Patents by Inventor David J. Hoffmann
David J. Hoffmann 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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Publication number: 20210040792Abstract: Example room partitions are disclosed. An example room partition includes a plurality of poles to be suspended from a track. A curtain assembly has a plurality of sleeves through which the plurality of poles extends. The curtain assembly has a lowermost edge. An upper lock pin is attached to an upper end of a first pole of the plurality of poles and is movable between a raised lock position and a lowered unlock position relative to the first pole, the upper lock pin to be restrained when the upper lock pin is in the raised lock position, the upper lock pin to be unrestrained when the upper lock pin is in the lowered unlock position. A lower lock pin is attached to a lower end of the first pole and is movable between a descended lock position and an elevated unlock position relative to the first pole. The lower lock pin is to extend lower than the lowermost edge of the curtain assembly when the lower lock pin is in the descended lock position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Inventors: Charles J. Ashelin, David J. Hoffmann, Frank Heim, Kelly Allen, Timothy J. Schmidt
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Patent number: 9672713Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example method includes sending an interrogation signal generated by a vehicle within a first area, detecting the interrogation signal from the first area, in response to detection of the interrogation signal from the first area, receiving a first responsive signal from a first transponder in the first area, and determining a directional resolution of the first responsive signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Ryan P. Beggs, James C. Boerger, David J. Hoffmann, Ken Markham, Matthew McNeill, Timothy Muhl, Kyle Nelson, James Oates, Jason Senfleben
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Patent number: 9633537Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example method includes determining threat levels for hazards in a plurality of different zones within a building, classifying the threat levels into at least one of a first threat level and a second threat level, designating a first zone of the plurality of different zones having the first threat level with a first detectable indicator, and designating a second zone having the second threat level with a second detectable indicator.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Ryan P. Beggs, James C. Boerger, David J. Hoffmann, Ken Markham, Matthew McNeill, Timothy Muhl, Kyle Nelson, James Oates, Jason Senfleben
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Patent number: 9607496Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example hazard warning system for a forktruck includes a controllable light source to project light onto a floor adjacent the forktruck. A hazard discriminator determines when the forktruck poses a hazard to an entity of interest in a vicinity of the forktruck, and responsively generates a hazard output. A controller receives the hazard output and controls the light source such that the light source is in a first state when the hazard output is not received and a second state when the hazard output is received, where the first state is different than the second state.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Ryan P. Beggs, James C. Boerger, David J. Hoffmann, Ken Markham, Matthew McNeill, Timothy Muhl, Kyle Nelson, James Oates, Jason Senfleben
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Patent number: 9547969Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example method for assessing a possibility of a collision between entities of interest, each having their own characteristics of movement, includes sampling movement of each entity at least two points in time, generating a trajectory vector for each entity based on the movement sampling, expanding the trajectory vector of each entity based on at least one characteristic of movement of that entity, and analyzing the expanded trajectory vector of each entity for overlap to assess a possibility of a collision between the entities of interest.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: Right-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Ryan P. Beggs, James C. Boerger, David J. Hoffmann, Ken Markham, Matthew McNeill, Timothy Muhl, Kyle Nelson, James Oates, Jason Senfleben
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Patent number: 9542824Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example detection system includes a light source attachable to a forktruck, where the light source projects an illuminated warning field on a floor on which the forktruck is to traverse. The light source projects the illuminated warning field at a distance from a front end of the forktruck. The light source is separate from a headlight of the forktruck.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Ryan P Beggs, James C. Boerger, David J. Hoffmann, Ken Markham, Matthew McNeill, Timothy Muhl, Kyle Nelson, James Oates, Jason Senfleben
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Patent number: 9230419Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example signal generation system for a vehicle capable of different modes of movement includes a detector to determine at least one property of vehicle movement and an output representative of that at least one property and a selectively variable signal generator includes an input to receive the at least one output representative of the at least one property of vehicle movement and, responsively, generates a selected signal based on the received output. In some examples, a detector on a pedestrian detects the selected signal from the signal generator and, responsively, provides an output indicative of a vehicle in proximity to the pedestrian. In some examples, a trajectory vector is generated for at least two entities of interest based on at least one characteristic of movement of each entity.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2010Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Ryan P. Beggs, James C. Boerger, David J. Hoffmann, Ken Markham, Matthew McNeill, Timothy Muhl, Kyle Nelson, James Oates, Jason Senfleben
