Patents Examined by Lester L. Vanterpool
  • Patent number: 11071379
    Abstract: The footwear storage for a vehicle trunk is a mechanical structure. The footwear storage for a vehicle trunk is configured for use in storing footwear and other articles. The footwear storage for a vehicle trunk is contained in the trunk of the automobile. The footwear storage for a vehicle trunk is formed with a cant. The cant forms an angle between the supporting storage surfaces formed by the footwear storage for a vehicle trunk and the force of gravity. The cant is selected such that objects will not slide out of the footwear storage for a vehicle trunk during the acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle. The footwear storage for a vehicle trunk comprises a master pan, a plurality of footwear pocket structures, and a storage pan. Each of the plurality of footwear pocket structures mount on the master pan. The storage pan is contained within the master pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventor: Ron Clontz
  • Patent number: 11071333
    Abstract: A backpack may include a first panel having a first panel surface facing in a direction and a second panel. The second panel has a second panel first surface and a second panel second surface opposite the second panel first surface. The second panel first surface is inconspicuous. The second panel is pivotable relative to the first panel between (1) a concealment position in which second panel second surface faces the first panel surface and (2) a safety position in which the second panel second surface faces in the. The backpack further includes a safety optic formed on one of the first panel surface and the second panel second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: M&M Sales Enterprises Inc.
    Inventor: John Brian Priest
  • Patent number: 11072376
    Abstract: A truck rack, including rack components and rack accessories, to support cargo over a bed of a truck, and methods of constructing, assembling, mounting, adjusting, and using the truck rack. An illustrative truck rack comprises a tower and a base. The tower may have a foot and an upper end portion. The upper end portion may be configured to support a crossbar. The base may be configured to mount the tower on an upper wall region of a truck bed. The base may include a deck on which to support the foot and at least one securing device to secure the foot on the deck. In some examples, the at least one securing device may include a clamp configured to engage opposite edge regions of the foot. In some examples, the clamp may be configured to urge the opposite edge regions downward toward the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David Condon, Ashley Hoch, Warren E. Stoneburner
  • Patent number: 11039678
    Abstract: A system provides an under belt that includes: a first under belt side including a first hook and loop fastener strip, a second under belt side connected to the first under belt side where the second under belt side includes a first heavy duty material outer portion. The under belt further includes an inner under belt portion disposed between the first under belt side and the second under belt side. The inner under belt portion including padding material. A middle belt includes multiple expandable padding portions. A duty belt includes: a center duty belt portion having a first duty belt side and a second duty belt side, a first elastic end attached to the center duty belt portion and a first belt buckle portion, and a second elastic end attached to the center duty belt portion and a second belt buckle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventor: Kevin Thomas Beck
  • Patent number: 11029729
    Abstract: A strap assembly may include a lateral strap member configured to extend along a first side and a back of a user's head, the lateral strap member including (1) a proximal portion configured to be coupled to a head-mounted-display device, (2) a distal end disposed away from the proximal portion, and (3) an arcuate biasing section that arcs from the proximal portion to the distal end, the arcuate biasing section including a resilient material. The arcuate biasing section may peripherally surround at least a portion of a reduced region when the arcuate biasing section is in a relaxed state. Additionally, the arcuate biasing section may be tensioned and deflected outward by the user's head when the lateral strap member is worn with the head-mounted-display device by the user. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Wesley Bristol
  • Patent number: 11019914
    Abstract: Systems for holding tactical gear, such as firearm magazines, weapons, etc., and for connecting such holders to a harness are described and may include a carrier, and an accessory holder that is configured to attach to the carrier. The carrier and/or the accessory holder may be formed from substantially rigid materials, such as plastic or the like, and may be configured to be easily attached and detached from one another, using preconfigured, integral connectors. The connectors may be configured to resist rotation of the carrier and accessory holder with respect to each other, and/or to secure the accessory holder at a fixed angle with respect to the carrier. The accessory holder may also include flanges, surface treatments, or other features, that assist in holding the accessory in the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: S&S Precision, LLC
    Inventors: Johnny E. Swan, Andrew C. Borland, William-Joseph Basan Elizalde
  • Patent number: 11014505
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (10) for attaching to bars (20) including: a C-shaped rail (105) with an overall rectangular section having a plane of symmetry (110); a screw (115) defining a first axis (120) parallel to the axis of the rail; and at least two jaws (125a, 125b), each jaw including: a guiding body (130a, 130b) running in the rail with a certain play and including a through-opening (135a, 135b) and a clamp (140a, 140b) outside the rail. In this device: the head of the screw (145) is inserted into the opening (135a) of one jaw (125a); another jaw (125b) includes a nut (150) in the opening thereof (135b), rotatably locked; the clamps are off-center relative to the axis, each on one side of the plane, clamping the bar by shearing; the screwing of the screw translates the jaws towards one another in the rail, and the engagement of the clamps of the jaws with the bar rotates the jaw, thus causing same to stick by self-locking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventor: Patrice Brochier
