Patents by Inventor Frank Heim
Frank Heim 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: 20230278815Abstract: Seal apparatus for dock levelers are disclosed. An example seal apparatus includes a compressible core defining a cavity, a cover to engage at portion of an outer surface of the compressible core, and a mounting bracket, the compressible core and the cover to couple to the mounting bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Collin Thole, Timothy J. Schmidt, Gary Borgerding, Frank Heim, Mary Blaser
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Patent number: 11649121Abstract: Seal apparatus for dock levelers are disclosed. An example loading dock includes a dock leveler movable between a standard loading position, a cross-traffic position and a below-deck loading position. The dock leveler has deck and lip movably coupled to the deck. A seal assembly is coupled to the loading dock adjacent a forward edge of the dock leveler. The seal assembly sealingly engages a front surface of a lip of the dock leveler and a rear surface of the lip when the dock leveler is positioned in a cross-traffic position or a below-dock position.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2019Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Collin Thole, Timothy J. Schmidt, Gary Borgerding, Frank Heim, Mary Blaser
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Publication number: 20220089226Abstract: Example bulkheads for enclosed cargo transporters (e.g., trailers, trucks, reefers, and containers) are disclosed. An example bulkhead includes a first panel and a second panel adjoining the first panel to define a partition that includes a first lateral edge along the first panel and a second lateral edge along the second panel. The partition has a partition width extending from the first lateral edge to the second lateral edge. A harness is structured to extend beyond the partition width. The harness includes a breakaway fastener assembly that renders the bulkhead in an operative configuration and a restorable breakaway configuration. The breakaway fastener assembly is to couple to the partition when the bulkhead is in the operative configuration, and the breakaway fastener assembly to decouple from the partition when the bulkhead is in the restorable breakaway configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2021Publication date: March 24, 2022Inventors: Bruce Henning, Frank Heim, Jared Lueken
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Publication number: 20210221630Abstract: Example dock leveler apparatuses are disclosed. A dock leveler apparatus includes a curtain assembly that includes an upper curtain section and a lower curtain section. The curtain assembly is movable between a folded configuration and a pendant configuration. The curtain assembly having a longer length in the pendant configuration than in the folded configuration. A connector couples to the upper curtain section to a deck pivotally coupled to a base frame of a dock leveler. A releasable coupling between the upper curtain section and the lower curtain section. The releasable coupling is to removably couple the lower curtain section and the upper curtain section.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Bruce Henning, Collin Thole, Frank Heim
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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: 10709040Abstract: Cooling systems for devices arranged in rows are disclosed. An example cooling system for a datacenter in a building includes a supply air duct to extend lengthwise along a first aisle within the building. The first aisle is defined between a first row of computers and a second row of computers. The first row of computers provides passage of a first current of air from the first aisle to a second aisle on an opposite side of the first row of computers. The supply air duct is to be positioned with an upper section that is higher than a top surface associated with the first and second rows of computers. The cooling system includes a first wing to extend from the supply air duct toward the first row of computers, and a second wing to extend from the supply air duct toward the second row of computers.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Micaela White, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
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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
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Publication number: 20190337741Abstract: Seal apparatus for dock levelers are disclosed. An example loading dock includes a dock leveler movable between a standard loading position, a cross-traffic position and a below-deck loading position. The dock leveler has deck and lip movably coupled to the deck. A seal assembly is coupled to the loading dock adjacent a forward edge of the dock leveler. The seal assembly sealingly engages a front surface of a lip of the dock leveler and a rear surface of the lip when the dock leveler is positioned in a cross-traffic position or a below-dock position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2019Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Collin Thole, Timothy J. Schmidt, Gary Borgerding, Frank Heim, Mary Blaser
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Patent number: 10251312Abstract: Cooling systems for devices arranged in rows are disclosed. An example cooling system includes an inflatable air duct to be positioned above a cold aisle defined between two rows of electronic equipment. The inflatable air duct is to be air permeable to deliver conditioned air into the cold aisle. The electronic equipment has fans to force cool air within the cold aisle through the electronic equipment to adjacent hot aisles on opposite sides of the two rows of the electronic equipment. The inflatable air duct to be spaced apart from the rows of computers such that the cold aisle is in unobstructed fluid communication with the adjacent hot aisles over top of the rows of electronic equipment. The conditioned air delivered from the inflatable air duct to substantially prevent a mixing of warm air in the hot aisles with the cool air in the cold aisle.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Philip Sloan, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, Kevin J. Gebke, Frank Heim
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Publication number: 20180192551Abstract: Cooling systems for devices arranged in rows are disclosed. An example cooling system for a datacenter includes a supply air duct to extend lengthwise above a first space between a first row of computers and a second row of computers. The example cooling system further includes a branch air duct attached to the supply air duct to extend downward from the supply air duct into the first space.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2018Publication date: July 5, 2018Inventors: Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Micaela White, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
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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
