Patents Examined by Peter N Helvey
  • Patent number: 11912240
    Abstract: A vehicle article carrier system is disclosed for supporting articles above an outer body surface of a vehicle. In one embodiment the system forms a swing-in-place style system with front and rear cross bar assemblies that can each be swung pivotally at one end from stowed positions on respective support rail assemblies, to operative positions extending perpendicularly between the support rail assemblies. In other embodiments the rear cross bar assembly is fully removable and can be positioned at a plurality of different longitudinal positions along the support rail assemblies. In all of the embodiments, the support rails include an L-shaped construction which is dimensioned in relation to the height of the cross bar assemblies, so the support rail assemblies are able to fully hide the cross bar assemblies from view when the cross bar assemblies are in their stowed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: JAC Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Aftanas, Gordon Michie, Michael J. Presley
  • Patent number: 11904811
    Abstract: A storage assembly for a vehicle includes a console housing including a storage compartment and an access opening to the storage compartment. The storage assembly includes a tambour door assembly having a tambour door panel configured to move between a first position to close the access opening and a second position to open the access opening. The storage assembly also has a tray assembly including the tambour door panel. The tray assembly is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the console housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Paul Thomas, Stephen Neal Jacobsen, Michele Marie Matthews
  • Patent number: 11897433
    Abstract: A hitch mounted tree carrier is configured to be secured to a motor vehicle and permits a user to transport a tree from a first location to a second location. The hitch mounted tree carrier includes an elongated member configured to be removably received by a motor vehicle hitch and a receptacle having a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front portion is affixed to the elongated member. The hitch mounted tree carrier also includes: (i) a wedge positioned in the receptacle and configured to apply a first force on a first extent of a tree trunk, when the tree is in the process of being inserted into the receptacle, and (ii) a securement assembly extending into the receptacle and configured to apply a second force on a second extent of the tree trunk, when the tree is in an engaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventor: Jonathan Miller Chamlin
  • Patent number: 11897434
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a vehicle-mounted bicycle stand, including a mounting seat, a support rod, a bracket and a locking and fixing mechanism, wherein the mounting seat is connected with a square-opening base at a rear end of a vehicle, and a connecting part is arranged at an end of the mounting seat; the support rod is fixed on the mounting seat; the bracket is rotationally mounted at an upper end of the support rod and is configured to place a bicycle; and the locking and fixing mechanism is mounted between the support rod and the bracket and is configured to lock and fix the bracket in a rearward unfolded state or a downward folded state. The vehicle-mounted bicycle stand of the disclosure is compact in structure, convenient and labor-saving in mounting and dismounting, high in overall structural strength, and good in reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: NINGBO TOGETHER TRADING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huike Tian, Kejin Xia
  • Patent number: 11897238
    Abstract: A thermoplastic film which embodies a three-dimensional pattern. The thermoplastic film comprises a three-dimensional pattern including at least three sub-patterns of deformations. The shape, positioning, and pattern deformation density of the at least three sub-patterns of deformations cause the three-dimensional pattern to give the thermoplastic film a thicker appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: Edward B. Tucker, Robert T. Dorsey, Zeljko Vidovic
  • Patent number: 11897429
    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: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: GM Cruise Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Jon Meador, Marie Ledger, Jessica Uelmen, Anthony Galliano, III, Arun A. Mathews, Pratik Palnitkar
  • Patent number: 11890819
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing tissue and other biological materials includes a separable flexible container that includes a first layer coupled to a second layer via a set of seals to define a first storage volume and a second storage volume. Separate tissue specimens are containable within the first storage volume and the second storage volume. A first portion of the first layer or the second layer defines a first opening into the first storage volume. A second portion of the first layer or the second layer defines a second opening into the second storage volume. The opening into the first volume and the opening into the second volume are positioned near opposite edges of the flexible container. The separable flexible container also includes a hinge to allow the first opening and the second opening to move from location on opposing edges of the separable flexible container to adjacent locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Instant Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Tara C. Ramsey
  • Patent number: 11878659
