Patents by Inventor Collin Thole

Collin Thole 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).

  • 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: 20230278815
    Abstract: Seal apparatus for dock levelers are disclosed. An example seal apparatus includes a compressible core defining a cavity, a cover to engage at portion of an outer surface of the compressible core, and a mounting bracket, the compressible core and the cover to couple to the mounting bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Collin Thole, Timothy J. Schmidt, Gary Borgerding, Frank Heim, Mary Blaser
  • Patent number: 11649121
    Abstract: Seal apparatus for dock levelers are disclosed. An example loading dock includes a dock leveler movable between a standard loading position, a cross-traffic position and a below-deck loading position. The dock leveler has deck and lip movably coupled to the deck. A seal assembly is coupled to the loading dock adjacent a forward edge of the dock leveler. The seal assembly sealingly engages a front surface of a lip of the dock leveler and a rear surface of the lip when the dock leveler is positioned in a cross-traffic position or a below-dock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Collin Thole, Timothy J. Schmidt, Gary Borgerding, Frank Heim, Mary Blaser
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20190337741
    Abstract: Seal apparatus for dock levelers are disclosed. An example loading dock includes a dock leveler movable between a standard loading position, a cross-traffic position and a below-deck loading position. The dock leveler has deck and lip movably coupled to the deck. A seal assembly is coupled to the loading dock adjacent a forward edge of the dock leveler. The seal assembly sealingly engages a front surface of a lip of the dock leveler and a rear surface of the lip when the dock leveler is positioned in a cross-traffic position or a below-dock position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Collin Thole, Timothy J. Schmidt, Gary Borgerding, Frank Heim, Mary Blaser
  • Patent number: 9969576
    Abstract: Inflatable weather barriers for loading docks are disclosed. An example weather barrier includes an upper bellows defining a header air chamber between a top portion and a bottom portion of the upper bellows. A blower is in fluid communication with the header air chamber and the blower is selectively activated to discharge a pressurized air into the header air chamber to urge the upper bellows from a raised position toward a lowered position. The weather barrier includes a first extension spring that is under a first extension spring tension, a first pulley, and a first elongate member that is pliable. The first elongate member is under a first elongate member tension that urges the upper bellows toward the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles J. Ashelin, Collin Thole, Frank Heim, Timothy J. Schmidt