Patents Examined by Stephen Gordon
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Patent number: 10252732Abstract: A vehicle restraint system for an auto-rack railroad car which includes an active chock and an anchor chock configured to co-act to secure a vehicle in the auto-rack railroad car. In various embodiments, each chock has a chock body including a substantially diamond shaped elongated tube which includes four integrally connected elongated walls. In various embodiments, for each chock, various components of that chock extend substantially along longitudinal axis that lie in the same or substantially the same vertical plane as the apex and trough of the substantially diamond shaped elongated tube of the chock body.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2017Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Standard Car Truck CompanyInventors: John D. Anderson, Walter J. Peach, Michael K. Burke
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Patent number: 10040386Abstract: Systems and methods for securing a tank to a chassis. In an embodiment, a vehicle includes a chassis and a tank having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is coupled with the chassis for pivotal movement with respect thereto. The vehicle also includes a structural pad coupled to the tank and at least one rib extending from the structural pad. The at least one rib has at least one aperture defined therethrough. At least one fluid cylinder is coupled with the chassis. The at least one fluid cylinder is coupled with a pin aligned with the aperture. Actuation of the at least one fluid cylinder causes the pin to move between a first position wherein the pin is not received within the aperture and a second position wherein the pin is received within the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: WASTEQUIP, LLCInventor: Geoffrey M. Trueman
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Patent number: 10040389Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to individually secure carts, racks, and the like within delivery vehicles using a universal clasping mechanism. The clasping mechanism is configured to clamp shut on a portion of the carts to thereby restrain the carts during transportation. In some embodiments, locking the clasping mechanism can be achieved by pushing a portion of the mechanism to thereby pivot arms of the mechanism to clamp on a portion of the cart.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2017Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLCInventors: Tawfeek J. Abohammdan, Timothy R. Hodges, Erica N. Poe Smith
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Patent number: 10029604Abstract: The present invention relates to a chain telescoping ratchet load binder tensioner apparatus useful for utilizing, for example, as tie-downs for heavy equipment on the decks of railcars, trucks, or other vehicles, although the invention should not be limited to its preferred application. More specifically, the present invention relates to a chain telescoping ratchet load binder tensioner apparatus for tensioning and holding a chain, such as a ½? chain, and for tensioning the chain for the afore-mentioned tie-down applications. In addition, the present invention comprises a ratchet load binder tie down anchor apparatus comprises an end link and a swivel allowing the ratchet load binder to swivel about a central axis. Methods of use are further provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2016Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Holland, L.P.Inventors: John B. Brewster, Christopher Roberts
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Patent number: 10023099Abstract: A shipping apparatus utilizes logistic bars attached laterally across a carrier shipping enclosure such as truck trailer or shipping container. The logistic bars can engage tracks attached to lateral sidewalls of the carrier shipping enclosure. One or more equipment racks are positioned behind one of the lateral logistic bars. Another logistic bar is placed behind the one or more equipment racks. Each of the equipment racks are secured in place by clamping devices positioned along a respective lateral logistic bar to be proximate to a respective corner of the equipment rack. Longitudinal logistic bars are engaged to a pair of the clamping devices that are on opposing lateral sides of the equipment rack. The shipping apparatus provides a rigid structure that is appropriately positioned without damaging components within the equipment rack and preventing swaying during transport of the equipment rack.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.Inventors: Steven Embleton, James D. Curlee, Rene J. Salas, Joseph A. Bartole, Bruce E. Lykins, Eric M. Tunks, Joshua S. Keup
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Patent number: 10023097Abstract: A tie down assembly for a vehicle cargo bed. The tie down assembly is structured to be coupled to a sidewall of a vehicle cargo bed. The assembly includes a mounting bracket structured to be positionable and securable along the sidewall. The assembly also includes a tie down member rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket and including an indexing member. The mounting bracket has a first indexing cavity structured for receiving the indexing member therein, and a second indexing cavity angularly spaced apart from the first indexing cavity and structured for receiving the indexing member therein. The tie down assembly is structured such that the tie down member is secured in a first angular orientation when the indexing member resides within the first indexing cavity, and in a second angular orientation different from the first angular orientation when the indexing member resides within the second indexing cavity.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Ryan C. Harris, Scott L. Frederick