  • Patent number: 11001324
    Abstract: A luggage container for fastening to a vehicle, particularly to a motorcycle, including a first locking device which can adopt a release position in which the luggage container can be opened, and a locking position, in which an opening of the luggage container is locked. The luggage container has a second locking device which can adopt a locking position, in which an opening of the luggage container can be locked even if the first locking device is in its release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Reinhart
  • Patent number: 11000109
    Abstract: A device that is a lightweight, small, easily packable, hands-free accessory that improves how people carry shoulder bags is described. The device is a mechanism worn on the user's upper back that leaves the individual's hands free and enhances the ease of carrying shoulder bags. The device can be worn on bare shoulders, clothing and outerwear. The device helps to equalize the weight distribution of shoulder bags across the top of the trapezius muscle and allows for a less cumbersome commute via foot and public transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: THE POINT OF HEALTH, INC.
    Inventor: Kathleen T. Ullmann
  • Patent number: 10986906
    Abstract: A heated equipment bag includes: a housing providing a first compartment configured to receive a first piece of footwear, the housing further providing a second compartment configured to receive a second piece of footwear, the first compartment being separate from the second compartment; a first heater disposed in the first compartment and configured to produce heat; and a second heater disposed in the second compartment and configured to produce heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: KULKEA, LLC
    Inventors: David Eric Abramowitz, Fernando Alberto Robert
  • Patent number: 10981515
    Abstract: A long gun carrier rests on a vehicle seat, and is secured to the seat by a seat belt. An upper, sloping surface of the long gun carrier slopes generally downward and forward. One or more gun-holding channels formed in this sloping surface each hold a long gun pointed generally forward and downward, toward the vehicle floor. The long guns may be secured in the gun-holding channels by straps. Long guns are conveniently placed into and extracted from the long gun carrier, held securely during transportation, pointed in a safe direction, and not readily visible from the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Nivel Parts & Manufacturing Co., LLC
    Inventors: Robert Neal Page, Charles Dunn Kim, Jihoon Kim
  • Patent number: 10973308
    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 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: Melissa Holtz
  • Patent number: 10966509
    Abstract: A carrying box is releasably attachable to a portion of a piece of clothing. The carrying box has a top section connectable to a bottom section in a sealing manner. The bottom section has a curved bottom face with a curve radius substantially corresponding with the curve shape of a body part of a human being to be covered by the portion of piece of clothing. The carrying box further is arranged for releasable interconnection with said portion of piece of clothing by at least one attachment means, wherein at least one of a curved inward top face of the top section and the curved bottom face of the bottom section is arranged to carry a compress element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Nexim AS
    Inventor: Björn Hovdenakk
  • Patent number: 10953807
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body having a roof that defines a volume and includes a top surface. The vehicle further includes a plurality of support members. The vehicle further includes a plurality of actuators each coupled to at least one of the plurality of support members. The vehicle further includes an input device configured to receive user input corresponding to a desired roof rack configuration. The vehicle further includes an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the plurality of actuators and to the input device and configured to control the plurality of actuators to actuate at least one of the plurality of support members to be in a raised position in which it extends above the top surface of the roof or to be in a stored position in which it is located in the volume based on the desired roof rack configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey David Gaither, Takanori Aoki, Abril Galang
  • Patent number: 10952525
    Abstract: A flexible scabbard for securing a baton to equipment worn by a user includes a holster, a cover, and a clip. The holster and cover are made from flexible material. A strip of a first half of a hook and loop fastener wrapping around a top of the front of the holster and a first half of a snap fastener at a center of the front of a holster. The cover has a rear portion extending from the back of the holster to a forward portion having first and second security portions. A second half of the hook and loop fastener extends across the first and second security portions, with a second half of the snap fastener in the middle. When the halves of the snap fastener are engaged and the first and second halves of the hook and loop fastener are engaged, the hook and loop fastener in the security portions is orientated in a shear direction with respect to a release direction of the snap fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: ARMAMENT SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES, INC.
