Box With Open Top Patents (Class 296/183.1)
  • Patent number: 11975766
    Abstract: An access door for a vehicle including an open bed assembly including a front wall, two side walls and a rear wall. A door portion on one of the side walls of the liftgate opening on a substantially vertical hinged axis for providing side access to the truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson, Andrew E. Sicherman, Michael S. Spagnuolo, Peter G. DeMarois, Brian Staley
  • Patent number: 11919577
    Abstract: An access door for a vehicle including an open bed assembly including a front wall, two side walls and a rear wall. A door portion on one of the side walls of the liftgate opening on a substantially vertical hinged axis for providing side access to the truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson
  • Patent number: 11814015
    Abstract: A truck body with an enclosure assembly that has a plurality of storage compartments with doors each movable between an open position that provides access to respective storage compartments and a closed position that prevents access to that storage compartment. The enclosure assembly includes at least one hidden hinge coupled with at least a portion of the doors to pivot the door between the open/closed positions. There are door flanges surrounding the openings of the storage compartments that, in some embodiments, include: (i) a longitudinally-extending channel dimensioned to receive a mounting portion of the at least one hidden hinge; and (ii) a rim configured to receive a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: The Shyft Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill Cleaves, Steve Mayo, James Rutter, Jordan Brown
  • Patent number: 11795638
    Abstract: Embodiments of safety trucks incorporate multiple connection points to which a variety of attachments, or combinations of attachments, can be releasably and interchangeably coupled to enable their use with increased effectiveness to safeguard roadway construction, maintenance and repair personnel as they perform tasks within or relatively near to roadway workzones and worksites. Also, methods of operation of the safety truck embodiments enhance their ability to guard and protect roadway construction, maintenance and repair personnel while they work within or relatively near to roadway workzone and worksite locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Royal Truck & Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H Roy, Andrew C Washburn, Joseph T Piggott, Siddharth Balasubramanian
  • Patent number: 11766734
    Abstract: Welding carts with tool-less securing systems are disclosed. In some examples, a welding cart may be configured to retain and/or transport a welding-type power supply. The cart and power supply may have bracket holes configured to receive bracket ends of a securing bracket. The bracket ends may be received by the bracket holes when a shaft retaining the securing bracket is engaged with a rotational lock of the cart. An actuator connected to the shaft may be configured to rotate the shaft to engage the rotational lock. A resilient member may bias the bracket ends out of the bracket holes when the shaft is disengaged from the rotational lock. A captive fastener attached to the shaft may ensure that the shaft and bracket remain captive to the cart even when the shaft is disengaged from the rotational lock and/or the securing bracket is biased away from the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas James Dessart, Chancelor D. Wyatt
  • Patent number: 11760424
    Abstract: A cargo bed wall that can be disposed at a forward portion of a deck of the cargo bed. In various instances, the wall comprises a back face, a front face, and one or more article stowage structures that is/are structured and operable to receive and retain one or more stowable articles. The article stowage structure(s) can be disposed on the front and/or back face of the wall, and/or, in other instances, the article stowage structure(s) can be disposed within the front and/or back face of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Candice Robertson, Matthew Zaremba, Deidra Glymph, Marissa Swart
  • Patent number: 11623690
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a truck including a cargo box coupled to a first rail and a second rail with a first cross member and a second cross member. The first and second rail are coupled to, and extend transverse to, the first and second cross members. A bed floor of the cargo box is physically separated from the rails by the cross members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Gray, Vincent Anthony Chimento, Stephen William Gallagher, Jamie Joseph March
  • Patent number: 11485420
    Abstract: A vehicle frame structure includes a front wall portion and a rear wall portion that are respectively provided in front and rear end portions of a vehicle, a side wall portion extending in the vehicle front-rear direction so as to separate the vehicle cabin from the exterior of the vehicle cabin, and a connecting portion that includes a first end portion and a second end portion, and has a closed section structure that is curved so as to protrude inward in the vehicle width and front-rear directions in a plan view. The first end portion is connected to an inner side of one of the front wall portion and the rear wall portion in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the second end portion is connected to an inner side of the side wall portion in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotaka Ishioka, Yasuhiro Hara, Norimasa Koreishi, Jumpei Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11440454
    Abstract: The present invention is in the form of a body (111) adapted to be fitted to a truck having at least two axles. The body is capable of tipping once fitted to the truck. The body comprises two side surfaces (13) interconnected by a longitudinal surface (21) to keep the side surfaces in spaced apart relation. The longitudinal surface and the side surface define a cavity (30) for receiving a payload. The longitudinal surface is configured such that the payload is self-centering as the body is loaded, such that in operation the distribution of load on each of the at least two axles remain substantially the same between a first payload having a first volume and a second payload having a second volume, neither payload resulting in the gross vehicle weight limit being exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: SSAB Technology AB
    Inventors: John De Jager, Alex Cespedes, Ian Cornfoot
  • Patent number: 11377159
    Abstract: A part of a motor vehicle is made from plastic material and includes at least one wall configured to be welded to a bodywork element. The wall includes at least one protruding element defining a weld surface configured to form a point of contact with said bodywork element. The part includes, around the protruding element, at least one stress relief area for relieving stresses experienced by the protruding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventor: Stéphane Guillier
  • Patent number: 11358651
    Abstract: A motor vehicle front end having a structural component that has a first structural element for absorbing mechanical forces. The first structural element surrounds a spatial region, at least in part, such that a cavity is formed in the interior of the first structural element. The first structural element has a surface region that defines said cavity. The structural component has at least one second structural element which is connected to the first structural element. For the purpose of mechanical reinforcement of the first structural element, the structural component has at least one reinforcing element. The reinforcing element supports a portion of the surface region. The first structural element is composed of at least two separate structural element parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: HBPO GmbH
    Inventors: Jonathan Friedrich, Frank Schäfergockel
  • Patent number: 11299085
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for roadway illumination by an industrial vehicle are disclosed. A work light of the industrial vehicle is operated to provide illumination to an area located between a forward end of the industrial vehicle and an area illuminated by a low beam light. The work light and the low beam light are operated together to provide improved illumination during travel of the industrial vehicle along the roadway while promoting visibility of operators of oncoming vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nathan R. Demski, Brian T. Mosdal, Matthew Lommen, Michael R. Gratton, Christopher J. Mahoney, Nathan D. Turnis, Keith C. Rottinghaus, Brian Huenink, Nathan D. Sherman
  • Patent number: 11267519
    Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary pillar-to-box rail-to-cab back structural joints for unibody vehicles. An exemplary structural joint of a unibody vehicle may include a pillar assembly and a box rail assembly that intersects the pillar assembly and extends continuously up to a door opening flange of the pillar assembly. The pillar assembly and box rail assembly may establish a beam-to-beam connection of the structural joint. A cab back assembly may be secured relative to the pillar assembly and the box rail assembly to establish a third portion of the structural joint. Various spot welds may be provided for joining the various components of the structural joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn Michael Morgans, Steve William Gallagher, Vladimir Vladimirovich Bogachuk, Marius Curea, Musheeruddin Zubair Syed, Scott Seashore
  • Patent number: 11254370
    Abstract: A structural joint for a pickup truck, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a C-pillar, a gusset bracket, a cab back bracket, and a box panel. The C-pillar, gusset bracket, cab back bracket, and box panel are directly welded to each other to provide an assembly having a box section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Hewitt, Srinath Vijayakumar, Satish Ganti, Vince Anthony Chimento, Matthew Brooke
  • Patent number: 11180201
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a truck, a deck gate for truck, and a method for manufacturing thereof. According to the present invention, the deck gate for truck has excellent impact strength, low plastic deformation rate, excellent molding property and thermal resistance, and reduces weight. Also, the deck gate for truck according to the present invention reduces weight of about 23% in comparison with a conventional steel and wood type deck gate for truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignees: KOLON GLOTECH, INC., KOLON INDUSTRIES INC., KOLON DACC COMPOSITE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Won Kim, Woo Jin Jung, Chang Hun Lee, Hyun Kyu Shin, Dae Il Lee, Jin Wook Han
  • Patent number: 11161554
    Abstract: A vehicle cross member has a beam with an overall U-shape cross-section. A pair of legs are connected, via rounded portions, with a web. A series of aperture is formed on the legs along a longitudinal axis of the beam. A flange is formed at a free end of the legs. The flange enables securement of the beam with a vehicle. The legs are angled with respect to one another so that the web has a width less than a width of the beam at the flange. The web has an arcuate portion along the longitudinal axis of the beam aligned with the series of apertures in the legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Paul R Stibich, Steven J Engelgau, Congyue Wang
