Patents Examined by Linda J. Sholl
  • Patent number: 6199729
    Abstract: A portable drinking facilitation apparatus is useful for a bicyclist and provides a liquid reservoir and a reservoir delivery tube. The apparatus has a flexible drinking tube having a mounting end and a terminal end. The drinking tube is adapted for shaping, such that said ends are positioned as desired, and the drinking tube will hold the given shape until said ends are repositioned. In its preferred mode, the flexible drinking tube comprises a plurality of tube segments joined end-to-end to form an extended elongate tube. A bite valve is removably mounted at the terminal end of the drinking tube. The apparatus also has a base fitting for receiving the mounting end of the drinking tube. The base fitting is adapted for receiving an end of the reservoir delivery tube and the mounting end of the drinking tube. This arrangement allows water to flow from the reservoir delivery tube, through the base fitting, and into the drinking tube, from which it is dispensed to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Mark Stephen Drzymkowski
  • Patent number: 6168056
    Abstract: A device for inflating and deflating the shoulder strap of a satchel that includes an inflatable cushion located inside the strap that is connected to an inflation/deflation mechanism formed of a resilient deformable material including a bulb-like pump and a deformable valve housing coupled to the pump by a connecting line. The valve housing contains a ball valve that automatically opens when the pump is activated to inflate the cushion and closes to prevent air from escaping from the cushion when the pump is deactivated. Depressing the valve housing displaces the ball valve allowing air to escape from the cushion. The inflation/deflation mechanism is integrally mounted inside a pad that is attachable to a satchel by a fixed strap and an adjustable strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Tenesee S.A.
    Inventor: Christiane Bertholon
  • Patent number: 6149039
    Abstract: An apparatus for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle roof comprises two load carrying struts (4, 5) secured on the vehicle roof and each having an anchorage (6) for fixedly securing legs (8) on a yoke (8, 10). The yoke (8, 10) has, on its horizontal portion (10), anchorages (3, 15) for fixedly retaining the bicycle. The yoke (8, 10) is, via joints (9), pivotal about an axis in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between an upstanding transport position above the vehicle and a laterally outwardly pivoted loading and unloading position in which the anchorages (3, 15) are located laterally outside the side of the vehicle and flush with the load carrying struts (4, 5). At least the one anchorage (6) on the load carrying struts (4, 5) is provided with a spring (12) which facilitates upward pivoting of the yoke (8, 10) to the transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Industri AB Thule
    Inventor: Curt Englander
  • Patent number: 6131783
    Abstract: A golf bag includes a carrier belt attached to the golf bag's body which has a longitudinal axis and a closed end and an open end. A fixing strap has a first end attached to the bag body near the open end and a second end attached to the bag body at an intermediate position between the open end and the closed end. The fixing strap is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bag body. First and second shoulder straps are connected to the fixing strap and oriented generally in the same plane as the fixing strap, with each shoulder strap forming a loop into which a shoulder of a user is inserted. A moveable connector slideably attaches the first and second shoulder straps together. Upon movement of the connector, the relative sizes or shapes of the loops are changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Seop Maeng
  • Patent number: 6126054
    Abstract: A double opening bag utilizes a single draw cord for closing both ends. The draw cord passes around the periphery of a tubular section of the bag adjacent the two ends. The draw cord extends closely alongside the tubular section when the openings are open. Pulling the draw cord closes both ends and creates slack in the draw cord. The slack is sufficient to serve as a shoulder strap for carrying the bag over a person's shoulder. A partition may be added to the interior of the bag generally between the ends to create two open-ended compartments that close simultaneously with the tubular section ends when the draw cord is pulled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: Paul Riemer
  • Patent number: 6119907
    Abstract: A convertible shoulderarm case which allows a hunter to carry his gun and all other necessary equipment either over his shoulder using a sling, or in a suitcase-like manner using a handle. When the gun is removed, the gun case can be folded to convert to a waist pack, allowing the hunter to keep all of his equipment readily accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Robert S. Benjamin
  • Patent number: 6119908
    Abstract: The present invention is an article carrier assembly for mounting on an exterior surface of a motor vehicle The article carrier includes a pair of elongated side rails constructed and arranged to be mounted on an exterior surface of the motor vehicle. The side rails extend generally parallel to one another in a spaced apart relation. An elongated cross rail assembly is constructed and arranged to be mounted transversely between and releaseably lockable along the side rails in a range of operating positions. The cross rail assembly has rail locking structures mounted on opposite ends thereof. A rotatable rod gangs the rail locking structures together for cooperative movement thereof between locked positions wherein the rail locking structures engage the side rails to lock the cross rail assembly in one of the operating positions and disengage positions permitting longitudinal travel of the cross rail assembly along the side rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Decoma International Inc.
