ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 6 -- United States Patent no. 12,281,603, issued on April 22, was assigned to Briggs & Stratton LLC (Wauwatosa, Wis.).
"Vertically storable engine and mower" was invented by Jacob J. Schmalz (Milwaukee).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A gasoline powered engine configured to operate in a substantially horizontal orientation and to be stored in a generally vertical orientation without leaking of fluid contained in the gasoline powered engine may include an oil sump and a first oil drain port extending in a first direction through a first wall of the sump. The first wall forms a bottom of the sump when the engine is in the vertical orientation."
The patent was filed on Oct. ...