Patents by Inventor Steffon Hoppel
Steffon Hoppel 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: 11758838Abstract: A lawn mower or stand-on powered drivable machine has an electrical port that receives current from an alternator powered by the engine or motor. The port receives a plug from a garment worn by the lawn mower operator. The garment includes one or more thermo-electric elements that are powered from current extending through the port. The thermo-electric (TEC) elements may be resistive heaters to warm the operator or TEC coolers to cool the operator. Furthermore, the garment may include a rechargeable battery that powers the thermo-electric elements when the plug is disconnected from the port.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: GREEN INDUSTRY INNOVATORS, L.L.C.Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
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Publication number: 20230085805Abstract: A lawn mower or stand-on powered drivable machine has an electrical port that receives current from an alternator powered by the engine or motor. The port receives a plug from a garment worn by the lawn mower operator. The garment includes one or more thermo-electric elements that are powered from current extending through the port. The thermo-electric (TEC) elements may be resistive heaters to warm the operator or TEC coolers to cool the operator. Furthermore, the garment may include a rechargeable battery that powers the thermo-electric elements when the plug is disconnected from the port.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Applicant: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
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Patent number: 11533838Abstract: A lawn mower has an electrical port that receives current from an alternator powered by the lawn mower engine. The current and voltage sent the electrical port depend on a flywheel and stator arrangement operatively connected to the alternator. The stator may be replaceable or interchangeable to selectively determine the alternator current and voltage output. The port receives a plug from a garment worn by the lawn mower operator. The garment includes one or more thermo-electric elements that are powered from current extending through the port. The thermo-electric elements may be resistive heaters to warm the operator or TEC coolers to cool the operator. Furthermore, the garment may include a rechargeable battery that powers the thermo-electric elements when the plug is disconnected from the port.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: GREEN INDUSTRY INNOVATORS, L.L.C.Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
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Publication number: 20220400606Abstract: The present disclose provides a combination of a piece of landscaping equipment moveable over a terrain, a laser, and a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly is configured to engage the laser to the piece of landscaping equipment. The laser is selectively operably to emit a laser beam across a portion of terrain that is located in front of the piece of landscaping equipment as the piece of landscaping equipment moves over the terrain. The mounting assembly is operable to adjust a position of the laser relative to the piece of landscaping equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2021Publication date: December 22, 2022Applicant: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
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Patent number: 11291157Abstract: A lawn mower has an electrical port that receives current from an alternator powered by the lawn mower engine. The current and voltage sent the electrical port depend on a flywheel and stator arrangement operatively connected to the alternator. The stator may be replaceable or interchangeable to selectively determine the alternator current and voltage output. The port receives a plug from a garment worn by the lawn mower operator. The garment includes one or more thermo-electric elements that are powered from current extending through the port. The thermo-electric elements may be resistive heaters to warm the operator or TEC coolers to cool the operator. Furthermore, the garment may include a rechargeable battery that powers the thermo-electric elements when the plug is disconnected from the port.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: GREEN INDUSTRY INNOVATORS, L.L.C.Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
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Patent number: 10868435Abstract: A mower having a supplemental battery charging station mounted thereon is provided. The mower utilizes a flywheel/alternator arrangement to output a selected voltage. The voltage is directed to the supplement battery charging station. The supplemental batteries are thereby charged at the charging station as the mower is driven forward or in another direction. The lawn mower also includes a rack (which may be in the form of a hook) to carry a battery powered supplemental lawn maintenance tool, such as a weed trimmer, hedger, edger, or leaf blower, amongst others.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
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Publication number: 20200077580Abstract: A blower deck, a retrofit blower deck kit, and a vehicle incorporating the blower deck or the retrofit blower deck kit. The vehicle is a landscaping vehicle such as a tractor or a mower. The blower deck may be engaged with the vehicle frame and in a position under the body of the vehicle. The blower deck may be engaged with the vehicle frame in place of a mower deck. In other instances the blower deck may be attached to a portion of the frame so that the blower deck is located in front of the vehicle body. The retrofit blower deck kit may be utilized to convert the vehicle's mower deck to a blower deck. The retrofit kit includes a base plate that is engaged below a bottom edge of the mower deck's side wall and one or more adapters that convert the mower's cutter blade(s) to blower blade(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2018Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
