Patents by Inventor Charles Schmeichel

Charles Schmeichel 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).

  • Patent number: 7472941
    Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for attaching a flexible cover about a cargo box of a vehicle, preferably a pickup truck. The apparatus preferably includes, a support frame, including two side rails removably attached about the perimeter of a cargo box of the vehicle, an elongated flexible cover securing plate attached to an end of the flexible cover and a securing plate engagement member attached to the support frame, preferably one on each of the two side rails on each side of the support frame. The present invention simplifies securing and unsecuring of the securing plate to the support frame. The securing plate is preferably attached to an end of the flexible cover and is configured to cooperatively engage and pivot with respect to the securing plate engagement member and into and out of a closed or fixed stretching position wherein the flexible cover can be correspondingly be tensed and relaxed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Schmeichel, Steven Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20080101884
    Abstract: Devices and systems for providing customizable and adjustable storage compartments in the cargo box of pickup trucks. One device includes a separation member having a first region for securing to a truck compartment side via an attachment panel and a second region. Preferably, the second region is secured to the wheel well with a fastener. The separation member further includes an intermediate region between the first and second regions which can include curved and/or sharply bent regions to traverse the wheel well width distance of the storage compartment. Threaded fasteners, adhesives, hook and loop fasteners, adhesive materials and the like can be used to secure the separation member to the wheel well and the attachment panel and the attachment panel to the cargo box inside side wall. Methods of using the same are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Charles Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20080011436
    Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for securing a flexible cover about a cargo box of a pickup truck. The apparatus comprises the flexible cover and a support frame for attachment to the cargo box. The support frame has two opposing side rails, each of which have a lock engaging surface. The support frame further includes a pair of securing plate engagement members, each of which is secured to one of the respective opposing side rails. The apparatus further comprises a flexible cover securing plate attached to the cover and having first and second ends. The flexible cover securing plate includes a channel that extends between the respective ends. The flexible cover securing plate is engageable with the respective securing plate engagement members and additionally includes at least one locking member, preferably two locking members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Charles Schmeichel, Steve Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20070266600
    Abstract: A snow plow for use with personal utility vehicles is disclosed. The snow plow includes a mounting apparatus for attachment to a vehicle and a plow blade having a main surface, a rear surface, a plurality of retention members and a rubber scraper. The mounting apparatus includes a frame having a mounting upright and a hitch tongue, which is easily mounted in a hitch receiver which can be pivotally secured a vehicle. The retention members configured to at least partially encircle and slideably engage the mounting upright when the plow blade is in a working orientation. Preferably, the frame pushes the rear surface of the plow blade when the vehicle is moving in a direction towards the plow blade and wherein the frame disengages the rear surface when the vehicle moves in a direction rearward of the plow blade and the plow blade pivots away from the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventor: Charles Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20070256334
    Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidlingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The plow blade includes a mold board, preferably, a two piece mold board being an aluminum extrusion. The mold board will preferably include a front and a back and cells or compartments partially formed by support structures that extend between the front and the back of the mold board and along the width of the plow blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Inventor: Charles Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20070151127
    Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade. The plow blade has a mold board including a main surface, a rubber scraper proximate the main surface and a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to disengaeably secure the plow blade with the mounting upright; wherein the retention apparatus allows the plow blade to pivot with respect to the mounting upright such that the rubber scraper can pivot away from the mounting upright when the plow blade is in a working orientation and the vehicle moves in a direction rearward from the plow blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventor: Charles Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20070084090
    Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, preferably an all terrain vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade. The plow blade has a mold board including a main surface, a rubber scraper proximate the main surface and a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to disengageably secure the plow blade with the mounting upright; wherein the retention apparatus allows the plow blade to pivot with respect to the mounting upright such that the rubber scraper can pivot away from the mounting upright when the plow blade is in a working orientation and the vehicle moves in a direction rearward from the plow blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventor: Charles Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20070062071
    Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidlingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The mounting apparatus further includes a vehicle connecting member for attachment to the vehicle; the vehicle connecting member including a mechanism that allows the mounting frame to swivel in a generally horizontal plane when interconnected with the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventor: Charles Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20070062073
    Abstract: A self-adjusting snow plow for use with pickup trucks, SUVs, all-terrain vehicles or other land vehicles. The snow plow includes a mounting apparatus for attachment to a vehicle and a plow blade, preferably including a mold board and a retention apparatus assembly. The retention apparatus assembly disengageably secures the plow blade to the mounting apparatus when the plow blade is in a snow displacement position. The snow plow further includes an elongated strap selectively connectable between the plow blade and the mounting apparatus in at least one position, wherein the position is a constrained orientation wherein the elongated strap resists upward movement of the plow blade when the plow blade is disengageably secured to the mounting apparatus or an elevated orientation, wherein the elongated strap suspends the plow blade a desired distance from the ground to prevent the plow blade from contacting the ground and/or snow on the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventor: Charles Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20070062072
    Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidlingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The plow blade includes a two piece mold board, the mold board preferably being an aluminum extrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventor: Charles Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20070062074
    Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The mounting apparatus further includes a transition apparatus having a hitch tongue constructed and arranged to be securable to the vehicle; the transition apparatus having a subframe including a plate having apertures; wherein the apertures in the plate can facilitate placement of the subframe at various heights with respect to the mounting apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventor: Charles Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20070056195
    Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade having a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidlingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The mounting upright includes a limiting member that limits upward movement of the retention member when the plow blade is in a working orientation such that the retention member is secured on the mounting upright. The preferred snow plow may also include an attachment member located on the mounting apparatus, wherein the plow blade retention member may be removably secured within the attachment member when the plow blade is in a non-working orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventor: Charles Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20070056196
    Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, preferably an all terrain vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade. The preferred plow blade has a mold board including a main surface, a back surface and a plate secured proximate the back of the mold board, the plow also has a rubber scraper proximate the main surface and a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to disengaeably secure the plow blade with the mounting upright; wherein the retention apparatus allows the plow blade to pivot with respect to the mounting upright such that the rubber scraper can pivot away from the mounting upright when the plow blade is in a working orientation and the vehicle moves in a direction rearward from the plow blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventor: Charles Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20070056193
    Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidlingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The plow blade includes a mold board, the plow blade including a rubber scraper connected to the mold board and at least one wear minimizing apparatus positioned to minimize contact between the rubber scraper and the ground surface when the vehicle is moving in a direction rearward of the plow blade and the plow blade is in a working orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventor: Charles Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20070056194
    Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidlingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The plow blade includes a mold board, preferably, a two piece mold board being an aluminum extrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventor: Charles Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20070056192
    Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidlingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The plow blade includes a mold board, the mold board preferably being an aluminum extrusion. The aluminum extrusion will preferably include at least one attachment channel, more preferably a plurality of attachment channels, in which parts of the snow blade can be secured or anchored. The plow blade preferably includes first and second attachment channels and the retention apparatus preferably includes at least one retention member anchored in at least one of the attachment channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventor: Charles Schmeichel
  • Patent number: 7066524
    Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for attaching a flexible cover about a cargo box of a vehicle, preferably a pickup truck. The apparatus preferably includes, a support frame removably attached about the perimeter of a cargo box of the vehicle, an elongated end plate attached to an end of the flexible cover, end plate engagement members attached to the support frame and first and second locking members movably connected with the end plate. The end plate may be retained in the fixed stretching position by first and second locking members that preferably slide within a channel in the end plate. In one embodiment, an elongated member is secured to the respective locking members and to a turn knob such that force can be placed upon each respective locking member by turning the turn knob and pulling the elongated member so as to draw each of the respective locking members away from the first position toward the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Schmeichel, Steven Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20060006686
    Abstract: A sealing gasket for sealing gaps adjacent to a pickup truck is provided. In alternate embodiments a combination pickup truck and sealing gasket is also provided. The sealing gasket of the present invention comprises an elongated member made of a deformable and a somewhat resilient polymeric material. The polymeric material is preferably a closed cell sponge material made of one of a number of polymeric materials which are the somewhat flexible, resilient, water resistant and the like. The cross-section of the elongated member, if divided into two parts, includes a generally triangular portion and a generally semi-circular portion which come together to form a teardrop-like shape. The elongated member preferably has a first lumen which is generally circular in shape when the sealing gasket is undeformed, and preferably a second lumen which has two converging tear surfaces which converge to join at one end and join to an arcuate inner surface at the other end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Inventor: Charles Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20050151390
    Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for attaching a flexible cover about a cargo box of a vehicle, preferably a pickup truck. The apparatus preferably includes, a support frame removably attached about the perimeter of a cargo box of the vehicle, an elongated end plate attached to an end of the flexible cover, an end plate engagement member attached to the support frame, preferably one on each side of the support frame, and a locking member movably attached to the end plate. The end plate is preferably attached to an end of the flexible cover and is configured to cooperatively engage the end plate engagement member or members. The end plate may be retained in an engaged position by the locking member. In alternate embodiments, a plurality of locking members are provided, preferably locking members that slide within a channel in the end plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Charles Schmeichel, Steven Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20050146158
    Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for attaching a flexible cover about a cargo box of a vehicle, preferably a pickup truck. The apparatus preferably includes, a support frame removably attached about the perimeter of a cargo box of the vehicle, an elongated end plate attached to an end of the flexible cover, end plate engagement members attached to the support frame and first and second locking members movably connected with the end plate. The end plate may be retained in the fixed stretching position by first and second locking members that preferably slide within a channel in the end plate. In one embodiment, an elongated member is secured to the respective locking members and to a turn knob such that force can be placed upon each respective locking member by turning the turn knob and pulling the elongated member so as to draw each of the respective locking members away from the first position toward the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Charles Schmeichel, Steven Schmeichel