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).
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Patent number: 10086879Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 27, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
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Patent number: 10086682Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 25, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
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Publication number: 20180178850Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2016Publication date: June 28, 2018Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
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Patent number: 9724974Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 8, 2016Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
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Publication number: 20170057332Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
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Publication number: 20160318554Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2016Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
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Patent number: 9422009Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 2, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
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Patent number: 9387888Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 6, 2016Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
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Publication number: 20160114835Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2016Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock
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Publication number: 20160001820Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2014Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Christopher D. Althoff, Shawn J. Wock