Patents by Inventor Mark Viklund

Mark Viklund 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: 11745667
    Abstract: Equipment carriers include a carrier box and an equipment holder that can be disposed on a vehicle and can be configured to store and transport equipment, such as fishing equipment. The carrier box can include a bottom portion and a lid portion, each defining a compartment within the carrier box. A clamp can be disposed in the carrier box and configured to secure equipment that extends through the carrier box. The clamp can comprise a securement latch to secure the equipment within the carrier box. The equipment holder can include notches configured to receive equipment that extends through the equipment holder and a lid portion configured to secure the equipment in the notches. The carrier box and equipment holder can be spaced apart from one another on a vehicle such that equipment extends between and is secured by both the equipment holder and the clamp disposed in the carrier box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Thule, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Viklund, Edmund Farmer, Andrew Reed, James Sener, Garrett Fink
  • Publication number: 20220314894
    Abstract: Equipment carriers include a carrier box and an equipment holder that can be disposed on a vehicle and can be configured to store and transport equipment, such as fishing equipment. The carrier box can include a bottom portion and a lid portion, each defining a compartment within the carrier box. A clamp can be disposed in the carrier box and configured to secure equipment that extends through the carrier box. The clamp can comprise a securement latch to secure the equipment within the carrier box. The equipment holder can include notches configured to receive equipment that extends through the equipment holder and a lid portion configured to secure the equipment in the notches. The carrier box and equipment holder can be spaced apart from one another on a vehicle such that equipment extends between and is secured by both the equipment holder and the clamp disposed in the carrier box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Mark VIKLUND, Edmund FARMER, Andrew REED, James SENER, Garrett FINK
  • Publication number: 20210253035
    Abstract: A bicycle carrier includes a bicycle cradle. The bicycle cradle includes a through hole defining an inner surface and a slot through a portion of an outer surface of the bicycle cradle and a portion of the inner surface. The through hole is configured to receive a bicycle carrier support arm disposed therethrough. The slot is configured to allow a fastener to be coupled to the bicycle carrier support arm. An assembly for a bicycle carrier includes a bicycle cradle including a storage cavity and an anti-sway member coupled to the bicycle cradle and configured to secure a bicycle frame loaded onto the bicycle carrier. The anti-sway member is configured to be disposed at least partially within the storage cavity of the bicycle cradle in a storage configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Mark VIKLUND, Edmund FARMER
  • Patent number: 11034308
    Abstract: A bicycle carrier includes a bicycle cradle. The bicycle cradle includes a through hole defining an inner surface and a slot through a portion of an outer surface of the bicycle cradle and a portion of the inner surface. The through hole is configured to receive a bicycle carrier support arm disposed therethrough. The slot is configured to allow a fastener to be coupled to the bicycle carrier support arm. An assembly for a bicycle carrier includes a bicycle cradle including a storage cavity and an anti-sway member coupled to the bicycle cradle and configured to secure a bicycle frame loaded onto the bicycle carrier. The anti-sway member is configured to be disposed at least partially within the storage cavity of the bicycle cradle in a storage configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventor: Mark Viklund
  • Patent number: 10850677
    Abstract: An automatic securement pin system for a hitch connector includes a hitch bar having an insert end configured to be inserted into a hitch receiver, a securement pin coupled to the hitch bar, and an actuator coupled to the securement pin. The actuator is configured to engage the hitch receiver to displace the securement pin from an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventor: Mark Viklund
  • Patent number: 10647263
    Abstract: A hitch-mounted load carrier includes a connecting member configured to be inserted into a hitch receiver and a locking mechanism coupled to the connecting member and configured to secure the connecting member inside the hitch receiver. The locking mechanism includes a first actuator disposed in an interior of the connecting member, a second actuator opposite the first actuator disposed in the interior of the connecting member and coupled to the first actuator by a shaft, and a first wedge disposed at least partially in the interior of the connecting member. A first surface of the first wedge contacts the first actuator and a second surface of the first wedge contacts the second actuator. The first and second actuators are configured to radially translate the first wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventor: Mark Viklund
  • Publication number: 20200001798
    Abstract: A bicycle carrier includes a bicycle cradle. The bicycle cradle includes a through hole defining an inner surface and a slot through a portion of an outer surface of the bicycle cradle and a portion of the inner surface. The through hole is configured to receive a bicycle carrier support arm disposed therethrough. The slot is configured to allow a fastener to be coupled to the bicycle carrier support arm. An assembly for a bicycle carrier includes a bicycle cradle including a storage cavity and an anti-sway member coupled to the bicycle cradle and configured to secure a bicycle frame loaded onto the bicycle carrier. The anti-sway member is configured to be disposed at least partially within the storage cavity of the bicycle cradle in a storage configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventor: Mark VIKLUND
