Patents by Inventor Frank Heim

Frank Heim 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: 20170283193
    Abstract: Weather barriers for vehicle loading docks are disclosed. An example weather barrier includes a side support member being vertically elongate between an upper end and a lower end of the side support member. The side support member has a back end to be attached to a wall proximate a lateral doorway edge. The side support member is to extend in a forward direction to a front end of the side support member. A vertically elongate front sheet includes a pliable sheet having a proximal end and a distal end, where the proximal end is to attach to the front end of the side support member. The front sheet extends in a lateral direction from the proximal end to the distal end, where the lateral direction is horizontal and perpendicular to the forward direction. The front sheet is to extends in front of the doorway. A stay is to be coupled to the front sheet. The stay is resiliently flexible and horizontally elongate. The stay is to subject the front sheet to tension in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Frank Heim, Ryan Withrow
  • Patent number: 9751703
    Abstract: Seal assemblies for dock shelters and dock seals at a loading dock are disclosed herein. An example seal assembly includes a foam pad, a pliable cover to couple to the foam pad, and a shield to attach to the foam pad. The shield has a first end and a second end. The first end is to couple to at least one of the foam pad or the pliable cover and the second end is to project adjacent a vehicle-engaging surface of the foam pad. The shield is to move relative to the foam pad between a standby position when a vehicle is in a non-engaging relationship with the vehicle-engaging surface and a deflected position when the vehicle is in engagement with the vehicle-engaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles Digmann, Timothy J. Schmidt, Frank Heim
  • Patent number: 9709193
    Abstract: Pliable air ducts with anti-condensation nozzles are disclosed. An example system includes a tubular duct comprising a pliable wall dividing an interior of the tubular duct from an exterior of the tubular duct. The system includes an outlet member to be attached to the pliable wall. The outlet member defines a main air passageway with a first flow resistance therethrough and places the interior of the tubular duct in fluid communication with the exterior of the tubular duct. The system includes a secondary air passageway with a second flow resistance therethrough. The secondary air passageway is defined by at least one of the outlet member or the pliable wall and extends from the interior of the tubular duct to the exterior of the tubular duct to define an airflow path proximate the outlet member. The second flow resistance is significantly greater than the first flow resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, Frank Heim
  • Publication number: 20170159965
    Abstract: Example air ducts comprising pliable tubular sidewalls are provided with example internal frameworks that hold the duct in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is depressurized. The framework tensions the pliable sidewall material along the length of the ducts to keep the material taut. In some examples, the framework is restrained within the duct such that the duct's sidewall, being in tension, holds the framework in compression longitudinally. Thus, in the longitudinal direction, the duct is in tension and the framework is in compression. To prevent the framework from buckling under the compressive force, some example frameworks comprise a central longitudinal shaft with a plurality of radial spokes and rings that help hold the shaft straight. In some examples, the rings also help hold the duct radially expanded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
  • Publication number: 20170159966
    Abstract: Pliable-wall air ducts with internal expanding structures are disclosed. An example air duct system includes a shaft to be disposed within an air duct, to extend in a longitudinal direction, and to be in longitudinal compression. The air duct system also includes a plurality of ribs to be coupled to the shaft and to engage an inner surface of the air duct and a spring to be disposed within the air duct, the spring to be coupled to the shaft. The spring under stress being a contributing factor in both the shaft being in longitudinal compression and the air duct being in longitudinal tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
  • Publication number: 20170127574
    Abstract: An example cooling system for a datacenter is disclosed. The datacenter includes a plurality of computers arranged in a row within a building. The row of computers separates a cold aisle and a hot aisle. The row of computers defines an air passageway between the cold aisle and the hot aisle. The row of computers is associated with a top surface that is below and spaced apart from an overhead surface of the building to define a gap between the top surface and the overhead surface. The example cooling system includes an inflatable air duct to be disposed within the gap. The inflatable air duct has selectively an inflated state and a deflated state. The inflatable air duct filling more of the gap when the inflatable air duct is in the inflated state than when the inflatable air duct is in the deflated state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Micaela White, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 9624049