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Publication number: 20180177078Abstract: Cooling systems for devices arranged in rows are disclosed. An example cooling system for a datacenter in a building includes a supply air duct to extend lengthwise along a first aisle within the building. The first aisle is defined between a first row of computers and a second row of computers. The first row of computers provides passage of a first current of air from the first aisle to a second aisle on an opposite side of the first row of computers. The supply air duct is to be positioned with an upper section that is higher than a top surface associated with the first and second rows of computers. The cooling system includes a first wing to extend from the supply air duct toward the first row of computers, and a second wing to extend from the supply air duct toward the second row of computers.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2018Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Micaela White, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
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Patent number: 9969576Abstract: Inflatable weather barriers for loading docks are disclosed. An example weather barrier includes an upper bellows defining a header air chamber between a top portion and a bottom portion of the upper bellows. A blower is in fluid communication with the header air chamber and the blower is selectively activated to discharge a pressurized air into the header air chamber to urge the upper bellows from a raised position toward a lowered position. The weather barrier includes a first extension spring that is under a first extension spring tension, a first pulley, and a first elongate member that is pliable. The first elongate member is under a first elongate member tension that urges the upper bellows toward the raised position.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Charles J. Ashelin, Collin Thole, Frank Heim, Timothy J. Schmidt
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Patent number: 9944474Abstract: Adjustable lateral seals for loading dock barriers are disclosed. An example barrier includes a header structure coupled to the wall, where the header structure is horizontally elongate, extending above the doorway, and protrudes in the forward direction from the wall. A lateral seal is coupled to the wall. The lateral seal is vertically elongate and extends below the header structure. The lateral seal extends farther into a cargo passageway of a loading dock when the weather barrier is in a relaxed configuration than when the weather barrier is in an activated configuration. The lateral seal is to be engage by a vehicle when the vehicle is in a parked position. The lateral seal including an upper seal segment and a lower seal segment, the upper seal segment to move between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the lower seal segment. A flexible elongate member has an upper end coupled to the header structure and a lower end coupled to the upper seal segment.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Frank Heim, Ryan Withrow
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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
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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
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Publication number: 20180077822Abstract: Cooling systems for devices arranged in rows are disclosed. An example cooling system includes an inflatable air duct to be positioned above a cold aisle defined between two rows of electronic equipment. The inflatable air duct is to be air permeable to deliver conditioned air into the cold aisle. The electronic equipment has fans to force cool air within the cold aisle through the electronic equipment to adjacent hot aisles on opposite sides of the two rows of the electronic equipment. The inflatable air duct to be spaced apart from the rows of computers such that the cold aisle is in unobstructed fluid communication with the adjacent hot aisles over top of the rows of electronic equipment. The conditioned air delivered from the inflatable air duct to substantially prevent a mixing of warm air in the hot aisles with the cool air in the cold aisle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2016Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Philip Sloan, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, Kevin J. Gebke, Frank Heim
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Patent number: 9914603Abstract: Weather barriers for vehicle loading docks are disclosed. An example weather barrier includes a side support member being vertically elongate between an upper end and a lower end of the side support member. The side support member has a back end to be attached to a wall proximate a lateral doorway edge. The side support member is to extend in a forward direction to a front end of the side support member. A vertically elongate front sheet includes a pliable sheet having a proximal end and a distal end, where the proximal end is to attach to the front end of the side support member. The front sheet extends in a lateral direction from the proximal end to the distal end, where the lateral direction is horizontal and perpendicular to the forward direction. The front sheet is to extends in front of the doorway. A stay is to be coupled to the front sheet. The stay is resiliently flexible and horizontally elongate. The stay is to subject the front sheet to tension in a horizontal direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Frank Heim, Ryan Withrow
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Publication number: 20180050877Abstract: Adjustable lateral seals for loading dock barriers are disclosed. An example barrier includes a header structure coupled to the wall, where the header structure is horizontally elongate, extending above the doorway, and protrudes in the forward direction from the wall. A lateral seal is coupled to the wall. The lateral seal is vertically elongate and extends below the header structure. The lateral seal extends farther into a cargo passageway of a loading dock when the weather barrier is in a relaxed configuration than when the weather barrier is in an activated configuration. The lateral seal is to be engage by a vehicle when the vehicle is in a parked position. The lateral seal including an upper seal segment and a lower seal segment, the upper seal segment to move between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the lower seal segment. A flexible elongate member has an upper end coupled to the header structure and a lower end coupled to the upper seal segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2016Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventors: Frank Heim, Ryan Withrow
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Patent number: 9901011Abstract: An example cooling system for a datacenter is disclosed. The datacenter includes a plurality of computers arranged in a row within a building. The row of computers separates a cold aisle and a hot aisle. The row of computers defines an air passageway between the cold aisle and the hot aisle. The row of computers is associated with a top surface that is below and spaced apart from an overhead surface of the building to define a gap between the top surface and the overhead surface. The example cooling system includes an inflatable air duct to be disposed within the gap. The inflatable air duct has selectively an inflated state and a deflated state. The inflatable air duct filling more of the gap when the inflatable air duct is in the inflated state than when the inflatable air duct is in the deflated state.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Micaela White, Nicholas L. Kaufmann