Patents by Inventor Larry Dean Michels

Larry Dean Michels 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: 20230023107
    Abstract: A restraint apparatus for securing a mobility device in a vehicle includes a base configured to being mounted to a floor of the vehicle, a support coupled to the base and extending upward therefrom, and a backing plate adjustably coupled to the support. The backing plate defines a channel to provide vertical adjustment of the backing plate with respect to the support. An upper support is pivotally coupled to the backing plate, and a claw assembly is coupled to the upper support. The claw assembly includes a claw member and a latching member, where the latching member is pivotally coupled to the claw member to enable pivotal movement between an unlatched position and a latched position. A control system operably controls the pivotal movement of the latching member between its latched position to its unlatched positions. In the unlatched position, the claw assembly provides an opening for receiving the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Mark Pettigrew, Michael Evans, Luke Turpin, Larry Dean Michels
  • Patent number: 11478389
    Abstract: A restraint apparatus for securing a mobility device in a vehicle includes a base configured to being mounted to a floor of the vehicle, a support coupled to the base and extending upward therefrom, and a backing plate adjustably coupled to the support. The backing plate defines a channel to provide vertical adjustment of the backing plate with respect to the support. An upper support is pivotally coupled to the backing plate, and a claw assembly is coupled to the upper support. The claw assembly includes a claw member and a latching member, where the latching member is pivotally coupled to the claw member to enable pivotal movement between an unlatched position and a latched position. A control system operably controls the pivotal movement of the latching member between its latched position to its unlatched positions. In the unlatched position, the claw assembly provides an opening for receiving the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Pettigrew, Michael Evans, Luke Turpin, Larry Dean Michels
  • Publication number: 20200214913
    Abstract: A restraint apparatus for securing a mobility device in a vehicle includes a base configured to being mounted to a floor of the vehicle, a support coupled to the base and extending upward therefrom, and a backing plate adjustably coupled to the support. The backing plate defines a channel to provide vertical adjustment of the backing plate with respect to the support. An upper support is pivotally coupled to the backing plate, and a claw assembly is coupled to the upper support. The claw assembly includes a claw member and a latching member, where the latching member is pivotally coupled to the claw member to enable pivotal movement between an unlatched position and a latched position. A control system operably controls the pivotal movement of the latching member between its latched position to its unlatched positions. In the unlatched position, the claw assembly provides an opening for receiving the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Mark Pettigrew, Michael Evans, Luke Turpin, Larry Dean Michels
  • Patent number: 9994130
    Abstract: A transfer seat base for a vehicle, including a rail frame having rails; a carriage frame positioned to ride along the rails and configured for receipt of a seat mounted thereto; a powered motive mechanism for, upon actuation, longitudinally moving the carriage frame along the rails between a forward driving position and a rearward occupant transfer position; a locking mechanism operable upon cessation of actuation of the motive mechanism to automatically lock the carriage frame against longitudinal movement at various positions between the forward driving position and rearward occupant transfer position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Dean Michels, Jonathan D. Decker, John A. Evans
  • Patent number: 9820900
    Abstract: A device for securing a mobility device in a mobility vehicle or on a lifting device that is installed in or on a mobility vehicle or trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Larry Dean Michels
  • Publication number: 20160338888
    Abstract: A device for securing a mobility device in a mobility vehicle or on a lifting device that is installed in or on a mobility vehicle or trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: B & D Independence, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Dean Michels
  • Publication number: 20160264024
    Abstract: A transfer seat base for a vehicle, including a rail frame having rails; a carriage frame positioned to ride along the rails and configured for receipt of a seat mounted thereto; a powered motive mechanism for, upon actuation, longitudinally moving the carriage frame along the rails between a forward driving position and a rearward occupant transfer position; a locking mechanism operable upon cessation of actuation of the motive mechanism to automatically lock the carriage frame against longitudinal movement at various positions between the forward driving position and rearward occupant transfer position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Larry Dean Michels, Jonathan D. Decker, John A. Evans
  • Patent number: 7175761