    Abstract: Puncture resistant seals for loading docks are disclosed. An example weather barrier disclosed herein includes a canopy having a back end and a front end, where the back end is mountable to a wall above a doorway and the front end is to protrude forward from the wall when the canopy is mounted to the wall. A front bar is at the front end of the canopy and the front bar is horizontally elongate. A back curtain hangs from the front bar. The back curtain has an upper curtain edge attached to the front bar. The back curtain has a lower curtain edge that is at a lower elevation than an elevation of the upper doorway edge when the canopy is mounted to the wall. The back curtain has a curtain width. A front panel hangs in front of the back curtain. The front panel is less flexible than the back curtain. The front panel has a panel width that is approximately 50 to 80 percent of the curtain width. A space is interposed between and defined by the front panel and the back curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Heim, Gary Borgerding, Ryan Withrow
  • Patent number: 9612033
    Abstract: Pliable-wall air ducts with internal expanding structures are disclosed. An example air duct system includes a shaft to be disposed within an air duct, to extend in a longitudinal direction, and to be in longitudinal compression. The air duct system also includes a plurality of ribs to be coupled to the shaft and to engage an inner surface of the air duct and a spring to be disposed within the air duct, the spring to be coupled to the shaft. The spring under stress being a contributing factor in both the shaft being in longitudinal compression and the air duct being in longitudinal tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
  • Patent number: 9605865
    Abstract: Example air ducts comprising pliable tubular sidewalls are provided with example internal frameworks that hold the duct in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is depressurized. The framework tensions the pliable sidewall material along the length of the ducts to keep the material taut. In some examples, the framework is restrained within the duct such that the duct's sidewall, being in tension, holds the framework in compression longitudinally. Thus, in the longitudinal direction, the duct is in tension and the framework is in compression. To prevent the framework from buckling under the compressive force, some example frameworks comprise a central longitudinal shaft with a plurality of radial spokes and rings that help hold the shaft straight. In some examples, the rings also help hold the duct radially expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
  • Patent number: 9605864
    Abstract: Pliable-wall air ducts with internal expanding structures are disclosed. An example air duct system includes a shaft to be disposed within an air duct, to extend in a longitudinal direction, and to be in longitudinal compression. The air duct system also includes a plurality of ribs to be coupled to the shaft and to engage an inner surface of the air duct and a spring to be disposed within the air duct, the spring to be coupled to the shaft. The spring under stress being a contributing factor in both the shaft being in longitudinal compression and the air duct being in longitudinal tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
  • Patent number: 9592972
    Abstract: Example lateral sealing members for use with weather barriers are disclosed. An example lateral sealing member includes a lateral sealing member being vertically elongate. The lateral sealing member has a J-shaped cross-section extending between an attached end and a tip of the lateral sealing member. The lateral sealing member has a groove along the tip. The lateral sealing member is movable between an activated configuration and a relaxed configuration. The tip to extend farther into a vehicle pathway when the lateral sealing member is in the relaxed configuration than when the lateral sealing member is in the activated configuration. A tip seal is provided along the tip of the lateral sealing member. The tip seal is to protrude in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Digmann, Charles J. Ashelin, Frank Heim, Gary Borgerding, Ryan Withrow
  • Publication number: 20170057764
    Abstract: Example lateral sealing members for use with weather barriers are disclosed. An example lateral sealing member includes a lateral sealing member being vertically elongate. The lateral sealing member has a J-shaped cross-section extending between an attached end and a tip of the lateral sealing member. The lateral sealing member has a groove along the tip. The lateral sealing member is movable between an activated configuration and a relaxed configuration. The tip to extend farther into a vehicle pathway when the lateral sealing member is in the relaxed configuration than when the lateral sealing member is in the activated configuration. A tip seal is provided along the tip of the lateral sealing member. The tip seal is to protrude in the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Charles Digmann, Charles J. Ashelin, Frank Heim, Gary Borgerding, Ryan Withrow
  • Patent number: 9562432
    Abstract: Example inflatable air barriers are disclosed herein. Some example barriers disclosed herein include one or more inflatable tubes for maintaining a sealed airlock leading to an underground shelter. Such shelters provide miners with temporary refuge in the event of a mining incident involving the release of contaminated air. Some example barriers disclosed herein include one or more of the following: an inflatable tube with an air permeable section, a resiliently compressible foam body or other resilient member for supporting a deflated tube, a magnet for providing a secure seal, an inflatable tube with interchangeable end caps, elastic bands for securing the position of an inflatable tube, or an inflatable tube with one or more windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, Nicolas B. Paschke, Terry L. Bauer
  • Publication number: 20170003049
