Patents by Inventor Chris Sautter
Chris Sautter 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: 8556146Abstract: A rack for carrying a boat on top of the vehicle is configured for clamping on a pair of crossbars. Each crossbar has a pair of saddle mounts facing each other on opposite sides of a cradle axis being defined perpendicular to the crossbar and equidistant from each saddle mount. Each saddle mount has a pliable upper platform which is conformable to different boat hull shapes.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Yakima Innovation Development CorporationInventors: Chris Sautter, James Buckroyd, Zac Elder, John Mark Elliott
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Patent number: 8496145Abstract: A vehicle rack for carrying a bicycle wheel, a wheel carrier mountable on a load supporting bar of a vehicle rack, and methods of using a vehicle rack and/or wheel carrier to hold a bicycle wheel. In some embodiments, the wheel carrier may include a base, a pair of arms connected to the base and defining slots for receiving an axle of a bicycle wheel, and a strap securable to the base over a rim of the bicycle wheel to restrict removal of the wheel from the arms.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2010Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Yakima Innovation Development CorporationInventors: Chris Sautter, James Buckroyd, Zac Elder, Doug Fjelland, Charles Kraeuter
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Patent number: 8490847Abstract: An article carrier configured to be detachably mounted to a trailer hitch of a vehicle is disclosed. The article carrier may include a frame having first and second end portions with the first end portion being pivotably mounted to the base allowing the frame to be selectively pivoted about a first axis between a substantially vertical position in which the frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantially horizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base, the first axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and a carrier assembly connected to the second end portion of the frame and configured to support one or more articles.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2012Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Yakima Innovation Development CorporationInventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Andrew Austin, Richard Jeli, Aaron Foley, Steve Rodden
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Publication number: 20130062379Abstract: A bike rack may include an elongate body having a first end portion and a second end portion, a rear wheel receiver connected to the body adjacent the second end portion, and a fork mount device connected to the body adjacent the first end portion. The fork mount device may include a body and a pair of retractable axle portions configured to move between a retracted position in which the axle portions are substantially contained in the body, and an extended position in which the axle portions extend sufficiently to engage axle holes of a 15QR bicycle fork.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: HUBCO AUTOMOTIVE LIMITEDInventors: Chris Sautter, David Condon, James Buckroyd
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Patent number: 8393508Abstract: A rack for carrying cargo on top of a vehicle includes a pair of crossbars. Each crossbar spans a pair of rails. The crossbars are connected to the rails by towers. Each tower has a claw assembly which is adjustable along two axes.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2009Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.Inventors: Chris Sautter, Dave Condon
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Patent number: 8387842Abstract: A car top carrier incorporating improved dual-functioning hinge/latch mechanisms connected by a drive bar that translates pivotal rotation to open and close the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2009Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.Inventors: John Mark Elliott, Chris Sautter
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Patent number: 8387839Abstract: A rack for mounting on a spare tire assembly of a vehicle includes a mounting plate engagable to a spare tire mounting bracket of the vehicle, and a mast connected to the mounting plate in a substantially vertical position. The rack also includes a shoulder member connected proximate a top end of the mast and mountable proximate the top end of the mast using a connector at more than one position along a horizontal axis relative to the mast. A hub assembly is connected to the shoulder member, and a pair of arms are connected to the hub assembly that are configured to carry one or more bikes.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.Inventors: Chris Sautter, James Buckroyd, Zac Elder
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Publication number: 20130020366Abstract: An article carrier configured to be detachably mounted to a trailer hitch of a vehicle is disclosed. The article carrier may include a frame having first and second end portions with the first end portion being pivotably mounted to the base allowing the frame to be selectively pivoted about a first axis between a substantially vertical position in which the frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantially horizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base, the first axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and a carrier assembly connected to the second end portion of the frame and configured to support one or more articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Andrew Austin, Richard Jeli, Aaron Foley, Steve Rodden
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Publication number: 20130022440Abstract: A bicycle rack for carrying bicycles behind a vehicle includes a tongue configured for connection to a vehicle hitch. A base portion includes wheel trays for supporting the wheels of a bicycle in cooperation with a slidable hook for contacting the top tube of a bicycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Chris Sautter, Richard Jeli, Andrew Austin, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder
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Publication number: 20130020361Abstract: A fork mount for securing a bicycle fork to a crossbar that comprises a top clamp including a pair of side surfaces having substantially aligned openings, an upper crossbar surface having a hole, and an adjustment surface with a plurality of substantially horizontal grooves. The fork mount further comprises a bottom clamp that has a groove engager frictionally engagable within each groove to form a pivot point to a clamped position, and a lower crossbar surface with a hole. When in the clamped position, the upper and lower crossbar surfaces form a crossbar opening and the holes of each crossbar surface are substantially alignable. The fork mount comprises a connector that is engagable through the substantially alignable holes of each crossbar surface, wherein the connector secures the top and bottom clamps in the clamped position. A skewer is extendable through the substantially aligned openings of the top clamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Chris Sautter, Kevin E. Lesley
