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).

  • Publication number: 20110024471
    Abstract: Cargo bags that are mountable on a roof or roof rack of a vehicle are provided herein. In some embodiments, a cargo bag may include a container portion constructed at least partially of textile, a strap for securing the container portion to the roof or roof rack, and a structure adapted to provide shape to the container portion regardless of whether cargo is stored within the container portion. The structure may include a semi-rigid elongate member and/or foam padding. Some embodiments may include a pad positioned on a bottom of the container portion to protect the roof of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug Golenz, Chris Sautter, John Hoppes, Bill Stephens
  • Publication number: 20100147914
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Dave Condon
  • Publication number: 20100127031
    Abstract: A carrier for a bicycle includes first and second frame elements configured for coupling to a vehicle. The elements are configured such that one can slide past the other to allow adjustment for various vehicle sizes and shapes. A slide restriction mechanism allows reversible fixation of a relative positioning of the first and second frame elements. In some embodiments, the first and second frame elements are arcuate in shape, such that the overall bicycle carrier is roughly semicircular in profile view when configured for attachment to a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Richard Jeli, Kevin E. Lesley
  • Publication number: 20100084448
    Abstract: Linkage devices for connecting vehicle rack support members to preexisting attachment points on vehicle upper surfaces are disclosed. The linkage devices may include a body, a resilient pad, and an anchoring member. The body may include an interface, configured to engage and retain the support member, and a substantially hollow lower portion having a lower edge that defines a circumference of an opening. The resilient pad may be disposed on the lower edge and extend around at least a first substantial portion of the circumference of the opening. The opening may extend through the resilient pad and into the substantially hollow lower portion. The anchoring member may be configured to extend through the substantially hollow lower portion and through the opening, engage the attachment point, and selectively urge the body against the resilient pad and the upper surface of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug Fjelland, Chris Sautter
  • Publication number: 20100084447
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: John Mark Elliott, Chris Sautter
  • Publication number: 20100078454
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Kevin E. Lesley
  • Publication number: 20090321488
    Abstract: A rack strap extension system for a vehicle comprising a rack that is positioned adjacent a rear end of the vehicle, a strap coupled to the rack, a substantially rigid spanning member that is coupled to the strap and has at least two ends that fit around a protrusion positioned near a top rear surface of the vehicle, wherein the strap avoids tensional contact with the protrusion, and a connector mechanism proximate the strap and the substantially rigid spanning member engaged to a receiver of the vehicle, wherein the protrusion is interposed between the connector and the rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder
  • Publication number: 20090236382
    Abstract: A compact carrier apparatus includes one or more bicycle carriers. Each carrier includes wheel support sections configured to engage front and rear bicycle wheels, and a stabilizing arm with a gripping member configured to grip one of the wheels. A wheel support section includes a wheel engagement member disposed on an outer edge of the carrier support structure and oriented so that an engaged wheel projects beyond the outer edge. A bracing arm may selectively extend in a cantilevered fashion relative to the support structure to provide an additional load-bearing support point for such a wheel. The stabilizing arm may be mounted to the support structure at a location rearward of a wheel engagement member, and pivotable to a carrying position to grip the wheel. The path of the stabilizing arm, in the carrying position, traverses the center of the wheel and avoids passing over the fork or the brakes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Richard Jeli, Andrew Austin, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder
  • Publication number: 20090120984
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Richard Jeli, Andrew Austin, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder
  • Publication number: 20090120982
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Jeff Castro, Eric Roesinger, Kevin Lesley
  • Publication number: 20090120986
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Andrew Austin, Richard Jeli, Aaron Foley, Steve Rodden
  • Publication number: 20090120985
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Andrew Austin, Richard Jeli, Aaron Foley, Steve Rodden
  • Publication number: 20090120981
    Abstract: A load-supporting device is provided for supporting and/or securing a load, such as a boat, to a vehicle. A mounting assembly may be provided for mounting the load-supporting device to a horizontal crossbar of a vehicle-mounted rack, and the mounting assembly may include one or more support pads to provide lateral support along the axis defined by the horizontal crossbar. The load-supporting device may additionally or alternatively include a support arm configured to rotate between multiple locked positions about the axis defined by the horizontal crossbar. The support arm may include at one end a securing region including both an aperture and a hook, to provide a user with options as to how the user secures a strap to the load-supporting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Eric Roesinger, Victor Rogers
  • Publication number: 20080193265
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Eric Roesinger, Zac Elder
  • Patent number: D507266
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Planar Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Phillips, Rob Baumgartner, Chris Sautter, Scott Hartley
  • Patent number: D622208
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Sautter, Kevin E. Lesley, James S. Owen