Patents Examined by Jonathan Snelting
  • Patent number: 11087997
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to substrate processing apparatus, with a first and second reactor, each reactor configured for processing a plurality of substrates; and, a substrate handling robot constructed and arranged to transfer substrates between a substrate cassette at a substrate transfer position and the first and second reactor. The apparatus is constructed and arranged with a maintenance area between the first and second reactors to allow maintenance of the reactors from the maintenance area to both the first and second reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Theodorus Oosterlaken, Chris de Ridder
  • Patent number: 11084655
    Abstract: A vehicle for moving a container containing a hoisting device for hoisting the container from a first position, to hold it in a stored position at the bottom side of the vehicle and to lower the container from the stored position to the second position; a frame supporting the hoisting device; a first guide and second guide attached for guiding the vehicle along a first path in a first horizontal direction, and along a second path in a second horizontal direction transverse to the first direction; wherein the vehicle is arranged to run, in a first mode, along the first path if the first guide engages with the first path and the second guide is spaced apart from the second path, and, in a second mode, along the second path if the second guide engages with the second path and the first guide is spaced apart from the first path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: LOGIQS B.V.
    Inventor: Gerrit Johannes Van Staalduinen
  • Patent number: 11078062
    Abstract: A layer-picking load-clamping and lifting assembly for mounting on a lift truck is capable of bidirectionally side-shifting a load-clamping assembly substantially straightly along a side-shifting length. The load clamping assembly has opposed clamp arms each selectively movable along a direction parallel to the side-shifting length so as to be selectively separable in a plurality of different possible relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Cascade Corpoation
    Inventors: Francesco Andriolo, Roberto Mazzoleni
  • Patent number: 11066257
    Abstract: A container transport system and method of operation can include: providing a vehicle having a subframe assembly coupled thereto, the subframe assembly including a lifting arm and a clamping arm; clamping the clamping arm onto a corner fitting of a cargo container; raising the lifting arm for raising a portion of the cargo container; inserting a jack stand below the cargo container; lowering the lifting arm for tilting the cargo container on the jack stand, the jack stand configured as a fulcrum; positioning a container trailer below the cargo container; and raising the lifting arm for pivoting the cargo container on the jack stand and lowering the cargo container onto the container trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventors: Victor Casanova, Jorge Casanova, Gary Dee Gates, Von Roy Christiansen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11059707
    Abstract: A system and a method for an automated guided vehicle (AGV) includes a chassis; a load supporting apparatus disposed on the chassis, the load supporting apparatus including a platform to support a load, a lifting mechanism comprising one or more jacks, the platform coupled to the one or more jacks, the one or more jacks configured to raise or lower the platform, and a rotation mechanism coupled to the platform, the rotation mechanism configured to rotate the platform, wherein the rotation mechanism is configured to rotate the platform in response to the AGV turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre Limited
    Inventors: Wing Leung Chow, King Sau Wong, Tsz Hin Wong, Kwai Yuen Tiu
  • Patent number: 11059618
    Abstract: An apparatus for emptying a container including a body unit, a container platform, a cutting blade, and a hold-down assembly. The body unit at least partially defines a chamber, and the container platform is configured to support a container. The cutting blade is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The cutting blade is located within the chamber when in the extended position. The cutting blade is configured to puncture a container positioned on the container platform as the cutting blade goes from the retracted position to the extended position. The hold-down assembly is configured to secure a container positioned on the container platform. The hold-down assembly is oriented such that a bracket and a shaft of the hold-down assembly are fixed relative to the body unit when an adjustable strut of the hold-down assembly is in a locked strut configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: ECK FABRICATION LLC
    Inventor: Ethan Eck
  • Patent number: 11046515
    Abstract: A system and method for intermodal container transport that utilizes swarm intelligence and the autonomous locating, lifting, supporting and moving via robots working in conjunction. A port central command locates and releases robots to the container location and then transports the container to its destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Swarm Robotix LLC
    Inventors: Glenn Luckinbill, Ryan Luckinbill
