Patents by Inventor Austin Harrill
Austin Harrill has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11919589Abstract: A bicycle rack is described with an actuated arm that pivots to an open position in response to user activation of the actuator. The actuator is attached to the rack and the arm and exerts a force on the arm by extension to pivot the actuated arm to the open position. The actuator extends only when a release mechanism has been actuated by a user, but a user may pivot the actuated arm back to a closed position, or a position securing a bicycle, without actuating the release. The actuated arm will then be retained at a position selected by the user until the release is actuated by the user again.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Kuat Innovations LLCInventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Aaron Houston, Austin Harrill, Jordan Bowles, Jonathan Graif
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Patent number: 11904814Abstract: A latch mechanism for a pivoting bicycle rack provides a pivot release actuator on an extension that is added on to the bicycle rack. The latch mechanism comprises a connector body that is attached to the bicycle rack, and that may have an actuator for operating the pivot release. The rack extension assembly has an actuator and a linkage that connects to the connector body in the bicycle rack so that the actuator in the extension can release the pivot on the bicycle rack. The connector body may be shaped to guide the linkage during the process of attaching the extension assembly to the bicycle rack. The mechanism may be provided with a means for disconnecting the linkage from the connector body.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Kuat Innovations LLCInventor: Austin Harrill
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Publication number: 20230295949Abstract: A collapsible shelter includes an inwardly folding hinge configured to fold into a substantially flat configuration when the collapsible shelter is closed or collapsed for transport. The hinge may be configured to fold or pull flexible shelter walls inwardly as the shelter is opened or closed. The inward folding prevents or reduces interference of the flexible shelter walls with the closing or latching of the collapsible shelter in the closed configuration. A collapsible shelter may also require multiple latches to secure it in the closed configuration during transportation on a vehicle. A collapsible shelter may also be provided with an actuator configured to release or disengage all the latches with a single operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2023Publication date: September 21, 2023Applicant: Kuat Innovations LLCInventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Austin Harrill, Robert Joslyn
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Publication number: 20230249768Abstract: A bicycle rack is described with a retention arm for securing a wheel of the bicycle to the bicycle rack. The retention arm is provided with a tire chock for contacting the tire of the bicycle. An adjustable tire chock may be positioned on the retention arm to secure different sizes of bicycles with different sizes of wheels on the bicycle rack. The adjustable tire chock may have latching components that can be released by a user with a single hand by applying opposing or rotational forces to the latch components or the tire chock. The latch components may be provided with a biasing mechanism to urge them into a latch or engaged position when aligned with latching features on the retention arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Applicant: Kuat Innovations LLCInventors: Austin Harrill, Parker Lathrop
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Publication number: 20230182838Abstract: A bicycle rack is described with a platform for supporting a bicycle and an arm for securing the bicycle to the platform. The arm rotates or pivots from a closed position adjacent to the platform, to an open position to allow the loading of a bicycle. The arm may also be pivoted past the horizontal to an over-center position and further past horizontal to a lowered position. The arm may be provided with a latch mechanism to limit the rotation of the arm in certain ranges of rotation. The arm may also be provided with an actuator to power the movement of the arm in certain ranges of rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2022Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: Kuat Innovations LLCInventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Austin Harrill, Jordan Bowles, Aaron Houston, Jonathan Graif
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Patent number: 11639210Abstract: A bicycle rack is described with a retention arm for securing a wheel of the bicycle to the bicycle rack. The retention arm is provided with a tire chock for contacting the tire of the bicycle. An adjustable tire chock may be positioned on the retention arm to secure different sizes of bicycles with different sizes of wheels on the bicycle rack. The adjustable tire chock may have latching components that can be released by a user with a single hand by applying opposing or rotational forces to the latch components or the tire chock. The latch components may be provided with a biasing mechanism to urge them into a latch or engaged position when aligned with latching features on the retention arm.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2021Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: Kuat Innovations LLCInventors: Austin Harrill, Parker Lathrop
