Patents Examined by Stephen T. Gordon
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Patent number: 11007920Abstract: A system for restraining a vehicle includes a deck of a transport. The deck includes one or more grated panels. The system also includes a vehicle restraint assembly configured to secure a vehicle to the deck of the transport. The vehicle restraint assembly includes an anchor coupled to a first end of a strap. The anchor includes a first plurality of hooks configured to couple the anchor to the deck of the transport through one or more grate wires of the one or more grated panels. The vehicle restraint assembly further includes a ratchet coupled to a second end of the strap. The ratchet includes a second plurality of hooks configured to couple the ratchet to the deck of the transport through one or more grate wires of the one or more grated panels.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: TRINITY RAIL GROUP, LLCInventors: Jerry W. Vande Sande, Robert J. Cencer, Kenneth W. Huck
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Patent number: 11007922Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 24, 2020Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Inventor: Steven D. Couch
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Patent number: 11001191Abstract: A tie-down assembly for selective attachment to a structure at an oblong aperture defined thereby and detachment therefrom includes an anchor arranged along an axis. The anchor has an oblong-shaped section configured to be inserted into the structure's oblong aperture. The anchor also has a knob section which turns the anchor's oblong-shaped section about the axis when a torque is applied to the knob section. The assembly also includes a rail mount configured to abut the oblong-shaped section, and defining a pocket for accepting the knob section and limiting rotation of the oblong-shaped section via contact with the knob section. The anchor's oblong-shaped section and the rail mount are together configured to sandwich therebetween material of the structure proximate the oblong aperture after the anchor's oblong-shaped section is inserted into and turned relative to the oblong aperture to thereby attach the tie-down assembly to the structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Dusan Colovic, Clayton Davis, Mark Pulleyblank, Jeffrey A. Diegel
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Patent number: 11001190Abstract: An expandable net, including a plurality of spring reels. Each spring reel has a housing defining an interior and having a central anchor, in the interior, and further defining an opening; a spool rotatably mounted inside the housing, and having a side wall; a tension member wound about the spool and extending through the opening and having a distal end; and a spiral spring anchored at the anchor and having an outer end, attached to the side wall. Further, the distal end of each tension member is attached to the housing of another spring reel, thereby forming the expandable net.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2020Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Inventor: Michael Thomas Dahl
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Patent number: 11001189Abstract: A quick-release, horizontal logistic track having a coupling mechanism that allows two such quick-release logistic tracks to interlock so as to effectively form a continuous track that varies in length as a section of track is added or removed from the series. Installed, the multiple sections of quick-release logistic track become one integrated track that is flush from end to end on the same sidewall. The quick-release logistic track has two integral couplings that consist of a male coupling and a female coupling on opposing ends enabling the male end of a newly installed track in the series to be coupled to a female end of a separate track that is already anchored in a vertical logistic post slot. As the newly installed track's male end is coupled to the anchored female end the newly installed track's opposing female end is then anchored to an adjacent vertical logistic post slot. This method is repeated until the desired length of quick-release logistic track is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Sheridan, LLCInventor: Daniel Peters
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Patent number: 10988070Abstract: A baggage storage and retention system includes a first vehicle seat receiving a first passenger in a vehicle. A second vehicle seat of the vehicle receives a second passenger. Each vehicle seat has a seatbelt assembly generating a seatbelt locked signal when one of the first or second passengers seated in the vehicle seat closes the seatbelt assembly defining a seatbelt closed condition. A vehicle storage compartment has multiple strap and/or lock assemblies. A first strap assembly generates a first strap locked signal when a first baggage item of the first passenger is placed in the vehicle storage compartment, engaged with the first baggage item and closed defining a strap assembly closed condition. A passenger and baggage identification system receives the seatbelt locked signal and the first strap locked signal and links the first passenger to the first seat and the first baggage item to the first passenger.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Vijayasarathy Subramanian, Keshava R. R V
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Patent number: 10988068Abstract: A shield assembly for the dump box of a vehicle includes a first plate connected to a front wall of a dump box. A second plate, having a center section and outer sections is pivotally connected to the first plate. A handle is pivotally connected to the top plate and is adapted to move the second plate to a raised and a lowered position and lock in a raised and a lowered position.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2019Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Inventor: John P. Moyna
