Clamp Patents (Class 224/515)
  • Patent number: 11161460
    Abstract: A vacuum-based carrier system for a vehicle having a pair of vacuum devices shaped and sized to mate and secure to a recreational article. Each vacuum device includes a pad shaped and sized to detachably seat with a vehicle to form a vacuum cavity. The vacuum device includes a plunger attached to the pad and in fluid communication with the vacuum cavity, and an indicator positioned on the plunger to indicate the level of vacuum pressure within the vacuum cavity. The system includes a mount to secure an article to the vehicle and support bars attached to the mount wherein one or more support bars contains a break and fold assembly configured to allow folding. A race ready embodiment with reduced footprint is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Seasucker, LLC
    Inventors: Charles L. Casagrande, Bradley Kapper, Sandor Kormos
  • Patent number: 8893939
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a trailer hitch storage apparatus for storing a trailer hitch on a trailer having a frame. The apparatus includes a trailer hitch receptacle shaped to receive the trailer hitch. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced-apart side plates. The side plates have first ends. At least one of the first ends of the side plates is connected to the trailer hitch receptacle. The side plates have second ends opposite the first ends which extend outwards from the trailer hitch receptacle. The side plates are configured to receive the frame of the trailer between the side plates. The apparatus includes a connector connected to the side plates near the second ends of the side plates. The connector is extendable between the side plates for fixedly securing the frame of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Brass Wolf Enterprises Ltd.
    Inventor: Ronald Anthony Brass
  • Patent number: 8074851
    Abstract: The invention provides improvements for an enclosed carrier configured for mounting on top of a car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Settelmayer, Scott R. Allen, Timothy C. Smith
  • Patent number: 7506889
    Abstract: A mount for holding a tow-bar having pivotally attached arms, attachable to a vehicle such as a HMMWV 1114 (the up-armored HMMWV), for holding the tow-bar outside the vehicle. A kit is also provided including materials and hardware for making the mount and including hardware for attaching the mount to the front bumper of a vehicle, and in particular for attaching the mount to the front bumper of a HMMWV 1114.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: IBIS TEK
    Inventors: David T. Baltrusaitis, Mark J. Sarti
  • Patent number: 7281646
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a grill to a vehicle bumper is provided. The apparatus for mounting a grill to a vehicle bumper includes a support platform, a support arm attached to the support platform at an end thereof, a pivot mount assembly for attaching an end of the support arm to a vehicle bumper, and a retaining mount assembly. A grill is fixedly mounted to the support platform by securing the grill to grill mounting flanges, which are attached to the support platform. The support arm is pivotal about the pivot mount assembly allowing the grill to be rotated about the vehicle for positioning of the grill for use. In addition, the grill support platform can be pivotal about the support arm allowing greater versatility in positioning the grill for use. The retaining mount assembly is attached to the vehicle bumper at a spaced distance from the pivot mount assembly and functions to retain the support arm in a non-use position against or parallel to the vehicle bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventor: Brian Flannery
  • Patent number: 6857545
    Abstract: A bike carrier which includes a U-shaped frame structure having an intermediate section and first and second leg sections. A first rail is supported by the frame structure and laterally spans between said first and second legs and extends out past at least one of said legs and preferably both in cantilever fashion. A carrier mount having a frame attachment device and a vehicle attachment device is provided for securing the U-shaped frame to a vehicle. Additionally preferably provided is a securement device supported by the U-shaped frame and extending upwardly from that frame. The securement device includes a lock receptor at an upper end for enabling locking of a bike to the carrier and provides an additional strap down location. Preferably a pair of bike support rails are spaced apart along the legs and each extend laterally out away from opposite outer sides of said legs to provide cantilever extensions to each side of the U-shaped frame structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventors: John D. McLemore, Don McLemore
  • Patent number: 6641012
    Abstract: A load carrier foot adapted for releasable securement upon an edge portion of a vehicle roof. The load carrier foot includes a support member for abutment against a vehicle roof. A clamping member is coupled to the support member by a retainer member and the clamping member is operable between a clamping configuration and a released configuration upon an edge portion of a vehicle roof. The clamping member has a first connection piece and the retainer member has a second connection piece for interconnecting the clamping member and the retainer member. One of the connection pieces forms an insertion space and the other of the connection pieces forms an insertion member for insertion into the insertion space. A latching device releasably latches the insertion member within the insertion space for facilitating the installation of different clamping members into the load carrier foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventor: Anders Lundgren
  • Patent number: 6474522
    Abstract: A receiver bracket for mounting to a square or rectangular bumper of a recreational or similar vehicle. The receiver bracket is designed to accept various racks or other accessories of limited weight, with a maximum of about 200 pounds. The receiver bracket is highly symmetrical, allowing mounting of the square tube either below or above the supporting bumper in a horizontal orientation. Alternatively, the receiving bracket can be mounted to the bumper with the square tubing in a vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Polymer Recovery Systems
    Inventor: Donald O. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20020088832
    Abstract: An integrated carrier rack system for motor vehicles. Generally, the system includes a receiving unit, having rear and forward ends, integrated into a rear wall, such as a rear section of a trunk lid, a tailgate of a pickup truck, or a rear door of a van, a side wall, such as a side of a truck bed, a side door, or a side of a trunk lid, or a front wall, such as a front of a bus, a front of a truck, or a front of a motor home. The receiving unit may be positioned such that the rear end is directed toward the outside of the vehicle and forms an engaging structure in the rear, side, or front wall. The system further includes an immobilizing system attached to the receiving unit, a carrier bar engaged to the receiving unit, and various attachment units. The integrated carrier rack system is user friendly and may be applied to any motor vehicle to carry an assortment of items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Mark A. Anton
  • Patent number: 5738260
    Abstract: A new Wheel Chock Storage Device for providing a device for storing a wheel chock on an automobile bumper. The inventive device includes a wheel chock storage container, a wheel chock retention strap, and a bumper attachment. The bumper attachment is attached to the wheel chock storage container and removably adjustably attaches the wheel chock storage container to the automobile bumper. An upper bumper attachment member is hookingly secured to the automobile bumper and an adjustable fastener is adjusted to secure the wheel chock storage container to the automobile bumper. The lower bumper attachment member is hookingly secured to the automobile bumper and a threaded tension knob is tightened to secure the wheel chock storage container to the automobile bumper. The wheel chock is placed in the wheel chock storage container and the retention strap securely retains the wheel chock in the wheel chock storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Kirtland
  • Patent number: 5620125
    Abstract: An apparatus supports an accessory on a bumper of a golf car. The apparatus includes an accessory support portion and a bumper engaging portion connected to the accessory support portion. An adjustable clamping portion is connectable to the bumper engaging portion to clamp the bumper between the bumper engaging portion and the adjustable clamping portion. A connector connects the adjustable clamping portion to the bumper engaging portion. Both the adjustable clamping portion and the connector are adjustable to accommodate bumpers having different physical size characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Even Par Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Duncan, Patricia A. Duncan