Patents by Inventor James Sovel

James Sovel 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: 10960806
    Abstract: A ramp restraint apparatus for a vehicle includes an elongate, rigid restraint bar having one end rotatably attached to the ramp and a free end having a notch and a roller at its tip. The restraint bar travels over a bar support on a lock/release assembly mounted to a vehicle bulkhead. The bar support is shaped at one end to receive the notch of the bar and hold the bar in place when the ramp is fully deployed. A release arm has a cam follower that pushes up on and releases the restraint bar when the release arm is rotated, allowing the ramp to close. When the ramp is fully closed, a storage bracket receives and holds the inboard end of the restraint bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James Sovel, John Ducote, Hal Rhea
  • Patent number: 10752065
    Abstract: A clearance-measuring break-away pintle hitch includes a mount having a first end for coupling to a vehicle. A pintle body has a portion thereof aligned with and coupled to a second end of the mount by a shear pin. Gauge members are pivotally coupled along a common axis of rotation to the pintle body. Each gauge member is rigid and has a unique length measured from the common axis of rotation. Each gauge member is independently rotatable about the common axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: James Sovel