Patents Examined by H. Gutman
  • Apparatus for engagement with buckle
    Patent number: 8690502
    Abstract: A buckle-engaging apparatus includes a stationary plate, a rotational receptacle and a pivot. The stationary plate includes a central aperture defined therein. The rotational receptacle includes a rotational plate and a shell. The rotational plate includes a central aperture defined therein. The shell is attached to the rotational plate and includes a slot in a raised portion. The pivot is inserted in the central aperture of the stationary plate and the central aperture of the rotational plate to rotationally connect the rotational plate to the stationary plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Han-Ching Huang
  • Locking device for containers
    Patent number: 8684644
    Abstract: A locking device (1) for locking a container (2) onto a loading surface, in particular for road vehicles or railway container wagons, with a first locking lever (11) which is arranged pivotably about an shaft (13) oriented perpendicularly to the loading and unloading direction (Z) and which is preloaded in the direction of a basic position of a spring (14), wherein the shaft of the first locking lever (11) is guided displaceably in the loading and unloading direction (Z), and a toggle lever (117) is provided, the toggle lever being coupled pivotably at one end to the first locking lever (11) and at the opposite end pivotably to a fixing point (102) in the housing (10) such that the shaft (13) of the first locking lever (11), in the loading position of said shaft, is displaced towards the corner fitting (20) and, in the basic position of said shaft, is displaced in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: RMM Metternich Mechatronik GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz-Ruediger Metternich
  • Vehicle load securing apparatus
    Patent number: 8678728
    Abstract: A vehicle load securing apparatus for securing a load to a vehicle, and including a housing substantially enclosing an interior and having a dispensing opening into the interior, and a spool rotatably mounted in the interior of the housing and including a rotating shaft. The apparatus may further include a length of an elongate member at least partially wrapped about the spool, and a ratcheting structure configured to control rotation of the spool, with the ratcheting structure having an engaged position in which the ratcheting structure resists rotation of the spool in an unwind direction of the spool and a disengaged position in which the ratcheting structure permits rotation of the spool in the unwind direction and a wind direction. The apparatus may also comprise a mounting structure on the housing that is configured to removably mount the housing on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Myles Ammann
  • Motor vehicle with a rear air guiding device
    Patent number: 8678475
    Abstract: A motor vehicle (1) has a rear air guiding device (2) and a mechanism (3) for receiving and fastening the air guiding device (2). The mechanism (3) has a pin (6) in one end region for hooking-in at a socket (14) in the air guiding device (2). Thus the air guiding device (2) can be pivoted relative to the mechanism (3). A connector (18) connects the air guiding device (2) and the mechanism (3) at a position spaced from the pin (6) and the socket (14). An adjustable spacer (8, 10) is between the air guiding device (2) and the mechanism (3) near the connector (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Okan Goenueldinc
  • Cargo restraint system and method for restraining cargo
    Patent number: 8668417
    Abstract: A cargo restraint system is provided. The system includes a fixed-hook assembly including a frame and a hook extending from the frame. The system also includes a fabric strap including a first end and a second end and a tensioner assembly configured to receive and maintain the second end of the fabric strap therein when in a locked configuration, wherein the tensioner assembly is configured to reduce in length when placed in the locked configuration. At least a portion of the fabric strap is received within the fixed-hook assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William Ryan Harrigan, Thomas Reiner, Myles A. Rohrlick, Michael Patterson Johnson, Anibal J. Garcia
  • Shipping supports for tapered elongated structures
    Patent number: 8668415
    Abstract: A support saddle (20, 24) for supporting a load (14) having a taper profile along an axial length of the load (14). The support saddle (20, 24) comprises a lower surface (20A, 24A) for resting on a surface (10A) of a transportation vehicle load bed (10) and an upper surface (20B, 24B) defining a taper to substantially match the taper profile of the load (10) in a region of the load contacting the upper surface (20B, 24B), the upper surface (20B, 24B) for receiving the load (10). In other embodiments the support saddles (20, 24) are used with inserts (64, 65) and/or cushions (45). One or more of the support saddles (20, 24), the inserts (64, 65) and the cushions (45) may comprise a tapered upper surface to match the taper profile of the load (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Brian Yogodzinski
  • Retractable vehicle canopy assembly
    Patent number: 8662563
