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).

  • Publication number: 20160375943
    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: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Todd Pugh, Steffon Hoppel
  • Patent number: 9457848
    Abstract: A utility vehicle with wheel assemblies that are adjustable to accommodate different weight attachments that are selectively engaged with the vehicle. The vehicle has a frame with a pair of rear wheels and a pair of front wheel assemblies spaced a first distance longitudinally from the rear wheels and a second distance laterally from each other. One or both of the front wheel assemblies are selectively adjustable so as to vary one or both of the first distance and the second distance. This adjustment is made to change the balance between the weight of an overhung load due to different weight attachments and the weight of the rest of the vehicle with the operator. The adjustment of one or both of the right and left front wheel assemblies simultaneously adjusts the first and second distances while maintaining the operational height of the vehicle's frame relative to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Todd Pugh, Steffon Hoppel
  • Patent number: 9457849
    Abstract: A utility vehicle and method are provided wherein the vehicle has wheel assemblies that are adjustable to accommodate different attachments that may be selectively mounted on the vehicle and may have different weights. The wheel assemblies may be adjusted to alter the distance between the front wheel assemblies and/or between rear wheels and front wheel assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Todd Pugh, Steffon Hoppel
  • Patent number: 9414541
    Abstract: A hopper and conveyor assembly for discharging particulate material from the hopper is provided. Sealing strips may be used to prevent particulate material from moving beyond edges of a conveyor belt of the conveyor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Steffon Hoppel
  • Publication number: 20160183464
    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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventor: Steffon Hoppel
  • Patent number: 9307698
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mower having a removable mower deck, and a removable attachment which includes a hopper and conveyor assembly for discharging particulate material from the hopper. The attachment and mower deck may be mounted on the frame of the unit together or separately. The attachment may be configured for rapid mounting and dismounting on the frame of the mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Steffon Hoppel
  • Publication number: 20160052567
    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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Todd Pugh, Steffon Hoppel
  • Publication number: 20150274226
    Abstract: A utility vehicle and method are provided wherein the vehicle has wheel assemblies that are adjustable to accommodate different attachments that may be selectively mounted on the vehicle and may have different weights. The wheel assemblies may be adjusted to alter the distance between the front wheel assemblies and/or between rear wheels and front wheel assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Todd Pugh, Steffon Hoppel
  • Publication number: 20150274225
    Abstract: A utility vehicle with wheel assemblies that are adjustable to accommodate different weight attachments that are selectively engaged with the vehicle. The vehicle has a frame with a pair of rear wheels and a pair of front wheel assemblies spaced a first distance longitudinally from the rear wheels and a second distance laterally from each other. One or both of the front wheel assemblies are selectively adjustable so as to vary one or both of the first distance and the second distance. This adjustment is made to change the balance between the weight of an overhung load due to different weight attachments and the weight of the rest of the vehicle with the operator. The adjustment of one or both of the right and left front wheel assemblies simultaneously adjusts the first and second distances while maintaining the operational height of the vehicle's frame relative to the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: GREEN INDUSTRY INNOVATORS, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Todd Pugh, Steffon Hoppel
  • Patent number: 9137947
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-propelled outdoor power equipment unit, an attachment for use with such a unit and associated methods. The unit may be in the form of a mower having a mower deck. The attachment includes a hopper and conveyor assembly for discharging particulate material from the hopper. The conveyor assembly has operational and stored positions, the latter of which provides a narrower profile of the attachment and unit. The attachment and mower deck may be mounted on the frame of the unit together or separately. The attachment is configured for rapid mounting and dismounting on the frame of the unit, and provides additional functionality to a mower or other unit on which the attachment is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Steffon Hoppel
  • Patent number: 9055714
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-propelled outdoor power equipment unit, an attachment for use with such a unit and associated methods. The unit may be in the form of a mower having a mower deck. The attachment includes a hopper and conveyor assembly for discharging particulate material from the hopper. The conveyor assembly has operational and stored positions, the latter of which provides a narrower profile of the attachment and unit. The attachment and mower deck may be mounted on the frame of the unit together or separately. The attachment is configured for rapid mounting and dismounting on the frame of the unit, and provides additional functionality to a mower or other unit on which the attachment is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Steffon Hoppel
  • Publication number: 20150068178
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mower having a removable mower deck, and a removable attachment which includes a hopper and conveyor assembly for discharging particulate material from the hopper. The attachment and mower deck may be mounted on the frame of the unit together or separately. The attachment may be configured for rapid mounting and dismounting on the frame of the mower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Steffon Hoppel
  • Patent number: 8915347
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-propelled outdoor power equipment unit, an attachment for use with such a unit and associated methods. The unit may be in the form of a mower having a mower deck. The attachment includes a hopper and conveyor assembly for discharging particulate material from the hopper. The conveyor assembly has operational and stored positions, the latter of which provides a narrower profile of the attachment and unit. The attachment and mower deck may be mounted on the frame of the unit together or separately. The attachment is configured for rapid mounting and dismounting on the frame of the unit, and provides additional functionality to a mower or other unit on which the attachment is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Green Industry Innovators, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Steffon Hoppel
  • Publication number: 20140311863
    Abstract: A hopper and conveyor assembly for discharging particulate material from the hopper is provided. Sealing strips may be used to prevent particulate material from moving beyond edges of a conveyor belt of the conveyor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Steffon Hoppel
  • Publication number: 20140075905
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-propelled outdoor power equipment unit, an attachment for use with such a unit and associated methods. The unit may be in the form of a mower having a mower deck. The attachment includes a hopper and conveyor assembly for discharging particulate material from the hopper. The conveyor assembly has operational and stored positions, the latter of which provides a narrower profile of the attachment and unit. The attachment and mower deck may be mounted on the frame of the unit together or separately. The attachment is configured for rapid mounting and dismounting on the frame of the unit, and provides additional functionality to a mower or other unit on which the attachment is mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: GREEN INDUSTRY INNOVATORS, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Steffon Hoppel
  • Publication number: 20120275889
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-propelled outdoor power equipment unit, an attachment for use with such a unit and associated methods. The unit may be in the form of a mower having a mower deck. The attachment includes a hopper and conveyor assembly for discharging particulate material from the hopper. The conveyor assembly has operational and stored positions, the latter of which provides a narrower profile of the attachment and unit. The attachment and mower deck may be mounted on the frame of the unit together or separately. The attachment is configured for rapid mounting and dismounting on the frame of the unit, and provides additional functionality to a mower or other unit on which the attachment is mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: GREEN INDUSTRY INNOVATORS, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Steffon Hoppel
  • Publication number: 20120273598
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-propelled outdoor power equipment unit, an attachment for use with such a unit and associated methods. The unit may be in the form of a mower having a mower deck. The attachment includes a hopper and conveyor assembly for discharging particulate material from the hopper. The conveyor assembly has operational and stored positions, the latter of which provides a narrower profile of the attachment and unit. The attachment and mower deck may be mounted on the frame of the unit together or separately. The attachment is configured for rapid mounting and dismounting on the frame of the unit, and provides additional functionality to a mower or other unit on which the attachment is mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: GREEN INDUSTRY INNOVATORS, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Steffon Hoppel