Patents Examined by Gregory M. Vidovich
  • Patent number: 6253977
    Abstract: A removable seat cover is provided for a rear passenger accommodating part of a motorcycle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Greger, Edgar Heinrich, David Robb
  • Patent number: 6253982
    Abstract: A holder for releasably securing an article within a motor vehicle equipped with a center console includes a base, means for securing the base to the center console, and means for securing the article to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventor: Michael M. Gerardi
  • Patent number: 6253978
    Abstract: A motorcycle saddlebag lock that can be used to lock a soft saddlebag having a body, a lid coupled to the body, and a strap interconnecting the lid to the body. The lock is attached to the strap when in a strapped position to inhibit the strap from being moved to an unstrapped position. Preferably, the saddlebag includes a retaining member (e.g., a buckle) attached to the body to define an opening through which the strap is received when in the strapped position. In this embodiment, the retaining member is positioned between the lock and the lid, and the lock is larger than the retaining member to thereby prevent the strap from being pulled through the retaining member. The lock includes a body having an opening adapted to receive the strap, and an engaging member coupled to the body and movable relative to the body between an unlocked position out of the opening and a locked position in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company
    Inventors: Dale Swenson, Forrest Barnes, Norm Reynolds
  • Patent number: 6250527
    Abstract: A cup holder has a case fixed to a conveyance, a tray for supporting the bottom of a container, and a pair of left and right holders. The case has an aperture open toward a passenger compartment. The tray is movably supported by the case, and can be pulled out from a storage position in the tray to a usage position, via the aperture. Each holder has an arm with a ring for supporting the side of the container. The arms are linked to the tray so as to be able to rotate horizontally. Each ring has an overlapping part that vertically overlaps with the other ring when the arms approach each other, and a non-overlapping part that does not overlap when the arms approach each other. The vertical-direction width of the overlapping parts is smaller than the width of the non-overlappng parts, thereby reducing the vertical-direction width of the case, making the holder suitable for installation in a conveyance having only limited usable space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Mizue, Masaya Watanabe, Kazuomi Sakata
  • Patent number: 6247624
    Abstract: A carrier device for a power-driven work tool, such as a clearing saw or the like, having at least one shoulder strap (10) and/or a waist belt (14). The work tool is suspended from the carrier device by a supporting rope (18). The supporting rope has ends that are connected to the carrier device. In order to facilitate the use of the tool on sloping or hilly work surfaces, a hip pad (17) is slidably secured to the supporting rope and the work tool is suspended from the hip pad. The hip pad and work tool are thus slidably movable along the supporting rope (18) so as to enable the work tool to be positioned in a desired working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Leena Rundberg
  • Patent number: 6244481
    Abstract: A seat cushion comprising a large pad with a plurality of pocketed flaps attached thereto and foldable on the pad perimeter over the pad for carrying or away from the pad availing the pad as an unobstructed seat cushion. The flap pockets are directed inward toward the pad such that when the pad is in use as a cushion on a hard chair, such as a student's desk, the pockets are directed upward toward the user for convenient access. The most outside flap shares a zipper with the pad and when closed defines a cavity within in which the other flaps are secured, folded alternately over the pad. The cushion is transported on the user's back in the normal manner of a backpack by two arm loops through which the user may place his arm and shoulders, respectively, thus bringing the pad against the user's back as a cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Kevin Brougher
  • Patent number: 6244483
    Abstract: A carrier device that is particularly well suited for use as a vehicle mounted bike carrier. The carrier has a vehicle mounted extension support which supports a side rail structure having a first section extending to a first side of the extension support and a second section extending to a second side of the extension support. The first and second sections are arranged for supporting a respective wheel of an object such as a bike when in use. The carrier device has a modular structure that makes it easily interconnectable with other like carrier structures to form a carrier assembly with the modular carrier structures preferably being arranged in a vertically stacked or staggered arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventors: John D. McLemore, Don C. McLemore
  • Patent number: 6241135
