Patents by Inventor Michael J. FIWEK

Michael J. FIWEK 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: 20190277035
    Abstract: An articulating coupler includes first and second pivot members that may be pivoted with respect to each other. A locking member and a locking lever are configured to selectively lock the first pivot member to the second pivot member in a plurality of relative positions. The locking member is configured to float over a pivot range in a first direction with the locking lever in a lock position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Stevan Smoot, Brian M. Worthman, Michael J. Fiwek, Samual Evans, Evan Whitney
  • Patent number: 9751390
    Abstract: A seal system for a bi-fold door having a first panel and second panel includes a first seal attachable to the first panel and a second seal attachable to the second panel. Each seal includes a mounting portion, a bulb portion, and a flap portion. When the bi-fold door is closed, the flap portion of the first seal overlies the second seal, and the flap portion of the second seal overlies the first seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Roth, Michael J. Fiwek, Jeffrey K. Albrecht
  • Patent number: 9701285
    Abstract: A stabilizing jack includes a base frame and a slide frame and a leg connected to the base frame and to the slide frame. The leg may be selectively extended into contact with a mating surface and retracted from the extended position. Locking pins disposed on either of the base frame and the slide frame may selectively engage with pin-receiving apertures on the other of the base frame and the slide frame when the leg is placed in the extended position and disengaged from the apertures when the leg is retracted from the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Fiwek, Jeffrey K. Albrecht, Christopher S. Greer
  • Patent number: 9637943
    Abstract: A compressible stand for an awning support includes a base plate, a cover, guide posts extending upwardly from the base plate and downwardly from the cover, and a support plate configured with apertures receiving the guide posts in sliding engagement. The support plate supports a leg of the awning support. A biasing member tends to maintain the support plate and leg in a predetermined relationship with respect to the base plate under a normal load. When an additional load is placed on the support plate, the biasing member is compressed, and the support plate and leg are lowered. When the additional load is removed, the biasing member is decompressed, and the support plate and leg may return to their original positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Lippert Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Fiwek, Jeffrey K. Albrecht
  • Publication number: 20170050503
    Abstract: A seal system for a bi-fold door having a first panel and second panel includes a first seal attachable to the first panel and a second seal attachable to the second panel. Each seal includes a mounting portion, a bulb portion, and a flap portion. When the bi-fold door is closed, the flap portion of the first seal overlies the second seal, and the flap portion of the second seal overlies the first seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Bryan J. ROTH, Michael J. FIWEK, Jeffrey K. ALBRECHT
  • Patent number: 9410326
    Abstract: A retractable awning system includes an awning and a support structure therefor. The support structure includes a base and first, second, and third support arms. The awning is attached to a roller connected to the third support arm and to another structure. A telescopic actuator coupled to the first and second support arms is configured to bias the first, second, and third support arms to a deployed state. The awning may be wound onto the roller. Tension in the awning resulting from the rolling process causes the support structure to transition to a collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Albrecht, Zachery B. Nelson, Andrew J. Papczynski, Brian M. Worthman, Michael J. Fiwek, David G. Skinner, Christopher S. Greer
  • Publication number: 20160221545
    Abstract: A stabilizing jack includes a base frame and a slide frame and a leg connected to the base frame and to the slide frame. The leg may be selectively extended into contact with a mating surface and retracted from the extended position. Locking pins disposed on either of the base frame and the slide frame may selectively engage with pin-receiving apertures on the other of the base frame and the slide frame when the leg is placed in the extended position and disengaged from the apertures when the leg is retracted from the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Michael J. FIWEK, Jeffrey K. ALBRECHT, Christopher S. GREER
  • Publication number: 20160138291
    Abstract: A compressible stand for an awning support includes a base plate, a cover, guide posts extending upwardly from the base plate and downwardly from the cover, and a support plate configured with apertures receiving the guide posts in sliding engagement. The support plate supports a leg of the awning support. A biasing member tends to maintain the support plate and leg in a predetermined relationship with respect to the base plate under a normal load. When an additional load is placed on the support plate, the biasing member is compressed, and the support plate and leg are lowered. When the additional load is removed, the biasing member is decompressed, and the support plate and leg may return to their original positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Michael J. FIWEK, Jeffrey K. ALBRECHT
  • Publication number: 20160107708
    Abstract: A pin box includes a frame, a swing arm pivotally connected to the frame, and a pivot plate pivotally connected to the swing arm. An air spring disposed between the frame and swing arm may be selectively compressed and decompressed. A dampener connected between the swing arm and the frame dampens movement of the swing arm with respect to the frame. A rubber spring disposed between the pivot plate and the swing arm is selectively compressible there between when the pivot plate pivots with respect to the swing arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Michael J. FIWEK, Jeffrey K. ALBRECHT, Christopher S. GREER
  • Publication number: 20150176285
    Abstract: A retractable awning system includes an awning and a support structure therefor. The support structure includes a base and first, second, and third support arms. The awning is attached to a roller connected to the third support arm and to another structure. A telescopic actuator coupled to the first and second support arms is configured to bias the first, second, and third support arms to a deployed state. The awning may be wound onto the roller. Tension in the awning resulting from the rolling process causes the support structure to transition to a collapsed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. ALBRECHT, Zachery B. NELSON, Andrew J. PAPCZYNSKI, Brian M. WORTHMAN, Michael J. FIWEK, David G. SKINNER, Christopher S. GREER