  • Patent number: 11014617
    Abstract: A side wall of a vehicle bed can be configured to provide support against vertical loads, such as step loading, imposed on a lateral side wall of the bed. The bed can be defined in part by a first lateral side wall and a second lateral side wall. The first and/or second lateral side wall can include an inner wall member, an outer wall member, and a top protector. The top protector can being operatively connected to the inner and outer wall members. The top protector can define a top surface of the respective lateral side wall. The inner wall member can include a transverse portion that extends to an innermost end. The innermost end can be substantially adjacent to an inner side of the top protector. Thus, the inner and outer wall members can support the top protector across substantially its entire width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert Meingast, Matthew A. Jansma, Wei Jiang
  • Patent number: 10933813
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bed platform and system for use in an enclosed or partly enclosed space, such as, a cargo space of a vehicle, such as, a van, camper, or truck, among others. By one approach, the bed platform consists of interleaved portions of panel portions that permit relative lateral motion of the panels. In some configurations, the panel portions are adjustable such that the bed platform can be fit into differently sized vehicle cargo spaces. In addition, the systems described herein also may permit the bed platform to be adjusted or moved to different heights even though the wall configurations may be different along the height thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Adventure Wagon LLC
    Inventor: Chad Smith
  • Patent number: 10850659
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for an interchangeable truck bed is disclosed. A truck chassis including an electric motor. An interchangeable truck bed unit is configured to detachably couple with a truck chassis. A power source for an electric motor is disposed in an interchangeable truck bed unit to provide power to the electric motor through an electrical coupling between the interchangeable truck bed unit and a truck chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: NR-LOK, CORP.
    Inventors: Greg Stocks, Thomas Mudge
  • Patent number: 10817925
    Abstract: A gas cylinder counting apparatus that has a cage or rack with aligned parallel rows or bins of industrial gas cylinders stored in the cage or cage having upright posts with gas cylinder movement detectors. Gas cylinders in each bin are separated from each other to form an x-y cylinder array. Sensors attached to posts count cylinder removals by changes of state of the cylinder array and report removal of a cylinder from the bin to a local server. When gas cylinders are removed from cages, local servers report to a remote server that may be in a cloud having management software for gas cylinder delivery using orders from each local server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Ratermann Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: George W. Ratermann
  • Patent number: 10814765
    Abstract: A dumper body is disclosed. The dumper body may include a pivot assembly. The dumper body may include at least one of: a set of ribs, wherein the set of ribs is connected to the pivot assembly such that the set of ribs is comprised of multiple respective discontinuous structures, and a set of stringers, wherein the set of stringers includes a respective stringer cut-out around an outside surface of a bed plate of the dumper body at a point where a top plate of the dumper body connects to an inside surface of the bed plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Hettinger, Varun Sampath Kumar
  • Patent number: 10793201
    Abstract: A pickup truck cargo box subassembly includes a load floor composed of a sandwich structure having an upper skin, a lower skin and a core extending therebetween. The upper skin is formed of a composite material including continuous reinforcing fibers. The pickup truck cargo box subassembly also includes a left inner sidewall panel having an integrated left inner sidewall panel joining surface extending horizontally along at least a portion of a length of the left inner sidewall panel. The pickup truck cargo box subassembly also includes a right inner sidewall panel having an integral right inner sidewall panel joining surface extending horizontally along at least a portion of a length of the right inner sidewall panel. The left and right inner sidewall panel joining surfaces join a peripheral portion of the load floor. The pickup truck cargo box subassembly also includes a headboard and a rear cross sill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Aerlyte, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Johnston, VII
  • Patent number: 10787118
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a tail lamp housing including a first cutout, a body panel including a second cutout, and at least one light source positioned to transmit light through the first and second cutouts to illuminate a cargo surface. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, providing a cargo member that is moveable between an open position and a closed position and mounting at least one tail lamp adjacent to the cargo member, wherein the tail lamp includes a first cutout. The method further includes forming a second cutout in a body panel and transmitting light through the first and second cutouts to illuminate a cargo surface when the cargo member is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Augusty
