Patents by Inventor Willis Thulin

Willis Thulin 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: 5104020
    Abstract: A load carrier for a vehicle is provided with a strut (1) disposed transversely over the roof (6) of the vehicle, and with a foot member (2)in each end. The foot members are provided with a support member (3) and a gripping member (4) which, by way of an operating device (20, 21), are mountable against edge portions (5, 6) of the vehicle roof, for fixedly securing the load carrier. In order to render such fixed securement extra reliable, both the support member (3) and the gripping member (4) are disposed on a pivotal arm (17) which, by way of a pivot (16), is fixedly secured in an upper portion of the foot member (2). The arm (17) is pivotal with its lower portion in towards the center of the vehicle so that both the under gripping portion (19) of the gripping member (4) and the support member (3) accompany the arm in this movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Industri AB Thule
    Inventors: Jan-Ivar Arvidsson, Willis Thulin
  • Patent number: 5038988
    Abstract: A load carrier for a vehicle roof is provided with a load carrying strut (2) with a foot arrangement (1) in each end. At least one foot arrangement (1) is provided with an accommodation space (6) in which an end portion of the strut may be inserted. According to the invention, the accommodation space (6) is in downward communication with a cuneiform locking space (7) in which a locking body (9) is placed. The locking space (7) is defined downwardly by a cam surface (8) which is obliquely inclined in relation to the longitudinal direction of the strut (2), and the locking body (9) is actuated by a screw (10) so as to be movable along the cam surface (8) and thereby to a position fixedly clamping the strut (2) in its accommodation space (6). A flexible sheet spring (14) may be disposed between the locking body (9) and the strut for protecting the surface coating of the strut (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Industri AB Thule
    Inventor: Willis Thulin
  • Patent number: 4752022
    Abstract: A removable luggage carrier for vehicles having a horizontal support bar and depending support legs pivotably mounted at the ends of the support bar. Each support leg has a clamp which is removably attachable to a part of the vehicle, such as a rain gutter on the roof of a car. A locking cover is pivotably mounted on each end of the support bar to secure the carrier in position when in use to prevent unauthorized removal and to allow adjustment of the support legs to a compact storing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Inventor: Willis Thulin
  • Patent number: 4688706
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a structural arrangement by which a load may be carried on the rooftop of a vehicle. A roof rack is provided for directly supporting the load and is detachably connected to the roof of the vehicle through a fastening arrangement. The fastening arrangement will position the roof rack in a predetermined relationship with respect to the vehicle roof and clamp the roof rack thereto. Additionally, the roof rack is correctly positioned and clamped by the same device that connects the roof rack to the vehicle roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Industri AB Thule
    Inventor: Willis Thulin
  • Patent number: D346995
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Industri AB Thule
    Inventor: Willis Thulin