Patents by Inventor Charles J. Ashelin

Charles J. Ashelin 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: 20030177720
    Abstract: A sealing curtain for a loading dock includes a pliable heat shield that helps protect the sealing curtain from concentrated heat generated by a truck's taillight being pressed against the sealing curtain. The heat shield is preferably placed just underneath a sealing surface of the sealing curtain. The heat shield reflects heat away from an inner surface and disperses the heat over a broader area to reduce the peak temperature of any hot spots. The sealing curtain may be height adjustable to position the heat shield at various heights along the loading dock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: David J. Hoffmann, Charles J. Ashelin
  • Publication number: 20030140579
    Abstract: A sealing apparatus for forming a weather seal between a vehicle and a loading dock is provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a roller seal rotatably mounted to a support for rotation about an axis. The roller seal is movable in at least a vertical direction from a first position in the path of a vehicle entering the parking area, to a second position wherein the roller seal is disposed adjacent the top of the vehicle. Preferably, a curtain is suspended distally of the roller seal such that, when the roller seal is in the second position, the curtain forms a first seal with the top of the vehicle and the roller seal forms a second seal with the top of the vehicle. The curtain is semi-rigid and, in some instances, defines a ramping surface to facilitate movement of the roller seal over the leading edge of a vehicle approaching the loading dock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: David J. Hoffmann, Charles J. Ashelin, Paul D. Rowlett
  • Patent number: 6550191
    Abstract: A sealing apparatus for forming a weather seal between a vehicle and a loading dock is provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a roller seal rotatably mounted to a support for rotation about an axis. The roller seal is movable in at least a vertical direction from a first position in the path of a vehicle entering the parking area, to a second position wherein the roller seal is disposed adjacent the top of the vehicle. Preferably, a curtain is suspended distally of the roller seal such that, when the roller seal is in the second position, the curtain forms a first seal with the top of the vehicle and the roller seal forms a second seal with the top of the vehicle. The curtain is semi-rigid and, in some instances, defines a ramping surface to facilitate movement of the roller seal over the leading edge of a vehicle approaching the loading dock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Hoffmann, Charles J. Ashelin, Paul D. Rowlett
  • Patent number: 6502268
    Abstract: An extendible shield for sheltering the pit area below a dock leveler of a loading dock. The shield is especially suited for dock levelers having a ramp of pivotally adjustable height with a lip extension for providing a traffic path between the rear of a vehicle and a loading dock platform. The shield includes a curtain wrapped around a roller, which provides the shield with a vertical span that can vary to match the up and down movement of the ramp. Various embodiments include features such a flexible seal that seals against the rear of a vehicle and cutouts for accommodating a vehicle restraint and lip keepers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Ashelin, Charles J. Digmann, Gregory J. Thill
  • Publication number: 20020152562
    Abstract: An extendible shield helps shelter the pit area below a dock leveler of a loading dock. The shield is especially suited for dock levelers having a ramp of pivotally adjustable height with a lip extension for providing a traffic path between the rear of a vehicle and a loading dock platform. In some embodiments, the shield includes a curtain wrapped around a roller, which provides the shield with a vertical span that can vary to match the up and down movement of the ramp. Various embodiments include features such a flexible seal that seals against the rear of a vehicle and cutouts for accommodating a vehicle restraint and lip keepers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Charles J. Ashelin, Charles J. Digmann, Gregory J. Thill
  • Publication number: 20010018813
    Abstract: A sealing apparatus for forming a weather seal between a vehicle and a loading dock is provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a compressible seal and a support mounted for pivoting away from the top of an adjacent vehicle to facilitate exiting. In some embodiments, a stiffening member is located proximally to the seal to provide a compression force between the seal and the top of the vehicle. In other embodiments, the apparatus includes a deflectable seal and a locator including a distal recess for engaging the leading edge of a vehicle entering the parking area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Applicant: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Ashelin, Thomas J. Boffeli, David J. Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6272799