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Publication number: 20130020365Abstract: An article carrier configured to be detachably mounted to a trailer hitch of a vehicle is disclosed. The article carrier may include a frame having first and second end portions with the first end portion being pivotably mounted to the base allowing the frame to be selectively pivoted about a first axis between a substantially vertical position in which the frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantially horizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base, the first axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and a carrier assembly connected to the second end portion of the frame and configured to support one or more articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Andrew Austin, Richard Jeli, Aaron Foley, Steve Rodden
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Publication number: 20130020364Abstract: A bicycle rack is configured for mounting to a hitch behind a vehicle. The bike rack may include a mast and a mechanism for locking the mast in an upright position, or alternatively, permitting downward rotation of the mast away from the vehicle for access purposes. The rack includes arms and mounting devices for supporting various tubular components for the bicycle frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Andrew Austin, Richard Jeli, Aaron J. Foley, Steve Rodden
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Publication number: 20120298707Abstract: Carriers for a bicycle and methods of mounting a bicycle carrier to a vehicle are disclosed. In some examples, the carriers may include a first frame structure configured to couple to a vehicle and a second frame structure configured to couple to the vehicle. The carriers may additionally include a body disposed between the first and second frame structures. The first frame structure may be mounted to the body and the second frame structure may be slidably received within the body. The carriers may further include a first cable device. The first cable device may include a first cable reel rotatably mounted to the body, and a first cable having a first hook end portion configured to attach to a first portion of the vehicle. The first cable may be configured to be wound around the first cable reel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: Yakima Products, Inc.Inventors: Chris Sautter, James Buckroyd, Richard Jeli, Lyle Ramsdale
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Patent number: 8282254Abstract: An aerodynamic cargo box configuration includes a bottom portion hinged to a lid. The lid has a receptacle for receiving a photovoltaic light device substantially flush with, and below, the outer surface of the lid. A photovoltaic light assembly may include a cup portion and a top portion, the top portion containing a photovoltaic cell and the bottom portion containing electronics and an array of one or more light elements configured to provide optimal illumination to an interior space of an elongate rectangular cargo box.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.Inventors: Chris Sautter, John Mark Elliott, James Owen
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Publication number: 20120234881Abstract: Load-carrying members for vehicle roofs are disclosed. In some examples, the load-carrying members may be configured for use with a crossbar mounted to a vehicle roof. In some examples, the load-carrying members may include a body and an arm pivotably mounted to the body. The body may have a load-bearing surface and may be configured to engage the crossbar and retain the load-carrying member proximate the crossbar. The arm may be configured to pivot between a first position and a second position and about an axis that is transverse to the crossbar. In some examples, the load-carrying members may include a pair of spaced apart mounting blocks and a clamping member configured to engage the crossbar in opposition to the pair of spaced apart mounting blocks. In some examples, the load-carrying members may be configured for carrying a boat on a vehicle roof.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Jeff Castro, Eric Roesinger, Kevin Lesley
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Publication number: 20120234883Abstract: A versatile rack for carrying one or more bicycles on the rear of a vehicle includes two or more frame structures connected and coordinated through a pair of hubs. One of the frame structures has a pair of parallel arms equipped with saddle mounts and stabilizers for supporting and securing one or more bicycles.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: Yakima Products, Inc.Inventors: Chris Sautter, James Owen, Richard Jeli
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Publication number: 20120228349Abstract: A vehicle rack system including a stabilized cargo box attached to a pair of crossbars. In some embodiments, the stabilized cargo box includes a container defining a long axis and having a bottom portion hinged to a lid portion to form an enclosure to hold cargo. A plurality of clamp devices may mount the container to the pair of crossbars attached to a roof of a vehicle. The bottom portion may include a housing member defining a groove and also may include a stiffening tube disposed in the groove and providing first and second tubular regions that are laterally spaced from each other and that each extend at least generally parallel to the long axis. The first and second tubular regions may be connected to each other by a third tubular region of the stiffening tube that extends at least part way across a nose of the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2011Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: Yakima Products, Inc.Inventors: Chris Sautter, James Buckroyd, Dave Condon, John Mark Elliott
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Patent number: 8245893Abstract: An assembly for loading cargo on top of a vehicle includes at least one load bar oriented perpendicular to a pair of crossbars. The load bar is movable between stowed and loading positions in a direction parallel to the direction of vehicle travel. A rear end of the load bar is connected to a roller device for minimizing friction and avoiding contact with the vehicle when cargo is being elevated to the roof of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2007Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Eric Roesinger, Zac Elder
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Patent number: 8235266Abstract: Rack system for a vehicle including a vehicle body forming an edge and also including a body accessory forming a protrusion on the vehicle body. The rack system may comprise a trunk rack configured to be positioned adjacent a rear end of the vehicle. The rack system also may comprise a strap assembly connected or connectable to the trunk rack. The strap assembly may be configured to extend over the protrusion and engage the edge of the vehicle body, to form a connection between the trunk rack and the vehicle. The strap assembly may include a strap and a spanning member. The spanning member may be configured to span the protrusion and support the strap in a spaced relation to the protrusion, such that the strap assembly can be tensioned without applying pressure to the protrusion.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2009Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder
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Patent number: 8235267Abstract: A bicycle rack for carrying bicycles behind a vehicle includes a tongue configured for connection to a vehicle hitch. A base portion includes wheel trays for supporting the wheels of a bicycle in cooperation with a slidable hook for contacting the top tube of a bicycle.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2008Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.Inventors: Chris Sautter, Richard Jeli, Andrew Austin, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder