Patents by Inventor KENNETH WALLS
KENNETH WALLS 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: 20240117580Abstract: Guardrail, guardrail terminal, and support post designs that improve control of a vehicle during collisions are described. The disclosed designs also reduce the likelihood of intrusion into vehicle systems and the occupant compartment(s). Embodiments include folding and/or flattening of the guardrail and controlling the folded and flattened guardrail to avoid intrusion into the vehicle. Other embodiments include containing the guardrail in an impact head of a guardrail terminal, which also avoids vehicle intrusion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: Sicking Safety Systems LLCInventors: Dean L. SICKING, Dakotah SICKING, Steven D. THOMPSON, Kenneth WALLS, Kevin D. SCHRUM, Joseph SCHWERTZ, David LITTLEFIELD, Andrew DAMERON
-
Patent number: 11846077Abstract: Guardrail, guardrail terminal, and support post designs that improve control of a vehicle during collisions are described. The disclosed designs also reduce the likelihood of intrusion into vehicle systems and the occupant compartment(s). Embodiments include folding and/or flattening of the guardrail and controlling the folded and flattened guardrail to avoid intrusion into the vehicle. Other embodiments include containing the guardrail in an impact head of a guardrail terminal, which also avoids vehicle intrusion.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Sicking Safety Systems LLCInventors: Dean L. Sicking, Dakotah Sicking, Steven D. Thompson, Kenneth Walls, Kevin D. Schrum, Joseph Schwertz, David Littlefield, Andrew Dameron
-
Publication number: 20230069692Abstract: Guardrail, guardrail terminal, and support post designs that improve control of a vehicle during collisions are described. The disclosed designs also reduce the likelihood of intrusion into vehicle systems and the occupant compartment(s). Embodiments include folding and/or flattening of the guardrail and controlling the folded and flattened guardrail to avoid intrusion into the vehicle. Other embodiments include containing the guardrail in an impact head of a guardrail terminal, which also avoids vehicle intrusion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Applicant: Sicking Safety Systems LLCInventors: Dean L. Sicking, Dakotah Sicking, Steven D. Thompson, Kenneth Walls, Kevin D. Schrum, Joseph Schwertz, David Littlefield, Andrew Dameron
-
Patent number: 11466415Abstract: Guardrail, guardrail terminal, and support post designs that improve control of a vehicle during collisions are described. The disclosed designs also reduce the likelihood of intrusion into vehicle systems and the occupant compartment(s). Embodiments include folding and/or flattening of the guardrail and controlling the folded and flattened guardrail to avoid intrusion into the vehicle. Other embodiments include containing the guardrail in an impact head of a guardrail terminal, which also avoids vehicle intrusion.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2019Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Inventors: Dean L. Sicking, Dakotah Sicking, Blake A. Feltman, Steven D. Thompson, Kenneth Walls, Kevin D. Schrum, Joseph Schwertz, David Littlefield, Andrew Dameron
-
Patent number: 10752069Abstract: A vehicle suspension is provided, including an axle having an axle body with an exterior surface, a main trailing arm shell portion having a first axle engagement surface configured for engaging a first portion of the exterior surface, and a second trailing arm shell portion having a second axle engagement surface configured for engaging a second portion of the exterior surface. Upon assembly to the axle, the main trailing arm shell portion and the second trailing arm shell portion engage more than 180° of a curvature of the exterior surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2017Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: REYCO GRANNING, LLCInventors: Kenneth Wall, Michael G. Ochse
-
Publication number: 20200190754Abstract: Guardrail, guardrail terminal, and support post designs that improve control of a vehicle during collisions are described. The disclosed designs also reduce the likelihood of intrusion into vehicle systems and the occupant compartment(s). Embodiments include folding and/or flattening of the guardrail and controlling the folded and flattened guardrail to avoid intrusion into the vehicle. Other embodiments include containing the guardrail in an impact head of a guardrail terminal, which also avoids vehicle intrusion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2019Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: Dean L. Sicking, Dakotah Sicking, Blake A. Feltman, Steven D. Thompson, Kenneth Walls, Kevin D. Schrum, Joseph Schwertz, David Littlefield, Andrew Dameron
-
Patent number: 10683915Abstract: An air spring actuated slider pin release system for a semi-trailer slider includes an actuator shaft oriented to extend in generally parallel relationship to at least one of a pair of parallel main members, being connected to the slider for axial rotation, and having a transverse lever arm secured to each end of the shaft for common rotation. Each lever arm has an end connected to a retractable, biased lock pin via a link so that rotation of the shaft and the lever arms causes retraction of the associated lock pin relative to the main member. The actuator shaft has a normally projecting air spring bracket. An air spring is disposed between one of the main members and the air spring bracket so that inflation of the air spring acts on the air spring bracket, axially rotating the shaft and the lever arms for retracting the lock pins.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2019Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: REYCO GRANNING, LLCInventors: Kenneth Wall, Michael Gustave Ochse
