Patents by Inventor Thomas Fichter

Thomas Fichter 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: 9758104
    Abstract: A side bar and steps attached to the side attached to a vehicle or to the side of the vehicle by gears, ratcheting teeth or other movable engagement to the side bar or vehicle. A step is constructed by attaching a curved or flat member to the top of an L-shaped support bar that is in turn connected to the side bar or vehicle. The steps are movably affixed to the side bar or vehicle via ratcheting teeth or gearing. The L-shaped supports have a plurality of engagement points so that the step can be adjusted upward and downward using the different attachment points on the gear or ratchet. In this manner steps can be moved for different users depending on the height of the vehicle or user preference. The L-shaped support bars may be flared outward and provided with a plate for mounting the step thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: N-Fab, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Fichter
  • Publication number: 20150183376
    Abstract: A side bar and steps attached to the side attached to a vehicle or to the side of the vehicle by gears, ratcheting teeth or other movable engagement to the side bar or vehicle. A step is constructed by attaching a curved or flat member to the top of an L-shaped support bar that is in turn connected to the side bar or vehicle. The steps are movably affixed to the side bar or vehicle via ratcheting teeth or gearing. The L-shaped supports have a plurality of engagement points so that the step can be adjusted upward and downward using the different attachment points on the gear or ratchet. In this manner steps can be moved for different users depending on the height of the vehicle or user preference. The L-shaped support bars may be flared outward and provided with a plate for mounting the step thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Fichter
  • Patent number: 8985606
    Abstract: A side bar and steps attached to the side bar attached to a vehicle or to the side of the vehicle by welds, brazing, or bolting to brackets welded to the side bar or vehicle. A step is constructed by attaching a curved or flat member to the top of an L-shaped support bar that is in turn connected to the side bar or vehicle. The steps are movably affixed to a tab that is welded to the side bar or vehicle. The L-shaped supports have a plurality of engagement points so that the step can be adjusted upward and downward using the different attachment points. In this manner steps can be moved for different users depending on the height of the vehicle or user preference. The L-shaped support bars may be flared outward and provided with a plate for mounting the step thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Fichter
  • Publication number: 20120228848
    Abstract: A side bar and steps attached to the side bar attached to a vehicle or to the side of the vehicle by welds, brazing, or bolting to brackets welded to the side bar or vehicle. A step is constructed by attaching a curved or flat member to the top of an L-shaped support bar that is in turn connected to the side bar or vehicle. The steps are movably affixed to a tab that is welded to the side bar or vehicle. The L-shaped supports have a plurality of engagement points so that the step can be adjusted upward and downward using the different attachment points. In this manner steps can be moved for different users depending on the height of the vehicle or user preference. The L-shaped support bars may be flared outward and provided with a plate for mounting the step thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Fichter
  • Patent number: 7717444
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting entry into high road clearance vehicles having a generally cylindrical side bar adapted for attachment to a vehicle chassis, one or more U-shaped cylindrical bars attached to and suspended from said bar comprised of two end portions and a center bar. The U-shaped bars may be of tubular construction and have a flat surface and are preferably angled from the side bar at an angle of approximately 45 degrees and each U-shaped bar has end portions that meet the center bar at an angle of approximately 0 to 45 degrees. The side bar may be attached to any of a variety of chassis designs and may have a plurality of steps at the doors and at or near the back of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Fichter
  • Publication number: 20080303238
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting entry into high road clearance vehicles having a generally cylindrical side bar adapted for attachment to a vehicle chassis, one or more U-shaped cylindrical bars attached to and suspended from said bar comprised of two end portions and a center bar. The U-shaped bars may be of tubular construction and have a flat surface and are preferably angled from the side bar at an angle of approximately 45 degrees and each U-shaped bar has end portions that meet the center bar at an angle of approximately 0 to 45 degrees. The side bar may be attached to any of a variety of chassis designs and may have a plurality of steps at the doors and at or near the back of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Fichter