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates in general to carriers intended to be utilized with towing vehicles, and more specifically, to a wheeled carrier and method of use for providing additional cargo space while being towed behind an automobile or all-terrain vehicle. One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a variety of removable and interchangeable body styles each designed to be utilized with different types of cargo (e.g., luggage, bikes, small animals) such that the carrier may support a wide range of uses depending on certain preferences of the consumer. Another aspect of the present disclosure is providing a wheeled carrier that is rigidly and removably coupled to the chassis of the towing vehicle at multiple positions without requiring a ball hitch, pivoting pin box, or sliding hitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventor: Todd M. Sauer
  • Patent number: 11878841
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet material container being made of a sheet material and including a body portion and a bottom portion that is to be disposed on a placement surface, and the sheet material including a plurality of film layers. A body portion sheet that constitutes the body portion includes a bonding portion where peripheral edge portions of the sheet materials are bonded. In a bottom surface sheet that constitutes the bottom portion, a non-adhesive region is provided in the plurality of film layers. The non-adhesive region forms a bottom filler-filled portion. The bottom filler-filled portion extends annularly around a non-filled portion, and includes at least three protruding leg portions that are to be placed on the placement surface so as to allow the container to stand by itself. The protruding leg portions protrude toward the placement surface past other portions in the bottom filler-filled portion due a leg forming portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Inagawa, Mitsugu Iwatsubo, Takahiro Otsuka, Masahito Chiwaki, Daisuke Kodama
  • Patent number: 11878853
    Abstract: A packaging bag unsealed from a first side to a second side opposed to the first side, including: an inclination seal part (5) at a corner provided consecutively to the second side, wherein the inclination seal part (5) has a strong-pressure seal zone (7) along an inner edge (50) of the inclination seal part (5), the strong-pressure seal zone (7) being pressed by a higher pressing force than other parts of the inclination seal part (5), and being smaller in thickness than other parts of the inclination seal part (5). Also disclosed is a pressing member and a method for manufacturing the packaging bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: TOYO SEIKAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shie Matsunaga, Hayato Asai
  • Patent number: 11878656
    Abstract: A firearm rack assembly for securing at least one firearm that is removably attachable to a vehicle. The rack including a rifle attachment assembly, a pistol attachment assembly, an assembly post assembly wherein the rifle attachment assembly and pistol attachment assembly are removably joined to the assembly post and the assembly post is removably attachable to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Michael Mueller, Alexander Orsi, John Bales
  • Patent number: 11878660
    Abstract: An articulated roller assembly for a bent bar comprising an articulated roller configured to spin relative to the bent bar. The bent bar generally comprises at least one bent portion and at least one straight portion. The articulated roller is designed to be fitted over the bent portion of the bar to be positioned on the at least one straight portion of the bar where it spins freely. The articulated rollers comprise a series of cylindrical rigid bushings surrounded by a flexible, deformable sleeve. The bushings have an inner diameter and length such that the articulated roller can be fitted over the bent portion of the bar. In some examples, the inner diameter and length of the bushings are a function of the outer diameter of the bent bar and the radius of the bend in the bent portion of the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Suspenz, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian Kowalski
  • Patent number: 11872960
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a roof rack assembly for use with a vehicle and related methods. The roof rack assembly can include a plurality of attachment assemblies with gutter inserts configured to extend within rain gutters of a vehicle. The attachment assemblies can also include clamps that are configured to at least partially wrap around a frame of the vehicle. The roof rack assembly can be attached to a vehicle without drilling and can be adjustable such that it is compatible with various vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Lund Motion Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Gauci
  • Patent number: 11873137
    Abstract: Disclosed herein a bag with a multiple seal system. Accordingly, the bag may include a container and a seal. Further, the container may include a bottom side, a first imprinted surface, a second imprinted surface, a plurality of side surfaces and a cavity. Further, the first imprinted surface may include a first imprinted media. Further, the second imprinted surface may include a second imprinted media. Further, the bottom side may include a plurality of vertexes. Further, the cavity may be configured for storing an item. Further, the seal may be configured for preventing access to the cavity. Further, the seal may include a male side and a female side. Further, a male side of the seal may be located on a first member of the plurality of top edges. Further, a female side of the seal may be located on a second member of the plurality of top edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventor: Sal Yosufy