    Inventors: Fritz Reichenberger, Stefan Lips
  • Patent number: 6112959
    Abstract: A waterproof carrying bag and backpack for carrying items therein protected from moisture from the weather and other water sources. The waterproof carrying bag and backpack includes an outer case having top and bottom panels, a pair of side panels, a back panel and an open front. The outer case also has top and bottom flaps substantially covering the open front of the outer case. A handle strap is coupled to the top panel. A harness assembly is detachably attached to the outer case and comprises an elongate flexible top strap and a pair of elongate flexible shoulder straps. A water proof inner pouch is provided in the outer case and is detachably attached to the back panel of the outer case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Martin Townsend
  • Patent number: 6109497
    Abstract: A top wall (22), four side walls (26, 28, 30, 32) and a bottom wall (24) together enclose an inner space (46). The top wall (22) includes a narrow slot (34) sized to allow passage of a knife blade (44) through it, into the inner space (46). The walls (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32) form barriers to movement of knife blades (44) into and out from said inner space (46) other than through said slot (34). When the receptacle (10) is full of used knife blades (44), it is disposed of safely in any trash receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Richard S. Westcott
  • Patent number: 6105842
    Abstract: A storage bag for a pickup truck provides a convenient way for people to use the bed of their pickup truck to store possessions. The storage bag is in the shape of the truck bed. The bag is preferably lightweight and waterproof. The bag is constructed from one piece of nylon to help eliminate seams, which aids in weatherproofing. A zipper extends around the top surface of the bag to aid in the opening, closing, and packing of the bag. There is also a zippered flap on the end so that cargo can be stored or retrieved by opening the hinged gate of the truck bed. The bag optionally has waterproof pockets for smaller items. Grommets are provided on an upper surface of the bag for securing the bag to the truck with rope, bungee cords, or the like. The storage bag stands alone and retains its shape without the aid of the truck. When the storage bag is empty, it is easily collapsed and folded for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: James F. Cesare
  • Patent number: 6105837
    Abstract: A wearable carrier including a band that can be worn on the body of a user, and a pouch member detachably connected to the band. The pouch member includes at least one storage compartment for storing personal items of the user. The wearable carrier can be made in different sizes so that it can be attached to different parts of a user's body. This allows the wearable carrier to double, for example, as a hair-holding device or sweat band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Emily Teed
  • Patent number: 6102263
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a device for holding golf balls 30 having a vertically oriented magazine-like container 12 having a spring-loaded clip 14 on its side for being attached to the belt 16 of the user 18 or other golf paraphernalia such as a bag. The container 12 is equipped with an inner spring 40 on its inside upper surface for putting downward pressure on the balls 30. The balls 30 are also held inside the container 12 by vertical members 34 located in a spaced apart relationship on the interior of the container 36 and held in place by springs 44. The vertical members 34 are further equipped with a roller bearing 38 on their lower end which grips the balls 30 and prevents the balls from being discharged from the container 12 until the user 18 so desires. The container 12 is also equipped on its outer lateral surface with an aperture or notch 32 which allows the user 18 to insert his finger and remove the balls 30 from the container 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventors: Daniel P Rosato, James F Luginsland
  • Patent number: 6102266
    Abstract: A holster assembly for a hand-held computer or other hand-held electronic device. The holster assembly has first and second holster sides connected together to define a receiving area with an open end and a substantially closed end opposite the open end. The open end is sized to allow the hand-held computer to be moved into and out of the receiving area between installed and removed positions. The first holster side is a molded, compressed foam structure having a first contoured surface shaped to substantially cover the first side portion when the hand-held computer is in the installed position. The second holster side is a molded, compressed foam structure having a second contoured surface facing the first contoured surface and being shaped to substantially cover the portion of the second side surface. A holster retaining strap is attached to the first holster side to allow the holster assembly to be retained on, as an example, the belt of a user or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation
    Inventors: Debbie A. Chacon, Jeffrey Mark Payne, deceased
  • Patent number: 6098859
    Abstract: An adjustable position harness buckle system which employs a captured track secured to a backpack apparatus along a predetermined path and a clamp mechanism which is engaged with said track and can be clamped thereto by a lever arm actuated cam at any position therealong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventor: R. Blake Bortner
  • Patent number: 6098857
    Abstract: The backpack baby carrier is noteworthy in that it comprises a T-shaped support frame of which the central arm (2a) is vertical and able to act as a supporting surface for a rigid seat of adjustable position (3) so that the position of the seat can be adapted to suit the size of the child and in that the shaped horizontal upper arm (2b) of the frame is fastened at each end to a connecting means (4) of a means (5) for stabilizing the carrier and enabling it to be rested on the ground, said support frame being constructed so as to take protective and wearing means of the shoulder straps and belt type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Lafuma S.A.
    Inventor: Yann Le Gal
  • Patent number: 6095388
    Abstract: A vehicle umbrella holder comprising a plastic member providing an elongated half round tray into which an umbrella can be positioned. The tray is shaped to conform to a removable open celled absorbent sponge liner that is attachable to the interior facing surface of the tray and which can absorb water dripping from the umbrella. A pair of attachment tabs extend outward from the tray structure and are adapted to be inserted between the back of the seat and the rear deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Roland J. Neville, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6095386
    Abstract: A bicycle lock mounting bracket includes a frame clamp, a clamp latch secured to the frame clamp and containing a locking recess therein, a slide movably mounted in the clamp latch and including a hook movably received in the locking recess, and a lock clamp attached to the clamp latch and including an insert detachably received in the locking recess and containing an opening detachably receiving the hook of the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Lambert Kuo
  • Patent number: 6095390
    Abstract: An athletic ball carrying pouch and belt for holding and transporting any lightweight ball, such as, a basketball, soccer ball or volleyball, to the park, playground or gym, comprising a plurality of panels attached together to form a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere and an accessible volume therein, a releasable fastener attached to said first and second hemispheres for providing and denying access to the volume and an adjustable belt for securing the pouch around a person's waist while the wearer is walking, jogging, running or riding a bicycle, moped or motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Anthony O. Bogle
  • Patent number: 6095387
    Abstract: A cargo carrier for attaching behind a vehicle to transport cargo, bicycles or the like, and which can easily be disassembled to a compact size. The cargo carrier is formed by a main support bar, and multiple top support rods and securing braces and fixed by two end pieces to form a platform for transporting cargo. A bicycle attachment can be secured to the cargo carrier to transport both cargo and bikes. Mud flaps and supplemental lighting can also be added, without the need for tools or complex accessories. Picnic table legs can be secured to a bottom portion of the carrier to form a picnic table from the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Allen G. Lipscomb
  • Patent number: 6092708
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a vehicle storage support device for easy installation into and removal from a vehicle's rear storage compartment. The device has a generally horizontally extending top platform that has ends that are rotatably connected to vertical support panels. The top platform has a length adjustment means and the vertical support panels have a height adjustment means that allows the device to be adjusted to snugly fit the interior of the rear storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: James M. Rand