    Abstract: A retractable vehicle canopy assembly provides temporary shelter from precipitation or sun. The assembly includes a housing having a bottom, a top, and a perimeter wall extending between the bottom and the top defining an interior space. The bottom of the housing is configured for coupling to a vehicle adjacent to a door of the vehicle. A slot extends through the perimeter wall of the housing. A plurality of rails is positioned in the interior space. Each of the rails is selectively extendable from the interior space through the slot. A cover is coupled to the rails and extending outwardly from the slot when the rails are extended from the slot whereby the cover is configured to shelter an area adjacent to the door of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Ann M. Hardenbrook
  • Sprint car wing
    Patent number: 8662565
    Abstract: A sprint car wing or wing assembly is provided. The wing, which is known as a top wing, includes a wing belly and left and right side boards attached generally perpendicular to the wing belly. The wing belly includes a non-uniform thickness along its width to create downforce for the car. The right and left side boards are positioned mostly below and above the wing belly to aid in the creation of downforce, and also to provide the car with a sideforce during cornering. The side boards include a flexible surface, which will curve or bow to create greater sideforce. The side boards also house mounting frames of the wing assembly to mount the side boards to the wing belly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Lynton Jeffrey
  • Storage and transportation system and elements thereof
    Patent number: 8651783
    Abstract: A support device (100) for carrying an inner load holder (50/60) in use within an outer transport and storage container (10). The device includes a base member (101, 102, 103, 105) for being secured or securable to a floor (16) of the outer container, having at least one formation (104) for restraining lateral movements of the inner load holder relative to the device in a plane generally parallel to the floor. The device further includes a mechanism (108) for releasably restraining said inner load holder in a direction perpendicular to said floor or base, wherein said mechanism includes at least one sliding bolt member (110) for selectively engaging with a complementary feature (62) of the inner load holder and when so engaged, providing said restraining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Allan Grainger
  • Wheel rim for tire
    Patent number: 8651584
    Abstract: A wheel rim 1 for a tire 2 including a rim portion 1A having a rim body 5 and a pair of flanges 6, the rim body 5 having seat portions 5a for seating bead portions 2c of the tire 2 at both ends of the rim body 5 in a rotation axis direction thereof, and the pair of flanges 6 being continuously provided on both sides of the rim body 5 and extending radially outward, wherein convex portions 9 which extend in a direction intersecting with a tire circumferential direction are provided at distances from one another in the circumferential direction on an outer surface 6o, which does not come into contact with the tire 2, of the flanges 6 in the rotation axis direction and/or on an inner surface of the rim body 5 in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidehiko Hino
  • System and method for securing a load onto a trailer
    Patent number: 8647034
    Abstract: A system and method for securing a load onto a trailer is described. Specifically, a load-securing device can comprise a first casing mountable to a trailer, wherein said casing comprises a first front driveshaft access orifice and a first plate screw orifice, a first threaded driveshaft mounted in said casing wherein the first end of said first driveshaft is mateable with a first rotation actuator, further wherein the front end of said first threaded drive shaft is accessible by said first front driveshaft access orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: Jesus Villalon-Regalado
  • Apparatus for railroad transportation of wind turbine blades
    Patent number: 8641339
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) for transporting a wind turbine blade (10) on at least two railcars over a railway is provided. The apparatus includes a root end support (22) for supporting the root end (12) of the blade, a mid span support (28) for supporting the mid span (14) of the blade, and a tip displacement limiter (24) for restricting a tip end (16) of the blade from extending beyond a lateral transportation limit (30) imposed by the railroad. The tip displacement limiter exerts a force on the blade which is counter to a force exerted on the blade by the mid span support only when the railcars navigate a design basis curve (32) in the railway to cause a bending of the blade in order to avoid exceeding the lateral transportation limit. The apparatus is particularly useful for the transportation of extra-long or curved wind turbine blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karsten Schibsbye, John T. Sullivan
  • Cargo netting system
    Patent number: 8641340
    Abstract: The present invention is a single piece cargo net having a semi-rigid center section for centering, and includes a pair of opposed short side sections having a plurality of spaced vertical straps extending from the center section. The invention further includes a pair of opposed long side sections having a plurality of spaced vertical straps extending from said center section. The invention further includes an integral storage bag that easily opens and separates for deploying the single piece net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Matbock, LLC
