Patents Assigned to Engineered Solutions, Inc.
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Patent number: 8407842Abstract: Dock levelers, such as mechanical dock levelers, are described herein. In one embodiment, a mechanical dock leveler includes a ramp having a lip pivotally attached to a forward edge. A ramp lifting system is configured to assist upward rotation of the ramp as it is manually raised. In this embodiment, a lip lifting system is operably coupled to the ramp lifting system so that the ramp is initially “downward biased” prior to being raised, and then becomes at least partially supported in a raised position by the lip lifting mechanism, once the lip lifting mechanism is engaged.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Michael Story, Jeff Limbaugh, Richard K. Hoofard
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Patent number: 8350663Abstract: A method for creating and a device for a rotary switchable multi-core element, permanent magnet-based apparatus, for holding or lifting a target, comprised of two or more carrier platters, each containing a plurality of complementary first and second core elements. Each core element comprises permanent magnet(s) with magnetically matched soft steel pole conduits attached to the north and south poles of the magnet(s). Core elements are oriented within adjacent carrier platters such that relative rotation allows for alignment in-phase or out-of-phase of the magnetic north and south fields within the pole conduits. Aligning a first core element “in-phase” with a second core element, that is, north-north/south-south, activates that core element pair, allowing the combined magnetic fields of the pole conduits to be directed into a target. Aligning the core element pair “out-of-phase,” that is, north-south/south-north, deactivates that core element pair by containing opposing fields within the pole conduits.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2011Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Creative Engineering Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Jim G Michael
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Patent number: 8307589Abstract: Segmented dock seals for truck loading docks are described herein. An elongate, compressible pad member for use with a loading dock seal is positioned to compliantly conform to an aft end of a trailer positioned proximate to an opening in a building. The pad member includes a body portion having a front side and a back side. The body portion is composed of a compressible foam material. The pad member further includes a plurality of individual fingers projecting away from the front side of the body portion. The individual fingers are integral with the body portion and are spaced apart from each other.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2012Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.Inventor: William C. Eungard
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Patent number: 8297333Abstract: Overhead door assemblies having both interlocking and releasable guide assemblies, and guide track assemblies for use with same are disclosed herein. An overhead door track configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes a first side portion spaced apart from a second side portion to define a channel or gap region therebetween. The first side portion has a first guide surface and a first retention surface. Similarly, the second side portion has a second guide surface and a second retention surface. In this embodiment, the first and second guide surfaces diverge outwardly from the gap region in a first direction, and the first and second retention surfaces diverge inwardly from the gap region in a second direction, opposite the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Michael M. Meichtry
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Publication number: 20120247021Abstract: Door leveling apparatuses are disclosed herein. A door leveling apparatus configured in accordance with one embodiment includes a bracket mounted to a door, such as a vertically-opening sectional door. The apparatus further includes a cable assembly having a first end portion coupled to the bracket and a second end portion coupled to a door lifting system, such as a counterbalance assembly. The first end portion includes an adjuster that enables an operator to adjust the operational length of the cable assembly extending between the lifting system and the bracket, thereby enabling the operator to individually adjust the lengths of two such cable assemblies on opposite sides of the door to align the door with a corresponding opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.Inventor: William C. Eungard
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Patent number: 8256098Abstract: A method for producing a switchable core element-based permanent magnet apparatus, used for holding and lifting a target, comprised of two or more carrier platters containing core elements. The core elements are magnetically matched soft steel pole conduits attached to the north and south magnetic poles of one or more permanent magnets, inset into carrier platters. The pole conduits contain and redirect the permanent magnets' magnetic field to the upper and lower faces of the carrier platters. By containing and redirecting the magnetic field within the pole conduits, like poles have a simultaneous level of attraction and repulsion. Aligning upper core elements “in-phase,” with the lower core elements, activates the apparatus by redirecting the magnetic fields of both pole conduits into the target. Anti-aligning upper core elements “out-of-phase,” with the lower core elements, deactivates the apparatus resulting in pole conduits containing opposing fields.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2012Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Creative Engineering Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Jim G Michael