  • Patent number: 11034553
    Abstract: A post handling tool is adaptable for mounting on a skid steer device. It utilizes a pair of hydraulic clamps secured to a base having a vertical stabilizing pole perpendicularly secured to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Inventors: Tom W. Crager, Tyler C. Crager
  • Patent number: 11034275
    Abstract: A system for a stowable vehicle ramp including a vehicle assembly, a ramp assembly and a control assembly is disclosed. The ramp assembly includes a ramp that is automatically or manually extended out, and either stowed under or inlayed in the bed of a vehicle of the vehicle assembly such as a truck or pickup truck. It is possible to retrofit the ramp onto existing vehicles such as pickups or trucks. The stowable ramp aids in providing easy loading access to the bed of the vehicle for smaller vehicles needing transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Inventors: Clarence Smith, Rhonda Harper-Smith
  • Patent number: 11034544
    Abstract: An elevator installation may include at least one car that is displaceable in an elevator shaft; a first supply unit for supplying the car with energy, material, and/or data; and an interchange arrangement for interchanging the first supply unit to the car whereby the first supply unit is removed from or attached to the car during ongoing operation of the elevator installation. The interchange arrangement may be configured to remove and/or attached one or more supply units from the car during a regular door-opening cycle where the car stops at a floor of a building in which the elevator installation is installed. A duration of time required to remove the first supply unit from the car, or alternatively add the first supply unit to the car, is less than a duration of time required for a regular door-opening cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Madera
  • Patent number: 11027932
    Abstract: A truck dumper including a material receiving hopper, a tilt table configured to dump a load from the truck or truck trailer into the material receiving hopper. The invention includes a stilling shed positioned above the material receiving hopper and at least one curtain baffle suspended below the roof of the stilling shed. The curtain baffles are positioned such that there is a gap located near the roof and an upper margin of the at least one curtain baffle through which air can flow. The invention further includes an air exhaust structure configured to exhaust dust laden air from the interior of the stilling shed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Air-Cure Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael R. Harris
  • Patent number: 11021324
    Abstract: A commissioning device having a first shelf row with horizontal shelf surfaces and at least one second shelf row with multiple shelf surfaces disposed one above the other and forming storage shafts. A lane formed between the first and the second shelf rows includes an operating unit movably disposed in the lane. The commissioning device also includes an input device, an output device and an auxiliary output device. The operating unit includes a gripping device for inputting and/or outputting piece goods onto or from the horizontal shelf surfaces and for filling the goods into the storage shafts. A control unit coupled to the operating unit is configured to output identical piece goods in a row from the horizontal shelf surfaces, to input the piece goods into the storage shafts and to output and transfer one or more piece goods located on the horizontal shelf surfaces to the auxiliary output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: CareFusion Germany 326 GmbH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 11015361
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a parking system which separates storage and delivery parts of vehicles to be parked, and separately operates an vertical moving part moving up and down and vertically and horizontally moves the vehicle which has been stored in a prompt and efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventor: Yunkang Baik
  • Patent number: 11008202
    Abstract: A cart transport vessel includes a fixed platform configured to hold at least one cart, a fixed ramp located adjacent to the fixed platform and a foldable ramp extension that is rotatably coupled to a front end of the fixed ramp. In an opened configuration, a first side of the foldable ramp extension faces upwardly and is in planar alignment with a planar top surface of the fixed ramp and an opposing second side of the foldable extension faces downwardly. In a closed configuration, the foldable ramp extension is rotated so that the first side of the foldable ramp extension faces downwardly and is in contact with the planar top surface of the ramp section and the opposing second side of the foldable ramp extension faces upwardly to provide a flat operator workspace area that is configured to be stood on by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Macalus, Dan Hawkins, Matthew Arcaro, Jamison Harrell-Latham, Michiel van de Ven, L. Klaus Preidt, Karl Chapel, Bob Chapel, Jason Sanders
  • Patent number: 11007918