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Patent number: 10017086Abstract: The present invention is a removable storage system for use in a vehicle which allows a storage cart to be rolled into and out of the vehicle and secured within the vehicle. The storage system includes a support assembly adapted to be mounted within a vehicle. The support system has at least one horizontal member extending along the longitudinal side of the vehicle. The movable cart has at least one surface for supporting items, and a locking mechanism for locking the cart to the support system. The horizontal member includes at least one retention member to resist movement of the moveable cart in the longitudinal direction. The locking mechanism engages the horizontal member to lock the cart to the horizontal member to resist movement of the moveable cart in the lateral direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2017Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Ranger DesignInventor: Ilko Paunov
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Patent number: 10017251Abstract: Systems for restraining palleted cargo within an aircraft are provided. A first system operates to provide vertical and outboard lateral support to cargo at a location where the opposite ends of the system are connected to surfaces that are aligned at different orientations, for example, one end connected to a horizontal floor and the second end connected to a sidewall of the fuselage of the aircraft. A second system operates to provide aft, vertical, and outboard lateral support to cargo upon a pallet proximate to its corner, and at a location where a portion of cargo extends above a stay out zone of the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Ancra International, LLCInventors: John F. Rowles, Edward H. Moradians, Victor Bassly
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Patent number: 9987969Abstract: A fastening device integrated into a vehicle to fasten a cargo including a strap assembly with a strap, and a hook affixed to a first extremity of the strap, a shaft assembly affixed to a second extremity of the strap to roll the strap, a ratchet assembly to prevent rotation of the shaft assembly in an unrolling direction when engaged, a handle assembly to engage and force the ratchet assembly to rotate, a housing assembly affixed to the body of the vehicle to support the shaft assembly, and the handle assembly, a head cover to cover the shaft assembly, the ratchet assembly, and the housing assembly and provide access to the handle assembly, a neck cover that protrudes downwardly from the head cover to receive the strap and the hook, wherein the handle assembly is articulable to engage the ratchet assembly and tighten the strap around the cargo.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2017Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Aaron Welter, Eric Archambeau, Yasuaki Nishio
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Patent number: 9975468Abstract: A universal wrench assembly includes a wrench, one end has a head, and the other end has a handle. The head has a groove with a partial spherical surface for engaging a workpiece. One side of the groove has a through-hole, a rotating shaft is rotatablely installed in the through-hole. A supporting housing has a side wall and an upper wall, and the side wall and the upper wall connect and form an installing cavity. The upper wall has an insert hole. An elastic slot is disposed on an upper wall at one side of the insert hole, the side wall has a through groove, a lower end of the through groove has an opening, and an upside has a lateral limiting area. A fixing rod, with one end pass through the insert hole and the rotating cavity and rotatablely disposed at an axial central area of the rotating shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2017Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: HANGZHOU GOLDEN SUN AUTO PARTS CO., LTD.Inventors: Chenshan Lin, Shaoyong Zheng, Jinqin Fu, Xiaohong Tang, Peng Cao, Xue'e Wang
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Patent number: 9975467Abstract: A cargo securing apparatus utilizes a durable first member and a pair of stainless steel hooks. The first member is retractably secured within an outer member having a pair of locking handles on the exterior. Secured to the outer member is a first hook. Secured to the inner member opposite the first hook is at least one (1) second hook.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2017Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Inventor: Shannon I. Haake
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Patent number: 9968073Abstract: The present invention is a device and method for preventing cargo in the cargo area of a vehicle from shifting forward in an accident, the vehicle having a horizontally hinged rear door.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Launchlab, Inc.Inventor: Michael Leung
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Patent number: 9969317Abstract: A utility land vehicle is provided having a cargo compartment that includes a retention system. One embodiment of the retention system includes latch and receiver assemblies. The latch assembly includes first and second latches. The first and second latches are spaced apart from each other. A tie attached to each of the first and second latches actuates to cause both first and second latches to release. The receiver assemblies comprise first and second receivers. Each of the first and second receivers includes a body and a slot formed in the body. Each of the slots formed in each body of each of the first and second receivers includes an opening wherein the opening of the slot formed in the body of the first receiver faces the first latch, and the opening of the slot formed in the body of the second receiver faces the second latch.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Spartan Motors, Inc.Inventors: Richard Eichstedt, Terry Kessler, Douglas Sagarsee
