Patents by Inventor Perry W. Knutson

Perry W. Knutson 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: 20240084644
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes a sensor to detect a lateral edge of a door curtain within a guide of a door, and a controller to identify when the door curtain transitions from an operational state to a breakaway state based on a signal from the sensor, the operational state corresponding to when the lateral edge of the door curtain is enclosed by the guide as the door curtain moves between open and closed positions, and the breakaway state corresponding to when a portion of the lateral edge of the door curtain below an upper end of the guide breaks away from the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Ryan P. Beggs, Michael Sivill, Christopher Saleh, Charles Runde, James Pelegrin, Nicholas J. Casey, Perry W. Knutson
  • Patent number: 11708722
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes a sensor to detect a lateral edge of a door curtain within a guide of a door, and a controller to identify when the door curtain transitions from an operational state to a breakaway state based on a signal from the sensor, the operational state corresponding to when the lateral edge of the door curtain is enclosed by the guide as the door curtain moves between open and closed positions, and the breakaway state corresponding to when a portion of the lateral edge of the door curtain below an upper end of the guide breaks away from the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan P. Beggs, Michael Sivill, Christopher Saleh, Charles Runde, James Pelegrin, Nicholas J. Casey, Perry W. Knutson
  • Patent number: 11085230
    Abstract: A door system includes a panel to translate along a normal path between an open position and a closed position in front of a doorway in a wall. The door system further includes a first track to support the panel from an upper portion of the panel, and a second track to extend along the normal path proximate a lower portion of the panel. The door system also includes a spring to urge the panel toward the second track to maintain the panel in the normal path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dean Shanahan, Derek Lewan, Jon Schumacher, Nicholas J. Casey, Perry W. Knutson, Rodney Kern, Steven Campbell, Timothy A. Haessler, William W. Hoerner
  • Publication number: 20210071476
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for door curtain breakaway detection. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a sensor to detect a lateral edge of a door curtain within a guide of a door, and a controller to identify when the door curtain transitions from an operational state to a breakaway state based on a signal from the sensor, the operational state corresponding to when the lateral edge of the door curtain is enclosed by the guide as the door curtain moves between open and closed positions, and the breakaway state corresponding to when a portion of the lateral edge of the door curtain below an upper end of the guide breaks away from the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan P. Beggs, Michael Sivill, Christopher Saleh, Charles Runde, James Pelegrin, Nicholas J. Casey, Perry W. Knutson
  • Publication number: 20200115948
    Abstract: Example methods and systems to indicate the status of door operations are disclosed. An example door system includes a door panel having a leading edge to be moved in a travel direction between an open position and a closed position relative to the doorframe. The door panel to block the passageway when the leading edge is at the closed position. The door panel to unblock the passageway when the leading edge is at the open position. The example door system also includes a series of lights distributed along the travel direction proximate the doorframe. The example door system further includes a controller to switch the lights between a first state and a second state to provide a visual effect of movement corresponding to the operating status of the door system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Ben Lietz, John Sealy, Jon Schumacher, Kyle Nelson, Perry W. Knutson, Pete Olsen, Ryan P. Beggs
  • Publication number: 20200063486
    Abstract: An example door system includes a panel to translate along a normal path between an open position and a closed position in front of a doorway in a wall. The door system further includes a first track to support the panel from an upper portion of the panel, and a second track to extend along the normal path proximate a lower portion of the panel. The door system also includes a spring to urge the panel toward the second track by a first force to maintain the panel in the normal path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Dean Shanahan, Derek Lewan, Jon Schumacher, Nicholas J. Casey, Perry W. Knutson, Rodney Kern, Steven Campbell, Timothy A. Haessler, William W. Hoerner
  • Patent number: 10494858
    Abstract: A door includes a panel assembly including a leading panel and a trailing panel. The leading panel is to be in substantially coplanar alignment with the trailing panel when the panel assembly is in a normal configuration. The leading panel is to be angularly displaced out of coplanar alignment with the trailing panel when the panel assembly is in a dislodged configuration. The door further includes a tension member to connect the leading panel to the trailing panel. The tension member is to resiliently urge the leading panel and the trailing panel toward each other in a horizontal direction. The tension member is to resiliently urge the panel assembly toward the normal configuration when the panel assembly is in the dislodged configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Dean Shanahan, Derek Lewan, Jon Schumacher, Nicholas J. Casey, Perry W. Knutson, Rodney Kern, Steven Campbell, Timothy A. Haessler, William W. Hoerner