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Publication number: 20220185196Abstract: An equipment rack is described with an integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system may connect to the vehicle's electrical system to provide tail light, brake light, hazard, reverse light, and turn signal functions. The lighting system may include an automatic connection for lighting attached to a rack extension when the rack extension is attached to a base rack. The lighting may also be visible on a pivoting rack when the rack is stowed or in use to carry bicycles. The lighting elements may be disposed on or inside the equipment rack and may be provided with internal wiring to connect the lights to the vehicle's electrical system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Applicant: Kuat Innovations LLCInventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Aaron Houston, Jordan Bowles, Austin Harrill
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Publication number: 20220134962Abstract: A latch mechanism for a pivoting bicycle rack provides a pivot release actuator on an extension that is added on to the bicycle rack. The latch mechanism comprises a connector body that is attached to the bicycle rack, and that may have an actuator for operating the pivot release. The rack extension assembly has an actuator and a linkage that connects to the connector body in the bicycle rack so that the actuator in the extension can release the pivot on the bicycle rack. The connector body may be shaped to guide the linkage during the process of attaching the extension assembly to the bicycle rack. The mechanism may be provided with a means for disconnecting the linkage from the connector body.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2022Publication date: May 5, 2022Applicant: Kuat Innovations LLCInventor: Austin Harrill
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Publication number: 20220055703Abstract: A bicycle rack is described with an actuated arm that pivots to an open position in response to user activation of the actuator. The actuator is attached to the rack and the arm and exerts a force on the arm by extension to pivot the actuated arm to the open position. The actuator extends only when a release mechanism has been actuated by a user, but a user may pivot the actuated arm back to a closed position, or a position securing a bicycle, without actuating the release. The actuated arm will then be retained at a position selected by the user until the release is actuated by the user again.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Aaron Houston, Austin Harrill, Jordan Bowles, Jonathan Graif
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Patent number: 11242101Abstract: An equipment rack is described with an integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system may connect to the vehicle's electrical system to provide tail light, brake light, hazard, reverse light, and turn signal functions. The lighting system may include an automatic connection for lighting attached to a rack extension when the rack extension is attached to a base rack. The lighting may also be visible on a pivoting rack when the rack is stowed or in use to carry bicycles. The lighting elements may be disposed on or inside the equipment rack and may be provided with internal wiring to connect the lights to the vehicle's electrical system.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2020Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: Kuat Innovations, LLCInventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Aaron Houston, Jordan Bowles, Austin Harrill
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Patent number: 11225199Abstract: A latch mechanism for a pivoting bicycle rack provides a pivot release actuator on an extension that is added on to the bicycle rack. The latch mechanism comprises a connector body that is attached to the bicycle rack, and that may have an actuator for operating the pivot release. The rack extension assembly has an actuator and a linkage that connects to the connector body in the bicycle rack so that the actuator in the extension can release the pivot on the bicycle rack. The connector body may be shaped to guide the linkage during the process of attaching the extension assembly to the bicycle rack.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2020Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: KUAT INNOVATIONS LLCInventor: Austin Harrill
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Patent number: 11208167Abstract: A bicycle rack is described with an actuated arm that pivots to an open position in response to user activation of the actuator. The actuator is attached to the rack and the arm and exerts a force on the arm by extension to pivot the actuated arm to the open position. The actuator extends only when a release mechanism has been actuated by a user, but a user may pivot the actuated arm back to a closed position, or a position securing a bicycle, without actuating the release. The actuated arm will then be retained at a position selected by the user until the release is actuated by the user again.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: KUAT INNOVATIONS LLCInventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Aaron Houston, Austin Harrill, Jordan Bowles, Jonathan Graif
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Publication number: 20210376396Abstract: A top case component of a lead-acid monobloc case that comprises a the top case component comprising a top exterior surface of the monobloc case, wherein the top exterior surface comprises: (a) a pocket configured to house a battery monitor circuit, wherein the pocket extends into an interior of the monobloc case past the sealed interface of the top case component and the primary case component; and (b) at least one pathway configured to house electrically conducting connections that place the battery monitor circuit in electrical connection with the positive and negative terminal poles of the monobloc.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2018Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: Steve Burns, Doug Smith, Austin Harrill, John Hooke, Ulf Krohn, Christer Lindkvist, Frank Fleming, Don Karner