    Abstract: A ramp apparatus for a vehicle includes a ramp retractable in the vehicle and drawable to an outside of the vehicle, a moving body movable in a drawing direction and a retracting direction together with the ramp, a support arm rotatably coupled with the ramp at a first rotatable coupling point and rotatably coupled with the moving body at a second rotatable coupling point, and a tension spring interposed between the ramp and the moving body. The ramp is arranged in a lifted-up position in which the ramp faces a door opening of the vehicle from a drawn position. The tension spring rotationally urges the first rotatable coupling point positioning above the tension spring in the drawn position of the ramp about the second rotatable coupling point and exerts an urging force on the ramp, the urging force moving the ramp from the drawn position toward the lifted-up position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventors: Eisuke Sato, Yohei Kanatani
  • Patent number: 11008166
    Abstract: A storage system features a fleet of storage/retrieval vehicles and a gridded three-dimensional structure. The structure features a gridded two-dimensional track layout on which the one or more storage/retrieval vehicles are conveyable in two directions, and a plurality of storage columns residing above or below the gridded track layout in spaced distribution throughout the two-dimensional area of the track layout. Upright shafts reside above or below the gridded track layout and provide vehicle access to the storage columns. At least one working station resides outside the two-dimensional area of the track layout, and via one or more extension tracks, is served by the same vehicles that navigate the gridded structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Attabotics Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Gravelle, Winston Hope, Darin Rousseau
  • Patent number: 11001185
    Abstract: A haulage arrangement has a frame configured for operative attachment to a suitable tractor, and defining a tray for operatively receiving particulate material therein. The tray comprises two side walls separated by a loadbearing lower section with a headwall at a head end of the tray and slidably arranged in-between the side walls. Also included is an urger at the head end configured to operatively urge the headwall to slide across the lower section. Arrangement further includes an elastically flexible floor slidably arranged on the lower section and fast at a first end with the headwall, as well as a retractor arranged at an ejection end of the tray and configured to continuously retract a second end of the floor underneath the lower section whilst the headwall is urged. The retractor is further configured to agitate the floor during retraction to counteract adhesion of particulate material ejected from the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: 629 032 373 PTY LTD
    Inventor: Denis Orlov
  • Patent number: 10964571
    Abstract: A conveyance system for conveying a workpiece to each of a plurality of processing apparatuses includes a conveyance passage, an automated conveying vehicle for travelling on the conveyance passage, the automated conveying vehicle including a workpiece storage member, travelling mechanisms, and a receiver, a stock unit including a storage member holding base and a receiver, and a storage member conveying unit for conveying the workpiece storage member between a region of the conveyance passage above the stock unit and the storage member holding base or between a region of the conveyance passage above the processing apparatus and the inside of the processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: DISCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuma Sekiya
  • Patent number: 10954064
    Abstract: A storage system (10) comprises a plurality of storage areas (39) for receiving stored goods, the storage areas being situated in at least one storage level and being accessible by an associated handling device (19, 20, 21) to store stored goods at the storage areas (39) or retrieve them from these storage areas (39). Quicker, simplified storage and retrieval is achieved in that for storing and retrieving the stored goods, in addition a conveyor (15) is provided which is designed as a continuous conveyor and is led on a storage level through the arrangement of the storage areas (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: WRH WALTER REIST HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Markus Bretz
  • Patent number: 10954086
    Abstract: A container packer system includes a transfer base, which receives a container packer adapted for movement longitudinally between retracted and extended positions with respect to the transfer base. The transfer base includes a power subsystem with a motor or engine driving a hydraulic pump for powering hydraulic piston-and-cylinder units of the system, including a container packer piston-and-cylinder unit for hydraulically extending and retracting the container packer. The container packer generally encloses an interior adapted for receiving bulk material for transfer to a transport container, which can comprise a standard shipping container, a trailer or some other bulk material receptacle. The container packer includes a push blade assembly longitudinally movably mounted in its interior and actuated by a push blade piston-and-cylinder unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: ADVANCED STEEL RECOVERY, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory D. Haub, Chris D. Bartel