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Patent number: 9170044Abstract: Example panel assemblies with frost inhibiting seal members are disclosed herein. Some example panel assemblies disclosed herein are particularly suited for creating a blast freezer (for food and other products) by using the panels in cordoning off a relatively small quick-freeze area within a larger freezer room. In some examples disclosed herein, a touch-and-hold fastener (e.g., VELCRO) connects two or more insulated flexible panels along their adjoining vertical edges to span the width of a supporting frame that is wider than a width of a single panel. To seal the joint and/or inhibit frost from developing along the joint, some example panel assemblies disclosed herein include a seal member with touch-and-hold elements plus sealing edges extending laterally in opposite directions. In some examples disclosed herein, the touch-and-hold elements couple two panels together while the sealing edges (e.g., foam strip or double looped sheet of material) block air from flowing through the touch-and-hold elements.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2012Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventor: David J. Hoffmann
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Publication number: 20150170493Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example warning device for conveying warning signals to a person includes a wearable device to be worn by the person, where the wearable device provides a non-visual warning to the person when the wearable device is activated. A controller receives hazard-indicative input signals to activate the wearable device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2015Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Ryan P. Beggs, James C. Boerger, David J. Hoffmann, Ken Markham, Matthew McNeill, Timothy Muhl, Kyle Nelson, James Oates, Jason Senfleben
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Publication number: 20150170498Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example method includes determining threat levels for hazards in a plurality of different zones within a building, classifying the threat levels into at least one of a first threat level and a second threat level, designating a first zone of the plurality of different zones having the first threat level with a first detectable indicator, and designating a second zone having the second threat level with a second detectable indicator.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2015Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Ryan P. Beggs, James C. Boerger, David J. Hoffmann, Ken Markham, Matthew McNeill, Timothy Muhl, Kyle Nelson, James Oates, Jason Senfleben
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Publication number: 20150158428Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example method includes sending an interrogation signal generated by a vehicle within a first area, detecting the interrogation signal from the first area, in response to detection of the interrogation signal from the first area, receiving a first responsive signal from a first transponder in the first area, and determining a directional resolution of the first responsive signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2015Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Ryan P. Beggs, James C. Boerger, David J. Hoffmann, Ken Markham, Matthew McNeill, Timothy Muhl, Kyle Nelson, James Oates, Jason Senfleben
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Publication number: 20150145661Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example method for assessing a possibility of a collision between entities of interest, each having their own characteristics of movement, includes sampling movement of each entity at least two points in time, generating a trajectory vector for each entity based on the movement sampling, expanding the trajectory vector of each entity based on at least one characteristic of movement of that entity, and analyzing the expanded trajectory vector of each entity for overlap to assess a possibility of a collision between the entities of interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2015Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Ryan P. Beggs, James C. Boerger, David J. Hoffmann, Ken Markham, Matthew McNeill, Timothy Muhl, Kyle Nelson, James Oates, Jason Senfleben
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Publication number: 20150145701Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example detection system includes a light source attachable to a forktruck, where the light source projects an illuminated warning field on a floor on which the forktruck is to traverse. The light source projects the illuminated warning field at a distance from a front end of the forktruck. The light source is separate from a headlight of the forktruck.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2015Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Ryan P. Beggs, James C. Boerger, David J. Hoffmann, Ken Markham, Matthew McNeill, Timothy Muhl, Kyle Nelson, James Oates, Jason Senfleben
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Publication number: 20150145700Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example hazard warning system for a forktruck includes a controllable light source to project light onto a floor adjacent the forktruck. A hazard discriminator determines when the forktruck poses a hazard to an entity of interest in a vicinity of the forktruck, and responsively generates a hazard output. A controller receives the hazard output and controls the light source such that the light source is in a first state when the hazard output is not received and a second state when the hazard output is received, where the first state is different than the second state.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2015Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Ryan P. Beggs, James C. Boerger, David J. Hoffmann, Ken Markham, Matthew McNeill, Timothy Muhl, Kyle Nelson, James Oates, Jason Senfleben
