Patents by Inventor Timothy Cotton
Timothy Cotton 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: 8287223Abstract: A vehicle restraint includes a hook supported by a carriage that travels vertically along a track, wherein the hook can move to selectively restrain or release a vehicle's ICC bar at a loading dock. The carriage includes a unique roller arrangement that minimizes friction while maximizing the rolling line contact between a set of rollers and the track. Instead of individual rollers mounted at opposite ends of a shaft extending from the carriage, two or more rollers are mounted to a module, and two such modules are rotatably or otherwise movably attached to the ends of the shaft. Each module includes a shaft-receiving bore having an inner diameter comparable to that of a conventional individual roller, thus the unique roller arrangement lends itself well to retrofit applications.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2007Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Jonathan Andersen, Timothy Cotton
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Publication number: 20120087772Abstract: A vehicle restraint restricts the movement of a vehicle at a loading dock by engaging the vehicle's RIG (rear impact guard). The vehicle restraint includes a barrier carried by a vertically translatable track follower, the barrier being driven by a motor or some other type of power unit. A RIG sensor detects the RIG's horizontal position relative to the barrier and can periodically energize the motor to maintain the barrier in generally continuous contact with the RIG, even if the RIG moves horizontally away from the barrier. Detection of such horizontal movement of the RIG triggers the barrier to move accordingly to reduce a horizontal gap that may have formed between the RIG and the barrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2011Publication date: April 12, 2012Inventors: Timothy Cotton, Jonathan Andersen, Kurt Lessard, Ben Wieberdink
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Publication number: 20110243693Abstract: Example vehicle restraints engage various features of a vehicle to restrain the vehicle at a loading dock. Some example restraints reach over and around a vehicle's rear impact guard. Some example restraints engage a hole or opening in a vehicle bed. Some example restraints are a combination bumper and blocking member. Some example restraints are a combination blocking member and a dock leveler lip.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2010Publication date: October 6, 2011Inventors: Andrew Brooks, Ben Wieberdink, Bradley J. Stone, Jonathan Andersen, Kurt Lessard, Norbert Hahn, Pamala Pietrangelo, Timothy Cotton
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Publication number: 20110240416Abstract: Example wheel restraint systems include example wheel chocks for blocking a wheel of a vehicle at a loading dock. In some examples, the wheel chock is movable between a stored position and a wheel-blocking position. In the wheel-blocking position, the chock latches onto a track that is mounted to a driveway of the loading dock. In the stored position, the chock is spaced apart from the track. In some examples, a lifting mechanism, such as a hoist or a spring-loaded articulated arm, helps carry at least some of the chock's weight as the chock is manually moved between its stored and wheel-blocking positions. In some examples, the chock includes a rotatable lever for selectively latching and unlatching the chock to the track.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2010Publication date: October 6, 2011Inventors: Andrew Brooks, Ben Wieberdink, Kurt Lessard, Timothy Cotton
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Patent number: 8006811Abstract: A wheel restraint for restraining a vehicle at a loading dock includes a flexible elongate member with one end that can be manually wrapped at least partially around at least one of the vehicle's wheels. The other end of the elongate member is connected to an anchor that is generally fixed relative to the dock. The anchor preferably includes a reel for taking up slack in the elongate member. When the restraint is not in use, the reel can take up and store the elongate member. The restraint preferably provides a signal that indicates whether the wheel is actually restrained. The restraint might also include a wheel chock coupled to the elongate member. A floor-mounted guide can help prevent interference between the elongate member and certain parts of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2007Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Jonathan Andersen, Timothy Cotton, Kurt Lessard, Benjamin Wieberdink
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Publication number: 20110176896Abstract: Restraints for restraining a vehicle at a loading dock are described. An example restraint described herein includes a brace movable between a holding position and a release position. A first portion of the brace engages a supporting portion of the vehicle and a second portion of the brace engages a non-movable location at the loading dock to restrain the vehicle relative to the loading dock when the brace is in the holding position. For the holding position, the first portion of the brace moves in one direction underneath the vehicle to engage the supporting portion and the second portion moves in a second direction underneath the vehicle to engage the non-movable location.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2011Publication date: July 21, 2011Inventors: Jonathan Andersen, Ben Wieberdink, Timothy Cotton, Pamala Pietrangelo, Kurt Lessard, Norbert Hahn, Henk De Lang