  • Patent number: 10661843
    Abstract: The pickup truck with drop-down side panels is a truck with side walls and a tailgate that may be raised and lowered to transform the truck between a pickup truck and a flatbed truck. The drop down left side panel, drop down right side panel, and drop down tailgate each comprise one or more height adjusters. An individual height adjuster may comprise a track gear coupled to the panel to be moved, a motor coupled to the chassis of the truck, and a drive gear coupled to the shaft of the motor. The teeth of the track gear mesh with the teeth of the drive gear such that rotation of the motor in a first diction lowers the panel to a down position and rotation of the motor in a second direction lifts the panel to an up position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Inventor: Samuel Nieves
  • Patent number: 10661695
    Abstract: A pivot assembly is disclosed. The pivot assembly may include plates. The plates may be connected to cover plates associated with respective portions of a stringer that intersect the pivot assembly. The plates may be connected to a rib that interests the pivot assembly perpendicular to the respective portions of the stringer. The cover plates may be connected to the rib at a respective end of the cover plates. The pivot assembly may comprise a respective pivot bore in the plates. The pivot assembly may comprise respective doublers around the respective pivot bore. The respective doublers may include a first doubler located on an outside surface of a plate, of the plates, and a second doubler located on an inside surface of the plate. The pivot assembly may comprise gussets. The gussets may be connected to the second doubler, the plates, and a respective cover plate of the cover plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel Judson William Arul
  • Patent number: 10625651
    Abstract: A dump body for a dump trailer or a dump truck comprises modular components of tempered aluminum alloy joined together with mechanical fasteners to form modular subassemblies. Welding or other high-temperature joining processes are not required for fabrication of the dump body, and thus the full strength of the tempered aluminum alloy is retained. Methods for assembly of the modular components to form the modular subassemblies and for assembly of the modular subassemblies to form the dump body using mechanical fasteners are provided in addition to designs for modular components and modular subassemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: HICKS MANUFACTURING LLC
    Inventors: Gregory L. Hicks, DeWayne B. Williams, John McKenney
  • Patent number: 10279750
    Abstract: A movable device mounted to the interior of a truck bed. The movable device is generally comprised of at least one housing unit, a track mounting system and at least two tracks. The housing unit is capable of traversing from the front end of the truck bed (proximate the cab of the truck) to the rear end of the truck bed (proximate the tailgate). The current invention includes tracks mounted to the bottom surface of a truck bed. The housing unit of the invention is mounted to those tracks by a track mounting system. By translating the housing unit towards the rear end of the truck, the device is capable of forcing contents contained within the truck bed towards the rear end of the truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Edwin Lambert
  • Patent number: 10137943
    Abstract: A vehicle body assembly includes a frame having a forward frame part defining a passenger cabin and a rear frame part defining a load carrying bed. A separate rear fender is removably fastened to the rear frame part, wherein a gap is provided between the forward frame part and the rear fender. A separate rear fender fairing is mounted to an inside surface of the rear fender. The rear fender fairing includes a seal located in the gap and sealingly engaging both the forward frame part and the rear fender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Adam J. Rompage, Edward W. Bach, Kevin D. Helton, Steven U. Behm
  • Patent number: 10112656
    Abstract: An assembly for utility truck bodies having metal and/or composite reinforcement(s) and/or foam reinforcements and/or honeycomb reinforcement/ and/or wood reinforcements encapsulated within a thermoformed thermoplastic, or thermoset or fiber-reinforced thermoset walking surface floor structure of the truck bed assembly or other composite floor structure with attachable components and junctions, e.g., sidepack(s), and methods of making the same are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: ALTEC INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan J. McKinney, Kyle E. Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 10029603
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for an interchangeable truck bed is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system may include a truck chassis configured to detachably couple with a truck bed unit. In one embodiment, the system may include an interchangeable truck bed unit configured to detachably couple with the truck chassis. In one embodiment, the system may include one or more extensions disposed on an upper side of the truck chassis. The extension may protrude away from the truck chassis. In one embodiment, the system may include one or more receiving mechanisms disposed on an underside of the interchangeable truck bed. In one embodiment, the one or more receiving mechanisms may detachably couple to at least a portion of the one or more extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: NR-LOK, Corp.
