Patents by Inventor Lawrence D. Rich

Lawrence D. Rich 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: 5193874
    Abstract: A storage system for motor vehicle roof inserts has two matched body portions which are mounted in a motor vehicle. Each body portion includes a pair of channels which are shaped to conform to the shape of the roof inserts. The storage bodies are spaced a distance which corresponds to the length of the roof inserts such that the edge portions of the inserts can be inserted into the channels where they are supported spanning the space between the storage bodies. Resilient opposed rollers in association with each channel guide and support the roof inserts in the channels. The storage bodies may include pin-receiving bores positioned to receive retractable roof insert posts to secure the roof inserts in position in the storage system. The storage bodies may be conveniently formed by an injection molding process using ABS plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: LTC Roll & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Laurence J. German, Lawrence D. Rich
  • Patent number: 5171083
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a unique lighting structure for use on vehicles, in which concealable lights are incorporated into a luggage rack on the roof of a vehicle. The lights rotate between concealed and use positions. In the concealed position a portion of the light housing is aligned with a portion of the luggage rack housing such that the luggage rack may be used normally. In the use position, a bulb faces longitudinally forwardly of the vehicle, and is positioned vertically above the remainder of the luggage rack such that a light is directed from the roof of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: LTC Roll & Engineering Co.
    Inventor: Lawrence D. Rich
  • Patent number: 4787665
    Abstract: An automotive roof spoiler having retractable lamps particularly suitable for trucks, vans, campers and other vehicles used for both on-road and off-road purposes. The automotive roof spoiler includes lamps which are rotatably mounted within the roof spoiler about axes generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spoiler and a motor, preferably located within the roof spoiler, which rotates the lamps from an upright position with the lenses of the lamps facing forwardly above the roof spoiler for off-road use to a retracted position within the body portion of the spoiler for on-road use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Riverside International, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence D. Rich
  • Patent number: 4707014
    Abstract: An automotive roof spoiler having retractable, concealable lamps particularly suitable for trucks and other vehicles used for both on-road and off-road purposes. The automotive roof spoiler includes lamps which are mounted within the roof spoiler about axes which are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spoiler and a motor, preferably located within the roof spoiler, which rotates the lamps from a first position wherein the back surfaces of the lamps are generally parallel with the top upwardly inclined surface of the roof spoiler for on-road use to a second position wherein the front surfaces of the lamps are generally vertical and extend above the spoiler top surface for off-road use. The preferred embodiment includes covers which are hingedly attached to the spoiler adjacent the back surface and which cover the lamp openings in the top wall of the spoiler in coplanar relation when the lamps are rotated to the downward closed position for on-road use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Riverside International, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence D. Rich