Patents by Inventor Bruce Henning

Bruce Henning 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).

  • Patent number: 12623868
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Henning, Collin Thole, Frank Heim
  • Patent number: 12545335
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Henning, Frank Heim, Jared Lueken
  • Publication number: 20250083911
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Bruce Henning, Collin Thole, Frank Heim
  • Publication number: 20240317327
    Abstract: Example bulkheads for cargo transporters (e.g., refrigerated trailers, trucks, reefers, and containers) are disclosed. An example bulkhead includes an overhead track system mountable to an enclosed cargo transporter within a cargo storage area. A first carriage is attached to the overhead track system. The first carriage is movable relative to the overhead track system in at least one of a lateral direction or a longitudinal direction while being guided by the overhead track system. A first panel is suspended by the first carriage from the overhead track system, where the weight of the first panel is substantially supported by the overhead track system via the first carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: Gary Borgerding, Bruce Henning, Jared Lueken, Frank Heim, Matt Manone, Charles J. Ashelin, Collin Thole
  • Patent number: 11987458
    Abstract: 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 extends a greater distance 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 is provided 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: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Henning, Collin Thole, Frank Heim
  • Publication number: 20220089226
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Bruce Henning, Frank Heim, Jared Lueken
  • Publication number: 20210221630
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Bruce Henning, Collin Thole, Frank Heim