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).
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Patent number: 10046837Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 21, 2017Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Danny Green, Edward G. Van Nimwegen, Tim Niemier, Joel Bennett, John Bennett, Robert Astle, Brent Steed, Eric Olsen, Mike Todd
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Publication number: 20170190395Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2017Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Danny Green, Edward G. Van Nimwegen, Tim Niemier, Joel Bennett, John Bennett, Robert Astle, Brent Steed, Eric Olsen, Mike Todd
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Patent number: 9630689Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 18, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Danny Green, Edward G. Van Nimwegen, Tim Niemier, Joel Bennett, John Bennett, Robert Astle, Brent Steed, Eric Olsen, Mike Todd
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Publication number: 20150246712Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2015Publication date: September 3, 2015Inventors: Danny Green, Edward G. Van Nimwegen, Tim Niemier, Joel Bennett, John Bennett, Robert Astle, Brent Steed, Eric Olsen, Mike Todd
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Patent number: 9114860Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Tom B. Eckert, Tim Niemier
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Patent number: 9067653Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 11, 2012Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 8839735Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 27, 2013Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.Inventors: Edward VanNimwegen, Brent Steed, Tim Niemier
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Patent number: 8800468Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.Inventors: Edward VanNimwegen, Brent Steed, Tim Niemier
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Publication number: 20140000500Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Inventors: Tom B. Eckert, Tim Niemier
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Patent number: 8616142Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 1, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.Inventors: Tom Bernard Eckert, Tim Niemier
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Publication number: 20130340669Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Inventors: Edward VanNimwegen, Brent Steed, Tim Niemier
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Publication number: 20130017743Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: 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
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Publication number: 20120122357Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2011Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Tom B. Eckert, Tim Niemier, Edward G. Van Nimwegen
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Publication number: 20120024219Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Inventors: Tom Bernard Eckert, Tim Niemier