Patents by Inventor Michael Uffner

Michael Uffner 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: 20070018026
    Abstract: The instant invention combines the features of a sink and a hose reel for user convenience and space savings. The outer periphery of the device is surrounded by an enclosure for aesthetic appearance and internal storage. The sink is provided with a folding faucet and a cover plate which allows the top surface of the device to be utilized as a work table. The lower portion of the cabinet assembly is constructed and arranged to contain a hose storage reel. The reel employs a winding crank mounted near the top of the cabinet assembly and gears extend between the crank and the hose reel to minimize operator stooping when winding a hose about the reel. The reel may be provide with a low entry hose port which allows the hose to be pulled into the enclosure from near the bottom of the device to minimize the possibility of tipping the device during hose retrieval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Uffner, Torrence Anderson
  • Publication number: 20060201943
    Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly, or kit, of injection molded components having integrated connectors which combine to form a storage container having a plurality of snap-in spherical roller assemblies and a cooperating lid member. The storage container components are formed of injection molded plastic and include integrally formed connectors to interlock with one another without the need for separate fasteners. The integrated assembly of the bottom storage container panel and the spherical roller assemblies simplifies storage container construction and minimizes the number of components required to complete the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Uffner, Robert Kopp
  • Patent number: 6976649
    Abstract: A hose cart combining the features of an off-set handle, to permit any easier retrieval of paid out hose, a hose tracker, to permit hose to be neatly wound onto a reel, and a storage system comprising a protective housing, to provide storage and protection for a hose kept within, is provided. The invention includes the use of a crank to turn a reel which causes paid out hose to be drawn into the protective box onto a reel. The use of a plurality of gears permits the crank to be offset from the center of the reel, such that it is elevated to a more convenient cranking position. Further, the use of gears permits the same movement of the crank, which causes hose to be collected, causes a hose guide to move laterally, along the axis of the reel, such that hose is neatly layered onto the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Tisbo, Brian R. Moon, Lyle A. Rosine, Torrence Anderson, Michael Uffner
  • Patent number: 6955396
    Abstract: A self stabilizing and shock absorbing support structure for a collapsible picnic table having integral benches. The support structure includes U-shaped members resiliently attached to each other in a coplanar arrangement which allows the supports to flex and stabilize independently. This arrangement also allows the support structure to absorb shock which would normally be transferred across the table from one bench seat to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Moon, Michael Uffner
  • Publication number: 20050120641
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system of injection molded panels having integrated connectors which combine to form a low profile enclosure having a telescoping roof. The panels are formed of injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for separate I-beam connectors. The ends of the wall panels have cavities to accept both roof and floor outwardly projecting locking posts for interlocking cooperative engagement which serve to rigidly connect the components together. The construction of the wall, roof, floor and door components minimizes component shapes and simplifies enclosure construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Steven Whitehead, Michael Uffner
  • Patent number: 6892497
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, or kit, of injection molded panels having integrated connectors which combine to form an enclosure, commonly in the form of a utility shed. The bilaterally symmetrical panels are formed of injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for separate I-beam connectors. The ends of the wall panels have cavities to accept both roof and floor outwardly projecting interlocking posts for interlocking cooperative engagement which serve to rigidly connect the components together. The bilateral symmetry of the wall, roof, floor and door components also minimizes component shapes and simplifies enclosure construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Moon, Michael Uffner
  • Publication number: 20050017117
    Abstract: The present invention relates to portable hose carts for handling and storage of flexible hoses, such as garden or air hoses. The cart is primarily constructed of plastic components having a centrally rotatable spool for winding of the flexible hose, an enclosure for supporting the spool, wheels at one end of the base of the enclosure, and a handle assembly for tilting the frame onto the wheels to facilitate moving the device. The handle assembly is telescoping mounted and includes a handle mounted near the top of the handle assembly. The spool is rotatable by either a direct current powered motor or a folding manual crank. Power from the electrical motor is transferred to the spool via an infinitely adjustable torque transfer assembly. When the cover is in the open position, the direct current motor is operationally locked out, and when the cover is rotated into the closed position, the direct current motor is operable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Brian Moon, Lyle Rosine, Torrence Anderson, Adam Thomas, Michael Uffner
  • Publication number: 20040238676
    Abstract: A hose cart combining the features of an off-set handle, to permit any easier retrieval of paid out hose, a hose tracker, to permit hose to be neatly wound onto a reel, and a storage system comprising a protective housing, to provide storage and protection for a hose kept within, is provided. The invention includes the use of a crank to turn a reel which causes paid out hose to be drawn into the protective box onto a reel. The use of a plurality of gears permits the crank to be offset from the center of the reel, such that it is elevated to a more convenient cranking position. Further, the use of gears permits the same movement of the crank, which causes hose to be collected, causes a hose guide to move laterally, along the axis of the reel, such that hose is neatly layered onto the reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas A. Tisbo, Brian R. Moon, Lyle A. Rosine, Torrence Anderson, Michael Uffner
  • Publication number: 20040187402
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, or kit, of injection molded panels having integrated connectors which combine to form an enclosure, commonly in the form of a utility shed. The bilaterally symmetrical panels are formed of injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for separate I-beam connectors. The ends of the wall panels have cavities to accept both roof and floor outwardly projecting interlocking posts for interlocking cooperative engagement which serve to rigidly connect the components together. The bilateral symmetry of the wall, roof, floor and door components also minimizes component shapes and simplifies enclosure construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Brian Moon, Michael Uffner
  • Publication number: 20040189060
    Abstract: A self stabilizing and shock absorbing support structure for a collapsible picnic table having integral benches. The support structure includes U-shaped members resiliently attached to each other in a coplanar arrangement which allows the supports to flex and stabilize independently. This arrangement also allows the support structure to absorb shock which would normally be transferred across the table from one bench seat to the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Brian Moon, Michael Uffner
  • Patent number: 6742740
    Abstract: A hose cart combining the features of an off-set handle, to permit any easier retrieval of paid out hose, a hose tracker, to permit hose to be neatly wound onto a reel, and a storage system comprising a protective housing, to provide storage and protection for a hose kept within, is provided. The invention includes the use of a crank to turn a reel which causes paid out hose to be drawn into the protective box onto a reel. The use of a plurality of gears permits the crank to be offset from the center of the reel, such that it is elevated to a more convenient cranking position. Further, the use of gears permits the same movement of the crank, which causes hose to be collected, causes a hose guide to move laterally, along the axis of the reel, such that hose is neatly layered onto the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Tisbo, Brian R. Moon, Lyle A. Rosine, Joseph Gormley, Torrence Anderson, Michael Uffner
  • Publication number: 20030034417
    Abstract: A hose cart combining the features of an off-set handle, to permit any easier retrieval of paid out hose, a hose tracker, to permit hose to be neatly wound onto a reel, and a storage system comprising a protective housing, to provide storage and protection for a hose kept within, is provided. The invention includes the use of a crank to turn a reel which causes paid out hose to be drawn into the protective box onto a reel. The use of a plurality of gears permits the crank to be offset from the center of the reel, such that it is elevated to a more convenient cranking position. Further, the use of gears permits the same movement of the crank, which causes hose to be collected, causes a hose guide to move laterally, along the axis of the reel, such that hose is neatly layered onto the reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas A. Tisbo, Brian R. Moon, Lyle A. Rosine, Joseph Gormley, Torrence Anderson, Michael Uffner
  • Patent number: D501608
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Uffner, Torrence Anderson
  • Patent number: D515313
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Uffner, Torrence Anderson
  • Patent number: D525715
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Jed Richardson, Torrence Anderson, Lyle Rosine, Michael Uffner, Adam Thomas, Robert Kopp, Robert Stein
  • Patent number: D529623
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Suncast Corp.
    Inventors: Jed Richardson, Torrence Anderson, Lyle Rosine, Michael Uffner, Adam Thomas, Robert Kopp, Robert Stein
  • Patent number: D474396
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Tisbo, Michael Uffner, Kevin J. Markley, Torrence C. Anderson