Patents by Inventor Nathan T. Sutherland
Nathan T. Sutherland 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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Publication number: 20260184270Abstract: According to some illustrative embodiments, a novel and advantageous vehicle tailgate cover and/or pad system is provided. In the preferred embodiments, the vehicle tailgate cover and/or pad system is uniquely configured to provide a vehicle tailgate with a flat and padded surface. In some preferred embodiments, the vehicle tailgate cover system is fixed to a vehicle tailgate and has a base of rigid material, the base having a top surface that is substantially flat with no ridges, and the base including at least one mounting through-hole for mounting the vehicle tailgate cover system to the vehicle tailgate with fasteners, and a padding layer attached to the base at the top surface of the base. Here, the padding layer covers the entire base's top surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2026Publication date: July 2, 2026Applicant: N.B. Adventures LLC d.b.a. BillieBarsInventors: William H. Kiefer, IV, Nathan T. Sutherland
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Publication number: 20250360864Abstract: According to some illustrative embodiments, a system for supporting an adjustable crossbar for mounting accessories on vehicles comprises a support member having a lower section configured to attach to a vehicle and an upper section for support of accessories, and an adjustable crossbar configured to utilize a telescoping crossbar, which is comprised of two mating pieces. The adjustable crossbar is configured to be secured both perpendicularly and parallel to a vehicle bed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2025Publication date: November 27, 2025Applicant: N.B. Adventures LLC d.b.a. BillieBarsInventors: William H. Kiefer, IV, Nathan T. Sutherland
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Patent number: 12420718Abstract: According to some illustrative embodiments, a system for supporting a removable crossbar for mounting accessories on vehicles, includes: a support member having a lower section configured to attach to a vehicle and an upper section for support of accessories, and a removable crossbar including a quick release threadedly attached to an end thereof. The upper section of the support member includes a pocket configured for receiving the quick release of the removable crossbar. The removable crossbar is configured to be attached to the support member upon inserting the quick release in the pocket of the support member and engaging the quick release to clamp the end of the removable crossbar into the support member. And the crossbar is configured to be removable from the support member upon releasing the quick release to disengage the end of the crossbar from the support member.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2024Date of Patent: September 23, 2025Assignee: N.B. ADVENTURES LLCInventors: William H. Kiefer, IV, Nathan T. Sutherland
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Publication number: 20250269802Abstract: According to some illustrative embodiments, a system for supporting a removable crossbar for mounting accessories on vehicles, includes: a support member having a lower section configured to attach to a vehicle and an upper section for support of accessories, and a removable crossbar including a quick release threadedly attached to an end thereof. The upper section of the support member includes a pocket configured for receiving the quick release of the removable crossbar. The removable crossbar is configured to be attached to the support member upon inserting the quick release in the pocket of the support member and engaging the quick release to clamp the end of the removable crossbar into the support member. And the crossbar is configured to be removable from the support member upon releasing the quick release to disengage the end of the crossbar from the support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2024Publication date: August 28, 2025Applicant: N.B. Adventures LLC d.b.a. BillieBarsInventors: William H. Kiefer, IV, Nathan T. Sutherland
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Patent number: 12291171Abstract: According to some illustrative embodiments, a modular mounting system for mounting accessories on vehicles includes: a) a plurality of support members, each of said plurality of support members having i) a lower upright planar member configured to extend downward along a peripheral wall around a vehicle bed, ii) a cross planar member extending laterally from the lower upright planar member and configured to extend across the peripheral wall around the vehicle bed, and iii) an upper upright planar member extending upwardly from the cross planar member and configured to extend upwardly above a height of the peripheral wall around the vehicle bed; and b) at least one of: i) a removable cross-bar removably supported by a plurality of said upper upright planar members; and ii) a removable side panel removably supported by a plurality of said upright planar members.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2022Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: N.B. Adventures LLCInventors: William H. Kiefer, IV, Nathan T. Sutherland
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Patent number: 12221073Abstract: According to some illustrative embodiments, novel support structure is provided that can be used, for example, to mount bicycles or other accessories on vehicle racks employing a flush configuration that facilitates use and operation of tents or the like.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2022Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: N.B. ADVENTURES LLCInventors: William H. Kiefer, IV, Nathan T. Sutherland
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Publication number: 20240300417Abstract: According to some illustrative embodiments, a modular mounting system for mounting accessories on vehicles includes: a) a plurality of support members, each of said plurality of support members having i) a lower upright planar member configured to extend downward along a peripheral wall around a vehicle bed, ii) a cross planar member extending laterally from the lower upright planar member and configured to extend across the peripheral wall around the vehicle bed, and iii) an upper upright planar member extending upwardly from the cross planar member and configured to extend upwardly above a height of the peripheral wall around the vehicle bed; and b) at least one of: i) a removable cross-bar removably supported by a plurality of said upper upright planar members; and ii) a removable side panel removably supported by a plurality of said upright planar members.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2024Publication date: September 12, 2024Applicant: N.B. Adventures LLC d.b.a. BillieBarsInventors: William H. Kiefer, IV, Nathan T. Sutherland
