Patents by Inventor Ralph D. Stiff

Ralph D. Stiff 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: 5718553
    Abstract: A spare wheel storage apparatus for a vehicle includes a mechanism for moving a spare wheel between a storage position and an unloading position along a path of travel, and a wheel presentation mechanism for presenting the wheel extending at least to a partially exposed unloading position from underneath the vehicle, wherein the spare wheel extends generally horizontally with a portion protruding outwardly with respect to a vertical plane corresponding to an outermost external periphery of the vehicle body contour. The wheel presentation mechanism includes first and second elongated, flexible members, such as cables, wires or the like, connected to the vehicle body portion at positions disposed between the storage position and the vertical plane corresponding to the vehicle body contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: American Commercial Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Via, Ralph D. Stiff, Eric T. Hartman