Patents by Inventor Michael J. Fafard
Michael J. Fafard 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).
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Publication number: 20230415857Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Michael Anthony Werle, Justin Everett Brooks
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Patent number: 11780537Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 29, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Michael Anthony Werle, Justin Everett Brooks
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Publication number: 20220363348Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Michael Anthony Werle, Justin Everett Brooks
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Patent number: 11401012Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 17, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Michael Anthony Werle, Justin Everett Brooks
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Patent number: 11267539Abstract: Boats can include seating assemblies that can be configured in a variety of different arrangements. In one configuration of the seating assemblies described herein, a forward-facing seat and a rearward-facing seat are arranged back-to-back above a seat bottom. In another configuration, the seating assembly can be arranged as a forward-facing reclined seat such that a forward rotation of the forward-facing seat to a flat position with the seat bottom causes a rearward rotation of the rearward-facing seat to a reclined position. In still another configuration, the seating assembly can be configured form a reclined seat in a rearward-facing configuration.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Gerren Shea Smith, Dale Norris Exum
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Publication number: 20210047005Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Michael Anthony Werle, Justin Everett Brooks
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Publication number: 20200398944Abstract: Boats can include seating assemblies that can be configured in a variety of different arrangements. In one configuration of the seating assemblies described herein, a forward-facing seat and a rearward-facing seat are arranged back-to-back above a seat bottom. In another configuration, the seating assembly can be arranged as a forward-facing reclined seat such that a forward rotation of the forward-facing seat to a flat position with the seat bottom causes a rearward rotation of the rearward-facing seat to a reclined position. In still another configuration, the seating assembly can be configured form a reclined seat in a rearward-facing configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Applicant: Chaparral Boats, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Gerren Shea Smith, Dale Norris Exum
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Patent number: 10759502Abstract: Boats can include seating assemblies that can be configured in a variety of different arrangements. In one configuration of the seating assemblies described herein, a forward-facing seat and a rearward-facing seat are arranged back-to-back above a seat bottom. In another configuration, the seating assembly can be arranged as a forward-facing reclined seat such that a forward rotation of the forward-facing seat to a flat position with the seat bottom causes a rearward rotation of the rearward-facing seat to a reclined position. In still another configuration, the seating assembly can be configured form a reclined seat in a rearward-facing configuration.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Gerren Shea Smith, Dale Norris Exum
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Patent number: 10494061Abstract: Boats can include seating assemblies that can be configured in a variety of different arrangements. In one configuration of the seating assemblies described herein, a forward-facing seat and a rearward-facing seat are arranged back-to-back. In another configuration, the seating assembly can be arranged as an essentially flat surface that can serve as an expansive sun bathing platform. In still another configuration, the seating assembly can be configured in a comfortable lounging arrangement that can be forward-facing or rearward-facing.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Gerren Shea Smith, Dale Norris Exum
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Publication number: 20190226631Abstract: In one aspect, a boat lift includes a base, a boat support pivotally attached to a given portion of the base, and one or more stabilizers extending from the given portion of the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2018Publication date: July 25, 2019Applicant: Chaparral Boats, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, William S. Pegg, Anthony Tillman Lanier, David Paul Money
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Publication number: 20190104849Abstract: Automatically adjustable seating apparatus are described. The automatically adjustable seating apparatus include first and second seat bottom portions that at least one of which is moveable. The first and/or second seat bottom portions are moveable by automatic adjusters that alter the position of a seat bottom portion between a retracted position and an extended position. When the moveable seat bottom portion or portions are in their retracted position, the automatically adjustable seating apparatus is configured as two seats back-to-back, and when the seat bottom portion or portions are in their extended positions, the automatically adjustable seating apparatus forms a substantially flat surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Applicant: Chaparral Boats, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, James S. Phares, Raymond L. Tanguay, Steven C. Flowers
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Patent number: 10156316Abstract: In one aspect, a boat lift includes a base, a boat support pivotally attached to a given portion of the base, and one or more stabilizers extending from the given portion of the base.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2015Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, William S. Pegg, Anthony Tillman Lanier, David Paul Money
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Patent number: 10149544Abstract: Automatically adjustable seating apparatus are described. The automatically adjustable seating apparatus include first and second seat bottom portions that at least one of which is moveable. The first and/or second seat bottom portions are moveable by automatic adjusters that alter the position of a seat bottom portion between a retracted position and an extended position. When the moveable seat bottom portion or portions are in their retracted position, the automatically adjustable seating apparatus is configured as two seats back-to-back, and when the seat bottom portion or portions are in their extended positions, the automatically adjustable seating apparatus forms a substantially flat surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, James S. Phares, Raymond L. Tanguay, Steven C. Flowers
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Patent number: 10086913Abstract: Boats can include an elevation-adjustable platform. For example, some boats can include an aft swim platform that is elevation-adjustable to facilitate convenient movement of people between the boat and the water. The elevation-adjustable 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: GrantFiled: November 10, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.Inventor: Michael J. Fafard
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Publication number: 20180229816Abstract: Boats can include seating assemblies that can be configured in a variety of different arrangements. In one configuration of the seating assemblies described herein, a forward-facing seat and a rearward-facing seat are arranged back-to-back. In another configuration, the seating assembly can be arranged as an essentially flat surface that can serve as an expansive sun bathing platform. In still another configuration, the seating assembly can be configured in a comfortable lounging arrangement that can be forward-facing or rearward-facing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2017Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Gerren Shea Smith, Dale Norris Exum
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Publication number: 20180229817Abstract: Boats can include seating assemblies that can be configured in a variety of different arrangements. In one configuration of the seating assemblies described herein, a forward-facing seat and a rearward-facing seat are arranged back-to-back above a seat bottom. In another configuration, the seating assembly can be arranged as a forward-facing reclined seat such that a forward rotation of the forward-facing seat to a flat position with the seat bottom causes a rearward rotation of the rearward-facing seat to a reclined position. In still another configuration, the seating assembly can be configured form a reclined seat in a rearward-facing configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2017Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Gerren Shea Smith, Dale Norris Exum
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Publication number: 20180079468Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, William S. Pegg, Michael Anthony Werle
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Patent number: 9855995Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 4, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, William S. Pegg, Michael Anthony Werle
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Publication number: 20170212555Abstract: Watercraft can be adapted with devices and systems for displaying watercraft operational data, and for receiving user input to control the watercraft. Some devices described herein are configured to releasably mount a computing device to the helm of the watercraft in a convenient, user-friendly manner. The helm-mounted computing device can be configured to display a variety of watercraft-related data, and to receive user input. Moreover, the mounting devices described herein allow the computing device to be readily removed from the helm area so the computing device can be transported for use away from the watercraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2016Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventor: Michael J. Fafard
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Patent number: D878378Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.Inventor: Michael J. Fafard