Patents by Inventor Michael Uffner

Michael Uffner 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: 20100155520
    Abstract: The present invention relates to hose reel carts for handling and storage of flexible hoses, such as garden or air hoses. The hose reel cart is primarily constructed of plastic components having a centrally rotatable spool for winding of the flexible hose, a frame for supporting the spool and a multi-position crank arm assembly allowing the consumer to place the crank handle in a lowered position or a raised position. The crank remotely drives the spool, for winding the hose, through a series of gears located within the crank arm assembly. The device may further include a reciprocating guide assembly that operates during rotation of the spool to rewind the hose into a compact configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen Whitehead, Michael Thuma, Michael Uffner, Matthew McKimmy, Michael R. Vogler
  • Publication number: 20100107984
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward animal feeding devices, and more particularly, to an elevated feeding apparatus for domestic animals such as dogs and cats. The device is constructed and arranged to be used for pet feeding with or without riser legs and provides space saving features for shipping and storage. As a space saving feature, the dish retainer is provided with a first fastener system positioned under the dish retainer so that riser legs can be stored in a nested state with respect to each other and within the confines of the perimeter wall. A second fastener system is provided near the distal ends of the dish retainer for attachment of the riser legs to elevate the dish retainer when desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Uffner, Michael R. Vogler
  • Publication number: 20100088976
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system or kit of injection molded panels and other components having integrated connectors which combine together to form an enclosure, preferably in the form of a gazebo. The support posts, roof rafters, roof supports, roof panels and walls are formed of injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for separate I-beam connectors. The system incorporates a minimum number of components to construct a gazebo type enclosure by integrally forming connectors in to the injection molded components and panels. This minimizes the need for separate extruded or molded connectors to assemble the enclosure. The symmetry of the support posts, roof rafters, roof supports, roof panels and other components also minimizes the shapes of the components and simplifies construction of the gazebo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Torrence Anderson, Michael Uffner, Michael R. Vogler, Brian C. Donnelly
  • Patent number: 7581357
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, or kit, of injection molded panels having integrated connectors which combine to form an enclosure, commonly in the form of a utility shed. The panels are formed of injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for separate I-beam connectors. The ends of the wall panels have cavities to accept both roof and floor outwardly projecting locking bosses for interlocking cooperative engagement which serve to rigidly connect the components together. The symmetry of the wall, roof, floor and door components also minimizes component shapes and simplifies enclosure construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Jed C. Richardson, Lyle A. Rosine, Rob Stein, Robert Kopp, Michael Uffner, Torrence Anderson
  • Patent number: 7543411
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system of injection molded panels having integrated connectors which combine to form a low profile enclosure having a telescoping roof. The panels are formed of injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for separate I-beam connectors. The ends of the wall panels have cavities to accept both roof and floor outwardly projecting locking posts for interlocking cooperative engagement which serve to rigidly connect the components together. The construction of the wall, roof, floor and door components minimizes component shapes and simplifies enclosure construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Whitehead, Michael Uffner
  • Publication number: 20080295894
    Abstract: A water powered hose reel operated by household water pressure. The hose reel has a traversing hydraulic motor for use in retrieval of a flexible hose. The hose reel includes a spool carried by and enclosed within an enclosure, the spool having a hub with a pair of flanges at opposing ends configured for proper alignment of the hose during storage, take-up and pay-out of the hose. The enclosure is configured for receiving the spool so as to rotate within the enclosure. A hydraulic motor allows take-up of the hose by use of a reciprocating traversing motor driving a rack attached to the spool by a series of gears. Disengagement of the motor allows for manual pay-out of the hose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Uffner, Michael R. Vogler
  • Patent number: 7316368
    Abstract: The present invention relates to portable hose carts for handling and storage of flexible hoses, such as garden or air hoses. The cart is primarily constructed of plastic components having a centrally rotatable spool for winding of the flexible hose, an enclosure for supporting the spool, wheels at one end of the base of the enclosure, and a handle assembly for tilting the frame onto the wheels to facilitate moving the device. The handle assembly is telescoping mounted and includes a handle mounted near the top of the handle assembly. The spool is rotatable by either a direct current powered motor or a folding manual crank. Power from the electrical motor is transferred to the spool via an infinitely adjustable torque transfer assembly. When the cover is in the open position, the direct current motor is operationally locked out, and when the cover is rotated into the closed position, the direct current motor is operable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Moon, Lyle A. Rosine, Torrence Anderson, Adam Thomas, Michael Uffner
  • Publication number: 20070186341
