Patents Examined by Gregory M. Vidovich
  • Patent number: 6216928
    Abstract: A vehicle article carrier having at least one lateral cross rail selectively positionable along longitudinally extending side rails. Stanchions are connected to opposite ends of the cross rail and slidably engage longitudinally formed interior cavities in the side rails. A latch is coupled between each stanchion and each side rail to releasably latch each stanchion and the cross rail in a selected, fixed position along the side rails. An actuator controls the latch. In one embodiment, the actuator is formed by a movable lateral fit between the stanchion and the interior cavity in the side rails permitting lateral movement of each stanchion in each side rail upon push or pull of either stanchion. In another embodiment, the actuator includes a movable operator connected by cables to at least one latch pin carried by a stanchion which is releasably engagable with one of a plurality of spaced apertures formed longitudinally along a side rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: The American Team
    Inventors: Karl Blankenburg, Karl Van Blankenburg, Duane Rode, Henry Buhlinger
  • Patent number: 6216927
    Abstract: A mounting device for releasably and securely mounting an entertainment accessory within an automobile having a headrest extending from a seat. The mounting device includes an entertainment accessory and a case that can be releasably attached to the headrest. The entertainment accessory is positioned within the case and the case has a front side, a rear side, and a bottom side. A quick connect device is attached to the case for releasably engaging the headrest. A cover has one edge attached to the case. The cover is movable between a first position and second position. The cover overlaps the bottom side and the front side of the case while in the first position, and the cover serves as a spacer between the seat and the rear side of the case, while in the second position, to orient the case in a generally vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Ronald Meritt
  • Patent number: 6213362
    Abstract: An infant carrier with a sling body (12) capable of expanding as an infant grows in size. The infant carrier (10) is positioned on the front of the adult's torso. Newborns are positioned in a natural, supportive womb-like posture and as the infant grows in size and musculature they can sit be in a more upright position. Padded top bands (14,16) supply comfort and a structure to the upper edge of the sling body. Structural straps (18,19) eliminate stretch and offer strength along the upper horizontal region of the sling body means. The sling body means (17) is fixedly attached to a wide shoulder pad means (20). Adjustment to the infant carrier (10) is performed using an adjustable shoulder strap (30), a common loop (34) and a bar slide (32). Alternative hardware can be utilized that allows for variations in adjustment as well as removably attaching the shoulder pad means (20) to the sling body means (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventors: Ann L. Lorenzini, Peter A. Christopher
  • Patent number: 6213365
    Abstract: A painter's utility belt is comprised of an elongated sash with a widened middle portion embedded with lumbar support inserts. The ends of the sash are releasably attached by a buckle on an adjustable strap. A strip of reinforcing webbing is attached longitudinally on the sash. Loops are formed along the webbing for holding tools, such as a scraper and screwdrivers. A pocket is centered on the sash for holding a sanding block. A pair of vertical loops closed with buckles are attached near the ends of the sash for holding caulking guns, tape, or paint cans. A pair of D-rings are attached to the webbing near the opposite ends for holding a hammer, a rag, etc. A pair of combination pockets are releasably attached to the sash in positions corresponding to the hip positions on the user. The combination pockets are each comprised of a paint pocket lined with a liquid resistant material for holding paint, and a plurality of tool pockets for holding tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventors: David Stocke, Ronald B. Stein
  • Patent number: 6209766
    Abstract: A belt-mounted apparatus for carrying golf accessories, such as tees and ball markers, is disclosed. The apparatus consists of a belt saddle-clip, with a plurality of tee holders and ball marker holders being provided on the outside surface of the belt saddle-clip. In the above apparatus, a watch is preferably provided on the saddle-clip. In the belt saddle-clip, front and rear walls are integrated into a single structure at the top while defining a belt channel between the two walls. A plurality of embossments may be formed on the inside surface of the rear wall. The above holders and the watch are provided on the front wall of the belt saddle-clip, while the rear wall of the saddle-clip is preferably bent toward the front wall, thus forming an elastic lower flange gripping the belt when the saddle-clip is clipped on the belt. This apparatus allows a golfer to easily and effectively carry such small golf accessories in addition to a watch on his belt while golfing, thus being very convenient to the golfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Young-Wook Kwon
  • Patent number: 6209769
    Abstract: An improved side pack for holding objects on the side of the torso to provide comfortable, ready, and ergonomic access to the objects, comprising a strap assembly and a suspended bag. A bag includes a main compartment facing away from the user having a closing flap for closing a top opening of the compartment. Secondary compartments are provided facing the user. A hold-down depending from the secondary compartments may be attached to a belt loop to restrict movement of the bag. A strap assembly comprises a primary strap adjustably attached to retention straps on the bag. The primary strap has a wide midportion for spreading the weight of the bag. An auxiliary strap attachable to a plurality of positions on the midportion of the primary step extends across the back and under the distal arm and serves to retain the primary strap in place on the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventors: Peggy Newgarden Seals, Carla M. Talbot
