Patents by Inventor Cary Pinkalla
Cary Pinkalla 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: 20230408135Abstract: Example air duct assemblies include an air duct including a tubular sidewall that is pliable, the tubular sidewall defining an interior of the air duct, the air duct elongate in a longitudinal direction. Example air duct assemblies include a hoop disposable within the interior of the air duct, the hoop providing the sidewall with support in a radial direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Example air duct assemblies include a cable disposable within the interior of the air duct, the cable to extend along a longitudinal length of the air duct, the cable to engage the hoop to help support a weight of the hoop and the tubular sidewall.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Jeff Logic, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
-
Patent number: 11788763Abstract: Example air duct assemblies include a pliable air duct supported such that the duct is maintained in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is deflated. In some examples, a series of hangers suspend the duct from one or more cables, tracks or other type of overhead support. The hangers are spaced apart and distributed over the length of the duct, and each one contributes in pulling the duct taut in the duct's longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Cary Pinkalla, Jeff Logic, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
-
Patent number: 11543149Abstract: Example air duct assemblies include a pliable air duct supported such that the duct is maintained in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is deflated. In some examples, a series of hangers suspend the duct from one or more cables, tracks or other type of overhead support. The hangers are spaced apart and distributed over the length of the duct, and each one contributes in pulling the duct taut in the duct's longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Cary Pinkalla, Jeff Logic, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
-
Publication number: 20210293442Abstract: Example air duct assemblies include a pliable air duct supported such that the duct is maintained in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is deflated. In some examples, a series of hangers suspend the duct from one or more cables, tracks or other type of overhead support. The hangers are spaced apart and distributed over the length of the duct, and each one contributes in pulling the duct taut in the duct's longitudinal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Jeff Logic, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
-
Publication number: 20210190367Abstract: Example air duct assemblies include a pliable air duct supported such that the duct is maintained in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is deflated. In some examples, a series of hangers suspend the duct from one or more cables, tracks or other type of overhead support. The hangers are spaced apart and distributed over the length of the duct, and each one contributes in pulling the duct taut in the duct's longitudinal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2020Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Jeff Logic, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
-
Patent number: 10876758Abstract: Example air duct assemblies include a pliable air duct supported such that the duct is maintained in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is deflated. In some examples, a series of hangers suspend the duct from one or more cables, tracks or other type of overhead support. The hangers are spaced apart and distributed over the length of the duct, and each one contributes in pulling the duct taut in the duct's longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Cary Pinkalla, Jeff Logic, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
-
Patent number: 10480813Abstract: Pliable-wall air ducts with internal expanding structures are disclosed. An example air duct system includes an air duct including a pliable sidewall. The example air duct system further includes a shaft including a first end and a second end. The shaft extends in a longitudinal direction along a length of the air duct with the first end coupled to a first point of the air duct and the second end coupled to a second point of the air duct. The first point is downstream of the second point. The pliable sidewall is to be held in tension in the longitudinal direction between the first and second points in response to compression in the shaft between the first and second ends.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Right-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Cary Pinkalla, Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
-
Publication number: 20190285310Abstract: Example air duct assemblies include a pliable air duct supported such that the duct is maintained in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is deflated. In some examples, a series of hangers suspend the duct from one or more cables, tracks or other type of overhead support. The hangers are spaced apart and distributed over the length of the duct, and each one contributes in pulling the duct taut in the duct's longitudinal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Jeff Logic, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
-
Patent number: 10208981Abstract: Example air duct assemblies include a pliable air duct supported such that the duct is maintained in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is deflated. In some examples, a series of hangers suspend the duct from one or more cables, tracks or other type of overhead support. The hangers are spaced apart and distributed over the length of the duct, and each one contributes in pulling the duct taut in the duct's longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Cary Pinkalla, Jeff Logic, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
-
Patent number: 10066850Abstract: Example air duct assemblies include a pliable air duct supported such that the duct is maintained in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is deflated. In some examples, a series of hangers suspend the duct from one or more cables, tracks or other type of overhead support. The hangers are spaced apart and distributed over the length of the duct, and each one contributes in pulling the duct taut in the duct's longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2016Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Cary Pinkalla, Jeff Logic, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
-
Publication number: 20180180319Abstract: Pliable-wall air ducts with internal expanding structures are disclosed. An example air duct system includes an air duct including a pliable sidewall. The example air duct system further includes a shaft including a first end and a second end. The shaft extends in a longitudinal direction along a length of the air duct with the first end coupled to a first point of the air duct and the second end coupled to a second point of the air duct. The first point is downstream of the second point. The pliable sidewall is to be held in tension in the longitudinal direction between the first and second points in response to compression in the shaft between the first and second ends.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2018Publication date: June 28, 2018Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