    Abstract: A pack system for holding a highly viscous liquid includes a container configured with an opening in the bottom end thereof, a valve mechanism disposed adjacent the opening for selectively controlling flow through the opening, and a pack having a pocket configured to hold the container in an upright position so that highly viscous liquid disposed within the container will gravitate toward the opening in the lower end. Preferably, the pocket has an opening in the upper end for receiving the container and an opening in the lower end for receiving the valve mechanism so that the valve mechanism is visible while the container is in the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Ultimate Direction, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryce Thatcher
  • Patent number: 6241136
    Abstract: A support is positioned about an individual's waist in engagement with the individual's hips. A pair of stirrups depend from the support and accommodate the feet of a standing child being carried by the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: Paul R. Harriss
  • Patent number: 6237821
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a fishing rod holder harness comprising a harness member, with straps 20, 22, body pad member 24 and a fishing rod holder member 18. The harness member is comprised of a waist strap 20 and a bandoleer-like shoulder strap 22, each having buckle elements 26 for adjusting the fit to the user 12. The body pad member 24 is comprised of a substantially planar element having a plurality of apertures 46 for threading the straps 20, 22 therethrough and for fastening the fishing rod holder 18 thereto. The fishing rod holder 18 is comprised of a substantially U-shaped tube having apertures 46 whereby the fishing rod holder member 18 can be securely fastened to the body pad member 24 using appropriate fasteners 34. The U-shaped tube element has oppositely opposed apertures 46 for positioning a compression locking member 30 therethrough. The compression-locking member 30 has a shaft element 44 having a pivotally attached L-shaped lever 42 on one distal end and threads 36 on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: John Robert William Owen
  • Patent number: 6234372
    Abstract: A combination bicycle mount and a collapsible holder by which the bicycle mount is removably coupled to an existing trailer hitch of a motor vehicle. With the bicycle mount uncoupled from the collapsible holder, the holder is adapted to be folded into a compact package to facilitate transport and storage between uses. The bicycle mount includes upper and lower retaining plates between which a single bicycle frame bar or a pair of bicycle frame bars are received and retained. A threaded locking bolt extends between the upper and lower retaining plates to be rotated in either a first direction to cause the retaining plates to move together to establish a clamping force against the bicycle frame bars or an opposite direction to reduce the clamping force. A cranking tab is pivotally connected to the head of the locking bolt to be rotated between a locked position at which to prevent the locking bolt from being rotated and an unlocked position at which to permit the locking bolt to be rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: George Rivera
  • Patent number: 6230952
    Abstract: A sundry pouch for backpacks is a compartment covered by a flap of the backpack. The sundry pouch attaches to the flap of the backpack, and includes pockets and sections to hold toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, mirror, first aid supplies and other sundry items. The pouch preferably has a flap to keep these sundry items in place when the backpack's flap is closed and the sundry items are held upside down in a storage position, but in an upright exposed position when the flap is lowered down from the backpack. The sundry pouch is removably attachable to the backpack flap, so that it can be removed and carried to a washing area of a remote campsite. The sundry pouch organizes the sundry items for efficient, quick, and reliable access. The sundry pouch is small and slim in a closed position within the backpack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Jay Arthur Jupiter
  • Patent number: 6230918
    Abstract: The invention is a cap engagable with a filler neck of a vehicle fuel tank, the cap having a core including an axially lower end, an axially upper end, and an exterior side wall extending between the axially lower and upper ends. A handle is coupled adjacent the axially upper end of the core and adapted to rotate the core about an axis of rotation between a loosened position permitting removal of the core from the filler neck and a tightened position securing the core within the filler neck. The cap further includes a seal positioned to lie around the core and a sleeve movable axially by the handle. The sleeve and has an interior side wall defining a chamber formed in the sleeve. The core lies within the chamber, and the seal lies between the sleeve and the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Tho Truong Huynh, Bruce T. Mowatt
  • Patent number: 6230947
    Abstract: An audio equipment holder and bracket device that conveniently mounts to a vehicle. The device comprises a substantially planer platform for retaining the audio equipment, and at least one leg with the first end secured to the platform, and a second end terminating at a connection point that allows for releasable securement to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Robert E. McClaran
  • Patent number: 6230946
