Patents by Inventor Frank A. Borke

Frank A. Borke 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: 20220105788
    Abstract: A multi-piece door assembly including a first door portion and a second door portion, which are removable to create a partially open-air experience or fully open-air experience. A pin pocket design is provided for selectively attaching the first door portion to a variety of different types of second door portions. A blow-out tab is provided to keep the multi-piece door assembly from blowing outwardly away from the vehicle with the increase of internal pressures at high speeds or crosswind situations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Patent number: 11230171
    Abstract: A multi-piece door assembly including a first door portion and a second door portion, which are removable to create a partially open-air experience or fully open-air experience. A pin pocket design is provided for selectively attaching the first door portion to a variety of different types of second door portions. A blow-out tab is provided to keep the multi-piece door assembly from blowing outwardly away from the vehicle with the increase of internal pressures at high speeds or crosswind situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Publication number: 20210129760
    Abstract: A universally mountable articulating step for a vehicle which includes a bypass linkage set which is common to mounting in a plurality of vehicles. The linkage set includes front and rear casting members that enable the step to collapse on itself. An independent mounting adapter which is unique to a particular vehicle is provided including a mounting configuration adapted to be attached to a vehicle and attachment mounting locations on which the bypass linkage set is to be mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Patent number: 10919454
    Abstract: A universally mountable articulating step for a vehicle which includes a bypass linkage set which is common to mounting in a plurality of vehicles. The linkage set includes front and rear casting members that enable the step to collapse on itself. An independent mounting adapter which is unique to a particular vehicle is provided including a mounting configuration adapted to be attached to a vehicle and attachment mounting locations on which the bypass linkage set is to be mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Publication number: 20200361390
    Abstract: A control system incorporated with a power running board assembly. In particular, incorporating a radio frequency control system for a retractable power running board assembly to move the assembly between a stowed or retracted position and a deployed or extended position. The present invention uses a transmit/acknowledge scheme of door transceivers and receivers to reduce transmissions necessary to monitor door status changes and operation of the retraction and deployment of the running board, which significantly reduces the number of transmissions and wear on the door transceivers battery to extend battery lifetime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Publication number: 20200282915
    Abstract: A universally mountable articulating step for a vehicle which includes a bypass linkage set which is common to mounting in a plurality of vehicles. The linkage set includes front and rear casting members that enable the step to collapse on itself. An independent mounting adapter which is unique to a particular vehicle is provided including a mounting configuration adapted to be attached to a vehicle and attachment mounting locations on which the bypass linkage set is to be mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Patent number: 10766424
    Abstract: A control system incorporated with a power running board assembly. In particular, incorporating a radio frequency control system for a retractable power running board assembly to move the assembly between a stowed or retracted position and a deployed or extended position. The present invention uses a transmit/acknowledge scheme of door transceivers and receivers to reduce transmissions necessary to monitor door status changes and operation of the retraction and deployment of the running board, which significantly reduces the number of transmissions and wear on the door transceivers battery to extend battery lifetime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Patent number: 10696233
    Abstract: A universally mountable articulating step for a vehicle which includes a bypass linkage set which is common to mounting in a plurality of vehicles. The linkage set includes front and rear casting members that enable the step to collapse on itself. An independent mounting adapter which is unique to a particular vehicle is provided including a mounting configuration adapted to be attached to a vehicle and attachment mounting locations on which the bypass linkage set is to be mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Publication number: 20200001794
    Abstract: A universally mountable articulating step for a vehicle which includes a bypass linkage set which is common to mounting in a plurality of vehicles. The linkage set includes front and rear casting members that enable the step to collapse on itself. An independent mounting adapter which is unique to a particular vehicle is provided including a mounting configuration adapted to be attached to a vehicle and attachment mounting locations on which the bypass linkage set is to be mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Patent number: 10449905
    Abstract: A universally mountable articulating step for a vehicle which includes a bypass linkage set which is common to mounting in a plurality of vehicles. The linkage set includes front and rear casting members that enable the step to collapse on itself. An independent mounting adapter which is unique to a particular vehicle is provided including a mounting configuration adapted to be attached to a vehicle and attachment mounting locations on which the bypass linkage set is to be mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Publication number: 20180319341
