Patents Examined by Stephen Gordon
  • Patent number: 9585800
    Abstract: A mobility securement system, and method for securing a wheelchair or other mobility device, and its passenger, within a public or private vehicle. In various embodiments, the system includes one or two attachment members, one or two vehicle anchor assemblies and, potentially, at least one fixed or moveable bumper, and may further include a barrier. A tensioning assembly is operably connected to at least one attachment member and vehicle anchor assembly. One or more moveable bumpers may articulate to apply a force against the mobility device, and one attachment member may be hidden behind a stored position of a moveable bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: 4ONE, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Hammarskjold, Vlad Balef, Stanley Brzezniak, Jeffrey Krueger, Michael D. Moffa, Dan Smith-Cohen, Paul Vidri, Timothy J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 9587768
    Abstract: A transportable, recyclable natural gas pipeline is provided. The pipeline has a conduit storage rack. The storage rack has a base plate with a lower surface connected to a I-beam formed skid frame. The skid frame has rows of pipe support rack trestles. The trestles include tiers of upwardly angular lateral pipe support arms. The trestle defines a central pipe line corridor which extends the entirety of the rack. A bulkhead stacking frame is connected to the skid frame at each of the opposite ends and has a central void so that at least one line pipe section is secured to the corridor. A crossing ramp has a pair of generally I-shaped longitudinal rail members. The rail members are capable of being in stacked support, at opposite ends thereof, on the top of the bulk head stacking frame allowing for easy storage, transportation and assembly of a continuous pipeline with a crossing ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Deforest Lofgren, III
  • Patent number: 9586512
    Abstract: A device and method for stabilizing a vehicle during transport provides a detachably attached anchoring point on a vehicle for a tethered cable to securely fasten to from multiple directions and with strong tensions on the tethered cable. This creates a unique anchor on the vehicle that helps stabilize the vehicle during transport while minimizing damage to the vehicle. The device utilizes a biased, spring hinge to pivotally enclose a linear member, such as a grip, on the vehicle. A fastener at the terminus of the cable flexibly and detachably joins with the device at apertures. Tabs extend from the device to facilitate gripping for moving the device between an open and a closed position. The device may detachably attach to multiple areas of the vehicle, and multiple devices may be used throughout the vehicle. These flexible, multi-positional features of the device increase the effectiveness of the tethered cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Charlie R. Hon
  • Patent number: 9580022
    Abstract: A separating or holding net has a net mesh part, spaced fixation formations, and an elastic woven fabric strip extending along an edge of the net mesh part that extends between the fixation formations and having openings engaged in the fixation formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: NOELLE PEPIN GMBH & CO.KG
    Inventor: Marc Emde
  • Patent number: 9573508
    Abstract: A vehicle dumping bed cleaning device for scraping the interior surface of a dumping bed of a vehicle to facilitate removal of dirt and debris from the dumping bed includes a vehicle having a dumping bed defining an interior space between parallel spaced walls and a bottom surface extending between the walls. Each of a pair of elongated lateral arms is pivotally coupled to an associated one of the walls of the dumping bed. A scraper is coupled to and extends between the lateral arms. The scraper abuts the bottom surface of the dumping bed as the lateral arms are pivoted for scraping debris from the bottom surface of the dumping bed. A motor is coupled to the lateral arms to pivot the lateral arms whereby the scraper is moved on the bottom surface of the dumping bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: Monte Busser
  • Patent number: 9566894
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a bulkhead tether apparatus for a container (such as a refrigerator trailer) which generally includes a roller track, a trolley movably attachable to the roller track, a bulkhead bracket securely attachable to the bulkhead, and a relatively short chain releasably attachable to the trolley and to the bulkhead bracket. This combination enables the bulkhead to travel the length of the track, but prevents the bulkhead from being removed from the container. The combination also enables the bulkhead to be moved out of the way during loading and unloading in several different ways to facilitate loading products into and unloading products from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLC
    Inventor: Toby W. Clark
  • Patent number: 9567969
    Abstract: A system for transporting a wind turbine blade includes a first support subsystem disposed on a first movable platform, which allows a first point on the wind turbine blade to pivot in response to the first movable platform traversing a curve. A second support subsystem is disposed on a second movable platform spaced, which allows a second point of the wind turbine blade to move laterally in response to the pivoting of the first point on the wind turbine blade on the first movable platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: BHSF Logistics, LLC
    Inventor: Sigurd Ernir Sigurdsson
  • Patent number: 9567086