    Inventors: Zachary L. Steinbock, Sean M. Matson
  • Vehicle panel
    Patent number: 8641136
    Abstract: A vehicle panel with a folded-over or wrapped edge is disclosed. The vehicle panel comprises a main body portion. The main body portion includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is formed of a substantially rigid material and has a first surface, a second surface and an edge. The second layer is coupled to the second surface of the first layer and formed of a substantially flexible material. The vehicle panel also comprises a flap integrally formed with the main body portion at the edge and comprises at least the second layer. The vehicle panel further comprises a hinge separating the flap from the main body portion, the hinge is defined by at least a portion of the first layer having a reduced thickness. The flap is folded back about the hinge towards the first surface of the first layer to substantially conceal the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Compay
    Inventors: Christopher Scott Kring, Todd D. Nellis, Dennis J. Vanhouten, Bobby Bagby, Julie M. DeVries, Ben Edward Sapak, Kevin A. Tomasek, Peter Oosting, Brent Donald Rockafellow, Albert Charles Haak, Jason M. Scholten, Rade Milanovic, William J. Homik, Jack Lawrence Johnson
  • Method for using a bicycle tire inner tube to make a tie down strap
    Patent number: 8636452
    Abstract: A tie down strap is used for securing cargo or to attach various objects. A tie down strap is made from a bicycle tire inner tube and clips which can be removeably and adjustably attached to either end of the bicycle tire inner tube which is cut along a radial axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventors: John D. Summer, Erik Bodegom
  • Aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus
    Patent number: 8622461
    Abstract: An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus is adaptable for use with vehicles having downstream surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus consists of a series of nesting shapes and/or frameworks that extend rearward for use in a drag reducing configuration and collapse for use in a space saving configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas Scott Breidenbach
  • Strap for a vehicle side curtain or load restraint
    Patent number: 8616813
    Abstract: A strap that includes a casing, and a plurality of stuffer strands that extend lengthwise through the casing. The stuffer strands are located between two layers of the casing and are arranged in at least two sets. The stuffer strands resist elongation of the strap in response to tensile forces applied in the elongate direction of the strap, and have a maximum elongation at break of less than 7.5%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Polyweld Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Stuart Donaldson
  • Seat mounted extendable litter system
    Patent number: 8602475
    Abstract: A seat mounted extendable litter system includes a structural frame assembly supporting at least one seat. The seat has a seat member and a seat back member rotatable with respect to the seat member defining a seat upright condition and a seat folded condition. A litter tray is slidably connected to the structural frame assembly and oriented substantially horizontal in the seat folded condition such that the litter tray is slidable between a litter tray extended condition and a litter tray stowed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Milton Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: William K. Fletcher, Jay W. Winborn
  • Structure for attaching display unit
    Patent number: 8602477
    Abstract: A display unit attaching structure includes: a plurality of first rhombic clips 7 for engaging with engaging holes 51 of a vehicle roof sheet metal 5; a base sheet metal 2 on one side of which an engaging section 22 is formed, and on the other side of which a supporting section 24 with an engaging hole 23 is formed; and a display main body 3 in which the display is pivotally supported openably and closably in a housing section of a display 4, on one side of which an engaging section 34 for engaging with the engaging section 22 of the base sheet metal 2 is provided, and on the other side of which a second rhombic clip 9 for engaging with the engaging hole 23 is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yujiro Abe, Takahiro Ikunami
  • Shipping fixture and method for transporting rotor blades
    Patent number: 8602700
    Abstract: A shipping fixture and method for transporting a rotor blade are disclosed. The shipping fixture is configured for stacking thereon of an adjacent shipping fixture. The shipping fixture includes a first frame comprising a first support member and a first nesting feature. The first frame is further configured for stacking thereon of the adjacent shipping fixture. The shipping fixture further includes a second frame comprising a second support member, a second nesting feature, and a mounting feature. The second nesting feature mates with the first nesting feature to removably nest the second frame to the first frame at least partially within the first frame. The mounting feature is configured for mounting of the rotor blade thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Stephen Bertram Johnson