Patents by Inventor Michael D. Appel

Michael D. Appel 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: 10661621
    Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly is provided that includes a mounting bracket adapted to support a fifth wheel hitch plate and having a substantially vertical surface, a vehicle frame rail having a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertical portion; and a support bracket having a first portion secured to the substantially vertical portion of the vehicle frame rail and a second portion secured to the substantially vertical surface of the mounting bracket, and having a plurality of mounting positions spaced longitudinally along the support bracket from one another, wherein the mounting bracket is releasably secured to less than a total number of the mounting positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Zerba, Michael D. Appel
  • Patent number: 10266022
    Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly is provided. The assembly includes at least one mounting bracket adapted to support a hitch plate and a vehicle frame rail having a vertical portion and at least one horizontal portion, wherein the at least one mounting bracket is disposed on the at least one horizontal portion. Also included is a support bracket having a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein the lower portion is releasably secured to the vertical portion of the vehicle frame rail and the upper portion is releasably secured to the at least one mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Zerba, Michael D. Appel
  • Publication number: 20160129741
    Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly is provided that includes a mounting bracket adapted to support a fifth wheel hitch plate and having a substantially vertical surface, a vehicle frame rail having a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertical portion; and a support bracket having a first portion secured to the substantially vertical portion of the vehicle frame rail and a second portion secured to the substantially vertical surface of the mounting bracket, and having a plurality of mounting positions spaced longitudinally along the support bracket from one another, wherein the mounting bracket is releasably secured to less than a total number of the mounting positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Zerba, Michael D. Appel
  • Publication number: 20140346754
    Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly is provided. The assembly includes at least one mounting bracket adapted to support a hitch plate and a vehicle frame rail having a vertical portion and at least one horizontal portion, wherein the at least one mounting bracket is disposed on the at least one horizontal portion. Also included is a support bracket having a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein the lower portion is releasably secured to the vertical portion of the vehicle frame rail and the upper portion is releasably secured to the at least one mounting bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Zerba, Michael D. Appel
  • Patent number: 8573627
    Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch support assembly includes a support bracket adapted to pivotally support a fifth wheel hitch plate, a mounting member adapted to be coupled to a vehicle frame rail to create a gap therebetween and above the frame rail, wherein the gap extends longitudinally along the mounting member, and wherein the mounting member includes a plurality of irregularities spaced longitudinally along the length thereof, and an engagement assembly operably coupled to the support bracket wherein the engagement assembly is operable between an engaged position locking the support bracket with respect to the mounting member at a select position along the length of the mounting member, and a disengaged position wherein the engagement assembly does not engage the plurality of irregularities, thereby allowing the support bracket to be slidably repositioned with respect to the support bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: SAF-Holland, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Appel
  • Publication number: 20120280472
    Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch support assembly includes a support bracket adapted to pivotally support a fifth wheel hitch plate, a mounting member adapted to be coupled to a vehicle frame rail to create a gap therebetween and above the frame rail, wherein the gap extends longitudinally along the mounting member, and wherein the mounting member includes a plurality of irregularities spaced longitudinally along the length thereof, and an engagement assembly operably coupled to the support bracket wherein the engagement assembly is operable between an engaged position locking the support bracket with respect to the mounting member at a select position along the length of the mounting member, and a disengaged position wherein the engagement assembly does not engage the plurality of irregularities, thereby allowing the support bracket to be slidably repositioned with respect to the support bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventor: Michael D. Appel
  • Patent number: 6712959
    Abstract: A submerged intake filter assembly comprising a cylindrical screen, a first end plate, a second end plate, a primary flow modifier pipe, and a plurality of secondary flow modifier pipes. The primary flow modifier pipe is eccentric with the cylindrical screen at the first end plate. The secondary flow modifier pipes are positioned to lie in an annular space between the primary flow modifier pipe and the cylindrical screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Ekholm, Michael D. Appel, Richard C. Maxson
  • Patent number: 6663774
    Abstract: A centrifuge screen includes a series of support rods supporting and underlying a series of filter wires. The filter wires have a triangular cross-section and are less than 0.030 inches in cross-sectional width. The filter wires are spaced less than 0.010 inches apart. The screen is a fine opening, high open area screen for use in a centrifuge to separate particulate matter from a liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Chuck Flansburg, Pierre Ducloux, Michael D. Appel
  • Publication number: 20030029780
    Abstract: A submerged intake filter assembly comprising a cylindrical screen, a first end plate, a second end plate, a primary flow modifier pipe, and a plurality of secondary flow modifier pipes. The primary flow modifier pipe is eccentric with the cylindrical screen at the first end plate. The secondary flow modifier pipes are positioned to lie in an annular space between the primary flow modifier pipe and the cylindrical screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: United States Filter Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Ekholm, Michael D. Appel, Richard C. Maxson
  • Publication number: 20020084216
    Abstract: A centrifuge screen includes a series of support rods supporting and underlying a series of filter wires. The filter wires have a triangular cross-section and are less than 0.030 inches in cross-sectional width. The filter wires are spaced less than 0.010 inches apart. The screen is a fine opening, high open area screen for use in a centrifuge to separate particulate matter from a liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: UNITED STATES FILTER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chuck Flansburg, Pierre Ducloux, Michael D. Appel