Patents by Inventor Richard J. Rekuc

Richard J. Rekuc 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: 9104377
    Abstract: A low-profile retractable cord system in which a line is attached to a pair of retractor mechanisms located in the sides of an article to be carried (such as a briefcase, a purse, a handbag, suitcase, tote, bag, knapsack, sports bag, gym bag, etc.). The line is high-tensile braided line threaded out through eyelets which are offset inwardly and downwardly from the upper corners of the article to be carried. This way, the line and shoulder pad attached thereto lie flat along the carried article. Various retractor mechanisms are shown, including an opposed pair of coil-spring-biased reels, opposed independent pulley mechanisms, or a common pulley mechanism. An alternate embodiment employs a single retractor mechanism and line for a single loop-handle is also shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Inventors: Richard J. Rekuc, Steven J. Rekuc, David Edward Ringel
  • Publication number: 20140198442
    Abstract: A low-profile retractable cord system in which a line is attached to a pair of retractor mechanisms located in the sides of an article to be carried (such as a briefcase, a purse, a handbag, suitcase, tote, bag, knapsack, sports bag, gym bag, etc.). The line is high-tensile braided line threaded out through eyelets which are offset inwardly and downwardly from the upper corners of the article to be carried. This way, the line and shoulder pad attached thereto lie flat along the carried article. Various retractor mechanisms are shown, including an opposed pair of coil-spring-biased reels, opposed independent pulley mechanisms, or a common pulley mechanism. An alternate embodiment employs a single retractor mechanism and line for a single loop-handle is also shown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventors: Richard J. Rekuc, Steven J. Rekuc, David Edward Ringel
  • Patent number: 8692141
    Abstract: An integral weighing device for determining whether the weight of a luggage container and its contents exceed a maximum allowable amount simply by suspending the container by its handle. If the container weighs more than a set amount the integral weighing device provides a visual cue that the container exceeds the predefined weight. The integral weighing device comprises a torsion spring mounted within a housing, and a cord attached to each end of the torsion spring and fed via a guide-way through and out of the housing to an externally accessible grip handle. An indicator arm is rotationally mounted to the housing. When a person lifts the luggage by the grip handle the force is transferred to the torsion spring causing angular deflection toward the indicator arm. If the container exceeds the set weight the indicator arm provides a visual cue that the bag exceeds the predetermined weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: David Bieber, Richard J. Rekuc, David E. Ringel, Cheung Shik Kui
  • Patent number: 8215526
    Abstract: A backpack has a pocket and at least one shoulder strap for supporting the backpack on a shoulder of a user. A generally rigid plate and a flexible inflatable bladder are in the pocket with a load bearing bag connected to the pocket for holding a load. A tubular extension extends from the bladder and into the shoulder strap for inflating and deflating the bladder and a mouth-inflatable check valve is connected to the tubular extension at a location spaced from the bladder and positioned so as to be accessible to the user for inflating the bladder by blowing into the check valve. A curved semirigid liner inside the material of the shoulder strap near the bladder forms a semirigid channel for receiving the tubular extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: E. Mishan & Sons, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Zalinsky, Kathleen V. Gee, Richard J. Rekuc
  • Patent number: 8123092
    Abstract: A retractable carry strap (12) for carrying cases (10) such as luggage, suitcases, or briefcases, wherein the retractor device is in the form of compact spring biasing compartments (12) are provided to apply resilient retraction forces (10) to the carry strap to return it to a position in close proximity to the carrying case and to store strap retracting energy when the shoulder strap is extended away from the carrying case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: United States Luggage, L.P.
    Inventors: Richard J. Krulik, Richard J. Rekuc, Karl Konrad, Jr., Steven J. Rekuc
  • Publication number: 20120006600
    Abstract: An integral weighing device for determining whether the weight of a luggage container and its contents exceed a maximum allowable amount simply by suspending the container by its handle. If the container weighs more than a set amount the integral weighing device provides a visual cue that the container exceeds the predefined weight. The integral weighing device comprises a torsion spring mounted within a housing, and a cord attached to each end of the torsion spring and fed via a guide-way through and out of the housing to an externally accessible grip handle. An indicator arm is rotationally mounted to the housing. When a person lifts the luggage by the grip handle the force is transferred to the torsion spring causing angular deflection toward the indicator arm. If the container exceeds the set weight the indicator arm provides a visual cue that the bag exceeds the predetermined weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: David Bieber, Richard J. Rekuc, David E. Ringel, Chenung Shik Kui
  • Publication number: 20110120893
    Abstract: A backpack has a front pocket containing a plate and a pair of shoulder straps for holding the plate against the back of a user. A pressurizable, flexible and elastic bladder covers the plate and has inside surfaces with an embossed pattern for preventing sticking together of facing walls of the bladder to facilitating an initial inflation of the bladder. A pair of tubular extensions extend from the bladder and into the shoulder straps, one of the tubular extensions being for inflating and deflating the bladder. A mouth-inflatable check valve connected to extension is location so as to be accessible to the user for inflating the bladder and a valve cover is detachably connected over the entire mouth engageable perimeter of the check valve for keeping it clear. Semi-rigid liners in the shoulder straps near the bladder form channels for facilitating inflating and deflating of the bladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Richard J. Rekuc, Lawrence W. Zalinsky
  • Publication number: 20100187275
    Abstract: A backpack has a pocket and at least one shoulder strap for supporting the backpack on a shoulder of a user. A generally rigid plate and a flexible inflatable bladder are in the pocket with a load bearing bag connected to the pocket for holding a load. A tubular extension extends from the bladder and into the shoulder strap for inflating and deflating the bladder and a mouth-inflatable check valve is connected to the tubular extension at a location spaced from the bladder and positioned so as to be accessible to the user for inflating the bladder by blowing into the check valve. A curved semirigid liner inside the material of the shoulder strap near the bladder forms a semirigid channel for receiving the tubular extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: E. MISHAN & SONS, INC.
