Patents by Inventor William C. Eungard

William C. Eungard 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: 20240059510
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally to wiper seal pad systems for use at a loading dock station, which can include an elongate pad having a first side surface configured to face outwardly from the loading dock and contact an exterior surface of a trailer positioned at the loading dock, and a second side surface opposite the first side surface. The systems can further include a mounting member operably coupled to the upper surface, the first side surface, and/or the second side surface, and a hanger bracket having a base, a flange extending upwardly from the base, and a tab extending downwardly from the base. The flange can be configured to operably couple to the head member of the loading dock and the tab can be configured to operably couple to the mounting member, thereby attaching the elongate pad to the head member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: William C. Eungard, John C. Vendette, William Amundson
  • Patent number: 9327922
    Abstract: Dock leveler sealing systems include a bottom seal configured to be attached to an underside of a dock leveler deck and extend transversely thereto, and two side seals configured to be attached to opposite end portions of the bottom seal and extend forwardly therefrom. The side seals can be shaped and sized to effectively seal openings and/or gaps that may exist between the bottom seal, the deck lip, a shipping vehicle, a dock bumper, and/or the building floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Eungard
  • Patent number: 9212510
    Abstract: Systems, devices and components for the sealing of doors, including overhead doors at loading docks, and associated methods of manufacture and use are disclosed herein. A door sealing system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a seal extension having a body with a first edge and a second edge. The seal extension can include a bulb seal portion extending from the first edge to form a first seal between the door and a first surface extending adjacent to a side edge of the door. The seal extension can also include a blade seal portion extending from the second edge to form a second seal between the door and a second surface extending adjacent to an upper edge of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Eungard, Joshua James Brown, Ryan John Talbot
  • Publication number: 20150291374
    Abstract: Dock leveler sealing systems are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a dock leveler sealing system can include a bottom seal configured to be attached to an underside of a dock leveler deck and extend transversely thereto, and two side seals configured to be attached to opposite end portions of the bottom seal and extend forwardly therefrom. The side seals can be shaped and sized to effectively seal openings and/or gaps that may exist between the bottom seal, the deck lip, a shipping vehicle, a dock bumper, and/or the building floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventor: William C. Eungard
  • Patent number: 9073710
    Abstract: Dock leveler sealing systems are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a dock leveler sealing system can include a bottom seal configured to be attached to an underside of a dock leveler deck and extend transversely thereto, and two side seals configured to be attached to opposite end portions of the bottom seal and extend forwardly therefrom. The side seals can be shaped and sized to effectively seal openings and/or gaps that may exist between the bottom seal, the deck lip, a shipping vehicle, a dock bumper, and/or the building floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Eungard
  • Publication number: 20140373457
    Abstract: Systems, devices and components for the sealing of doors, including overhead doors at loading docks, and associated methods of manufacture and use are disclosed herein. A door sealing system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a seal extension having a body with a first edge and a second edge. The seal extension can include a bulb seal portion extending from the first edge to form a first seal between the door and a first surface extending adjacent to a side edge of the door. The seal extension can also include a blade seal portion extending from the second edge to form a second seal between the door and a second surface extending adjacent to an upper edge of the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: William C. Eungard, Joshua James Brown, Ryan John Talbot
  • Patent number: 8720112
    Abstract: Door leveling apparatuses are disclosed herein. A door leveling apparatus configured in accordance with one embodiment includes a bracket mounted to a door, such as a vertically-opening sectional door. The apparatus further includes a cable assembly having a first end portion coupled to the bracket and a second end portion coupled to a door lifting system, such as a counterbalance assembly. The first end portion includes an adjuster that enables an operator to adjust the operational length of the cable assembly extending between the lifting system and the bracket, thereby enabling the operator to individually adjust the lengths of two such cable assemblies on opposite sides of the door to align the door with a corresponding opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Eungard
  • Patent number: 8510888
    Abstract: Dock leveler sealing systems are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a dock leveler sealing system can include a bottom seal configured to be attached to an underside of a dock leveler deck and extend transversely thereto, and two side seals configured to be attached to opposite end portions of the bottom seal and extend forwardly therefrom. The side seals can be shaped and sized to effectively seal openings and/or gaps that may exist between the bottom seal, the deck lip, a shipping vehicle, a dock bumper, and/or the building floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Eungard
  • Publication number: 20130167310
    Abstract: Dock leveler sealing systems are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a dock leveler sealing system can include a bottom seal configured to be attached to an underside of a dock leveler deck and extend transversely thereto, and two side seals configured to be attached to opposite end portions of the bottom seal and extend forwardly therefrom. The side seals can be shaped and sized to effectively seal openings and/or gaps that may exist between the bottom seal, the deck lip, a shipping vehicle, a dock bumper, and/or the building floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventor: William C. Eungard
  • Patent number: 8307589
    Abstract: Segmented dock seals for truck loading docks are described herein. An elongate, compressible pad member for use with a loading dock seal is positioned to compliantly conform to an aft end of a trailer positioned proximate to an opening in a building. The pad member includes a body portion having a front side and a back side. The body portion is composed of a compressible foam material. The pad member further includes a plurality of individual fingers projecting away from the front side of the body portion. The individual fingers are integral with the body portion and are spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Eungard
  • Publication number: 20120247021
