Patents Examined by Saúl Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11549242
    Abstract: An article handler for attachment to a front end loader, the article handler comprising a support body and a jaw assembly, the support body comprising a proximal end adapted for attachment to the front end loader, and a distal end adapted for attachment of the jaw assembly. The article handler may be adapted to handle, install, and dismount ground engaging tools (GET), such as teeth for excavating buckets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Inventors: Bradley Darren Saunders, Bradley James Higgins
  • Patent number: 11542096
    Abstract: The invention relates to warehouse technology, and specifically, to systems of automatic storage, sorting, assembly and delivery of goods. The invention can be used in various automated storage facilities, remote sales systems, as well as automated retail stores. An automatic system comprises a plurality of places arranged in rows in two horizontal directions, perpendicular to each other, and serving to accommodate boxes for storing materials in vertical stacks. A transport network comprises first rail tracks arranged above the stacks of boxes and intended for the movement of mobile actuating devices along them, as well as second rail tracks arranged perpendicular to the first rail tracks and located below the latter for the movement of mobile transporting devices along them. The mobile transporting devices are intended for moving boxes placed onboard along the second rail tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventor: Sergey Vladimirovich Solovianenko
  • Patent number: 11542110
    Abstract: A system for managing shipping containers and twist lock connectors is described. The system includes multiple stations. Each station includes a container platform and a pallet station. The container platform is able to accommodate various container sizes and/or multiple containers at one time. The container platform includes connector changers, handlers, and gantries that are able to automatically engage connectors with a container and disengage connectors from a container. The station includes a shuttle able to transfer connectors between the platform handlers and pallet station handlers and gantries. The pallet station includes a pallet with multiple receptacles for storing connectors. The pallet station and/or the container platform may include one or more magazines and/or one or more conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventors: Steve Foldesi, William Hawke, Kyoung Shik Min
  • Patent number: 11540627
    Abstract: According to the present embodiment, a serving module includes: a tray; a main body formed therein with a tray space configured to accommodate the tray and having a tray entrance; a tray moving device configured to move at least a part of the tray out of the tray entrance or move an entire of the tray into the tray space; a door configured to open and close the tray entrance; and a door driving device connected to the door to open and close the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Chungin Jung, Sunho Yang, Eulpyo Hong
  • Patent number: 11535142
    Abstract: A selectively lowerable and raisable vehicle trailer system for raising and lowering of a vehicle trailer to expedite loading and unloading of cargo includes a rear wheel assembly. An elongated trailer is pivotally supported by the rear wheel assembly. The trailer is positional between a horizontal transport orientation and a sloped or angled loading/unloading orientation on the rear wheel assembly. The rear wheel assembly is selectively adjustable in position along the trailer between a rear transport position and a forward loading/unloading position, rearward and forward of the trailer center of gravity, respectively. A wheel assembly adjustment mechanism engages the rear wheel assembly. The wheel assembly adjustment mechanism operably engages the rear wheel assembly to facilitate selective positioning of the rear wheel assembly between the transport position and the loading/unloading position. A method of loading and unloading cargo onto and from a vehicle trailer is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventor: James Pedersen
  • Patent number: 11530092
    Abstract: A dumpster for the collection and discharge of solid waste having one or more apertures covered by perforated panels disposed in the side walls or end walls to allow visual access to the interior compartment of the dumpster to allow visualization of the solid waste contained in the interior compartment and to identify any contaminant waste comixed with the solid waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Southern Illinois Waste Container, LLC
    Inventors: Darrell Ross, Mark Colombo, Dax Mezo
  • Patent number: 11518614
    Abstract: A stereoscopic warehousing equipment comprising a conveying line assembly, a left storage assembly located at left end of the conveying line assembly, a right storage assembly located on tright end of the conveying line assembly, and a transferring carrying assembly arranged above the conveying line assembly and located between the left storage assembly and the right storage assembly, wherein the conveying line assembly comprising a conveying line mounting frame, an upper speed-chain conveying line and a lower speed-chain conveying line, wherein the conveying line mounting frame is provided with a lifting conveying platform located at front end of the upper and lower speed-chain conveying lines, wherein the lifting conveying platform comprising an electric lifting platform and a middle speed-chain conveying line, wherein the transferring carrying assembly comprising a transferring carrying portal frame, a horizontal driving linear module, a left carrying mechanism and a right carrying mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Inventors: Zhi-cong Zhang, Wei-feng He, Xiao-hui Yan, Liang-wei Zhang, Shuai Li
  • Patent number: 11511283
