Patents by Inventor Derek Mikula

Derek Mikula has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11540439
    Abstract: A lawn mower includes a seat plate movably coupled to the frame. An operator seat is coupled to the seat plate. An armrest is laterally spaced from the operator seat and includes an elongated support, an arm support surface, and a control panel. The elongated support has a first end fixed to the seat plate and a second end. The arm support surface is coupled to the second end and can support a user's arm. The control panel is positioned between the arm support surface and the second end of the elongated support. The control panel is fixed to the elongated support for movement with the seat plate such that the control panel remains stationary relative to the seat plate. The control panel includes an actuator to control a function of the lawn mower. The actuator is configured to be actuated while the user's arm is on the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Ariens Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Gindt, Andrew Donati, Christopher Forrest, Derek Mikula, Rebecca Vissers, Fredric D. Schreiner, Scott Lyman, Matthew P. Schuller-Rach
  • Publication number: 20200022303
    Abstract: A lawn mower includes a seat plate movably coupled to the frame. An operator seat is coupled to the seat plate. An armrest is laterally spaced from the operator seat and includes an elongated support, an arm support surface, and a control panel. The elongated support has a first end fixed to the seat plate and a second end. The arm support surface is coupled to the second end and can support a user's arm. The control panel is positioned between the arm support surface and the second end of the elongated support. The control panel is fixed to the elongated support for movement with the seat plate such that the control panel remains stationary relative to the seat plate. The control panel includes an actuator to control a function of the lawn mower. The actuator is configured to be actuated while the user's arm is on the support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel J. Gindt, Andrew Donati, Christopher Forrest, Derek Mikula, Rebecca Vissers, Fredric D. Schreiner, Scott Lyman, Matthew P. Schuller-Rach
  • Patent number: 8925293
    Abstract: A walk-behind outdoor power machine includes a control that is actuable to control at least one operational aspect the power machine, a handle including a user-graspable portion that is graspable by an operator walking behind the machine, a locking mechanism locking the user-graspable portion of the handle at a desired height, and an actuator incorporated into the control. The control is actuated in a first direction to control the operational aspect of the power machine, and is actuated in a second direction to release the locking mechanism so the height of the user-graspable portion can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ariens Company
    Inventors: Derek Mikula, Robert Endter, Brian J. Witt
  • Publication number: 20140331809
    Abstract: A walk-behind outdoor power machine includes a control that is actuable to control at least one operational aspect the power machine, a handle including a user-graspable portion that is graspable by an operator walking behind the machine, a locking mechanism locking the user-graspable portion of the handle at a desired height, and an actuator incorporated into the control. The control is actuated in a first direction to control the operational aspect of the power machine, and is actuated in a second direction to release the locking mechanism so the height of the user-graspable portion can be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Ariens Company
    Inventors: Derek Mikula, Robert Endter, Brian J. Witt