Patents Examined by Stephen Gordon
  • Patent number: 9150135
    Abstract: Example embodiments disclose a coupling device that includes a support member and a pivot member. The support member may include a first wall, a second wall a third wall, and a fourth wall. The pivot member may be pivotally supported in the support member. In example embodiments, the pivot member may include a first stanchion penetrating the first wall and a second stanchion penetrating the second wall. In example embodiments the support member may further include one of a third stanchion on the third wall and a first aperture in the third wall and one of a fourth stanchion on the fourth wall and a second aperture in the fourth wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Smithco Mfg., Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Verros
  • Patent number: 9132767
    Abstract: A cargo holding apparatus for securing cargo in a pickup truck cargo bed and facilitating unloading of the cargo is provided. The apparatus has a holding element, a pair of straps each attachable to a respective support member of the holding element, and a pair of clamping members attached to a left side wall and a right side wall of the cargo bed, respectively, at a position adjacent to a rear wall of the cargo bed. Each strap is fed through a respective clamping member. The clamping member securely holds the strap when in an engaged aspect and allows the strap to slide unrestricted when in a disengaged aspect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventor: Richard H. Ferriggi, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9126636
    Abstract: A tibia pad has: a right foot placement portion having a right side horizontal portion formed horizontally and on which a passenger's right heel is placed, and a right side inclined portion formed at a vehicle front side of this right side horizontal portion and inclined with respect to a vehicle longitudinal direction to head toward a vehicle upper side while heading toward a vehicle front side; a pair of groove portions formed, at least in a bottom surface of the right side horizontal portion at the right foot placement portion, to extend along the vehicle longitudinal direction and to lined-up in a vehicle transverse direction; and a step portion formed at a transition portion between the right side horizontal and the right side inclined portions, and positioned between a rear and a front side ribs are formed at the right side horizontal and the right side inclined portions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Eisuke Ikeno, Kunio Ohashi, Satoshi Yamaguchi, Yusuke Fukushima
  • Patent number: 9126521
    Abstract: A winch supported cargo strap coil launching device has a telescopic cantilever beam. A transverse support member has a first end connected to a first lateral side wall of an outer cantilever beam tubular member, and a second end capable of being carried in a spool aperture of a cargo strap winch assembly. A U-shaped bracket member has a base connected to a distal end of an inner tubular cantilever beam member, and a first and second parallel legs extending outwardly at opposite ends thereof. The parallel legs include respectively aligned apertures adapted to pivotally connect a launching pole to the cantilever beam assembly. The launching pole has an upper end and a lower end. The lower end is pivotally connected to the U-shaped bracket. A cargo strap coil bucket is connected to the upper end of the launching pole, and has a generally rectangular ejection opening so that the bucket is capable of retaining and then releasing the cargo strap coil by exerting an upward thrusting motion on the pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Inventor: David McCullough
  • Patent number: 9120415
    Abstract: The cargo retention assembly includes a rod operationally coupled to a trailer. A clamp is coupled to an end of the rod. The clamp engages the trailer so the rod is movably coupled to the trailer. The rod is positionable to abut the cargo on the trailer. A fastener is operationally coupled to the clamp. The fastener engages the trailer so the rod is retained at the selected position on the trailer. The rod may be constructed of a plurality of rod members that telescope with respect to one another in order to adjust a rod length thereby accommodating a plurality of varying trailer sizes. The clamp features a bracket with an open top and first side that enables the end of the rod to fall therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Inventor: Dale Harris
  • Patent number: 9120417
    Abstract: A method of transporting a wind turbine blade with a curved central longitudinal axis includes loading the wind turbine blade onto a transportation device including first and second support bearings. The wind turbine blade is loaded in a first orientation in which the curved central longitudinal axis is located in a generally vertical plane. When the transportation device is preparing to turn, the wind turbine blade is rotated to a second orientation before or during turning such that the curved central longitudinal axis is located in a generally horizontal plane and bends around the turn. As a result, the curved wind turbine blade and transportation device can traverse tighter curves and turns during travel to an assembly site or quayside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Stephen Randall
  • Patent number: 9114751
