Patents Assigned to Engineered Solutions, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20110088327
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael M. Meichtry
  • Patent number: 7926140
    Abstract: A dock leveler frame includes a pit supported portion; a deck supporting portion configured to provide support to a deck portion of the dock leveler; and a fastener configured to contact corresponding structure on the pit supported portion and deck supporting portion, the corresponding structure configured to allow the pit supported portion and deck supporting portion to be fastened to each other via the fastener at multiple positions with respect to each other. A method of configuring a dock leveler frame to install a dock leveler in a pit and have a level deck without the use of shims includes: providing a pit supported portion of a dock lever frame; placing a deck supporting portion of the frame is a desired position with respect to the pit supported portion; and fastening the pit supported portion to the deck supporting portion with a fastener inserted into a hole and a slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Blake Whitley, Richard K. Hoofard
  • Publication number: 20110047725
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Story, Jeff Limbaugh, Richard K. Hoofard
  • Patent number: 7891400
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael M. Meichtry
  • Patent number: 7861762
    Abstract: Overhead door guide assemblies, guide tracks, and guide track support brackets are disclosed herein. An overhead door track assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a vertical track segment mounted to a wall adjacent an opening therein, and a curved track segment operably coupled to the vertical track segment. The curved track segment includes a first guide surface spaced apart from a second guide surface to define a first gap region that movably receives the door guide members as the door moves away from the opening. The track assembly further includes a non-vertical track segment operably coupled to the curved track segment. The non-vertical track segment includes a third guide surface spaced apart from a fourth guide surface to define a second gap region that movably receives the door guide members from the curved track segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael M. Meichtry
  • Patent number: 7852203
    Abstract: In one illustrative example, a vehicular flasher unit is operative to provide a heartbeat flasher scheme in vehicle flasher lights. One illustrative technique in the vehicular flasher unit involves monitoring a flasher enable input to identify a flasher enable signal and producing, at a light illumination output in response to identifying the flasher enable signal, a heartbeat flashing scheme in the vehicle flasher lights. The heartbeat flashing scheme has a repeating sequence of two heartbeat pulse flashes in the vehicle flasher lights which include a first heartbeat pulse flash and a second heartbeat flash. Each first heartbeat pulse flash has a first peak intensity in the vehicle flasher lights and each second heartbeat pulse flash has a second peak intensity in the vehicle flasher lights that is preferably different from the first peak intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Xtreme Engineered Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Hanz Werner Herrig, Dean Craig Holle
  • Publication number: 20100264596
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Blake Whitley, William C. Eungard, Michael Story
  • Publication number: 20100146876
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Eungard
  • Patent number: 7657957
    Abstract: A dock leveler for bridging the gap between a loading dock and the bed of a vehicle parked at the loading dock. The dock leveler is configured for installation on the top of the dock and is designed to rotate from a vertically-stored raised position to at least one lowered, operative position. In some embodiments, the dock leveler can be lowered either for normal operation so that the deck assembly rests on the bed of the vehicle or it can be lowered to accommodate an end-loading condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Alexander, Richard Hoofard
  • Patent number: 7601307
    Abstract: A hazardous gas abatement system decontaminates an exit gas stream containing global warming or contaminant gases using an electrical heater compartment and a water scrubber or dry chemicals in a tank. One or more top flow hazardous gas inlets introduce hazardous gases into a heater compartment. Air or oxygen is heated in a separate chamber surrounding the heater compartment. The heated streams are mixed and oxygen reacts with the hazardous gases. Solid particulates and heat are removed by a filter in a quick disconnect tank. Gas flows through an outer chamber insulated from surrounding the heater compartment and through water spray scrubbers or chemical agents. A heat exchanger surrounds the outer chamber. A moving cleaning ring cleans particles from the heater compartment. An air cylinder drives the cleaning ring up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Innovative Engineering Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Samir S. Shiban
  • Patent number: 7594290
    Abstract: A dock leveler sealing system that includes a barrier configured to be attached to a dock leveler and a hinged region located in the barrier and configured to facilitate one portion of the barrier moving with respect to a second portion of the barrier. The dock leveler sealing system also includes a biasing apparatus attached to the barrier and configured to position the first portion of the barrier at a bias relative to the second portion of the barrier. Also, a method of providing a seal between a loading dock and an area outside of the loading dock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Eungard, William Amundson, Laura M. Smith