    Inventors: Greg Stocks, Thomas Mudge
  • Patent number: 10000242
    Abstract: A bracket molding formed on a bottom rail assembly of a trailer coupled to a sandwich panel sidewall, the bracket molding including: a sloped top surface configured to create a space below a bottom surface of the sandwich panel sidewall to allow contaminants to drain from beneath the sandwich panel sidewall; and a dam formed on the sloped top surface, the dam configured to seal out the contaminants from accumulating in the space below the bottom surface of the sandwich panel sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI TRANSLEAD
    Inventors: Leszek S. Jaworski, Enrique Chavez, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9862333
    Abstract: The present invention provides a storage system for a vehicle, namely a truck, that adjusts the height of the storage compartment to provide an access through the sidewalls of the storage compartment to the interior of the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Inventor: James B Jones
  • Patent number: 9809270
    Abstract: A vehicle has a frame, a motor connected to the frame, two front wheels operatively connected to the frame, two intermediate wheels operatively connected to the frame, the two intermediate wheels being disposed rearward of the two front wheels, two rear wheels operatively connected to the frame, the two rear wheels being disposed rearward of the intermediate wheels, a driver seat connected to the frame, a passenger seat disposed at least in part rearward of the driver seat, the driver seat and the passenger seat being straddle seats, and a cargo box connected to the frame, the passenger seat being disposed at least in part forward of the cargo box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Jukka Olli, Paavo Sieppi, Hannu Yleva, Heikki Makkonen, Antti Suhanko, Jari Jokelainen
  • Patent number: 9731775
    Abstract: A cargo bed for a utility vehicle includes a bottom plate, and a pair of right and left side walls extending upward from right and left ends of the bottom plate. The side walls each include a front pillar extending vertically at a front end, a rear pillar extending vertically at a rear end, a side panel extending between the front pillar and the rear pillar in an anteroposterior direction and having a rib extending in the anteroposterior direction, and a bed rail positioned above the side panel with a space being provided therebetween, and extending between the front pillar and the rear pillar in the anteroposterior direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tsumiyama, Takashi Hisamura
  • Patent number: 9487149
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a vehicle body, an occupants' section provided in the vehicle body and having a driver's seat and a passenger's seat and a storage space that is provided under seats and opened upwards, the storage space having a first storage space section disposed under the driver's seat and a second storage space section disposed under the passenger's seat. The seats are supported to be pivotable about an axis extending along the width direction of the vehicle body and access to the first storage space section and the second storage space section is made possible by upwardly pivoting these seats. The driver's seat is slidable along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body. The first storage space section has a front-rear length shorter than the front-rear length of the second storage space section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shimada, Koji Nada
  • Patent number: 9469352
    Abstract: A trailer includes a chassis and a trailer body connected to the chassis. The trailer body includes left and right vertical side walls and a curved floor. The left and right side walls each include a plurality of extruded panels each including an inner wall and an outer wall spaced from the inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: East Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Howard D. Booher, Russell D. Pittman
  • Patent number: 9403567
    Abstract: A trailer including a frame supporting a trailer bed and having rotatable wheels and a tongue for pivotal attachment to a land vehicle hitch. The trailer frame includes left and right side structural members and crossbeam members attached between the side members. Each side member includes a U-shaped portion having a branch leg and attachment leg and an L-shaped portion including a branch leg and attachment leg. The branch leg of the U-shaped portion is integrally formed with the branch leg of the L-shaped portion. The crossbeam members are Z-shaped and the flanges thereof are attached to the attachment legs of the U-shaped portion and the L-shaped portion with rivets. Front and rear U-shaped end members are attached to the terminal ends of the side members. A torque tube is also attached between the side members. A tongue pocket is attached to the torque tube and the front end member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Novae Corporation
