Patents Examined by Matthew T Theis
  • Patent number: 11445806
    Abstract: A back carrier adjusting system is provided in the present disclosure. The back carrier adjusting system is applied to a back carrier, which includes a main body and a strap unit connected to the main body. The back carrier adjusting system includes a guiding unit, a sliding unit and a fastening device. The guiding unit is disposed on the strap unit. The sliding unit is connected to the main body and slidably limited in the guiding unit. The fastening device includes at least one lace and a reel mechanism operably coupled with the at least one lace. The at least one lace is connected to the sliding unit. The reel mechanism is operated to retract or release the at least one lace, which makes the sliding unit move relative to the guiding unit, in order to adjust a height of the main body relative to the strap unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Inventor: Chin-Chu Chen
  • Patent number: 11440478
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein examples of a vehicle container unit that may be mounted within a vehicle. The vehicle container unit may be mounted to a seat of a vehicle and may include space for transporting items within the vehicle container unit. The vehicle container unit may mount to the seat via an anchor system of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: GM Cruise Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Jon Meador, Marie Ledger, Jessica Uelmen, Anthony Galliano, III, Arun A. Mathews, Pratik Palnitkar
  • Patent number: 11425986
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an improved Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) system that employs hard-shells and a method of making thereof. The disclosed hard-shell MOLLE system not only provides better durability for the MOLLE system, but also allows the MOLLE system to apply on hard objects such as thermoformed/molded backpacks, bags, vehicle panels and containers etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: CIVILIAN LAB LLC
    Inventor: Filip Postolek
  • Patent number: 11412826
    Abstract: A carry container is interchangeable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the container converts into a protective mat, such as a placemat, and becomes a barrier against germs. In one embodiment, the carry container includes an outer shell including a bottom panel and four side panels extending from the bottom panel and being configured to releasably attach to each of the two neighboring side panels using a fastener to form a container for carrying one or more items, such as food items. An inner lining formed by a generally square sheet is attached to an inner facing side of the outer shell and defines the protective mat when the outer shell is in an open position and flat on a surface. The container can be easily converted between the closed position (lunch box) and open position (protective mat).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: VECHER HOLDINGS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Rita Floyd-Vester, Csaba Vester
  • Patent number: 11390222
    Abstract: A hitch-mount bicycle carrier including a vehicle engaging frame, an elongate support member coupled to the vehicle engaging frame, a foot, and a trigger. The vehicle engaging frame has a proximal end configured to be coupled to a hitch receiver of a vehicle. The elongate support member has a longitudinal axis and a distal end. The elongate support member is configured to move between a plurality of orientations relative to the vehicle engaging frame. The foot is fixedly coupled to and extends distally from the distal end of the elongate support member. The foot defines an interior space, and the trigger is disposed within the interior space. A distal end of the foot is the distal-most end of the bicycle carrier. The foot and the trigger are configured to be gripped by a user, and the trigger is configured to translate linearly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Keith L. Prescott, Jeffrey R. Edgerly
  • Patent number: 11388976
    Abstract: A backpack and horizontal hydration reservoir combination is provided. The backpack does not extend downward beyond the middle of the back of the wearer, thereby eliminating the need for long shoulder straps and maintaining the weight of the hydration reservoir, housed within the backpack, in a horizontal orientation above the middle of the back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventor: Jon Erik Espeland
  • Patent number: 11369189
    Abstract: A support for a portable electronic device, the support having a case that is configured to receive and hold the portable electronic device. A strap is coupled to the case and configured for fitting around an appendage of a user and allowing the user to support the case relative to the appendage. A support stand is coupled to the case independently of the strap and includes a portion that is swivelable away from the case and is configured, when swiveled away from the case, for supporting the case on an external surface in an angled arrangement relative to the external surface. Optionally, the base is positioned on a back plane of the case, and a rotational mechanism is coupled between the base and the case such that the case is rotatable relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: National Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Carnevali
  • Patent number: 11364964
