Patents by Inventor Charles J. Steffens

Charles J. Steffens 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).

  • Publication number: 20010035664
    Abstract: A cargo bay cover for a pickup truck including at least first and second parallel cargo bay panels hingedly mounted to a frame member spanning the cargo bay of the pickup. The cover includes a unique clamping bracket for attaching the frame member to the side rails of the pickup. A curved wind seal member is mounted on the top of the sides of the bed and includes a first seal mounted between the edge of the panels and the wind seal member, and a second seal mounted between the bottom surface of the panels and the wind seal member. The wind seal is mounted to a stake pocket of the truck with a universal stake-pocket mounting nut. The cover further includes lock mechanism recessed below the top surface of the cargo bay panel so that a key in the lock mechanism is below the top of the cover. The lock mechanism includes universal lock catch adjustable on two axes to hold the cover in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: Steffens Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Steffens, Scott P. Crossman
  • Patent number: 4946217
    Abstract: A low silhouette cargo bay cover for pickup trucks and the like includes an angle member mounted on the cargo bay sides equipped with a flexible gasket to form a seal with the cover. The cover has a special narrow panel adjacent the cab to make it possible to more completely expose the cargo area of the turck and improved seal means at each of the hinges to more effectively exclude moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Steffens Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Steffens, John Kooiker
  • Patent number: 4104917
    Abstract: A trolling reel for raising and lowering a weighted trolling wire having a temperature responsive element electrically coupled to the end thereof incorporates a small diameter trolling wire comprising an outer conductive sheath made of several strands of stainless steel wire surrounding an insulating layer positioned between the stainless steel sheath and a coaxially aligned center conductor. The trolling wire so formed provides a relatively high tensile strength wire for the weighted trolling line as well as displaying corrosive resistant properties for use in a saltwater environment. The wire also has the desired electrical properties for use in providing a temperature readout of the location of the end of the trolling line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1978
    Assignee: James E. Rieth
    Inventors: James E. Rieth, Charles J. Steffens
  • Patent number: 4032133
    Abstract: Roller positioning method and apparatus for buckle-type folding machines characterized by a roller movement parallel to the subjacent fold plate to facilitate adjustment and to prevent unintended interference between the roller surfaces and the fold plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1977
    Inventors: Charles J. Steffens, Scott D. Steffens