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Patent number: 11891124Abstract: According to some illustrative embodiments, a modular mounting system for mounting accessories on vehicles includes: a) a plurality of support members, each of said plurality of support members having i) a lower upright planar member configured to extend downward along a peripheral wall around a vehicle bed, ii) a cross planar member extending laterally from the lower upright planar member and configured to extend across the peripheral wall around the vehicle bed, and iii) an upper upright planar member extending upwardly from the cross planar member and configured to extend upwardly above a height of the peripheral wall around the vehicle bed; and b) at least one of: i) a removable cross-bar removably supported by a plurality of said upper upright planar members; and ii) a removable side panel removably supported by a plurality of said upright planar members.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2021Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: N.B. ADVENTURES LLCInventors: William H. Kiefer, IV, Nathan T. Sutherland
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Publication number: 20240017681Abstract: According to some illustrative embodiments, a novel and advantageous vehicle tailgate cover and/or pad system is provided. In the preferred embodiments, the vehicle tailgate cover and/or pad system is uniquely configured to provide a vehicle tailgate with a flat and padded surface. In some preferred embodiments, the vehicle tailgate cover system is fixed to a vehicle tailgate and has a base of rigid material, the base having a front surface that is substantially flat, and the base including at least one mounting through-hole for mounting the vehicle tailgate cover system to the vehicle tailgate with fasteners, and a padding layer attached to the base at the front surface of the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2022Publication date: January 18, 2024Applicant: N.B. Adventures LLC d.b.a. BillieBarsInventors: William H. Kiefer, IV, Nathan T. Sutherland
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Patent number: 11724752Abstract: According to some illustrative embodiments, a novel vehicle bed support or stiffener is provided. In the preferred embodiments, the vehicle bed support or stiffener is uniquely configured such that the structure does not obstruct or encroach the vehicle bed region of a vehicle. In some preferred embodiments, the vehicle bed support or stiffener is fixed to a vehicle bed with an upwardly extending front support and stiffening wall extending laterally along an end of said floor and downwardly below a plane of the floor and extending laterally along an end of at least one of said left and right side walls and outwardly away from the vehicle bed.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: N.B. ADVENTURES LLCInventors: William H. Kiefer, IV, Nathan T. Sutherland
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Publication number: 20230016143Abstract: According to some illustrative embodiments, a novel vehicle bed support or stiffener is provided. In the preferred embodiments, the vehicle bed support or stiffener is uniquely configured such that the structure does not obstruct or encroach the vehicle bed region of a vehicle. In some preferred embodiments, the vehicle bed support or stiffener is fixed to a vehicle bed with an upwardly extending front support and stiffening wall extending laterally along an end of said floor and downwardly below a plane of the floor and extending laterally along an end of at least one of said left and right side walls and outwardly away from the vehicle bed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2021Publication date: January 19, 2023Applicant: N.B. Adventures LLC d.b.a. BillieBarsInventors: William H. Kiefer, IV, Nathan T. Sutherland
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Publication number: 20220324391Abstract: According to some illustrative embodiments, a modular mounting system for mounting accessories on vehicles includes: a) a plurality of support members, each of said plurality of support members having i) a lower upright planar member configured to extend downward along a peripheral wall around a vehicle bed, ii) a cross planar member extending laterally from the lower upright planar member and configured to extend across the peripheral wall around the vehicle bed, and iii) an upper upright planar member extending upwardly from the cross planar member and configured to extend upwardly above a height of the peripheral wall around the vehicle bed; and b) at least one of: i) a removable cross-bar removably supported by a plurality of said upper upright planar members; and ii) a removable side panel removably supported by a plurality of said upright planar members.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2022Publication date: October 13, 2022Applicant: N.B. Adventures LLC d.b.a. BillieBarsInventors: William H. Kiefer, IV, Nathan T. Sutherland
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Publication number: 20220324522Abstract: According to some illustrative embodiments, a modular mounting system for mounting accessories on vehicles includes: a) a plurality of support members, each of said plurality of support members having i) a lower upright planar member configured to extend downward along a peripheral wall around a vehicle bed, ii) a cross planar member extending laterally from the lower upright planar member and configured to extend across the peripheral wall around the vehicle bed, and iii) an upper upright planar member extending upwardly from the cross planar member and configured to extend upwardly above a height of the peripheral wall around the vehicle bed; and b) at least one of: i) a removable cross-bar removably supported by a plurality of said upper upright planar members; and ii) a removable side panel removably supported by a plurality of said upright planar members.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2021Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventors: William H. Kiefer, IV, Nathan T. Sutherland
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Publication number: 20220324392Abstract: According to some illustrative embodiments, novel support structure is provided that can be used, for example, to mount bicycles or other accessories on vehicle racks employing a flush configuration that facilitates use and operation of tents or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2022Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventors: William H. Kiefer, IV, Nathan T. Sutherland