    Abstract: A system and method provides a supply of consumables to a processing instrument that uses one or more of the consumables for each of a plurality of processes performed by the instrument. The system includes a loading drawer holding a carrier for receiving a plurality of consumables and an input module for holding a carrier supporting a plurality of consumables thereon and presenting the consumables for access by the instrument. A transporter includes a vertical elevator and a lateral actuator for moving a lift platform vertically and laterally and for transporting carriers on the lift platform with or without consumables supported thereon between the loading drawer and the input module, between the loading drawer and one or more holding shelves, or between the input module and one or more holding shelves. A carrier includes parallel support rails for holding multiple receptacle units and retainer tabs for retaining the units on the support rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David H. Combs, David A. Buse, Norbert D. Hagen, David Opalsky, Jin Chen
  • Patent number: 11510368
    Abstract: A vehicle supported implement for handling separate loads independently, and related methods of use, are presented. The implement is configured to move a load, such as a hay bale, rotating the load radially about an axis, from a first position at a first elevation to a second position at a second elevation. It includes a first frame member and a second frame member pivotally connected to the first frame member at a joint. The axis of rotation intersects the joint normal to the back side of the first frame member and the second frame member rotates radially about the axis of rotation between the first position and the second position. The implement includes an actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder, connected to the frame members to control the rotation. The implement includes an attachment feature on the back side to secure it to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Enterprise Valley Farms LLC
    Inventor: Donald L. Larson
  • Patent number: 11505911
    Abstract: A work-tool mounting mechanism detachably attaches a predetermined work tool that includes an engaged portion including an engagement hole. The mechanism includes: an engaging portion that engages the engaged portion and includes; a lever that is rotatably attached to the engaging portion; a lock pin that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the lock pin being inserted into the engagement hole in the locked position, and not inserted into the engagement hole in the unlocked position; and a linking tool that moves the lock pin between the locked position and the unlocked position with a rotation of the lever. The linking tool includes a regulating portion that regulates the lock pin at the locked position from moving to the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoichi Nishi
  • Patent number: 11504861
    Abstract: A gripping mechanism includes a pair of inclined surfaces and rolling elements. The pair of inclined surfaces face each other, are inclined in opposite directions with respect to a vertical direction, and approach each other on a lower side. Each of the rolling elements is rollable on the respective inclined surfaces in an obliquely upward and downward direction. An opening space is formed between lower ends of the inclined surfaces, the opening space having a direction Y (horizontal) width smaller than a direction Y width of the respective rolling elements arranged in the direction Y.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Satoshi Ando
  • Patent number: 11505414
    Abstract: A material-conveying system comprising a conveyor for conveying material to a bin and a conveyor positioning system associated with the conveyor. The conveyor positioning system comprises a processor for positioning the conveyor relative to the bin. The conveyor comprises a spout and the bin comprises an opening. The conveyor positioning system positions the spout of the conveyor over the opening of the bin. The conveyor positioning system in one implementation comprises a Global Navigation Satellite System-Real Time Kinematic (GNSS-RTK) positioning system that includes a fixed base station and a GNSS receiver on the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: AG GROWTH INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Craig Nimegeers, Zachary Johnson, Chris Manning, Vishal Panchasara, Jorge Viramontes-Perez, Miguel Angel Romero-Ramirez, Darcy Cook
  • Patent number: 11507100
    Abstract: A system for delivering an article from a first location to a second location with a robot having a closeable transport container for housing the article during transport. A closeable recipient container is provided at the second location for receiving the article. At least one computer configured to navigate the robot over an outdoor transportation network between locations is provided. The robot has a robot article transport mechanism controlled by the at least one computer for removing the article from the transport container and the recipient container has a recipient article transport mechanism for moving the article inside the recipient container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Autonomy Squared LLC
    Inventor: Gabriel T Sibley
  • Patent number: 11508594
    Abstract: A substrate container system comprises a container body having a bottom face, a front opening that enables passage of a substrate, and a back opening opposing the front opening, the back opening having a width smaller than that of the front opening; and a back cover that covers the back opening and establishes sealing engagement with the container body, wherein the back cover comprises a first gas inlet structure that bendingly extends under the bottom face of the container body upon assembly; wherein the first gas inlet structure comprises a downward facing gas intake port opposing the bottom face of the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: GUDENG PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ming-Chien Chiu, Chih-Ming Lin, Cheng-En Chung, Nien-Yun Yu, Po-Ting Lee
