Patents by Inventor Michael P. Podkomorka

Michael P. Podkomorka 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: 6715973
    Abstract: A stowable cargo restraining barrier assembly (10, 10″) for restraining cargo (90) in a cargo space (25) of a transport vehicle (40). The assembly preferably includes a bed liner structure (20, 20′, 20″) that may be positioned on the bed of the cargo space (25) and at least one barrier device (60, 60′, 60″) that includes a barrier support structure, such as a rotatable axle or spindle (140) and barrier housing (100), in which a flexible barrier member (130, 130′, 130″) is stored in a rolled up condition. When not deployed to retain cargo, the barrier device (60, 60′, 60″) is storable in a barrier storage cavity (50, 50′, 50″) in the bed liner. During use, the barrier housing (100, 100′) is pivoted up into the cargo space (25) and the barrier member (130, 130′) is pulled to unroll a length thereof that may be used to wrap around or encircle a portion of a piece of cargo (90) in the cargo space (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventors: Michael W. Faber, Michael P. Podkomorka
  • Patent number: 6461090
    Abstract: A stowable cargo restraining barrier assembly (10, 10″) for restraining cargo (90) in a cargo space (25) of a transport vehicle (40). The assembly preferably includes a bed liner structure (20, 20′, 20″) that may be positioned on the bed of the cargo space (25) and at least one barrier device (60, 60′, 60″) that includes a barrier support structure, such as a rotatable axle or spindle (140) and barrier housing (100), in which a flexible barrier member (130, 130′, 130″) is stored in a rolled up condition. When not deployed to retain cargo, the barrier device (60, 60′, 60″) is storable in a barrier storage cavity (50, 50′, 50″) in the bed liner. During use, the barrier housing (100, 100′) is pivoted up into the cargo space (25) and the barrier member (130, 130′) is pulled to unroll a length thereof that may be used to wrap around or encircle a portion of a piece of cargo (90) in the cargo space (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventors: Michael W. Faber, Michael P. Podkomorka
  • Publication number: 20020131838
    Abstract: A stowable cargo restraining barrier assembly (10, 10″) for restraining cargo (90) in a cargo space (25) of a transport vehicle (40). The assembly preferably includes a bed liner structure (20, 20′, 20″) that may be positioned on the bed of the cargo space (25) and at least one barrier device (60, 60′, 60″) that includes a barrier support structure, such as a rotatable axle or spindle (140) and barrier housing (100), in which a flexible barrier member (130, 130′, 130″) is stored in a rolled up condition. When not deployed to retain cargo, the barrier device (60, 60′, 60″) is storable in a barrier storage cavity (50, 50′, 50″) in the bed liner. During use, the barrier housing (100, 100′) is pivoted up into the cargo space (25) and the barrier member (130, 130′) is pulled to unroll a length thereof that may be used to wrap around or encircle a portion of a piece of cargo (90) in the cargo space (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Michael W. Faber, Michael P. Podkomorka
  • Patent number: 6302465
    Abstract: A stowable cargo restraining gate assembly (10, 10′, 10″, 10′″) for restraining cargo (100) in a cargo space (30) of a transport vehicle (40). The assembly preferably includes a bed liner structure (20, 20′, 20″, 20′″)that may be positioned on the bed of the cargo space (30) and at least one gate member (60, 60′, 60″, 60′″) that may be flexible or rigid. When not deployed to retain cargo, the gate member (60, 60′, 60″, 60′″) is storable in a gate storage cavity (70, 70′, 70″, 70′″)in the bed liner. In one embodiment, a flexible gate member (60) is rolled about an axle (110) and stored in a cavity (70) in the bed liner (20). During use, an end member (50) of the flexible gate member is pulled to unroll a length thereof that may be used to close a side of the cargo space (30), preferably the rear of aft end (31) of the storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventors: Michael W. Faber, Michael P. Podkomorka
  • Patent number: 6254162
    Abstract: A stowable cargo restraining enclosure assembly (10, 110) for restraining cargo (20) in a cargo space (30) of a transport vehicle (40). The enclosure assembly preferably includes a bed liner structure (70, 170) that may be positioned on the bed (50, 150) of the cargo space and at least one enclosure assembly that includes a plurality of sidewalls (80A, 80B, 90A, 90B, 180A, 180B, 190A, 190B) which are pivoted and/or folded into a collapsed or stowed condition in the bed liner (50, 150). During use, the enclosure assembly (10, 110) is pivoted up into the cargo space (30) and the sidewalls deployed to cooperatively form a walled enclosure for cargo. A transport vehicle (40) having the cargo restraining enclosure assembly (10, 110) and a method of restraining cargo in a transport vehicle also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventors: Michael W. Faber, Michael P. Podkomorka