Patents by Inventor Dean Mettler

Dean Mettler 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: 11617457
    Abstract: The present teachings generally relate to a countertop shield and kit therefor, the countertop shield includes: a center panel including at least one long edge; at least one short edge; and at least one first center panel attachment feature, located adjacent to the at least one long edge and at least one second center panel attachment feature located adjacent to the at least one short edge; and at least one side panel including at least one side panel attachment feature; wherein the at least one first or second center panel attachment feature is configured to engage the at least one side panel attachment feature, wherein the center panel, the at least one side panel, or both are adapted to stand upright on a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: EXTANG CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brent Lorenz Rose, Dean Mettler
  • Publication number: 20220007856
    Abstract: The present teachings generally relate to a countertop shield and kit therefor, the countertop shield includes: a center panel including at least one long edge; at least one short edge; and at least one first center panel attachment feature, located adjacent to the at least one long edge and at least one second center panel attachment feature located adjacent to the at least one short edge; and at least one side panel including at least one side panel attachment feature; wherein the at least one first or second center panel attachment feature is configured to engage the at least one side panel attachment feature, wherein the center panel, the at least one side panel, or both are adapted to stand upright on a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Brent Lorenz Rose, Dean Mettler
  • Patent number: 11186152
    Abstract: A tonneau cover can include a frame, a cover, and a gasket configured to be positioned between a portion of the frame and a portion of the vehicle and further configured to reduce liquid passage between the portion of the frame and the portion of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the gasket includes a compression portion and an attachment portion configured to connect with the portion of the frame. The attachment portion can include a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion positioned between the first and second portions and having a greater thickness than both of the first and second portions. The compression portion can be positioned between the attachment portion and the portion of the vehicle when the tonneau cover is in use, and the compression portion can include at least one bulb having a hollow passage extending along the length of the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Lund, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Slinger, Dean Mettler
  • Patent number: 11072227
    Abstract: A tonneau cover and a method of attachment are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a self-energizing clamp can be used to retain a tonneau cover onto a side wall of a truck bed, or other vehicle bed. In some embodiments, the clamp can be rotated between a usage position and a storage position in order to prevent the clamp from incidental movement or harm while accessing the truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Smith, Dean Mettler
  • Publication number: 20200331330
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of gaskets that can be used between a tonneau cover and a vehicle frame, such as the truck bed of a vehicle. The gaskets can be configured for use on a number of different types of vehicles. Further, the gaskets can form improved waterproof seals to prevent water from entering the truck bed of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Slinger, Dean Mettler
  • Publication number: 20200164732
    Abstract: A tonneau cover and a method of attachment are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a self-energizing clamp can be used to retain a tonneau cover onto a side wall of a truck bed, or other vehicle bed. In some embodiments, the clamp can be rotated between a usage position and a storage position in order to prevent the clamp from incidental movement or harm while accessing the truck bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Anthony Smith, Dean Mettler
  • Patent number: 10647187
    Abstract: A tonneau cover can include a frame, a bed cover portion located within the frame, and a gasket to form a watertight seal between the frame and a vehicle. In some embodiments, the gasket includes an attachment portion configured to connect with the frame and a compression portion attached to the attachment portion and configured to deform between the tonneau cover and the vehicle to resist water entry between the gasket and the vehicle. In some embodiments, the attachment portion is less compressible than the compression portion. In some embodiments, the attachment portion comprises a pair of arms extending outward from a stop component and the compression portion comprises a pair of bulb seals, each of the bulb seals being located below each of the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Lund, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Slinger, Dean Mettler
  • Patent number: 10399421
    Abstract: A tonneau cover and a method of attachment are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a self-energizing clamp can be used to retain a tonneau cover onto a side wall of a truck bed, or other vehicle bed. In some embodiments, the clamp can be rotated between a usage position and a storage position in order to prevent the clamp from incidental movement or harm while accessing the truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Smith, Dean Mettler
  • Patent number: 10196953
    Abstract: Embodiments of a tank cover for covering a diesel exhaust fluid tank of a vehicle. The tank cover can be added directly over a diesel exhaust fluid tank or can be used to replace a factory/OEM or other replacement cover. In some embodiments, the tank cover can be easily installed onto a vehicle through existing components, and no additional drilling may need to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Lund, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Mettler, Brian Cutway
  • Publication number: 20180312049
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of gaskets that can be used between a tonneau cover and a vehicle frame, such as the truck bed of a vehicle. The gaskets can be configured for use on a number of different types of vehicles. Further, the gaskets can form improved waterproof seals to prevent water from entering the truck bed of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Slinger, Dean Mettler
  • Publication number: 20180236857
    Abstract: A tonneau cover and a method of attachment are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a self-energizing clamp can be used to retain a tonneau cover onto a side wall of a truck bed, or other vehicle bed. In some embodiments, the clamp can be rotated between a usage position and a storage position in order to prevent the clamp from incidental movement or harm while accessing the truck bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Anthony Smith, Dean Mettler
