Patents by Inventor Christopher D. Althoff

Christopher D. Althoff 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: 10086879
    Abstract: Mud flap assemblies including a frame, a securing assembly and mud flap panels; the securing assembly enabling the frame to be secured to a hitch assembly having a shaft, for further attachment to a hitch receiver secured to a vehicle; the frame having two side portions secured to a center portion to which the securing assembly is attached. The center portion of the frame is preferably configured to rest on a portion of a bumper of the vehicle to minimize vibration of the frame during use. The frame includes two side portions having channels within which reside at least a portion of fasteners that attach mud flap panels to each of the respective side portions. Methods of installing mud flap assemblies and attaching the flap panels are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
  • Patent number: 10086682
    Abstract: A roll-up tarp apparatus for attachment to an open-top truck trailer, with a flexible tarp that rolls onto and unrolls from a roll bar as the roll bar rolls across the trailer. The roll bar is connected to the trailer by two telescoping arms which each have a lower portion that slides within an upper portion to telescope and adjust the length of the telescoping arms as the roll bar rolls across the trailer. The telescoping arms each have two bearings, which are on opposite sides of the telescoping arm and which are separated along the length of the telescoping arm, so that when forces are applied to the telescoping arm during use, the bearing surfaces aid in sliding the lower portion within the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
  • Publication number: 20180178850
    Abstract: Mud flap assemblies including a frame, a securing assembly and mud flap panels; the securing assembly enabling the frame to be secured to a hitch assembly having a shaft, for further attachment to a hitch receiver secured to a vehicle; the frame having two side portions secured to a center portion to which the securing assembly is attached. The center portion of the frame is preferably configured to rest on a portion of a bumper of the vehicle to minimize vibration of the frame during use. The frame includes two side portions having channels within which reside at least a portion of fasteners that attach mud flap panels to each of the respective side portions. Methods of installing mud flap assemblies and attaching the flap panels are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
  • Patent number: 9724974
    Abstract: Mud flap assemblies including a frame, a securing assembly and mud flap panels; the securing assembly enabling the frame to be secured to a hitch assembly having a shaft, for further attachment to a hitch receiver secured to a vehicle; the frame having a rear plate that preferably includes a hitch opening for receiving the shaft of the hitch assembly. The frame is preferably configured to engage or rest upon a portion of a bumper of the vehicle to minimize vibration of the frame during use. The mud flap assembly preferably includes a pair of stops that are preferably adjustable and are constructed and arranged to engage or rest against the bumper. The mud flap assembly preferably includes enlarged mud flap panels and mud flap support members for additional support of the enlarged mud flap panels. Methods of installing mud flap assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
  • Publication number: 20170057332
    Abstract: A roll-up tarp apparatus for attachment to an open-top truck trailer, with a flexible tarp that rolls onto and unrolls from a roll bar as the roll bar rolls across the trailer. The roll bar is connected to the trailer by two telescoping arms which each have a lower portion that slides within an upper portion to telescope and adjust the length of the telescoping arms as the roll bar rolls across the trailer. The telescoping arms each have two bearings, which are on opposite sides of the telescoping arm and which are separated along the length of the telescoping arm, so that when forces are applied to the telescoping arm during use, the bearing surfaces aid in sliding the lower portion within the upper portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
  • Publication number: 20160318554
    Abstract: Mud flap assemblies including a frame, a securing assembly and mud flap panels; the securing assembly enabling the frame to be secured to a hitch assembly having a shaft, for further attachment to a hitch receiver secured to a vehicle; the frame having a rear plate that preferably includes a hitch opening for receiving the shaft of the hitch assembly. The frame is preferably configured to engage or rest upon a portion of a bumper of the vehicle to minimize vibration of the frame during use. The mud flap assembly preferably includes a pair of stops that are preferably adjustable and are constructed and arranged to engage or rest against the bumper. The mud flap assembly preferably includes enlarged mud flap panels and mud flap support members for additional support of the enlarged mud flap panels. Methods of installing mud flap assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
  • Patent number: 9422009
    Abstract: Mud flap assemblies including a frame that can be interconnected to a hitch assembly which can be interconnected to a hitch receiver. Mud flap assemblies including a frame, a securing assembly and mud flap panels; the frame having two longitudinal ends and a rear plate that includes a hitch opening spaced for receiving the shaft of the hitch assembly. One frame is designed to rest on a portion of the bumper to minimize vibration of the frame while in use. The mud flap assembly may include a pair of stops or stop assemblies that are preferably adjustable and are constructed and arranged to rest against the bumper. The mud flap assemblies may also include exhaust ventilation apertures and/or protective heat shields. Methods of installing mud flap assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
  • Patent number: 9387888
    Abstract: Mud flap assemblies including a frame, a securing assembly and mud flap panels; the securing assembly enabling the frame to be secured to a hitch assembly having a shaft, for further attachment to a hitch receiver secured to a vehicle; the frame having a rear plate that includes a hitch opening for receiving the shaft of the hitch assembly. The frame is preferably configured to rest on a portion of a bumper of the vehicle to minimize vibration of the frame during use. The mud flap assembly preferably including a pair of stops that are preferably adjustable and are constructed and arranged to rest against the bumper. The mud flap assembly preferably includes enlarged mud flap panels and mud flap support members for additional support of the enlarged mud flap panels. Methods of installing mud flap assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
  • Publication number: 20160114835
    Abstract: Mud flap assemblies including a frame, a securing assembly and mud flap panels; the securing assembly enabling the frame to be secured to a hitch assembly having a shaft, for further attachment to a hitch receiver secured to a vehicle; the frame having a rear plate that includes a hitch opening for receiving the shaft of the hitch assembly. The frame is preferably configured to rest on a portion of a bumper of the vehicle to minimize vibration of the frame during use. The mud flap assembly preferably including a pair of stops that are preferably adjustable and are constructed and arranged to rest against the bumper. The mud flap assembly preferably includes enlarged mud flap panels and mud flap support members for additional support of the enlarged mud flap panels. Methods of installing mud flap assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
  • Publication number: 20160001820
    Abstract: Mud flap assemblies including a frame that can be interconnected to a hitch assembly which can be interconnected to a hitch receiver. Mud flap assemblies including a frame, a securing assembly and mud flap panels; the frame having two longitudinal ends and a rear plate that includes a hitch opening spaced for receiving the shaft of the hitch assembly. One frame is designed to rest on a portion of the bumper to minimize vibration of the frame while in use. The mud flap assembly may include a pair of stops or stop assemblies that are preferably adjustable and are constructed and arranged to rest against the bumper. The mud flap assemblies may also include exhaust ventilation apertures and/or protective heat shields. Methods of installing mud flap assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock