Patents by Inventor Michael Bretz

Michael Bretz 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: 11927809
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hardened power and optical connection system for use with hybrid cables. The hardened power and optical connection system includes electrical pin and socket contacts for providing power connections, and ferrules for providing optical connections. The hardened power and optical connection system has an integrated fiber alignment provided through a mating relationship between a plug and a socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Dwight A. Bretz, Robert Charles Flaig, Thomas P. Huegerich, Michael Lawrence Gurreri
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11179835
    Abstract: In order for hydraulic disk brakes to function properly over time, associated brake pads are changed periodically. In order to exchange old brake pads for replacement brake pads, a disk brake may require pushing back the brake pistons within a brake caliper body in order to make room for installation of replacement pads. Current tools and methods typically require removal of a wheel from a vehicle, removal of a brake rotor from the wheel, and/or removal of the brake caliper body from a rotor. The presently disclosed caliper piston tool allows brake pads to be replaced without dismantling various components of the vehicle, resulting in significant time and cost savings as well as convenience for do-it-yourself and professional mechanics alike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: FEEDBACK SPORTS LLC
    Inventors: Michael Bretz, Dominic Lovely, William E. Allen, III
  • Publication number: 20210114190
    Abstract: In order for hydraulic disk brakes to function properly over time, associated brake pads are changed periodically. In order to exchange old brake pads for replacement brake pads, a disk brake may require pushing back the brake pistons within a brake caliper body in order to make room for installation of replacement pads. Current tools and methods typically require removal of a wheel from a vehicle, removal of a brake rotor from the wheel, and/or removal of the brake caliper body from a rotor. The presently disclosed caliper piston tool allows brake pads to be replaced without dismantling various components of the vehicle, resulting in significant time and cost savings as well as convenience for do-it-yourself and professional mechanics alike.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Michael BRETZ, Dominic LOVELY, William E. ALLEN, III
  • 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: 7428789
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sports boot (1) for walking or cross-country skiing, with a flexible shaft (2) receiving the foot, and a reinforcement (5) surrounding the shaft (2) on its external side by sections and being connected with the outsole (3). The shaft (2) is formed in this connection by a cushioned inner boot (6), and a coat (8) of fabric o some other material compatible with the skin. The reinforcement (5) is formed by a latticed or net-like support structure (12) for the inner boot (6), and composed of flexible ribbon elements (13) having, however, the highest possible tensile strength, and being made of plastic or textiles, said ribbon elements resting against external part sections of the inner boot (6), or surrounding the inner boot (6) on its external side within part sections. In this connection, the latticed or net-like support structure (12) is variable with respect to its delimiting or receiving volume as required by means of a lacing system (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: ATOMIC Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Holzer, Michael Bretz
  • Publication number: 20070011913
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sports boot (1) for walking or cross-country skiing, with a flexible shaft (2) receiving the foot, and a reinforcement (5) surrounding the shaft (2) on its external side by sections and being connected with the outsole (3). The shaft (2) is formed in this connection by a cushioned inner boot (6), and a coat (8) of fabric o some other material compatible with the skin. The reinforcement (5) is formed by a latticed or net-like support structure (12) for the inner boot (6), and composed of flexible ribbon elements (13) having, however, the highest possible tensile strength, and being made of plastic or textiles, said ribbon elements resting against external part sections of the inner boot (6), or surrounding the inner boot (6) on its external side within part sections. In this connection, the latticed or net-like support structure (12) is variable with respect to its delimiting or receiving volume as required by means of a lacing system (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Helmut Holzer, Michael Bretz