  • Patent number: 9840136
    Abstract: A tonneau cover and a method of attachment are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a self-energizing clamp can be used to retain a tonneau cover onto a side wall of a truck bed, or other vehicle bed. In some embodiments, the clamp can be rotated between a usage position and a storage position in order to prevent the clamp from incidental movement or harm while accessing the truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Lund Motion Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Smith, Dean Mettler
  • Publication number: 20170306822
    Abstract: Embodiments of a tank cover for covering a diesel exhaust fluid tank of a vehicle. The tank cover can be added directly over a diesel exhaust fluid tank or can be used to replace a factory/OEM or other replacement cover. In some embodiments, the tank cover can be easily installed onto a vehicle through existing components, and no additional drilling may need to be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Dean Mettler, Brian Cutway
  • Publication number: 20170087968
    Abstract: A tonneau cover and a method of attachment are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a self-energizing clamp can be used to retain a tonneau cover onto a side wall of a truck bed, or other vehicle bed. In some embodiments, the clamp can be rotated between a usage position and a storage position in order to prevent the clamp from incidental movement or harm while accessing the truck bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Anthony Smith, Dean Mettler
  • Patent number: 9346344
    Abstract: A tonneau cover and a method of attachment are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a self-energizing clamp can be used to retain a tonneau cover onto a side wall of a truck bed, or other vehicle bed. In some embodiments, the clamp can be rotated between a usage position and a storage position in order to prevent the clamp from incidental movement or harm while accessing the truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: LUND MOTION PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Smith, Dean Mettler
  • Publication number: 20160039274
    Abstract: A tonneau cover and a method of attachment are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a self-energizing clamp can be used to retain a tonneau cover onto a side wall of a truck bed, or other vehicle bed. In some embodiments, the clamp can be rotated between a usage position and a storage position in order to prevent the clamp from incidental movement or harm while accessing the truck bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Anthony Smith, Dean Mettler
  • Patent number: 7308726
    Abstract: A folding ramp is provided that includes an upper ramp, a lower ramp, and at least one handle assembly for providing ease of transport of the folding ramp. The upper ramp extends between a first end and a second end, and includes an upper ramp loading track, an upper first side support, an upper second side support, and a vehicle mounting member. The lower ramp extends between a first end and a second end, and the lower ramp includes a lower ramp loading track, a lower first side support, a lower second side support, a ground engaging member, and the rotation member. The upper ramp and the lower ramp include a rotation member that extends between the upper and lower first side supports and the upper and lower second side supports to allow rotation of the lower ramp relative to the upper ramp. The lower ramp loading track includes a first side and a second side and extends from the first end of the lower ramp to the second end of the lower ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Lund International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome A. Schomaker, Dean Mettler, James Weiderman
  • Patent number: 6959846
    Abstract: A motor vehicle box and a pickup truck having a motor vehicle box provided in the pickup truck bed are provided. The motor vehicle box includes a plurality of sidewalls and a bottom wall constructed to form a container having an opening wherein the container has an exterior side and an interior side; a lid constructed to cover the opening, wherein the lid is hingedly attached to at least one of the plurality of walls; and a latch mechanism comprising a latch member constructed and arranged to move between a first position and second position. The first position is provided for holding the lid in place covering the opening. The second position is provided for releasing the lid. The latch mechanism includes an exterior latch release mechanism and an interior latch release mechanism. The exterior latch release mechanism extends to the exterior side of the container and is constructed to move the latch member to the second position when triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Lund International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome A. Schomaker, Dean Mettler, James Weiderman, Daniel Wort
  • Publication number: 20050160539
    Abstract: A folding ramp is provided that includes an upper ramp, a lower ramp, and at least one handle assembly for providing ease of transport of the folding ramp. The upper ramp extends between a first end and a second end, and includes an upper ramp loading track, an upper first side support, an upper second side support, and a vehicle mounting member. The lower ramp extends between a first end and a second end, and the lower ramp includes a lower ramp loading track, a lower first side support, a lower second side support, a ground engaging member, and the rotation member. The upper ramp and the lower ramp include a rotation member that extends between the upper and lower first side supports and the upper and lower second side supports to allow rotation of the lower ramp relative to the upper ramp. The lower ramp loading track includes a first side and a second side and extends from the first end of the lower ramp to the second end of the lower ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Applicant: Lund International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome Schomaker, Dean Mettler, James Weiderman
  • Patent number: 6868574
    Abstract: A folding ramp is provided that includes an upper ramp, a lower ramp, and at least one handle assembly for providing ease of transport of the folding ramp. The upper ramp extends between a first end and a second end, and includes an upper ramp loading track, an upper first side support, an upper second side support, and a vehicle mounting member. The lower ramp extends between a first end and a second end, and the lower ramp includes a lower ramp loading track, a lower first side support, a lower second side support, a ground engaging member, and the rotation member. The upper ramp and the lower ramp include a rotation member that extends between the upper and lower first side supports and the upper and lower second side supports to allow rotation of the lower ramp relative to the upper ramp. The lower ramp loading track includes a first side and a second side and extends from the first end of the lower ramp to the second end of the lower ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Lund International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome A. Schomaker, Dean Mettler, James Weiderman