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Patent number: 10967778Abstract: Edge protectors to protect cargo from damage caused by a cable. The edge protectors include a body, a first retainer, and a first ramp. The body is complementarily configured with an edge of the cargo and is configured to cover the edge when the cable secures the cargo. The first retainer is mounted to the body and is configured to receive and laterally retain the cable when the cable secures the cargo. The first ramp is mounted to the body proximate the first retainer. The first ramp is configured to guide the cable into the first retainer and is configured to cooperate with the first retainer to laterally retain the cable in the first retainer when the cable secures the cargo. In some examples, the edge protector includes a second retainer, a second ramp, and/or a bolster.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2020Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Inventors: Theodore Lonnberg, Casey Fordyce
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Patent number: 10960980Abstract: A side guide for guiding and/or holding cargo items, in particular containers and/or pallets, in an aircraft, comprising a fastening rail extending in the longitudinal direction (v), at least one side guide device, which can be fastened to the fastening rail in the longitudinal direction (v) at different positions (A, B, C, D) and at least one first and at least one second fastening device for fastening the side guide to a cargo deck of the aircraft, in particular in a perforated rail. The first fastening device engages around the fastening rail and/or engages in the fastening rail in such a way that the first fastening device can be displaced in the longitudinal direction (v), in particular relative to the second fastening device.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Telair International GmbHInventors: Thomas Huber, Richard Holzner
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Patent number: 10961983Abstract: Disclosed herein is a blade transport vehicle which includes a base, a blade fixing frame disposed on the base, a first moving device disposed at an upper end of the base to move the blade fixing frame in a longitudinal direction of the base, and a second moving device disposed at an upper end of the first moving device to move the blade fixing frame in a width direction of the base.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2017Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., LtdInventors: Sung Rae Lee, Ki Hak Lee
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Patent number: 10953990Abstract: A system for securing a seat, in particular in an aircraft, in a rail, in particular a rail of the aircraft, the system including a base, and clamping and locking jaws for clamping and locking the system into position in the rail, by gripping the rail between the base and the clamping and locking jaws, the clamping and locking jaws being movable relative to the base between a first drawn-apart position for mounting/dismounting of the system in/from the rail and a second drawn-together position for locking the system, by clamping around the rail, by use of an actuator that is operable by a mounting/dismounting operator between an unlocking position and a locking position of the system, wherein hard spot crossing is provided between the base and the clamping and locking jaws, the hard spot crossing maintaining the clamping and locking jaws in their first drawn-apart position for mounting/dismounting the system.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: ATTAXInventor: Romain Danet
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Patent number: 10953784Abstract: Cargo systems are provided for vehicles that include, in one embodiment: a variable cargo surface disposed within a body of the vehicle behind one or more occupant seats, the variable cargo surface including: a low friction surface that facilitates movement of cargo within the cargo system, the low friction surface having a first coefficient of friction; a high friction surface that inhibits movement of cargo within the cargo system, the high friction surface having a second coefficient of friction that is greater than the first coefficient of friction; and a control device that selectively activates the low friction surface and the high friction surface based on conditions for the vehicle; wherein the low friction surface contacts the cargo within the cargo system when the low friction surface is activated; and the high friction surface contacts the cargo within the cargo system when the high friction surface is activated.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignees: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Wonhee M. Kim, Diann Brei, Jonathan E. Luntz, Koray Benli, Laura Alejandra Giner Munoz
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Patent number: 10954920Abstract: Transport frame and method; the transport frame having a longitudinal, lateral and upright extent, and configured for transporting a root end or tip portion of a longitudinally extending wind turbine blade, the frame being stackable with similar frames, the frame having four top shoulders and four feet, the feet of the frame being conformed to be stackable on corresponding shoulders of another similar frame, wherein each shoulder is provided with a locating finger, each finger having a height above the shoulder, and wherein each foot is provided with a recess conformed to receive a locating finger, and wherein a first locating finger has a height greater than each of the three remaining locating fingers.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2016Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventors: Adrian Botwright, Michael Kastrup, Troels Vahle, Jacob Antonsen, Kristoffer Lolk Fredriksen
