Patents by Inventor Timothy Muhl
Timothy Muhl 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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Publication number: 20120025964Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example signal generation system for a vehicle capable of different modes of movement includes a detector to determine at least one property of vehicle movement and an output representative of that at least one property and a selectively variable signal generator includes an input to receive the at least one output representative of the at least one property of vehicle movement and, responsively, generates a selected signal based on the received output. In some examples, a detector on a pedestrian detects the selected signal from the signal generator and, responsively, provides an output indicative of a vehicle in proximity to the pedestrian. In some examples, a trajectory vector is generated for at least two entities of interest based on at least one characteristic of movement of each entity.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2010Publication date: February 2, 2012Inventors: Ryan P. Beggs, James C. Boerger, David J. Hoffmann, Ken Markham, Matthew McNeill, Timothy Muhl, Kyle Nelson, James Oates, Jason Senfleben
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Publication number: 20100146719Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2010Publication date: June 17, 2010Inventors: Mark R. Swessel, Timothy Muhl, Bradley J. Stone
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Patent number: 7681271Abstract: A dock leveling system adapted to be disposed in a pit is disclosed. A hinge member with a hinge pin receiving area and a hinge pin disposed in the hinge member defines a center of rotation. A deck that is rotatable about the hinge pin includes a curved portion with a constant radius and a center of curvature substantially similar to the center of the hinge pin. The curved portion defines an elevation that remains constant as the deck rotates about the hinge pin.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2007Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Timothy Muhl, Brian Bender, Lisa Bender, legal representative, Mike Jehn, Pamela Pietrangelo, Michael Mitchell, Matthew Tourdot
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Publication number: 20090205146Abstract: A dock leveler includes a pivotally extendable lip coupled to a pivotal deck by way of a front hinge, wherein the structure in the area of the front hinge optimizes the torsional flexibility of the deck; provides a well supported, durable crown (apex angle between an extended lip and the deck); and reduces the part count of the dock leveler. The front hinge includes a deck-hinge member that extends approximately the full width of the deck and is preferably formed from a single sheet of material. A particularly narrow front header or flange disposed along the front edge of the deck reinforces the relatively thin deck plate so that the plate's rigidity more closely matches that of the thicker lip, yet the flange is sufficiently small to allow the deck to twist so that the deck can place the tip of the lip squarely upon a sideways inclined truck bed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2009Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventors: Michael Mitchell, Timothy Muhl, Matthew Tourdot, Jack Morehart, Michael A. Swessel, Grant Leum, Brian Bender, Lisa Bender, Henri Van Meurs
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Patent number: 7546655Abstract: A dock leveler includes a pivotally extendable lip coupled to a pivotal deck by way of a front hinge, wherein the structure in the area of the front hinge optimizes the torsional flexibility of the deck; provides a well supported, durable crown (apex angle between an extended lip and the deck); and reduces the part count of the dock leveler. The front hinge includes a deck-hinge member that extends approximately the full width of the deck and is preferably formed from a single sheet of material. A particularly narrow front header or flange disposed along the front edge of the deck reinforces the relatively thin deck plate so that the plate's rigidity more closely matches that of the thicker lip, yet the flange is sufficiently small to allow the deck to twist so that the deck can place the tip of the lip squarely upon a sideways inclined truck bed.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2008Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Michael Mitchell, Timothy Muhl, Matthew Tourdot, Jack Morehart, Michael A Swessel, Grant Leum, Brian Bender, Henri Van Meurs
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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: 20080184503Abstract: A dock leveler includes a vehicle-engaging pivotal lip extending from the front end of a pivotal deck, wherein the lip has one or more unique features that provide a smooth transition for forklifts traveling between the lip and a trailer bed upon which the lip is resting. The smooth transition minimizes jolting and vibration of the forklift and its driver as the forklift wheels pass over the leading edge of the lip. The special features of the lip may include one or more of the following: a curved traffic-bearing surface terminating at a sharp or blunt leading edge, a traffic-bearing surface that includes both flat and curved sections, a multifaceted traffic-bearing surface that approximates a curved surface, a rubber or plastic shock absorbing element, an articulated nose piece at the lip's leading edge, and a main lip plate that is coplanar with the deck's traffic surface (i.e., zero crown angle).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2007Publication date: August 7, 2008Applicant: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Jonathan Andersen, Eric Bublitz, Norbert Hahn, Dave Holm, Matthew C. McNeill, Timothy Muhl, Kyle E. Nelson, Bradley J. Stone, Matt Sveum
