Patents by Inventor Richard D. Craft

Richard D. Craft 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: 8876141
    Abstract: A self-tracking trailer is disclosed for towing by a vehicle which tracks the movement of the vehicle for ease of maneuvering comprising a trailer frame having a front frame member extending generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of said trailer. A vehicle trailer hitch assembly includes a pivotal cross-bar carried by said front frame member; a trailer hitch tongue carried by the cross-bar insertable into a vehicle hitch receiver affixed to the vehicle. The cross-bar is pivotally carried by said front frame member for rotation about a pitch axis. A swivel connector is disposed between said pivotal cross-bar and said vehicle providing rotation about a trailer roll axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventor: Richard D. Craft
  • Patent number: 6966733
    Abstract: A wheelchair restraint system for a mass transportation vehicle having a securement area for a wheelchair is disclosed which includes a barrier carried at a rear portion of the securement area disposed generally transverse to the longitudinal vehicle axis. A rear wheelchair attachment assembly is carried by the rear barrier for anchoring the wheelchair to the barrier. A personal securement belt assembly secures a seated wheelchair occupant to the wheelchair in the securement area. A front bulkhead extends generally transverse to the longitudinal vehicle axis at a front portion of the securement area which includes an extendable anchor member which extends transverse relative to the longitudinal vehicle axis. The anchor member is extendable between a stored position in which the anchor member is stowed within the bulkhead and a deployed position wherein the anchor member is extended from the bulkhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: American Seating Company
    Inventor: Richard D. Craft
  • Publication number: 20040005203
    Abstract: A wheelchair restraint system for a mass transportation vehicle having a securement area for a wheelchair is disclosed which includes a barrier carried at a rear portion of the securement area disposed generally transverse to the longitudinal vehicle axis. A rear wheelchair attachment assembly is carried by the rear barrier for anchoring the wheelchair to the barrier. A personal securement belt assembly secures a seated wheelchair occupant to the wheelchair in the securement area. A front bulkhead extends generally transverse to the longitudinal vehicle axis at a front portion of the securement area which includes an extendable anchor member which extends transverse relative to the longitudinal vehicle axis. The anchor member is extendable between a stored position in which the anchor member is stowed within the bulkhead and a deployed position wherein the anchor member is extended from the bulkhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Richard D. Craft
  • Patent number: 6575677
    Abstract: A wheelchair restraint system for a mass transportation vehicle having a securement area for a wheelchair is disclosed which includes a barrier carried at a rear portion of the securement area disposed generally transverse to the longitudinal vehicle axis. A rear wheelchair attachment assembly is carried by the rear barrier for anchoring the wheelchair to the barrier. A personal securement belt assembly secures a seated wheelchair occupant to the wheelchair in the securement area. A front bulkhead extends generally transverse to the longitudinal vehicle axis at a front portion of the securement area which includes an extendable anchor member which extends transverse relative to the longitudinal vehicle axis. The anchor member is extendable between a stored position in which the anchor member is stowed within the bulkhead and a deployed position wherein the anchor member is extended from the bulkhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventor: Richard D. Craft
  • Patent number: 6565152
    Abstract: A lightweight reinforced seat assembly for a transportation vehicle is disclosed which includes a molded seat shell having a shell exterior and a shell interior. The seat shell includes a seat section and a back section joined together by a generally curved section. A plurality of seats is formed in the seat shell. A reinforcing network of longitudinal and lateral, generally enclosed tubular rib elements reinforce the seat shell to eliminate metal framing and weight. The reinforcing rib network includes a front tubular rib element extending laterally across a front width of the seat section, and a top tubular rib element extending laterally across a top width of the back section. Longitudinal edge tubular rib elements extend on opposing edges of the seat shell generally through the seat-section, curved section, and back-section. The edge tubular rib elements are connected to the front and top tubular rib elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Transportation Seating, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Craft, Frank Bascas, Teodulo Ceballos, Jr., Joseph Rafac, Jonathan Roy Wren
  • Publication number: 20020114679