  • Publication number: 20190389394
    Abstract: An automatic securement pin system for a hitch connector includes a hitch bar having an insert end configured to be inserted into a hitch receiver, a securement pin coupled to the hitch bar, and an actuator coupled to the securement pin. The actuator is configured to engage the hitch receiver to displace the securement pin from an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventor: Mark VIKLUND
  • Publication number: 20190389395
    Abstract: A hitch-mounted load carrier includes a connecting member configured to be inserted into a hitch receiver and a locking mechanism coupled to the connecting member and configured to secure the connecting member inside the hitch receiver. The locking mechanism includes a first actuator disposed in an interior of the connecting member, a second actuator opposite the first actuator disposed in the interior of the connecting member and coupled to the first actuator by a shaft, and a first wedge disposed at least partially in the interior of the connecting member. A first surface of the first wedge contacts the first actuator and a second surface of the first wedge contacts the second actuator. The first and second actuators are configured to radially translate the first wedge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventor: Mark VIKLUND
  • Patent number: 9682660
    Abstract: A dual sided opening roof mount cargo box for a carrying vehicle includes a lid portion releasably hinge-connected at two lateral sides to a bottom portion of the cargo box for alternate pivotation at each of the two lateral sides between open and closed configurations. A spring-biased strut is operatively interposed between the lid portion and the bottom portion of the cargo box and located at an end region of the cargo box. The spring-biased strut includes two arms operatively interconnected for pivotation relative to one another and a biasing spring operatively interposed therebetween. The spring-biased strut is configured to control an assisting force to have a substantially zero magnitude when the lid portion is in the closed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Mark Viklund, Vincent Bove
  • Publication number: 20170001572
    Abstract: A dual sided opening roof mount cargo box for a carrying vehicle includes a lid portion releasably hinge-connected at two lateral sides to a bottom portion of the cargo box for alternate pivotation at each of the two lateral sides between open and closed configurations. A spring-biased strut is operatively interposed between the lid portion and the bottom portion of the cargo box and located at an end region of the cargo box. The spring-biased strut includes two arms operatively interconnected for pivotation relative to one another and a biasing spring operatively interposed therebetween. The spring-biased strut is configured to control an assisting force to have a substantially zero magnitude when the lid portion is in the closed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Mark VIKLUND, Vincent BOVE
  • Patent number: 9387811
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing and controlling operation of a dual sided opening roof mount cargo box for a carrying vehicle. A dual sided opening roof mount cargo box is provided and which has a lid portion releasably hinge-connected at two lateral sides to a bottom portion of the cargo box for alternate pivotation at each of the two lateral sides between open and closed configurations. The bottom portion is adapted to be mounted to a carrying vehicle and the lid portion is manufactured from a semi-flexible material sufficiently pliable to permit two opposite end regions thereof to be at different relative distances from the bottom portion of the cargo box during transition between the open and closed configurations. A pair of spring-biased struts are also provided, each operatively interposed between the lid portion and the bottom portion of the cargo box, and one each of the pair of spring-biased struts being located at the two opposite end regions of the cargo box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Mark Viklund, Vincent Bove
  • Publication number: 20150336512
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing and controlling operation of a dual sided opening roof mount cargo box for a carrying vehicle. A dual sided opening roof mount cargo box is provided and which has a lid portion releasably hinge-connected at two lateral sides to a bottom portion of the cargo box for alternate pivotation at each of the two lateral sides between open and closed configurations. The bottom portion is adapted to be mounted to a carrying vehicle and the lid portion is manufactured from a semi-flexible material sufficiently pliable to permit two opposite end regions thereof to be at different relative distances from the bottom portion of the cargo box during transition between the open and closed configurations. A pair of spring-biased struts are also provided, each operatively interposed between the lid portion and the bottom portion of the cargo box, and one each of the pair of spring-biased struts being located at the two opposite end regions of the cargo box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: THULE SWEDEN AB
    Inventors: Mark VIKLUND, Vincent BOVE
  • Patent number: 9120428
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing and controlling operation of a dual sided opening roof mount cargo box for a carrying vehicle. A dual sided opening roof mount cargo box is provided and which has a lid portion releasably hinge-connected at two lateral sides to a bottom portion of the cargo box for alternate pivotation at each of the two lateral sides between open and closed configurations. The bottom portion is adapted to be mounted to a carrying vehicle and the lid portion is manufactured from a semi-flexible material sufficiently pliable to permit two opposite end regions thereof to be at different relative distances from the bottom portion of the cargo box during transition between the open and closed configurations. A pair of spring-biased struts are also provided, each operatively interposed between the lid portion and the bottom portion of the cargo box, and one each of the pair of spring-biased struts being located at the two opposite end regions of the cargo box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: THULE SWEDEN AB
