Patents by Inventor George J. Schafer, JR.

George J. Schafer, JR. 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: 11458904
    Abstract: A system and method of connecting a cargo rack to a vehicle having a convertible, retractable or removable roof system. Reinforced frame sections of the vehicle are exposed by removing access panels and/or any obstructing trim. Attachment brackets are mounted to the reinforced frame sections The attachment brackets extend above the roof well and into a gap space below the canopy of the roof system. A crossbar is mounted between the attachment brackets. The crossbar has a flat top surface that contains a plurality of receptacles. Various mounting accessories are provided, wherein each of the mounting accessories is configured to be selectively received by any one of the receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventor: George J. Schafer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11230230
    Abstract: The present invention is a vehicle cargo rack system for use on a vehicle Roof mounts are attached to the roof. A cargo bar is provided. The cargo bar has a first end, an opposite second end, and a midsection. The cargo bar is supported above the roof by the roof mounts. When a load is attached to the vehicle, the load is placed atop the cargo bar, wherein the weight of the load is borne by the cargo bar. A plurality of support legs extends from the midsection of the cargo bar to the roof. The support legs contact the roof and transfer the forces across the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventor: George J. Schafer, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210370751
    Abstract: A vehicle structure with an upper framework that consists of a driver side frame element, a passenger side frame element and possible lateral crossbars. An open area is interposed between the driver side frame element and the passenger side frame element. The vehicle has a roof system to selectively cover and expose the open area. When the roof system is closed, a gap space exists between the open area and the interior of the roof system. Removable mounts are bolted to the upper framework. At least two cargo bars are provided that attach to the mounts. The cargo bars extend across the open area and are supported by the mounts in the gap space under the roof system. In this manner, the roof system can be selectively opened and closed over the cargo bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventor: George J. Schafer, JR.
  • Publication number: 20200262355
    Abstract: The present invention is a vehicle cargo rack system for use on a vehicle Roof mounts are attached to the roof. A cargo bar is provided. The cargo bar has a first end, an opposite second end, and a midsection. The cargo bar is supported above the roof by the roof mounts. When a load is attached to the vehicle, the load is placed atop the cargo bar, wherein the weight of the load is borne by the cargo bar. A plurality of support legs extends from the midsection of the cargo bar to the roof. The support legs contact the roof and transfer the forces across the roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventor: George J. Schafer, JR.
  • Patent number: 10625684
    Abstract: The present invention is a vehicle cargo rack system for use on a vehicle Roof mounts are attached to the roof. A cargo bar is provided. The cargo bar has a first end, an opposite second end, and a midsection. The cargo bar is supported above the roof by the roof mounts. When a load is attached to the vehicle, the load is placed atop the cargo bar, wherein the weight of the load is borne by the cargo bar. A plurality of support legs extends from the midsection of the cargo bar to the roof. The support legs contact the roof and transfer the forces across the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: George J. Schafer, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20200070731
    Abstract: A system and method of connecting a cargo rack to a vehicle having a convertible, retractable or removable roof system. Reinforced frame sections of the vehicle are exposed by removing access panels and/or any obstructing trim. Attachment brackets are mounted to the reinforced frame sections The attachment brackets extend above the roof well and into a gap space below the canopy of the roof system. A crossbar is mounted between the attachment brackets. The crossbar has a flat top surface that contains a plurality of receptacles. Various mounting accessories are provided, wherein each of the mounting accessories is configured to be selectively received by any one of the receptacles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventor: George J. Schafer, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180370448
    Abstract: A roof rack system for a vehicle that has roll bars that are selectively covered with a removable or retractable roof. A first mounting bar attaches to a first roll bar of the vehicle. The second mounting bar attaches to the second roll bar. An optional third mounting bar may be used. Both the first mounting bar and the second mounting bar are held within a gap space between the roll bars and the soft top roof. When the soft top roof is retracted, a plurality of mounting accessories can be selectively attached to both the first mounting bar and the second mounting bar. The mounting accessories can have different shapes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventor: George J. Schafer, JR.