  • Patent number: 11498784
    Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a storage array of storage locations for case units. An in-out case conveyor is capable of bi-directionally transporting case units to and from the storage array, and an in-out loaded pallet conveyor is capable of bi-directionally transporting loaded pallets towards and away from the storage array. A palletizer-depalletizer cell includes a bi-directional pallet transport system with more than one independently driven pallet transports, each with a different pallet holder independently movable relative to a cell frame. Placement of case units commissioning a pallet layer loading a pallet, and removal of case units decommissioning a pallet layer unloading another pallet are both effected at the common pallet layer interface at a predetermined level of the cell frame. The pallet transports independently index a first and a second of the different pallet holders, each independently holding the pallet loading at the common pallet layer interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Symbotic LLC
    Inventors: Robert Sullivan, Gregory Thronson, Christopher Kiley, Todd E. Kepple, Jared Ploss
  • Patent number: 11498757
    Abstract: The present invention provides a storage system (1) comprising a storage grid structure (104) having a top rail grid upon which container handling vehicles (200,300) work to store and retrieve storage containers (106) in and from storage columns (105) beneath the top rail grid, wherein the storage system comprises multiple transfer rails (110?,111?) forming a horizontal transfer rail grid (5) arranged at a level below the top rail grid, at least one transport vehicle (19) operating on the transfer rail grid, a picking/stocking station (8) for picking/stocking items between a storage container (106) and a packaging box (24), and an unloading/loading assembly (23) for unloading/loading packaging boxes containing such items, the transport vehicle (19) is arranged to move upon the transfer rail grid (5) in two perpendicular directions and comprises a carrier platform (20), wherein the transfer rail grid is arranged to allow access for the transport vehicle (19) to transport one or more packaging boxes at a time b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Autostore Technology AS
    Inventor: Trond Austrheim
  • Patent number: 11492284
    Abstract: An apparatus for translating along at least one plane, the apparatus a first support system and a second support system supporting the weight of a stage and the stage's load, the first support system providing for movement in a first axis and the second support system providing for movement in a second axis. The apparatus further having a first rotary motor engaged with a first timing belt. The first timing belt engaged with a first bearing car. The first bearing car engaged with a first linear rail. The first linear rail fixed to a frame. A second bearing car attached to the first bearing car, the second bearing car engaged to a second linear rail. The second linear rail at an incline with respect to the first linear rail, the second linear rail fixed to a stage. The apparatus further comprising a second rotary motor engaged with a second timing belt. The second timing belt engaged with a third bearing car, the third bearing car engaged with the first linear rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Motion Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard K. Brown, Jr., Andrew D. Drummond, Dmitry Y. Mikailkeno
  • Patent number: 11492212
    Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Kevin Ahearn, John Richard Amend, Jr., Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, William Hartman Fort, Christopher Geyer, Victoria Hinchey, Jennifer Eileen King, Thomas Koletschka, Michael Cap Koval, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, William Chu-Hyon McMahan, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
  • Patent number: 11492197
    Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes at least one relay module for relaying storage containers between a port column and an access station. The relay module is arranged below a port column. The relay module includes a port station, a first conveyor, a second conveyor, each arranged at a side of the port station, and a lateral displacement device. The port station receives storage containers dropped off from and to be picked up through the port column. The first conveyor is adapted to transport storage containers to an access station. The second conveyor is adapted for transporting storage containers from the access station. The lateral displacement device is arranged to transport storage containers between the port station and the first conveyor, and between the second conveyor and the port station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Autostore Technology AS
    Inventors: Ivar Fjeldheim, Trond Austrheim
  • Patent number: 11492217
    Abstract: A railway vehicle for moving material includes a first and a second railway wagon, each of which extend between respective first and a second end portion the first and second railway wagons engaged at the second end portion of the first railway wagon and at the first end portion of the second railway wagon, wherein the first and second railway wagons each include: a platform, a carriage, a conveyor carried by the platform and having an operating section configured to move the material along a advancement direction. The railway vehicle includes a connection device carried by at least one of the first and second railway wagons (and configured to define an intermediate section for connecting the operating sections of the conveyors of the first and second railway wagons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: SRT SOCIETA' A RESPONSABILITA' LIMITATA CON SOCIO UNICO
    Inventor: Gilberto Salciccia