks. In some examples, the load-carrying members may be configured for carrying a boat on a vehicle roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Jeff Castro, Eric Roesinger, Kevin Lesley
  • Publication number: 20120234883
    Abstract: A versatile rack for carrying one or more bicycles on the rear of a vehicle includes two or more frame structures connected and coordinated through a pair of hubs. One of the frame structures has a pair of parallel arms equipped with saddle mounts and stabilizers for supporting and securing one or more bicycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, James Owen, Richard Jeli
  • Publication number: 20120228349
    Abstract: A vehicle rack system including a stabilized cargo box attached to a pair of crossbars. In some embodiments, the stabilized cargo box includes a container defining a long axis and having a bottom portion hinged to a lid portion to form an enclosure to hold cargo. A plurality of clamp devices may mount the container to the pair of crossbars attached to a roof of a vehicle. The bottom portion may include a housing member defining a groove and also may include a stiffening tube disposed in the groove and providing first and second tubular regions that are laterally spaced from each other and that each extend at least generally parallel to the long axis. The first and second tubular regions may be connected to each other by a third tubular region of the stiffening tube that extends at least part way across a nose of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, James Buckroyd, Dave Condon, John Mark Elliott