Patents by Inventor Brett A. Walford
Brett A. Walford 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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Patent number: 11926497Abstract: Systems and associated methods for controlling operation of loading dock equipment are described herein. In some embodiments, the system and associated methods can be used to control operation of loading dock equipment (e.g., a vehicle restraint, a dock door, a dock leveler, etc.) according to a sequence of operations. The sequence of operations can include different sub-sequences based on loading dock conditions. The system can include a display screen that sequentially presents a series of control elements that enable operation of the loading dock equipment. Additionally, the visual appearance and/or sequence of presentation of the control elements indicate the proper sequence of selection to the user, thereby reducing user confusion and simplifying the operation of the loading dock equipment. Some functionality of the control panel can be enabled or disabled based on a current level of authorization.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2022Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: ASSA ABLOY ENTRANCE SYSTEMS ABInventors: Richard K. Hoofard, Brett A. Walford, Stephen Kosek, Daryl Day
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Patent number: 11920402Abstract: Systems and associated methods for controlling operation of loading dock equipment are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the system and associated methods can be used to control operation of loading dock equipment (e.g., a vehicle restraint, a dock door, a dock leveler, etc.) according to a preset sequence of operations. The system can include a display screen that sequentially presents a series of graphical control elements (e.g., touch-sensitive buttons) that enable operation of the loading dock equipment in an appropriate sequence. Additionally, the visual appearance and/or sequence of presentation of the graphical control elements indicate the proper sequence of selection to the user, thereby reducing user confusion and simplifying the operation of the loading dock equipment.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems ABInventors: Richard K. Hoofard, Brett A. Walford, Stephen Kosek
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Publication number: 20220338719Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically controlling loading dock equipment, such as in response to a trailer approaching and docking at a docking station, are disclosed. The systems and methods can provide scanning devices and scanning operations which assist with, for example, properly aligning a trailer at a docking station and/or checking an interior area in front of the dock door for obstructions. The systems and methods can also transmit messages between components of the system and/or to users of the system regarding the status of components of the systems and/or the status of the overall docking process.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2022Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: Brett A. Walford, Eric Breen
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Publication number: 20220306410Abstract: Systems and associated methods for controlling operation of loading dock equipment are described herein. In some embodiments, the system and associated methods can be used to control operation of loading dock equipment (e.g., a vehicle restraint, a dock door, a dock leveler, etc.) according to a sequence of operations. The sequence of operations can include different sub-sequences based on loading dock conditions. The system can include a display screen that sequentially presents a series of control elements that enable operation of the loading dock equipment. Additionally, the visual appearance and/or sequence of presentation of the control elements indicate the proper sequence of selection to the user, thereby reducing user confusion and simplifying the operation of the loading dock equipment. Some functionality of the control panel can be enabled or disabled based on a current level of authorization.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2022Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventors: Richard K. Hoofard, Brett A. Walford, Stephen Kosek, Daryl Day
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Publication number: 20220243524Abstract: Systems and associated methods for controlling operation of loading dock equipment are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the system and associated methods can be used to control operation of loading dock equipment (e.g., a vehicle restraint, a dock door, a dock leveler, etc.) according to a preset sequence of operations. The system can include a display screen that sequentially presents a series of graphical control elements (e.g., touch-sensitive buttons) that enable operation of the loading dock equipment in an appropriate sequence. Additionally, the visual appearance and/or sequence of presentation of the graphical control elements indicate the proper sequence of selection to the user, thereby reducing user confusion and simplifying the operation of the loading dock equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2021Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventors: Richard K. Hoofard, Brett A. Walford, Stephen Kosek
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Patent number: 11358813Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically controlling loading dock equipment, such as in response to a trailer approaching and docking at a docking station, are disclosed. The systems and methods can provide scanning devices and scanning operations which assist with, for example, properly aligning a trailer at a docking station and/or checking an interior area in front of the dock door for obstructions. The systems and methods can also transmit messages between components of the system and/or to users of the system regarding the status of components of the systems and/or the status of the overall docking process.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2018Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems ABInventors: Brett A. Walford, Eric Breen
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Patent number: 11305953Abstract: Systems and associated methods for controlling operation of loading dock equipment are described herein. In some embodiments, the system and associated methods can be used to control operation of loading dock equipment (e.g., a vehicle restraint, a dock door, a dock leveler, etc.) according to a sequence of operations. The sequence of operations can include different sub-sequences based on loading dock conditions. The system can include a display screen that sequentially presents a series of control elements that enable operation of the loading dock equipment. Additionally, the visual appearance and/or sequence of presentation of the control elements indicate the proper sequence of selection to the user, thereby reducing user confusion and simplifying the operation of the loading dock equipment. Some functionality of the control panel can be enabled or disabled based on a current level of authorization.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems ABInventors: Richard K. Hoofard, Brett A. Walford, Stephen Kosek, Daryl Day
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Patent number: 11225824Abstract: Systems and associated methods for controlling operation of loading dock equipment are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the system and associated methods can be used to control operation of loading dock equipment (e.g., a vehicle restraint, a dock door, a dock leveler, etc.) according to a preset sequence of operations. The system can include a display screen that sequentially presents a series of graphical control elements (e.g., touch-sensitive buttons) that enable operation of the loading dock equipment in an appropriate sequence. Additionally, the visual appearance and/or sequence of presentation of the graphical control elements indicate the proper sequence of selection to the user, thereby reducing user confusion and simplifying the operation of the loading dock equipment.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2016Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems ABInventors: Richard K. Hoofard, Brett A. Walford, Stephen Kosek
