Patents by Inventor William Castleman

William Castleman 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).

  • Tow hook assemblies and vehicles including same
    Patent number: 12617247
    Abstract: A tow hook assembly includes a tow hook body, a support bracket, and a disengagement bracket. The tow hook body includes a leading end, an opposite rear end, and an angled portion sloping downwardly in a direction opposite the leading end. A rear open-ended hole is formed in the rear end. A front open-ended hole is formed in the support bracket. A front fastener extends through the front open-ended hole formed in the support bracket to removably couple the tow hook body to the support bracket, and engagement member received within the rear open-ended hole formed in the tow hook body to removably couple the disengagement bracket to the tow hook body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Skylar Watson, Jeremiah Hammer, George DeWitt, William Castleman, Todd Muck, Richard T. Starks
  • Tow Hook Assemblies and Vehicles Including Same
    Publication number: 20240286446
    Abstract: A tow hook assembly includes a tow hook body, a support bracket, and a disengagement bracket. The tow hook body includes a leading end, an opposite rear end, and an angled portion sloping downwardly in a direction opposite the leading end. A rear open-ended hole is formed in the rear end. A front open-ended hole is formed in the support bracket. A front fastener extends through the front open-ended hole formed in the support bracket to removably couple the tow hook body to the support bracket, and engagement member received within the rear open-ended hole formed in the tow hook body to removably couple the disengagement bracket to the tow hook body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Skylar Watson, Jeremiah Hammer, George DeWitt, William Castleman, Todd Muck, Richard T. Starks
  • Pop-out vehicle frunk and trunk
    Patent number: 12024127
    Abstract: Systems and vehicles including a pop-out trunk/frunk and methods of using the same. A system may include a storage compartment. The storage compartment may have a base configured to receive a payload. The system may further include a trunk/frunk area. The trunk/frunk area may be configured to receive the storage compartment. The system may further include a mechanism. The mechanism may be attachable to the storage compartment and configured to traverse the storage compartment between an up position where the storage compartment extends up and out of the trunk/frunk area and a down position where the storage compartment is within the trunk/frunk area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Samuel David Koch, William Castleman
  • POP-OUT VEHICLE FRUNK AND TRUNK
    Publication number: 20230398938
    Abstract: Systems and vehicles including a pop-out trunk/frunk and methods of using the same. A system may include a storage compartment. The storage compartment may have a base configured to receive a payload. The system may further include a trunk/frunk area. The trunk/frunk area may be configured to receive the storage compartment. The system may further include a mechanism. The mechanism may be attachable to the storage compartment and configured to traverse the storage compartment between an up position where the storage compartment extends up and out of the trunk/frunk area and a down position where the storage compartment is within the trunk/frunk area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Samuel David Koch, William Castleman
  • Tow hook for vehicles
    Patent number: D1070670
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Skylar Watson, Jeremiah Hammer, George DeWitt, William Castleman, Todd Muck