-
Patent number: 9927140Abstract: Pliable-wall air ducts with internal expanding structures are disclosed. An example air duct system includes a shaft to be disposed within an air duct, to extend in a longitudinal direction, and to be in longitudinal compression. The air duct system also includes a plurality of ribs to be coupled to the shaft and to engage an inner surface of the air duct and a spring to be disposed within the air duct, the spring to be coupled to the shaft. The spring under stress being a contributing factor in both the shaft being in longitudinal compression and the air duct being in longitudinal tension.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2017Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Cary Pinkalla, Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
-
Patent number: 9927139Abstract: Example air ducts comprising pliable tubular sidewalls are provided with example internal frameworks that hold the duct in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is depressurized. The framework tensions the pliable sidewall material along the length of the ducts to keep the material taut. In some examples, the framework is restrained within the duct such that the duct's sidewall, being in tension, holds the framework in compression longitudinally. Thus, in the longitudinal direction, the duct is in tension and the framework is in compression. To prevent the framework from buckling under the compressive force, some example frameworks comprise a central longitudinal shaft with a plurality of radial spokes and rings that help hold the shaft straight. In some examples, the rings also help hold the duct radially expanded.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2017Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Cary Pinkalla, Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
-
Publication number: 20170205109Abstract: Example air duct assemblies include a pliable air duct supported such that the duct is maintained in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is deflated. In some examples, a series of hangers suspend the duct from one or more cables, tracks or other type of overhead support. The hangers are spaced apart and distributed over the length of the duct, and each one contributes in pulling the duct taut in the duct's longitudinal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2017Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Jeff Logic, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
-
Publication number: 20170159966Abstract: Pliable-wall air ducts with internal expanding structures are disclosed. An example air duct system includes a shaft to be disposed within an air duct, to extend in a longitudinal direction, and to be in longitudinal compression. The air duct system also includes a plurality of ribs to be coupled to the shaft and to engage an inner surface of the air duct and a spring to be disposed within the air duct, the spring to be coupled to the shaft. The spring under stress being a contributing factor in both the shaft being in longitudinal compression and the air duct being in longitudinal tension.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2017Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
-
Publication number: 20170159965Abstract: Example air ducts comprising pliable tubular sidewalls are provided with example internal frameworks that hold the duct in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is depressurized. The framework tensions the pliable sidewall material along the length of the ducts to keep the material taut. In some examples, the framework is restrained within the duct such that the duct's sidewall, being in tension, holds the framework in compression longitudinally. Thus, in the longitudinal direction, the duct is in tension and the framework is in compression. To prevent the framework from buckling under the compressive force, some example frameworks comprise a central longitudinal shaft with a plurality of radial spokes and rings that help hold the shaft straight. In some examples, the rings also help hold the duct radially expanded.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2017Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
-
Patent number: 9644858Abstract: Example air duct assemblies include a pliable air duct supported such that the duct is maintained in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is deflated. In some examples, a series of hangers suspend the duct from one or more cables, tracks or other type of overhead support. The hangers are spaced apart and distributed over the length of the duct, and each one contributes in pulling the duct taut in the duct's longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Cary Pinkalla, Jeff Logic, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
-
Patent number: 9612033Abstract: Pliable-wall air ducts with internal expanding structures are disclosed. An example air duct system includes a shaft to be disposed within an air duct, to extend in a longitudinal direction, and to be in longitudinal compression. The air duct system also includes a plurality of ribs to be coupled to the shaft and to engage an inner surface of the air duct and a spring to be disposed within the air duct, the spring to be coupled to the shaft. The spring under stress being a contributing factor in both the shaft being in longitudinal compression and the air duct being in longitudinal tension.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2013Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Cary Pinkalla, Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
-
Patent number: 9605865Abstract: Example air ducts comprising pliable tubular sidewalls are provided with example internal frameworks that hold the duct in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is depressurized. The framework tensions the pliable sidewall material along the length of the ducts to keep the material taut. In some examples, the framework is restrained within the duct such that the duct's sidewall, being in tension, holds the framework in compression longitudinally. Thus, in the longitudinal direction, the duct is in tension and the framework is in compression. To prevent the framework from buckling under the compressive force, some example frameworks comprise a central longitudinal shaft with a plurality of radial spokes and rings that help hold the shaft straight. In some examples, the rings also help hold the duct radially expanded.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Cary Pinkalla, Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
-
Patent number: 9605864Abstract: Pliable-wall air ducts with internal expanding structures are disclosed. An example air duct system includes a shaft to be disposed within an air duct, to extend in a longitudinal direction, and to be in longitudinal compression. The air duct system also includes a plurality of ribs to be coupled to the shaft and to engage an inner surface of the air duct and a spring to be disposed within the air duct, the spring to be coupled to the shaft. The spring under stress being a contributing factor in both the shaft being in longitudinal compression and the air duct being in longitudinal tension.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2011Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Cary Pinkalla, Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus