Patents Examined by Michael S Lowe
  • Patent number: 11969879
    Abstract: A substrate accommodating device accommodating a substrate transferred by a transfer device having an end effector configured to hold a substrate and a member including a consumable part disposed in a substrate processing apparatus for processing the substrate includes a container. A first opening through which the end effector holding the substrate passes is formed on a sidewall of the container. A recess into which front ends of the end effector are inserted is formed on an inner surface of the container facing the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Masahiro Dogome
  • Patent number: 11970834
    Abstract: The invention includes a vehicle main body, a boom, a first actuator connecting the boom and the vehicle main body and configured to rotate the boom with respect to the vehicle main body about a first central axis, a first electric motor connected to the first actuator and that operates the first actuator. The boom includes a pair of boom lateral plates disposed to face each other in a direction of the first central axis, and a boom bottom plate connecting the boom lateral plates to each other, the first electric motor being disposed in a boom internal space surrounded by the pair of boom lateral plates and the boom bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Ishikawa, Kazuhiro Kurihara, Takeshi Endou
  • Patent number: 11964379
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first arm comprising an unequal-link linkage having a first end effector; a second arm comprising an equal-link linkage having a second end effector; and a drive unit coupled to the first arm and the second arm, the drive unit being configured to move the first arm and the second arm. The first end effector is asymmetric to the second end effector. The first end effector is angled relative to the second end effector such that a first substrate support section on the first end effector is not positioned over or under a second substrate support section on the second end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Persimmon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Wilkas, Martin Hosek
  • Patent number: 11961758
    Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a substrate to a substrate processing chamber includes: a substrate transfer chamber including a floor surface portion having a traveling surface-side magnet provided therein and a sidewall portion having an opening for transferring the substrate therethrough; a substrate transfer module including a substrate holder and a floating body-side magnet acting a repulsive force with the traveling surface-side magnet, and configured to be movable on a traveling surface formed in a region provided with the traveling surface-side magnet by magnetic floating using the repulsive force; the substrate processing chamber connected to the substrate transfer chamber via a gate valve constituting a non-traveling region in which the substrate transfer module is not movable by the magnetic floating; and a transfer assist mechanism for assisting the transfer of the substrate by the substrate transfer module between the substrate transfer chamber and the substrate processing chamber via the non-trave
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Takehiro Shindo
  • Patent number: 11952738
    Abstract: A coupler for releasably coupling an attachment to a heavy-equipment machine. The coupler comprises a frame, and a plurality of connection elements extending from the frame, with the connection elements configured to engage with the attachment. The coupler additionally comprises a locking pin configured to extend simultaneously through the frame and the attachment. The coupler further comprises a locking element configured to selectively engage with the locking pin to securely couple the coupler to the attachment. The coupler further comprises an actuator configured to shift the locking element between an unlocked position and a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Linden, James Allen
  • Patent number: 11952743
    Abstract: A loader for a work vehicle includes a loader arm, a mast section rotatably connected to the loader arm, an implement removably attached to the loader arm, a first actuator connected between the loader arm and the mast, a second actuator connected between the loader arm and the implement, and a first roller apparatus having a use position and a storage position. The first roller apparatus is positioned nearer a ground surface in the use position than in the storage position. The first roller apparatus is in contact with the ground surface in the use position and spaced apart from the ground surface in the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas L. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 11933015
    Abstract: A loader vehicle includes a front unit and a rear unit pivotally connected to each other by an articulated joint arrangement allowing mutual rotation of the front unit and the rear unit. The loader vehicle includes a loading unit assembly and a control valve arrangement arranged to hydraulically control the loading unit assembly, wherein the control valve arrangement is arranged at a rear portion of the front unit in the vicinity of the articulated joint arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
    Inventors: Norbert Rosenpek, Johan Ohlsson
  • Patent number: 11919157