    Abstract: A wheelchair restraint system for a mass transportation vehicle having a securement area for a wheelchair is disclosed which includes a barrier carried at a rear portion of the securement area disposed generally transverse to the longitudinal vehicle axis. A rear wheelchair attachment assembly is carried by the rear barrier for anchoring the wheelchair to the barrier. A personal securement belt assembly secures a seated wheelchair occupant to the wheelchair in the securement area. A front bulkhead extends generally transverse to the longitudinal vehicle axis at a front portion of the securement area which includes an extendable anchor member which extends transverse relative to the longitudinal vehicle axis. The anchor member is extendable between a stored position in which the anchor member is stowed within the bulkhead and a deployed position wherein the anchor member is extended from the bulkhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: Richard D. Craft
  • Patent number: 6428254
    Abstract: A wheelchair restraint system for a mass transportation vehicle having a securement area for a wheelchair is disclosed which includes a barrier carried at a rear portion of the securement area disposed generally transverse to the longitudinal vehicle axis. A rear wheelchair attachment assembly is carried by the rear barrier for anchoring the wheelchair to the barrier. A personal securement belt assembly secures a seated wheelchair occupant to the wheelchair in the securement area. A front bulkhead extends generally transverse to the longitudinal vehicle axis at a front portion of the securement area which includes an extendable anchor member which extends transverse relative to the longitudinal vehicle axis. The anchor member is extendable between a stored position in which the anchor member is stowed within the bulkhead and a deployed position wherein the anchor member is extended from the bulkhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Richard D. Craft
  • Publication number: 20010030455
    Abstract: A lightweight reinforced seat assembly for a transportation vehicle is disclosed which includes a molded seat shell having a shell exterior and a shell interior. The seat shell includes a seat section and a back section joined together by a generally curved section. A plurality of seats is formed in the seat shell. A reinforcing network of longitudinal and lateral, generally enclosed tubular rib elements reinforce the seat shell to eliminate metal framing and weight. The reinforcing rib network includes a front tubular rib element extending laterally across a front width of the seat section, and a top tubular rib element extending laterally across a top width of the back section. Longitudinal edge tubular rib elements extend on opposing edges of the seat shell generally through the seat-section, curved section, and back-section. The edge tubular rib elements are connected to the front and top tubular rib elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Richard D. Craft, Frank Bascas, Teodulo Ceballos, Joseph Rafac, Jonathan Roy Wren
  • Publication number: 20010001031
    Abstract: A wheelchair restraint system for a mass transportation vehicle having a securement area for a wheelchair is disclosed which includes a barrier carried at a rear portion of the securement area disposed generally transverse to the longitudinal vehicle axis. A rear wheelchair attachment assembly is carried by the rear barrier for anchoring the wheelchair to the barrier. A personal securement belt assembly secures a seated wheelchair occupant to the wheelchair in the securement area. A front bulkhead extends generally transverse to the longitudinal vehicle axis at a front portion of the securement area which includes an extendable anchor member which extends transverse relative to the longitudinal vehicle axis. The anchor member is extendable between a stored position in which the anchor member is stowed within the bulkhead and a deployed position wherein the anchor member is extended from the bulkhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: May 10, 2001
    Inventor: Richard D. Craft
  • Patent number: 6113325
    Abstract: A wheelchair restraint system for a mass transportation vehicle having a securement area for a wheelchair is disclosed which includes a barrier carried at a rear portion of the securement area disposed generally transverse to the longitudinal vehicle axis. A rear wheelchair attachment assembly is carried by the rear barrier for anchoring the wheelchair to the barrier. A personal securement belt assembly secures a seated wheelchair occupant to the wheelchair in the securement area. A front bulkhead extends generally transverse to the longitudinal vehicle axis at a front portion of the securement area which includes an extendable anchor member which extends transverse relative to the longitudinal vehicle axis. The anchor member is extendable between a stored position in which the anchor member is stowed within the bulkhead and a deployed position wherein the anchor member is extended from the bulkhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Richard D. Craft