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Patent number: 10945897Abstract: The restraint and retractor assembly described and claimed herein are for securing a wheelchair to a support while the wheelchair is in transit. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one securement assembly having a configuration in which a portion of the wheelchair is secured in the vehicle. In this embodiment, the securement assembly includes a retractor secured to the vehicle and a restraint that has both of its ends secured to or near the retractor and a middle segment extends to and from a spool in the retractor, a middle segment is connected to the wheelchair by a connector and passes through an opening in the connector, providing a double length of flexible webbing to secure the wheelchair to the support surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Valeda CompanyInventors: Jean-Marc Girardin, Joseph Esteireiro, Patrick Girardin
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Patent number: 10946783Abstract: A transport trailer includes an elongated body having spaced vertical supports for vertical actuators, a lower deck extending along and supported by the elongated body, and an upper deck supported by the vertical actuators. The upper deck is movable along the vertical supports via the vertical actuators. The upper deck can be lowered to a position to be substantially superimposed on top of the lower deck by the vertical actuators.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2019Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Inventor: David Cerocchi
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Patent number: 10946782Abstract: An assistance vehicle tilt lift supports an assistance vehicle above a bed of a hauling vehicle and includes one or more pivoting racks. Each pivoting rack includes a track to receive one or more wheels of the assistance vehicle. Each pivoting rack is rotatably attached to a pivot point near the front end of the bed of the hauling vehicle. One or more tapered rails are attached to the bed of the hauling vehicle. One or more roller support members are in contact with the one or more tapered rails and rotatably attached to the one or more pivoting racks. An actuator is operably connected to the one or more roller support members. The actuator raises and lowers the rear end of the one or more pivoting racks relative to the pivot point by moving the one or more roller support members along the one or more tapered rails.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2020Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Inventor: Charlie Homer Thompson
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Patent number: 10945898Abstract: The embodiments described and claimed herein are improved wheelchair passenger securement systems and stations. In particular, one embodiment described and claimed herein is a drop-in system comprising a barrier module and a wall-side module, which incorporate two separate restraint devices which are configured to secure a wheelchair at two separate attachment points and a bumper. The system can optionally include a moveable excursion barrier or a pull-mechanism to pre-tension at least one of the restraint devices the wheelchair securements. In a simpler embodiment, a bumper and two restraint devices, such as retractors, are provided for attachment to the vehicle surfaces or structures at a wall side of a wheelchair securement area or at a rear side of the wheelchair securement area.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Valeda CompanyInventors: John Goss, Jean-Marc Girardin, Joe Esteireiro
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Patent number: 10940737Abstract: A vehicle that includes a frame and a truck body coupled to the chassis. The truck body includes a body floor, first sidewall, second sidewall, front wall, and body rear, or tail surrounding an interior. A heat transfer system is removably coupled to the truck body and includes a component extending along and secured to one of the body floor, first sidewall, second sidewall, front wall, or body rear, or tail to transfer heat to an interior surface of the truck body.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2018Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Sharath Kesani, Vaitheeswaran Ponnuchamy
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Patent number: 10940804Abstract: A stowage system (14) is provided for stowing a two-wheeled vehicle (30) in a motor vehicle (12), having a loading floor (16) for depositing the two-wheeled vehicle (30), and a lifting device (20) which can be supported on a load-bearing structure (22) of the motor vehicle (12) for moving the loading floor (16) between a loading position and a stowing position. The loading floor (16) has at least one three-dimensionally shaped first centring means (26) for positioning the two-wheeled vehicle (30) at least in a first coordinate direction relative to the loading floor (16). A two-wheeled vehicle (30) can be stowed in a space-saving manner and protected against damage by of the loading floor (16) which can be lowered and the at least one centring means (26).Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2019Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Inventors: Erwin Goetz, Jasmin Ostertag
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Patent number: 10933796Abstract: An accessory mounting system is easily coupled to an inner portion of a pick-up bed, thus allowing a user to easily mount and hold equipment. The mounting system includes a number of panels which can be mounted to existing structures within the pick-up box, and which have a pattern of openings to accommodate straps, brackets, tie-downs, and other holding mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: BuiltRight Industries LLCInventor: Matt Beenen