Patents by Inventor Keith H. Freeman

Keith H. Freeman 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: 5568676
    Abstract: An end release buckle. A buckle frame has a pivotally mounted pawl for lockingly engaging a buckle tongue. The pawl is urged to a locking position by a pawl spring and is released by an end release button having a ramp surface contacting and pivoting the pawl. A tongue ejector is slidably mounted within the frame and is normally urged over the pawl by an ejector spring holding the pawl in an unlocked position. The ejector moves apart from the pawl upon insertion of the tongue. A separate member slidably mounted within the frame is forced forwardly towards the buckle entrance by the button and the button spring upon insertion of the tongue with the member sliding beneath the locked pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Indiana Mills and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith H. Freeman
  • Patent number: 5536042
    Abstract: A vehicle bunk and occupant restraint system. A bunk frame is pivotally or fixedly mounted to the back wall of the sleeping compartment of a trailer-cab. A fabric net has a proximal end fixedly mounted to the back wall and a distal end having buckles mounted thereto and positioned at the distal end of the bunk frame. A web support has a proximal end fixedly mounted to the back wall. The distal end of the web support includes a plurality of tongues positioned at the distal end of the bunk frame lockingly engagable with the buckles limiting occupant movement and application of occupant inertial force to the bunk frame during an emergency stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Indiana Mills and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffry L. Williams, Keith H. Freeman, Giuliano Cacucci
  • Patent number: 5451094
    Abstract: A restraint system for moving a vehicle seat and occupant toward the vehicle floor. A fluid cylinder pivotally mounted to the floor has an extendable piston rod connected to a linkage mounted to the vehicle seat. A three point belt assembly mounted to the seat is connected to the cylinder rod. Retraction of the cylinder rod pretensions or tightens the three point buckle assembly and subsequently moves the seat towards the vehicle floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry W. Templin, Keith H. Freeman, Jeffry L. Williams, William J. Hurley
  • Patent number: 5375879
    Abstract: A collapsible occupant restraint system for a vehicle sleeper. A net is fixedly mounted to a web framework. The framework is slidably mounted to a plurality of webs extendable and retractable by retracting devices. The net and webbing is extendable from a stored collapsed position to an in use position over a bed having buckles to lockingly engage a plurality of tongues mounted to the framework securing the occupant restraint system in the in use position. A pair of side belts pull the net upwardly increasing the passenger reclining space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffry L. Williams, Keith H. Freeman
  • Patent number: RE37123
    Abstract: A restraint system for moving a vehicle seat and occupant toward the vehicle floor. A fluid cylinder pivotally mounted to the floor has an extendable piston rod connected to a linkage mounted to the vehicle seat. A three point belt assembly mounted to the seat is connected to the cylinder rod. Retraction of the cylinder rod pretensions or tightens the three point buckle assembly and subsequently moves the seat towards the vehicle floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry W. Templin, Keith H. Freeman, Jeffry L. Williams, William J. Hurley