Patents by Inventor Michael J Nickels

Michael J Nickels 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: 20240103946
    Abstract: Techniques for identifying faults in a collaborative computing system including a plurality of disparate, geographically separated computing systems are described herein. An intelligent monitoring (IM) server computing system may receive data from the plurality of computing devices and may monitor the health of the collaborative computing system. The IM server computing system may analyze the data and identify one or more faults associated with a portion of the collaborative system (e.g., an associated computing device, platform, network, etc.). In some examples, the IM server computing system may be configured to identify potential future faults associated with the portion of the collaborative system. Based on the fault, the IM server computing device may determine an action to take to remedy the fault and/or prevent the potential future fault. The IM server computing device may either automatically perform the action or send a notification to the associated computing system to perform the action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Shawn Jacob, Benjamin D. Schappaugh, William Guthrie, Frank Matthew McCully, Timothy J. Nickel, Brian W. Batronis, Robert D. Rariden
  • Publication number: 20240008694
    Abstract: An outdoor bathroom system for disposing of human waste. The outdoor bathroom system includes a shovel for digging a hole, at least one tablet for breaking down the human waste, and at least one wipe. The human waste, the at least one wipe, and the at least one tablet are disposed of in the hole and the at least one tablet breaks down the human waste and the at least one wipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: PACT Outdoors LLC
    Inventors: Noah SCHUM, Christopher THOMAS, Michael J. NICKEL, Kimberly INMAN
  • Publication number: 20230413950
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a removable tightening device is described. The tensioning mechanism is removably coupleable with an article without damaging the article so that upon removal, the coupling of the tensioning mechanism with the article is unrecognizable or not readily detectable. The tensioning mechanism is operable with a tension member to maintain a tension of the tension member and thereby maintain a tightness of the article. The tension member is guided along a path about the article, via one or more guide members, and is tensionable, via the tensioning mechanism, to tighten the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: BOA Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristopher C. Lovett, Christopher H. Converse, Clark Morgan, Michael J. Nickel
  • Publication number: 20230371654
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to articles that include a tightening mechanism, such as reel-based lace tightening mechanism, configured to tighten the article by rotation of a knob. The articles can include a concealing portion that is configured to conceal or protect at least a portion of the tightening mechanism, such as the knob. The concealing portion can be configured to prevent unintentional actuation of the tightening mechanism, such as during contact sports. The concealing portion can be configured to hide the tightening mechanism from view to improve the visual appearance of the article. The concealing portion can be collapsible such that a user can press the concealing portion down to expose the knob of the tightening mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: BOA Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Burns, Gary R. Hammerslag, Eric C. Irwin, Kristopher C. Lovett, Michael J. Nickel, Mark S. Soderberg
  • Patent number: 11684122
    Abstract: A reel based closure device includes a housing, a spool positioned within the housing, and a knob that is operably coupled with the spool so that an operation of the knob causes the spool to rotate in a first direction within the housing. The spool has an upper flange, a lower flange, and a cylindrical wall disposed between the upper flange and the lower flange. The spool is rotatable in the first direction to wind a tension member about the spool's cylindrical wall when the spool is rotated in the first direction. The tension member has a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end. The cylindrical wall has three holes through which the first end of the tension member is inserted to secure the first end of the tension member to the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: BOA Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Burns, Gary R. Hammerslag, Eric C. Irwin, Kristopher C. Lovett, Michael J. Nickel, Mark S. Soderberg
  • Publication number: 20220346502
    Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel that includes a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: Boa Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Soderberg, Michael J. Nickel, Sean Cavanagh
  • Patent number: 11297903
    Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel that includes a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Boa Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Soderberg, Michael J. Nickel, Sean Cavanagh
  • Publication number: 20210227938
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to articles that include a tightening mechanism, such as reel-based lace tightening mechanism, configured to tighten the article by rotation of a knob. The articles can include a concealing portion that is configured to conceal or protect at least a portion of the tightening mechanism, such as the knob. The concealing portion can be configured to prevent unintentional actuation of the tightening mechanism, such as during contact sports. The concealing portion can be configured to hide the tightening mechanism from view to improve the visual appearance of the article. The concealing portion can be collapsible such that a user can press the concealing portion down to expose the knob of the tightening mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Burns, Gary R. Hammerslag, Eric C. Irwin, Kristopher C. Lovett, Michael J. Nickel, Mark S. Soderberg
  • Patent number: 10888139
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to articles that include a tightening mechanism, such as reel-based lace tightening mechanism, configured to tighten the article by rotation of a knob. The articles can include a concealing portion that is configured to conceal or protect at least a portion of the tightening mechanism, such as the knob. The concealing portion can be configured to prevent unintentional actuation of the tightening mechanism, such as during contact sports. The concealing portion can be configured to hide the tightening mechanism from view to improve the visual appearance of the article. The concealing portion can be collapsible such that a user can press the concealing portion down to expose the knob of the tightening mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Burns, Gary R. Hammerslag, Eric C. Irwin, Kristopher C. Lovett, Michael J. Nickel, Mark S. Soderberg