  • Patent number: 7416202
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting entry into high road clearance vehicles having a generally cylindrical side bar adapted for attachment to a vehicle chassis, one or more U-shaped cylindrical bars attached to and suspended from said bar comprised of two end portions and a center bar. The U-shaped bars may be of tubular construction and have a flat surface and are preferably angled from the side bar at an angle of approximately 45 degrees and each U-shaped bar has end portions that meet the center bar at an angle of approximately 0 to 45 degrees. The side bar may be attached to any of a variety of chassis designs and may have a plurality of steps at the doors and at or near the back of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Fichter
  • Publication number: 20050127635
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting entry into high road clearance vehicles having a generally cylindrical side bar adapted for attachment to a vehicle chassis, one or more U-shaped cylindrical bars attached to and suspended from said bar comprised of two end portions and a center bar. The U-shaped bars may be of tubular construction and have a flat surface and are preferably angled from the side bar at an angle of approximately 45 degrees and each U-shaped bar has end portions that meet the center bar at an angle of approximately 0 to 45 degrees. The side bar may be attached to any of a variety of chassis designs and may have a plurality of steps at the doors and at or near the back of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Fichter
  • Patent number: 6874801
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting entry into high road clearance vehicles having a generally cylindrical side bar adapted for attachment to a vehicle chassis, one or more U-shaped cylindrical bars attached to and suspended from said bar comprised of two end portions and a center bar, a generally flat surface on the top of each of said center bar of said U-shaped bars. The U-shaped bars maybe of tubular construction and have a flat surface and are preferably angled from the side bar at an angle of approximately 45 degrees and each U-shaped bar has end portions that meet the center bar at an angle of approximately 0 to 45 degrees. The side bar may be attached to any of a variety of chassis designs and may have a plurality of steps at the doors and at or near the back of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Fichter
  • Publication number: 20040004339
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting entry into high road clearance vehicles having a generally cylindrical side bar adapted for attachment to a vehicle chassis, one or more U-shaped cylindrical bars attached to and suspended from said bar comprised of two end portions and a center bar, a generally flat surface on the top of each of said center bar of said U-shaped bars. The U-shaped bars maybe of tubular construction and have a flat surface and are preferably angled from the side bar at an angle of approximately 45 degrees and each U-shaped bar has end portions that meet the center bar at an angle of approximately 0 to 45 degrees. The side bar may be attached to any of a variety of chassis designs and may have a plurality of steps at the doors and at or near the back of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas Fichter
  • Patent number: 6588783
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting entry into high road clearance vehicles having a generally cylindrical side bar adapted for attachment to a vehicle chassis, one or more U-shaped cylindrical bars attached to and suspended from said bar comprised of two end portions and a center bar, a generally flat surface on the top of each of said center bar of said U-shaped bars. The U-shaped bars maybe of tubular construction and have a flat surface and are preferably angled from the side bar at an angle of approximately 45 degrees and each U-shaped bar has end portions that meet the center bar at an angle of approximately 0 to 45 degrees. The side bar may be attached to any of a variety of chassis designs and may have a plurality of steps at the doors and at or near the back of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas Fichter
  • Publication number: 20030085545
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting entry into high road clearance vehicles having a generally cylindrical side bar adapted for attachment to a vehicle chassis, one or more U-shaped cylindrical bars attached to and suspended from said bar comprised of two end portions and a center bar, a generally flat surface on the top of each of said center bar of said U-shaped bars. The U-shaped bars maybe of tubular construction and have a flat surface and are preferably angled from the side bar at an angle of approximately 45 degrees and each U-shaped bar has end portions that meet the center bar at an angle of approximately 0 to 45 degrees. The side bar may be attached to any of a variety of chassis designs and may have a plurality of steps at the doors and at or near the back of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas Fichter
  • Patent number: D717230
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas Fichter