Patents by Inventor Michael Kloepfer
Michael Kloepfer 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: 20200094727Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cylindrical cargo container includes: providing a plurality of rigid panels together formable into a cylindrical shell; forming a first semi-cylindrical shell from a first set of the panels; forming a second semi-cylindrical shell from a second set of the panels; forming the cylindrical shell from the first semi-cylindrical shell and the second semi-cylindrical shell; forming a collar conformably encircling the cylindrical shell; constricting the collar to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels; rolling the cylindrical shell and collar to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to a lower position, and welding an inside seam of the joint when at the lower position; removing the collar from the cylindrical shell; and rolling the cylindrical shell to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to an upper position, and welding an outside of the joint when at the upper position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2017Publication date: March 26, 2020Inventors: Michael Kloepfer, Trever Lorne Howden, Christopher Howard Kloepfer
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Patent number: 10442280Abstract: A trailer has a container with top doors having a frame and weatherproof thermoplastic inserts. Sealing flaps are provided at edges of the top doors to make sealing contact with sidewall top rails or top edges of end walls and tailgate. The top doors have angled extensions with grooves for ball gaskets to overlap in hand-in-hand fashion to form a reliable seal where the top doors come together. The system provides a weatherproof means to enclose the container to prevent or deter entry of water.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2018Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: TITAN TRAILERS INC.Inventors: Rick Lees, Andrew Joseph Maertens, Michael Kloepfer
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Patent number: 10427726Abstract: A trailer for transporting bulk material has a container mounted on a chassis and wheeled suspension. The container has opposing sidewalls, a floor, a front wall, and a rear opening. The trailer further has an unloading system comprising a plow and a plow motor system. The plow is disposed in the container and shaped and sized to span substantially a transverse cross-section of the container. The plow motor system is operable to move the plow longitudinally in the container to urge or push the bulk material in the container toward and out of the rear opening of the container. At least one of the sidewalls comprises a removable panel installed longitudinally along a bottom of the sidewall, wherein an inward-facing surface of the removable panel and an inward-facing surface of the sidewall are substantially co-planar.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Inventors: Andrew Joseph Maertens, Michael Kloepfer
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Publication number: 20190100089Abstract: A trailer has a container with top doors having a frame and weatherproof thermoplastic inserts. Sealing flaps are provided at edges of the top doors to make sealing contact with sidewall top rails or top edges of end walls and tailgate. The top doors have angled extensions with grooves for ball gaskets to overlap in hand-in-hand fashion to form a reliable seal where the top doors come together. The system provides a weatherproof means to enclose the container to prevent or deter entry of water.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2018Publication date: April 4, 2019Inventors: Rick LEES, Andrew Joseph MAERTENS, Michael KLOEPFER
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Patent number: 10239395Abstract: A trailer has a container with top doors having a frame and weatherproof thermoplastic inserts. Sealing flaps are provided at edges of the top doors to make sealing contact with sidewall top rails or top edges of end walls and tailgate. The top doors have angled extensions with grooves for ball gaskets to overlap in hand-in-hand fashion to form a reliable seal where the top doors come together. The system provides a weatherproof means to enclose the container to prevent or deter entry of water.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2016Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Titan Trailers Inc.Inventors: Rick Lees, Andrew Joseph Maertens, Michael Kloepfer
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Patent number: 10183610Abstract: A protective rail for a trailer is formed of an extension or ridge projecting outwardly from a wall of the trailer and extending along at least a part of a length of the wall. The protective rail is provided with tie-down anchors for coupling with tie-downs having couplers such as rings, eyes, or loops. The anchors may tongues formed in the protective rail when the protective rail is cut-out at selected locations along the protective rail. The anchors may be sized and shaped such that the surrounding portion of the protective rail prevents or tends to prevent other trailers or objects contacting the protective rail from damaging or becoming caught on the anchors.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2017Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Titan Trailers Inc.Inventors: Michael Kloepfer, Rick Lees
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Patent number: 10118652Abstract: A top-loadable cargo trailer has one or more top doors mounted to a container using hinge assemblies which are located entirely within a perimeter of the container when the top door is closed. In this way, no part of the full width, length, or height of the container is taken up by overhanding hinges, and in jurisdictions limiting container width, length, and height no amount of container volume is sacrificed due to hinge overhang. The hinge assemblies have a compound, or dual hinge biased by a resistance mechanism such as a coil spring to provide an orderly opening and closing sequence of the top door. When fully open, the top door hangs vertically flush against the container wall, thus minimize hazard to works and equipment moving about the container.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2015Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Titan Trailers Inc.Inventors: Andrew Joseph Maertens, Michael Kloepfer