  • Patent number: 10435936
    Abstract: Example methods and systems to indicate the status of door operations are disclosed. An example door system includes a door panel having a leading edge to be moved in a travel direction between an open position and a closed position relative to the doorframe. The door panel to block the passageway when the leading edge is at the closed position. The door panel to unblock the passageway when the leading edge is at the open position. The example door system also includes a series of lights distributed along the travel direction proximate the doorframe. The example door system further includes a controller to switch the lights between a first state and a second state to provide a visual effect of movement corresponding to the operating status of the door system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ben Lietz, John Sealy, Jon Schumacher, Kyle Nelson, Perry W. Knutson, Pete Olsen, Ryan P. Beggs
  • Patent number: 10358858
    Abstract: Example methods and systems to indicate the status of door operations are disclosed. An example door system includes a door panel having a leading edge to be moved in a travel direction between an open position and a closed position relative to the doorframe. The door panel to block the passageway when the leading edge is at the closed position. The door panel to unblock the passageway when the leading edge is at the open position. The example door system also includes a series of lights distributed along the travel direction proximate the doorframe. The example door system further includes a controller to switch the lights between a first state and a second state to provide a visual effect of movement corresponding to the operating status of the door system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ben Lietz, John Sealy, Jon Schumacher, Kyle Nelson, Perry W. Knutson, Pete Olsen, Ryan P. Beggs
  • Patent number: 10329817
    Abstract: Example insulated pliable door panels or curtains include various internal vapor barriers. The vapor barriers have a relatively high water vapor transmission rate that inhibits water vapor from permeating through the door panel. With such vapor barriers, outer sheets of the door panel can be made of polyurethane or other tough materials that might have an inadequate water vapor transmission rate. In some examples, the vapor barrier encircles or encloses a thermally insulating pad. In some examples, the door panel includes a sleeve or pocket that holds the vapor barrier in place. Some examples include means for draining water that might condense within the door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Perry W. Knutson
  • Publication number: 20170218683
    Abstract: Insulated doors with restorable breakaway sections are disclosed. An example door includes a first panel assembly including a leading panel and a trailing panel. The leading panel is to be in substantially coplanar alignment with the trailing panel when the first panel assembly is in a normal configuration. The leading panel is to be angularly displaced out of coplanar alignment with the trailing panel when the first panel assembly is in a dislodged configuration. The example door further includes a tension member to connect the leading panel to the trailing panel. The tension member is to resiliently urge the leading panel and the trailing panel toward each other in a horizontal direction. The tension member is to resiliently urge the first panel assembly toward the normal configuration when the first panel assembly is in the dislodged configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Dean Shanahan, Derek Lewan, Jon Schumacher, Nicholas J. Casey, Perry W. Knutson, Rodney Kern, Steven Campbell, Timothy A. Haessler, William W. Hoerner
  • Publication number: 20170138111
    Abstract: Example methods and systems to indicate the status of door operations are disclosed. An example door system includes a door panel having a leading edge to be moved in a travel direction between an open position and a closed position relative to the doorframe. The door panel to block the passageway when the leading edge is at the closed position. The door panel to unblock the passageway when the leading edge is at the open position. The example door system also includes a series of lights distributed along the travel direction proximate the doorframe. The example door system further includes a controller to switch the lights between a first state and a second state to provide a visual effect of movement corresponding to the operating status of the door system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Ben Lietz, John Sealy, Jon Schumacher, Kyle Nelson, Perry W. Knutson, Pete Olsen, Ryan P. Beggs
  • Patent number: 9493984
    Abstract: An example door includes a track and a curtain that includes a leading section. The curtain is to be in a breakaway state associated with a folded condition when the lateral section in an area proximate the leading section is dislodged from the track and folded over onto a main section to define an enfolded space. The curtain is to be in the breakaway state associated with an unfolded condition when the lateral section in the area proximate the leading section is dislodged from the track but not folded over onto the main section. The example door also includes an unfolder to extend into the enfolded space as the leading section moves toward an open position while the curtain is in the folded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Casey, Perry W. Knutson, Ryan P. Beggs, Timothy A. Haessler, William W. Hoerner
  • Publication number: 20160312508
