Patents by Inventor Luke Kuschmeader
Luke Kuschmeader 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).
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Patent number: 11242101Abstract: An equipment rack is described with an integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system may connect to the vehicle's electrical system to provide tail light, brake light, hazard, reverse light, and turn signal functions. The lighting system may include an automatic connection for lighting attached to a rack extension when the rack extension is attached to a base rack. The lighting may also be visible on a pivoting rack when the rack is stowed or in use to carry bicycles. The lighting elements may be disposed on or inside the equipment rack and may be provided with internal wiring to connect the lights to the vehicle's electrical system.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2020Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: Kuat Innovations, LLCInventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Aaron Houston, Jordan Bowles, Austin Harrill
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Patent number: 11208167Abstract: A bicycle rack is described with an actuated arm that pivots to an open position in response to user activation of the actuator. The actuator is attached to the rack and the arm and exerts a force on the arm by extension to pivot the actuated arm to the open position. The actuator extends only when a release mechanism has been actuated by a user, but a user may pivot the actuated arm back to a closed position, or a position securing a bicycle, without actuating the release. The actuated arm will then be retained at a position selected by the user until the release is actuated by the user again.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: KUAT INNOVATIONS LLCInventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Aaron Houston, Austin Harrill, Jordan Bowles, Jonathan Graif
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Patent number: 11077804Abstract: A rack is described for securing equipment, such as a kayak, to a vehicle. The rack has a base member, a support member, and a hinge assembly that pivotally connects the support member to the base member. The rack may be folded from an open configuration to a closed configuration. A handle or actuator on the base member may be operated to engage or disengage a latch mechanism to allow the hinge assembly to pivot or to be fixed to control the movement of the support member between desired positions in relation to the base member. The latch mechanism may comprise a shuttle assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2020Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: KUAT INNOVATIONS LLCInventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Aaron Houston, Jordan Bowles, Joshua Schwartz
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Publication number: 20210147021Abstract: An equipment rack is described with an integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system may connect to the vehicle's electrical system to provide tail light, brake light, hazard, reverse light, and turn signal functions. The lighting system may include an automatic connection for lighting attached to a rack extension when the rack extension is attached to a base rack. The lighting may also be visible on a pivoting rack when the rack is stowed or in use to carry bicycles. The lighting elements may be disposed on or inside the equipment rack and may be provided with internal wiring to connect the lights to the vehicle's electrical system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2020Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Aaron Houston, Jordan Bowles, Austin Harrill
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Publication number: 20210147022Abstract: An equipment rack is described with an integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system may connect to the vehicle's electrical system to provide tail light, brake light, hazard, reverse light, and turn signal functions. The lighting system may include an automatic connection for lighting attached to a rack extension when the rack extension is attached to a base rack. The lighting may also be visible on a pivoting rack when the rack is stowed or in use to carry bicycles. The lighting elements may be disposed on or inside the equipment rack and may be provided with internal wiring to connect the lights to the vehicle's electrical system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2020Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Aaron Houston, Jordan Bowles, Austin Harrill
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Publication number: 20210129763Abstract: The equipment rack for attaching equipment to the roof of a vehicle includes a rack assembly that may be folded from a stowed position to an operational position. The rack assembly is attached to the vehicle by a hinge and a positional latch mechanism to selectively retain the rack assembly in the stowed position or the operational position. The user of the rack may selectively pivot the rack assembly from one position to another. The pivotal latch mechanism may retain the rack assembly in one, two, or more desired positions. Some versions of the latch mechanism utilize a shuttle member in one element that engages a socket in the other element. Other versions of the latch mechanism utilize surfaces on the rack assembly and the hinge interact to retain the rack assembly at desired positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2019Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Josh Schwartz, Luke Kuschmeader, Jordan Bowles
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Publication number: 20210101428Abstract: A latch assembly is described for use with a pivoting hitch device that allows the pivoting of a bicycle rack away from the rear of a vehicle to allow access to a lift gate, tail gate, trunk, hatchback, or other rear access point for a vehicle. The pivoting hitch device has two support members that are pivotally attached to one another. The latch assembly is attached to one of the support members of the pivoting hitch device, and may have an actuator, a latch bar, and a connecting member that connects the actuator to the latch bar. A latch member is attached to the other support member of the pivoting hitch device. The latch bar engages the latch member to secure the two support members in relation to one another and prevent pivotal movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2019Publication date: April 8, 2021Inventors: Jordan Bowles, Austin Harrill, Luke Kuschmeader
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Publication number: 20200353873Abstract: A bicycle rack for mounting bicycles on a vehicle has one or more bicycle attachment assemblies installed on the support members for the bicycles. Some or all of the components of the bicycle attachment assemblies may be disposed substantially within the support member. The bicycle attachment assemblies secure the frame of the bicycle on the support member by attachment of a releasable retention strap. An end of the retention strap may be inserted in an aperture in the assembly to hold the bicycle in place. A retention device, such as a pawl, may be provided in the aperture to engage the retention strap and hold it in place until a user releases the strap.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventor: Luke Kuschmeader
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Publication number: 20200238918Abstract: A rack is described for securing equipment, such as a kayak, to a vehicle. The rack has a base member, a support member, and a hinge assembly that pivotally connects the support member to the base member. The rack may be folded from an open configuration to a closed configuration. A handle or actuator on the base member may be operated to engage or disengage a latch mechanism to allow the hinge assembly to pivot or to be fixed to control the movement of the support member between desired positions in relation to the base member. The latch mechanism may comprise a shuttle assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Aaron Houston, Jordan Bowles, Joshua Schwartz