    Abstract: A motorcycle accessory mounting system for conveniently riding with beverages and a cellphone includes a cellphone mount apparatus and a beverage mount apparatus. The cellphone mount apparatus comprises a cellphone clamp to selectively engage a handlebar of a motorcycle. A cellphone holder back is coupled to a cellphone rod. A pair of cellphone holder sides is coupled to the cellphone holder back and to selectively engage a cellphone. The beverage mount apparatus comprises a beverage clamp to selectively engage the handlebar. A beverage holder is coupled to a beverage rod and has a cup bottom, a cup sidewall coupled to the cup bottom, and an open cup top side. The beverage holder serves as a cup holder to receive a cup conforming to the cup sidewall. A lid and a straw are engageable with the open cup top side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventor: Darwin Summers
  • Patent number: 11357314
    Abstract: A hydration bladder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a flexible body having a first stiffness. A port is coupled to the flexible body. A liquid chamber is formed by the flexible body. The liquid chamber is configured to carry a liquid therein and in is communication with the port. A reinforcement member is coupled to the flexible body. The reinforcement member having a second stiffness, and the second stiffness is greater than the first stiffness. The reinforcement member includes a first width, a second width greater than the first width, and a third width disposed on an opposite of the second width than the first width. The third width is less than the second width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Shock Doctor, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Peter Karl, IV, Benjamin Casey Lanza, James Creath Frazier, Bradley Philip Fishkin, Faith LeAnn Piotrowski
  • Patent number: 11305701
    Abstract: A crossbar assembly for a motor vehicle having a detachable roof and a roll bar includes a stanchion having a first connection portion configured to connect in a first configuration the stanchion to the roof when the roof is attached to the roll bar, the stanchion having a second connection portion configured to connect in a second configuration to the roll bar when the roof is removed from the roll bar. A crossbar is connected to the stanchion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: DUS OPERATING INC.
    Inventors: Amer Mansour, Rui de Oliveira, Cumhur Unveren, Rafal Golab
  • Patent number: 11304500
    Abstract: A wearable pouch operable to hold at least one portable battery pack and other power or communications equipment. The wearable pouch includes a main body with a front side, a back side opposite the front side, at least one sealable opening, and at least one opening for at least one lead from the at least one portable battery pack secured within the wearable pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: LAT ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Laura Thiel, Giancarlo Urzi, Carlos Cid
  • Patent number: 11299105
    Abstract: A holding device for holding a held object is downsized to reduce an occupied space in an installation space. The holding device in which a holding mechanism for holding the held object is supported on a device main body so as to slidably project and retract includes a lock mounted on the holding mechanism and configured to lock the holding mechanism at an arbitrary projected position, the lock part including a first rotary body pivotally supported on the holding mechanism and configured to rotate upon application of certain operation, a second rotary body that rotates by a force directly or indirectly applied from the first rotary body by the rotation of the first rotary body, and an engagement part that moves between an engaged position at which the engagement part is engaged to the device main body and a disengaged position by the rotation of the second rotary body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Watabe, Hironori Shigeta, Hirofumi Matsumura
  • Patent number: 11287846
    Abstract: A head-mounted display includes a host, two installing bases, two connection elements and a head belt. The host has two installing grooves and two opposite sidewalls, and the two installing grooves respectively penetrate through the two sidewalls. The two installing bases are disposed in the host, wherein each installing base has an abutting portion and an installing portion connected to each other. The abutting portion of each installing base abuts against an inner edge of the corresponding sidewall, and the installing portion of each installing base is exposed outside of the host through the corresponding installing groove. The two connection elements are respectively installed onto the two installing portions of the two installing bases. The head belt has two opposite connection portions, and the two connection portions are respectively connected to the two connection elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignees: STARVR CORPORATION, Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Chun-Yu Chen, Ker-Wei Lin, Chun-Ta Chen, Hao-Ming Chang, Chun-Hsien Chen, Jen-Chieh Shih, Chih-Heng Tsou, Hui-Ping Sun, Wei-Chih Wang, Yen-Chou Chueh, Kuan-Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 11284700
    Abstract: A bite valve retention system can comprise a base comprising a pivot portion and one or more side portions, wherein the one or more side portions are configured to receive a portion of a strap; and a retention element comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is pivotably coupled to the pivot portion of the base such that the retention element pivots around an axis perpendicular to the pivot portion, and the second portion comprises a first coupling mechanism and extends from the first portion along an outer surface of the base; wherein the first coupling mechanism is configured to allow the retention element to couple and decouple from a second coupling mechanism disposed on an outer surface of a bite valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: TSI Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Russ Omizo, Matthew Hoskins