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Patent number: 7914042Abstract: A vehicle restraint restrains a vehicle at a loading dock by engaging a rail that is part of the vehicle's support frame, wherein the rail is normally used for adjusting the position of the vehicle's rear wheels. In a preferred embodiment, the restraint includes an adjustable-length arm attachable between the vehicle and the loading dock. The arm includes a retractable or removable pin that engages one of a series of holes in the rail or releasably engages some feature of the loading dock. In some examples, the restraint clamps onto the rail, particularly if the rail has no available open holes for a pin to be inserted. In some cases, the restraint also provides the vehicle with vertical support.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2008Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Jonathan Andersen, Ben Wieberdink, Timothy Cotton, Pamala Pietrangelo, Kurt Lessard, Norbert Hahn, Henk De Lang
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Publication number: 20100170754Abstract: An example wheel restraint includes a wheel chock that is manually movable between a retracted or release position clear of a wheel of a vehicle at a loading dock and an operative position to block the path of the wheel. In the release position, the chock can be manually moved freely along a track that is mounted to a driveway of the dock. When the chock is manually moved from its release position to its operative position, a locking feature automatically restricts the movement of the chock relative to the track. When the chock is manually moved back to its release position, the locking feature automatically disengages. Although the wheel chock is connected to a track, much of the force exerted by the wheel against the chock can be transmitted directly from the chock to the driveway.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2010Publication date: July 8, 2010Inventors: Andrew Brooks, Benjamin Wieberdink, Bradley J. Stone, Kurt Lessard, Norbert Hahn, Timothy Cotton
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Publication number: 20090283999Abstract: A vehicle restraint restrains a vehicle at a loading dock by engaging a rail that is part of the vehicle's support frame, wherein the rail is normally used for adjusting the position of the vehicle's rear wheels. In a preferred embodiment, the restraint includes an adjustable-length arm attachable between the vehicle and the loading dock. The arm includes a retractable or removable pin that engages one of a series of holes in the rail or releasably engages some feature of the loading dock. In some examples, the restraint clamps onto the rail, particularly if the rail has no available open holes for a pin to be inserted. In some cases, the restraint also provides the vehicle with vertical support.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2008Publication date: November 19, 2009Inventors: Jonathan Andersen, Ben Wieberdink, Timothy Cotton, Pamala Pietrangelo, Kurt Lessard, Norbert Hahn, Henk De Lang
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Publication number: 20090223764Abstract: Wheel restraints for restraining vehicles at loading docks are described herein. An example wheel restraint includes a restraining arm to anchor a wheel chock to a fixed point at the dock. When in a blocking position, the chock rests directly upon the dock's driveway without the chock having to engage additional hardware that could be an obstruction to snow removal. In some examples, the wheel chock automatically swings between its blocking and release positions in response to the arm simply lowering or raising the chock.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2008Publication date: September 10, 2009Inventors: Jonathan Andersen, Eric D. Bublitz, Timothy Cotton, Kurt Lessard, Pamala Pietrangelo, Benjamin Wieberdink
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Publication number: 20090194375Abstract: A wheel restraint includes a wheel chock that is manually movable between a retracted position clear of a wheel of a vehicle at a loading dock and an operative position to block the path of the wheel. In the retracted position, the chock can be manually moved freely along a track that is mounted to a driveway of the dock. When the chock is manually moved from its retracted position to its operative position, a locking feature automatically restricts the movement of the chock relative to the track. When the chock is manually moved back to its retracted position, the locking feature automatically disengages. Although the wheel chock is connected to a track, most of the force exerted by the wheel against the chock is transmitted directly from the chock to the driveway.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Inventors: Jonathan Andersen, Timothy Cotton, Norbert Hahn, Joseph A. Manone, Kyle E. Nelson, Reinhard E. Sander
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Publication number: 20090194376Abstract: An example wheel restraint includes a wheel chock that is manually movable between a retracted or release position clear of a wheel of a vehicle at a loading dock and an operative position to block the path of the wheel. In the release position, the chock can be manually moved freely along a track that is mounted to a driveway of the dock. When the chock is manually moved from its release position to its operative position, a locking feature automatically restricts the movement of the chock relative to the track. When the chock is manually moved back to its release position, the locking feature automatically disengages. Although the wheel chock is connected to a track, much of the force exerted by the wheel against the chock can be transmitted directly from the chock to the driveway.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2009Publication date: August 6, 2009Inventors: Andrew Brooks, Jonathan Andersen, Kurt Lessard, Kyle Nelson, Timothy Cotton, Ben Wieberdink, Bradley J. Stone, Donald L. Anton, Joseph Manone, Norbert Hahn