    Abstract: In some example pliable air duct systems, inflatable ducts of various diameters and lengths are created by selectively assembling pre-existing stock pieces in different combinations. In some examples, the stock pieces include disconnectable longitudinal joints and disconnectable circumferential joints, wherein the longitudinal joints enable interconnecting multiple stock pieces to achieve a desired tube diameter, and the circumferential joints allow connecting multiple tube segments end-to-end to produce an air duct assembly of a desired length. To control the volume and/or the direction of air discharged from the duct, the duct assembly, in some examples, includes an adjustable register comprising a movable pliable sheet that overlies a discharge opening in a pliable sidewall of the duct. In some examples, the inflatable duct includes one or more cutout patterns on the duct's sidewall to provide guidance in creating a sidewall discharge opening of a proper size and location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Frank Heim, Irene E. Stephan, Kevin J. Gebke, Michael A. Jacobson, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
  • Patent number: 9518756
    Abstract: An external suspension system for supporting an inflatable air duct includes a series of external hangers that help hold the duct open while the duct is deflated. In some embodiments, the suspension system supports the duct at a series of points that are broadly distributed in a staggered pattern across the duct, yet the entire duct can be suspended from a single overhead cable, even if the duct is a stepped tube with multiple diameters. The system includes novel ways of locking the hangers to the duct and to the overhead cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Brown, Kevin J. Gebke, Frank Heim, Michael A. Jacobson, Nicolas B. Paschke, Cary Pinkalla
  • Patent number: 9494336
    Abstract: In some example pliable air duct systems, inflatable ducts of various diameters and lengths are created by selectively assembling pre-existing stock pieces in different combinations. In some examples, the stock pieces include disconnectable longitudinal joints and disconnectable circumferential joints, wherein the longitudinal joints enable interconnecting multiple stock pieces to achieve a desired tube diameter, and the circumferential joints allow connecting multiple tube segments end-to-end to produce an air duct assembly of a desired length. To control the volume and/or the direction of air discharged from the duct, the duct assembly, in some examples, includes an adjustable register comprising a movable pliable sheet that overlies a discharge opening in a pliable sidewall of the duct. In some examples, the inflatable duct includes one or more cutout patterns on the duct's sidewall to provide guidance in creating a sidewall discharge opening of a proper size and location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Frank Heim, Irene E. Stephan, Kevin J. Gebke, Michael A. Jacobson, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
  • Publication number: 20160137436
    Abstract: Seal assemblies for dock shelters and dock seals at a loading dock are disclosed herein. An example seal assembly includes a foam pad, a pliable cover to couple to the foam pad, and a shield to attach to the foam pad. The shield has a first end and a second end. The first end is to couple to at least one of the foam pad or the pliable cover and the second end is to project adjacent a vehicle-engaging surface of the foam pad. The shield is to move relative to the foam pad between a standby position when a vehicle is in a non-engaging relationship with the vehicle-engaging surface and a deflected position when the vehicle is in engagement with the vehicle-engaging surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Charles Digmann, Timothy J. Schmidt, Frank Heim
  • Patent number: 9303892
    Abstract: Inflatable air ducts with low height-to-width ratios are disclosed. An example air duct system includes a top sheet, a bottom sheet, a first side sheet, and a second side sheet spaced apart from the first side sheet and extending between the top sheet and the bottom sheet. The top, bottom, first side, and second side sheets provide an inflatable air duct having an inflated state and a deflated state. The inflatable air duct has an inflated length greater than an inflated width. The inflated width is more than twice as great as an inflated height. The interior of the inflatable air duct defining an air passageway having a first airway, a second airway, and an intermediate airway. The intermediate airway is adjacent the first airway at a first transition area. The example air duct system also includes a second transition area between the intermediate airway and the second airway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Michael A. Jacobson
  • Patent number: 9273512
    Abstract: Example flexible face panels for dock shelters and dock seals at a loading dock are disclosed herein. An example seal assembly comprises a face panel to be coupled to a projection panel, where the face panel has a front side, a back side and an edge spaced apart from the projection panel. A bulb is positioned adjacent the edge of the face panel. A seal flap is attached to the bulb such that the seal flap projects from an outer surface of the bulb and toward a doorway of a loading dock when the seal assembly is coupled to a wall of the loading dock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles Digmann, Timothy J. Schmidt, Frank Heim
  • Publication number: 20150192318
    Abstract: Inflatable air ducts with low height-to-width ratios are disclosed. An example air duct system includes a top sheet, a bottom sheet, a first side sheet, and a second side sheet spaced apart from the first side sheet and extending between the top sheet and the bottom sheet. The top, bottom, first side, and second side sheets provide an inflatable air duct having an inflated state and a deflated state. The inflatable air duct has an inflated length greater than an inflated width. The inflated width is more than twice as great as an inflated height. The interior of the inflatable air duct defining an air passageway having a first airway, a second airway, and an intermediate airway. The intermediate airway is adjacent the first airway at a first transition area. The example air duct system also includes a second transition area between the intermediate airway and the second airway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Michael A. Jacobson