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Publication number: 20190144218Abstract: Systems and associated methods for controlling operation of loading dock equipment are described herein. In some embodiments, the system and associated methods can be used to control operation of loading dock equipment (e.g., a vehicle restraint, a dock door, a dock leveler, etc.) according to a sequence of operations. The sequence of operations can include different sub-sequences based on loading dock conditions. The system can include a display screen that sequentially presents a series of control elements that enable operation of the loading dock equipment. Additionally, the visual appearance and/or sequence of presentation of the control elements indicate the proper sequence of selection to the user, thereby reducing user confusion and simplifying the operation of the loading dock equipment. Some functionality of the control panel can be enabled or disabled based on a current level of authorization.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2019Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Richard K. Hoofard, Brett A. Walford, Stephen Kosek, Daryl Day
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Publication number: 20190002216Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically controlling loading dock equipment, such as in response to a trailer approaching and docking at a docking station, are disclosed. The systems and methods can provide scanning devices and scanning operations which assist with, for example, properly aligning a trailer at a docking station and/or checking an interior area in front of the dock door for obstructions. The systems and methods can also transmit messages between components of the system and/or to users of the system regarding the status of components of the systems and/or the status of the overall docking process.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Brett A. Walford, Eric Breen
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Patent number: 10081504Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically controlling loading dock equipment, such as in response to a trailer approaching and docking at a docking station, are disclosed. The systems and methods can provide scanning devices and scanning operations which assist with, for example, properly aligning a trailer at a docking station and/or checking an interior area in front of the dock door for obstructions. The systems and methods can also transmit messages between components of the system and/or to users of the system regarding the status of components of the systems and/or the status of the overall docking process.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2015Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems ABInventors: Brett A. Walford, Eric Breen
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Publication number: 20170320685Abstract: Systems and associated methods for controlling operation of loading dock equipment are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the system and associated methods can be used to control operation of loading dock equipment (e.g., a vehicle restraint, a dock door, a dock leveler, etc.) according to a preset sequence of operations. The system can include a display screen that sequentially presents a series of graphical control elements (e.g., touch-sensitive buttons) that enable operation of the loading dock equipment in an appropriate sequence. Additionally, the visual appearance and/or sequence of presentation of the graphical control elements indicate the proper sequence of selection to the user, thereby reducing user confusion and simplifying the operation of the loading dock equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2016Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: Richard K. Hoofard, Brett A. Walford, Stephen Kosek
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Publication number: 20170043967Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically controlling loading dock equipment, such as in response to a trailer approaching and docking at a docking station, are disclosed. The systems and methods can provide scanning devices and scanning operations which assist with, for example, properly aligning a trailer at a docking station and/or checking an interior area in front of the dock door for obstructions. The systems and methods can also transmit messages between components of the system and/or to users of the system regarding the status of components of the systems and/or the status of the overall docking process.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2015Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventors: Brett A. Walford, Eric Breen
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Patent number: 8842000Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a system of fans in a facility from a central system controller are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the system of fans can be configured to shut down automatically during an emergency condition or event. For example, a fan system controller can be connected to the system of fans and provide a signal to each of the fans. While each of the fans receives the signal, power is connected to a motor on each of the fans. Upon detection of an emergency condition, the fan system controller disconnects the signal to the fans, thereby automatically simultaneously shutting down the entire system of fans.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2012Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Daryl Day, Richard K. Hoofard, Brett A. Walford
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Patent number: 8838279Abstract: Technology generally directed to operation of loading dock equipment such as vehicle restraints, dock levelers, overhead doors/openers, barrier gates, lights, and linked or unlinked control systems is disclosed herein. The disclosed technology may be employed to power electrical loading dock systems from batteries and/or alternative power sources, including “green” power sources. For example, the technology may be employed at new, temporary, and/or mobile facilities having any number of loading docks where reliable commercial power may not be readily available. Further, the technology may also be employed at warehouses in remote and/or developing areas where electrical infrastructure is not available and/or reasonably priced. The technology may be embodied as methods, apparatuses, manufactures (e.g., computer- and/or processor-readable storage and/or other mediums), and/or the like.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2009Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin I. Blackwell, Brett A. Walford, Lowell Blake Whitley, Michael Story, Allan Thomson
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Publication number: 20140022071Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a system of fans in a facility from a central system controller are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the system of fans can be configured to shut down automatically during an emergency condition or event. For example, a fan system controller can be connected to the system of fans and provide a signal to each of the fans. While each of the fans receives the signal, power is connected to a motor on each of the fans. Upon detection of an emergency condition, the fan system controller disconnects the signal to the fans, thereby automatically simultaneously shutting down the entire system of fans.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2012Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Richard K. Hoofard, Daryl Duane Day, Brett A. Walford
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Publication number: 20110238231Abstract: Technology generally directed to operation of loading dock equipment such as vehicle restraints, dock levelers, overhead doors/openers, barrier gates, lights, and linked or unlinked control systems is disclosed herein. The disclosed technology may be employed to power electrical loading dock systems from batteries and/or alternative power sources, including “green” power sources. For example, the technology may be employed at new, temporary, and/or mobile facilities having any number of loading docks where reliable commercial power may not be readily available. Further, the technology may also be employed at warehouses in remote and/or developing areas where electrical infrastructure is not available and/or reasonably priced. The technology may be embodied as methods, apparatuses, manufactures (e.g., computer- and/or processor-readable storage and/or other mediums), and/or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2009Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: 4 FRONT ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Benjamin I. Blackwell, Brett A. Walford, L. B. Whitley, Michael Story, Allan Thomson