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).

  • Patent number: 11758838
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: GREEN INDUSTRY INNOVATORS, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
  • Publication number: 20230085805
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
  • Patent number: 11533838
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: GREEN INDUSTRY INNOVATORS, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
  • Publication number: 20220400606
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
  • Patent number: 11291157
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: GREEN INDUSTRY INNOVATORS, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
  • Patent number: 10868435
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
  • Publication number: 20200077580
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
  • Publication number: 20200077603
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
  • Publication number: 20200077602
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
  • Publication number: 20200077586
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
  • Publication number: 20190199120
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
  • Publication number: 20190191624
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
  • Publication number: 20190199118
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
  • Publication number: 20190191792
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
  • Publication number: 20190191787
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Steffon Hoppel, Todd Pugh
  • Patent number: 9999177
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Steffon Hoppel
  • Patent number: 9963176
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Todd Pugh, Steffon Hoppel
  • Patent number: 9629309
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Steffon Hoppel
  • Patent number: 9592862
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Todd Pugh, Steffon Hoppel
  • Publication number: 20170000025
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventor: Steffon Hoppel