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Publication number: 20200077603Abstract: A blower deck, a retrofit blower deck kit, and a vehicle incorporating the blower deck or the retrofit blower deck kit. The vehicle is a landscaping vehicle such as a tractor or a mower. The blower deck may be engaged with the vehicle frame and in a position under the body of the vehicle. The blower deck may be engaged with the vehicle frame in place of a mower deck. In other instances the blower deck may be attached to a portion of the frame so that the blower deck is located in front of the vehicle body. The retrofit blower deck kit may be utilized to convert the vehicle's mower deck to a blower deck. The retrofit kit includes a base plate that is engaged below a bottom edge of the mower deck's side wall and one or more adapters that convert the mower's cutter blade(s) to blower blade(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2018Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
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Publication number: 20200077602Abstract: A blower deck, a retrofit blower deck kit, and a vehicle incorporating the blower deck or the retrofit blower deck kit. The vehicle is a landscaping vehicle such as a tractor or a mower. The blower deck may be engaged with the vehicle frame and in a position under the body of the vehicle. The blower deck may be engaged with the vehicle frame in place of a mower deck. In other instances the blower deck may be attached to a portion of the frame so that the blower deck is located in front of the vehicle body. The retrofit blower deck kit may be utilized to convert the vehicle's mower deck to a blower deck. The retrofit kit includes a base plate that is engaged below a bottom edge of the mower deck's side wall and one or more adapters that convert the mower's cutter blade(s) to blower blade(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2018Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
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Publication number: 20200077586Abstract: A blower deck, a retrofit blower deck kit, and a vehicle incorporating the blower deck or the retrofit blower deck kit. The vehicle is a landscaping vehicle such as a tractor or a mower. The blower deck may be engaged with the vehicle frame and in a position under the body of the vehicle. The blower deck may be engaged with the vehicle frame in place of a mower deck. In other instances the blower deck may be attached to a portion of the frame so that the blower deck is located in front of the vehicle body. The retrofit blower deck kit may be utilized to convert the vehicle's mower deck to a blower deck. The retrofit kit includes a base plate that is engaged below a bottom edge of the mower deck's side wall and one or more adapters that convert the mower's cutter blade(s) to blower blade(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2018Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
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Publication number: 20190199120Abstract: A mower having a supplemental battery charging station mounted thereon is provided. The mower utilizes a flywheel/alternator arrangement to output a selected voltage. The voltage is directed to the supplement battery charging station. The supplemental batteries are thereby charged at the charging station as the mower is driven forward or in another direction. The lawn mower also includes a rack (which may be in the form of a hook) to carry a battery powered supplemental lawn maintenance tool, such as a weed trimmer, hedger, edger, or leaf blower, amongst others.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2018Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
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Publication number: 20190191624Abstract: A lawn mower has an electrical port that receives current from an alternator powered by the lawn mower engine. The current and voltage sent the electrical port depend on a flywheel and stator arrangement operatively connected to the alternator. The stator may be replaceable or interchangeable to selectively determine the alternator current and voltage output. The port receives a plug from a garment worn by the lawn mower operator. The garment includes one or more thermo-electric elements that are powered from current extending through the port. The thermo-electric elements may be resistive heaters to warm the operator or TEC coolers to cool the operator. Furthermore, the garment may include a rechargeable battery that powers the thermo-electric elements when the plug is disconnected from the port.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2018Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
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Publication number: 20190199118Abstract: An outdoor power unit, such as a mower or snow thrower, having a supplemental battery charging station mounted thereon is provided. The outdoor power unit utilizes a flywheel/alternator arrangement to output a selected voltage. The voltage is directed to the supplement battery charging station. The supplemental batteries are thereby charged at the charging station as the outdoor power unit is driven forward or in another direction. The outdoor power unit also includes a rack (which may be in the form of a hook) to carry a battery powered supplemental lawn maintenance tool, such as a weed trimmer, hedger, edger, or leaf blower, amongst others.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2018Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
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Publication number: 20190191792Abstract: An outdoor power unit or lawn mower has an electrical port that receives current from an alternator powered by the lawn mower engine. The current and voltage sent the electrical port depend on a flywheel and stator arrangement operatively connected to the alternator. The stator may be replaceable or interchangeable to selectively determine the alternator current and voltage output. The port receives a plug from a garment worn by the lawn mower operator. Alternatively, the outdoor power unit may be an entirely electric device free of an internal combustion engine. The garment includes one or more thermo-electric elements that are powered from current extending through the port. The thermo-electric elements may be resistive heaters to warm the operator or TEC coolers to cool the operator. Furthermore, the garment may include a rechargeable battery that powers the thermo-electric elements when the plug is disconnected from the port.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2018Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
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Publication number: 20190191787Abstract: A lawn mower has an electrical port that receives current from an alternator powered by the lawn mower engine. The current and voltage sent the electrical port depend on a flywheel and stator arrangement operatively connected to the alternator. The stator may be replaceable or interchangeable to selectively determine the alternator current and voltage output. The port receives a plug from a garment worn by the lawn mower operator. The garment includes one or more thermo-electric elements that are powered from current extending through the port. The thermo-electric elements may be resistive heaters to warm the operator or TEC coolers to cool the operator. Furthermore, the garment may include a rechargeable battery that powers the thermo-electric elements when the plug is disconnected from the port.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2018Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
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Patent number: 9999177Abstract: A system and method for detachably securing an attachment to a zero-turn utility vehicle such as a zero-turn, stand-on mower. The system includes a mounting assembly provided on a hydraulically operated support member on the utility vehicle's frame; and a connector assembly provided on the attachment. The mounting assembly includes a pivotable plate member that is inserted into the complementary shaped connector assembly. The plate member includes a locking rod at an upper end. The connector assembly has side walls and a top wall that surround the plate member when the mounting assembly is engaged with the connector assembly. The top wall overhangs and captures the locking rod between the top wall and a back wall of the attachment. A locking mechanism secures the mounting assembly and connector assembly together. Moving the attachment is accomplished by actuating the hydraulic system on the utility vehicle to move the support member.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2016Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.Inventor: Steffon Hoppel
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Patent number: 9963176Abstract: A utility vehicle with adjustable wheel assemblies to accommodate different weight attachments selectively engageable with the vehicle. Adjustment assemblies are provided to engage each of the front wheel assemblies. Each adjustment assembly includes a guide plate, a first arm of a first length and a second arm of a second length. The operator will select the appropriate one of the first and second arms to secure to the guide plate and to one of the front wheel assemblies. The guide plates include holes therein for locking the selected one of the arms in a particular orientation. This is accomplished by inserting a pin through an aperture in the selected first or second arm and one of the holes in the guide plate. A first end of the selected first or second arm is secured to the guide plate and a second end thereof is engaged with the associated wheel assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.Inventors: Todd Pugh, Steffon Hoppel
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Patent number: 9629309Abstract: A mower may have a removable mower deck and a removable attachment which includes a hopper and conveyor assembly for discharging particulate material from the hopper.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2016Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.Inventor: Steffon Hoppel
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Patent number: 9592862Abstract: A utility vehicle with adjustable wheel assemblies to accommodate different weight attachments selectively engageable with the vehicle. Adjustment assemblies are provided to engage each of the front wheel assemblies. Each adjustment assembly includes a guide plate, a first arm of a first length and a second arm of a second length. The operator will select the appropriate one of the first and second arms to secure to the guide plate and to one of the front wheel assemblies. The guide plates include holes therein for locking the selected one of the arms in a particular orientation. This is accomplished by inserting a pin through an aperture in the selected first or second arm and one of the holes in the guide plate. A first end of the selected first or second arm is secured to the guide plate and a second end thereof is engaged with the associated wheel assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.Inventors: Todd Pugh, Steffon Hoppel
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Publication number: 20170000025Abstract: A system and method for detachably securing an attachment to a zero-turn utility vehicle such as a zero-turn, stand-on mower. The system includes a mounting assembly provided on a hydraulically operated support member on the utility vehicle's frame; and a connector assembly provided on the attachment. The mounting assembly includes a pivotable plate member that is inserted into the complementary shaped connector assembly. The plate member includes a locking rod at an upper end. The connector assembly has side walls and a top wall that surround the plate member when the mounting assembly is engaged with the connector assembly. The top wall overhangs and captures the locking rod between the top wall and a back wall of the attachment. A locking mechanism secures the mounting assembly and connector assembly together. Moving the attachment is accomplished by actuating the hydraulic system on the utility vehicle to move the support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventor: Steffon Hoppel