Patents Examined by Robert R. Song
  • Utility cage for a pickup truck
    Patent number: 5147103
    Abstract: A utility cage for a pickup truck comprising a top wall secured to the pickup truck and a rear wall pivotally secured to the top wall at one end thereof. The top wall and the rear wall when mounted on the pickup truck forming an enclosed cage with the floor of the truck bed, the truck bed side walls and the rear end of the truck cab. The rear wall is formed of the plurality of parallel members. Rotatable locking handles are secured to the top wall and extend through the real wall parallel members. The rotatable handles, when in a first position, enable the cage rear wall to pivot upward and when in a second position cause the rear wall to be locked in a generally vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Inventor: Wayne E. Ducote
  • Welt system for automotive vehicle
    Patent number: 5147105
    Abstract: A weatherstrip system disposed on a body flange of a vehicle at a location facing the door system of the vehicle to establish a seal between the body flange and the door system when the door system is closed comprises a frame member formed of a resin material adapted to clamp the flange of the frame member, an additional layer formed of co-extrudable material laid on a surface of the frame member, and a sealing member joined to the surface of the additional layer for contacting the door system for establishing the sealing between the body flange and the door system. The additional layer is co-extruded with the frame member. An edge line of the sealing member is presented on the additional layer and is colored with the color of the layer to enhance the outer appearance of the edge line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Kinugawa Rubber Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohisa Ono, Hitoshi Takahashi, Toshiaki Yamaguchi
  • Automotive vehicle seat for disabled persons
    Patent number: 5147104
    Abstract: A seat for a disabled driver or passenger at the door of an automotive vehicle, the door moving between closed and open positions at a doorway through which the seat is accessible. The seat comprises a seat cushion including a stationary cushion component remote from the doorway and a transport cushion component adjacent to the doorway, the transport cushion component being constrained for movement in a path between a retracted position and an extended position. The transport cushion component, when in extended position, is located downwardly and outwardly of its retracted position. The transport cushion component is controlled by an operational system that includes a manual actuator for maintaining movement between the retracted position and the extended position when under constant manual control. The actuator is accessible to constant manual control at a handle bar that moves with the transport cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Enhancements Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventor: Wojciech Zalewski
  • Flooring panels for flat platform trailers
    Patent number: 5143418
    Abstract: A composite panel particularly for use as a decking material in trailers and trucks is fabricated from at least eleven plies of wood veneer bonded together in a unitary structure. The three outer plies on each side of the panel are oriented with the wood grain extending in the longitudinal direction of the panel, the next outermost layer on each side being oriented with the grain extending in the transverse direction of the panel, and central layers being oriented with the grain extending in a longitudinal direction. Each side of the panel is covered by a laminate overlay of resin impregnated cellulose sheets, the upper surface overlay being textured to provide a slip-resistant finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Inventor: Robert J M. Fouquet
  • Side impact protection apparatus
    Patent number: 5141279
    Abstract: A side impact protection apparatus for use on the inner panel of a vehicle door. The apparatus is a cushion including a hollow flexible skin having an inner wall secured to the inner panel, flexible ties between the skin and the inner wall or low density open-celled foam to prevent the skin from bulging, a rupturable diaphragm-covered orifice or a coupling having an extrudable elastomeric plug mounted therein connected to the inner wall, and a medium of air under pressure or hydraulic fluid or water or a polygel contained in the cushion and adaptable to discharge by rupturing the diaphragm or extruding the elastomeric plug when subjected to impact by the vehicle occupant in the event of a high force side impact against the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Davidson Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Peter A. Weller
  • Configuration for retaining a window guide profile section
    Patent number: 5139305
    Abstract: An assembly of a motor vehicle having a roof, a door, and a window pane includes a box-like frame of the door, and a window guide profile section to be retained on the door frame. The door frame has a top with a longitudinally extending gap formed therein. The window guide profile section has a sealing lip, an inner surface with a rib-like projection thereon, and a U-shaped cross section. The window guide profile section is slipped onto the door frame with the sealing lip protruding laterally toward the window pane and laterally toward the roof, and the projection snapping into the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Metzeler Automotive Profiles GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Kranz, Gerd-Lutz Seegert
