Patents by Inventor Ralph E. Carter

Ralph E. Carter 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: 5052601
    Abstract: A tractor-trailer combination carries cargo holders which extend across the cargo compartment of the trailer, bearing at their ends against the trailer side walls to thereby confine cargo when the compartment is less than fully filled. When not in use, the cargo holders are stored in a rack which may be attached to the back of the tractor cab or to the underside of the trailer bed. The rack includes a pair of spaced apart carrier bars having notches which receive the cargo holders and retaining arms which close the ends of the notches in the bars and retain the holders in those notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Inventors: Ralph E. Carter, John W. Jennings
  • Patent number: 4891005
    Abstract: A portable igniter for igniting logs on a fireplace grate to a flame burning state. The igniter is comprised of a tubular burner having fuel emitting ports adapted to be supported for placement beneath a grate on which the burner is connected via a separable coupling and flexible hose to a gas regulating valve mounted on a cylinder tank charged with propane gas. The burner portion of the apparatus is adapted to remain in place within the fireplace beneath the grate until a self-sustaining blaze is produced. The connector hose, regulator valve and a propane cylinder are normally detached after ignition of a log is completed and are thereafter stored conveniently in and about the household for future use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Inventor: Ralph E. Carter