  • Patent number: 6206258
    Abstract: A carrier for sunglasses for use with a bicycle having a handle-bar includes a holder and a connector. The connector includes a tubular member with a longitudinal gap forming a first portion thereof, a band and a tab. The band forms a second portion thereof, has a plurality of teeth and is attached to a first peripheral edge of the gap at one end. The tab has a slot and is attached to a second peripheral edge of the gap. The holder includes a basket which has an open top and an open bottom and a tongue which has a soft rubber, semi-rod shape shim. The tongue is resiliently and pivotally coupled to the basket. A pair of sunglasses which has a frame and a pair of wands with one of the wands is inserted into the open top of the basket and passing through the open bottom thereof and whereby the tongue resiliently presses the soft rubber, semi-rod shape shim against the wand thereby holding it in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Michael J. Calder
  • Patent number: 6202907
    Abstract: A backpack which includes a suspension and a frame. The frame includes an inner support structure and an outer support structure releasably connected to each other by quick release pins. The backpack frame can house storage bags and compartments and is adjustably connected to the suspension system by quick release pins. By separating the two support structures, aligning them linearly to each other, and inserting elongated rods between them, a frame for a cot is formed. The orientation of the support structures is such that when a mattress is placed on the frame and weight is put on the mattress, the forces are directed inwardly, resulting in great stability. The suspension can be used as a day pack, i.e. the frame can be eliminated and one of the storage bags can be adjustably attached to the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Richard S. Higgins
  • Patent number: 6202909
    Abstract: A cargo carrier (10) has a separable drawbar (22) and platform (20) for facilitating ease of storage when not in use. The drawbar (22) is mountable to a vehicle hitch and the platform (20) is mounted onto the drawbar (22) via the fastening of a single manually operated knob (74).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Draw-Tite Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob S. Belinky, David A. Young
  • Patent number: 6202911
    Abstract: A golf accessory organizer to be attached to a golfer's pants or belt. The golf organizer defines various pockets and storage elements therein for receiving a plurality of golf-related articles, such as golf balls, tees, score pencils, divot repair tools, and the like. A hook and loop panel is provided for releaseable attachment of a golf towel, a golf glove, a club face cleaning tool, and the like in contact with the organizer. Clips may be provided for easier attachment of the organizer to a golfer's pants or belt, not requiring the belt to be removed before the organizer is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Robert D. Freer
  • Patent number: 6202910
    Abstract: A receptacle compression system includes a receptacle enclosing an internal volume. The receptacle includes the bottom panel having first and second opposite ends and first and second opposite sides and a top panel opposite the bottom panel. The top panel includes an opening therethrough. The receptacle further includes first and second side panels coupled to the first and second sides of the bottom panel, respectively, and extending towards the top panel. The first and second side panels each have a rigid perimeter extending from the bottom panel. The receptacle compression system further includes first and second compression straps. The first compression strap is connected to one of the first side panel and the second side panel and is configured to extend across the opening so as to be connected to the other of the first side panel and the second side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Swetish
  • Patent number: 6199732
    Abstract: A load support system for carrying a load on a user's back includes a load support, first and second user engaging surfaces, and first and second arms extending between the load support and the first and second user-engaging surfaces, respectively. The load support includes a back panel configured to extend substantially parallel to the user's mid-coronal plane when worn. The first and second user-engaging surfaces are configured to engage the user on opposite sides of the user's mid-sagital plane when worn. The first and second arms are coupled to the back panel at first and second spaced locations along a first axis on opposite sides of the user's mid-sagital plane. The first arm has a first end pivotably coupled to the back panel about a second axis oblique to the first axis and oblique to a transverse plane of the user. The first arm further includes a second end coupled to the first user-engaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Swetish
  • Patent number: 6199734
    Abstract: A bowholder for supporting an archery bow on a fixed or movable structure, and particularly adapted for supporting an archery bow on a cargo carrier rack or the like of a motor vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle (ATV), includes an elongated tubular frame member supported on spaced-apart support blocks which are mountable on a cargo carrier rack by releasable fastener assemblies. The frame member supports spaced-apart U-shaped bow limb support brackets which are mounted for pivotal movement on the frame member and are connected to pivot levers which, in turn, are connected to opposite ends of an elastically stretchable strap member. Opposite ends of the pivot levers form handles for rotating the U-shaped brackets against the bias of the elastic strap member to receive and release opposed limbs of an archery bow disposed in the U-shaped brackets, respectively. A fitted fabric cover includes an elastic hem and drawstrings for securing the cover tightly over the bowholder with a bow supported thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Paul H. Meeks