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Publication number: 20150138002Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example device for conveying audible warning signals to a person includes a memory to store a plurality of audible warnings and a user interface to present for selection an audible warning from the plurality of audible warnings.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2015Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Ryan P. Beggs, James C. Boerger, David J. Hoffmann, Ken Markham, Matthew McNeill, Timothy Muhl, Kyle Nelson, James Oates, Jason Senfleben
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Patent number: 9010039Abstract: Example weather barrier apparatuses for sealing or sheltering vehicles at loading docks are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a side seal member to be vertically elongate and having a front surface facing away from a doorway when the apparatus is in a relaxed configuration, the side seal member extending laterally farther into a cargo passageway when the apparatus is in the relaxed configuration than when in an activated configuration, the front surface engages a vehicle as the vehicle moves between a departed position and a parked position. The apparatus also includes an upper seal member to hang in front of the side seal member when the apparatus is in the relaxed configuration, the upper seal member being horizontally elongate and having a lower corner point proximate the side seal member, the front surface facing away from the lower corner point when the apparatus is in the activated configuration.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Charles Digmann, David J. Hoffmann, Gary Borgerding
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Patent number: 9003725Abstract: Example weather barrier apparatuses for sealing or sheltering vehicles at loading docks are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a first seal to be engaged by a vehicle as the vehicle moves between a departed position and a parked position relative to the first seal. The first seal has a penetration portion movable between a relaxed condition when the vehicle releases the first seal and an activated condition when the vehicle engages the first seal. A second seal is coupled adjacent the first seal. The second seal has an opening to be positioned adjacent the penetration portion of the first seal such that at least a portion of the penetration portion extends across at least a portion of the opening when the first seal is in the relaxed condition, and the opening of the second seal receives at least the penetration portion of the first seal when the first seal is in the activated condition.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Charles Digmann, David J. Hoffmann, Gary Borgerding
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Patent number: 9003724Abstract: Example weather barrier apparatuses for sealing or sheltering vehicles at loading docks are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a side support member attachable to a wall proximate a doorway. A side seal member extends from the side support member and a rear edge seal is supported by the side seal member. The rear edge seal engages a first rear edge of a vehicle. The rear edge seal has a seal core and a seal cover, where the core has a gap defined by a first portion and a second portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Charles Digmann, David J. Hoffmann, Gary Borgerding
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Patent number: 8991467Abstract: Example room dividers are described herein. The example room dividers include a flexible curtain with features pertaining to security, impactability, insulation, sound absorption, configurability, and/or flame resistance. In some examples, the curtain comprises an inorganic carbon fiber pad sandwiched between two sheets of fiberglass fabric coated with silicone rubber. A tongue-and-groove joint, in some examples, enables the interconnection of a series of curtains to create room dividers of various lengths. In some examples, the curtain comprises a full-width wire mesh sandwiched between two sheets of vinyl coated polyester fabric, wherein a touch-and-hold fastener at the outer perimeter of the curtain and overlapping the wire mesh holds the two sheets together and holds the wire mesh in place. In some examples, the flexibility of the curtain allows the curtain to respond to impacts and/or air pressure differentials.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Charles J. Ashelin, David J. Hoffmann, Matt Fleckenstein, Gregory J. Thill
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Publication number: 20150007513Abstract: Example weather barrier apparatuses for sealing or sheltering vehicles at loading docks are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a first seal to be engaged by a vehicle as the vehicle moves between a departed position and a parked position relative to the first seal. The first seal has a penetration portion movable between a relaxed condition when the vehicle releases the first seal and an activated condition when the vehicle engages the first seal. A second seal is coupled adjacent the first seal. The second seal has an opening to be positioned adjacent the penetration portion of the first seal such that at least a portion of the penetration portion extends across at least a portion of the opening when the first seal is in the relaxed condition, and the opening of the second seal receives at least the penetration portion of the first seal when the first seal is in the activated condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2014Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: Charles Digmann, David J. Hoffmann, Gary Borgerding