Patents by Inventor Ralph Norfleet

Ralph Norfleet 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: 11472327
    Abstract: An assembly for assisting in lifting a tailgate includes an elongated housing extending along a predetermined length, a spring anchored at one end at a first end of the housing, and a connector having a first end affixed to the opposite end of the spring and extending through the housing. In one embodiment, at least three rollers are provided for engaging the connector. The rollers may be arranged in a variety of configurations to maintain the connector and spring in a generally centered location within the housing. In another embodiment, at least two vertically aligned guides are provided. A vehicle for integrating the foregoing assemblies is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: BACKSAVER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph Norfleet, Jason Norfleet
  • Patent number: 10981607
    Abstract: An apparatus for aiding a user in raising and lowering of a tailgate includes a handle and a connector for connecting the handle to the tailgate to allow for movement of the handle rearwardly relative to the tailgate as the tailgate is initially lowered by the user and forwardly to a position above the tailgate as the lowering of the tailgate is continued. A tailgate lift assembly includes a housing extending along a predetermined length, a spring anchored at one end at a first end of the housing, a connector having a first end affixed to the opposite end of said spring and extending through said housing, and a first fixed guide around which the connector extends. A bumper for covering a corner of a tailgate is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: BACKSAVER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph Norfleet, Jason Norfleet
  • Patent number: 10889227
    Abstract: An assembly for assisting in lifting a tailgate includes an elongated housing extending along a predetermined length, a spring anchored at one end at a first end of the housing, and a connector having a first end affixed to the opposite end of the spring and extending through the housing. In one embodiment, at least three rollers are provided for engaging the connector. The rollers may be arranged in a variety of configurations to maintain the connector and spring in a generally centered location within the housing. In another embodiment, at least two vertically aligned guides are provided. A vehicle for integrating the foregoing assemblies is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: BACKSAVER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph Norfleet, Jason Norfleet
  • Patent number: 10850778
    Abstract: An apparatus for aiding a user in raising and lowering of a tailgate includes a handle and a connector for connecting the handle to the tailgate to allow for movement of the handle rearwardly relative to the tailgate as the tailgate is initially lowered by the user and forwardly to a position above the tailgate as the lowering of the tailgate is continued. A tailgate lift assembly includes a housing extending along a predetermined length, a spring anchored at one end at a first end of the housing, a connector having a first end affixed to the opposite end of said spring and extending through said housing, and a first fixed guide around which the connector extends. A bumper for covering a corner of a tailgate is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: BACKSAVER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph Norfleet, Jason Norfleet
  • Patent number: 9908569
    Abstract: An apparatus for aiding a user in raising and lowering of a tailgate includes a handle and a connector for connecting the handle to the tailgate to allow for movement of the handle rearwardly relative to the tailgate as the tailgate is initially lowered by the user and forwardly to a position above the tailgate as the lowering of the tailgate is continued. A tailgate lift assembly includes a housing extending along a predetermined length, a spring anchored at one end at a first end of the housing, a connector having a first end affixed to the opposite end of said spring and extending through said housing, and a first fixed guide around which the connector extends. A bumper for covering a corner of a tailgate is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: BACKSAVER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph Norfleet, Jason Norfleet
  • Publication number: 20170341686
    Abstract: An apparatus for aiding a user in raising and lowering of a tailgate includes a handle and a connector for connecting the handle to the tailgate to allow for movement of the handle rearwardly relative to the tailgate as the tailgate is initially lowered by the user and forwardly to a position above the tailgate as the lowering of the tailgate is continued. A tailgate lift assembly includes a housing extending along a predetermined length, a spring anchored at one end at a first end of the housing, a connector having a first end affixed to the opposite end of said spring and extending through said housing, and a first fixed guide around which the connector extends. A bumper for covering a corner of a tailgate is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Ralph Norfleet, Jason Norfleet
  • Publication number: 20170341687
    Abstract: An apparatus for aiding a user in raising and lowering of a tailgate includes a handle and a connector for connecting the handle to the tailgate to allow for movement of the handle rearwardly relative to the tailgate as the tailgate is initially lowered by the user and forwardly to a position above the tailgate as the lowering of the tailgate is continued. A tailgate lift assembly includes a housing extending along a predetermined length, a spring anchored at one end at a first end of the housing, a connector having a first end affixed to the opposite end of said spring and extending through said housing, and a first fixed guide around which the connector extends. A bumper for covering a corner of a tailgate is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Ralph Norfleet, Jason Norfleet
  • Publication number: 20170106921
    Abstract: An apparatus for aiding a user in raising and lowering of a tailgate includes a handle and a connector for connecting the handle to the tailgate to allow for movement of the handle rearwardly relative to the tailgate as the tailgate is initially lowered by the user and forwardly to a position above the tailgate as the lowering of the tailgate is continued. A tailgate lift assembly includes a housing extending along a predetermined length, a spring anchored at one end at a first end of the housing, a connector having a first end affixed to the opposite end of said spring and extending through said housing, and a first fixed guide around which the connector extends. A bumper for covering a corner of a tailgate is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Ralph Norfleet, Jason Norfleet
  • Patent number: 7309094
    Abstract: A lift assembly assists in raising or lowering a tailgate, such as one found on a utility trailer. In one embodiment, a housing extends in a longitudinal direction with an end wall having an opening adjacent the tailgate. A spring is positioned within the housing. A cable extends between the spring and the tailgate, including through the opening in the end wall. An insert receives the cable passing through the opening, and is securely retained by the end wall and prevented from moving freely in the longitudinal direction as the cable moves to and fro during raising and lowering of the tailgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Backsaver International, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph Norfleet
  • Publication number: 20050127702
    Abstract: A tailgate lift assist arrangement for a utility trailer having a low siderail extending upwardly from at least one side of a flatbed, and a tailgate being hingedly attached to a rear end of the flatbed. The lift assist arrangement comprises an elongated housing arranged on an upper portion of the siderail. A spring is attached to a forward end of the housing, the spring having a rearward end attached to a forward end of a flexible cable. The flexible cable has a rearward end movably secured to a side of the tailgate. The cable is supported in a rearward end of the housing by a stationary cable guide member captured in or comprises the back wall of the elongated housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventor: Ralph Norfleet
  • Publication number: 20040189036
    Abstract: A tailgate lift assist arrangement for a utility trailer having a low siderail extending upwardly from at least one side of a flatbed, and a tailgate being hingedly attached to a rear end of the flatbed. The lift assist arrangement comprises an elongated housing arranged on an upper portion of the siderail. A spring is attached to a forward end of the housing, the spring having a rearward end attached to a forward end of a flexible cable. The flexible cable has a rearward end movably secured to a side of the tailgate. The cable is supported in a rearward end of the housing by a stationary cable guide member captured in or comprises the back wall of the elongated housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Ralph Norfleet
  • Patent number: D814358
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: BACKSAVER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph Norfleet, Jason Norfleet
  • Patent number: D860058
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: BACKSAVER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph Norfleet, Jason Norfleet
  • Patent number: D862291
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: BACKSAVER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph Norfleet, Jason Norfleet
  • Patent number: D883859
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Backsaver International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Norfleet, Jason Norfleet
  • Patent number: D925348
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: BACKSAVER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph Norfleet, Jason Norfleet