Patents by Inventor Tim Niemier

Tim Niemier 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: 10046837
    Abstract: In one example, a watercraft includes a buoyant body in the form of a single piece structure sized and configured to support the weight of one or more users. The watercraft also includes a retractable fin connected to a pin that resides in a fixed location relative to the body, the pin including a side surface that is in contact with the body. The retractable fin is rotatable about the pin between an extended position and a retracted position, and the retractable fin includes an engagement portion that is engageable with a first portion of the body and with a second portion of the body. The retractable fin assumes the extended position when the engagement portion is releasably retained by the first portion of the body, and the retractable fin assumes the retracted position when the engagement portion is releasably retained by the second portion of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Danny Green, Edward G. Van Nimwegen, Tim Niemier, Joel Bennett, John Bennett, Robert Astle, Brent Steed, Eric Olsen, Mike Todd
  • Publication number: 20170190395
    Abstract: In one example, a watercraft includes a buoyant body in the form of a single piece structure sized and configured to support the weight of one or more users. The watercraft also includes a retractable fin connected to a pin that resides in a fixed location relative to the body, the pin including a side surface that is in contact with the body. The retractable fin is rotatable about the pin between an extended position and a retracted position, and the retractable fin includes an engagement portion that is engageable with a first portion of the body and with a second portion of the body. The retractable fin assumes the extended position when the engagement portion is releasably retained by the first portion of the body, and the retractable fin assumes the retracted position when the engagement portion is releasably retained by the second portion of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Danny Green, Edward G. Van Nimwegen, Tim Niemier, Joel Bennett, John Bennett, Robert Astle, Brent Steed, Eric Olsen, Mike Todd
  • Patent number: 9630689
    Abstract: In one example, a board includes a body having a single piece structure, the body including an upper surface that defines a deck, and a lower surface. The board also includes first and second retractable fins, where the first retractable fin is rotatably connected directly to the body at a first fixed location on the body such that the first retractable fin is rotatable about the first fixed location between an extended position and a retracted position, and the first retractable fin including an engagement portion that is engageable with a first portion of the body and with a second portion of the body. The first retractable fin assumes the extended position when the engagement portion is releasably retained by the first portion of the body, and the first retractable fin assumes the retracted position when the engagement portion is releasably retained by the second portion of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Danny Green, Edward G. Van Nimwegen, Tim Niemier, Joel Bennett, John Bennett, Robert Astle, Brent Steed, Eric Olsen, Mike Todd
  • Publication number: 20150246712
    Abstract: In one example, a board includes a body having a single piece structure, the body including an upper surface that defines a deck, and a lower surface. The board also includes first and second retractable fins, where the first retractable fin is rotatably connected directly to the body at a first fixed location on the body such that the first retractable fin is rotatable about the first fixed location between an extended position and a retracted position, and the first retractable fin including an engagement portion that is engageable with a first portion of the body and with a second portion of the body. The first retractable fin assumes the extended position when the engagement portion is releasably retained by the first portion of the body, and the first retractable fin assumes the retracted position when the engagement portion is releasably retained by the second portion of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventors: Danny Green, Edward G. Van Nimwegen, Tim Niemier, Joel Bennett, John Bennett, Robert Astle, Brent Steed, Eric Olsen, Mike Todd
  • Patent number: 9114860
    Abstract: In one example, a watercraft is provided that includes a body having a bow and a stern whose respective shapes are substantially different from each other. The body includes a hull, an open cockpit, a ramp that is located aft of the open cockpit and slopes downwardly toward the stern, where a lower end of the ramp is located near the stern, and a transom, where the lower end of the ramp extends through the transom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Tom B. Eckert, Tim Niemier
  • Patent number: 9067653
    Abstract: In one example, a board suitable for use in water sports includes a body that includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The board also includes a retractable fin connected to the body and configured to assume extended and retracted positions. In the extended position, a substantial portion of the retractable fin extends below the lower surface of the body, and in the retracted position, a substantial portion of the retractable fin resides within a recess at least partly defined by the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Danny Green, Edward G. Van Nimwegen, Tim Niemier, Joel H Bennett, John Bennett, Robert Astle, Brent R Steed, Eric M Olsen, Mike Todd
  • Patent number: 8839735
    Abstract: In one example, a watercraft, such as a kayak, is provided that includes a body, at least a portion of the body having a unitary one-piece construction. The body includes a hull and a cockpit that is integral with the hull, and the cockpit includes a seating area. Finally, the example watercraft includes a backrest connected to the body near the seating area and rotatable between a substantially vertical orientation and a substantially horizontal orientation, and movement of the backrest is limited to rotational motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward VanNimwegen, Brent Steed, Tim Niemier
  • Patent number: 8800468
    Abstract: In one example, a watercraft, such as a kayak, is provided that has a body which includes a hull, a cockpit connected with the hull, and a backrest removably attached to the body. The watercraft may additionally include a fish tail configuration near a stern of the watercraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward VanNimwegen, Brent Steed, Tim Niemier
  • Publication number: 20140000500
    Abstract: In one example, a watercraft is provided that includes a body having a bow and a stern whose respective shapes are substantially different from each other. The body includes a hull, an open cockpit, a ramp that is located aft of the open cockpit and slopes downwardly toward the stern, where a lower end of the ramp is located near the stern, and a transom, where the lower end of the ramp extends through the transom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Tom B. Eckert, Tim Niemier
  • Patent number: 8616142
    Abstract: In one example, a watercraft is provided that includes a body. The body has a hull and a ramp that slopes downwardly toward a back of the hull. Additionally, a reverse chine geometry is incorporated in a portion of the bottom of the hull. Finally, one or more projections extend downward from the bottom of the hull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Bernard Eckert, Tim Niemier
  • Publication number: 20130340669
    Abstract: In one example, a watercraft, such as a kayak, is provided that includes a body, at least a portion of the body having a unitary one-piece construction. The body includes a hull and a cockpit that is integral with the hull, and the cockpit includes a seating area. Finally, the example watercraft includes a backrest connected to the body near the seating area and rotatable between a substantially vertical orientation and a substantially horizontal orientation, and movement of the backrest is limited to rotational motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Edward VanNimwegen, Brent Steed, Tim Niemier
  • Publication number: 20130017743
    Abstract: In one example, a board suitable for use in water sports includes a body that includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The board also includes a retractable fin connected to the body and configured to assume extended and retracted positions. In the extended position, a substantial portion of the retractable fin extends below the lower surface of the body, and in the retracted position, a substantial portion of the retractable fin resides within a recess at least partly defined by the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Danny Green, Edward G. Van Nimwegen, Tim Niemier, Joel H. Bennett, John Bennett, Robert Astle, Brent R. Steed, Eric M. Olsen, Mike Todd
  • Publication number: 20120122357
    Abstract: In one example, a paddleboard includes a body defining a fin housing within which a fin is partially received. The fin is configured to reside in the fin housing in either of a first operating position or a second operating position, where the second operating position is different from the first operating position. Finally, a fin retention element is provided that is configured to releasably secure the fin to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Tom B. Eckert, Tim Niemier, Edward G. Van Nimwegen
  • Publication number: 20120024219
    Abstract: In one example, a watercraft is provided that includes a body. The body has a hull and a ramp that slopes downwardly toward a back of the hull. Additionally, a reverse chine geometry is incorporated in a portion of the bottom of the hull. Finally, one or more projections extend downward from the bottom of the hull.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Tom Bernard Eckert, Tim Niemier