Patents by Inventor James E. Zerbst

James E. Zerbst 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: 10479253
    Abstract: A vehicle mounted loading and unloading apparatus is provided which has a stationary mounting rack removably attachable to a roof of a vehicle and a top rack that includes a container for storing cargo, such as bales of hay. An adjustment mechanism is provided to move the top rack relative to the mounting rack from a transporting position to a loading/unloading position in which the top rack is lowered behind the vehicle to facilitate loading cargo. A movable shelf may be provided on the top rack for assisting with loading and unloading cargo. The shelf is slidable between a rear end of the top rack and a front end of the top rack for placing the cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Inventors: James E. Zerbst, Karen Zerbst
  • Patent number: 10293734
    Abstract: A vehicle mounted loading and unloading apparatus is provided which has a stationary mounting rack removably attachable to a roof of a vehicle and a top rack that includes a container for storing cargo, such as bales of hay. A moving mechanism is provided to move the top rack relative to the mounting rack from a transporting position to a loading/unloading position in which the top rack is lowered behind the vehicle to facilitate loading cargo. The top rack is guided from the transporting position to a loading/unloading position by a track structure extending from the mounting rack, which cooperates with a bearing structure fixed to sides of the top rack. A movable shelf may be provided on the top rack for assisting with loading and unloading cargo. The shelf is slidable between a rear end of the top rack and a front end of the top rack for placing the cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Inventor: James E. Zerbst
  • Publication number: 20190135154
    Abstract: A vehicle mounted loading and unloading apparatus is provided which has a stationary mounting rack removably attachable to a roof of a vehicle and a top rack that includes a container for storing cargo, such as bales of hay. An adjustment mechanism is provided to move the top rack relative to the mounting rack from a transporting position to a loading/unloading position in which the top rack is lowered behind the vehicle to facilitate loading cargo. A movable shelf may be provided on the top rack for assisting with loading and unloading cargo. The shelf is slidable between a rear end of the top rack and a front end of the top rack for placing the cargo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: James E. Zerbst, Karen Zerbst
  • Publication number: 20190031074
    Abstract: A vehicle mounted loading and unloading apparatus is provided which has a stationary mounting rack removably attachable to a roof of a vehicle and a top rack that includes a container for storing cargo, such as bales of hay. A moving mechanism is provided to move the top rack relative to the mounting rack from a transporting position to a loading/unloading position in which the top rack is lowered behind the vehicle to facilitate loading cargo. The top rack is guided from the transporting position to a loading/unloading position by a track structure extending from the mounting rack, which cooperates with a bearing structure fixed to sides of the top rack. A movable shelf may be provided on the top rack for assisting with loading and unloading cargo. The shelf is slidable between a rear end of the top rack and a front end of the top rack for placing the cargo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventor: James E. Zerbst
  • Patent number: 10071668
    Abstract: A vehicle mounted loading and unloading apparatus is provided which has a stationary mounting rack removably attachable to a roof of a vehicle and a top rack that includes a container for storing cargo, such as bales of hay. An adjustment mechanism is provided to move the top rack relative to the mounting rack from a transporting position to a loading/unloading position in which the top rack is lowered behind the vehicle to facilitate loading cargo. A movable shelf may be provided on the top rack for assisting with loading and unloading cargo. The shelf is slidable between a rear end of the top rack and a front end of the top rack for placing the cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Inventors: James E. Zerbst, Karen Zerbst
  • Publication number: 20170274810
    Abstract: A vehicle mounted loading and unloading apparatus is provided which has a stationary mounting rack removably attachable to a roof of a vehicle and a top rack that includes a container for storing cargo, such as bales of hay. An adjustment mechanism is provided to move the top rack relative to the mounting rack from a transporting position to a loading/unloading position in which the top rack is lowered behind the vehicle to facilitate loading cargo. A movable shelf may be provided on the top rack for assisting with loading and unloading cargo. The shelf is slidable between a rear end of the top rack and a front end of the top rack for placing the cargo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: James E. Zerbst, Karen Zerbst
  • Patent number: 5423650
    Abstract: A cargo rack is provided which is intended to supported on a support structure, such as the roof of a vehicle, and to be retractable to facilitate loading and unloading of the rack. The retractable cargo rack assembly includes a base frame adapted to be securely mounted to the support structure and a cargo rack that is supported by the base frame but which is movable between a retracted position, in which the cargo rack is positioned juxtaposed to the base frame, and an extended position for loading/unloading. To facilitate shifting of the cargo rack, a power drive mechanism is provided to automatically position the cargo rack in either of its retracted or extended positions upon actuation of the power drive mechanism. Once in the extended position, one or more platforms attached to the cargo rack can be shifted relative to the cargo rack. Once shifted, the platforms are substantially located in respective horizontal planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Inventors: James E. Zerbst, Raymond L. Douglas