Rite-Hite Holding Corporation

Rite-Hite Corporation

Right-Hite Holding Corporation

David J Hoffmann

Charles J Ashelin

Charles J Digmann

Ryan P Beggs

Kyle E Nelson

Matthew C McNeill

James C Boerger

Timothy Muhl

James Hibbert Oates

Jason Senfleben

Ken Markham

Gary Borgerding

Thomas J Boffeli

Jon Giuliani

Paul D Rowlett

Kenneth F Lenz

William Triervieler

Thomas J Medley

Tom Medley

Tom Duccini

Ken Lenz

Bob Frommelt

Tom Boffeli

Bill Triervieler

Charles Digmann

Jason D Miller

Timothy J Schmidt

Robert J Frommelt

Gregory J Thill

Thomas E Duccini

Matt Fleckenstein

Robert Frommelt

Markham Ken,

Andreas Bettendorf

Matthew C Mcneill

Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example method includes sending an interrogation signal generated by a vehicle within a first area, detecting the interrogation signal from the first area, in response to detection of the interrogation signal from the first area, receiving a first responsive signal from a first transponder in the first area, and determining a directional resolution of the first responsive signal.

Methods and apparatus to detect and warn proximate entities of interest

Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example method includes determining threat levels for hazards in a plurality of different zones within a building, classifying the threat levels into at least one of a first threat level and a second threat level, designating a first zone of the plurality of different zones having the first threat level with a first detectable indicator, and designating a second zone having the second threat level with a second detectable indicator.

Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example hazard warning system for a forktruck includes a controllable light source to project light onto a floor adjacent the forktruck. A hazard discriminator determines when the forktruck poses a hazard to an entity of interest in a vicinity of the forktruck, and responsively generates a hazard output. A controller receives the hazard output and controls the light source such that the light source is in a first state when the hazard output is not received and a second state when the hazard output is received, where the first state is different than the second state.

Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example method for assessing a possibility of a collision between entities of interest, each having their own characteristics of movement, includes sampling movement of each entity at least two points in time, generating a trajectory vector for each entity based on the movement sampling, expanding the trajectory vector of each entity based on at least one characteristic of movement of that entity, and analyzing the expanded trajectory vector of each entity for overlap to assess a possibility of a collision between the entities of interest.

Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example detection system includes a light source attachable to a forktruck, where the light source projects an illuminated warning field on a floor on which the forktruck is to traverse. The light source projects the illuminated warning field at a distance from a front end of the forktruck. The light source is separate from a headlight of the forktruck.

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. Each entity's trajectory vector is expanded and each entity's expanded trajectory vector is analyzed for overlap with the other entity's expanded trajectory vector to assess the possibility of a collision between them.

Example panel assemblies with frost inhibiting seal members are disclosed herein. Some example panel assemblies disclosed herein are particularly suited for creating a blast freezer (for food and other products) by using the panels in cordoning off a relatively small quick-freeze area within a larger freezer room. In some examples disclosed herein, a touch-and-hold fastener (e.g., VELCRO) connects two or more insulated flexible panels along their adjoining vertical edges to span the width of a supporting frame that is wider than a width of a single panel. To seal the joint and/or inhibit frost from developing along the joint, some example panel assemblies disclosed herein include a seal member with touch-and-hold elements plus sealing edges extending laterally in opposite directions. In some examples disclosed herein, the touch-and-hold elements couple two panels together while the sealing edges (e.g., foam strip or double looped sheet of material) block air from flowing through the touch-and-hold elements.

Frost inhibiting joints for insulated panels and curtains

Example weather barrier apparatuses for sealing or sheltering vehicles at loading docks are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a side seal member to be vertically elongate and having a front surface facing away from a doorway when the apparatus is in a relaxed configuration, the side seal member extending laterally farther into a cargo passageway when the apparatus is in the relaxed configuration than when in an activated configuration, the front surface engages a vehicle as the vehicle moves between a departed position and a parked position. The apparatus also includes an upper seal member to hang in front of the side seal member when the apparatus is in the relaxed configuration, the upper seal member being horizontally elongate and having a lower corner point proximate the side seal member, the front surface facing away from the lower corner point when the apparatus is in the activated configuration.