  • Portable truck bed seat
    Patent number: 5139301
    Abstract: Several embodiments of a portable truck bed seat are designed for use in the bed of a pickup truck. Each seat includes short legs and body-supporting cushions attached to an associated frame structure. Adjustable clamps are movably attached to the frame structures, and these clamps are attachable to the edges or lips of the truck beds to effectively lock the seats in position during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Inventor: William J. Lewis
  • Window molding for automotive vehicle
    Patent number: 5139302
    Abstract: A window molding comprises of a molding element and a pair of leg elements for defining grooves of varying height for preventing water such as rain on a windshield from flowing over the molding to the side of a vehicle body. The molding element is uniform in cross section and a single piece. The leg elements gradually increasing in height toward predetermined longitudinal ends and are indepenedent from the molding element and mechanically fastened to same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshio Kanke
  • Liner for a van or like vehicle
    Patent number: 5139300
    Abstract: There is provided a new and useful liner for a van or the like vehicle, the liner comprising at least one panel member, the panel member comprising a face sheet having a series of grooves therein, each groove having at least one area of discontinuity or of reduced depth therein, at least one area of discontinuity aligned with a similar area in each groove of the series whereby the areas of discontinuity may be secured to a stud located behind the panel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Inventor: Robert W. Carriere
  • Sunvisor spring clip and attachment mechanism
    Patent number: 5139303
    Abstract: A mechanism and method for attaching a sunvisor to a pivot shaft by providing a generally U-shaped clip having first and second arms within a cooperating clip housing integrally formed within the rear panel of the sunvisor. A conduit is formed by the spring clip enabling the sliding of the pivot shaft into both the clip housing and the spring clip. The clip housing is designed to cooperate with the pivot shaft to pre-stress one arm of the spring clip, thereby eliminating excess play between the spring clip and the sunvisor when the visor is pivoted. The attachment mechanism is designed such that a snap-shut hook is properly received within a receiving hook, thereby effectively securing the sunvisor to the pivot shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Plasta Fiber Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas C. Miller
  • Rear bumper structure of a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 5139304
    Abstract: A rear bumper structure includes a main bumper body portion adapted to extend transversely of a vehicle body and an airfoil member provided beneath the main bumper body portion and adapted to extend transversely of the vehicle body. The airfoil member is located, with respect to the main bumper body portion, so that it has a space between the airfoil member and the main bumper body portion. The airfoil member has a rear end portion defining a lower marginal portion of the space between the airfoil member and the main bumper body portion. The airfoil member further has an upper surface which is configured to direct at least a part of the air flow beneath the vehicle body smoothly, in line with a flow of air, and convexly upward, toward the space between the airfoil member and the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tajiri
  • Panel assembly for vehicles
    Patent number: 5139307
    Abstract: A panel assembly for vehicles forming encapsulated window assembly having improved weather sealing and appearance and reduced wind noise. The assembly includes an elongated, rigid, channel support, a panel-like sheet, and a molded gasket of resinous material such as polyvinylcholoride or reaction injection molded polyurethane extending around the peripheral sheet edge and the outer surface of the channel support to join the sheet and support member into a panel unit. Preferably, the gasket includes at least one recessed pocket receiving a fastener clip to tightly hold the assembly in a vehicle body. The assembly may also include one or more locator members for positioning the assembly with respect to other parts of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Roger L. Koops, Daniel R. Athey
  • Vehicle step
    Patent number: 5139295
    Abstract: A step is disclosed herein having downwardly depending supports from the bumper or frame of a vehicle which terminate in a flared flange for holding a step rung adapted to support the weight of a person servicing the vehicle. In one form, a pair of supports attaches at one end to the bumper or frame utilizing fasteners normally used for license plate securement. In another form, a single support includes a flare lip onto which the step rung is retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Inventor: Francisco Escobedo
  • Ladder utility rack and mounting rail
    Patent number: 5137320