    Abstract: A system for securing seats within a cabin of a vehicle may include at least one seat fitting assembly including at least one seat-mounting member having at least one seat-connecting hole configured to receive at least one fastener that secures a portion of a vehicle seat to the at least one seat-mounting member. The seat-connecting hole(s) is configured to be variably adjusted between a plurality of mounting positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jeff S. Siegmeth
  • Patent number: 9555730
    Abstract: A self-unloading bulk material bed with a discharge opening is provided. An apparatus for discharging materials from the self-unloading bulk material bed includes a first and second tapered fin on either surface of the discharge opening. The tapered fins direct materials moving through the discharge opening down so that they do not build up around the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Trinity Trailer Mfg, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Lynn Hobbs, Wayde Johnson
  • Patent number: 9554625
    Abstract: An apparatus for ratcheting multiple restraint webs includes first and second locking web retractors each coupled to one end of a different restraint web. When locked, the web retractors each prevent web movement in a web pay-out direction relative thereto. The apparatus further includes first and second ratcheting devices each coupled to a corresponding one of the web retractors, and each is movable in a direction that moves the corresponding web in a web take-up direction relative to its web retractor when the web retractors are locked. The apparatus further includes an actuator movable between two positions and coupled to each of the ratcheting devices. The ratcheting devices are each responsive to a moving force applied thereto by the actuator as the actuator moves between its two positions to move in the direction that moves its corresponding web in the web take-up direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacutring, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Latuszek, Kent Bahler, Guy R. Dingman
  • Patent number: 9550532
    Abstract: A roof bow for a vehicle is provided that has a “bow-tie” shape including a central portion flanked by two triangular portions. The triangular portions are joined to right and left roof brackets that are, in turn, joined to right and left roof rails. The bow-tie roof bow may be assembled from extruded tubular parts. The bow-tie roof bow may be assembled in a clamshell structure including an upper shell and a lower shell that are joined together by welding. The roof bow may be formed in one piece as a sheet metal stamping having side portions that are wider than the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque, Fubang Wu, Michael M. Azzouz, Yijung Chen, David Anthony Wagner, James Chih Cheng
  • Patent number: 9545872
    Abstract: A dunnage bag hanger apparatus includes a dunnage bag hanger and a handle mounted applicator block operative to support and affix the dunnage bag hanger. The dunnage bag hanger is fabricated from three distinct and separate parts: a generally planar support substrate and two release papers covering adhesive patches or regions on the support substrate. The support substrate in one embodiment is a sheet that is further divided into two contact members separated by a resilient coupler. Each contact member preferably has a contact body, a hanging loop distal to the resilient coupler, and an adhesive coating. The two adhesive couplings are preferably on opposite sides of the support substrate sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventors: John R. Wilson, William M. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9545874
    Abstract: Bundling multiple elongated articles comprises: loading the articles into a stationary bunk rack; positioning pairs of bundling members vertically against opposing sides of the articles in the bunk rack; wrapping flexible binding members around the bundling members and the articles in the bunk rack; tensioning and securing the binding members. Each pair of bundling members has a corresponding binding members positioned around them. Tensioning the binding members urges the bundling members against the opposing sides of the bundle, so that the bundle assumes a shape that is (i) substantially flat over portions of an outer bundle surface against the binding members and (ii) convex over portions of the outer bundle surfaces that are not against the binding members. Securing the tensioned binding members secures the bundle and the bundling members together. The elongated articles can assume an irregular arrangement over portions of a bundle cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: WHITSELL MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventor: Fred W. Whitsell
  • Patent number: 9539929
    Abstract: A quick release anchor mechanism for tying objects to a surface. The anchor mechanism includes a bottom plate secured to a surface by a pair of riser bolts. A mounting platform defined to include a base plate with keyhole slots to fit into the riser bolts, a body extending from the base plate to a loop for attaching objects thereto, and a nape extending from the body. The nape having a spring loaded pin system that is configured to releaseably connect the mounting platform to the bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Pit Bull Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles VanValkenburgh
  • Patent number: 9527423
    Abstract: A container for particulate materials that is adapted to be mounted on a trailer for transport on a roadway includes a plurality of hoppers, a shell that is disposed over the plurality of hoppers, and an internal U-shaped divider plate between each pair of adjacent hoppers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Heil Trailer International, Co.