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Patent number: 10086884Abstract: A trailer may include a tailgate stabilizing mechanism to reduce movement of the tailgate during transport in order to reduce wear and tear. A knob is mounted at or near an edge of the tailgate. A cup which may be mounted at or formed in a mating gusset, bracket, or flange, is sized and shaped fittingly to receive the knob. The mating gusset, bracket, or flange is mounted to the container and positioned to receive the knob in the cup when the tailgate is closed. A locking mechanism may be configured to press on the tailgate when closed so as to compress the knob in the cup to reduce further movement of the tailgate. The knob may be removable and replaceable, and thus may be replaced following wear and tear of the knob.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2015Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Titan Trailers Inc.Inventors: Andrew Joseph Maertens, Michael Kloepfer
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Publication number: 20180244138Abstract: A trailer has a container with top doors having a frame and weatherproof thermoplastic inserts. Sealing flaps are provided at edges of the top doors to make sealing contact with sidewall top rails or top edges of end walls and tailgate. The top doors have angled extensions with grooves for ball gaskets to overlap in hand-in-hand fashion to form a reliable seal where the top doors come together. The system provides a weatherproof means to enclose the container to prevent or deter entry of water.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2016Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventors: Rick LEES, Andrew Joseph MAERTENS, Michael KLOEPFER
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Publication number: 20180086393Abstract: A trailer for transporting bulk material has a container mounted on a chassis and wheeled suspension. The container has opposing sidewalls, a floor, a front wall, and a rear opening. The trailer further has an unloading system comprising a plow and a plow motor system. The plow is disposed in the container and shaped and sized to span substantially a transverse cross-section of the container. The plow motor system is operable to move the plow longitudinally in the container to urge or push the bulk material in the container toward and out of the rear opening of the container. At least one of the sidewalls comprises a removable panel installed longitudinally along a bottom of the sidewall, wherein an inward-facing surface of the removable panel and an inward-facing surface of the sidewall are substantially co-planar.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Andrew Joseph MAERTENS, Michael KLOEPFER
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Publication number: 20180050739Abstract: A top-loadable cargo trailer has one or more top doors mounted to a container using hinge assemblies which are located entirely within a perimeter of the container when the top door is closed. In this way, no part of the full width, length, or height of the container is taken up by overhanding hinges, and in jurisdictions limiting container width, length, and height no amount of container volume is sacrificed due to hinge overhang. The hinge assemblies have a compound, or dual hinge biased by a resistance mechanism such as a coil spring to provide an orderly opening and closing sequence of the top door. When fully open, the top door hangs vertically flush against the container wall, thus minimize hazard to works and equipment moving about the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2015Publication date: February 22, 2018Applicant: Titan Trailers Inc.Inventors: Andrew Joseph Maertens, Michael Kloepfer
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Publication number: 20180022399Abstract: A trailer may include a tailgate stabilizing mechanism to reduce movement of the tailgate during transport in order to reduce wear and tear. A knob is mounted at or near an edge of the tailgate. A cup which may be mounted at or formed in a mating gusset, bracket, or flange, is sized and shaped fittingly to receive the knob. The mating gusset, bracket, or flange is mounted to the container and positioned to receive the knob in the cup when the tailgate is closed. A locking mechanism may be configured to press on the tailgate when closed so as to compress the knob in the cup to reduce further movement of the tailgate. The knob may be removable and replaceable, and thus may be replaced following wear and tear of the knob.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2015Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: Andrew Joseph MAERTENS, Michael KLOEPFER
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Patent number: 9849921Abstract: A trailer for transporting bulk material has a container mounted on a chassis and wheeled suspension. The container has opposing sidewalls, a floor, a front wall, and a rear opening. The trailer further has an unloading system comprising a plow and a plow motor system. The plow is disposed in the container and shaped and sized to span substantially a transverse cross-section of the container. The plow motor system is operable to move the plow longitudinally in the container to urge or push the bulk material in the container toward and out of the rear opening of the container. At least one of the sidewalls comprises a removable panel installed longitudinally along a bottom of the sidewall, wherein an inward-facing surface of the removable panel and an inward-facing surface of the sidewall are substantially co-planar.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2017Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Titan Trailers Inc.Inventors: Andrew Joseph Maertens, Michael Kloepfer
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Publication number: 20170320526Abstract: A protective rail for a trailer is formed of an extension or ridge projecting outwardly from a wall of the trailer and extending along at least a part of a length of the wall. The protective rail is provided with tie-down anchors for coupling with tie-downs having couplers such as rings, eyes, or loops. The anchors may tongues formed in the protective rail when the protective rail is cut-out at selected locations along the protective rail. The anchors may be sized and shaped such that the surrounding portion of the protective rail prevents or tends to prevent other trailers or objects contacting the protective rail from damaging or becoming caught on the anchors.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: Michael KLOEPFER, Rick LEES
