Patents by Inventor Grant Hopkins

Grant Hopkins 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: 4350252
    Abstract: A storage rack for displaying flat, rectangular articles such as record jackets along a wall surface. The rack is comprised of at least two elongated rack members mountable to a support in transverse alignment for receiving opposed side edges of the article. The rack members are grooved to receive the opposed article side edges. The openings are spaced outwardly of integral support surfaces at bottom ends of the grooves. These support surfaces bear the weight of the articles at corners thereof adjacent the opposed article side edges. An article can be removed from the rack simply by moving the article longitudinally clear of the support surfaces, shifting the article outwardly into alignment with the access opening and pulling the article longitudinally from between the rack members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Inventors: Grant Hopkins, Mark Cantrell
  • Patent number: 4279429
    Abstract: A vehicle powered to move about on a front drive wheel and rearward supports, preferably a pair of wheels. The rear wheels are mounted to the frame by a steering control mechanism that facilitates pivotal steering movement of the rear wheels about two axes - a steering axis and a steering control axis. The steering control axis is coaxial with the rear wheels and is perpendicular to the steering axis. The angle of the steering axis may be varied about the steering control axis. Steering is accomplished by the rider shifting his weight from one side of the vehicle to the other. He may shift the steering axis to a position substantially parallel with the ground surface so the frame may be tilted like a bicycle in wide, sweeping high speed curves. The rear wheels then track behind the front wheels as the frame tilts about the steering axis. If the rider shifts the steering axis to a position nearly perpendicular to the ground, he may negotiate short radius, low speed turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Inventors: Grant Hopkins, Mark Cantrell
  • Patent number: 4198072
    Abstract: A wheeled vehicle powered by its rider to move about on three wheels. It includes a single front wheel and preferably a pair of rear wheels mounted to an elongated frame. The rear wheels are mounted to the frame by a carriage assembly that facilitates pivotal movement of the rear wheels about two axes. The first axis is a steering axis and the second is a steering control axis. The angle of the steering axis may be varied about the steering control axis. Through this arrangement, the rider is able to selectively control the steering response of the vehicle. If he shifts the steering axis to a position parallel with the ground surface he may maneuver the vehicle in wide sweeping high speed curves by leaning as does a bicyclist. The rear wheels merely track behind the front wheel and the frame tilts about the steering axis. If the rider shifts the steering axis to a position nearly perpendicular to the ground, he may negotiate short radius low speed turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1980
    Assignee: Mark Cantrell
    Inventor: Grant Hopkins