Patents by Inventor David P. Kunkel
David P. Kunkel 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: 10946824Abstract: A side underride system configured to be coupled to a trailer is provided. The side underride system includes a support system, including a brace system and a cable, configured to be positioned below the trailer to provide side underride protection. The brace system includes a plurality of cross-braces that each extend across a width of the trailer and are spaced apart at intervals along a length of the trailer. The cable is configured to extend across the intervals between the cross-braces.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: David P. Kunkel, Brian C. Belcher, Andrzej Wylezinski, Mark Ehrlich
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Patent number: 10940817Abstract: A side underride system configured to be coupled to a trailer is disclosed. The side underride system comprises a support system configured to be positioned below the trailer to provide side underride protection. The support system includes a cable system and a brace system. The cable system is configured to couple to the trailer. The brace system includes a plurality of cross-braces that each extend at least partially across a width of the trailer, are spaced apart at intervals along a length of the trailer, and are configured to capture the cable system.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2019Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: David P. Kunkel, Rodney P. Ehrlich
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Patent number: 10836335Abstract: A rear impact guard configured to be coupled to a rear end of a vehicle comprises a bumper support member, a support base, and a horizontal bumper. The bumper support member is configured to be coupled to the rear end of the vehicle. The support base is configured to be coupled to the rear end of the vehicle, configured to be positioned adjacent to a sidewall of the vehicle and below a floor assembly of the vehicle, and is in contact with the bumper support member and extends further forward toward a front of the vehicle than the bumper support member. The horizontal bumper is mounted at a lower end of the bumper support member.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: Andrzej Wylezinski, Brian C. Belcher, David P. Kunkel
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Publication number: 20190256026Abstract: A side underride system configured to be coupled to a trailer is disclosed. The side underride system comprises a support system configured to be positioned below the trailer to provide side underride protection. The support system includes a cable system and a brace system. The cable system is configured to couple to the trailer. The brace system includes a plurality of cross-braces that each extend at least partially across a width of the trailer, are spaced apart at intervals along a length of the trailer, and are configured to capture the cable system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: David P. Kunkel, Rodney P. Ehrlich
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Patent number: 10376949Abstract: A method for coupling a first structure to a second structure is disclosed. The method includes providing a rivet having a shaft with a first end and a second end, a head positioned at the first end, and a cavity formed in the second end and extending along an axis of the shaft. The method also includes positioning the first structure and the second structure against each other and inserting the second end through the first structure and the second structure until the head contacts the first structure and the second end extends past the second structure. The method further includes positioning a first flat tool and a second flat tool against the head and the second end, respectively, and moving the first flat tool and the second flat tool toward each other until the second end expands radially against the second structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2017Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: Rodney P. Ehrlich, David P. Kunkel
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Publication number: 20190077470Abstract: A side underride system configured to be coupled to a trailer is provided. The side underride system includes a support system, including a brace system and a cable, configured to be positioned below the trailer to provide side underride protection. The brace system includes a plurality of cross-braces that each extend across a width of the trailer and are spaced apart at intervals along a length of the trailer. The cable is configured to extend across the intervals between the cross-braces.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2018Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventors: David P. Kunkel, Brian C. Belcher, Andrzej Wylezinski, Mark Ehrlich
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Publication number: 20180334122Abstract: A rear impact guard configured to be coupled to a rear end of a vehicle comprises a bumper support member, a support base, and a horizontal bumper. The bumper support member is configured to be coupled to the rear end of the vehicle. The support base is configured to be coupled to the rear end of the vehicle, configured to be positioned adjacent to a sidewall of the vehicle and below a floor assembly of the vehicle, and is in contact with the bumper support member and extends further forward toward a front of the vehicle than the bumper support member. The horizontal bumper is mounted at a lower end of the bumper support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2018Publication date: November 22, 2018Inventors: Andrzej Wylezinski, Brian C. Belcher, David P. Kunkel
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Patent number: 10035483Abstract: A rear impact guard configured to be coupled to a rear end of a trailer includes first, second, third, and fourth support bases coupled to a the rear end of the trailer, first, second, third, and fourth bumper support members associated with the first, second, third, and fourth support bases, respectively, and a bumper mounted to lower ends of the first, second, third, and fourth bumper support members.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2016Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: Andrzej Wylezinski, Brian C. Belcher, David P. Kunkel
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Publication number: 20180141107Abstract: A method for coupling a first structure to a second structure is disclosed. The method includes providing a rivet having a shaft with a first end and a second end, a head positioned at the first end, and a cavity formed in the second end and extending along an axis of the shaft. The method also includes positioning the first structure and the second structure against each other and inserting the second end through the first structure and the second structure until the head contacts the first structure and the second end extends past the second structure. The method further includes positioning a first flat tool and a second flat tool against the head and the second end, respectively, and moving the first flat tool and the second flat tool toward each other until the second end expands radially against the second structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2017Publication date: May 24, 2018Inventors: Rodney P. Ehrlich, David P. Kunkel
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Publication number: 20170072886Abstract: A rear impact guard configured to be coupled to a rear end of a trailer includes first, second, third, and fourth support bases coupled to a the rear end of the trailer, first, second, third, and fourth bumper support members associated with the first, second, third, and fourth support bases, respectively, and a bumper mounted to lower ends of the first, second, third, and fourth bumper support members.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: Andrzej Wylezinski, Brian C. Belcher, David P. Kunkel
