Patents by Inventor Tomoaki Arai

Tomoaki Arai 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).

  • Patent number: 6602032
    Abstract: A method for handling goods including the steps of selecting a goods loading member according to the size, shape, or quantity of goods, loading the goods onto the goods loading member, adjusting a space between supports according to the size of the goods loading member, attaching the supports to the goods loading member, and transporting, storing, or exhibiting the goods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoaki Arai
  • Patent number: 6463863
    Abstract: First and second coupling members are provided between neighboring two columns so that the distance between neighboring columns detachably attached to the four corners of a pallet on which a commodity is placed can be freely changed. Guiding members for guiding an upper commodity carrying and storing apparatus when the upper commodity carrying and storing apparatus is stacked on a lower commodity carrying and storing apparatus are provided on a top plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sakae Ishikawa, Tomoaki Arai, Satoshi Ishihara, Isamu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6422407
    Abstract: An article transporting/storing apparatus is provided for efficiently transporting or storing articles that are different in size, form or number. First and second coupling members crossing each other are disposed between each pair of adjacent posts such that a spacing therebetween can be freely changed. An article carrier is removably attached to the insides of the four posts for carrying articles on the article carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoaki Arai
  • Patent number: 6343555
    Abstract: In an article carrying/keeping device having a pallet for placing an article and four props provided on the pallet in a standing manner, in order to transport any size of article while placing the article on a pallet whose size is suited for the size of the article, coupling members are provided between two props so that the intervals between the props detachably attached to the four corners of the pallet on which the article is placed can be changed freely, and the respective coupling members are coupled with the props 6 via the couplers so that the first and second couplers are fixed/coupled via the coupling members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Arai, Sakae Ishiwaka
  • Publication number: 20020008048
    Abstract: When a first article is to be delivered to a customer and a second article is to be collected from the customer, first rack components required for delivery of the first article and second rack components not required for delivery of the first article, yet required for collecting the second article, are specified. Delivery procedure and collection procedure of the articles using the specified first rack components and second rack components are instructed to a worksite. Accordingly, delivery and collection of the articles can be carried out by making efficient use of the rack components commonly used for the first article and the second article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Sakae Ishikawa, Satoshi Ishihara, Tomoaki Arai, Isamu Tanaka, Isamu Seki, Hideaki Arai, Masashi Nagatsuka, Kazuharu Yoshikawa, Takashi Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20010051079
    Abstract: A method for handling goods comprising the steps of selecting a goods loading member according to the size, shape, or quantity of goods, loading the goods onto the goods loading member, adjusting a space between supports according to the size of the goods loading member, attaching the supports to the goods loading member, and transporting, storing, or exhibiting the goods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Tomoaki Arai
  • Patent number: 6293400
    Abstract: First and second coupling members are provided between two adjoining supports so that a space between the two supports detachably attached to corners of a pallet with an article placed thereon can be freely adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Arai, Sakae Ishikawa, Satoshi Ishihara, Isamu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20010004969
    Abstract: An article transporting/storing apparatus is provided for efficiently transporting or storing articles that are different in size, form or number. First and second coupling members crossing each other are disposed between each pair of adjacent posts such that a spacing therebetween can be freely changed. An article carrier is removably attached to the insides of the four posts for carrying articles on the article carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Publication date: June 28, 2001
    Inventor: Tomoaki Arai