    Abstract: The present invention is a ladder utility rack for pick-up truck cargo beds. It has two parallel horizontal base rails and at least two vertical stanchion units. Each base rail has horizontal and vertical running surfaces and each is adapted to nest atop and against sidewalls of a cargo bed. These base rails are not connected to one another except via the stanchion units. These units have vertical legs running from each of the base rails upwardly and inwardly and terminate at a commonly connected horizontal cross member. A second embodiment includes an additional set of rails, i.e. mounting rails, which run parallel to the base rails and, together with the base rails, form a horizontal platform for mounting items thereon to be transportable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Inventor: David Christensen
  • Pallet bumper for truck trailers
    Patent number: 5137313
    Abstract: A pallet bumper for truck trailers having an elongated plate with a plurality of space vertically disposed bumper elements secured thereto. The bumper elements are hollow resilient tubes having a center channel and at least one flat external side for positioning against the plate, with the center channel having a flat interior side parallel to the flat external side. A vertical flat bar extends along the length of the flat interior side of the center channel. A plurality of threaded bolts having head ends adjacent the plate extend through the plate, through the portion of the bumper elements between the flat external and interior sides thereof and then through the vertical flat bars. Nuts on the interior ends of the bolts secure the components together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Ruan Leasing Company
    Inventor: John L. Teig
  • Rigid sidewall for recreational vehicle
    Patent number: 5135278
    Abstract: A rigid wall construction is provided for conventional fold-down campers wherein a camper shell is comprised of a frame having a plurality of walls of substantially equal height, at least two of which form opposing lower sidewalls. Attached to an upper edge of each lower sidewall is a hinged footwall having an upper hinged plate and a pendulate support member. The hinged upper plate of the footwall is coupled to a sidewall formed from a lightweight yet rigid material. The sidewall rotates about the hinge coupling with the footwall from a recumbent position within the closed shell to a vertical position above the footwall once extended. As the sidewall is extended, the pendulate support member moves down to engage the lower sidewall and support the raised sidewall. A camper top disposed above the camper shell supports the sidewall in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Starcraft RV, Inc.
    Inventors: Ira H. Kauffman, Homer Ratliff
  • Windshiled shade assembly for motor vehicles
    Patent number: 5135279
    Abstract: A shade assembly for a vehicle windshield includes an axle secured at its ends to two side brackets attachable at the windshield top at two opposite sides of the windshield. The axle is also supported at its middle portion by an intermediate bracket secured to the top of the windshield. Two hollow cylindrical shafts are arranged between the intermediate bracket and the two side brackets, respectively, for rotation about respective sections of the axle. Two flexible shade members made of a tinted and polarized flexible plastic material are secured to the two hollow shafts, respectively, at one of their opposite longitudinal edges so as to be unwound and rewound upon respective rotation of the hollow shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Inventor: Annetta Beatty
  • Work stations
    Patent number: 5135277
    Abstract: A work station for use with a vehicle has one or more inclined support frames of triangular construction, each frame receiving at least one slidably mounted carriage frame which can slide on the inclined support frame from a first position to a second position, thus allowing the carriage frame to slide from a first position to a second position in a direction which is downward and away from the first position, but which maintains the carriage frame substantially parallel to the inclined support frame, the inclined support frame allowing the carriage frame to slide from the second position to the first position in a direction upwards and towards the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: M.M. Jack Engineering Pty. Limited
    Inventor: Graeme L. S. Pearson
  • Articulated trailer cover assembly
    Patent number: 5133586
    Abstract: An articulated cover assembly for covering the top opening of trailers and the like having two covers which are movable between a position covering at least a portion of the top opening of a trailer and a position substantially removed from the trailer. The covers travel upon a track such that they may be rolled between the opened and closed positions. The covers are preferably comprised of a rigid material, such as plastic or fiberglass. A tongue and groove interface intermediate the two covers provides a seal therebetween. The track may be comprised of two track sections: a horizontal first track section comprised of two elongate rails positioned upon opposite sides of the trailer and extending horizontally therealong, and a second track section comprised of two elongate rails positioned at either end of the trailer and sloping downward from approximately the height of the first track section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Inventors: Lowell D. Anderson, Patrick D. McClure
  • Visor for automobiles
    Patent number: 5133585
    Abstract: A visor for a vehicle is provided with a shade which when extended protects the interior of the vehicle from the sun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Inventor: Shawky A. Hassan