Patents by Inventor Michael Anthony Werle

Michael Anthony Werle 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).

  • Publication number: 20230415857
    Abstract: Boats can include a swim platform with an integrated system of steps that can be selectively deployed and retracted. Such platforms can be attached to a transom of a boat or can be fabricated as an extended portion of the boat's hull. In another embodiment, deployable steps can be integrated with a boat's hull as a side-entry door. In order to reconfigure the step system into a deployed configuration, a linkage is actuated that causes the step system to unfold, forming steps (or a seating configuration) at least partially below the water line. Since the steps can be deployed below the water line, a swimmer can more easily get on board the boat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Michael Anthony Werle, Justin Everett Brooks
  • Patent number: 11780537
    Abstract: Boats can include a swim platform with an integrated system of steps that can be selectively deployed and retracted. Such platforms can be attached to a transom of a boat or can be fabricated as an extended portion of the boat's hull. In another embodiment, deployable steps can be integrated with a boat's hull as a side-entry door. In order to reconfigure the step system into a deployed configuration, a linkage is actuated that causes the step system to unfold, forming steps (or a seating configuration) at least partially below the water line. Since the steps can be deployed below the water line, a swimmer can more easily get on board the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Michael Anthony Werle, Justin Everett Brooks
  • Publication number: 20220363348
    Abstract: Boats can include a swim platform with an integrated system of steps that can be selectively deployed and retracted. Such platforms can be attached to a transom of a boat or can be fabricated as an extended portion of the boat's hull. In another embodiment, deployable steps can be integrated with a boat's hull as a side-entry door. In order to reconfigure the step system into a deployed configuration, a linkage is actuated that causes the step system to unfold, forming steps (or a seating configuration) at least partially below the water line. Since the steps can be deployed below the water line, a swimmer can more easily get on board the boat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Michael Anthony Werle, Justin Everett Brooks
  • Patent number: 11401012
    Abstract: Boats can include a swim platform with an integrated system of steps that can be selectively deployed and retracted. Such platforms can be attached to a transom of a boat or can be fabricated as an extended portion of the boat's hull. In another embodiment, deployable steps can be integrated with a boat's hull as a side-entry door. In order to reconfigure the step system into a deployed configuration, a linkage is actuated that causes the step system to unfold, forming steps (or a seating configuration) at least partially below the water line. Since the steps can be deployed below the water line, a swimmer can more easily get on board the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Michael Anthony Werle, Justin Everett Brooks
  • Publication number: 20210047005
    Abstract: Boats can include a swim platform with an integrated system of steps that can be selectively deployed and retracted. Such platforms can be attached to a transom of a boat or can be fabricated as an extended portion of the boat's hull. In another embodiment, deployable steps can be integrated with a boat's hull as a side-entry door. In order to reconfigure the step system into a deployed configuration, a linkage is actuated that causes the step system to unfold, forming steps (or a seating configuration) at least partially below the water line. Since the steps can be deployed below the water line, a swimmer can more easily get on board the boat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Michael Anthony Werle, Justin Everett Brooks
  • Publication number: 20180079468
    Abstract: Boats can be adapted to generate a wake that is well-suited for the sport of wake surfing. For example, boats can include an aft platform with a contoured underside that contacts water to generate such a wake for wake surfing. In some embodiments, the contoured underside of the platform includes dual opposing wake-shaping surfaces that shape the water flowing aft from the boat hull to create a wake shape that is well-suited for wake surfing. The aft platforms can be integrally manufactured as an extension to the hull or deck of a new boat, or manufactured separately and subsequently affixed to a previously manufactured boat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, William S. Pegg, Michael Anthony Werle
  • Patent number: 9855995
    Abstract: Boats can be adapted to generate a wake that is well-suited for the sport of wake surfing. For example, boats can include an aft platform with a contoured underside that contacts water to generate such a wake for wake surfing. In some embodiments, the contoured underside of the platform includes dual opposing wake-shaping surfaces that shape the water flowing aft from the boat hull to create a wake shape that is well-suited for wake surfing. The aft platforms can be integrally manufactured as an extension to the hull or deck of a new boat, or manufactured separately and subsequently affixed to a previously manufactured boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, William S. Pegg, Michael Anthony Werle
  • Publication number: 20160244126
    Abstract: Boats can be adapted to generate a wake that is well-suited for the sport of wake surfing. For example, boats can include an aft platform with a contoured underside that contacts water to generate such a wake for wake surfing. In some embodiments, the contoured underside of the platform includes dual opposing wake-shaping surfaces that shape the water flowing aft from the boat hull to create a wake shape that is well-suited for wake surfing. The aft platforms can be integrally manufactured as an extension to the hull or deck of a new boat, or manufactured separately and subsequently affixed to a previously manufactured boat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, William S. Pegg, Michael Anthony Werle