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Publication number: 20090155030Abstract: A vehicle restraint includes a hook supported by a carriage that travels vertically along a track, wherein the hook can move to selectively restrain or release a vehicle's ICC bar at a loading dock. The carriage includes a unique roller arrangement that minimizes friction while maximizing the rolling line contact between a set of rollers and the track. Instead of individual rollers mounted at opposite ends of a shaft extending from the carriage, two or more rollers are mounted to a module, and two such modules are rotatably or otherwise movably attached to the ends of the shaft. Each module includes a shaft-receiving bore having an inner diameter comparable to that of a conventional individual roller, thus the unique roller arrangement lends itself well to retrofit applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventors: Jonathan Andersen, Timothy Cotton
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Publication number: 20090067964Abstract: A wheel restraint for restraining a vehicle at a loading dock includes a flexible elongate member with one end that can be manually wrapped at least partially around at least one of the vehicle's wheels. The other end of the elongate member is connected to an anchor that is generally fixed relative to the dock. The anchor preferably includes a reel for taking up slack in the elongate member. When the restraint is not in use, the reel can take up and store the elongate member. The restraint preferably provides a signal that indicates whether the wheel is actually restrained. The restraint might also include a wheel chock coupled to the elongate member. A floor-mounted guide can help prevent interference between the elongate member and certain parts of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2007Publication date: March 12, 2009Inventors: Jonathan Andersen, Timothy Cotton, Kurt Lessard, Benjamin Wieberdink
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Publication number: 20090026022Abstract: A wheel restraint for restraining a vehicle at a loading dock includes various features such as, a wheel chock supported by a spring loaded articulated arm with a spring that can be selectively tightened or released, a sensor that detects whether the chock is solidly against a base plate or floor, a bi-directional pivotal joint between the articulated arm and the wheel chock to ensure that the chock can sit squarely on a mating base plate, a wheel chock that meshes with a hydraulically actuated base plate, pivotal or otherwise movable backstops that prevent a wheel chock from sliding out of position, and a base plate cleaning system. The cleaning system might include a vehicle-actuated brush, fluid spray nozzles, electric heater and removable cover plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2007Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Jonathan Andersen, Eric Bublitz, Timothy Cotton, John A. Kish, Kurt Lessard, Timothy Muhl, Kyle E. Nelson, Pamala Pietrangelo, Reinhard E. Sander, Matt Sveum, Benjamin Wieberdink
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Publication number: 20080095598Abstract: A vehicle restraint restricts the movement of a vehicle at a loading dock by engaging the vehicle's RIG (rear impact guard). The vehicle restraint includes a barrier carried by a vertically translatable track follower, the barrier being driven by a motor or some other type of power unit. A RIG sensor detects the RIG's horizontal position relative to the barrier and can periodically energize the motor to maintain the barrier in generally continuous contact with the RIG, even if the RIG moves horizontally away from the barrier. Detection of such horizontal movement of the RIG triggers the barrier to move accordingly to reduce a horizontal gap that may have formed between the RIG and the barrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Timothy Cotton, Jonathan Andersen, Kurt Lessard, Ben Wieberdink
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Patent number: 6404764Abstract: An Internet Protocol telephone system and method uses a telephone (26) to place and receive voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)-based telephone calls and public switched telephone network (PSTN)-based telephone calls. An off-hook condition with the telephone (26) is detected and a sequence of signals generated by the telephone (26) is received. At least a first signal generated by the telephone (26) is buffered while the system attempts to detect a predetermined signal that signifies a VoIP-based call. Upon detection of the predetermined signal, the system intercepts subsequent signals in the sequence, absent the at least first signal that was buffered, and places the VoIP-based call via an internet (12). Otherwise, the system places the PSTN-based call via a PSTN (16).Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2000Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Wesley Stuart Jones, Timothy Cotton, Robert Victor Holland
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Patent number: 6141341Abstract: An Internet Protocol telephone system and method uses a telephone (26) to place and receive voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)-based telephone calls and public switched telephone network (PSTN)-based telephone calls. An off-hook condition with the telephone (26) is detected and a sequence of signals generated by the telephone (26) is received. At least a first signal generated by the telephone (26) is buffered while the system attempts to detect a predetermined signal that signifies a VoIP-based call. Upon detection of the predetermined signal, the system intercepts subsequent signals in the sequence, absent the at least first signal that was buffered, and places the VoIP-based call via an internet (12). Otherwise, the system places the PSTN-based call via a PSTN (16).Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1998Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Wesley Stuart Jones, Timothy Cotton, Robert Victor Holland