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Publication number: 20080148498Abstract: A dock leveler includes a pivotally extendable lip coupled to a pivotal deck by way of a front hinge, wherein the structure in the area of the front hinge optimizes the torsional flexibility of the deck; provides a well supported, durable crown (apex angle between an extended lip and the deck); and reduces the part count of the dock leveler. The front hinge includes a deck-hinge member that extends approximately the full width of the deck and is preferably formed from a single sheet of material. A particularly narrow front header or flange disposed along the front edge of the deck reinforces the relatively thin deck plate so that the plate's rigidity more closely matches that of the thicker lip, yet the flange is sufficiently small to allow the deck to twist so that the deck can place the tip of the lip squarely upon a sideways inclined truck bed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2008Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Michael Mitchell, Timothy Muhl, Matthew Tourdot, Jack Morehart, Michael A. Swessel, Grant Leum, Brian Bender, Henri Van Meurs
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Patent number: 7363670Abstract: A dock leveler includes a pivotally extendable lip coupled to a pivotal deck by way of a front hinge, wherein the structure in the area of the front hinge optimizes the torsional flexibility of the deck; provides a well supported, durable crown (apex angle between an extended lip and the deck); and reduces the part count of the dock leveler. The front hinge includes a deck-hinge member that extends approximately the full width of the deck and is preferably formed from a single sheet of material. A particularly narrow front header or flange disposed along the front edge of the deck reinforces the relatively thin deck plate so that the plate's rigidity more closely matches that of the thicker lip, yet the flange is sufficiently small to allow the deck to twist so that the deck can place the tip of the lip squarely upon a sideways inclined truck bed.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2004Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Michael Mitchell, Timothy Muhl, Matthew Tourdot, Jack Morehart, Michael A. Swessel, Grant Leum, Brian Bender, Henri V. Muers
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Publication number: 20070294845Abstract: adapted to be disposed in a pit is disclosed. A hinge member with a hinge pin receiving area and a hinge pin disposed in the hinge member defines a center of rotation. A deck that is rotatable about the hinge pin includes a curved portion with a constant radius and a center of curvature substantially similar to the center of the hinge pin. The curved portion defines an elevation that remains constant as the deck rotates about the hinge pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2007Publication date: December 27, 2007Applicant: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Timothy Muhl, Brian Bender, Lisa Bender, Mike Jehn, Pamela Pietrangelo, Michael Mitchell, Matthew Tourdot
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Publication number: 20070248440Abstract: To help hold a trailer bed of a truck steady at a loading dock as the truck is being loaded or unloaded of its cargo, a yieldable vehicle brace exerts a substantial, but limited, reactive force upward against the trailer's rear impact guard to resist the trailer's downward movement. In some embodiments, the brace holds the trailer bed stationary up to a certain load limit and provides the trailer bed with a controlled or dampened descent when the load exceeds that limit. In some cases, the reactive upward force exerted by the brace increases with the downward velocity of the trailer bed. The reactive force can be created by one or more pressure relief valves, hydraulic fluid passing through a flow restriction, a brake, a spring, or various combinations thereof. Some embodiments of the brace include provisions for accommodating horizontal movement of the rear impact guard.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2007Publication date: October 25, 2007Applicant: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Jonathan Andersen, Dave Holm, Timothy Muhl, Bradley Stone, Matt Sveum
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Patent number: 7216391Abstract: A dock leveling system adapted to be disposed in a pit is disclosed. A hinge member with a hinge pin receiving area and a hinge pin disposed in the hinge member defines a center of rotation. A deck that is rotatable about the hinge pin includes a curved portion with a constant radius and a center of curvature substantially similar to the center of the hinge pin. The curved portion defines an elevation that remains constant as the deck rotates about the hinge pin.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Timothy Muhl, Lisa Bender, legal representative, Mike Jehn, Pamela Pietrangelo, Michael Mitchell, Matthew Tourdot, Brian Bender, deceased