    Abstract: A filter assembly has a housing open at one end, with an annular filter media/core assembly disposed in the housing. An end plate having at least two inlet openings and an outlet opening is disposed in the open end of the housing. The end plate is affixed to a lid which is secured to the end of the housing. A combination valve is retained between the filter media/core assembly and the end plate. The combination valve has a first portion that cooperates with the first inlet opening in the end plate and a second portion cooperating with the second inlet opening. In use fluid will pass through the first inlet opening, the filter media/core assembly and be discharged from the housing through the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Champion Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Kris S. Stanhope, Ronald L. Kinkade, Kent C. Stanhope, Larry Dean Michels, John W. Stockhowe
  • Patent number: 6585887
    Abstract: An oil filter includes a housing 14 having an end plate 20 attached to the open end thereof. The end plate 20 includes an outlet opening and inlet openings 22. An anti-drainback valve 49 is provided adjacent the end plate. A filter element having an end cap at each end is positioned within the housing. The end cap 50 remote from the end plate includes a plurality of openings 52 spaced from a closed central portion 51. A spring valve 60 cooperates with the end cap 50 and the interior wall of the housing to alternately allow and disallow oil flow through the end cap openings depending upon the differential pressure across the end cap 50. The spring valve 60 and the end cap 50 can be operationally interengage to provide a relatively flat profile. Depressions 72 (FIG. 5) may be included between the arms 62 of the spring valve to provide a flow path should the spring valve be flattened against the housing during operation of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Champion Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Dean Michels, John D. Gaither, Richard Schwarzlose
  • Patent number: 6544412
    Abstract: A thermal sensitive material 61 is disposed between a spring valve 60 and an end cap 50 of an oil filter (FIG. 1). Upon reaching a predetermined pressure, e.g. when the media of the oil filter becomes clogged, an opening 52 in the end cap opens to allow the oil to bypass the filter media. However, the thermal sensitive material precludes bypass flow through the end cap (e.g. during initial operation of the engine when a pressure surge may occur) until a predetermined oil temperature is attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Champion Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Dean Michels, John D. Gaither
  • Publication number: 20020139731
    Abstract: An oil filter comprises a housing that is open at one end and has an end plate connected to the housing for closing the open end. The end plate has at least one inlet opening and an outlet opening therein. An anti-drain back valve is provided for precluding return flow of oil through the inlet opening. An annular filter media is disposed in said housing. An end cap is provided at each end of the filter media. The end cap remote from the end plate has at least one opening spaced radially outwardly from the central axis thereof. A spring cooperates with said end cap remote from the end plate. Normally, the opening in the spring is closed to oil flow. When the filter media becomes clogged, the pressure within the housing increases and when the pressure differential across the end cap remote from the end plate exceeds a predetermined value, the opening in the spring is opened for oil flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Larry Dean Michels, John D. Gaither
  • Publication number: 20020139733
    Abstract: An oil filter comprises a housing that is open at one end and has an end plate connected to the housing for closing the open end. The end plate has at least one inlet opening and an outlet opening therein. An anti-drain back valve is provided for precluding return flow of oil through the inlet opening. An annular filter media is disposed in said housing. An end cap is provided at each end of the filter media. The end cap remote from the end plate has at least one opening spaced radially outwardly from the central axis thereof. A spring cooperates with said end cap remote from the end plate. Normally, the opening in the spring is closed to oil flow. When the filter media becomes clogged, the pressure within the housing increases and when the pressure differential across the end cap remote from the end plate exceeds a predetermined value, the opening in the spring is opened for oil flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Larry Dean Michels, John D. Gaither, Richard Schwarzlose
  • Patent number: 5772881
    Abstract: A plastic oil filter comprises a cup-shaped shell with an open end. The shell contains an annular filter media with an elongated opening therethrough. A backplate is positioned in the open end of the shell. An elongated core is positioned in the opening in the filter media. The core is hollow and has a plurality of openings in the walls thereof. A plurality of longitudinally spaced annular rings are formed on the outer surface of the core. Fluid to be filtered can pass through openings in the backplate into the space between the shell and the filter media, through the filter media to be filtered, through the openings in the walls of the core, into the flow passage in the core, and exit from the filter through the flow passage in the core. Sealing washers are provided at each end of the filter media for preventing undesired flow between the core and the ID of the respective sealing washers. Spring structure is formed on the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Champion Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Stockhowe, Larry Dean Michels