Patents by Inventor Chad Vermeulen

Chad Vermeulen 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).

  • AUTO DEPLOYING STEP FOR VEHICLE TAILGATE
    Publication number: 20180126911
    Abstract: A step system, for a pickup truck having a tailgate movable between a closed position and an open position, includes a mounting bracket configured to couple to the pickup truck, and a link system pivotably coupled to the mounting bracket and configured to operably and mechanically couple to the tailgate such that movement of the tailgate from the closed position to the open position automatically pivots the link system from a stowed position beneath the pickup truck to a deployed position rear of the pickup truck. A step portion is coupled to the link system and configured to provide a step for an individual between the ground and the tailgate when the link system is in the deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Frederick F Bender, Antony Elliott, Michael J. Squire, Chad Vermeulen, Paul Gardiner, Daniel Teodorof
  • Auto deploying step for vehicle tailgate
    Patent number: 9963076
    Abstract: A step system, for a pickup truck having a tailgate movable between a closed position and an open position, includes a mounting bracket configured to couple to the pickup truck, and a link system pivotably coupled to the mounting bracket and configured to operably and mechanically couple to the tailgate such that movement of the tailgate from the closed position to the open position automatically pivots the link system from a stowed position beneath the pickup truck to a deployed position rear of the pickup truck. A step portion is coupled to the link system and configured to provide a step for an individual between the ground and the tailgate when the link system is in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Frederick F Bender, Antony Elliott, Michael J Squire, Chad Vermeulen, Paul Gardiner, Daniel Teodorof