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).
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Patent number: 10661621Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 15, 2016Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.Inventors: Michael Zerba, Michael D. Appel
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Patent number: 10266022Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.Inventors: Michael Zerba, Michael D. Appel
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Publication number: 20160129741Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2016Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventors: Michael Zerba, Michael D. Appel
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Publication number: 20140346754Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.Inventors: Michael Zerba, Michael D. Appel
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Patent number: 8573627Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 2, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: SAF-Holland, Inc.Inventor: Michael D. Appel
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Publication number: 20120280472Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventor: Michael D. Appel
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Patent number: 6712959Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 9, 2001Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Ekholm, Michael D. Appel, Richard C. Maxson
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Patent number: 6663774Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 16, 2001Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Chuck Flansburg, Pierre Ducloux, Michael D. Appel
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Publication number: 20030029780Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2001Publication date: February 13, 2003Applicant: United States Filter CorporationInventors: Michael R. Ekholm, Michael D. Appel, Richard C. Maxson
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Publication number: 20020084216Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2001Publication date: July 4, 2002Applicant: UNITED STATES FILTER CORPORATIONInventors: Chuck Flansburg, Pierre Ducloux, Michael D. Appel