Patents by Inventor Michael PLETZ

Michael PLETZ 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: 11358839
    Abstract: A pipelayer machine is provided. The pipelayer machine has a main body, a boom pivotally connected to a first side of the main body, a hook winch provided on the first side of the main body and a boom winch provided on the second side of the main body. The boom winch and the hook winch can be connected to a structural assembly that positions the boom winch proximate the second side of the main body and positions the hook winch proximate the first side of the main body of the pipelayer machine. The hook winch can be provided in a hook winch frame and the hook winch frame can form a structural member in the structural assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Brandt Industries Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Pletz, Daniel Klassen
  • Publication number: 20210061619
    Abstract: A pipelayer machine is provided. The pipelayer machine has a main body, a boom pivotally connected to a first side of the main body, a hook winch provided on the first side of the main body and a boom winch provided on the second side of the main body. The boom winch and the hook winch can be connected to a structural assembly that positions the boom winch proximate the second side of the main body and positions the hook winch proximate the first side of the main body of the pipelayer machine. The hook winch can be provided in a hook winch frame and the hook winch frame can form a structural member in the structural assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Pletz, Daniel Klassen
  • Patent number: 10850952
    Abstract: A pipelayer machine having a counterweight assembly is provided. The pipelayer machine can include a main body having first and second sides, a first side track provided on the first side of the main body and a second side track provided on the second side of the main body. A side boom can be provided on the first side of the main body. The counterweight assembly can be provided on the second side of the main body and include a counterweight mounting frame. A counterweight can be provided having a first side with an engagement hook extending from the first side. The engagement hook can be used to attach the counterweight to the counterweight mounting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Brandt Industries Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Pletz, Daniel Klassen
  • Patent number: 10773931
    Abstract: A pipelayer machine is provided. The pipelayer machine has a main body, a boom pivotally connected to a first side of the main body, a hook winch provided on the first side of the main body and a boom winch provided on the second side of the main body. The boom winch and the hook winch can be connected to a structural assembly that positions the boom winch proximate the second side of the main body and positions the hook winch proximate the first side of the main body of the pipelayer machine. The hook winch can be provided in a hook winch frame and the hook winch frame can form a structural member in the structural assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Brandt Industries Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Pletz, Daniel Klassen
  • Publication number: 20190023540
    Abstract: A pipelayer machine having a counterweight assembly is provided. The pipelayer machine can include a main body having first and second sides, a first side track provided on the first side of the main body and a second side track provided on the second side of the main body. A side boom can be provided on the first side of the main body. The counterweight assembly can be provided on the second side of the main body and include a counterweight mounting frame. A counterweight can be provided having a first side with an engagement hook extending from the first side. The engagement hook can be used to attach the counterweight to the counterweight mounting frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Pletz, Daniel Klassen
  • Publication number: 20190023538
    Abstract: A pipelayer machine is provided. The pipelayer machine has a main body, a boom pivotally connected to a first side of the main body, a hook winch provided on the first side of the main body and a boom winch provided on the second side of the main body. The boom winch and the hook winch can be connected to a structural assembly that positions the boom winch proximate the second side of the main body and positions the hook winch proximate the first side of the main body of the pipelayer machine. The hook winch can be provided in a hook winch frame and the hook winch frame can form a structural member in the structural assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Pletz, Daniel Klassen
  • Patent number: 9506345
    Abstract: A method of installing a rock bolt is provided. A bolt hole can be formed by applying an insertion force to a drill rod and while the insertion force is being applied, applying a rotational force on the drill rod to rotate the drill rod and bore the bolt hole. A rock bolt can then be installed in the bolt hole by applying an insertion force to the rock bolt to insert the rock bolt into a bolt hole and while the insertion force is applied to the rock bolt, applying a rotational force on the rock bolt to rotate the rock bolt in the bolt hole. As the rotational force being applied to the rock bolt increases, the insertion force applied to the rock bolt can be decreased until no insertion force is being applied and the rock bolt has been torqued to a desired torque amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: BRANDT ENGINEERED PRODUCTS LTD.
    Inventors: Travis Vogel, Michael Pletz, Rick Copeland, Dan Bonnet
  • Publication number: 20150218946
    Abstract: A rock bolting machine for installing a rock bolt in a roof of an underground space is provided. The rock bolting machine can include a vehicle having a direction of travel, a rock bolting apparatus having a drilling portion adapted to drill a hole in the roof of the underground space and a bolting portion adapted to install a rock bolt in a hole created with the drilling portion. A boom can be provided with the distal end of the boom connected to the rock bolting apparatus and the proximal end moveably connected to the vehicle. Movement of the proximal end of the boom in the direction of travel of the vehicle causes the distal end of the boom to move in the same direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Travis VOGEL, Michael PLETZ, Mitch STILBORN
  • Publication number: 20150218947
    Abstract: A method of installing a rock bolt is provided. A bolt hole can be formed by applying an insertion force to a drill rod and while the insertion force is being applied, applying a rotational force on the drill rod to rotate the drill rod and bore the bolt hole. A rock bolt can then be installed in the bolt hole by applying an insertion force to the rock bolt to insert the rock bolt into a bolt hole and while the insertion force is applied to the rock bolt, applying a rotational force on the rock bolt to rotate the rock bolt in the bolt hole. As the rotational force being applied to the rock bolt increases, the insertion force applied to the rock bolt can be decreased until no insertion force is being applied and the rock bolt has been torqued to a desired torque amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Travis VOGEL, Michael PLETZ, Rick COPELAND, Dan BONNET
  • Publication number: 20150218945
    Abstract: A rock bolting machine for installing a rock bolt in a roof of an underground space is provided. The rock bolting machine can include a vehicle and a boom. A rock bolting assembly can be attached to the boom. The rock bolting assembly can have a drill bolt mast with a frame, a drilling portion adapted to drill a bolt hole and a bolting portion adapted to secure the rock bolt in the bolt hole. The drilling portion can have a drill rod, a drive unit and a drill motor, where the drive unit comprises an input on a top of the drive unit and an output on the top of the drive unit. The input of the drive unit can be connected to the drill motor and the output connected to a bottom end of the drill rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Travis VOGEL, Tyrell BJARNASON, Michael PLETZ, Mitch STILBORN
  • Patent number: D872133
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Brandt Equipment Solutions Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Pletz, Daniel Klassen