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Publication number: 20120211177Abstract: Insulated tracks for use with loading dock doors are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an insulated door track configured in accordance with the present disclosure includes a first insulator, such as a plastic material, applied to a surface of the door track that extends adjacent to the loading dock door in the closed position. A second insulator, such as a radiant barrier comprised of a thin film of a reflective material, such as aluminum, can be applied to an opposing surface of the first insulator to prevent or at least reduce radiant energy losses through the track. A gap between the first insulator and the door jamb can be sealed with a third insulator, such as a suitable strip of foam.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2012Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.Inventors: John R. Fletcher, Milena D. Vohla, Carlo G. Mascari
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Patent number: 8192693Abstract: Hazardous process gases are heated to auto ignition temperatures by rods and cylinders in a heating chamber. The heated gases and oxygen mix in a combustion chamber, and the gases ignite and combust. Air is introduced to cool the hot combustion products. Particles are separated from the cooled gases. Pure non hazardous gases and air are exhausted.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Innovative Engineering Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Samir S. Shiban
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Publication number: 20120128501Abstract: Fans having blade tips with downwardly extending airfoil surfaces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, a high volume low speed ceiling fan includes a plurality of blades, each having an anhedral or downward sloping tip portion. The blade tips can also include an aft swept portion that extends between the main airfoil portion of the fan blade and the anhedral tip portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2011Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Richard K. Hoofard, L. B. Whitley
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Patent number: 8181401Abstract: Apparatuses for forming at least a partial seal between an open end of a truck, trailer, or other vehicle and an opening in a building are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus for forming at least a partial seal includes a first side pad configured to extend vertically adjacent to a first side portion of an opening, a second side pad configured to extend vertically adjacent to a second side portion of the opening, and a head pad assembly configured to extend horizontally adjacent to a top portion of the opening between the first and second side pads. The head pad assembly can include replaceable corner pads positioned on either end of a center pad. The corner pads can be independently attached to the wall of the building and separately removed if replacement is needed.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.Inventor: William C. Eungard
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Patent number: 8183965Abstract: A method and device for a switchable core element-based permanent magnet apparatus, for holding and lifting a target, comprised of two or more carrier platters containing core elements. The core elements are magnetically matched soft steel pole conduits attached to the north and south magnetic poles of one or more permanent magnets, inset into carrier platters. The pole conduits contain and redirect the permanent magnets' magnetic field to the upper and lower faces of the carrier platters. By containing and redirecting the magnetic field within the pole conduits, like poles have a simultaneous level of attraction and repulsion. Aligning upper core elements “in-phase,” that is, north-north/south-south with the lower core elements, activates the apparatus by redirecting the combined magnetic fields of the pole conduits into the target.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2010Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Creative Engineering Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Jim G Michael
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Publication number: 20120102852Abstract: Segmented dock seals for truck loading docks are described herein. An elongate, compressible pad member for use with a loading dock seal is positioned to compliantly conform to an aft end of a trailer positioned proximate to an opening in a building. The pad member includes a body portion having a front side and a back side. The body portion is composed of a compressible foam material. The pad member further includes a plurality of individual fingers projecting away from the front side of the body portion. The individual fingers are integral with the body portion and are spaced apart from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2012Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.Inventor: William C. Eungard
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Patent number: 8112949Abstract: Segmented dock seals for truck loading docks are described herein. An elongate, compressible pad member for use with a loading dock seal is positioned to compliantly conform to an aft end of a trailer positioned proximate to an opening in a building. The pad member includes a body portion having a front side and a back side. The body portion is composed of a compressible foam material. The pad member further includes a plurality of individual fingers projecting away from the front side of the body portion. The individual fingers are integral with the body portion and are spaced apart from each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.Inventor: William C. Eungard
