Patents Examined by Christopher J Darner
  • Patent number: 7540116
    Abstract: A mobile structure, such as a recreational vehicle, that includes a wall having first and second opposed surfaces and an edge surface. The edge surface defines an opening through the wall. A slide-out room or other enclosure is moveably located in the opening. A trim member having an integral seal is attached at the opening and the seal is engageable with a flange on the enclosure. A second trim member has an integrally attached flexible member projecting outwardly therefrom. The flexible member engages the enclosure and wipes moisture and debris from the enclosure as it is moved into a retracted position with the mobile structure. The two trim members have an overlapping portion with the opening and can be simultaneously secured to the wall by driving a mechanical fastener through the overlapped portions of the trim members. A method of manufacturing such mobile structures is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Lifetime Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Martinson
  • Patent number: 7481027
    Abstract: A multiple-level bicycle storing system includes a framework having a vertical support and a horizontal mounting frame. The framework defines a lower storing space with a lower receiver, a middle storing space with an upper receiver attached to the mounting frame with a pivot mechanism, and an upper storing space. The upper storing space includes an upper track having a horizontal rail, a shuttle movably engaging the rail, an electric shuttle motor attached to the rail and the shuttle and a power source, a cable winch incorporated into the shuttle, an electric winch motor attached to the cable winch and the power source, a control box attached between the winch motor, the shuttle motor and the power source, and a bicycle support attached to the cable winch. The pivot mechanism includes a plurality of rollers, rails, a lever and a gas spring to enable extension of the upper receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventor: Ernst Blume
  • Patent number: 7472517
    Abstract: A multiple-level bicycle storing system includes a framework with a vertical support and a mounting frame defining upper and lower storing spaces. Each storing space includes a receiver to hold a bicycle. The upper receiver has a distal end, a proximal end and a U-shaped channel along the top surface. The upper receiver is pivotally attached to the mounting frame, enabling the upper receiver to tilt from horizontal to a loading and unloading position. The proximal end of the upper receiver is located near the floor when pivoted into the loading and unloading position. The upper receiver pivots up from the loading and unloading position into the horizontal storage position. The bicycles and the storing spaces are enclosed, and a floor separates the lower storing space from the upper storing space. Each storing space includes a lockable door and conceals the pivot point, upper receiver and bicycles inside the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Inventor: Ernst Blume
  • Patent number: 7461482
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sub-flooring assembly. The disclosed assembly includes at least two rectangular sections. Each of the sections have first and second ends and first and second sides. A male component extends outwardly from the first end of each of the sections. The male component has a flange proximate a free end thereof. An opening is disposed on the second end of each of the sections. The opening extends into the section to form a cavity. A pocket is formed in the cavity. The flange of one of the sections is removably received in the pocket of another of the sections for detachably securing the first end of one of the sections to the second end of another of the sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Inventors: Mark A. Cerasi, David Kubic
  • Patent number: 7406804
    Abstract: A system consists of blocks (1) provided with grooves (19, 21) as well as joining elements (23) which are situated in the grooves for positioning the blocks with respect to each other. The block (1) has two joining sides (3, 5) for joining the blocks situated above and/or below it. Starting with a rough, undressed block, a layer of the rough block is removed from both joining sides over the whole surface, so that the joining sides (3, 5) become bearing surfaces (15, 17), which form the contact surfaces with the blocks above and below them. When dressing the rough block one makes sure that the distance (18) between the bearing surfaces (15, 17) lies within narrow tolerances of a desired value. Because of this, the blocks in a course lie precisely in a horizontal plane. The grooves (19, 21) and joining elements (23) make sure that the blocks lie precisely in a vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Inventor: Gert J. Den Daas