  • Patent number: 11260801
    Abstract: A vehicle roof rail assembly includes a roof rail and a bracket. The roof rail is fixedly attached to the roof of a vehicle. The roof rail has a recessed portion with fastener receiving portions located therein. The bracket has an attachment flange and an accessory supporting flange rigidly fixedly attached to the attachment flange. The attachment flange is removably attached to the roof rail via first fastener members that are removably fixed to the fastener receiving portions. The attachment flange overlays a section of the recessed portion the roof rail. The accessory supporting flange has an opening defined therein for attachment of roof accessory retaining elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Raghu Chervu
  • Patent number: 11230413
    Abstract: A connection mechanism including a plurality of microstructure features. The connection mechanism includes a first strip, with a plurality of protrusions extending from the first strip, and a second strip, with a plurality of protrusions extending from the second strip. The protrusions define grooves between adjacent protrusions. A pressure sensitive adhesive is provided in at least some of the grooves. When the first and second strips are brought together, the protrusions from one strip are received in the grooves of the other, and some of the protrusions contact the pressure sensitive adhesive, thereby connecting the first and second strips. The connection mechanism can be used as a closure mechanism for a plastic storage bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Hootan Farhat, Mark Somers, Xinhua Li, Brian Mayers, Olivier Schueller
  • Patent number: 11229279
    Abstract: A personal hydration assembly includes a pair of reservoirs that each respectively contains water or fluid electrolytes and each of the reservoirs is removably attachable together. A pair of shoulder straps is each coupled to a respective one of the reservoirs and each of the shoulder straps can be extended over the user's shoulders thereby facilitating the pair of reservoirs to be worn on the user's back. A pair of drinking tubes is each in fluid communication with a respective one of the reservoirs thereby facilitating the user to drink either the water or the fluid electrolytes. A pair of waist belts is each attached to a respective one of the reservoirs for wearing around the user's waist when the shoulder straps are worn over the user's shoulders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventors: Darvae Spells, Nigel Foreman, Benjamin Hughes, Steve Summerville
  • Patent number: 11229278
    Abstract: A hydration backpack includes a main body, a storage compartment, a pair of shoulder straps, a bladder, a hydration tube, a first longitudinal elongated metallic element, and a second longitudinal elongated metallic element. The bladder is disposed in the storage compartment of the main body and is configured to retain liquid. The hydration tube includes a proximal end coupled to the bladder and a distal end providing liquid to a user on demand. The first longitudinal elongated metallic element is disposed on one shoulder strap. The second longitudinal elongated metallic element is disposed on the hydration tube. The first and second longitudinal elongated metallic elements are configured to connect by gravitational and magnetic forces and form an automatic hydration tube return system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Eric Hassett, Derick Noffsinger, Mark Thibadeau
  • Patent number: 11225200
    Abstract: A bicycle carrier includes a vehicle engaging frame portion configured to be coupled a carrying vehicle and a rearward extending support member coupled to the vehicle engaging frame portion by a variably configurable hub configured to set the support member in a plurality of orientations relative to the vehicle engaging frame portion. The support member accommodates one or more bicycles and the support member is configured to be coupled to an add-on support member that accommodates one or more additional bicycles. The add-on support member includes an actuator configured to set the support member in the plurality of orientations relative to the vehicle engaging frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Keith L. Prescott, Jeffrey R. Edgerly
  • Patent number: 11219317
    Abstract: A soft-structured child carrier that includes a body panel having a bottom end attached to a bottom portion of the waistband, a first shoulder strap, a second shoulder strap, a first shoulder strap attachment panel attached to the interior side of the body panel away from the side edges of the body panel and a second shoulder strap attachment panel attached to the interior side of the body panel and away from the side edges of the body panel. The first shoulder strap attachment panel provides a first flap that is movable away from the interior surface of the body panel and includes a first lower attachment point for the first shoulder strap. The second shoulder strap attachment panel provides a second flap that is movable away from the interior surface of the body panel and includes a second lower attachment point for the second shoulder strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: The Ergo Baby Carrier, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney V. Telford