Patents by Inventor Vincent Buls

Vincent Buls 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: 9994141
    Abstract: A frame mounted on the underside of the RV comprising two parallel tracks. A platform is mounted to the frame for movement about the frame between a retracted position underneath the RV and an extended position extending from the RV. The platform comprises of two parallel rails each of which is mounted to one of the two parallel tracks. A deck extends between the two parallel rails. A prime mover is mounted on one end to the platform and the other end is mounted to the frame to move the platform with respect to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: MWH Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Hanser, Vincent Buls
  • Patent number: 9725042
    Abstract: A first stationary rail and a second stationary rail are attached to the recreational vehicle. A first bearing pad is combined to the first stationary rail and a second bearing pad combined to the second stationary rail. A first sliding rail is engaged against the first bearing pad and a second sliding rail engaged against the second bearing pad. A first step positioned between the first sliding rail and the second sliding rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: HWH Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Hanser, Vincent Buls
  • Patent number: 8529184
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a lift mechanism adapted for movement between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position. At least one saddle rack adapted to carry a horse saddle is combined to the lift mechanism and positively rotates with respect to the lift mechanism in rotational synchronization with the movement of the lift mechanism as the lift mechanism moves between the respective positions, such that the horse saddle is held in a substantially upright position throughout the lift mechanism's movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: HWH Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Hanser, Vincent Buls
  • Patent number: 8091940
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving an expandable room of a vehicle between a raised position and a lowered position is disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one lift station attachable to the vehicle, an arm combined with the lift station, a rotatable member rotatably combining the at least one lift station and the arm, wherein the lift station rotates the arm between the raised position and the lowered position, and a support member fixed to the arm and engaging the expandable room, wherein the support member supports the expandable room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: HWH Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Buls, Paul Edmund Hanser
  • Patent number: 7717485
    Abstract: A mechanism to affect the coordinated movement of an expandable room in a recreational vehicle. The mechanism comprises a drive chain assembly and a lift assembly. The drive chain assembly has a pair of drive chains (upper and lower) that move generally vertically along vehicle structural members and then the chains are redirected for horizontal travel as the main hydraulic cylinders are actuated to extend or retract the expandable room. The movement of the upper and lower drive chains is synchronized by a rack-and-pinion mechanism. The lift assembly controls vertical movement of the room so that when the room is fully extended, the floor of the vehicle and the floor of the expandable room are substantially flush. The lift assembly comprises at least one lift cylinder for raising and lowering the room. The lift cylinder is vertically combined with the lower end of the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: HWH Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Edmund Hanser, Vincent Buls
  • Patent number: 7419202
    Abstract: A seal assembly primarily for recreational vehicles that have an expandable room. The seal assembly seals the opening in a fixed wall of the vehicle through which the expandable room extends. The seal assembly includes a retainer that is attached to a fixed wall of the vehicles, the retainer holding a bulb-type seal properly in place. The retainer securely holds the bulb seal in place until it is compressed by the expandable room, and the retainer further functions to prevent the bulb seal from being crushed which could cause premature failure of the seal. The seal assembly also provides for relative movement in different directions between the meeting surfaces of the fixed room and moveable room. In this way, it acts as a low friction bearing surface while still maintaining a complete and positive seal at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: HWH Corporation
    Inventors: Paul E. Hanser, Vincent Buls
  • Patent number: 7380854
    Abstract: An assembly adapted to protect a vehicle with an expandable room by preventing water and debris on the roof of an expanded expandable room from being trapped or crushed between the expandable room and the body of the vehicle as the room is retracted. The assembly comprises an upper member and a lower member that mate at a pivoting connection. The upper member is attached to the outside surface of the vehicle above the expandable room. The lower member is pivotally combined with the upper member so that it hangs below the upper member and rests against the top edge of the expandable room. As the room is retracted, a spring urges a portion of the lower member to remain frictionally engaged with the roof of the expandable room so as to slide over the surface of the roof and remove water and other debris from the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: HWH Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Edmund Hanser, Vincent Buls
  • Patent number: 6905154
    Abstract: A push-pull drive chain mechanism and scissors linkage assembly and lifter assembly all powered by hydraulic cylinders to affect the coordinated, linear movement of an expandable room in a recreational vehicle. The drive chain moves generally vertically along a first structural member, such as a vehicle frame member, and then horizontally as the hydraulic cylinders extend or retract to move the expandable room relative to the vehicle frame. The lifter assembly assists in raising and lowering the expandable room so that when the room is extended, the floor of the expandable room will be substantially flush with the floor of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: HWH Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Buls, Stacy Hanser, Paul Edmund Hanser
  • Patent number: 6729670
    Abstract: A linkage assembly for expandable rooms for recreational vehicles to affect the coordinated movement of parallelogram linkage members through the actuation of a glide arm that will extend or retract the expandable room. The glide arm is powered by a hydraulic cylinder and moves generally vertically along a vehicle frame member as the hydraulic cylinder rod extends or retracts to move the expandable room relative to the vehicle frame. The glide arm is pivotally connected to one link in each of two pairs of parallelogram linkage members, the linkage members extending between points of pivotal attachment with a second structural member, such as an expandable room member, and the vehicle frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: HWH Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Buls, Paul Edmund Hanser
  • Patent number: 6568734
    Abstract: A linkage mechanism provides for the extension and retraction of rooms in recreational vehicles while maximizing the space inside the vehicle. Braced parallel linkage members are applied between a vehicle frame member and an expandable room member. A hydraulic cylinder or other force assist element may be used to drive a slotted glide arm which, in turn, causes the braced parallelogram linkage to shift, thus pulling or pushing the room frame member relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: HWH Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Buls, Stacy Hanser
  • Publication number: 20030080576
    Abstract: A variety of vehicles are known and used which have a room or a room portion that may be moved from a retracted position while the vehicle is moving over the road and then expanded when the vehicle is stationary in order to provide additional internal space. Internal space is highly desirable in recreational vehicles, and the prior art has not allowed for maximization of this space since devices for extending and retracting the rooms take up internal space or space under the floor of the vehicle. This device provides for the extension and retraction of rooms in recreational vehicles while maximizing the space inside the vehicle. Braced parallel linkage members are applied between a vehicle frame member and an expandable room member. A hydraulic cylinder or other force assist element may be used to drive a slotted glide arm which, in turn, causes the braced parallelogram linkage to shift, thus pulling or pushing the room frame member relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Vincent Buls, Stacy Hanser