Patents Examined by Justin Larson
  • Patent number: 9862331
    Abstract: A combination carrier adapted to be mounted at a rear of a vehicle consists of an upper frame and a lower frame interconnected by a transverse connecting element. The upper frame is formed by first and second upper arms. The lower frame is formed by first and second lower arms. The first upper arm, the first lower arm; the second upper arm and the second lower arm are pivotably connected to each other at respective first and second hubs. A proximal support assembly is movably arranged at the first hub at the junction between the first upper arm and the first lower arm. The distal support assembly is movably arranged at the second hub at the junction between the second upper arm and the second lower arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: BEAR-LOCK USA, LLC
    Inventors: Arseny Libon, Joseph Bouganim, Ilona De Jongh
  • Patent number: 9854897
    Abstract: This invention provides a backpack with a compartment containing a plurality of pockets for carrying personal electronic devices, including a specific pocket for storing a rechargeable battery pack within a range of sizes, shapes and cable socket number/placement on the pack's housing. The battery pocket defines crossing bands of elastic that accommodates/secures various battery form factors. Power cable access to sockets on the pack is eased by the flexibility of the straps and their interstices. The main compartment includes pockets for other electronic items, such as a tablet computer, smartphone and/or music player. Pockets are constructed from a mesh that includes an elastomer coating for frictional retention of items. A cable pocket, including pass through openings is also provided to route and store gathered/wound sections of power cables from the battery pack located therebelow. Cables extend from the cable pocket to various electronic devices in adjacent pockets, or externally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: The Gem Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Pelkey, Jr., Richard C. Bellofatto, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9855897
    Abstract: In one series of embodiments, a carrier system includes a rack mountable on a vehicle to transport material. The rack includes a frame having one or more suction cups attached to the rear side of the frame, e.g., for attachment to a surface such as the side of the vehicle. A support bar mates with the frame. The support bar and the frame may include attachment configurations which mate with one another to selectively and securely attach the bar to the front side of the frame with the bar extending in a direction away from the one or more cups. With the rack comprising a plurality of suction cups, the frame may be configured as a plate or may comprise a series of arms or connected braces which extend away from a center position to the suction cups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventors: Ken Kniepmann, Brian Will
  • Patent number: 9849842
    Abstract: A resettable bracket is herein presented. The bracket is configured to mount a transceiver to a vehicle. The bracket includes a first piece and a second piece configured to be pivotably connected to each other. A docking station is mounted to the first piece. The docking station includes a bluff, an over-travel stop, and a plurality of arms configured to restrict pivotable movement of the second piece in relation to the first piece. A fitting element is mounted to the second piece. The fitting element is configured to dock into the docking station to substantially create the pivotable connection between the first and the second piece. A spring is installed at the pivotable connection between the first and second pieces. The spring is configured to allow the second piece to automatically return to a default position after being pivoted in relation to the first piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: David P. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 9848687
    Abstract: A strap height adjustment apparatus including a backpack, a locking strap adjuster, a non-locking strap adjuster, an adjusting strap, and a shoulder strap. The locking strap adjuster is secured to the backpack at a first attachment point. The non-locking strap adjuster secured to the backpack at a second attachment point. The adjusting strap is configured to be carried by the locking strap adjuster and the non-locking strap adjuster. The shoulder strap is secured to the adjusting strap at a shoulder strap attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Joseph Ethan Valesko
  • Patent number: 9845057
    Abstract: An assembly for securing a bicycle to a vehicle having first and second fork prongs. The assembly includes an elongated skewer for mounting the first and second fork prongs of the bicycle thereon and has an end portion. A lever rotatably couples to the end portion of the elongated skewer and has a cam portion. A cam follower movably couples to the elongated skewer and engages the cam portion of the lever such that the cam follower moves along the elongated skewer as the lever rotates. The assembly also includes a lock assembly, separate from the lever and the cam follower, that locks the lever at a closed position and couples to the end portion of the elongated skewer such that the lock assembly is disposed around the end portion of the elongated skewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventor: Joseph Settelmayer
  • Patent number: 9840205
    Abstract: A rotatable rack for a vehicle bed. The rack can be clamped onto a bed of a vehicle and an item, which can optionally include a case or a tool box, can be rotated into and out of the bed of the truck. The rack can be locked into one or more positions via a pin engaging one or more openings. The rack can hold the item inside of the bed of the vehicle suspended above the bed such that the item does not get slammed up and down as violently when traveling down a rough road as it would if it were merely placed on the bottom of the bed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Inventor: Osvaldo Marquez
  • Patent number: 9841255
    Abstract: A holster spacer adaptable for use within a holster assembly including a wearable component and a separable holster supported by the wearable component. The holster spacer includes a wearable component-facing surface, a holster-facing surface opposite the wearable component-facing surface, a mounting interface, an internal cavity provided between the wearable component-facing surface and the holster-facing surface, and a sensor operable to detect a parameter relating to an implement positionable within the holster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick D. Koskan, Scott M. Alazraki, Daniel A. Tealdi
  • Patent number: 9835112
    Abstract: A thrust reverser cascade having a frame and a body. The body comprises multiple layers formed by an additive manufacturing process where at least one of the layers is coupled to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: MRA Systems Inc.
