Patents Assigned to Yakima Products
  • Patent number: 7726529
    Abstract: A bicycle carrier, including a rack and a fork mount. The rack includes cross bars for mounting on a vehicle. The fork mount includes a head portion adapted to selectively clamp the fork mount to one of the cross bars, and a skewer assembly adapted to selectively secure forks of a bicycle to the head portion. The skewer assembly includes a skewer bolt, an actuator handle that is moveable between a first position and a second position, and an adjustment member threaded onto an end of the skewer bolt that permits longitudinal adjustment of the skewer assembly to accommodate different fork dimensions. The adjustment member is accessible when the actuator handle is in the first position, but is covered by the actuator handle when the actuator handle is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron J. Foley
  • Patent number: 7726528
    Abstract: A bicycle carrier, including a rack and a fork mount. The rack includes cross bars for mounting on a vehicle. The fork mount includes a head portion adapted to selectively clamp the fork mount to one of the cross bars, and a skewer assembly adapted to selectively secure forks of a bicycle to the head portion. The skewer assembly includes a skewer bolt, an actuator handle that is moveable between a first position and a second position, and an adjustment member threaded onto an end of the skewer bolt that permits longitudinal adjustment of the skewer assembly to accommodate different fork dimensions. The adjustment member is accessible when the actuator handle is in the first position, but is covered by the actuator handle when the actuator handle is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron J. Foley
  • Publication number: 20100127031
    Abstract: A carrier for a bicycle includes first and second frame elements configured for coupling to a vehicle. The elements are configured such that one can slide past the other to allow adjustment for various vehicle sizes and shapes. A slide restriction mechanism allows reversible fixation of a relative positioning of the first and second frame elements. In some embodiments, the first and second frame elements are arcuate in shape, such that the overall bicycle carrier is roughly semicircular in profile view when configured for attachment to a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Richard Jeli, Kevin E. Lesley
  • Publication number: 20100084447
    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: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: John Mark Elliott, Chris Sautter
  • Publication number: 20100084448
    Abstract: Linkage devices for connecting vehicle rack support members to preexisting attachment points on vehicle upper surfaces are disclosed. The linkage devices may include a body, a resilient pad, and an anchoring member. The body may include an interface, configured to engage and retain the support member, and a substantially hollow lower portion having a lower edge that defines a circumference of an opening. The resilient pad may be disposed on the lower edge and extend around at least a first substantial portion of the circumference of the opening. The opening may extend through the resilient pad and into the substantially hollow lower portion. The anchoring member may be configured to extend through the substantially hollow lower portion and through the opening, engage the attachment point, and selectively urge the body against the resilient pad and the upper surface of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug Fjelland, Chris Sautter
  • Publication number: 20100043186
    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 pawl device that operates to prevent loosening of the strap when the buckle is locked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Kevin E. Lesley
  • Publication number: 20090321488
    Abstract: A rack strap extension system for a vehicle comprising a rack that is positioned adjacent a rear end of the vehicle, a strap coupled to the rack, a substantially rigid spanning member that is coupled to the strap and has at least two ends that fit around a protrusion positioned near a top rear surface of the vehicle, wherein the strap avoids tensional contact with the protrusion, and a connector mechanism proximate the strap and the substantially rigid spanning member engaged to a receiver of the vehicle, wherein the protrusion is interposed between the connector and the rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder
  • Patent number: 7611035
    Abstract: A rack assembly for carrying skis or snowboards is configured for mounting on a hitch rack behind the vehicle. The ski or snowboard rack assembly includes a pair of U-shaped bar members connected by clamp devices that appear in a preferred design, the clamp devices are connected to the bar members via brackets that permit rotation of the bar members within the brackets, thus providing collapsibility for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Settelmayer, Timothy C. Smith, Addie Segura, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7503470
    Abstract: The invention provides improvements for an enclosed carrier configured for mounting on top of a car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Settelmayer, Scott R. Allen, Timothy C. Smith
  • Patent number: 7416098
    Abstract: The invention provides improvements for an enclosed carrier configured for mounting on top of a car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Settelmayer, Scott R. Allen, Timothy C. Smith
  • Patent number: 7404504
    Abstract: Cargo carriers are disclosed, and more particularly adjustable cargo carriers that may be mounted on a rear of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph J. Settelmayer
  • Patent number: 7357283
    Abstract: System providing a securing arrangement for securing a load to a vehicle-mounted rack. The system includes clamp members adapted to secure the load-carrying member to a crossbar of the vehicle-mounted rack. The system includes an opposable clamp member and may include dimensionally different first and second opposing clamp members. The opposable clamp member may be configured to alternatively attach to the first and second opposing clamp members. The system may include an adjustable mounting mechanism configured to adjust an angle of the load-carrying member relative to the opposable clamp member. The opposable clamp member may include a plurality of alternative coupling sections configured to attach to the first and second opposing clamp members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph J. Settelmayer
  • Patent number: 7328824
    Abstract: A tower device for supporting a crossbar over the roof of a vehicle includes a tower body, a clip retention mechanism and a clip selected to adapt to a particular vehicle profile. Various mechanisms may be used to secure the clip to the clip receiving mechanism. For example, a lock body may insert through coinciding apertures in a clip and clip receiver. A spring retainer may slide into slots or grooves in the lock body to prevent the lock body from disengaging. Other mechanism employ lock mounts that pivot to swing lock bodies through apertures in the clip and clip receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Smith, Joseph J. Settelmayer
  • Patent number: 7328823
    Abstract: A tower device for securing a crossbar on a vehicle includes a base portion, a tower portion, and a pivotal cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott R. Allen
  • Patent number: 7237704
    Abstract: A sports equipment carrier for a vehicle including a rack structure adapted to be mounted to a vehicle and an equipment securing portion. The equipment securing portion includes a clamping mechanism and an adjustment member, where the clamping mechanism includes a housing and is operable between open and closed configurations. Operation of the clamping mechanism shifts the adjustment member into and at least partially out of the housing so that the adjustment member is accessible to a user in the open configuration and inaccessible to a user in the closed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory A. Dean
  • Patent number: D555573
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Kemery, Richard Jeli, Steve Rodden
  • Patent number: D561680
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Foley, Brian Davis, Dominic M. D'Andrea
  • Patent number: D562217
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian F. Davis, Aaron J. Foley, Dominic M. D'Andrea, Kevin E. Lesley
  • Patent number: D562218
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Foley, Brian Davis, Dominic M. D'Andrea
  • Patent number: D566034
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian F. Davis, Aaron J. Foley, Dominic M. D'Andrea, Kevin E. Lesley