Convertible Patents (Class 224/416)
  • Patent number: 11439120
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus to support transport of a pet in a self-contained expandable carrier. In some examples, the carrier may be worn by a user to support the pet in a proximate location. A pet carrier which may be worn may provide comfort to pet owners while they travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: Kimberly Hazouri-Yeary
  • Patent number: 9248880
    Abstract: Provided is a frame structure particularly useful for bicycles and the like. In one embodiment, the frame structure includes a top, a bottom, a front end and a rear end, a first frame side element and a second frame side element. The first frame side element and the second frame side element are in juxtaposed spaced relationship via a plurality of frame spacer elements and define an inner space between the first frame side element and the second frame side element, each one of the first frame side element and the second frame side element being in the form of a double walled panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: KETER PLASTIC LTD.
    Inventors: Efraim Haimoff, Nir Apelbaum
  • Patent number: 8701951
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a high voltage traction battery, a front door trim including a removable trim panel, a removable/portable bag integral to the removable trim panel for storing inside the front door trim when the removable trim panel is attached to the front door trim. A charge cord kit is contained in the removable/portable bag, and includes a charge cord for connecting to an electrical power supply to charge the high voltage traction battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Jonathon Lucas, Kathleen Pecoraro
  • Patent number: 8365969
    Abstract: A mobile carrier includes a generally planar cargo platform. The mobile carrier includes first and second opposed side rails, each side rail having a portion extending outwardly from the cargo platform, the opposed side rails being adjustably coupled to the cargo platform such that multiple distances between the outwardly extending portion of each side rail may be respectively maintained. The mobile carrier includes first and second opposed end rails, each end rail having a portion extending outwardly from the cargo platform, the opposed end rails being adjustably coupled to the cargo platform such that multiple distances between the outwardly extending portion of each end rail may be respectively maintained. The mobile carrier includes a rod. A receiving structure is configured to maintain the rod at multiple respective positions relative to the receiving structure, the rod and the receiving structure being separable from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Larry A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8366064
    Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint assembly includes a stationary object, a movable object, and a mounting apparatus. The mounting apparatus has first and second rigid link sections, each link section having an upper socket section and a lower socket section, so that an upper receiving space is defined by the two upper socket sections and a lower receiving space is defined by the two lower socket sections. The assembly further includes an upper coupler having an upper ball that is received for rotation inside the upper receiving space, with the movable object secured to the upper coupler, and a lower coupler having a lower ball that is received for rotation inside the lower receiving space, with the stationary object secured to the lower coupler. A link member secures the link sections together with the upper ball retained inside the upper receiving space, and with the lower ball retained inside the lower receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Adaptiv Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Wayne Chen, Adam Gold
  • Publication number: 20110139843
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the position of the seat-back mounted on a travel luggage pack on the back of a motorcycle is disclosed. The device consists of a slide assembly mounted between the motorcycle and the luggage pack. The slide assembly comprises two parallel slide rails movably mounted on fixed lower tracks which are mounted to the back of the motorcycle. The slide rails are attached to the combined luggage pack and seat-back to allow movement of the seat-back. The device further comprises a latching mechanism to lock the slide assembly into place in selected positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Barry H. Thomas, Chris'Ann Thomas
  • Patent number: 7896207
    Abstract: A wedge-shaped storage bag designed and dimensioned for receipt in a triangular-shaped space between a bicycle frame's front fork tube and an angled down tube and on top of a car top carrier, when the car top carrier is carrying one or more bicycles thereon. The storage bag includes a horizontal bottom, a front portion having a height greater than a rear portion and a top portion. The top portion is angled upwardly from a top of the rear portion to a top of the front portion. The top portion and front portion have a wedge-shaped or an inverted ā€œVā€ shaped configuration. Also, the storage bag includes a first side and a second side with access openings therein for entrance inside the bag and storing items therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Latham
  • Publication number: 20090159626