    Inventor: Steven P. Bermes
  • Patent number: 9394020
    Abstract: The specification discloses automotive body components including roll-formed components and slip-plane brackets. The roll-formed components may be used in place of components manufactured using other techniques, such as hydroforming. The slip-plane brackets may be adjustably positioned on the roll-formed components. More specifically, the slip-plane brackets are adjustable in two or more dimensions (e.g. laterally and longitudinally) before attachment, so that the brackets may compensate for tolerances in the roll-formed components. Attachment techniques may include welding and/or adhering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: SHAPE CORP.
    Inventors: Brian Paul Oxley, Joseph Robert Matecki
  • Patent number: 9333893
    Abstract: A load carrying assembly for mounting on a pickup such that the pickup may safely carry an object that is longer than a bed on the pickup includes a pair of rails coupled to a bed of the pickup. A pair of horizontal arms is movably coupled to an associated one of the pair of rails. A support is coupled between the pair of horizontal arms. The support is positionable at a selected distance from the bed of the pickup. The support supports an object so the object does not prevent a hazard to other vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Inventor: Guy Simmons
  • Patent number: 9321601
    Abstract: A base belt for use with an automated unloading apparatus that can automatically unload a container having a plurality of items located on the base belt, and a container configured for use with an automated unloading apparatus. The base belt has a trailer end configured to be removably attached to a container. The base belt has an unloader end configured to be removably attached to the automated unloading apparatus. The container has a container body having an interior and an attachment point on the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Pippin
  • Patent number: 9056637
    Abstract: A cargo bed includes a main body portion made of a material including a metal, and a pair of rear fenders made of a material including a resin and fixed to the main body portion. The main body portion includes a front wall portion extending in an up-down direction and a left-right direction, a bottom portion extending rearward from a lower edge region of the front wall portion, and a pair of side wall portions extending upward from two edge regions in the left-right direction of the bottom portion, and connected to two edge regions in the left-right direction of the front wall portion. The pair of rear fenders are fixed to the pair of side wall portions, respectively. Each of the pair of side wall portions includes a main side wall extending upward from the bottom portion, a first flange portion extending in the left-right direction, from an upper edge of the main side wall to an outside of the main body portion, and a second flange portion extending downward from an outside edge of the first flange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazunari Takata
  • Patent number: 9051012
    Abstract: A trailer includes a chassis and a trailer body connected to the chassis. The trailer body includes left and right vertical side walls and a curved floor. The left and right side walls each include a plurality of extruded panels each including an inner wall and an outer wall spaced from the inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: EAST MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Howard D. Booher, Russell D. Pittman
  • Patent number: 9039060
    Abstract: A utility vehicle is equipped with a riding space and a cargo bed disposed behind the riding space. A screen is disposed between the riding space and the cargo bed, and screen support members extended rear-downward are supported by pivot portions on the screen. Engaging portions engageable with the screen support members are provided on the cargo bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Teruaki Yamamoto, Yoshiyuki Kuroyanagi
  • Publication number: 20150123425
    Abstract: System and apparatus are disclosed for a cargo bed of a utility vehicle including side wall panels and a clamping device for mounting accessories. One exemplary embodiment includes cargo bed side panel having a first protrusion and a second protrusion, a clamping mechanism having a first finger configured to engage the first protrusion and a second finger configured to engage the second protrusion, and an actuator configured to move the first and second fingers effective to secure the clamping device to the side panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Steven P. Huston, Dean J. Long, Joseph A. Cuadra, JR., Nick L. Arndt, Samuel R. Lyons