Weather barrier apparatuses for sealing or sheltering vehicles at loading docks

Example weather barrier apparatuses for sealing or sheltering vehicles at loading docks are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a side support member attachable to a wall proximate a doorway. A side seal member extends from the side support member and a rear edge seal is supported by the side seal member. The rear edge seal engages a first rear edge of a vehicle. The rear edge seal has a seal core and a seal cover, where the core has a gap defined by a first portion and a second portion.

Example weather barrier apparatuses for sealing or sheltering vehicles at loading docks are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a first seal to be engaged by a vehicle as the vehicle moves between a departed position and a parked position relative to the first seal. The first seal has a penetration portion movable between a relaxed condition when the vehicle releases the first seal and an activated condition when the vehicle engages the first seal. A second seal is coupled adjacent the first seal. The second seal has an opening to be positioned adjacent the penetration portion of the first seal such that at least a portion of the penetration portion extends across at least a portion of the opening when the first seal is in the relaxed condition, and the opening of the second seal receives at least the penetration portion of the first seal when the first seal is in the activated condition.

Example room dividers are described herein. The example room dividers include a flexible curtain with features pertaining to security, impactability, insulation, sound absorption, configurability, and/or flame resistance. In some examples, the curtain comprises an inorganic carbon fiber pad sandwiched between two sheets of fiberglass fabric coated with silicone rubber. A tongue-and-groove joint, in some examples, enables the interconnection of a series of curtains to create room dividers of various lengths. In some examples, the curtain comprises a full-width wire mesh sandwiched between two sheets of vinyl coated polyester fabric, wherein a touch-and-hold fastener at the outer perimeter of the curtain and overlapping the wire mesh holds the two sheets together and holds the wire mesh in place. In some examples, the flexibility of the curtain allows the curtain to respond to impacts and/or air pressure differentials.

Flexible room dividers

Flexible structures for use with dock seals and shelters are disclosed. An example flexible structure includes a rigid backer to couple a flexible panel assembly to a loading dock wall and a flexible, self-supporting sheet-shaped member having sufficient rigidity to enable the flexible sheet-shaped member to be cantilevered from a surface of a building without substantial sagging. The sheet-shaped member has an inner surface and an outer surface defining a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge where the first and second longitudinal edges couple to the rigid backer. The inner surface defines an empty cavity when the sheet-shaped member is coupled to the rigid backer.

Flexible structures for use with dock seals and shelters

Example insulated dividers, such as curtain-doors and temporary walls for dividing areas of a building, include features that make the dividers particularly suited for food and drug related environments that demand cleanliness and require dividers to be periodically washed down to remove microorganisms and other contaminants. Some example dividers include a touch-and-hold fastener to hold a flexible insulated pad within an internal space of a pliable hollow panel. In some examples, the insulated pad is made of polyester batting with loops of fiber to which the hook portion of the touch-and-hold fastener can engage. In some examples, both the insulated pad and the touch-and-hold fastener are completely contained within the hollow panel so that neither the pad nor the fastener provides an exposed external surface for harboring microorganisms. In some examples, the pliable panel's outer peripheral edge is hermetically sealed by thermal bonding, heat sealing, welding and/or ultrasonic joining.

Insulated washdown flexible walls and curtains

Example doors having a seal attached to an edge member of a door panel are disclosed herein. An example seal includes a flexible sheet of material with its longitudinal edges turned inward toward a more central portion of the sheet such that the sheet is turned partially or somewhat inside-out to provide a bulging seal geometry that is favorable for sealing in multiple directions. The seal, for example, is suitable for sealing in a head-on direction engaging an abutting surface, such as a doorjamb. The seal can also seal in sliding engagement with an adjacent surface parallel to the door panel. In some examples, the sheet defines a hollow chamber in which the longitudinal edges of the sheet reinforce or brace an exterior curved portion of the seal. In some examples, the sheet of material is a unitary seamless piece with an attached touch-and-hold fastener that makes the seal readily replaceable.

Bulb seals for doors

Dock seal for use with loading docks are described. An example dock seal includes a compressible body having a front compressible body and a rear compressible body, where the rear compressible body is interposed between the wall and the front compressible body when the dock seal is mounted to the wall. A flexible panel pivotally couples the compressible body to the wall.

Growing community of inventors

Peosta, IA, United States of America

David J Hoffmann