-
Publication number: 20190145503Abstract: An air spring actuated slider pin release system for a semi-trailer slider includes an actuator shaft oriented to extend in generally parallel relationship to at least one of a pair of parallel main members, being connected to the slider for axial rotation, and having a transverse lever arm secured to each end of the shaft for common rotation. Each lever arm has an end connected to a retractable, biased lock pin via a link so that rotation of the shaft and the lever arms causes retraction of the associated lock pin relative to the main member. The actuator shaft has a normally projecting air spring bracket. An air spring is disposed between one of the main members and the air spring bracket so that inflation of the air spring acts on the air spring bracket, axially rotating the shaft and the lever arms for retracting the lock pins.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2019Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Kenneth WALL, Michael Gustave OCHSE
-
Patent number: 10215263Abstract: An air spring actuated slider pin release system for a semi-trailer slider includes an actuator shaft oriented to extend in generally parallel relationship to at least one of a pair of parallel main members, being connected to the slider for axial rotation, and having a transverse lever arm secured to each end of the shaft for common rotation. Each lever arm has an end connected to a retractable, biased lock pin via a link so that rotation of the shaft and the lever arms causes retraction of the associated lock pin relative to the main member. The actuator shaft has a normally projecting air spring bracket. An air spring is disposed between one of the main members and the air spring bracket so that inflation of the air spring acts on the air spring bracket, axially rotating the shaft and the lever arms for retracting the lock pins.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: REYCO GRANNING, LLCInventors: Kenneth Wall, Michael Gustave Ochse
-
Patent number: 10076940Abstract: A trailer slider suspension including a tubes and wires support system. The slider includes a frame slideably coupled to and supporting a trailer. Axles are pivotally secured to the frame. Air springs are provided between the axles and stop plates on the frame. The air springs include bearing plates abutting the stop plates. The bearing plates include fasteners which extend through corresponding holes in the stop plates. Supporting brackets are secured to the frame with the bearing plates fasteners extending through corresponding securement holes in the brackets and nuts threadingly received thereon, thereby clamping the brackets between the nuts and stop plates. The brackets include support holes wherethrough the tubes and wires are received and supported. A main brace is secured between the stop plates and the frame and side braces are secured between the stop plates and the main brace. The brackets include walls or slots engaging the braces.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2015Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: REYCO GRANNING, LLCInventor: Kenneth Wall
-
Patent number: 9856616Abstract: A self-restoring crash cushion including multiple diaphragms spaced along a length direction of the cushion, an elongated track adapted to be anchored to the ground that extends along the length direction under the cushion, the diaphragms being mounted to the track in a manner in which they can slide along the track when impacted by a moving vehicle or when the cushion is being restored, and means for dissipating energy of the moving vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: The UAB Research FoundationInventors: Dean Sicking, David Littlefield, Kenneth Walls, Seth Cohen, Kevin Schrum
-
Publication number: 20170370451Abstract: An air spring actuated slider pin release system for a semi-trailer slider includes an actuator shaft oriented to extend in generally parallel relationship to at least one of a pair of parallel main members, being connected to the slider for axial rotation, and having a transverse lever arm secured to each end of the shaft for common rotation. Each lever arm has an end connected to a retractable, biased lock pin via a link so that rotation of the shaft and the lever arms causes retraction of the associated lock pin relative to the main member. The actuator shaft has a normally projecting air spring bracket. An air spring is disposed between one of the main members and the air spring bracket so that inflation of the air spring acts on the air spring bracket, axially rotating the shaft and the lever arms for retracting the lock pins.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2016Publication date: December 28, 2017Inventors: Kenneth WALL, Michael Gustave OCHSE
-
Publication number: 20170326933Abstract: A vehicle suspension is provided, including an axle having an axle body with an exterior surface, a main trailing arm shell portion having a first axle engagement surface configured for engaging a first portion of the exterior surface, and a second trailing arm shell portion having a second axle engagement surface configured for engaging a second portion of the exterior surface. Upon assembly to the axle, the main trailing arm shell portion and the second trailing arm shell portion engage more than 180° of a curvature of the exterior surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Inventors: Kenneth WALL, Michael G. OCHSE