    Inventors: Louisa Lui, Kevin Parsons
  • Patent number: 10953808
    Abstract: A vehicle utility rack with a foldable frame and floor. The frame includes a back support and two arms attached to the back support with hinges. Each arm includes a top part and a bottom part forming a track therebetween. When the arms are extended, they allow the floor to extend from a stored position to a working position. The floor includes an end support attached to the exterior end. The end support functions as a wall when the floor is in the working position. When the floor is in the stored position, the arms are locked to the back support. This allows the vehicle utility rack to remain closed, even when the vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventor: Jascen Hyatt
  • Patent number: 10946805
    Abstract: A surfboard rack device has a center post, two bottom receiver rings, and two top retainer loops. The bottom receiver rings may also have flexible netting forming bottom baskets, into which one end of a surfboard is inserted. The other end of the surfboard rests in one of the top retainer loops and is secured by an elasticized strap that hooks to a strap ring on the top retainer loop or a pair of hinged rigid arcs which lock together. The device is mounted on a vehicle either by sliding a trailer hitch insert into the vehicle's trailer hitch receptacle, or by hooking the flat hooks of the rack support over the top and bottom of the vehicle's trunk lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Inventor: Shawn Skoff
  • Patent number: 10939745
    Abstract: A pouch or pocket may act as a container and may be used to securely hold objects (e.g., cell phone, keys, wallet, etc.) during athletic activity (e.g., running). The pouch may be a standalone item or integrally formed as part of other items. The pouch may hold the object to be stored in place within the pouch or pocket. The pouch may provide some cushioning or impact force attenuation to protect the object being held within the pouch or pocket. Additionally, the pouch may be attached to a garment, such as running clothes. The pouch includes an outer envelope sealable by a closure and a one-way valve with foam layers located inside the pouch. After the object is placed in the pouch, the closure is closed, and the air within the pouch is expelled via the one-way valve by compressing the foam layers from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Cooper, Austin Orand, Nadia M. Panian, Peter P. Williams, II
  • Patent number: 10940803
    Abstract: A simple vehicle rack includes: a fixing rod, a middle part of the fixing rod being an H-shaped reinforcing seat, the H-shaped reinforcing seat forming an upper sliding slot on a top surface of the fixing rod and forming a lower sliding slot on a bottom surface of the fixing rod; two fixing frames, the fixing frames being fixed on the top surface of the fixing rod and connected to the fixing rod, moving back and forth along the upper sliding slot; and two support frames, the support frames being fixed on the bottom surface of the fixing rod and connected to the fixing rod, moving back and forth along the lower sliding slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: FORCOME (ZHEJIANG) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaojun Ni, Chengsheng Fang, Jing Xiong, Jiancheng Wang
  • Patent number: 10932551
    Abstract: A wearable, access-control management and storage device includes a belt loop including opposed connectable ends, the belt loop being adjustable in size; a pouch module coupled to the belt loop, the pouch module including an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the pouch module defining a first storage compartment having an opening and the outer surface defining a front side and a back side of the pouch module; and a plurality of key holders disposed within the first storage compartment of the pouch module, each of the plurality of key holders configured to receive and hold at least one key. The back side of the pouch module includes at least one aperture configured to receive the belt loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Sophia Edgel