    Abstract: A universally mountable articulating step for a vehicle which includes a bypass linkage set which is common to mounting in a plurality of vehicles. The linkage set includes front and rear casting members that enable the step to collapse on itself. An independent mounting adapter which is unique to a particular vehicle is provided including a mounting configuration adapted to be attached to a vehicle and attachment mounting locations on which the bypass linkage set is to be mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Publication number: 20180297530
    Abstract: A control system incorporated with a power running board assembly. In particular, incorporating a radio frequency control system for a retractable power running board assembly to move the assembly between a stowed or retracted position and a deployed or extended position. The present invention uses a transmit/acknowledge scheme of door transceivers and receivers to reduce transmissions necessary to monitor door status changes and operation of the retraction and deployment of the running board, which significantly reduces the number of transmissions and wear on the door transceivers battery to extend battery lifetime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Patent number: 10040396
    Abstract: A universally mountable articulating step for a vehicle which includes a bypass linkage set which is common to mounting in a plurality of vehicles. The linkage set includes front and rear casting members that enable the step to collapse on itself. An independent mounting adapter which is unique to a particular vehicle is provided including a mounting configuration adapted to be attached to a vehicle and attachment mounting locations on which the bypass linkage set is to be mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Publication number: 20180086184
    Abstract: A multi-piece door assembly including a first door portion and a second door portion, which are removable to create a partially open-air experience or fully open-air experience. A pin pocket design is provided for selectively attaching the first door portion to a variety of different types of second door portions. A blow-out tab is provided to keep the multi-piece door assembly from blowing outwardly away from the vehicle with the increase of internal pressures at high speeds or crosswind situations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Publication number: 20170341585
    Abstract: A universally mountable articulating step for a vehicle which includes a bypass linkage set which is common to mounting in a plurality of vehicles. The linkage set includes front and rear casting members that enable the step to collapse on itself. An independent mounting adapter which is unique to a particular vehicle is provided including a mounting configuration adapted to be attached to a vehicle and attachment mounting locations on which the bypass linkage set is to be mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Patent number: 9764691
    Abstract: A universally mountable articulating step for a vehicle which includes a bypass linkage set which is common to mounting in a plurality of vehicles. The linkage set includes front and rear casting members that enable the step to collapse on itself. An independent mounting adapter which is unique to a particular vehicle is provided including a mounting configuration adapted to be attached to a vehicle and attachment mounting locations on which the bypass linkage set is to be mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Publication number: 20160280139
    Abstract: A universally mountable articulating step for a vehicle which includes a bypass linkage set which is common to mounting in a plurality of vehicles. The linkage set includes front and rear casting members that enable the step to collapse on itself. An independent mounting adapter which is unique to a particular vehicle is provided including a mounting configuration adapted to be attached to a vehicle and attachment mounting locations on which the bypass linkage set is to be mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Publication number: 20040195818
    Abstract: The reverse shackle system is designed to reverse the OEM leaf spring mounting design by moving the stationary mount to the front of the leaf spring in the front suspension increasing steering and handling stability. The roller bumper is designed to enable ascending on boulders utilizing a steel tube shafted by another steel tube creating a front roller. The front mounting component for reverse shackle system and roller bumper is a one piece unit providing a ridgidness of the portion of the vehicle frame. The front and rear suspension drop-arm shackle mounts are a system to increase front and rear independent suspension drop or wheel articulation. The drop-arm shackle mount pivots and drops allowing increase independent wheel travel. The rear leaf spring mounting system allows for movement of rear axle rearward for large tire applications as well as increased independent drop and wheel travel. The mounting front and rear mounting system allows for a 2″ or 4″ suspension lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Frank A. Borke, George C. Stickles
  • Patent number: 6690802
    Abstract: A speaker box for a sport utility vehicle. The speaker box is pivotally mounted to the sports bar of the vehicle and can be selectively pivoted relative to the bar to a plurality of positions. In one position, the sound from the speakers of the speaker box is directed downwardly as in convention designs. However, unlike conventional designs, the speaker box and its sound can also be directed rearwardly of the vehicle for parties and other gatherings such as at campsites or on the beach. Further, the speaker box and its sound can be directed slightly forward toward the front of the vehicle if desired. In doing so, a saddle or cutout is provided in the middle of the speaker box so as not to unduly inhibit the driver's vision through the rear view mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Patent number: D502440
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: Roderick J. MacWilliam, Frank A. Borke