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Publication number: 20210245671Abstract: A latch mechanism for a pivoting bicycle rack provides a pivot release actuator on an extension that is added on to the bicycle rack. The latch mechanism comprises a connector body that is attached to the bicycle rack, and that may have an actuator for operating the pivot release. The rack extension assembly has an actuator and a linkage that connects to the connector body in the bicycle rack so that the actuator in the extension can release the pivot on the bicycle rack. The connector body may be shaped to guide the linkage during the process of attaching the extension assembly to the bicycle rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2020Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventor: Austin Harrill
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Publication number: 20210147022Abstract: An equipment rack is described with an integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system may connect to the vehicle's electrical system to provide tail light, brake light, hazard, reverse light, and turn signal functions. The lighting system may include an automatic connection for lighting attached to a rack extension when the rack extension is attached to a base rack. The lighting may also be visible on a pivoting rack when the rack is stowed or in use to carry bicycles. The lighting elements may be disposed on or inside the equipment rack and may be provided with internal wiring to connect the lights to the vehicle's electrical system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2020Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Aaron Houston, Jordan Bowles, Austin Harrill
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Publication number: 20210147023Abstract: A bicycle rack is described with a retention arm for securing a wheel of the bicycle to the bicycle rack. The retention arm is provided with a tire chock for contacting the tire of the bicycle. An adjustable tire chock may be positioned on the retention arm to secure different sizes of bicycles with different sizes of wheels on the bicycle rack. The adjustable tire chock may have latching components that can be released by a user with a single hand by applying opposing or rotational forces to the latch components or the tire chock. The latch components may be provided with a biasing mechanism to urge them into a latch or engaged position when aligned with latching features on the retention arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2021Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Austin Harrill, Parker Lathrop
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Publication number: 20210147021Abstract: An equipment rack is described with an integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system may connect to the vehicle's electrical system to provide tail light, brake light, hazard, reverse light, and turn signal functions. The lighting system may include an automatic connection for lighting attached to a rack extension when the rack extension is attached to a base rack. The lighting may also be visible on a pivoting rack when the rack is stowed or in use to carry bicycles. The lighting elements may be disposed on or inside the equipment rack and may be provided with internal wiring to connect the lights to the vehicle's electrical system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2020Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Aaron Houston, Jordan Bowles, Austin Harrill
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Publication number: 20210101428Abstract: A latch assembly is described for use with a pivoting hitch device that allows the pivoting of a bicycle rack away from the rear of a vehicle to allow access to a lift gate, tail gate, trunk, hatchback, or other rear access point for a vehicle. The pivoting hitch device has two support members that are pivotally attached to one another. The latch assembly is attached to one of the support members of the pivoting hitch device, and may have an actuator, a latch bar, and a connecting member that connects the actuator to the latch bar. A latch member is attached to the other support member of the pivoting hitch device. The latch bar engages the latch member to secure the two support members in relation to one another and prevent pivotal movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2019Publication date: April 8, 2021Inventors: Jordan Bowles, Austin Harrill, Luke Kuschmeader
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Publication number: 20200156724Abstract: A bicycle rack is described with an actuated arm that pivots to an open position in response to user activation of the actuator. The actuator is attached to the rack and the arm and exerts a force on the arm by extension to pivot the actuated arm to the open position. The actuator extends only when a release mechanism has been actuated by a user, but a user may pivot the actuated arm back to a closed position, or a position securing a bicycle, without actuating the release. The actuated arm will then be retained at a position selected by the user until the release is actuated by the user again.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2019Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Aaron Houston, Austin Harrill, Jordan Bowles, Jonathan Graif