    Abstract: Example insulated pliable door panels or curtains include various internal vapor barriers. The vapor barriers have a relatively high water vapor transmission rate that inhibits water vapor from permeating through the door panel. With such vapor barriers, outer sheets of the door panel can be made of polyurethane or other tough materials that might have an inadequate water vapor transmission rate. In some examples, the vapor barrier encircles or encloses a thermally insulating pad. In some examples, the door panel includes a sleeve or pocket that holds the vapor barrier in place. Some examples include means for draining water that might condense within the door panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventor: Perry W. Knutson
  • Publication number: 20160298373
    Abstract: Example methods and systems to indicate the status of door operations are disclosed. An example door system includes a door panel having a leading edge to be moved in a travel direction between an open position and a closed position relative to the doorframe. The door panel to block the passageway when the leading edge is at the closed position. The door panel to unblock the passageway when the leading edge is at the open position. The example door system also includes a series of lights distributed along the travel direction proximate the doorframe. The example door system further includes a controller to switch the lights between a first state and a second state to provide a visual effect of movement corresponding to the operating status of the door system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Ben Lietz, John Sealy, Jon Schumacher, Kyle Nelson, Perry W. Knutson, Pete Olsen, Ryan P. Beggs
  • Patent number: 9410363
    Abstract: Example insulated pliable door panels or curtains include various internal vapor barriers. The vapor barriers have a relatively high water vapor transmission rate that inhibits water vapor from permeating through the door panel. With such vapor barriers, outer sheets of the door panel can be made of polyurethane or other tough materials that might have an inadequate water vapor transmission rate. In some examples, the vapor barrier encircles or encloses a thermally insulating pad. In some examples, the door panel includes a sleeve or pocket that holds the vapor barrier in place. Some examples include means for draining water that might condense within the door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Perry W. Knutson
  • Patent number: 9394742
    Abstract: An example of a vertically operating door includes a flexible panel comprising two pliable sheets of material with a plurality of pads or mats of thermal insulation between the two sheets. In some examples, a plurality of horizontally elongate baffles made of pliable strips of material are installed between the two sheets. The baffles effectively divide one large interior volume between the sheets into more manageable smaller volumes or chambers. The baffles restrict the air between the sheets from being forced to the bottom of the panel as the panel ascends and bends across an overhead roller. Without the baffles and smaller chambers, the panel sheets in the area near the bottom of the panel would tend to bulge outward as the door opens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Perry W. Knutson, Mark Ungs
  • Publication number: 20160108666
    Abstract: Example systems and methods for aligning roll-up door curtains are disclosed. An example door includes a roller that is rotatable about an axis. The door further includes a curtain having a wrapped section wrapped around the roller and an unwrapped section extending tangentially away from the wrapped section. The unwrapped section adjoins the wrapped section at a first point proximate a first end of the roller and at a second point proximate a second end of the roller. The axis is closer to the second point than to the first point when the curtain is at the intermediate position. In some examples, the door includes a guide member to guide the curtain on to the roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Derek Lewan, Nicholas J. Casey, Perry W. Knutson, Ryan Pfaff, Steven Campbell, Thomas Jansen, William W. Hoerner
  • Publication number: 20160040469
    Abstract: Example methods and systems to indicate the status of door operations are disclosed. An example door system includes a door panel having a leading edge to be moved in a travel direction between an open position and a closed position relative to the doorframe. The door panel to block the passageway when the leading edge is at the closed position. The door panel to unblock the passageway when the leading edge is at the open position. The example door system also includes a series of lights distributed along the travel direction proximate the doorframe. The example door system further includes a controller to switch the lights between a first state and a second state to provide a visual effect of movement corresponding to the operating status of the door system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Ben Lietz, John Sealy, Jon Schumacher, Kyle Nelson, Perry W. Knutson, Pete Olsen, Ryan P. Beggs
  • Patent number: 9222304
    Abstract: An example door includes first and second tracks. The example door includes a retainer borne by the first track and an alignment guide associated with the first track. The example door also includes a curtain extending laterally between the first and second tracks. The curtain has a leading edge selectively movable between a closed position and an open position. The example door includes a primary projection borne by the curtain that is in guiding engagement with the retainer within the first track. The primary projection is dislodged from the track when the curtain is in the breakaway state. The example door includes a secondary projection borne by the curtain and arranged to travel outside of the alignment guide when the leading edge is traveling between the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Casey, Perry W. Knutson, Ryan P. Beggs, Timothy A. Haessler, William W. Hoerner