    Inventors: David Patrick Calder, Graham Frank Howarth
  • Patent number: 9835409
    Abstract: A pocket carried holster of modest outer dimension and novel design is secured to the outer extents of the front pocket in a pair of pants to facilitate the discrete carry of a small caliber semiautomatic pistol and a spare ammunition magazine such that both can be safely removed from the pocket's confines in an expedited manner without snagging on the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Inventor: David James Munz
  • Patent number: 9834150
    Abstract: Disclosed is a portable device holder for vehicle CD-slot mounting, and more particularly to a portable device holder for vehicle CD-slot mounting, in which a facing distance between a movable piece and a stationary piece to be inserted in a CD slot of a vehicle becomes shorter when external forces act thereon, and the facing distance between the movable piece and the stationary piece to be inserted in the CD slot of the vehicle becomes longer when no external forces act thereon, thereby being easily inserted in and mounted to the CD slot of the vehicle and keeping a stable and secured mounting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Inventor: Soon Young Song
  • Patent number: 9834151
    Abstract: A vehicle mounted securing system is described. A rack is secured to the vehicle. Oblong slots formed in the rack provide a variety of locations at which to secure items to the racks. Brackets, strap mounts and the like are easily and removably attached to the rack by specially shaped disks or pucks which fit within the contours of a slot. Items may be secured by one or more bracket-puck combinations inside or outside of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: DSH Designs, LLC
    Inventor: D. Sean Henry
  • Patent number: 9826817
    Abstract: A multi-mode strap system (100) is convertible between a single arm shoulder bag configuration, a two armed backpack configuration, and a single armed cross body configuration. The strap system (100) includes first and second straps (102 and 104), first and second attachment mechanisms (106 and 108) and a linkage assembly (110). The attachment mechanisms (106 and 108) and linkage assembly (110) allow the straps (102 and 104) to move or slide freely during transitions between the three configurations. The transitions can thus be accomplished without manipulating and straps or buckles and without having to remove the pack, and the pack remains upright during transitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Inventor: Ann Whitehill
  • Patent number: 9829276
    Abstract: A holster device is disclosed that can conform or contour a body part or article of clothing to which the holster device is secured to. In addition, the holster device can include wings that are attached to a shell, with the wings being configured to flex by way of flexible and/or compressible spacers that are secured between the wings and shell of the holster device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: StealthGearUSA LLC
    Inventor: Paul Laemmlen
  • Patent number: 9826789
    Abstract: A metallic mesh material used to form a portion of a band or securing strap for a wearable electronic device. The band may include a magnetic tab for securing a wearable device to the wrist of a user. The tab may include one or magnetic elements that are configured to engage a surface of the mesh to secure the wearable device to the wrist of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Stephen E. Dey, Xingyu Wan, Justin T. Sawyer, Matthew N. Van Dyke, Hsiang Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 9826975
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods to improve safety and efficiency in an operating room comprise providing a suture package that holds new suture needles and needle receptacles for storing used needles. The devices can be safely worn for the surgeon to self-dispense new suture needles in the near surgical field and to secure the used needles into a needle trap or a needle retainer located on his extremity, on his operative instruments or on the surgical drapes. The device may provide automated and/or simplified needle counting both during use and after removal from the surgical field. The device may be configured for ergonomic and efficient use so as to minimize the actions and motions of the surgeon to dispense and secure the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Sharp Fluidics LLC
    Inventors: Josef E. Gorek, Kenneth B. Trauner, Douglas G. Rimer
  • Patent number: 9821723
    Abstract: A mobile device holder having a front face, an integral fixed jaw, and a movable jaw positioned facing the fixed jaw and movable in translational motion on the front face. The movable jaw receives a bottom edge of the mobile device and can be moved between a released position for inserting or removing the mobile device, and a holding position in which the mobile device is held clamped against the fixed jaw. The movable jaw includes a protuberance extending along a plane parallel to the front face of the holder and defining a clamping tab for clamping the bottom edge of the mobile device. In use, the tab maintains a space between the rear face of the mobile device and the front face of the holder in order to limit the frictional contact of the rear face of the mobile device with the front face of the holder when mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventor: Mickaƫl Mannarino
  • Patent number: 9820556
    Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods of use pertaining to the storage, organization, and transport of portable items typically carried within a bag, backpack, suitcase or other luggage item, or that are typically transported by an individual person. The system includes a number of storage and structure containers, each designed to enclose one or more portable items. The storage and structure containers may be loaded upon a loadable baseplate along with individual portable items and functionality components and, in turn, either inserted into an existing bag for transport or attached to a wearable frame having a shoulder harness and a wearable baseplate to function as a standalone system. The loadable baseplate may include many additional features, including light and/or sound-emitting components, location-tracking components, and/or other powered or passive functionality. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Xpansion Gear, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua David Adams, Steve Replin
  • Patent number: 9821721
    Abstract: A carrier system for a vehicle having a pair of vacuum devices shaped and sized to mate and secure to a recreational article. Each vacuum device includes a pad shaped and sized to detachably seat with a vehicle to form a vacuum cavity. The vacuum device includes a plunger attached to the pad and in fluid communication with the vacuum cavity, and an indicator positioned on the plunger to indicate the level of vacuum pressure within the vacuum cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Charles L. Casagrande
  • Patent number: 9820554
    Abstract: A lid of a backpack is disclosed having a compartment in which a standalone daysack having a shoulder strap is arranged. The compartment is transformable from a first state in which the lid is mountable to a backpack to a second state in which the standalone daysack is usable independently from the backpack. In the first state, the standalone daysack and its shoulder strap are stored within the compartment. In the second state, the compartment is inverted by turning the inside out so that the shoulder strap is usable for carrying the standalone daysack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Thule IP AB
    Inventors: Trevor Hunt, Damien Kelly, Henrik Kax