Patents by Inventor Mark Thomas Karl

Mark Thomas Karl 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: 6340186
    Abstract: Injection molded bumpers for off-road recreational and utility vehicles such as ATV's, snowmobiles and the like. In one embodiment, the invention provides an injection molded bumper comprising a fiber-filled plastic resin body. Optionally, the fiber-filled plastic resin may have fibers of a length of at least about ¼ inch. The body has an overall thickness substantially less than its width and length, and includes a generally vertically oriented front surface having upper and lower peripheral edges. At least a portion of the upper peripheral edge and at least a portion of the lower peripheral edge each has a flange extending generally horizontally away from the front surface. The flanges have thicknesses substantially less than the lengths they extend from the front surface and thereby define generally horizontally extending reinforcing ribs. Additional reinforcing ribs may also be provided intermediate the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell D. Johnson, Michael A. Klein, Matthew David Parks, Mark Thomas Karl, Patrick Johnson, Tim Spahr, Jeff Sajna, Craig Andrews, Kenneth Terry Higgins, Robert A. Lowery, Keith D. Ruby, Alton Mitchell, Rhonda L. Davis
  • Publication number: 20010052707
    Abstract: Injection molded components for off-road recreational and utility vehicles such as an ATV's, snowmobiles and the like. In one embodiment, the invention provides a rack having a fiber-filled plastic resin body. The body has an overall thickness substantially less than its width and length, and includes a generally flat, horizontal top having a plurality of slots. Each of the slots is defined by a flange extending downwardly the flange having a thickness that is substantially less than its height to define a downwardly extending reinforcing rib, which also provides a point of attachment for straps such as bungee cords. Preferably the rack includes integrally molded transverse reinforcing ribs extending across the slots, the reinforcing ribs having a top surface which is recessed downwardly from the top surface of the rack. In another embodiment, the invention provides an injection molded foot rest for an off-road recreational or utility vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Mitchell D. Johnson, Michael A. Klein, Matthew David Parks, Mark Thomas Karl, Patrick Johnson, Tim Spahr, Jeff Sajna, Craig Andrews, Kenneth Terry Higgins, Robert A. Lowery, Keith D. Ruby, Alton Mitchell, Rhonda L. Davis
  • Patent number: 6224134
    Abstract: Injection molded components for off-road recreational and utility vehicles such as ATV's and snowmobiles. In one embodiment, the invention provides a rack having a fiber-filled plastic resin body. The body has an overall thickness substantially less than its width and length, and includes a generally flat, horizontal top having a plurality of slots. Each of the slots is defined by a flange extending downwardly the flange having a thickness that is substantially less than its height to define a downwardly extending reinforcing rib, which also provides a point of attachment for straps such as bungee cords. Preferably the rack includes integrally molded transverse reinforcing ribs extending across the slots, the reinforcing ribs having a top surface which is recessed downwardly from the top surface of the rack. In another embodiment, the invention provides an injection molded foot rest for an off-road recreational or utility vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell D. Johnson, Michael A. Klein, Matthew David Parks, Mark Thomas Karl, Patrick Johnson, Tim Spahr, Jeff Sajna, Craig Andrews, Kenneth Terry Higgins, Robert A. Lowery, Keith D. Ruby, Alton Mitchell, Rhonda L. Davis
  • Patent number: 6016943
    Abstract: Injection molded components for off-road recreational and utility vehicles such as an ATV's, snowmobiles and the like. In one embodiment, the invention provides a rack having a fiber-filled plastic resin body. The body has an overall thickness substantially less than its width and length, and includes a generally flat, horizontal top having a plurality of slots. Each of the slots is defined by a flange extending downwardly the flange having a thickness that is substantially less than its height to define a downwardly extending reinforcing rib, which also provides a point of attachment for straps such as bungee cords. Preferably the rack includes integrally molded transverse reinforcing ribs extending across the slots, the reinforcing ribs having a top surface which is recessed downwardly from the top surface of the rack. In another embodiment, the invention provides an injection molded foot rest for an off-road recreational or utility vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell D. Johnson, Michael A. Klein, Matthew David Parks, Mark Thomas Karl, Patrick Johnson, Tim Spahr, Jeff Sajna, Craig Andrews, Kenneth Terry Higgins, Robert A. Lowery, Keith D. Ruby, Alton Mitchell, Rhonda L. Davis