James N Mills

US Patent:

44025440, Sep 6, 1983

Filed:

Jan 7, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/337531

Inventors:

Rufus R. Artim - Merrillville IN
James A. Mills - Gary IN

International Classification:

B60J 700

US Classification:

296110

Abstract:

A canopy for truck and trailer loads in which a cover of a sheet of flexible water resistant material is supported by a plurality of inverted U-shaped members pivoted on opposite sides of the load by support members attached to the bed of the truck, trailer or pallet. The U-shaped members and the flexible sheet fold downwardly at one end of the load, thus fully exposing the load, and unfold over the load with the two end U-shaped members in substantially horizontal position extending oppositely from one another and the other U-shaped members being spaced from the end members and from each other throughout the distance between the two end members. A flexible strap interconnects most of the U-shaped members to assist in obtaining the desired spacing of the members in the unfolded position. The lower edges of the cover are secured to the bed or pallet when the canopy is in its unfolded position to hold the cover firmly over the load while it is being hauled by the truck or trailer. The cover is secured only to that U-shaped member which is uppermost when the cover is folded.

US Patent:

60355573, Mar 14, 2000

Filed:

Jul 16, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/116779

Inventors:

James D. Mills - Valparaiso IN

International Classification:

A43B 316
A43B 300

US Classification:

36113

Abstract:

Footwear (210) that is readily adjustable to maintain the wearer in an upright, substantially vertical position, enabling the wearer to negotiate a steep roof without slipping or falling. The footwear (210) entails a pair of shoe boards (224) that attach to the wearer's shoes or feet. Each shoe board (224) is supported on a base (212) whose shape provides a large surface area that, when in contact with the roof under the weight of the wearer, securely grips the roof surface, even for roof pitches of 12/12. In addition, the shape of each base (212) is tailored to enable a pair of the footwear (210) to nest together, allowing the wearer to place his or her feet close together when desired. In a preferred embodiment, each base (212) is equipped with concave surface regions (228B, 232B) that receive convex portions (228A, 232A) of its mating shoe board (224) in a manner that provides an uncomplicated method of adjusting the pitch of the footwear (210) and securing the shoe board (224) to the base (212).