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Patent number: 10723278Abstract: A bicycle rack for mounting on the trunk or rear hatch of a vehicle is described with improved mechanisms for adjusting the components of the rack to fit the rack to different vehicles. The rack is provided with hinge assemblies having releasable latches for quickly releasing the hinges to allow the rack components to be moved with respect to one another, and the latching components back into a fixed configuration during use for carrying a bicycle. The bicycle rack is also provided with inventive support members for holding a bicycle on the rack during use.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2018Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: KUAT INNOVATIONS LLCInventors: Jordan K. Bowles, Joshua H. Schwartz, Aaron A. Houston, Michael Buis, Luke Kuschmeader
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Patent number: 10668866Abstract: The present disclosure includes hitch-mounted carriers, including portable bicycle racks. One carrier may include front tire tray assembly; hook arm assembly; pivot assembly; hitch shank ball cam assembly; rear tire tray assembly; and a bike docking assembly. The pivot assembly allowing for adjustment between: storage, trunk access, and use configurations. The bike carrier having first and second wheel supporting tray assemblies for supporting wheels of a loaded bicycle. A hook arm assembly may be pivotally arranged relative to lock at least one wheel and ratchet clamped to at least one wheel. The hook arm assembly may also be configured to extend and retract and is frictionally locked into position. The bike carrier may include a docking assembly having inner and outer clamps configured to the hold a bike into position such that mechanical work may be accomplished at an elevated height.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2017Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: KUAT INNOVATIONS, LLCInventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Michael Buis, Jordan K. Bowles, Joshua H. Schwartz, Aaron A. Houston
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Publication number: 20200156724Abstract: A bicycle rack is described with an actuated arm that pivots to an open position in response to user activation of the actuator. The actuator is attached to the rack and the arm and exerts a force on the arm by extension to pivot the actuated arm to the open position. The actuator extends only when a release mechanism has been actuated by a user, but a user may pivot the actuated arm back to a closed position, or a position securing a bicycle, without actuating the release. The actuated arm will then be retained at a position selected by the user until the release is actuated by the user again.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2019Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Aaron Houston, Austin Harrill, Jordan Bowles, Jonathan Graif
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Publication number: 20190225163Abstract: An equipment rack for use with a vehicle is described having an expandable hinge and latch with a collapsed and an expanded configuration for stowing skis, snowboards, and other equipment. Various configurations of support members are described for securing equipment in the rack, including interlocking protrusions. Various embodiments of the equipment rack are provided with a sliding lower rack and releasable mount assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2019Publication date: July 25, 2019Inventors: LUKE KUSCHMEADER, JORDAN BOWLES, MIKE BUIS, AARON HOUSTON, JOSHUA SCHWARTZ
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Publication number: 20190084492Abstract: A bicycle rack for mounting on the trunk or rear hatch of a vehicle is described with improved mechanisms for adjusting the components of the rack to fit the rack to different vehicles. The rack is provided with hinge assemblies having releasable latches for quickly releasing the hinges to allow the rack components to be moved with respect to one another, and the latching components back into a fixed configuration during use for carrying a bicycle. The bicycle rack is also provided with inventive support members for holding a bicycle on the rack during use.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: Jordan K. Bowles, Joshua H. Schwartz, Aaron A. Houston, Michael Buis, Luke Kuschmeader
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Publication number: 20180072237Abstract: The present disclosure includes hitch-mounted carriers, including portable bicycle racks. One carrier may include front tire tray assembly; hook arm assembly; pivot assembly; hitch shank ball cam assembly; rear tire tray assembly; and a bike docking assembly. The pivot assembly allowing for adjustment between: storage, trunk access, and use configurations. The bike carrier having first and second wheel supporting tray assemblies for supporting wheels of a loaded bicycle. A hook arm assembly may be pivotally arranged relative to lock at least one wheel and ratchet clamped to at least one wheel. The hook arm assembly may also be configured to extend and retract and is frictionally locked into position. The bike carrier may include a docking assembly having inner and outer clamps configured to the hold a bike into position such that mechanical work may be accomplished at an elevated height.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2017Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Michael Buis, Jordan K. Bowles, Joshua H. Schwartz, Aaron A. Houston
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Patent number: 8141760Abstract: Hitch-mounted carriers, including portable bicycle racks, are set forth herein. One carrier includes a height member, an insert arm coupled to height member for movement between storage and use configurations, and at least one support arm coupled to height member for movement between storage and use configurations. Means for coupling insert arm to a tow hitch, for locking insert arm at storage and use configurations, and for locking support arm(s) at storage and use configurations are included. Insert arm is configured for insertion in tow hitch and has a wedge aperture. An attaching element is coupled to support arm(s) for removably attaching a device to support arm(s). A wedge is adjacent wedge aperture, and means are included for moving wedge between a first position generally flush with or inside insert arm and a second position extending outside insert arm to dampen wobble between insert arm and tow hitch.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2008Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Kuat Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Brian Atkinson
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Patent number: D677144Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2011Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Inventors: Luke Kuschmeader, James G. Quintus
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Patent number: D689012Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2013Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Inventor: Luke Kuschmeader
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Patent number: D701163Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2013Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Kuat Innovations, LLCInventors: Luke Kuschmeader, James G. Quintus
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Patent number: D863200Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2018Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Kuat Innovations, LLCInventors: Luke Kuschmeader, Joshua Schwartz