    Abstract: In a conveyance system, an object is conveyed by use of a conveyance robot. The conveyance robot includes: an arm including a shaft portion extensible and retractable in an axial direction of the shaft portion, and a protruding portion extending from the shaft portion in a direction different from the axial direction so as to be engaged with a groove formed on the object; a drive mechanism configured to rotate the arm around the axial direction as a rotating axis; and a detecting portion configured to detect an abnormality in the rotation angle of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kunihiro Iwamoto, Yuta Itozawa, Hirotaka Komura, Yutaro Takagi
  • Patent number: 11910754
    Abstract: A grain cart and foldable auger assembly having an upper auger assembly portion with a discharge portion, a lower auger assembly portion with an intake portion, and a compound angle joint that allows the upper auger assembly portion to be moved between operating and transport positions. When in an operating position, the upper auger portion and the lower auger portion are offset from each other by an operating offset angle. When in a transport position, the upper auger assembly portion is offset from the lower auger assembly portion by a transport offset angle such that the upper auger assembly portions folded across the front of the grain cart in a non-obstructive and non-protruding manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: UNVERFERTH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ronald J. Schlimgen, John Walvatne, Christopher M. Self
  • Patent number: 11883958
    Abstract: A robot apparatus may include an upper arm adapted to rotate about a first rotational axis and a forearm rotatably coupled to the upper arm at a second rotational axis. A first wrist member may be rotatably coupled to the forearm at a third rotation axis. A second wrist member may be rotatably coupled to the forearm at the third rotation axis. A first end effector may be coupled to the first wrist member and a second end effector may be coupled to the second wrist member. The first wrist member and the second wrist member may be configured to rotate about the third rotational axis between a first pitch and a second pitch as a function of extension of the robot apparatus. Other apparatus and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Karuppasamy Muthukamatchy, Rajkumar Thanu, Eran Weiss, Jeffrey C. Hudgens, Chandrakant M. Sapkale
  • Patent number: 11866905
    Abstract: A work machine includes a frame, a traction system supporting the frame, an arm assembly having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the frame, an implement connected to the second end, and a linkage connecting the implement to the second end of the arm assembly. The linkage includes a pin-supporting section configured to accept a pin and a linking section attached to the pin-supporting section by a weld. The linking section includes a recess proximate to the weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Daniel T. Unger, Ramanagarajan Meenakshinathan, Kort C. Randall
  • Patent number: 11865705
    Abstract: A teleoperated robotic system that includes master control arms, slave arms, and a mobile platform. In use, a user manipulates the master control arms to control movement of the slave arms. The teleoperated robotic system can include two master control arms and two slave arms. The master control arms and the slave arms can be mounted on the platform. The platform can provide support for the master control arms and for a teleoperator, or user, of the robotic system. Thus, a mobile platform can allow the robotic system to be moved from place to place to locate the slave arms in a position for use. Additionally, the user can be positioned on the platform, such that the user can see and hear, directly, the slave arms and the workspace in which the slave arms operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Sarcos, LC
    Inventors: Fraser M. Smith, Marc X. Olivier
  • Patent number: 11850744
    Abstract: A travel robot for moving a substrate transfer robot in a transfer chamber includes: an elevating part for driving an elevating drive shaft installed in the transfer chamber, a first travel link arm engaged with the elevating drive shaft, a second and a third travel link arm respectively having a first and a second driving motors installed therein, wherein two travel drive shafts are interlocked with the first driving motor and their corresponding travel output shafts, wherein the travel drive shafts and the travel output shafts are installed on the first travel link arm, wherein a rotation drive shaft interlocked with the second driving motor and a rotation output shaft interlocked with the rotation drive shaft and the substrate transfer robot are installed on the third travel link arm, and wherein the travel output shafts are engaged with the first and the third travel link arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: T-Robotics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo Jong Lee, Eun Jae Choi, Hyeon Ju Kim, Jun Young Kim
  • Patent number: 11839968
    Abstract: A substrate transfer device includes a manipulator, a substrate gripping hand, an actuator configured to rotate the substrate gripping hand about a roll axis, and a controller adapted to operate the manipulator to hold a substrate by a first engaging member and a second engaging member of the substrate gripping hand, then operate the actuator so that a first principal surface of the substrate is located above a base member, and a normal line of the first principal surface is oriented downward from a horizontal plane, and move a movable guiding member toward the tip-end part of the base member so that the second engaging member, a third engaging member, and the movable guiding member grip the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takayuki Fukushima, Shinya Kinoshita, Shogo Matsuoka, Hiroyuki Okada