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Patent number: 9789801Abstract: A hopper trailer has a chassis with longitudinal rails mounted to a wheeled suspension. Triangular load transfer plates are mounted vertically on and carried by the longitudinal rails. A container has opposing sidewalls, opposing end walls, and two sloping walls each spanning between and adjoining the opposing sidewalls. The sloping walls and the sidewalls form a hopper. One of the sloping walls is mounted on and carried by the load transfer plates. The sidewalls are mounted to and carried by the sloping wall. The weight of a bulk material carried in the hopper and the weight of the sidewalls is carried by the sloping wall. This weight is transferred vertically downwardly from the sidewall through the load transfer plate into the chassis without substantial deflection from a vertical path. Bending stresses caused in the hopper slopes and floor frame of conventional trailers by indirect weight transmission is avoided.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Titan Trailers Inc.Inventors: Andrew Joseph Maertens, Bryan Morris Bracewell, Michael Kloepfer
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Patent number: 9745003Abstract: A protective rail for a trailer is formed of an extension or ridge projecting outwardly from a wall of the trailer and extending along at least a part of a length of the wall. The protective rail is provided with tie-down anchors for coupling with tie-downs having couplers such as rings, eyes, or loops. The anchors may tongues formed in the protective rail when the protective rail is cut-out at selected locations along the protective rail. The anchors may be sized and shaped such that the surrounding portion of the protective rail prevents or tends to prevent other trailers or objects contacting the protective rail from damaging or becoming caught on the anchors.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2016Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Inventors: Michael Kloepfer, Rick Lees
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Publication number: 20170197672Abstract: A trailer for transporting bulk material has a container mounted on a chassis and wheeled suspension. The container has opposing sidewalls, a floor, a front wall, and a rear opening. The trailer further has an unloading system comprising a plow and a plow motor system. The plow is disposed in the container and shaped and sized to span substantially a transverse cross-section of the container. The plow motor system is operable to move the plow longitudinally in the container to urge or push the bulk material in the container toward and out of the rear opening of the container. At least one of the sidewalls comprises a removable panel installed longitudinally along a bottom of the sidewall, wherein an inward-facing surface of the removable panel and an inward-facing surface of the sidewall are substantially co-planar.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2017Publication date: July 13, 2017Inventors: Andrew Joseph MAERTENS, Michael KLOEPFER
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Patent number: 9701350Abstract: A trailer for transporting bulk material has a container mounted on a chassis and wheeled suspension. The container has opposing sidewalls, a floor, a front wall, and a rear opening. The trailer further has an unloading system comprising a plow and a plow motor system. The plow is disposed in the container and shaped and sized to span substantially a transverse cross-section of the container. The plow motor system is operable to move the plow longitudinally in the container to urge or push the bulk material in the container toward and out of the rear opening of the container. At least one of the sidewalls comprises a removable panel installed longitudinally along a bottom of the sidewall, wherein an inward-facing surface of the removable panel and an inward-facing surface of the sidewall are substantially co-planar.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2016Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: TITAN TRAILERS INC.Inventors: Andrew Joseph Maertens, Michael Kloepfer
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Patent number: 9610990Abstract: A transportation trailer having a moving floor including a plurality of reciprocating slats for loading/unloading materials into the trailer. The trailer includes a system for warming the moving floor when the materials transported in the trailer freeze on the slats in cold weather. Using the pre-existing hollow structure of the slats, a stream of hot fluid or a hot fluid pipe is run inside the slats for thawing the frozen materials for unloading the trailer. The hot fluid may be provided from a hot fluid source on board of the trailer, for thawing the frozen materials while the trailer is on its way to the unloading site, or may be provided separately at the unloading site.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2013Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: TITAN TRAILERS INC.Inventor: Michael Kloepfer
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Publication number: 20160355218Abstract: A trailer for transporting bulk material has a container mounted on a chassis and wheeled suspension. The container has opposing sidewalls, a floor, a front wall, and a rear opening. The trailer further has an unloading system comprising a plow and a plow motor system. The plow is disposed in the container and shaped and sized to span substantially a transverse cross-section of the container. The plow motor system is operable to move the plow longitudinally in the container to urge or push the bulk material in the container toward and out of the rear opening of the container. At least one of the sidewalls comprises a removable panel installed longitudinally along a bottom of the sidewall, wherein an inward-facing surface of the removable panel and an inward-facing surface of the sidewall are substantially co-planar.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Andrew Joseph MAERTENS, Michael KLOEPFER