Patents Examined by Lester L. Vanterpool
  • Patent number: 10182640
    Abstract: A reconfigurable waterproof bag is defined by a plurality of material surfaces extending in three dimensions, a strap for carrying the bag, and one or plurality of strap guide(s) into which the strap is disposed and through which the strap may be moved, the strap guide extending within or without the bag from any one of the plurality of surfaces to any other one of the plurality of material surfaces in three dimensional space without limitation to define a geometry of a strap path and coupling of the strap to the bag so that the bag is reconfigurable in a plurality of different carrying modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Melissa Holtz
  • Patent number: 10160368
    Abstract: A carrier system and method for assisting in handling cargo of a vehicle. A carrier container includes an interior storage space surrounded by a front side facing the rear of the vehicle, rear, left, right, and bottom sides, and an open top that allows access to the interior storage space with a lid that closes and opens the top. A carrier support structure mounted to the carrier container is inserted into the hitch of the vehicle and holds the top surface of the container flush with the cargo bed of the vehicle. The lid is opened to deploy a ramp stored inside which is anchored to the container so that it is flush with the top surface of the container and reaches the ground. The lid is closed and a bridge plate commonly hinged with the lid is deployed over any gap between the cargo bed and the container top, providing a continuous surface between the cargo bed and the ground for use by pets for ingress and egress of the vehicle and for handling cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: Theodore J. Keck
  • Patent number: 10155239
    Abstract: A spray foam hose storage system includes a shaft and an elongated sleeve having the shaft concentrically positioned inside, where the elongated sleeve configured to rotate about the shaft. In addition, the system includes a cantilever arm having a proximate end and a distal end, a base plate securing the cantilever arm perpendicular to the elongated sleeve, where the cantilever arm is offset from the elongated sleeve by a distance. The cantilever arm includes a plurality of slats positioned to form a concave periphery for a spray foam hose to be draped back and forth thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: JNJ HOSE STORAGE RACKS, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Sander, James L. Williams
  • Patent number: 10144472
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a frame, a rear fender coupled to a rear portion of the frame, an accessory support structure and a pair of docking structures. The frame defines a longitudinal center axis, the motorcycle having left and right sides divided by the longitudinal axis. The accessory support structure is positioned laterally adjacent to both left and right sides of the rear fender. The pair of docking structures each includes a lug secured to the frame and extending transverse to the longitudinal center axis, and a hollow fitting positionable on the lug in a plurality of different rotational orientations about a mutual axis of the lug and the fitting. The fitting defines a docking surface with a non-circular cross-section. Lateral offset of the docking surface may be adjustable by reversing the fitting on the lug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Bunyer, Scott Hein, Fred Knoch
  • Patent number: 10106091
    Abstract: A support for a portable electronic apparatus. The support includes a first edge and a second edge, a locking device movable between a locking position, in which it prevents the translation of the first edge relative to the second edge, and an unlocking position, and an actuating device for actuating the locking device movable between an inactive position and an active position in which the actuating device keeps the locking device in its unlocking position. Movement of the second edge from an idle position to a maintaining position drives the actuating device from its active position to its inactive position. The support includes a control device that, when moved from a released position to a disengagement position, causes the actuating device to go from its inactive position to its active position while keeping the second edge in its maintaining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventors: Sergio Da Costa Pito, Bruno Dinant
  • Patent number: 10107588
    Abstract: The present invention describes to a new and improved handgun holster that provides concealment of and easy access to the firearm when worn on the torso. The device may be worn at different levels along the torso including that of: deep concealment, inside the waistband, and at the midsection of the torso. The holster includes a protective back that acts to guide the user to proper hand placement when drawing the firearm, as the back plate transforms into a cone shape when the user's thumb is pressed against the protective plate of the holster to remove the firearm and the user's fingers are correctly placed along the opposing side of the weapon grip during the drawing act. The handgun holster further acts as a storage compartment by folding the back plate over the grip of a firearm and wrapping and securing the attachment arms around the holster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Inventor: Joseph Rogers
  • Patent number: 10085545
    Abstract: A shoulder harness for supporting an electronic device includes a substrate having a pre-formed curvature such that the shoulder harness is biased to an at-rest state that is concave on a bottom-facing surface. A crest portion includes at least one slit adapted to secure the shoulder harness to a fastening element on a garment or other body-worn device. A front portion is coupled to the crest portion and extends in a forward direction from the crest portion. The front portion includes a receiving opening for attachment of the electronic device. A rear portion is coupled to the crest portion and extends in a rearward direction from the crest portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Chi T. Tran, Ryan M. Nilsen
  • Patent number: 10085536
    Abstract: The backpack support device is an accessory that is configured to interface with a backpack and an end user in order to help carry the weight of the backpack with the end user. The backpack support device is constructed of a basket member that includes a waist strap along a front surface of the basket member. The basket member is configured to receive a backpack therein. The waist strap is adapted to interface with a waist of an end user while said end user carries said backpack via shoulder straps of said backpack. The basket member is further defined with a base member. A pair of vertical armatures extends downwardly on opposing sides of the basket member. Each of the pair of vertical armatures is further defined with a bottom end. The bottom end of each of the pair of vertical armatures includes a wheel that mobilizes the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Inventor: David Costigan
  • Patent number: 10053021
    Abstract: Retaining and securing means for load carrying modular platform to a top railing on a vehicle's roof. Said retaining means are a pair of spaced apart longitudinal members linked by transversally spaced crossbars. All crossbars have a constant area cross section, resting on small columns projecting upwardly from said longitudinal members. The platforms are secured between pairs of crossbars having a portion of bottom surface bounded by opposite sidewalls with transversely aligned pairs of recesses, with profiles complementary to the crossbar's intercepting said bottom surface, forming a longitudinal slot. The width of each crossbar is greater that the width of each recess, while the width of the slot is greater that the width of said column. The upward portion of each platform defines engagement and retention means for the individual load to he conveyed on each of said platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventors: Raul Arnaldo Cabiche, Ivana Andrea Pereyra
  • Patent number: 10029598
    Abstract: A carrier system and method for assisting in handling cargo of a vehicle. A carrier container includes an interior storage space surrounded by a front side facing the rear of the vehicle, rear, left, right, and bottom sides, and an open top that allows access to the interior storage space with a lid that closes and opens the top. A carrier support structure mounted to the carrier container is inserted into the hitch of the vehicle and holds the top surface of the container flush with the cargo bed of the vehicle. The lid is opened to deploy a ramp stored inside which is anchored to the container so that it is flush with the top surface of the container and reaches the ground. The lid is closed and a bridge plate commonly hinged with the lid is deployed over any gap between the cargo bed and the container top, providing a continuous surface between the cargo bed and the ground for use by pets for ingress and egress of the vehicle and for handling cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Theodore J. Keck
  • Patent number: 10028489
    Abstract: An improved animal waste disposal device is an expandable container that attaches to a pet owner's lower leg via hook and loop straps, for carrying animal waste. The device has a separate attached lower compartment for holding a roll of plastic bags for holding the waste, that are individually dispensed through a slot in its front cover. The front and the top of the top waste compartment hinges at the outer bottom edge and pivots outwardly, remaining attached to the back side with accordion style sides that attach to the front and back sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Jimmy Levon Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10017125
    Abstract: A portable personal electronic device mounting apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a vertical strip comprised of vertical fasteners, a support bracket attached to a bottom portion of the vertical strip. In this embodiment, the support bracket is configured to receive a personal electronic device. The apparatus further includes a first support strap comprised of first strap fasteners and two ends. Each of the two ends is selectively fastenable to each other and at least one of the two ends is selectively fastenable in relation to the vertical strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Inventor: Sean Frazier
  • Patent number: 10010158
    Abstract: A pouch for holding items is disclosed and is formed as a tube of a stretchable material with a plurality of openings therein. Items may be inserted through the openings and positioned within the pouch. The pouch may be manipulated to position the openings at various positions around the body. The openings may also be positioned on the outside, inside, top or other part of the pouch. The pouch has a substantially constant width to better camouflage items placed therein. The openings may include closures to prevent items from falling out. The pouch may be formed of a single circle or include closures for placing it around the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: LEVEL TERRAIN LLC
    Inventor: Mia Do
  • Patent number: 10005403
    Abstract: Generally described, aspects of the disclosed subject matter are directed to systems and method of attaching a roof rack to a vehicle having a removable hard top and a space frame. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the roof rack generally includes an elongate rail, an upper mounting pad, a lower mounting pad, and fasteners which couple the elongate rail to the vehicle. During assembly of the roof rack components, a main fastener is captured by the geometry of the components. The main fastener is used to couple the roof rack assembly to a bracket mounted to the space frame of the vehicle. In this regard, various loads acting on the roof rack are generally transferred to the space frame as opposed to the vehicle hardtop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: TERAFLEX, INC.