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Patent number: 9394010Abstract: A logistics post for use in a vehicle includes an inner wall and an outer wall. The logistics post is arranged to couple with panels to form a sidewall of a vehicle. At least a portion of the inner wall is spaced apart from the outer wall to form a mount passage therebetween. The inner wall includes a plurality of logistics slots that extend through the inner wall and open into the mount passage.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2015Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventor: David P. Kunkel
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Publication number: 20160039476Abstract: A logistics post for use in a vehicle includes an inner wall and an outer wall. The logistics post is arranged to couple with panels to form a sidewall of a vehicle. At least a portion of the inner wall is spaced apart from the outer wall to form a mount passage therebetween. The inner wall includes a plurality of logistics slots that extend through the inner wall and open into the mount passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventor: David P. Kunkel
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Patent number: 8973974Abstract: A rear fairing system for reducing drag on a trailer includes a plurality of fairings coupled to a rear, vertical door post of the trailer. Each fairing includes (i) a mounting member adjacent to and engaged with a rearward, outer surface of the vertical door post and (ii) an air deflection member coupled to the mounting member and including a vertical portion and a curved portion which curves inwardly toward a centerline of the trailer. Each fairing is mounted to the door post at a location between hinges of a rear swing door of the trailer.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2014Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventor: David P. Kunkel
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Patent number: 8876193Abstract: An inner wall liner of a wall panel of a refrigerated trailer includes a liner sheet formed of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) and a scuff plate formed of FRP. The scuff plate and the liner sheet are fused together such that the scuff plate is coupled to a bottom portion of the liner sheet. The inner liner further includes an upper wall plate formed of FRP. The upper wall plate and the liner sheet are fused together such that the upper wall plate is coupled to an upper portion of the liner sheet.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: David P. Kunkel, Patrick M. Griffin
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Publication number: 20140319872Abstract: A rear fairing system for reducing drag on a trailer includes a plurality of fairings coupled to a rear, vertical door post of the trailer. Each fairing includes (i) a mounting member adjacent to and engaged with a rearward, outer surface of the vertical door post and (ii) an air deflection member coupled to the mounting member and including a vertical portion and a curved portion which curves inwardly toward a centerline of the trailer. Each fairing is mounted to the door post at a location between hinges of a rear swing door of the trailer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventor: David P. Kunkel
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Patent number: 8696048Abstract: A floor system configured for use with a storage container such as a trailer. The floor system includes an upper floor section including a plurality of upper floor boards made of glass fiber reinforced polymer, and a lower floor section including a plurality of lower floor boards made of glass fiber reinforced polymer. The upper floor boards are configured to extend along a length of the trailer and the lower floor boards are configured to extend across the width of the trailer.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: Patrick M. Griffin, David P. Kunkel
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Patent number: 8434778Abstract: A semi-trailer for transporting circular objects may include a coupler assembly configured to be connected to a towing vehicle, a rear frame member, a pair of side rails joined at rear ends thereof by the rear frame member and at front ends thereof by the coupler assembly, a rear wheel and axle assembly mounted to the side rails between the front and rear ends thereof and at least one transportation well mounted to and between the side rails. The at least one transportation well may extend below the side rails. The at least one transportation well is configured to receive and hold therein while being transported by the semi-trailer at least one circular object.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2012Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.Inventors: Rodney P. Ehrlich, Andrzej Wylezinski, David P. Kunkel, Michael Lee Brown
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Publication number: 20130020831Abstract: An inner wall liner of a wall panel of a refrigerated trailer includes a liner sheet formed of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) and a scuff plate formed of FRP. The scuff plate and the liner sheet are fused together such that the scuff plate is coupled to a bottom portion of the liner sheet. The inner liner further includes an upper wall plate formed of FRP. The upper wall plate and the liner sheet are fused together such that the upper wall plate is coupled to an upper portion of the liner sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Inventors: David P. Kunkel, Patrick M. Griffin
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Publication number: 20120251260Abstract: A semi-trailer for transporting circular objects may include a coupler assembly configured to be connected to a towing vehicle, a rear frame member, a pair of side rails joined at rear ends thereof by the rear frame member and at front ends thereof by the coupler assembly, a rear wheel and axle assembly mounted to the side rails between the front and rear ends thereof and at least one transportation well mounted to and between the side rails. The at least one transportation well may extend below the side rails. The at least one transportation well is configured to receive and hold therein while being transported by the semi-trailer at least one circular object.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Inventors: Rodney P. Ehrlich, Andrzej Wylezinski, David P. Kunkel, Michael Lee Brown
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Patent number: 8220817Abstract: A semi-trailer for transporting circular objects may include a coupler assembly configured to be connected to a towing vehicle, a rear frame member, a pair of side rails joined at rear ends thereof by the rear frame member and at front ends thereof by the coupler assembly, a rear wheel and axle assembly mounted to the side rails between the front and rear ends thereof and at least one transportation well mounted to and between the side rails. The at least one transportation well may extend below the side rails. The at least one transportation well is configured to receive and hold therein while being transported by the semi-trailer at least one circular object.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2010Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Wabash National, L. P.Inventors: Rodney P. Ehrlich, Andrzej Wylezinski, David P. Kunkel, Michael Lee Brown