    Inventors: Mark Viklund, Vincent Bove
  • Publication number: 20150021370
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing and controlling operation of a dual sided opening roof mount cargo box for a carrying vehicle. A dual sided opening roof mount cargo box is provided and which has a lid portion releasably hinge-connected at two lateral sides to a bottom portion of the cargo box for alternate pivotation at each of the two lateral sides between open and closed configurations. The bottom portion is adapted to be mounted to a carrying vehicle and the lid portion is manufactured from a semi-flexible material sufficiently pliable to permit two opposite end regions thereof to be at different relative distances from the bottom portion of the cargo box during transition between the open and closed configurations. A pair of spring-biased struts are also provided, each operatively interposed between the lid portion and the bottom portion of the cargo box, and one each of the pair of spring-biased struts being located at the two opposite end regions of the cargo box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: THULE SWEDEN AB
    Inventors: Mark VIKLUND, Vincent BOVE
  • Patent number: 8875962
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing and controlling operation of a dual sided opening roof mount cargo box for a carrying vehicle. A dual sided opening roof mount cargo box is provided and which has a lid portion releasably hinge-connected at two lateral sides to a bottom portion of the cargo box for alternate pivotation at each of the two lateral sides between open and closed configurations. The bottom portion is adapted to be mounted to a carrying vehicle and the lid portion is manufactured from a semi-flexible material sufficiently pliable to permit two opposite end regions thereof to be at different relative distances from the bottom portion of the cargo box during transition between the open and closed configurations. A pair of spring-biased struts are also provided, each operatively interposed between the lid portion and the bottom portion of the cargo box, and one each of the pair of spring-biased struts being located at the two opposite end regions of the cargo box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Mark Viklund, Vincent Bove
  • Publication number: 20140173994
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing and controlling operation of a dual sided opening roof mount cargo box for a carrying vehicle. A dual sided opening roof mount cargo box is provided and which has a lid portion releasably hinge-connected at two lateral sides to a bottom portion of the cargo box for alternate pivotation at each of the two lateral sides between open and closed configurations. The bottom portion is adapted to be mounted to a carrying vehicle and the lid portion is manufactured from a semi-flexible material sufficiently pliable to permit two opposite end regions thereof to be at different relative distances from the bottom portion of the cargo box during transition between the open and closed configurations. A pair of spring-biased struts are also provided, each operatively interposed between the lid portion and the bottom portion of the cargo box, and one each of the pair of spring-biased struts being located at the two opposite end regions of the cargo box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: THULE SWEDEN AB
    Inventors: Mark VIKLUND, Vincent BOVE
  • Patent number: 8672198
    Abstract: Methods and arrangements for providing and controlling operation of a dual sided opening roof mount cargo box for a carrying vehicle. A dual sided opening roof mount cargo box is has a lid portion releasably hinge-connected at two lateral sides to a bottom portion of the cargo box for alternate pivotation at each of the two lateral sides between open and closed configurations. A pair of spring-biased struts are provided, each operatively interposed between the lid portion and the bottom portion, and one each of the pair of spring-biased struts being located at the two opposite end regions of the cargo box. An expansively directed force is imposed on the lid portion, utilizing the pair of spring-biased struts, during operator induced movement from the closed configuration to the open configuration and thereby assisting the operator to smoothly open the cargo box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Mark Viklund, Vincent Bove
  • Publication number: 20120118927
    Abstract: Methods and arrangements for providing and controlling operation of a dual sided opening roof mount cargo box for a carrying vehicle. A dual sided opening roof mount cargo box is has a lid portion releasably hinge-connected at two lateral sides to a bottom portion of the cargo box for alternate pivotation at each of the two lateral sides between open and closed configurations. A pair of spring-biased struts are provided, each operatively interposed between the lid portion and the bottom portion, and one each of the pair of spring-biased struts being located at the two opposite end regions of the cargo box. An expansively directed force is imposed on the lid portion, utilizing the pair of spring-biased struts, during operator induced movement from the closed configuration to the open configuration and thereby assisting the operator to smoothly open the cargo box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: THULE SWEDEN AB
    Inventors: Mark VIKLUND, Vincent BOVE
  • Patent number: D873759
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventor: Mark Viklund