  • Publication number: 20130247813
    Abstract: Boats including elevated walkways that are useful for increasing cabin height in a boat, such as a bow rider style boat, are described. Such elevated walkways are elevated relative to either a cockpit deck portion or a deck portion of a bow area and can be used to connect the bow area to the cockpit area. The cabin of a boat with an elevated walkway as described is located at least partially below the elevated walkway. The portion of the cabin below the elevated walkway has a ceiling area that is elevated relative to either the deck portion of the bow area or the cockpit area deck portion where the elevated walkway overlaps the cabin space. Elevated walkways as described herein are located on the boat such that they either overlap the central longitudinal axis of the boat or the end of the elevated walkway near the cockpit is located between port and starboard dash consoles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Chaparral Boats, Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Pegg, Michael J. Fafard, Michael Anthony Werle
  • Patent number: 8499377
    Abstract: Automatically adjustable bunk apparatus are described that can be used, for example, in applications in which space is limited, such as, for example, boats and recreational vehicles. The automatically adjustable bunk apparatus can be configured in an extended bunk configuration or a space saving retracted configuration. The automatically adjustable bunk apparatus have a substantially horizontal portion and an adjustable portion either of which can be configured to be movable between a retracted position and an extended position. When the automatically adjustable bunk apparatus is in its retracted configuration, the adjustable portion is positioned outside the plane of the horizontal portion, and when the automatically adjustable bunk apparatus is in its extended position, the horizontal portion and the adjustable portion form a substantially flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Michael Anthony Werle
  • Patent number: 8443746
    Abstract: Boats including elevated walkways that are useful for increasing cabin height in a boat, such as a bow rider style boat, are described. Such elevated walkways are elevated relative to either a cockpit deck portion or a deck portion of a bow area and can be used to connect the bow area to the cockpit area. The cabin of a boat with an elevated walkway as described is located at least partially below the elevated walkway. The portion of the cabin below the elevated walkway has a ceiling area that is elevated relative to either the deck portion of the bow area or the cockpit area deck portion where the elevated walkway overlaps the cabin space. Elevated walkways as described herein are located on the boat such that they either overlap the central longitudinal axis of the boat or the end of the elevated walkway near the cockpit is located between port and starboard dash consoles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Pegg, Michael J. Fafard, Michael Anthony Werle
  • Publication number: 20110146562
    Abstract: Boats including elevated walkways that are useful for increasing cabin height in a boat, such as a bow rider style boat, are described. Such elevated walkways are elevated relative to either a cockpit deck portion or a deck portion of a bow area and can be used to connect the bow area to the cockpit area. The cabin of a boat with an elevated walkway as described is located at least partially below the elevated walkway. The portion of the cabin below the elevated walkway has a ceiling area that is elevated relative to either the deck portion of the bow area or the cockpit area deck portion where the elevated walkway overlaps the cabin space. Elevated walkways as described herein are located on the boat such that they either overlap the central longitudinal axis of the boat or the end of the elevated walkway near the cockpit is located between port and starboard dash consoles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: CHAPARRAL BOATS, INC.
    Inventors: William S. Pegg, Michael J. Fafard, Michael Anthony Werle
  • Publication number: 20110017120
    Abstract: Automatically adjustable bunk apparatus are described that can be used, for example, in applications in which space is limited, such as, for example, boats and recreational vehicles. The automatically adjustable bunk apparatus can be configured in an extended bunk configuration or a space saving retracted configuration. The automatically adjustable bunk apparatus have a substantially horizontal portion and an adjustable portion either of which can be configured to be movable between a retracted position and an extended position. When the automatically adjustable bunk apparatus is in its retracted configuration, the adjustable portion is positioned outside the plane of the horizontal portion, and when the automatically adjustable bunk apparatus is in its extended position, the horizontal portion and the adjustable portion form a substantially flat surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: CHAPARRAL BOATS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Michael Anthony Werle
  • Patent number: D565495
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Charparral Boats, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Fafard, Michael Anthony Werle, William S. Pegg, James S. Phares
  • Patent number: D566643
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Fafard, Michael Anthony Werle, William S. Pegg, James S. Phares
  • Patent number: D581340
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Fafard, Michael Anthony Werle, William S. Pegg, James S. Phares