Patents by Inventor Edward F. Houston

Edward F. Houston 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: 20230356990
    Abstract: Systems and methods for towing, hitching, and connecting devices are described. An autonomous guided vehicle includes an automated hitch capable of connecting to a variety of types of containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Edward F. Houston, Leung Man Shiu, Michael Joseph Goldberg, Mark David Bittenbender, William Patrick McConnell
  • Patent number: 11707953
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods of towing, hitching, and connecting devices. In particular, this disclosure relates to tow devices, hitches, and connections for towing item containers behind vehicles, both autonomous and manually guided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Leung Man Shiu, Edward F. Houston, Anthony B. Taylor, Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Patent number: 11708252
    Abstract: Systems and methods for towing, hitching, and connecting devices are described. An autonomous guided vehicle includes an automated hitch capable of connecting to a variety of types of containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Edward F. Houston, Leung Man Shiu, Michael Joseph Goldberg, Mark David Bittenbender, William Patrick McConnell
  • Publication number: 20230226862
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods of towing, hitching, and connecting devices. In particular, this disclosure relates to tow devices, hitches, and connections for towing item containers behind vehicles, both autonomous and manually guided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Leung Man Shiu, Edward F. Houston, Anthony B. Taylor, Tuyen Thanh Nguyen, Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Publication number: 20230160783
    Abstract: A content management system for customizing and controlling data distribution is disclosed. Data items can be customized and dispersed to disparate reception terminals according to various control mechanisms where they can convey relevant information to local or remote stakeholders. Data items can be integrated into existing data distribution structures in real time according to applicable control mechanisms and distribution protocols. Data resources can be efficiently used in distributing data under predefined and configurable conditions. Control mechanisms and distribution protocols can be determined based on an interested user's recognized status within the system. Design of the distribution system allows for informed delivery of essential information in a controlled and automated fashion such that users can interact with the system in receiving or distributing current and relevant information across the distribution network for others to access.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Edward F. Houston, Manfred Foxx-Gruensteidl
  • Patent number: 11623482
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods of towing, hitching, and connecting devices. In particular, this disclosure relates to tow devices, hitches, and connections for towing item containers behind vehicles, both autonomous and manually guided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Leung Man Shiu, Edward F. Houston, Anthony B. Taylor, Tuyen Thanh Nguyen, Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Publication number: 20220355630
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods of towing, hitching, and connecting devices. In particular, this disclosure relates to tow devices, hitches, and connections for towing item containers behind vehicles, both autonomous and manually guided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Leung Man Shiu, Edward F. Houston, Anthony B. Taylor, Tuyen Thanh Nguyen, Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Patent number: 11433721
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods of towing, hitching, and connecting devices. In particular, this disclosure relates to tow devices, hitches, and connections for towing item containers behind vehicles, both autonomous and manually guided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Leung Man Shiu, Edward F. Houston, Anthony B. Taylor, Tuyen Thanh Nguyen, Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Patent number: 11319174
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley H. Mayhall, Thomas A. Hillerich, Jr., Jacob L. Timm, Matthew G. Good, William P. McConnell, Robert L. Schlender, Christopher D. Austin
  • Publication number: 20220055427
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods of towing, hitching, and connecting devices. In particular, this disclosure relates to tow devices, hitches, and connections for towing item containers behind vehicles, both autonomous and manually guided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Leung Man Shiu, Edward F. Houston, Anthony B. Taylor, Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Patent number: 11167606
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods of towing, hitching, and connecting devices. In particular, this disclosure relates to tow devices, hitches, and connections for towing item containers behind vehicles, both autonomous and manually guided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Leung Man Shiu, Edward F. Houston, Anthony B. Taylor, Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Publication number: 20210039901
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley H. Mayhall, Thomas A. Hillerich, JR., Jacob L. Timm, Matthew G. Good, William P. McConnell, Robert L. Schlender, Christopher D. Austin
  • Publication number: 20210017007
    Abstract: Systems and methods for towing, hitching, and connecting devices are described. An autonomous guided vehicle includes an automated hitch capable of connecting to a variety of types of containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Edward F. Houston, Leung Man Shiu, Michael Joseph Goldberg, Mark David Bittenbender, William Patrick McConnell
  • Patent number: 10894679
    Abstract: A device for reducing rotation of an article during singulation of a stack of articles is disclosed. The device may include a torsion element, a rotatable member configured to rotate about an elongated axis of the torsion element between a first position and a second position, and a revolving member coupled to the rotatable member. An outer surface of the revolving member contacts a drive belt in the first position and an article in the second position. The torsion element exerts torque on the rotatable member when it moves from the first position towards the second position. The torque causes the outer surface of the revolving member to apply a frictional force to the article, thereby minimizing rotation of the article. Systems and methods of singulating articles are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley H. Mayhall, Jacob L. Timm, Reza Badri, Thomas A. Hillerich
  • Publication number: 20200398620
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods of towing, hitching, and connecting devices. In particular, this disclosure relates to tow devices, hitches, and connections for towing item containers behind vehicles, both autonomous and manually guided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Leung Man Shiu, Edward F. Houston, Anthony B. Taylor, Tuyen Thanh Nguyen, Scott R. Bombaugh, Christopher Robert Simpson
  • Publication number: 20200376909
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods of towing, hitching, and connecting devices. In particular, this disclosure relates to tow devices, hitches, and connections for towing item containers behind vehicles, both autonomous and manually guided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Leung Man Shiu, Edward F. Houston, Anthony B. Taylor, Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Patent number: 10815083
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley H. Mayhall, Thomas A. Hillerich, Jr., Jacob L. Timm, Matthew G. Good, William P. McConnell, Robert L. Schlender, Christopher D. Austin
  • Patent number: 10745224
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley H. Mayhall, Thomas A. Hillerich, Jr., Jacob L. Timm, Matthew G. Good, William P. McConnell, Robert L. Schlender, Christopher D. Austin
  • Patent number: 10737298
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for unloading articles from a container of items for use in an automatic stack feeder are disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may comprise a belt, a moveable lower paddle, and a moveable upper paddle, wherein the lower paddle is configured to partially extend through a belt of the automatic stack feeder. The movement of the belt, the lower paddle, and the upper paddle are coordinated such that there is no need to interrupt the operation of the automatic stack feeder to unload the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley H. Mayhall, William P. McConnell, Matthew G. Good, Robert E. Hume, Darin Dickey
  • Patent number: 10723577
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for singulating articles in an automatic stack feeder are disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may comprise a pressure sensor on a perforated drive belt assembly configured to sense the pressure exerted by a stack of articles. The sensed pressure may be used to control various portions of the automatic stack feeder, such as a belt or a paddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: John W. Brown, Edward F. Houston, Juan A. Roman, Leung M. Shiu, Riley Houston Mayhall, III, William P. McConnell, Matthew G. Good, Robert E. Hume, Thomas A. Hillerich, Jr., Long K. Ha