  • Publication number: 20200054097
    Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel that includes a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: Boa Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Soderberg, Michael J. Nickel, Sean Cavanagh
  • Publication number: 20200008534
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a removable tightening device is described. The tensioning mechanism is removably coupleable with an article without damaging the article so that upon removal, the coupling of the tensioning mechanism with the article is unrecognizable or not readily detectable. The tensioning mechanism is operable with a tension member to maintain a tension of the tension member and thereby maintain a tightness of the article. The tension member is guided along a path about the article, via one or more guide members, and is tensionable, via the tensioning mechanism, to tighten the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Kristopher C. Lovett, Christopher H. Converse, Clark Morgan, Michael J. Nickel
  • Patent number: 10413019
    Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel that includes a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: BOA TECHNOLOGY INC
    Inventors: Mark S. Soderberg, Michael J. Nickel, Sean Cavanagh
  • Patent number: 10342294
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a removable tightening device is described. The tensioning mechanism is removably coupleable with an article without damaging the article so that upon removal, the coupling of the tensioning mechanism with the article is unrecognizable or not readily detectable. The tensioning mechanism is operable with a tension member to maintain a tension of the tension member and thereby maintain a tightness of the article. The tension member is guided along a path about the article, via one or more guide members, and is tensionable, via the tensioning mechanism, to tighten the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Kristopher C. Lovett, Christopher H. Converse, Clark Morgan, Michael J. Nickel
  • Publication number: 20190000189
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to articles that include a tightening mechanism, such as reel-based lace tightening mechanism, configured to tighten the article by rotation of a knob. The articles can include a concealing portion that is configured to conceal or protect at least a portion of the tightening mechanism, such as the knob. The concealing portion can be configured to prevent unintentional actuation of the tightening mechanism, such as during contact sports. The concealing portion can be configured to hide the tightening mechanism from view to improve the visual appearance of the article. The concealing portion can be collapsible such that a user can press the concealing portion down to expose the knob of the tightening mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Burns, Gary R. Hammerslag, Eric C. Irwin, Kristopher C. Lovett, Michael J. Nickel, Mark S. Soderberg
  • Patent number: 10070695
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to articles that include a tightening mechanism, such as reel-based lace tightening mechanism, configured to tighten the article by rotation of a knob. The articles can include a concealing portion that is configured to conceal or protect at least a portion of the tightening mechanism, such as the knob. The concealing portion can be configured to prevent unintentional actuation of the tightening mechanism, such as during contact sports. The concealing portion can be configured to hide the tightening mechanism from view to improve the visual appearance of the article. The concealing portion can be collapsible such that a user can press the concealing portion down to expose the knob of the tightening mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Burns, Gary R. Hammerslag, Eric C. Irwin, Kristopher C. Lovett, Michael J. Nickel, Mark S. Soderberg
  • Patent number: 9918865
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to medical braces having lacing systems for tightening of the medical braces. Some embodiments include multiple components of the lacing system integrated into a single housing piece. For example, multiple reels can be used to tighten different portions of the lacing system, and the multiple reels can be mounted onto a single housing. Also, multiple lace guides can be integrated into, or attached to, a single housing piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Nickel, Sean T. Cavanagh, Robert E. Burns, Mark Kerns, Edward L. Weaver, II, Sherry A. Hinds, Beth E. Gramza
  • Publication number: 20170202316
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a removable tightening device is described. The tensioning mechanism is removably coupleable with an article without damaging the article so that upon removal, the coupling of the tensioning mechanism with the article is unrecognizable or not readily detectable. The tensioning mechanism is operable with a tension member to maintain a tension of the tension member and thereby maintain a tightness of the article. The tension member is guided along a path about the article, via one or more guide members, and is tensionable, via the tensioning mechanism, to tighten the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: Boa Technology inc.
    Inventors: Kristopher C. Lovett, Christopher H. Converse, Clark Morgan, Michael J. Nickel
  • Publication number: 20170027287
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to articles that include a tightening mechanism, such as reel-based lace tightening mechanism, configured to tighten the article by rotation of a knob. The articles can include a concealing portion that is configured to conceal or protect at least a portion of the tightening mechanism, such as the knob. The concealing portion can be configured to prevent unintentional actuation of the tightening mechanism, such as during contact sports. The concealing portion can be configured to hide the tightening mechanism from view to improve the visual appearance of the article. The concealing portion can be collapsible such that a user can press the concealing portion down to expose the knob of the tightening mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Burns, Gary R. Hammerslag, Eric C. Irwin, Kristopher C. Lovett, Michael J. Nickel, Mark S. Soderberg
  • Patent number: D897661
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: BOA TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Michael J. Nickel
  • Patent number: D912605
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: TOURIG, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Miller, Michael J. Nickel