    Inventor: Bryce A. Calvin
  • Patent number: 9987994
    Abstract: A bicycle rack system has wheel trays spaced apart along a first edge of a roof of a vehicle, a support arm extensible and retractable in length, supported by a pivot mechanism near a second edge of the roof of the vehicle, the support arm extensible to a maximum length substantially greater than the width of the roof, and a specific length substantially less than the width of the roof, and a capture mechanism on a free end of the support arm, adapted to capture a part of the bicycle to be carried in the bike rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Inventor: Robert W Fifield
  • Patent number: 9981612
    Abstract: A modular rack system, for adjustably attaching equipment to a vehicle, includes a base mountable on a side wall of the vehicle. The rack system has a first wall that is disposed on and upwardly emanating from the top surface of the base that defines a lower seat. One end of a vertical member resides in the lower seat and is secured thereto. The other end of the vertical member resides in an upper seat defining by a downwardly depending wall from a saddle and is secured thereto. The first and second walls laterally stabilize the vertical member relative to the base and saddle to permit the base to be mounted to a side wall of a vehicle and a top rail to be secured to the saddle without the use of gussets or cross-braces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Thule Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin L. Marr, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9975492
    Abstract: A securement system for portable bottles, intended for use in a vehicle, is disclosed and claimed herein. In one particular embodiment, the securement system is constructed from a vertical stanchion. Disposed about the periphery, on four sides, are four vertically oriented mounting channels. A top bottle holder and a bottom bottle holder are installed in a selected mounting channel. At least the top bottle holder can be adjusted vertically to accommodate bottles with various heights. The bottom bottle holder includes a platform for supporting the bottle, and both the top and bottom holder include a cradle that receives a side of the bottle. Both the top bottle holder and bottom bottle holder include releasable, hook and loop straps to hold the bottle flush and secure against the cradles. The base of the stanchion includes features for securing the stanchion in a convention L-Track, of the type typically found in transit vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Sure-Lok International, LLC
    Inventors: Edgardo Cardonna, Jason A. Bandi
  • Patent number: 9975567
    Abstract: A protective cover that is stored in a pouch that is integrally formed as a part of an upper surface of a pivotable canopy that is attached to a frame of the stroller. The protective cover is movable between a closed position in which the cover is stored in the pouch and an open position in which the cover is disposed across the canopy and across a seat of the stroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Inventors: Alaleh Ostad, Ariel Ostad
  • Patent number: 9938012
    Abstract: An article organizer includes three interconnected panels which are foldable relative to each other from a flat position to an assembled position. One panel is a base panel that can be attached to a window frame of an airline cabin window. A second panel is a support panel that extends outwardly from the base panel, transversely thereto and has openings into which articles may be placed. The third panel is a brace panel that extends at an angle to the base and support panels and which gives the organizer an overall triangular shape. The openings in the support panel may be configured to receive articles of different configurations, and at least the base panel may also include structure that engages a portion of the tray table of an airliner passenger seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Inventor: Michael C. Kollias
  • Patent number: 9937869
    Abstract: A vehicle-bed storage box includes a container having an interior volume, an interface plate disposed within a vehicle-bed sidewall that selectively receives the container against the vehicle-bed sidewall and over a vehicle-bed wheelhouse, the interface plate including a securing recess and an interface bracket extending from at least one sidewall, the interface bracket including a rotating mechanism operable between a plurality of rotational positions, including an engaged position and a secured position when the interface bracket is received by the interface plate, the engaged position being defined by the rotating mechanism being free of engagement with the securing recess and further defined by the interface bracket being at least partially operable within the interface plate, and wherein the secured position is defined by the rotating mechanism being engaged within the securing recess and the interface bracket being substantially free of movement within the interface plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Hemphill, Jack Marchlewski