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Patent number: 9969318Abstract: A lock for securing a container includes a lock platform, a coupler including a portion that is disposed above the lock platform, an interaction member associated with the coupler, and a linkage mechanism including an actuation device and an actuation surface. The actuation surface is curved or sloped. In addition, movement of the actuation device causes movement of the interaction member along the actuation surface in a first direction such that the coupler automatically secures the container to the lock.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Mi-Jack Products, Inc.Inventors: John J. Lanigan, Sr., Martin C. Conneally, Antonio Carlos Callado Souza, Jason Schmidt, Kevin Gerald Muszynski
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Patent number: 9963062Abstract: A removable anchor assembly is disclosed. In embodiments, the removable anchor assembly includes an anchor and a locking plate. The anchor includes a shaft with a head at a proximal end and a keyway shaft at a distal end. The anchor further includes a fixed washer, a compressible gasket configured to compress along a length of the shaft, and a slideable washer configured to move along the length of the shaft. The anchor also includes a t-lock formed in the keyway shaft. The locking plate includes a distal face and forms a locking-plate hole through the locking plate, a t-lock channel through the locking plate, and a recess formed in the distal face, the recess oriented perpendicular to the the t-lock channel and configured to secure the t-lock from rotating when the t-lock rests in the recess.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2017Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Inventor: Alan Halls
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Patent number: 9937845Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a frame; a dump bed carried by the frame and having a non-dumping position and a dumping position; a dumping mechanism connected to the dump bed and configured to move the dump bed between the non-dumping position and the dumping position; a roof carried by the frame above the dump bed; and a rack carried by the frame below the roof, the rack being configured to not interfere with the dump bed in the dumping position.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2015Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: ASW, LLCInventors: Kegan M. Crawford, John D. Smith
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Patent number: 9937848Abstract: An assembly includes a first elongate member having a periphery. The assembly also includes a bracket. The bracket has a first component and a second component. The first component is disposed about a first portion of the periphery and the second component is disposed about a second portion of the periphery. The first component is snap-fit to the second component to secure the first elongate member between the first component and the second component. The assembly additionally includes a second elongate member coupled to the bracket.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2017Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Thomas P. Grabowski, Mark A. Pulleyblank
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Patent number: 9932113Abstract: A restraint assembly includes a fitting base, a bushing, and a restraint roller disk, according to various embodiments. The fitting base includes a fitting lower surface and a fitting upper surface that is angled relative to the fitting lower surface, according to various embodiments. The fitting base may be configured to be coupled, via an anchor, to a rail upper surface of a guide rail of the cargo system. In various embodiments, the bushing is configured to be disposed about the anchor. In various embodiments, the restraint roller disk includes a roller upper surface and a roller lower surface, wherein the restraint roller disk is configured to be rotatably coupled about the bushing and the roller lower surface is configured to engage the fitting upper surface of the fitting base.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2016Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATIONInventors: Wallace Harold Larson, Troy Joseph Herberholz, Ryan Pfau, Brian Landis
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Patent number: 9896256Abstract: The invention discloses a dunnage bag arrangement for securing loads, includes an inflatable dunnage bag having a gastight inflatable bladder; and a hanger member connected to the dunnage bag and adapted to being supported on top of loads and adapted to support the dunnage bag in a void between loads. The dunnage bag includes a reinforcing sleeve made of at least one material ply, the sleeve having a first opening and a second opening, and the sleeve being folded and sealed and/or stitched to close off at least one of the openings.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2014Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Stopak India Pvt. Ltd.Inventor: Bester Jacobus Pansegrouw
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Patent number: 9896019Abstract: A cargo stop for use with a tie down strap with attachment members attachable to anchors in a floor of a cargo compartment usable for carrying cargo. The cargo stop having an elongated cargo engagement wall member portion with a rearward facing elongated engagement wall sized for engagement with cargo to resist forward movement of cargo engaging the engagement wall beyond the engagement wall, an elongated backing member portion rigidly connected to the cargo engagement wall member portion and projecting forward beyond the cargo engagement wall member portion, and an elongated strap receiving recess sized to receive the tie down strap. The length of the engagement wall being sized to position the left end portion of the engagement wall in proximity with a starboard wall of the cargo compartment and the right end portion of the engagement wall in proximity with a port wall of the cargo compartment.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Inventor: William J. Boyer