  • Patent number: 7534399
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Innovative Engineering Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Samir S. Shiban
  • Publication number: 20090077906
    Abstract: Trailer shelters having foam head and side members are described herein. An over road trailer shelter configured in accordance with one embodiment includes a flexible head curtain configured to extend horizontally along a top portion of an opening in a warehouse or other building. The flexible head curtain can include at least one fabric flap hingeably attached to an exterior surface of a base fabric layer. The fabric flap is configured to protect the head member from damage resulting from repeated trailer contact. A trailer enclosure configured in accordance with another embodiment includes a head member that extends horizontally between first and second side members. Each of the side members and the head member includes a compressible foam portion covered by a fabric portion. In addition, each of the side members supports a flexible side curtain that extends inwardly to seal against the sides of the trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Tramonte, JR., Ralph W. Moody
  • Publication number: 20090044454
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael M. Meichtry
  • Publication number: 20090044917
    Abstract: Overhead door guide assemblies, guide tracks, and guide track support brackets are disclosed herein. An overhead door track assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a vertical track segment mounted to a wall adjacent an opening therein, and a curved track segment operably coupled to the vertical track segment. The curved track segment includes a first guide surface spaced apart from a second guide surface to define a first gap region that movably receives the door guide members as the door moves away from the opening. The track assembly further includes a non-vertical track segment operably coupled to the curved track segment. The non-vertical track segment includes a third guide surface spaced apart from a fourth guide surface to define a second gap region that movably receives the door guide members from the curved track segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael M. Meichtry
  • Publication number: 20090044453
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael M. Meichtry
  • Patent number: 7488460
    Abstract: Hazardous gas abatement apparatus combines and directly couples a chemical agent treatment tank and a dynamic oxidation chamber with a quick connect clamp. Cleaning the chamber and filter and emptying and replacing the chemical agent take place without disconnecting or otherwise disturbing gas, air and exhaust connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Innovative Engineering Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Samir S. Shiban
  • Patent number: 7468135
    Abstract: A portable wastewater treatment system comprising a wastewater holding tank having an interior adapted to hold wastewater, and a generator positioned to provide ozone, oxygen, or a combination of the two to the interior of the holding tank. In one embodiment, the holding tank comprises a gray-water tank, and the system further comprises a non-potable water tank having an interior. In this embodiment, the system further includes a second generator positioned to provide ozone, oxygen, or a combination of the two to the interior of the non-potable water tank and a conduit coupling the gray-water tank to the non-potable water tank. The system can further include a black-water tank having an interior, a third generator positioned to provide ozone, oxygen, or a combination of the two to the interior of the black-water tank, and a conduit coupling the black-water tank to the non-potable water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl K. Holt
  • Patent number: 7409739
    Abstract: A dock leveler support frame includes an upper frame member and a substantially vertical frame member connected thereto. The substantially vertical frame member includes both a structural member and a height-adjusting leg assembly. The leg assembly is adjustable via a drive member proximate the upper frame member. Rotating the drive member raises or lowers the upper frame member by altering the distance between the upper frame member and a foot at the lower end of the leg assembly. Ramp attachment points are also provided proximate the upper frame member. The support frame is installed by placing it in a pit with the upper frame member adjacent the curb, and adjusting the leg assembly to level the upper frame member to the curb. Once level, the back frame is secured to the dock, and the drive member may be secured to the upper frame member to prevent counter-rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Blake Whitley, James C. Alexander, Richard Hoofard, David Saliger, Keith F. Moore
  • Patent number: 7353558
    Abstract: A dock leveler for bridging the gap between a loading dock and the bed of a vehicle parked at the loading dock. The dock leveler is configured for installation on the top of the dock and is designed to rotate from a vertically-stored raised position to at least one lowered, operative position. In some embodiments, the dock leveler can be lowered either for normal operation so that the deck assembly rests on the bed of the vehicle or it can be lowered to accommodate an end-loading condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Alexander, Richard Hoofard