Patents by Inventor Michael Akira West

Michael Akira West 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).

  • Patent number: 11612196
    Abstract: A bib includes a pant portion, a torso portion, a bladder pocket and a liquid bladder. The pants portion includes a waist section and a pair of leg sections. The torso portion extends from the waist section. The torso portion includes a front and back panels disposed respectively adjacent the abdomen and lower back when the bib is worn by the user. The torso portion includes an outer surface facing away from the user torso and an inner surface facing towards the user torso. The bladder pocket is between the inner and outer surfaces extending from the front panel around the back panel and to the front panel. The liquid bladder is disposed within the bladder pocket and extends from the front panel around the back panel and to the front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: WESTLIFE EXPRESS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Bretz, Michael Akira West
  • Publication number: 20210000196
    Abstract: A bib includes a pant portion, a torso portion, a bladder pocket and a liquid bladder. The pants portion includes a waist section and a pair of leg sections. The torso portion extends from the waist section. The torso portion includes a front and back panels disposed respectively adjacent the abdomen and lower back when the bib is worn by the user. The torso portion includes an outer surface facing away from the user torso and an inner surface facing towards the user torso. The bladder pocket is between the inner and outer surfaces extending from the front panel around the back panel and to the front panel. The liquid bladder is disposed within the bladder pocket and extends from the front panel around the back panel and to the front panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Bretz, Michael Akira West
  • Patent number: 10617157
    Abstract: An apparel top for use by a user is worn about a user torso and a user waist. The top includes an outer shell portion having first and second panels, a back panel, shell outside and inside surfaces, and a bottom edge. The apparel top includes a snow gaiter having upper and lower gaiter edges, first and second gaiter ends, and gaiter inner and outer surfaces. The upper gaiter edge is attached to the outer shell portion at the shell inside surface and extends along the first front panel, the back panel and the second front panel. The lower gaiter edge is generally positionable about the user waist relative to the user torso with the lower gaiter edge extending away from the user torso. The top includes a liquid bladder sized and configured to be inflated with a liquid. The liquid bladder is attached to the snow gaiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: WESTLIFE EXPRESS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Akira West, Michael Bretz
  • Publication number: 20190110528
    Abstract: An apparel top for use by a user is worn about a user torso and a user waist. The top includes an outer shell portion having first and second panels, a back panel, shell outside and inside surfaces, and a bottom edge. The apparel top includes a snow gaiter having upper and lower gaiter edges, first and second gaiter ends, and gaiter inner and outer surfaces. The upper gaiter edge is attached to the outer shell portion at the shell inside surface and extends along the first front panel, the back panel and the second front panel. The lower gaiter edge is generally positionable about the user waist relative to the user torso with the lower gaiter edge extending away from the user torso. The top includes a liquid bladder sized and configured to be inflated with a liquid. The liquid bladder is attached to the snow gaiter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Akira West, Michael Bretz
  • Patent number: 10219586
    Abstract: A fastener is coupled to the first strap portion for securing the end flap segment in the looped configuration. A buckle includes a buckle frame, a cross bar, and at least one tool bit. The buckle frame defines a longitudinal frame axis, and the cross bar extends between opposed portions of the buckle frame and defines cross bar axis that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal frame axis. The tool bit is pivotally coupled to the cross bar and is pivotable about the cross bar axis. The tool bit is sized and positioned to be captured between the end flap segment and the body segment when the end flap segment is in the looped configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: WESTLIFE EXPRESS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Akira West, Michael Bretz
  • Patent number: 10203039
    Abstract: A bite valve for controlling fluid flow from a fluid source includes a sleeve and a hollow valve core. The sleeve includes an outlet end and an opposite, a sleeve outer surface and an opposing sleeve inner surface, and an outlet lip. The core includes a core body including distal and inlet ends. The core includes an inlet defining a flow channel. The core includes a core central chamber and the flow channel extending to the central chamber. The core includes an annular chamber formed about the core body within the sleeve inner surface. The core includes flow ports disposed radially about the core body. The core includes an outer rim that is cooperatively sized and configured with the outlet lip with the outer rim in sealing engagement with the outlet lip and out of sealing engagement when the sleeve deformed towards the core body for discharging fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Westlife Express, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Bretz, Michael Akira West
  • Publication number: 20170181503
    Abstract: A multifunctional belt comprising an elongate belt strap having an end flap segment selectively transitional relative to a body segment between a looped configuration and an extended configuration. A fastener is coupled to the belt strap for securing the end flap segment in the looped configuration. A buckle is coupled to the belt strap and includes a buckle frame, a cross bar, and at least one tool bit. The buckle frame defines a longitudinal frame axis, and the cross bar extends between opposed portions of the buckle frame and defines cross bar axis that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal frame axis. The tool bit is pivotally coupled to the cross bar and is pivotable about the cross bar axis. The tool bit is sized and positioned to be captured between the end flap segment and the body segment when the end flap segment is in the looped configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Akira West, Michael Bretz
  • Patent number: 9591893
    Abstract: A multifunctional belt comprising an elongate belt strap having an end flap segment selectively transitional relative to a body segment between a looped configuration and an extended configuration. A fastener is coupled to the belt strap for securing the end flap segment in the looped configuration. A buckle is coupled to the belt strap and includes a buckle frame, a cross bar, and at least one tool bit. The buckle frame defines a longitudinal frame axis, and the cross bar extends between opposed portions of the buckle frame and defines cross bar axis that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal frame axis. The tool bit is pivotally coupled to the cross bar and is pivotable about the cross bar axis. The tool bit is sized and positioned to be captured between the end flap segment and the body segment when the end flap segment is in the looped configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Westlife Distribution USA, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Akira West, Michael Bretz
  • Publication number: 20160174664
    Abstract: A multifunctional belt comprising an elongate belt strap having an end flap segment selectively transitional relative to a body segment between a looped configuration and an extended configuration. A fastener is coupled to the belt strap for securing the end flap segment in the looped configuration. A buckle is coupled to the belt strap and includes a buckle frame, a cross bar, and at least one tool bit. The buckle frame defines a longitudinal frame axis, and the cross bar extends between opposed portions of the buckle frame and defines cross bar axis that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal frame axis. The tool bit is pivotally coupled to the cross bar and is pivotable about the cross bar axis. The tool bit is sized and positioned to be captured between the end flap segment and the body segment when the end flap segment is in the looped configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Akira West, Michael Bretz
  • Patent number: 7168098
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a garment comprising a first and second sleeves, a flap, and a pocket. The arms of a wearer are fitted through the first and second sleeves. The first and second sleeves have first and second openings, respectively. The flap is provided along the first sleeve and is adapted to be positioned between open and closed positions. The closed position constricts the first opening of the first sleeve. The pocket is disposed between the flap and the first sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Akira West
  • Publication number: 20040133967
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a garment comprising a first and second sleeves, a flap, and a pocket. The arms of a wearer are fitted through the first and second sleeves. The first and second sleeves have first and second openings, respectively. The flap is provided along the first sleeve and is adapted to be positioned between open and closed positions. The closed position constricts the first opening of the first sleeve. The pocket is disposed between the flap and the first sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Akira West