    Abstract: A support system (10), including: a spoke connection region (30); a support stand (20) configured to support the spoke connection region (30); and a plurality of spokes (14). Each spoke (14) includes an inner end (34) connectable to a respective spoke connection point disposed in the spoke connection region (30), and each spoke (14) is independently positioned angularly about the respective spoke connection point (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Eric M. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9114907
    Abstract: A transport device for shock sensitive packages maintains an object in a near zero gravity spatial orientation to reduce or eliminate potentially harmful mechanical shock and or vibration to a body, object or device needing protection. This device has active impact cancellation, and is controlled by a computer via attached sensors that return positional data and reduce or eliminate the deceleration rate of the protected body via programmed algorithms, and rapidly compensating linear actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Inventors: Frank Maas, Barbara E. Maas
  • Patent number: 9108759
    Abstract: An interlocking crating batten system may include a middle section that has a top portion, a top edge, a bottom portion, a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion has a concave area and the second end portion has a convex area. The first end portion has a least one tab extended out from the bottom portion of the middle section. A base section may have a least one slot along a primary end. The base section may lay between the middle section and a crate, with at least one slot removably engaged with at least one tab. An attachment device may connect the middle section and the base section to the crate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Inventor: Peter Konrad Kroiss
  • Patent number: 9102259
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a chain winch 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 winch apparatus for winching and holding a chain, such as a ½? chain, and for tensioning the chain for the afore-mentioned tie-down applications. Methods of use are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Holland, L.P.
    Inventors: John B. Brewster, Mark B. Eenigenburg
  • Patent number: 9102260
    Abstract: A hopper for transportation of mineral or aggregates which prevents the material from falling off due to movements or slope, and which improves load performance and facilitates the download. In the joining areas between the front and the floor and between the sides and the floor there are folded or cylindered pieces giving curvature to such joining points, thus adding anti-adherent features to this hopper. The front is folded with a wide radius, also achieving an anti-adherent feature. There are also folds in the front and the shield to avoid beams in those areas of the hopper, thus decreasing the total weight of such hopper and reducing the appearance of cracks and lessening the amount of welding. Additionally, the area of release is wider than the front and shield portions to allow for a better sliding of the material during unloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Minetec S.A.
    Inventor: Richard Cotal Sepulveda
  • Patent number: 9096159
    Abstract: In one example, a tie-down apparatus can include a tie-down device and a housing adapted to receive the tie-down device. The tie-down apparatus can be transitionable between a stowed state and a deployed state. In the stowed state, the tie-down device can be stored entirely within the housing. The stowed state can be convenient for storing the tie-down device when not in use. In the deployed state, certain metal portions of the tie down device can be concealed within the housing while other portions of the tie-down device (e.g. attachment mechanisms) are deployed through openings in the housing. The deployed state can be convenient for securing cargo without damaging (e.g. scratching or denting) the cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Inventor: Edwin A. Wright
  • Patent number: 9096348
    Abstract: An item stabilizer configured to prevent lateral movement of an item (such as a product-supporting pallet) in a transport container. The item stabilizer includes a first item side engager, a second item side engager, and a connector attached to each of the item side engagers such that an item can be positioned on the connector between the item side engagers. The item stabilizer is configured to prevent movement of the item by engaging opposite sides of the item while the weight of the item and any products thereon or therein rest on the connector, thereby preventing the connector and the item side engagers themselves from moving laterally. Each item side engager respectively extends between one side of the item and one of the side walls of the transport container to limit the lateral movement of the item. Multiple item stabilizers can work together to hold an item in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLC
    Inventors: Marc Steven Johnson, Michael Scott Carroll, Christopher Wayne Baker
  • Patent number: 9090194
    Abstract: A set of load restraint strips may be detachably joined by splice panels. Each of the load restraint strips may include a base layer comprising a base layer material, a reinforcement layer comprising a reinforcing material fixed relative to the base layer material, and an attachment layer comprising an adhesive material layer extending less than an entire length of the load restraint strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Inventor: Matthew Bullock