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Patent number: 8063262Abstract: A hazardous gas abatement system decontaminates an exit gas stream containing global warming gases using an electrical heater and a water scrubber. One or more top flow hazardous gas inlets introduce hazardous gases into a heater compartment. Air or oxygen is introduced into a separate chamber for dynamic oxidation and cooling. The streams are mixed and oxygen reacts with the hazardous gases. Solid particulates from the reaction are removed by a filter in a quick disconnect bottom chamber. Filtered exhaust gases flow upward in an exhaust chamber surrounding the heater compartment and through water spray scrubbers. A cleaning ring mounted on an eccentric rod cleans particles from the outside of the internal heater, and the inside of the external heater. An air cylinder drives the eccentric rod and cleaning ring down and up between the heaters and stores the ring above the gas inlets.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2009Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Innovative Engineering Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Samir S. Shiban
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Patent number: 8046857Abstract: Dock leveler seals and associated methods and systems are described herein. A dock leveler having a rear hinge seal configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a rear support frame and a movable deck. The rear support frame includes a plurality of first support members extending therefrom, and the aft edge portion of the deck includes a plurality of second support members pivotally coupled to the first support members along an axis. The seal of this embodiment includes a first edge portion extending outwardly from a medial portion in a first direction, and a second edge portion extending outwardly from the medial portion in a second direction. The medial portion urges the first edge portion against the support frame and the second edge portion against the aft edge portion of the deck as the deck pivots about the axis in operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2009Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.Inventors: L. Blake Whitley, William C. Eungard, Michael Story
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Patent number: 8037576Abstract: Overhead door assemblies having both interlocking and releasable guide assemblies, and multi-piece guide track assemblies for use with same are disclosed herein. An overhead door track configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a first side portion formed from a first piece of material and a second side portion formed from a second piece of material. The first side portion has a first guide surface and a first retention surface. The second side portion has a second guide surface and a second retention surface. In one aspect of this embodiment, the first side portion is joined to the second side portion to define an open channel or gap region therebetween. The first and second guide surfaces extend from the gap region toward a first direction, and the first and second retention surfaces diverge from the gap region toward a second direction, opposite to the first direction. The first and second retention surfaces can be configured to movably retain a door guide member.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2008Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Michael M. Meichtry
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Publication number: 20110203059Abstract: Loading dock lighting systems having one or more colored lights for communicating information, such as loading dock equipment status information, to dock operators and/or other personnel working in or around a shipping trailer or other transport vehicle are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, a lighting system for illuminating the interior of a transport vehicle during loading/unloading can include a lighting feature that visually communicates information to a person or persons working in the vehicle. The lighting feature can include, for example, one or more lights of various colors and/or flashing lights.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.Inventors: L. Blake Whitley, Richard K. Hoofard
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Patent number: 7996943Abstract: A frame of a dock leveler that positions a deck portion of the dock leveler so that the deck portion is level with a surrounding dock floor at a driveway end when mounted in a pit in the dock floor includes a pit supported portion placed on a floor of the pit, a deck supporting portion providing support to the deck portion, and an adjusting assembly connected to the pit supported portion and to the deck supporting portion and operable to move and hold the deck supporting portion so that the deck portion of the dock leveler is at a selected position with respect to the surrounding dock floor.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions Inc.Inventors: William Henry Wallis, L. Blake Whitley, Richard K Hoofard
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Patent number: 7975585Abstract: A table saw guard has opposed rubber fingers extending from opposite supports. The fingers meet near slots in a saw table along a saw slot and provide visual and tactile warning of approaching the saw blade. The fingers bend as a board is pushed into contact with a saw. Friction between the bent fingers and the board resist unwanted bounce-back of the board while being sawed.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2007Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Innovative Engineering Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Samir S. Shiban
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Publication number: 20110162916Abstract: Wheel chocks for use with loading docks are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a manual wheel chock configured in accordance with the present disclosure includes a restraint arm pivotally coupled to a carriage that is rollably mounted to a longitudinal guide rail. The restraint arm is rotatable in a first direction to move a wheel stop in front of a wheel of a vehicle parked adjacent the guide rail. The restraint arm is also rotatable in a second direction opposite to the first direction to move the wheel stop away from the vehicle wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2010Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.Inventors: David Saliger, L. B. Whitley