Patents by Inventor Gene Sharp

Gene Sharp 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).

  • Hitch installation hoist
    Patent number: 7594641
    Abstract: A portable hoist assembly is provided for lifting a hitch to be installed on the underside of a vehicle platform. The hitch has a hitch ball hole and the vehicle platform has a hole to be aligned with the hitch ball hole when the hitch is installed. The hoist assembly includes a hoist frame and a winch for paying out and drawing in a cable. The winch is supported by the frame above the vehicle platform hole. An elongated member is attached to the cable. The elongated member can be oriented in a first position wherein it can pass through the vehicle platform hole and the hitch ball hole. Also, the elongated member can be oriented in a second position wherein it cannot pass through the hitch ball hole. The elongated member can be lowered through the vehicle platform hole and the hitch ball hole in the first orientation and can secure the cable to the hitch in the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: U-Haul International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gene Sharp
  • Hitch Installation Hoist
    Publication number: 20090189133
    Abstract: A portable hoist assembly is provided for lifting a hitch to be installed on the underside of a vehicle platform. The hitch has a hitch ball hole and the vehicle platform has a hole to be aligned with the hitch ball hole when the hitch is installed. The hoist assembly includes a hoist frame and a winch for paying out and drawing in a cable. The winch is supported by the frame above the vehicle platform hole. An elongated member is attached to the cable. The elongated member can be oriented in a first position wherein it can pass through the vehicle platform hole and the hitch ball hole. Also, the elongated member can be oriented in a second position wherein it cannot pass through the hitch ball hole. The elongated member can be lowered through the vehicle platform hole and the hitch ball hole in the first orientation and can secure the cable to the hitch in the second orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: U-HAUL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Gene Sharp