  • Patent number: 9090192
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reversible end assembly for use with cargo decking beams. The end assembly comprises a body formed from C-shaped plates coupled back-to-back that is slideably disposed within the end of a decking beam. Identical latch mechanisms at both ends of the body allow the end assembly to be reversibly mounted within the beam. Each latch mechanism includes an end tab formed from the plates that fits into openings (either A or E slots) in a mounting track. A retaining lip on the bottom engages the openings and a notch in the top provides room for the lip to be inserted and lifted out of the openings. An internal swivel latch fills the space left by the notch when in a closed position to prevent the retaining lip from lifting out of the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: B2B Casuals, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerrell P. Squyres
  • Patent number: 9090201
    Abstract: A center door assembly for a dump bed and a method for removing the door from the dump bed. A frame is mounted in a wall of the dump bed and has a pair of opposite and spaced apart channels. A pair of elastomeric inserts are removably mounted in the channels. A retractable door has a pair of edges slidably received in the inserts and is movable linearly within the channels between a closed position and an open position. A pivot linkage assembly is operatively connected to the door for linearly moving the door between the closed and open positions. The elastomeric inserts are removed from the channels through a bottom opening in the channels providing lateral space between the channels to enable the door to be removed from the frame. The elastomeric inserts are provided with bend areas enabling them to be compressed for removal from the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: MAC TRAILER MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventor: James A. Maiorana
  • Patent number: 9090191
    Abstract: The present invention provides an end assembly for use with cargo decking beams. The end assembly comprises a body that is slidably disposed within the end of a decking beam. A foot section is pivotally coupled to the body and includes obliquely angled guide edges formed from outer plates of the foot. The guide edges are slidably captured within similarly angled guide channels in a mounting track. A pivoting locking plate sandwiched between said outer plates slides into and out of openings (either A or E slots) in the mounting track to secure the beam end assembly in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: B2B Casuals, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerrell P. Squyres
  • Patent number: 9085364
    Abstract: A locking element is described for securing containers, pallets or similar freight items in the cargo bay of an aircraft, wherein a first and a second locking claw are mounted on a frame swivellable from a lowered loading position into a raised working position for securing containers. A remotely controllable adjustment device is provided to change and adjust the state of the locking claws between the loading state in which the locking claws are in the loading position, a holding state in which the locking claws are in the working position and fixed, and a trigger state in which the locking claws are in the working position but can be swivelled from the working position into the loading position if a force acting on the locking claws exceeds a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Telair International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Huber, Richard Holzner
  • Patent number: 9086052
    Abstract: A transportation system is disclosed for transporting a rotor blade having a first end and a second end defining a rotor blade length. The transportation system includes a truck configured to transport the rotor blade, the truck including a bed having a forward end and a distal end defining a bed length. The transportation system further includes a first fixture configured on the bed, the first fixture comprising a generally arcuate guide member and a support frame slidable along the guide member, the support frame configured to support the rotor blade. The transportation system further includes a second fixture configured on the bed for one of slidable support or rotatable support of the rotor blade. Movement of at least one of the first fixture or the second fixture rotates the rotor blade within a plane defined by the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vijaykumar Muppayya Hiremath, Umesh B. Shingne
  • Patent number: 9079665
    Abstract: An aircraft cargo handling system has a pair of load restraining rail assemblies, each of which has a shaft assembly running substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The shaft assembly has a plurality of lock pawls, each of which comprises a body having a cylindrical pallet-engaging surface. The pallet engaging surfaces of the lock pawls have increasing included angles at stations moving toward the front of the aircraft (or vice versa). This enables the pallets to be locked in place sequentially by rotating the shaft assembly an predetermined angular rotation each time a pallet is loaded. Unloading of the aircraft is carried out in the reverse order, by rotating the shaft assembly in the opposite direction in steps to unlock each pallet individually as the aircraft is unloaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wallace H. Larson, James R. Brown