  • Patent number: 6199737
    Abstract: A sanitary pet-waste collection pouch having front, rear and side-walls defining an interior open topped chamber for holding tied pet-waste loaded plastic litter bags containing retrieved pet-waste. The rear wall is extended forming a unitary flap cover having interior opening and exterior opening pockets on opposite sides threof. The exterior opening pocket is closed by a “hook and pile” Velcro closure. An open topped side-pocket having a restricted bottom opening is secured along a side-wall of the pouch. A sanitizer dispensing container with a dispensing cap is seated securely within the side-pocket with the dispensing cap passing through the restricted bottom opening. The flap cover carries the “hook” portion of a second “hook and pile” Velcro closure and the front wall carries the “pile” portion of said closure, the “pile” portion being longer than the “hook” portion and being located on the front wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Nicholas Clement Ringelstetter
  • Patent number: 6199730
    Abstract: A wristband or watchband is disclosed having a first band sized for encircling a wearer's wrist, a watch-engaging member and a protective cover for securing over the watch, or other measuring device or ornament, to protect it from exposure or damage. The configuration of the wristband of the present invention facilitates attachment of the wristband to the wearer's wrist and reduces the cost of manufacture in comparison to similar watchbands previously known.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Chisco, Inc.
    Inventor: Beirne Chisolm
  • Patent number: 6199733
    Abstract: A speed square holder including an elongated vertically disposed body member having a top spring clip and a bottom spring clip offset and connected by an intermediate portion. A top mount is pivotally attached to the top spring clip and a bottom mount is pivotally attached to the bottom spring clip. Spring biased top and bottom lever buttons are pivotally attached to the intermediate portion and are disposed in contacting relationship with the respective top and bottom mounts. In use, the top spring clip is positioned over a tool belt or nail pocket with the top lever button in contact with the top edge of the belt or pocket. Downward pressure on the top spring clip forces the top button up and forces the pivoting top mount open to receive the edge of the belt or pocket. The speed square is then positioned over the bottom spring clip in contact with the bottom button. Downward pressure is applied to force the bottom button down and force the bottom pivot mount open to receive the square.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Green Reynolds, III
  • Patent number: 6196433
    Abstract: A basket for bicycles having a coupling device to detachably suspend it on a coupling element fitted on handlebars. The basket has a simple design and is easy to handle because of rigidly integrating a coupling plate in the sidewall of the basket that faces the coupling element. In the coupling plate, suspension elements adapted to the coupling element are formed by at least one correspondingly shaped window in a plane of the coupling plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Löhr GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Gerhard Lohr
  • Patent number: 6193123
    Abstract: An apparatus for carrying panel materials adjacent to a truck side panel has a stationary workpiece resting surface mounted on the truck side panel and a movable workpiece clamping and supporting device positioned adjacent to the stationary workpiece resting surface and mounted to the truck. A motive device such as a motor engages the truck and is connected for moving the workpiece clamping and supporting device toward and away from the workpiece resting surface for sandwiching a workpiece between the workpiece resting surface and the workpiece clamping and supporting device for enabling the truck to transport the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventors: Zbigniew Jozef Adamczewski, Ruth Esther Gosey
  • Patent number: 6193121
    Abstract: A fastening device for holding a golf implement set is described. The fastening device includes a fastening stand having a clip attached to one side thereof for attachment to a person's belt. A plurality of embedded channels is attached to the other side of the fastening stand. The embedded channels are formed by ribbed strips and are adapted to hold ball location markers, mending tools, a brush, etc. A plurality of openings are provided along a top surface of the fastening stand. The openings are sized to permit insertion of different sized golf tees into the fastening stand. In addition, the openings include resilient clip members for resiliently holding the golf tees. The fastening device firmly holds the golf implement set in place so that they do not drop when a golfer is using the fastening device while playing golf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: Chen-Te Chang
  • Patent number: RE37111
    Abstract: A rifle sling support apparatus including an elongated belt securement strap having a base end, a tip end, and a securement mechanism affixed to the ends for securing the strap in a closed loop configuration about a belt fastened about a user's waist; a hook having an upper end, a lower end, a bend therebetween, and a pair of opposed cutouts formed on the bend and with each cutout sized for receiving a pistol grip or a stock of a rifle; and a hook angle adjustment mechanism secured between the belt securement strap and hook for adjusting the angular position of the hook with respect to the belt securement strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Rick W. Barron