    Abstract: A loading dock seal includes a low-profile backer that is vertically adjustable relative to a wall-mounted bracket to facilitate the installation of the seal. In some embodiments the bracket is generally U-shaped with a turned-in lip on one leg of the U-shape. The backer, to which a compressible foam pad is attached, is similarly U-shaped to nest within the bracket. During installation of the seal, the turned-in lip restrains the backer horizontally, yet allows the backer to be adjusted vertically to properly position the seal. Once properly adjusted, an added fastener further fixes the backer to the bracket, so that the seal is fixed both horizontally and vertically. In some embodiments, the low profile of the backer is achieved by forming the both the backer and the bracket out of sheet metal. The backer includes elongated channels or slots for bolt head clearance to accommodate anchor bolts that connect the bracket to a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Ashelin, Jason D. Miller
  • Publication number: 20010004814
    Abstract: A sealing apparatus for forming a weather seal between a vehicle and a loading dock is provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a roller seal rotatably mounted to a support for rotation about an axis. The roller seal is movable in at least a vertical direction from a first position in the path of a vehicle entering the parking area, to a second position wherein the roller seal is disposed adjacent the top of the vehicle. Preferably, a curtain is suspended distally of the roller seal such that, when the roller seal is in the second position, the curtain forms a first seal with the top of the vehicle and the roller seal forms a second seal with the top of the vehicle. The curtain is semi-rigid and, in some instances, defines a ramping surface to facilitate movement of the roller seal over the leading edge of a vehicle approaching the loading dock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Publication date: June 28, 2001
    Applicant: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Hoffmann, Charles J. Ashelin, Paul D. Rowlett
  • Patent number: 6233885
    Abstract: A sealing apparatus for forming a weather seal between a vehicle and a loading dock is provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a roller seal rotatably mounted to a support for rotation about an axis. The roller seal is movable in at least a vertical direction from a first position in the path of a vehicle entering the parking area, to a second position wherein the roller seal is disposed adjacent the top of the vehicle. Preferably, a curtain is suspended distally of the roller seal such that, when the roller seal is in the second position, the curtain forms a first seal with the top of the vehicle and the roller seal forms a second seal with the top of the vehicle. The curtain is semi-rigid and, in some instances, defines a ramping surface to facilitate movement of the roller seal over the leading edge of a vehicle approaching the loading dock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Hoffmann, Charles J. Ashelin, Paul D. Rowlett
  • Patent number: 6205721
    Abstract: A sealing apparatus for forming a weather seal between a vehicle and a loading dock is provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a compressible seal and a support mounted for pivoting away from the top of an adjacent vehicle to facilitate exiting. In some embodiments, a stiffening member is located proximally to the seal to provide a compression force between the seal and the top of the vehicle. In other embodiments, the apparatus includes a deflectable seal and a locator including a distal recess for engaging the leading edge of a vehicle entering the parking area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Ashelin, Thomas J. Boffeli, David J. Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 5154827
    Abstract: Novel laminated, polyfluorocarbon microporous membranes are made up of three or more sheets of aggregated microporous fluorocarbon polymer. A fine porosity pore-containing microporous fluorocarbon polymer sheet has an average pore diameter of from about 0.01.mu.m to about 1.0.mu.m. This fine porosity sheet is laminated between a first sheet or sheets of larger porosity microporous fluorocarbon polymer and a second sheet or sheets of larger porosity microporous fluorocarbon polymer. At least one and preferably both of the first and second sheets has an average pore diameter of from about 1.0.mu.m to about 10.0.mu.m. A novel microporous polyfluorocarbon filter cartridge utilizing the membrane is also disclosed. A cartridge body formed of polyfluorocarbon has an inlet and outlet with a membrane assembly disposed in the cartridge so that fluid moving from the inlet to the outlet must pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Parker-Nannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Ashelin, Dwight J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4678577
    Abstract: A cylindrical pressure vessel housing a filter media wherein the vessel is formed from a tubular thermoplastic pipe portion having opposite conical shaped end portions integrally formed with molded internal base portions with one base portion having integrally molded thereto the filter media in sealed position within the vessel housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Kennecott Corporation
    Inventors: Dwight J. Thomas, Charles J. Ashelin