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sink assembly formed from a plurality of injection molded plastic panels having integrated connectors which are capable of being packaged and shipped in a knock-down state and constructed to form an aesthetically pleasing sink assembly. The integrated connection of the side walls, front, back, and bottom panels and sink components simplifies the sink assembly construction. The panels are formed of injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for fasteners or connectors. The system incorporates a minimum number of connectors by integrally forming the connectors into the panels which are snapped together to complete the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Uffner, Torrence Anderson
  • Publication number: 20070157530
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system which includes injection molded roof panels, header assemblies and ridge caps having integrated connectors which combine to form a family of variously sized roof assemblies for utility enclosures. The injection molding facilitates integrally formed connectors so that the roof panels, header assemblies and ridge caps interlock with one another without the need for separate connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Uffner, Jed Richardson
  • Publication number: 20070145051
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plurality of injection molded plastic panels having integrated connectors which are capable of being packaged and shipped in a knock-down state and constructed to form an aesthetically pleasing mobile cooler assembly. The integrated connection of the side walls, front, back, cover and bottom panel components simplifies cooler assembly construction. The panels are formed of injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for fasteners or connectors. The system incorporates a minimum number of components by integrally forming the connectors into the panels which are snapped together to complete the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Uffner, Torrence Anderson
  • Publication number: 20070145870
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plurality of injection molded plastic panels having integrated connectors which are capable of being packaged and shipped in a knock-down state and constructed to form an aesthetically pleasing preparation station for use in outdoor food service. The integrated connection of the side walls, front, back, cover and bottom panel components simplifies the preparation station assembly construction. The panels are formed of injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for fasteners or connectors. The system incorporates a minimum number of components by integrally forming the connectors into the panels which are snapped together to complete the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Uffner, Torrence Anderson
  • Publication number: 20070125778
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plurality of injection molded plastic panels having integrated connectors which are capable of being packaged and shipped in a knocked-down state and constructed to form an aesthetically pleasing trash container. The integrated connection of the side wall, cover and bottom panel components simplifies trash container construction. The panels are formed of injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for separate metal fasteners or connectors. The system incorporates a minimum number of components by integrally forming the connectors into the injection molded panels which are snapped together to complete the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Uffner, Torrence Anderson
  • Publication number: 20070114319
    Abstract: Among the several aspects and features of the present invention may be noted the provision of an improved portable hose reel cart having a low-entry point for recoiling a hose in conjunction with an elevated hand crank for use in rotation of the reel. In an additional embodiment, the elevated hand crank is also used for movement of a level-wind hose guide for positioning of the flexible hose around the hose reel. The present invention also provides an enclosure that includes injection molded panels having integrally formed connectors adapted to cooperate with injection molded as well as extruded panels for assembly of a hose reel enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Torrence Anderson, Robert Stein, Michael Uffner, Joseph Bella
  • Publication number: 20070107326
    Abstract: The present invention relates to kit for a cupola assembly. The cupola assembly utilizes injection molded plastic panels having integrally formed connectors. The cupola is capable of being packaged and shipped in a knocked-down state and constructed into a secure cupola.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Uffner, Jed Richardson, Torrence Anderson
  • Publication number: 20070044391
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, or kit, of injection molded panels having integrated connectors which combine to form an enclosure, commonly in the form of a utility shed. The panels are formed of injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for separate I-beam connectors. The ends of the wall panels have cavities to accept both roof and floor outwardly projecting locking bosses for interlocking cooperative engagement which serve to rigidly connect the components together. The symmetry of the wall, roof, floor and door components also minimizes component shapes and simplifies enclosure construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Jed Richardson, Lyle Rosine, Rob Stein, Robert Kopp, Michael Uffner
  • Patent number: D544162
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Uffner, Torrence Anderson
  • Patent number: D592814
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Suncast Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Uffner, Torrence Anderson, Michael R. Vogler
  • Patent number: D605375
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Suncast Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Torrence Anderson, Michael R. Vogler, Michael Uffner
  • Patent number: D605780
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Uffner, Torrence Anderson
  • Patent number: D622862
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Suncast Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Vogler, Michael Uffner