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Patent number: 7134159Abstract: A closed loop reciprocating fluid circuit apparatus for mechanically powered and electromechanically powered dock levelers, which may be mounted at a forward edge of a dock leveler to selectively engage the dock leveler during pivotal downward movement of a deck, is provided. The apparatus may include a header extending from a fluid chamber (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder), where the header may selectively engage the deck, within the range of dock leveler heights, including below dock level and above dock level operating positions. The hydraulic cylinder may be vertically oriented and coupled to a fluid accumulation chamber, such that vertical movement of the header in response to the deck's downward movement causes fluid displacement into the accumulation chamber. That displacement may be in a horizontally oriented fluid chamber having a piston that reacts to the fluid transfer.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2004Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Timothy Muhl, Matthew Tourdot, Reinhard Sander, Norbert Hahn, Matthew C. McNeill
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Patent number: 7032267Abstract: To permit below-dock level end-loading operations and to limit accidental freefalling of a dock leveler's deck, a dock leveler includes a unique support mechanism that employs one or more safety legs with an integral or operatively connected lip deflector. The support mechanism can be selectively moved to a deck-supporting position for freefall protection or moved to a lip-deflecting position for below dock level end-loading operations. In the deck-supporting position, the safety leg prevents the deck from falling an unsafe distance. In the lip-deflecting position, the lip deflector guides the descending motion of the dock leveler's lip extension plate so that the lip, while hanging pendant, can bypass and descend below a set of lip keepers.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2004Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Michael Mitchell, Timothy Muhl, Matthew Tourdot, Reinhard E. Sander, Norbert Hahn
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Publication number: 20060021164Abstract: A dock leveler includes a pivotally extendable lip coupled to a pivotal deck by way of a front hinge, wherein the structure in the area of the front hinge optimizes the torsional flexibility of the deck; provides a well supported, durable crown (apex angle between an extended lip and the deck); and reduces the part count of the dock leveler. The front hinge includes a deck-hinge member that extends approximately the full width of the deck and is preferably formed from a single sheet of material. A particularly narrow front header or flange disposed along the front edge of the deck reinforces the relatively thin deck plate so that the plate's rigidity more closely matches that of the thicker lip, yet the flange is sufficiently small to allow the deck to twist so that the deck can place the tip of the lip squarely upon a sideways inclined truck bed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2004Publication date: February 2, 2006Inventors: Michael Mitchell, Timothy Muhl, Matthew Tourdot, Jack Morehart, Michael Swessel, Grant Leum, Brian Bender, Henri Muers
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Publication number: 20050251933Abstract: To permit below-dock level end-loading operations and to limit accidental freefalling of a dock leveler's deck, a dock leveler includes a unique support mechanism that employs one or more safety legs with an integral or operatively connected lip deflector. The support mechanism can be selectively moved to a deck-supporting position for freefall protection or moved to a lip-deflecting position for below dock level end-loading operations. In the deck-supporting position, the safety leg prevents the deck from falling an unsafe distance. In the lip-deflecting position, the lip deflector guides the descending motion of the dock leveler's lip extension plate so that the lip, while hanging pendant, can bypass and descend below a set of lip keepers.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2004Publication date: November 17, 2005Inventors: Michael Mitchell, Timothy Muhl, Matthew Tourdot, Reinhard Sander, Norbert Hahn
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Publication number: 20050150065Abstract: A closed loop reciprocating fluid circuit apparatus for mechanically powered and electromechanically powered dock levelers, which may be mounted at a forward edge of a dock leveler to selectively engage the dock leveler during pivotal downward movement of a deck, is provided. The apparatus may include a header extending from a fluid chamber (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder), where the header may selectively engage the deck, within the range of dock leveler heights, including below dock level and above dock level operating positions. The hydraulic cylinder may be vertically oriented and coupled to a fluid accumulation chamber, such that vertical movement of the header in response to the deck's downward movement causes fluid displacement into the accumulation chamber. That displacement may be in a horizontally oriented fluid chamber having a piston that reacts to the fluid transfer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2004Publication date: July 14, 2005Inventors: Timothy Muhl, Matthew Tourdot, Reinhard Sander, Norbert Hahn, Matthew McNeill
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Publication number: 20050132512Abstract: A dock leveling system adapted to be disposed in a pit is disclosed. A hinge member with a hinge pin receiving area and a hinge pin disposed in the hinge member defines a center of rotation. A deck that is rotatable about the hinge pin includes a curved portion with a constant radius and a center of curvature substantially similar to the center of the hinge pin. The curved portion defines an elevation that remains constant as the deck rotates about the hinge pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2003Publication date: June 23, 2005Inventors: Timothy Muhl, Brian Bender, Lisa Bender, Mike Jehn, Pamela Pietrangelo, Michael Mitchell, Matthew Tourdot