    Abstract: Door leveling apparatuses are disclosed herein. A door leveling apparatus configured in accordance with one embodiment includes a bracket mounted to a door, such as a vertically-opening sectional door. The apparatus further includes a cable assembly having a first end portion coupled to the bracket and a second end portion coupled to a door lifting system, such as a counterbalance assembly. The first end portion includes an adjuster that enables an operator to adjust the operational length of the cable assembly extending between the lifting system and the bracket, thereby enabling the operator to individually adjust the lengths of two such cable assemblies on opposite sides of the door to align the door with a corresponding opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Eungard
  • Patent number: 8181401
    Abstract: Apparatuses for forming at least a partial seal between an open end of a truck, trailer, or other vehicle and an opening in a building are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus for forming at least a partial seal includes a first side pad configured to extend vertically adjacent to a first side portion of an opening, a second side pad configured to extend vertically adjacent to a second side portion of the opening, and a head pad assembly configured to extend horizontally adjacent to a top portion of the opening between the first and second side pads. The head pad assembly can include replaceable corner pads positioned on either end of a center pad. The corner pads can be independently attached to the wall of the building and separately removed if replacement is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Eungard
  • Publication number: 20120102852
    Abstract: Segmented dock seals for truck loading docks are described herein. An elongate, compressible pad member for use with a loading dock seal is positioned to compliantly conform to an aft end of a trailer positioned proximate to an opening in a building. The pad member includes a body portion having a front side and a back side. The body portion is composed of a compressible foam material. The pad member further includes a plurality of individual fingers projecting away from the front side of the body portion. The individual fingers are integral with the body portion and are spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Eungard
  • Patent number: 8112949
    Abstract: Segmented dock seals for truck loading docks are described herein. An elongate, compressible pad member for use with a loading dock seal is positioned to compliantly conform to an aft end of a trailer positioned proximate to an opening in a building. The pad member includes a body portion having a front side and a back side. The body portion is composed of a compressible foam material. The pad member further includes a plurality of individual fingers projecting away from the front side of the body portion. The individual fingers are integral with the body portion and are spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Eungard
  • Patent number: 8046857
    Abstract: Dock leveler seals and associated methods and systems are described herein. A dock leveler having a rear hinge seal configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a rear support frame and a movable deck. The rear support frame includes a plurality of first support members extending therefrom, and the aft edge portion of the deck includes a plurality of second support members pivotally coupled to the first support members along an axis. The seal of this embodiment includes a first edge portion extending outwardly from a medial portion in a first direction, and a second edge portion extending outwardly from the medial portion in a second direction. The medial portion urges the first edge portion against the support frame and the second edge portion against the aft edge portion of the deck as the deck pivots about the axis in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Blake Whitley, William C. Eungard, Michael Story
  • Publication number: 20100264596
    Abstract: Dock leveler seals and associated methods and systems are described herein. A dock leveler having a rear hinge seal configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a rear support frame and a movable deck. The rear support frame includes a plurality of first support members extending therefrom, and the aft edge portion of the deck includes a plurality of second support members pivotally coupled to the first support members along an axis. The seal of this embodiment includes a first edge portion extending outwardly from a medial portion in a first direction, and a second edge portion extending outwardly from the medial portion in a second direction. The medial portion urges the first edge portion against the support frame and the second edge portion against the aft edge portion of the deck as the deck pivots about the axis in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Blake Whitley, William C. Eungard, Michael Story
  • Publication number: 20100186318
    Abstract: Apparatuses for forming at least a partial seal between an open end of a truck, trailer, or other vehicle and an opening in a building are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus for forming at least a partial seal includes a first side pad configured to extend vertically adjacent to a first side portion of an opening, a second side pad configured to extend vertically adjacent to a second side portion of the opening, and a head pad assembly configured to extend horizontally adjacent to a top portion of the opening between the first and second side pads. The head pad assembly can include replaceable corner pads positioned on either end of a center pad. The corner pads can be independently attached to the wall of the building and separately removed if replacement is needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: William C. Eungard
  • Publication number: 20100146876
    Abstract: Segmented dock seals for truck loading docks are described herein. An elongate, compressible pad member for use with a loading dock seal is positioned to compliantly conform to an aft end of a trailer positioned proximate to an opening in a building. The pad member includes a body portion having a front side and a back side. The body portion is composed of a compressible foam material. The pad member further includes a plurality of individual fingers projecting away from the front side of the body portion. The individual fingers are integral with the body portion and are spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Eungard
  • Patent number: 7594290
    Abstract: A dock leveler sealing system that includes a barrier configured to be attached to a dock leveler and a hinged region located in the barrier and configured to facilitate one portion of the barrier moving with respect to a second portion of the barrier. The dock leveler sealing system also includes a biasing apparatus attached to the barrier and configured to position the first portion of the barrier at a bias relative to the second portion of the barrier. Also, a method of providing a seal between a loading dock and an area outside of the loading dock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: 4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Eungard, William Amundson, Laura M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20090045649
    Abstract: Door gap seals and seal assemblies for over road trailers and other over road cargo carriers are disclosed herein. An over road trailer configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a door rotatably mounted to a container body proximate an opening. The door moves between a closed position in which the door at least partially covers the opening, and an open position in which the door is spaced apart from the opening to form a gap therebetween. The over road trailer further includes a seal attached to at least one of the door and the container body. The seal is at least partially compressed and/or deflected between the door and the container body to seal the gap when the door is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: William C. Eungard, William E. Amundson, Ralph W. Moody, Keith Moore