-
Publication number: 20170303623Abstract: In one embodiment, a protective helmet includes an outer shell and an inner liner provided within the outer shell, the liner comprising an energy absorber including a first layer, an opposed second layer, and a plurality of energy absorbing columns provided between the layers, wherein the columns include relatively long columns that are attached to both the first and second layers and relatively short columns that are attached to only one of the first and second layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2015Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: DEAN SICKING, DAVID LITTLEFIELD, KENNETH WALLS
-
Patent number: 9683340Abstract: In one embodiment, a bollard system includes multiple support beams adapted to be embedded in concrete, multiple bollards, each bollard being attached to a support beam a point near a center of the beam, and a reinforcing bar that is woven between the support beams to provide reinforcement to the system.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2014Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: The UAB Research FoundationInventors: Dean Sicking, David Littlefield, Kenneth Walls
-
Patent number: 9682667Abstract: A trailer slider suspension including a tubes and wires support system. The slider includes a frame slidably coupled to and supporting a trailer. The frame includes a cross brace including a pair of overlapping straps to resist twisting. A rotatable shaft is coupled to pins on the frame which are thereby selectively retractable and extendable into the trailer whereby the frame can be moved and fixed along the trailer. Supporting brackets are provided including a central portion and left and right arms extending therefrom. A shaft hole is provided in the central portion and straps openings are provided in each of the arms. The bracket is secured to the frame at a distance from the straps overlap with the rotatable shaft extending through the shaft hole, one of the straps extending through the left arm strap opening and the other strap extending through the right arm strap opening.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Reyco Granning, LLCInventor: Kenneth Wall
-
Publication number: 20170144616Abstract: A trailer slider suspension including a tubes and wires support system. The slider includes a frame slidably coupled to and supporting a trailer. The frame includes a cross brace including a pair of overlapping straps to resist twisting. A rotatable shaft is coupled to pins on the frame which are thereby selectively retractable and extendable into the trailer whereby the frame can be moved and fixed along the trailer. Supporting brackets are provided including a central portion and left and right arms extending therefrom. A shaft hole is provided in the central portion and straps openings are provided in each of the arms. The bracket is secured to the frame at a distance from the straps overlap with the rotatable shaft extending through the shaft hole, one of the straps extending through the left arm strap opening and the other strap extending through the right arm strap opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2015Publication date: May 25, 2017Applicant: Reyco Granning, LLCInventor: Kenneth Wall
-
Publication number: 20170144501Abstract: A trailer slider suspension including a tubes and wires support system. The slider includes a frame slideably coupled to and supporting a trailer. Axles are pivotally secured to the frame. Air springs are provided between the axles and stop plates on the frame. The air springs include bearing plates abutting the stop plates. The bearing plates include fasteners which extend through corresponding holes in the stop plates. Supporting brackets are secured to the frame with the bearing plates fasteners extending through corresponding securement holes in the brackets and bolts threadingly received thereon, thereby clamping the brackets between the bolts and stop plates. The brackets include support holes wherethrough the tubes and wires are received and supported. A main brace is secured between the stop plates and the frame and side braces are secured between the stop plates and the main brace. The brackets include walls or slots engaging the braces.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2015Publication date: May 25, 2017Applicant: Reyco Granning, LLCInventor: Kenneth Wall
-
Publication number: 20170016191Abstract: In one embodiment, a self-restoring crash cushion including multiple diaphragms spaced along a length direction of the cushion, an elongated track adapted to be anchored to the ground that extends along the length direction under the cushion, the diaphragms being mounted to the track in a manner in which they can slide along the track when impacted by a moving vehicle or when the cushion is being restored, and means for dissipating energy of the moving vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2015Publication date: January 19, 2017Inventors: DEAN SICKING, DAVID LITTLEFIELD, KENNETH WALLS, SETH COHEN, KEVIN SCHRUM
-
Publication number: 20160194841Abstract: In one embodiment, a bollard system includes multiple support beams adapted to be embedded in concrete, multiple bollards, each bollard being attached to a support beam a point near a center of the beam, and a reinforcing bar that is woven between the support beams to provide reinforcement to the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2014Publication date: July 7, 2016Applicant: THE UAB RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: DEAN SICKING, DAVID LITTLEFIELD, KENNETH WALLS