  • Patent number: 11873159
    Abstract: A flexible and hingeable valve mechanism is provided to a package or pouch, e.g., a package top seal, creating one or more channels through the top seal of the pouch and then, approximate to the one or more channels, making or forming a pocket within the same seal. As the pocket is filled with gas, it can prevent the top seal from accidentally kinking and allow other gas pressure to flow freely through the one or more channels. If the pouch is tilted or tipped over, the pocket will fill with the liquid content of the pouch and the weight of the liquid within the pocket will cause the pocket to hingeably displace and close off at least a portion of the one or more channels to prevent leaking or spilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Patent number: 11866009
    Abstract: An organizational system includes a plurality of straight divider segments having a plurality of upper protrusions and lower openings. Divider segments are aligned serially and are connected by lowering another divider segment onto the adjacent segments to form an elongated wall. A central channel on the top surface of each divider segment receives a bar on the bottom end of another divider segment when connected. The system also includes plurality of corner segments each having a top surface with an extended portion having a plurality of upper protrusions and lower openings. The corner segment is positioned orthogonally against one of the straight divider segments and the protrusions on the straight divider segment engage the openings on the extended section of the corner segment. An elongated bar on the bottom portion of the extended section is positioned within a cross channel on the straight divider segment in the connected orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventor: Christopher Fannin
  • Patent number: 11858708
    Abstract: A sheet member container including one or more sheet members, including a main-body forming sheet member having an outer film layer and an inner film layer laminated on each other. The sheet member container has a containing portion that accommodates contents, a container main body including the main-body forming sheet member, and a peripheral edge sealing portion in which the one or more sheet members are folded along a folding line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Otsuka, Daisuke Kodama, Akira Kuragano
  • Patent number: 11858469
    Abstract: A carrier is provided, including: a mounting rod, configured to be connected to a vehicle; a frame body, including a connecting seat rotatably connected to the mounting rod, a stand rod and two lateral rods, the stand rod and the two lateral rods being connected to the connecting seat, the connecting seat being rotatable between a first position and a second position, wherein when located in the first position, the connecting seat and the mounting rod being stacked; a first quick-release mechanism, including a first elastic abutting portion, the first elastic abutting portion being disposed on one of the mounting rod and the connecting seat, the first elastic abutting portion being blockably abuttable against the other of the mounting rod and the connecting seat so that the connecting seat is positioned in the first position and non-rotatable toward the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: YOTTA INNOVATION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Stella Huang
  • Patent number: 11858195
    Abstract: A flexible packaging laminate has built-in opening/reclose and tamper-evidence features by forming the laminate from an outer structure joined in face-to-face relation to an inner structure. Score lines are formed in both structures to enable an opening to be formed through the laminate by lifting a flap or the like out of the plane of the laminate. The score line through the outer structure defines a larger opening than the score line through the inner structure, such that a marginal region of the outer structure extends beyond the edge of the opening portion of the inner structure. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is used to re-adhere the marginal region to an underlying surface of the inner structure adjacent the opening through the laminate. The outer score line includes at least one tear portion that is torn through upon initial opening, thus indicating the package has been at least partially opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin Davis, Scott William Huffer
  • Patent number: 11858470
    Abstract: A carrier is provided, including: a mounting rod including an inclined surface; a frame body, including a connecting seat which includes an upper plate connected to the two side plates and two side plates rotatably connected to the mounting rod, a stand rod and two lateral rods, the stand rod and the two lateral rods being connected to the connecting seat, wherein when located in a first position, the connecting seat is parallel to the mounting rod, and when the connecting seat is located in a second position, the inclined surface is abutted against the upper plate; a first pin, wherein when the connecting seat is located in the first position, the first pin is inserted in the mounting rod and at least one of the two side plates so that the connecting seat is positioned in the first position and non-rotatable toward the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: YOTTA INNOVATION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Stella Huang