    Inventor: Bryan Yielding
  • Patent number: 9527424
    Abstract: A cargo retainer system incorporates a load-bearing strap that extends over a cargo element, and a strap-retainer having an elastic portion that is stretched to a stretched length and attached to the load-bearing strap. The strap-retainer has clamp that attaches to the load-bearing strap and a hook on an opposing end to secure the strap retainer under tension, or with the elastic portion stretched. The strap-retainer provides an elastic retaining force on the load-bearing strap wherein the force exerted on the load bearing strap increase when the cargo shift away from strap-retainer and the force decreases when the cargo shifts toward the strap-retainer. A cargo retainer system may incorporate a strap-retainer on either side of the cargo element to provide complimentary and corrective elastic retaining forces on the load-bearing strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Inventor: Daniel Erik Sarnowski
  • Patent number: 9527425
    Abstract: Vehicles having gravity biased gate members utilized to laterally constrain a load are disclosed. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes one or more wheels that allow movement of the vehicle from one location to another location, a frame mounted to the one or more wheels, a load bearing deck supported by the frame, the load bearing deck having a support surface for supporting a load thereon, and a gravity biased gate member rotatably coupled at the load bearing deck at an axis of rotation. The gravity biased gate member includes a bottom portion below the axis of rotation that is heavier than a top portion above the axis of rotation such that a center of mass of the gravity biased gate member is offset from the axis of rotation, biasing the gravity biased gate member into an extended configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Gift, Blair C. Perkins, Michael C. Greenlee
  • Patent number: 9527427
    Abstract: A container according the present application includes a container auto-lock system. The container auto-lock system is integrated into the outboard apertures of the lower castings of a domestic sized container. The container auto-lock system includes a locking mechanism which is configured to recess when the container is lowered onto a surface lacking an acceptable receiving aperture. The locking mechanism is also configured to automatically lock when placed on top of a domestic sized container. The container auto-lock system is configured to be compatible with international sized container by allowing the inboard apertures on each lower casting to be available for attaching the domestic container on top of an international container with a conventional locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventor: Thomas P. Kelly
  • Patent number: 9527426
    Abstract: An attachment structure (2) for supporting and releasably attaching a container (1), cargo bed or the like to a transport vehicle (25, 32) and a mating support structure (31) configured to be provided on the transport vehicle (25, 32), the attachment structure being provided with releasable locking mechanisms (12) configured to provide a releasable locking of the attachment structure (2) to the support structure (31). The invention facilitates easy and flexible distribution of goods by way of environmental friendly vehicles for instance within the inner region of a city.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Clean City Cargo Concept APS
    Inventor: Per Lavmand
  • Patent number: 9527428
    Abstract: A clip for securing a part, having a body portion having a first wall surface and a supporting surface adjacent the first wall surface, a retaining arm connected to the body, the retaining arm comprising a second wall surface opposite the first wall surface, an engaging portion at the distal end of the retaining arm, and an engaging surface on the engaging portion generally opposite the supporting surface. The first and second wall surfaces cooperate to define a groove that is sized and shaped to receive a portion of the part therein. The retaining arm is moveable between an open position wherein the portion of the part may be received in the groove, and a locked position wherein the engaging surface at least partially overhangs the groove and the engaging surface and the supporting surface cooperate so as to retain the portion of the part when received within the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Gaudette