Patents by Inventor Jerald Gower

Jerald Gower 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: 6357979
    Abstract: A cargo van bulkhead provides a barrier between the driver and passenger of a van and the cargo compartment. The bulkhead comprises a molded, complexly curved unitary panel which fits snugly against the bottom, sidewalls and top of the van behind the driver's and passenger's seats. The bulkhead includes a plurality of horizontal convolutions which define alternate ribs or projections and recesses which greatly improve the rigidity and strength of the bulkhead. An irregular flange disposed about the periphery of the bulkhead is configured to mimic the interior profile of the van and thus facilitate installation and securement thereto. An optional opening in the upper central portion of the bulkhead may receive a window which facilitates inspection of the cargo within the van as well as a view out the rear of the van if the rear doors of the van are equipped with windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Durakon Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John Montagna, Jerald Gower, Robert C. Whiteside
  • Patent number: 5269447
    Abstract: An elongated plastic vehicular cargo tray (10) includes a corrugated floor (14), a pair of spaced and corrugated side walls (20, 22), and a pair of end walls (24, 26) forming a truncated box-like structure. A selectively moveable divider device (34) is securely received in the tray (10) to provide lateral support for cargo disposed therein. The divider device (34) includes a bent wire form frame member (52) having first and second tabs (46, 48) for seating within respective grooves (30, 32) formed in the side walls (20, 22) of the tray (10). The frame member (52) also includes first and second hook-like feet (40, 42) for anchoring the divider device (34) to the corrugations (16) in the tray floor (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Durakon Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerald Gower, Kelly J. Trent, Gary R. Godwin, Greg B. Reeves
  • Patent number: 5207472
    Abstract: A one piece truck bed liner (30) for a cargo bed (12) of a pick-up truck (10) has a front lip (44) extending over and engaging a front rail (20) and has anchor pillars (40) extending into and engaging channels (24) in side rails (22) for positioning and affixing the bed liner onto the cargo bed. Structurally supportive ribs (42) are also spaced apart and a formed with the floor (32) and side walls (34) to form aligned channels (80) that retain a cargo divider spanning the floor (32) and dividing the floor into three distinct partitioned areas (86), (87), and (88).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Durakon Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerald Gower
  • Patent number: 5169201
    Abstract: A pick-up truck tailgate protector assembly (10) includes a sheet-like plastic panel (44) having a plurality of corrugations (46) formed integrally therein. A plurality of curved appendages (56) extend from the lower extremity (42) of the panel (44) for resiliently engaging the lower pivoted edge (24) of a vehicular tailgate (20). The panel (44) includes an upper extremity (40) having an L-shaped bead (60) extending the length thereof. The bead (60) is fixedly captured in an extruded aluminum channel (62). The channel (62) includes an integral uncinate member (50) for covering the upper swinging edge (22) of the tailgate (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Durakon Industries
    Inventor: Jerald Gower
  • Patent number: 4768822
    Abstract: A retainer for securing a flangeless cargo liner within a truck bed compartment such that the top rail of the truck bed compartment is unobstructed. In a first embodiment, the retainer includes a cup-shaped insertable portion having an outwardly extending rim around the periphery of its open end. A series of adjustment openings are located on one of the sides of the insertable portion for receiving a fastener. The retainer is inserted through an aperture in one of the liner walls and the fastener is inserted into one of the adjustment openings for engagement against a ledge wall of the truck bed compartment. In a modified form, the insertable portion of the retainer is generally triangular in cross-section to permit easier access between the installation tool and fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Durakon Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerald Gower
  • Patent number: 4659133
    Abstract: A retainer for securing a flangeless cargo liner within a truck bed compartment such that the top rail of the truck bed compartment is unobstructed. In a first embodiment, the retainer includes a cup-shaped insertable portion having an outwardly extending rim around the periphery of its open end. A series of adjustment openings are located on one of the sides of the insertable portion for receiving a fastener. The retainer is inserted through an aperture in one of the liner walls and the fastener is inserted into one of the adjustment openings for engagement against a ledge wall of the truck bed compartment. In a modified form, the insertable portion of the retainer is generally triangular in cross-section to permit easier access between the installation tool and fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Durakon Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerald Gower
  • Patent number: D352496
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Durakon Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerald Gower