Patents Examined by Stephen T. Gordon
  • Patent number: 12145497
    Abstract: An actuator assembly may comprise a control unit and a shape memory coil spring in electrical communication with the control unit. The shape memory coil spring may increase from a first length to a second length in response to receiving a current from the control unit. The shape memory coil spring may be configured to translate a spacer and/or a slider shaft in response to increasing in length. The shape memory coil spring may be configured to transition a pawl in a latch assembly from a retracted state to an erected state, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vinodkumar Shivalinga, Vikramkumar Bogar Kumbare
  • Patent number: 12133821
    Abstract: A mobility aid tie-down securing a mobility aid during transit in a vehicle. The mobility aid tie-down comprises a retractor secured to the vehicle at a first anchor point. The retractor has a spool and a restraint extendable therefrom. The restraint has a first restraint segment extending from the spool to a securement point on the mobility aid and a second restraint segment extending from the securement point on the mobility aid to a second anchor point. The tie-down configuration enables a load from the mobility aid during an adverse driving event to be distributed between the first restraint segment and the second restraint segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Valeda Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Girardin, Joseph Esteireiro, Patrick Girardin
  • Patent number: 12128811
    Abstract: A load securing device for securing a load such as a pallet within a container such as a cargo trailer so as to prevent the load from side-to-side shifting or jostling. The load securing device includes an inner support telescopically connected to an outer support. The inner support includes a first brace and the outer support includes a second brace. The inner and outer supports each include a ratchet for drawing the supports towards or away from each other so as to lengthen or shorten the effective length of the load securing device. A handle is connected between the first and second ratchets so that the handle may adjust the ratchets. A locking device is included for selectively locking the handle in place to prevent further adjustment of the supports. The braces may be secured between a load and a container to secure the load within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Inventor: Steven D. Couch
  • Patent number: 12128810
    Abstract: An anchor device for a cargo securement strap includes a frame configured to engage a mounting track. The anchor device further includes a hook receiver coupled to the frame. The hook receiver is configured to receive a hook of the cargo securement strap. The anchor device further includes a keeper coupled to the frame. The keeper includes a keeper body and at least one keeper finger extending from a side of the keeper body. The keeper is configured to move between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the at least one keeper finger contacts a bolt and the keeper body is positioned to retain the hook. In the second position, the keeper body is positioned to allow for removal of the hook from the hook receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Ancra International LLC
    Inventor: Howard T. Knox
  • Patent number: 12128812
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an adjustable shoring beam having a hook assembly configured to mate with E-track mating features. The adjustable shoring beam can be adjusted over a predetermined length range by adjusting the tube assembly and the rod assembly. In some embodiments, the extension length is fixed using a fixing clamp coupled to the tube assembly and the rod assembly. A connecting clamp and bracket may be used to couple a first adjustable shoring beam to a second adjustable shoring beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: INNOVATIVE LOGISTICS, LLC
    Inventors: Dylan Henderson, David Albers, Mark Belin
  • Patent number: 12110863
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wind turbine rotor blade spacer, a transportation and storage system for wind turbine rotor blades and a related method that prevent the vertical flexion of each one of the blades assemblies, minimizing the stresses and avoiding the contact between vertically and/or horizontally adjacent blades, and in consequence, blade damage. Also, the overall occupied surface by the system once assembled is minimised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: NORDEX ENERGY SPAIN, S.A.U.
    Inventors: Unai Arraztoa Magaña, Ander Gastón Lujambio, Miguel Núñez Polo, Enrique Domínguez Domínguez, David Martínez Rodríguez
  • Patent number: 12090909
    Abstract: A transport trailer includes a chassis, a deck, a lifting assembly, and a stabilizer assembly. The lifting assembly is mechanically coupled to the deck and the chassis and selectively raises and lowers the deck relative to the chassis. The stabilizer assembly includes a support post and a slide member. The support post is laterally disposed between first and second edges of the deck and extends from the chassis to a top end of the support post. The slide member is coupled to the deck and translates along a length of the support post as the deck is raised and lowered to stabilize the deck. An upper surface of the deck is above the top end of the support post when the deck is in a raised position and is below the top end of the support post when the deck is in a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: BCL ROADRUNNER LLC
    Inventors: James Bradford Martin, Kurt Warren Hankins
  • Patent number: 12091229
    Abstract: A modular aerial cargo aerodynamic encasement and a method for modular aviation cargo transport is provided. The aviation cargo aerodynamic encasement comprises a platform having a planar upper surface configured to accept cargo and a lower surface. The lower surface includes two or more ground supports displacing a portion of the platform from contact with a supporting surface. The platform includes two or more load transfer structures. The aviation cargo aerodynamic encasement further comprises a fairing configured to detachably couple to the platform, wherein the fairing, when coupled to the platform, forms an aerodynamic encasement, and wherein the aerodynamic encasement is detachably mountable to an aircraft by the two or more load transfer structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: ELROY AIR, INC.
    Inventors: Terik Weekes, Sean Belardo, Clint Cope, Colin Owen, Isaiah Jones, Shane Hills, David Merrill
  • Patent number: 12083946
    Abstract: Embodiments of a fairing of the present invention generally include a pair of fins that intersect at a first closed end thereof forming a V-shaped/pointed frontal geometry and are connectable at a second end thereof via a fin connection assembly, wherein the fairing is adapted and configured to be engaged about at least a portion of a tie-down strap that is securing a cargo object to a cargo support structure, wherein the first closed end is directionally oriented such that air flow resulting from transportation of the cargo object impinges thereupon, and wherein the first closed end geometry is adapted and configured to shield the tie-down strap from excessive vibration during transportation of the cargo object. Embodiments of a method of using embodiments of fairings of the present invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Inventors: Ross W. Flores, Rodney H. Masters
  • Patent number: 12077023
    Abstract: A saddle-mount has a bolster configured to be disposed on a towing vehicle. A head assembly has at least one clamp assembly configured to receive a vehicle to be towed. The head assembly has a socket formed in a bottom surface, and a ball disposed in the socket. The ball is further disposed on the bolster, whereby the head assembly is permitted to freely pivot in any direction about the ball. The clamp assembly has a J-clamp, a rocker portion, and a straight bolt. The J-clamp is slidably disposed in the rocker portion and selectively secured to the rocker by the straight bolt. The straight bolt disposed through the rocker and threaded with the J-clamp, whereby a position of the J-clamp relative to the rocker is controlled by a rotation of the straight bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: WHITE MULE COMPANY
    Inventors: Larry Steven Ritchey, Andrew Patrick Ritchey
  • Patent number: 12077088
    Abstract: A tie-down secures a load onto a vehicle. The tie-down has a pivot, and a winch. The pivot has a pin, a rotatable sleeve, a cap, and a base. The pin is an annular tube. The winch has a U-shaped frame comprising first and second walls, and a third wall interconnecting the first and second walls. Flanges attach the first and second walls, respectively, of the winch to the sleeve. The third wall is perpendicular to the sleeve. The vehicle has a support surface for supporting the load, and a plurality of the tie-downs. The tie-downs comprise left-hand tie-downs and right-hand tie-downs. The tie-downs are attached to shelves attached to the vehicle adjacent and extending away from the support surface. The shelves comprise left-hand shelves and right-hand shelves. Alternatively, anchors are attached to the tie-downs for removably mounting the tie-downs within stake pockets of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Maners Mount LLC
    Inventors: Jay R. Maners, Bryce Maners
  • Patent number: 12077089
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tie down assembly. The tie down assembly having a ring, a bracket assembly, a support insert, and a position-locking mechanism. The support insert is configured to secure the ring relative to the bracket assembly. The ring being configured to rotate relative to the bracket assembly about an axis. The position-locking mechanism is configured to secure the ring at one or more rotational positions about said axis via one or more engagement features. In one example, the position-locking mechanism is a detent mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Joel R. Lee
  • Patent number: 12077090
    Abstract: A load strapping device (10) has a first elongated member (12) having a first end (14), a second elongated member (16) having a second end (18) and a pivot assembly (20) interconnecting the first and second ends. A strap end receiving assembly (22) is connected to a free end (24) of one of the elongated member (16). For use, one end of a strap (40) is engaged to the strap end receiving assembly. A load strapping arrangement over a load (44) is formed when a user, located at one side of the load, grips the device and lifts the one end of the strap to a first position just above the height of the load. From this position, the one end of the strap, by pivotal manipulation of the elongated members, is then fed over the top of the load until the one end of the strap reaches a second position at the other side of the load. After this position is reached, the one end of the strap is disengaged from the strap end receiving assembly and the device is withdrawn from the top of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: GROWNRIGHT PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: John Vella
  • Patent number: 12071064
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method of securing containers, comprising: connecting a first strap end connector of a tension strap to a first strap connector fitting on a first container, wherein: the first strap end connector comprises a first hook portion configured to engage a first recess in the first strap connector fitting, and the first strap end connector comprises a first protrusion configured to engage a second recess in the first strap connector fitting; connecting a second strap end connector of the tension strap to a second strap connector fitting on a second container, wherein: the second strap end connector comprises a first hook portion configured to engage a first recess in the second strap connector fitting, and the first strap end connector comprises a first protrusion configured to engage a second recess in the second strap connector fitting; and tensioning the tension strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert Erik Grip
  • Patent number: 12024084
    Abstract: An anti-rollout assembly may comprise: a housing defining a cavity; a guide/restraint head pivotably coupled to the housing at a first end of the cavity; an overridable trigger pivotably coupled to the housing at a second end of the cavity, the second end opposite the first end; and a locking system operably coupled to the guide/restraint head and the overridable trigger, the locking system configured to bias the guide/restraint head into an upright position, the locking system configured to retract the guide/restraint head into the cavity in response to a first lateral force driving the overridable trigger. The locking system may comprise a drive link and a locking link and be configured to lock the guide/restraint head in a raised state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brandon David Lee, Wallace Harold Larson, Michael David Schuh
  • Patent number: 12017575
    Abstract: A locking latch assembly for a twistlock assembly that is adjustable over a range of heights of a load level of the twistlock assembly relative to a deck level includes a base bracket configured to be secured to a housing of the twistlock assembly, and a swing latch having a central slot. An axle passes through the base bracket, the swing latch being secured around the axle to allow the swing latch to swing relative to the base bracket. At least one pin is secured on the base bracket, the at least one pin engaging a first surface of the swing latch when the swing latch is in a substantially vertical locked position in which the swing latch is at a first angular position relative to the base bracket, and engaging a second surface of the swing latch when the swing latch is in an unlocked position in which the swing latch is at a second angular position relative to the base bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: BUFFERS USA, INC.
    Inventor: Jim Nelson
  • Patent number: 12018648
    Abstract: Provided is a transport assembly for use in the transport of a large heavy load, including a frame unit realized to lie on a load platform of a transport vehicle; a number of first load-positioning beams, wherein a first load-positioning beam is realized to span a single frame unit; and/or a number of second load-positioning beams, wherein a second load-positioning beam is realized to span a pair of adjacent frame units; and a part adapter realized to engage with a load-positioning beam and to engage with the load. The embodiments further describe a method of securing a large heavy load on a load platform during a transport maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S
    Inventors: Jens Hald Jensen, Jesper Bjerre Pedersen, Jeppe Soee
  • Patent number: 11993198
    Abstract: A rear seat latch release device is easily installed to a portion of a rear seat holding mechanism so the rear seat can be released and more effectively folded down. The rear seat latch release device is specifically designed to surround the factory latch, and allow a pull strap to be added, which can more easily and effectively operate the rear seat latch. Components of the rear seat latch release device are designed to easily cooperate with several variations in the factory latch, thereby allowing installation in many different situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: BuiltRight Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Matt Beenen
  • Patent number: 11993192
    Abstract: Several aspects of this disclosure relate to a translocatable hopper that is mounted for example at the forward part of a front-end loader vehicle. The hopper receives, re-positions and delivers a slurry to a jobsite and preferably is detachably attached to a vehicle. In several embodiments, the hopper is translocatable from a resting position to a delivery position through one or more intermediate positions. Preferably, a front wall has an outlet gate and a chute extending therefrom. The chute is configured to direct slurry into the jobsite, A rising and falling sluice gate is associated with the chute. The slurry moves outwardly from the chute when the sluice gate is at least partially opened as the hopper is placed at or near or above the delivery position above the jobsite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Inventors: Lawrence Holman, David Masar
  • Patent number: 11993197
    Abstract: A goods vehicle has a chassis with at least one load deck, a plurality of steerable carriages underneath the load deck and an attachment and support assembly for the load, to be transported, supported by the chassis; the attachment and support assembly being provided with an attachment head for the load to be transported, a multiple-bar kinematic system for coupling the support head to the chassis and an actuator for moving the support head with respect to the chassis with a roto-translational motion; the support head being coupled to the kinematic system by means of a hinge having a movable hinge axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: FAYMONVILLE DISTRIBUTION AG
    Inventor: Fabrizio Lippi