  • Patent number: 11795655
    Abstract: A work machine is operatively coupled with a bucket attachment. A lift mechanism coupled with the work machine is adjustable to a plurality of Z-axis positions. The bucket attachment includes a bucket rotatably coupled with a frame. The frame is rotatably coupled with a rear end of the work machine and is coupled with the lift mechanism by at least one flexible rigging. The lift mechanism is adjustable to a first position in which the frame is rotated so that the bucket contacts the underlying ground surface and the flexible rigging does not support any of a weight of the frame and to a second position in which the frame is rotated so that the bucket is raised above the underlying ground surface and the flexible rigging supports at least a portion of the weight of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ABI Attachments, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin V. Keigley
  • Patent number: 11773562
    Abstract: A pin grabber coupler and method for locking and unlocking a tool to a machine is disclosed. The pin grabber coupler may comprise a tertiary lock configured to pivot between an unlocked TL position and a locked TL position. The tertiary lock may include a first and second shoulders, a leg, a tab, a latch, a bias member and a detent. The bias member may be configured to exert a biasing force on the tertiary lock to urge the tertiary lock to the locked TL position. The detent may be configured to exert, when in a hold position, a holding force against the latch that is greater than the biasing force exerted by the bias member. When the detent is in a release position, the holding force applied by the detent against the latch is less than the biasing force applied by the bias member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventor: Mark William Thompson
  • Patent number: 11753794
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclose, a lift apparatus for a work machine is provided. The lift apparatus may have a horizontally disposed lift frame that has a mount on its top surface. The lift apparatus may further include a first elongated member having a first end and a second end. The first elongated member is vertically disposed and attached to a first side of the lift frame at the first end, and the second end includes a first attachment point for attaching to the work machine. The lift apparatus further includes a second elongated member that has a first end and a second end, the second elongated member is vertically disposed and attached to a second side of the lift frame at the first end, and the second end includes a second attachment point for attaching to the work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hadley Stuart, Brad Lancaster, Matthew Kalus, Gerald Fuerst
  • Patent number: 11753790
    Abstract: A cross-support assembly extends between and connects two generally parallel lifting arms of a working machine. A front end of the lifting arms is connectable with an implement. A back end of the lifting arms is pivotably connectable with a front unit of the working machine. The cross-support assembly provides an axis of vision through the cross-support assembly for at least two different lifting positions of the lifting arms by having an opening in the cross-support assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventor: Markus Krost
  • Patent number: 11753791
    Abstract: A dipper handle assembly includes a tube coupled to a yoke. The yoke has a collar extending along a collar axis, a transition portion, a first arm and a second arm. The transition portion includes a distal end having first and second lateral sections and first and second transverse sections. The first and second lateral sections and the first and second transverse sections all lie in a virtual transition portion distal end plane, and the virtual transition portion distal end plane intersects the collar axis at an oblique angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Cristian Zaharia, Michael W. Haws, Aruna Kinjarapu, Vladimir A. Korchagin, James G. Jamilosa
  • Patent number: 11735466
    Abstract: An apparatus including a drive having motors and coaxial drive shafts; an arm assembly having a first arm and a second arm; and a controller. The first arm includes a first upper arm, a first forearm, a first end effector, and a first transmission, where the first transmission includes a non-circular pulley, and where the first upper arm and the first forearm have unequal effective lengths. The second arm includes a second upper arm, a second forearm, a second end effector, and a second transmission, where the second upper arm and the second forearm have substantially equal effective lengths. The controller is configured to cause the drive to extend and retract the arms to move an upper substrate and a lower substrate on the substrate holding areas such that the arm assembly and upper substrate do not travel over the lower substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Persimmon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Wilkas, Martin Hosek