Patents by Inventor Michael Eric Liedtke

Michael Eric Liedtke 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: 20240156254
    Abstract: A retail management system includes a carriage base and an engagement mechanism. The carriage base includes a first end defining a front surface and a second end formed at an opposite end from the first end. The engagement mechanism is disposed at the first end of the carriage base and includes a plurality of carriage teeth extending from the front surface, the plurality of carriage teeth including at least one primary carriage tooth having a first configuration and at least one secondary carriage tooth having a second configuration that is different than the first configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2024
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Walker, Michael Eric Liedtke, Shane Obitts
  • Patent number: 11910918
    Abstract: A retail management system includes a carriage base and an engagement mechanism. The carriage base includes a first end defining a front surface and a second end formed at an opposite end from the first end. The engagement mechanism is disposed at the first end of the carriage base and includes a plurality of carriage teeth extending from the front surface, the plurality of carriage teeth including at least one primary carriage tooth having a first configuration and at least one secondary carriage tooth having a second configuration that is different than the first configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: William H Walker, Michael Eric Liedtke, Shane Obitts
  • Patent number: 11832737
    Abstract: A product divider assembly includes a rail and a divider. The rail includes a front surface having a plurality of first teeth and a rear surface formed on an opposite side of the rail from the front surface. The divider includes a base having a bottom side including plurality of second teeth facing the plurality of first teeth of the rail and one or more biasing members engaging the rear surface of the rail to bias the rail in a direction towards the plurality of first teeth. The divider is operable to be pulled in an opposite direction from the biasing force to disengage the first teeth from the second teeth to allow the divider to be translated along the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Ewing, Michael Eric Liedtke, Shane Obitts, James Bacnik, William H. Walker
  • Publication number: 20220366754
    Abstract: A product-dispensing device comprises an actuator, a locking gear, and a button which are all supported by a housing. The actuator for rotation about the first axis. The locking gear for the rotation between a first position and a second position about a second axis, the locking gear also includes a locking arm to inhibit rotation of the actuator in the second direction about the first axis when the locking arm is in the second position. The button is operably coupled to the locking gear and configured to rotate the locking gear between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Yun Hua, Michael Eric Liedtke
  • Publication number: 20220265041
    Abstract: A retail management system includes a carriage base and an engagement mechanism. The carriage base includes a first end defining a front surface and a second end formed at an opposite end from the first end. The engagement mechanism is disposed at the first end of the carriage base and includes a plurality of carriage teeth extending from the front surface, the plurality of carriage teeth including at least one primary carriage tooth having a first configuration and at least one secondary carriage tooth having a second configuration that is different than the first configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Walker, Michael Eric Liedtke, Shane Obitts
  • Patent number: 11403906
    Abstract: A product-dispensing device comprises a rod, a product-dispensing coil, an actuator, a locking gear, and a button. The rod is configured to support a product. The product-dispensing coil is disposed about the rod. The actuator is operably coupled to the product-dispensing coil for rotation about a first axis. The locking gear is rotatable between a first position and a second position and includes a locking arm configured to inhibit rotation of the actuator in the second position. The button is operably coupled to the locking gear and configured to rotate the locking gear between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Yun Hua, Michael Eric Liedtke
  • Publication number: 20220047098
    Abstract: A product divider assembly includes a rail and a divider. The rail includes a front surface having a plurality of first teeth and a rear surface formed on an opposite side of the rail from the front surface. The divider includes a base having a bottom side including plurality of second teeth facing the plurality of first teeth of the rail and one or more biasing members engaging the rear surface of the rail to bias the rail in a direction towards the plurality of first teeth. The divider is operable to be pulled in an opposite direction from the biasing force to disengage the first teeth from the second teeth to allow the divider to be translated along the rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Ewing, Michael Eric Liedtke, Shane Obitts, James Bacnik, William H. Walker
  • Patent number: 11160392
    Abstract: A product pusher assembly includes a rail, a divider, and a pusher. The rail extends in a first direction and includes a first engagement mechanism. The divider extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and is coupled to the rail for translation in the first direction and the second direction. The divider includes a front portion, a rear portion, and a second engagement mechanism disposed between the front portion and the rear portion. The second engagement mechanism is configured to selectively engage the first engagement mechanism during translation in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Ewing, Michael Eric Liedtke, Shane Obitts, James Bacnik, William H. Walker
  • Publication number: 20210217264
    Abstract: A product-dispensing device comprises a rod, a product-dispensing coil, an actuator, a locking gear, and a button. The rod is configured to support a product. The product-dispensing coil is disposed about the rod. The actuator is operably coupled to the product-dispensing coil for rotation about a first axis. The locking gear is rotatable between a first position and a second position and includes a locking arm configured to inhibit rotation of the actuator in the second position. The button is operably coupled to the locking gear and configured to rotate the locking gear between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Yun Hua, Michael Eric Liedtke
  • Publication number: 20210137265
    Abstract: A product divider includes a base, a divider wall, and a stopper. The divider wall extends from the base. The stopper is coupled to the base and the divider and includes a rear surface, a front surface, and a flange. The rear surface faces the divider wall. The front surface is disposed opposite the rear surface. The flange extends from the front surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Eric Liedtke, Shane Obitts
  • Publication number: 20210037991
