Lawrence Welk, the bandleader who entertained millions of Americans over a generation of broadcasting his TV show, once received a patent: for a music-themed design of an ashtray.
Make the Most of Our Site
See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.
Stay on top of the latest innovations by subscribing to an RSS feed.
Registered users: Manage your profile.
| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7823896 | Articulated step system for automotive vehicle An articulated step system for an automotive vehicle includes a step housing attached to the vehicle frame by means of at least one standoff bracket and a tension strut extending generally downwardly from a first end attached to a vehicle body to a second end attach... | 11/02/2010 |
| 7530619 | Grab handle with spring-loaded striker for pick-up trucks A pivotable grab handle device is movable between a stowed position, which is positioned against the main tailgate structure, and a deployed position that projects upwardly above the top surface of a lowered main tailgate structure. The grab handle device is mounted... | 05/12/2009 |
| 7090276 | Grab handle for use with supplemental tailgate on pick-up trucks A pivotable grab handle device is movable between a stowed position, which is positioned within a mating cavity formed in the main tailgate structure, and a deployed position that projects upwardly above the top surface of a lowered main tailgate structure. The grab... | 08/15/2006 |
| 6983972 | Vehicle tailgate with supplemental tailgate having latching mechanism A tailgate for a vehicle has a supplemental tailgate that retracts within the tailgate and is extendable therefrom in order to provide multiple assist functions. The supplemental tailgate includes a generally fixed guide portion and a movable frame assembly. The mov... | 01/10/2006 |
| 6966595 | Vehicle tailgate with supplemental tailgate having lock rod supports A tailgate for a vehicle with side walls and a bed has a supplemental tailgate that retracts within a tailgate frame and is extendable therefrom. The supplemental tailgate may include a guide system secured generally between the rear panel and the front panel of the... | 11/22/2005 |
| 6922872 | Automotive door hinge with structurally integrated pivot An automotive hinge comprises: a door component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closing panel, the door component comprising a conical pivot axis aperture; a body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body structure, said body component comprising a pi... | 08/02/2005 |
| 6883275 | Method and apparatus for controlling the speed of closing of a movable element A method and system for controlling the descent of a moveable element pivotally attached to a rigid structure. The moveable element is pivotally attached to the rigid structure, and is then pivotally connected to a compressible strut, which is pivotally attached to ... | 04/26/2005 |
| 6802154 | Automatic sliding door opening and closing system with a releasing mechanism for fixably and releasably attaching a vehicle door to a belt drive system An automatic sliding door opening and closing system comprises a continuous, powered belted drive system and a clamp arrangement capable of fixably and releasably attaching the automotive sliding door to the belt drive system so as to be automatically driven along a... | 10/12/2004 |
| 6773047 | Lift assist mechanism for vehicle tailgates A vehicle tailgate lift system comprises an energy storage device located within a vehicle body and adapted to be pivotally anchored to the vehicle body at one end, a bellcrank arm that is pivotally attached to the energy storage device and rigidly attached to an ac... | 08/10/2004 |
| 6719354 | Pivotless automotive hinge An automotive hinge facilitates substantially rotary motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed body structure by means of a single resilient member configured to carry all required structural and operational loadings. ... | 04/13/2004 |
| 6591451 | Automotive door hinge with removable component adapted for structural reassembly An automotive hinge adapted to facilitate removable attachment of a closure panel to a body structure comprises a door component comprising upper and lower door component pivot arms adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel, a body component comp... | 07/15/2003 |
| 6481056 | Intergrated door check hinge for automobiles A door checking apparatus for an automobile comprising an array of needle bearings held in contact with a bearing surface comprising axially oriented grooves, by means of a resilient energy storage device; a cylindrical cage coaxially adjacent the bearing... | 11/19/2002 |
| 6438794 | Releasable automotive door stop A door checking and stopping apparatus for an automotive cargo door comprises a housing containing an energy storage device and guidance arrangement adapted to be rigidly mounted to a vehicular door, an arm containing a cam profile with detent positions, ... | 08/27/2002 |
| 5982126 | Power closure panel control apparatus A power closure panel control apparatus is independent of closure panel configuration and capable of a diverse range of remote and direct activation. Sophisticated safety features utilize an adaptive strategy to facilitate highly sensitive obstruction det... | 11/09/1999 |
| 5664755 | Interlocking seat adjuster with compensating link A seat bracket and riser for a seat system includes interlocking portion which create a direct path for the resolution of any forces thereupon to the frame whiler reducing loads passing to the operating portions of the seat system. In a preferred embodime... | 09/09/1997 |
| 5624150 | Hinge fastening structure and method of creating a hinge pillar joint A hinge fastening structure and method of creating a hinge to box-section pillar joint which includes a fastener extending from the pillar outer panel to the pillar inner panel wherein the fastener includes first and second threaded portions of substantia... | 04/29/1997 |
| 5417470 | Structural module for vehicle door A structural module (hardware cassette) is provided suitable for use in the assembly of a vehicle door. The module includes a latch mounting member, a pair of door hinge assembly components (a lower door hinge component and an upper door hinge component) ... | 05/23/1995 |
| 5410777 | Automatic checking mechanism A check or stop for a moveable member, the check or stop comprising actuated means actuated by the moveable member, or alternatively by seperate actuating means, the actuated means being either fastened with the moveable member or being integral with the ... | 05/02/1995 |
| 5368280 | Tire lifting device A take-up reel suitable for taking up cable as a coil. The reel includes a pair of plates and a central raised hub carrying an outer peripheral surface about which a cable may be wound. The central hub may be formed from one of the plates and may also car... | 11/29/1994 |
| 5173991 | Door check having a link coated with moldable materials A checking mechanism for a closure member and a frame, the closure member moveable in relation to the frame, the checking mechanism comprising a housing affixed to the closure member or the frame and having an opening therewith; a link member having a cor... | 12/29/1992 |
| 5002258 | Jack and components therefor An improved jack with overload prevention including a lead screw having a driven end and an upstanding integral boss proximate the driven end, the driven end comprising a body abutting the upstanding boss and including an opening therethrough for receivin... | 03/26/1991 |