    Inventors: Lawrence W. ZALINSKY, Kathleen V. GEE, Richard J. REKUC
  • Patent number: 7717310
    Abstract: A backpack has a generally rigid support having a front face and a back face, shoulder straps attached to the support for holding same against a back of a user, and structure on the back face for holding an object. A pressurizable and flexible bladder covers generally all of the front face of the support and has a closable fill opening. This bladder is secured to the front face of the support with the fill opening accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: E. Mishan & Sons, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Zalinsky, Kathleen V. Gee, Richard J. Rekuc
  • Patent number: 5743363
    Abstract: A rolling duffle bag or backpack has a stiff supporting sheet and framework attached to the flexible bag upon which a pull-out handle assembly is mounted. An arcuate molded bottom protector is formed with the wheel wells and has an arcuate plate extending from the back around to the bottom and a pair of webs transverse to the plate at opposite ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Royalox International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Rekuc, Carmen Cook
  • Patent number: 5542510
    Abstract: A catalog case has a molded body attached to its bottom or hinge thereto and forming channels for the shanks of a pull-out handle which can be used to pull the case along. Preferably the case has two wheels at the rear end opposite the handle so that the case can be tilted upwardly about these wheels and pulled along the ground or floor while the wheel rides thereon. The pull-out handle can engage in grips at both ends of its travel so that the handle is only fixed relative to its guides at the opposite ends of its travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Royalox International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Rekuc, James O'Shea
  • Patent number: 5456342
    Abstract: An article of luggage having a container body of the fabric-wall type can have a pull handle along its bottom and a wheel assembly by which the article is guided over the ground or floor. The wheel assembly comprises wheel housing members and, if desired, an impact shield member or spacer between the wheel housing members which enables the length of the wheel assembly to be adjusted to suit different widths of the article to which the assembly is to be applied. The handle can be withdrawn from a frame within the article which provides structure for the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Royalox International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Rekuc, James O'Shea
  • Patent number: 5435423
    Abstract: A catalog case has a molded body attached to its bottom or hinge thereto and forming channels for the shanks of a pull-out handle which can be used to pull the case along. Preferably the case has two wheels at the rear end opposite the handle so that the case can be tilted upwardly about these wheels and pulled along the ground or floor while the wheel rides thereon. The pull-out handle can engage in grips at both ends of its travel so that the handle is only fixed relative to its guides at the opposite ends of its travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Royalox International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Rekuc, James O'Shea
  • Patent number: 5431262
    Abstract: An article of luggage has a handle received in a frame disposed along the interior rear wall of a flexible case to allow the article to be pulled along the ground or floor on wheels mounted in a wheel assembly affixed to the bottom of an article. The bottom plate has a pull-out ledge on which other luggage can be mounted and held in place by an elastic strap which is affixed to the case and can encircle the additional article or be buckled out of the way along the outer rear wall of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Royalox International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Rekuc, James O'Shea
  • Patent number: 5426817
    Abstract: A chest, footlocker, article of luggage or the like can be equipped with corner members having studs to provide feet for the article. The corner members can be retrofitted with roller members which have flanges in which the studs are received so that the article can be rolled where desired. The members have mating connections for coupling them together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Sudhaus of America
    Inventor: Richard J. Rekuc
  • Patent number: D582678
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: United States Luggage Company, LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Rekuc, Karl Konrad, Steven J. Rekuc, Richard J. Krulik, Georgene Rada, Adam Courter, Lois Zaprzalka Sherr
  • Patent number: D365978
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: TUMI
    Inventors: Richard J. Rekuc, Jeffrey Bertelsen
  • Patent number: D398125
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Royalox International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Rekuc, James O'Shea, Steven J. Gibble, Carmen Cook
  • Patent number: D419766
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Royalox International, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Rekuc
  • Patent number: D685357
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventors: Steven Rekuc, David Edward Ringel, Richard J. Rekuc