    Abstract: A product pusher assembly includes a rail, a divider, and a pusher. The rail extends in a first direction and includes a first engagement mechanism. The divider extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and is coupled to the rail for translation in the first direction and the second direction. The divider includes a front portion, a rear portion, and a second engagement mechanism disposed between the front portion and the rear portion. The second engagement mechanism is configured to selectively engage the first engagement mechanism during translation in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Ewing, Michael Eric Liedtke, Shane Obitts, James Bacnik, William H. Walker
  • Patent number: 10398238
    Abstract: A product dispenser defines a product dispensing path and includes a housing, a pusher, a driver, and a controller. The housing extends along the product dispensing path. The pusher is configured to translate along the product dispensing path. The driver is operably coupled to the pusher and configured to urge the pusher along the product dispensing path. The controller is in communication with the driver and operable to activate the driver to urge the pusher along the product dispensing path after a threshold period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane Obitts, Michael Eric Liedtke, Matthew Grubbs
  • Publication number: 20170265652
    Abstract: A product dispenser defines a product dispensing path and includes a housing, a pusher, a driver, and a controller. The housing extends along the product dispensing path. The pusher is configured to translate along the product dispensing path. The driver is operably coupled to the pusher and configured to urge the pusher along the product dispensing path. The controller is in communication with the driver and operable to activate the driver to urge the pusher along the product dispensing path after a threshold period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Shane Obitts, Michael Eric Liedtke, Matthew Grubbs
  • Patent number: 9433305
    Abstract: A retainer assembly for an associated merchandising structure includes a planar divider mounted to the associated merchandising structure with the divider including a first side, a second side, a front end and a rear end. A first retainer is pivotally mounted to a first side of the divider adjacent the front end thereof. A second retainer is pivotally mounted to the second side of the divider adjacent the front end thereof. The first and second retainers are biased into an orientation normal to the plane of the divider. Each of the first and second retainers is adapted to pivot omnidirectionally in relation to the plane of the divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Bird, Gerald Matthew Szpak, Shane Obitts, Michael Eric Liedtke, Matthew Grubbs
  • Patent number: 9427095
    Abstract: An anti-tip guide for a merchandising shelf including an associated support member for supporting at least one associated object for display and/or dispensing, and a pair of associated dividers mounted to the support member and spaced from each other. The pair of spaced dividers define between them a longitudinal pathway along which the associated at least one object can travel from a rear position to a front position on the associated support member. The anti-tip guide includes a first section mounted to one of the pair of associated dividers and extending along a plane of the one of the pair of associated dividers. A second section of the anti-tip guide protrudes away from the first section. A third section extends from the second section. At least one of the second and third sections includes a material which is more resilient than is a material of the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Bird, Gerald Matthew Szpak, Shane Obitts, Michael Eric Liedtke
  • Patent number: 9051010
    Abstract: A dash cluster system and a method for securing and/or interconnecting a dash cluster to power equipment. The dash cluster system includes a housing having a connecting assembly including at least one peripheral connector positioned along a peripheral surface of the housing. The dash cluster system further comprises a bezel having a front side and a rear side. The bezel also comprises a connecting arrangement formed from at least one extending connector, extending from the rear side. The dash cluster system also comprises a securing connection formed between the housing and the bezel by the interlocking of the peripheral connector of the connecting assembly with the extending connector of the connecting arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Delta Systems. Inc
    Inventors: Dennis R. Young, Michael Eric Liedtke, Ernest Richard-Dean Buehman
  • Publication number: 20140299559
    Abstract: An anti-tip guide for a merchandising shelf including an associated support member for supporting at least one associated object for display and/or dispensing, and a pair of associated dividers mounted to the support member and spaced from each other. The pair of spaced dividers define between them a longitudinal pathway along which the associated at least one object can travel from a rear position to a front position on the associated support member. The anti-tip guide includes a first section mounted to one of the pair of associated dividers and extending along a plane of the one of the pair of associated dividers. A second section of the anti-tip guide protrudes away from the first section. A third section extends from the second section. At least one of the second and third sections includes a material which is more resilient than is a material of the first section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: FASTENERS FOR RETAIL, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Bird, Gerald Matthew Szpak, Shane Obitts, Michael Eric Liedtke
  • Publication number: 20140263112
    Abstract: A retainer assembly for an associated merchandising structure includes a planar divider mounted to the associated merchandising structure with the divider including a first side, a second side, a front end and a rear end. A first retainer is pivotally mounted to a first side of the divider adjacent the front end thereof. A second retainer is pivotally mounted to the second side of the divider adjacent the front end thereof. The first and second retainers are biased into an orientation normal to the plane of the divider. Each of the first and second retainers is adapted to pivot omnidirectionally in relation to the plane of the divider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FASTENERS FOR RETAIL, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Bird, Gerald Matthew Szpak, Shane Obitts, Michael Eric Liedtke, Matthew Grubbs
  • Publication number: 20130257087
    Abstract: A dash cluster system and a method for securing and/or interconnecting a dash cluster to power equipment. The dash cluster system includes a housing having a connecting assembly including at least one peripheral connector positioned along a peripheral surface of the housing. The dash cluster system further comprises a bezel having a front side and a rear side. The bezel also comprises a connecting arrangement formed from at least one extending connector, extending from the rear side. The dash cluster system also comprises a securing connection formed between the housing and the bezel by the interlocking of the peripheral connector of the connecting assembly with the extending connector of the connecting arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: DELTA SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Dennis R. Young, Michael Eric Liedtke, Ernest Richard-Dean Buehman
  • Patent number: D919340
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Fasteners for Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane Obitts, Michael Eric Liedtke