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).

  • 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
  • Patent number: 11267539
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Gerren Shea Smith, Dale Norris Exum
  • 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: 20200398944
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Chaparral Boats, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Gerren Shea Smith, Dale Norris Exum
  • Patent number: 10759502
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Gerren Shea Smith, Dale Norris Exum
  • Patent number: 10494061
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Gerren Shea Smith, Dale Norris Exum
  • Publication number: 20190226631
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: Chaparral Boats, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, William S. Pegg, Anthony Tillman Lanier, David Paul Money
  • Publication number: 20190104849
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Chaparral Boats, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, James S. Phares, Raymond L. Tanguay, Steven C. Flowers
  • Patent number: 10156316
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, William S. Pegg, Anthony Tillman Lanier, David Paul Money
  • Patent number: 10149544
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, James S. Phares, Raymond L. Tanguay, Steven C. Flowers
  • Patent number: 10086913
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Fafard
  • Publication number: 20180229816
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Gerren Shea Smith, Dale Norris Exum
  • Publication number: 20180229817
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J. Fafard, Gerren Shea Smith, Dale Norris Exum
  • 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: 20170212555
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventor: Michael J. Fafard
  • Patent number: D878378
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Chaparral Boats, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Fafard