    Abstract: A safety holster for a firearm, including a pivotally mounted retaining member for engaging the trigger guard of the firearm and preventing withdrawal of the firearm from the holster by anyone other than an authorized user of the firearm. The holster includes a fingerprint sensor for scanning fingerprint information of a perspective user of the firearm, and a processor for comparing the scanned fingerprint information with stored fingerprint information of an authorized user and releasing the retaining member only if the scanned fingerprint information matches that of the authorized user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventors: Albert W. Vor Keller, David R. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 6230948
    Abstract: A vehicle cup holder has a housing forming an upwardly open cup-shaped seat centered on an upright seat axis and having a side wall and a floor and a plurality of gripping arms spaced around the seat on the side wall and pivotal about respective upright axes between radially inner positions projecting into the seat and radially outer positions generally disengaged from the seat. A drive under the floor is connected to the arms for displacing them synchronously between the inner and outer positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignees: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Sarnatech Paulmann & Crone GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Steiger, Traci Angela Neist, John Raff, Martin Christ
  • Patent number: 6223960
    Abstract: A motorcycle saddlebag comprising a body formed of a substantially continuous and substantially rigid material (e.g., plastic) having an opening providing access to the interior volume of the body. A body cover made of a flexible material (e.g., leather) is formed over at least a portion of the exterior surface of the body. The saddlebag further includes a lid formed of a substantially rigid material (e.g., plastic) and a lid cover made of a flexible material (e.g., leather) formed over at least a portion of the exterior surface of the lid. A first fastener and a second fastener are connected in series between the lid and the body such that both the first and second fasteners must be fastened to hold the body to the lid. The first fastener can be a strap and buckle fastener, and the second fastener can be a quick-release fastener that is at least partially hidden by the first fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company
    Inventors: Daniel L. Powell, Jeffrey F. Schwochert
  • Patent number: 6220493
    Abstract: A multi-way bag comprises, in combination, a bag and a length-adjustable strap for carrying the bag. Preferably, the bag comprises front and back panels, a pair of side panels and top and bottom panels. The bag has four pairs of strap guides which allow the strap to pass therethrough, four connectors for connecting the strap to the bag so that the bag is supportable by a user with the strap. The connectors connect the strap to the bag such that the bag is supportable by means of the strap in one of a plurality of configurations selected by the user. The strap guides are mounted on the top and bottom panels with two pairs each on each panel at portions near both ends thereof. Each connector is rotatably and slidably mounted inside each pair of the strap guides so as to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis of each of the top and bottom panels and to be slidable therealong. Four pairs of slits are formed in the back panel in such a manner that each two pairs of the slits are opposed to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventors: Norihiro Iijima, Teruyo Iijima
  • Patent number: 6216929
    Abstract: A protective device designed to protect, from dirt and grind, a bottle held in a holder or cage fixed to a portion of a bicycle frame. The device comprises a cylindrical casing able to cover laterally, at least a top end of the bottle, and having a closed casing position and an open casing position; a lid which is able to close a top end of the cylindrical casing, and comprising a pivoting device permitting an opening of the lid from a closed lid position, when the cylindrical casing is in the closed casing position, to an open lid position; a sliding device disposable between the cage and the cycle; and wherein the cylindrical casing is able to have a sliding movement longitudinally along the sliding device, from the closed casing position where the top end of the bottle is protected to the open casing position thus giving access to the top end of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Lumberton International Inc.
    Inventors: Yves Bonard, Thomas Fodor, Philippe Moret
  • Patent number: 6216926
    Abstract: A combination workout backpack and detachable backpack bag is disclosed in which the workout backpack and one or more standard weighted weight bags are used for training, i.e., building strength and endurance, for hiking. In addition, a detachable backpack bag is releasably attachable to the workout backpack so that the combination thereof, without the standard weighted weight bags, is designed for use as a conventional backpack for carrying various items when hiking. The workout backpack includes two vertically-extending, side-by-side, weight storage compartments which are conformable to one or more weight bags to inhibit horizontal and vertical movement of the standard weighted weight bags when training. A plurality of straps with releasable interlocking buckle clasps releasably attach a vertically-extending central portion, opposite lateral side portions, and a top portion of the workout backpack and to the detachable backpack bag to form an integral unit similar to a conventional backpack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Stephen W. Pratt