  • Patent number: 9022445
    Abstract: A telescoping grab handle mounted on the side wall of the cargo box, adjacent the tailgate, in a pickup truck. The device has only one moving part which allows the telescoping grab handle to be easily raised vertically and locked into the extended position or easily lowered to the retracted or stowed position while standing on the ground outside the cargo box. The telescoping grab handle mounted on the side wall of the cargo box also overcomes many disadvantages of tailgate mounted grab handles which interfere with cargo handling and are rendered inoperable if the tailgate is damaged. The telescoping grab handle mounted on the side wall of the cargo box may be added as an aftermarket accessory, but the internal components of the device could also be incorporated directly into the side wall of the cargo box by the auto manufacturer during initial manufacture of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: James Louis Duderstadt
  • Patent number: 9016764
    Abstract: A vehicle cargo bed accessory includes a vehicle cargo area with a bed floor, an accessory attachment track attached to the bed floor, a tailgate and a tailgate gap cover. The tailgate has a first end pivotally attached to a rear of the vehicle cargo area for pivoting movement between a closed position covering the tailgate opening and an open position exposing the tailgate opening. A gap is defined between a rear end of the bed floor and the first end of the tailgate. The tailgate gap cover is coupled to the accessory attachment track proximate the rear end and is movable to pivot between a horizontal orientation with the tailgate in the open position and an upright orientation with the tailgate in the closed position. The tailgate gap cover covers the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Johnson, Bruce Pfeiffer, Ian Patterson, Ronald Morrow
  • Patent number: 8998285
    Abstract: A tailgate debris catching assembly for a vehicle is presented herein. Particularly, the assembly includes at least one, but in some cases, a plurality of at least two, vehicle attachment assemblies securely attached to the vehicle, for example, on the sides of the vehicle at or near the rear. A debris receptacle or bin including an open top portion and an inner receiving area is connected to or otherwise attached to the vehicle attachment assemblies and positioned in a manner to receive and at least temporarily retain debris fallen from the vehicle and through the open top portion of the debris receptacle. Accordingly, the debris receptacle may include at least one, but in some cases, a plurality of at least two, receptacle attachment members, which are capable of being securely and removably attached to the correspondingly structured and disposed vehicle attachment assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: James A. Bethel, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150076800
    Abstract: A trailer includes a first side railing with a first stand and a second stand along with a second side railing with a third stand and a fourth stand. A front railing is removably attached to the first side railing and the second side railing. The method includes joining the front railing to the first side railing and the second side railing, then raising the front railing, the first side railing, and the second side railing with the stands and then removably attaching a wheel assembly to the first side railing and the second side railing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Randy Davis
  • Publication number: 20150061319
    Abstract: A vehicle cargo bed accessory includes a vehicle cargo area with a bed floor, an accessory attachment track attached to the bed floor, a tailgate and a tailgate gap cover. The tailgate has a first end pivotally attached to a rear of the vehicle cargo area for pivoting movement between a closed position covering the tailgate opening and an open position exposing the tailgate opening. A gap is defined between a rear end of the bed floor and the first end of the tailgate. The tailgate gap cover is coupled to the accessory attachment track proximate the rear end and is movable to pivot between a horizontal orientation with the tailgate in the open position and an upright orientation with the tailgate in the closed position. The tailgate gap cover covers the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall JOHNSON, Bruce PFEIFFER, Ian PATTERSON, Ronald MORROW
  • Publication number: 20150054304
    Abstract: A shopping cart in one embodiment comprises a uniframe, a mat basket, and a slim-fit cart frame and basket combination, as well as in multiple embodiments, providing individual structural differences and advantages over pre-existing forms of shopping carts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Bobby D. Peters, Wesley McMurtrey, Gregory A. Cox