Patents by Inventor Mark R. Swessel

Mark R. Swessel 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: 9096170
    Abstract: Example light fixtures include one or more light transmitting illuminated rods that emit a series or array of discrete spots of light. Some example light fixtures disclosed herein include optical features that provide an intriguing, attention-getting affect that can be useful particularly in alerting personnel of certain conditions at a doorway of a truck loading dock. In some examples, the light transmitting rods are mechanically coupled to a housing that contains an LED light source. The mechanical coupling allows the illuminated rods to be readily replaced without disrupting with the operation or wiring of the light source. Some example light fixtures illuminate the cargo bay of a vehicle at the loading dock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark R. Swessel, Norbert Hahn, Tim Muhl, Mark G. Petri, Paul Maly, Charles S. Waugaman, Matthew C. McNeill, Paul D. Rowlett, Jason Dondlinger
  • Patent number: 8590087
    Abstract: A safety system for a truck loading dock with an elevated platform provides an alarm that warns of a hazard at the loading dock such as a forklift operating inside the truck or a falling hazard that may exist due to the dock door being open while a truck is not present at the dock. In cases where a dock's open doorway is protected by a barrier that can be opened or closed, the alarm can be de-activated by closing the barrier. In some examples, the safety system includes a remote body sensor that detects when someone or something is near the doorway. In response to the body sensor, a second, more pronounced alarm can warn of more imminent danger where someone on the platform may be too close to an open doorway when a truck is not present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Mark R. Swessel, Timothy Muhl, Bradley J. Stone
  • Patent number: 8547234
    Abstract: A safety system for a truck loading dock with an elevated platform provides an alarm that warns of a hazard at the loading dock such as a forklift operating inside the truck or a falling hazard that may exist due to the dock door being open while a truck is not present at the dock. In cases where a dock's open doorway is protected by a barrier that can be opened or closed, the alarm can be de-activated by closing the barrier. In some embodiments, the safety system includes a remote body sensor that detects when someone or something is near the doorway. In response to the body sensor, a second, more pronounced alarm can warn of more imminent danger where someone on the platform may be too close to an open doorway when a truck is not present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Maly, Tim Muhl, Kyle E. Nelson, Mark R. Swessel
  • Publication number: 20110075441
    Abstract: Example light fixtures include one or more light transmitting illuminated rods that emit a series or array of discrete spots of light. Some example light fixtures disclosed herein include optical features that provide an intriguing, attention-getting affect that can be useful particularly in alerting personnel of certain conditions at a doorway of a truck loading dock. In some examples, the light transmitting rods are mechanically coupled to a housing that contains an LED light source. The mechanical coupling allows the illuminated rods to be readily replaced without disrupting with the operation or wiring of the light source. Some example light fixtures illuminate the cargo bay of a vehicle at the loading dock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Mark R. Swessel, Norbert Hahn, Tim Muhl, Mark G. Petri, Paul Maly, Charles S. Waugaman, Matthew C. McNeill, Paul D. Rowlett, Jason Dondlinger
  • Publication number: 20100146719
    Abstract: A safety system for a truck loading dock with an elevated platform provides an alarm that warns of a hazard at the loading dock such as a forklift operating inside the truck or a falling hazard that may exist due to the dock door being open while a truck is not present at the dock. In cases where a dock's open doorway is protected by a barrier that can be opened or closed, the alarm can be de-activated by closing the barrier. In some examples, the safety system includes a remote body sensor that detects when someone or something is near the doorway. In response to the body sensor, a second, more pronounced alarm can warn of more imminent danger where someone on the platform may be too close to an open doorway when a truck is not present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Mark R. Swessel, Timothy Muhl, Bradley J. Stone
  • Publication number: 20080127435
    Abstract: A safety system for a truck loading dock with an elevated platform provides an alarm that warns of a hazard at the loading dock such as a forklift operating inside the truck or a falling hazard that may exist due to the dock door being open while a truck is not present at the dock. In cases where a dock's open doorway is protected by a barrier that can be opened or closed, the alarm can be de-activated by closing the barrier. In some embodiments, the safety system includes a remote body sensor that detects when someone or something is near the doorway. In response to the body sensor, a second, more pronounced alarm can warn of more imminent danger where someone on the platform may be too close to an open doorway when a truck is not present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Paul Maly, Tim Muhl, Kyle E. Nelson, Mark R. Swessel
  • Patent number: D751735
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark R. Swessel, Norbert Hahn, Tim Muhl, Mark G. Petri, Paul Maly, Charles S. Waugaman, Paul D. Rowlett, Jason Dondlinger, Matthew C. McNeill