    Abstract: Users of cycles are limited in the amount that they can carry with them as luggage, owing to the need of having both hands to ride the cycle. Cycle carriers, therefore, provide a convenient way of allowing items to be carried by a cyclist, with the cycle and not the rider bearing the weight of the items. Many carriers, however, are designed for permanent attachment to cycles, this is not always appropriate if the cycle is to be used for other types of riding, where the carrier could be cumbersome or provide a hazard. To overcome such problems, a carrier (1) is presented which is readily attachable and detachable from the frame of a cycle without the need of tools. Furthermore, the carrier (1) is highly adjustable and can easily be fitted to a range of cycles with only minimal and straightforward modifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Hamax AS
    Inventors: Dag Hoidal, Leif Hermansen, Asbjorn Eskild
  • Publication number: 20090114688
    Abstract: An animal carrier for mounting above the rear wheel of a cycle such as a motorcycle may be obtained by converting a motorcycle luggage carrier to an animal carrier. The motorcycle carrier mounts and bottom section may be equipped with a detachable top section equipped with extended sidewalls ported with ventilating ports and roofed canopy to protect the transported animal from the elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: William J. Beeler
  • Patent number: 7077302
    Abstract: An apparatus attaches a first object to a second object in a manner that the first object can be located in a desired orientation with respect to the second object. The apparatus includes an engaging member detachably mounted to the second object, e.g., a bicycle handlebar. The apparatus further includes a fixing member to which the first object, e.g., a headlamp of a bicycle or cellular phone bag is attached. The headlamp or cellular phone bag can be mounted to the engaging member in a desired orientation. The engaging member remains on the handlebar when reattaching the headlamp or cellular phone bag to the engaging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Louis Chuang
  • Patent number: 5931360
    Abstract: A method of attaching an auxiliary passenger seat, luggage rack, or combination of both, to a motorcycle requires adding short spacers to fender attachment bolts of the motorcycle or adding mounting pins to the motorcycle; providing a seat having a plurality of hooks that mate with the spacers or pins; engaging the hooks of the seat to the spacers or mounting pins; and engaging a latch to prevent the hooks from slipping off of the spacers or pins. The latch is easily unlatched to allow quick removal of the auxiliary passenger seat or luggage rack when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: Cory A. Reichert
  • Patent number: 5639001
    Abstract: A surfboard rack, for allowing a surfboard to be carried with a bicycle, having a pair of hooks for engaging the frame of the bicycle near the front and rear, and an adjustable bar extending between the hooks. A pair of cradle assemblies are attached to the adjustable bar near the hooks. A pair of braces extend downward from the cradle assemblies to provide support against the bicycle frame. The adjustable bar may be varied in length to alter the distance between the front and rear hooks. Matched holes extend through the adjustable bar, which allow the distance between the hooks to be fixed and the adjustable bar locked, so that the surfboard rack can also function as a bicycle anti-theft device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: William T. Brady
  • Patent number: 5622374
    Abstract: A carrier for mounting onto a bicycle that can be converted between a child carrier and a cargo carrier is disclosed. The carrier is provided with a seat panel, backrest, handle bars and footrests which may be adjusted relative to the backrest and seat panel so as to accommodate various sizes of children. Further, the carrier includes a convertible element that pivots between rear and forward positions to convert the carrier between child carrier and cargo carrier configurations, respectively. The convertible element nests within the backrest When the carrier is in its child carrier configuration. Also disclosed is a suspension element for mounting between the carrier and the bicycle to reduce road vibration and impacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Family Trends, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Rudeen, Thomas Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5558260
    Abstract: A method of matching an auxiliary passenger seat, luggage rack, combination of both, to a motorcycle requires adding short spacers to fender attachment bolts of the motorcycle; providing a seat having a plurality of hooks that mate with the spacers, and a plurality of latches; engaging the hooks of the seat to the spacers of the fender attachment bolts; and engaging the latches prevent the hooks from slipping off of the spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventor: Cory A. Reichert
  • Patent number: 5522527
    Abstract: A beverage container fixing device for a bicycle includes a horizontal base member for supporting a beverage container, a vertical side plate having a lower end portion pivotally engaged with the first end portion of the base member, a bracket pivotally engaged with an upper end portion of the side plate and defining an opening therein for receiving the beverage container therein, a fastener member rotatably mounted on the side plate and defining a fixing compartment therethrough for fixedly receiving one of the horizontal handlebar, top tube and seat tube therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Inventor: Richard Tsai