Patents by Inventor Ugo Ghirardi

Ugo Ghirardi 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: 11780718
    Abstract: An accessory device for use with an automated guided vehicle (AGV) to assist loading and unloading of components onto the AGV for transport by the AGV. In one example, an electric motor, two lifting devices and an inverted omega-shaped upper platform are used to selectively raise and lower the component. In another example an accessory is positioned on a central portion of the upper platform to engage a pallet to further assist loading, unloading and positioning of the pallet relative to the AGV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Ugo Ghirardi, Andrea Ascheri, Maurizio Pollano
  • Patent number: 11366492
    Abstract: A programmable device (D) arranged in a production environment, to assist an operator (O) in performing manual assembly operations carried out by the operator (O), particularly during assembly operations performed on pieces (P) transported by pallets (5) in a production line (1). The device (D) comprises an assembly means usable by the operator (O), a lighting device (4) for lighting a work area in which the operator (O) works, a sensor (6) configured to detect the position of the assembly means, an input device (10) usable by the operator, and an electronic control system (8) configured to memorize a learning sequence including a sequence of manual assembly operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Ugo Ghirardi, Luca Maria Lachello
  • Publication number: 20200183445
    Abstract: A programmable device (D) arranged in a production environment, to assist an operator (O) in performing manual assembly operations carried out by the operator (O), particularly during assembly operations performed on pieces (P) transported by pallets (5) in a production line (1). The device (D) comprises an assembly means usable by the operator (O), a lighting device (4) for lighting a work area in which the operator (O) works, a sensor (6) configured to detect the position of the assembly means, an input device (10) usable by the operator, and an electronic control system (8) configured to memorize a learning sequence including a sequence of manual assembly operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Ugo Ghirardi, Luca Maria Lachello
  • Patent number: 10512993
    Abstract: A production line including a chain conveyor for moving part transporting pallets through an electronically controlled workstation. The workstation includes an implement for use by a workstation user which is freely movable along the transport direction of the pallets within the workstation. The workstation may further include a plurality of automated drawers containing components for manual assembly operations in the workstation. The chain conveyor includes front hook and rear hook units to engage the pallet for movement along the production line. When the pallet is prevented from further movement by an obstacle, the chain rear hook moves from a pallet engaged position to a position whereby an optical beam is interrupted. On interruption of the optical beam, a command signal is generated which causes the conveyor to stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Zito, Michele Giusto, Amleto Petrone, Ermanno Faccin, Ugo Ghirardi
  • Patent number: 10322877
    Abstract: A production line comprises one or more assembling stations and at least one module for carrying containers for supplying to the assembling stations parts which are necessary during the execution of a working cycle. In one example, the module includes a paternoster conveying system including a plurality of drawings for containing the parts. The module includes two endless lateral chains and two lateral guide rails engaged with each drawer. The paternoster system and guide rails selectively position the drawers to downwardly angularly rotate toward the workstation when facing the workstation to increase ergonomic access to the parts for the assembling station operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Simone Belardinelli, Ugo Ghirardi
  • Patent number: 10322480
    Abstract: A production line comprises at least one assembly station which is electronically controlled, in which a chain-conveyor device feeds with continuous motion a plurality of pallets carrying parts to be assembled. The production line further comprises at least one module for carrying containers provided with a plurality of part-holder containers for supplying parts to said at least one assembly station. The module comprises a plurality of drawers associated to a paternoster conveyor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Simone Belardinelli, Ugo Ghirardi
  • Publication number: 20190161329
    Abstract: An accessory device for use with an automated guided vehicle (AGV) to assist loading and unloading of components onto the AGV for transport by the AGV. In one example, an electric motor, two lifting devices and an inverted omega-shaped upper platform are used to selectively raise and lower the component. In another example an accessory is positioned on a central portion of the upper platform to engage a pallet to further assist loading, unloading and positioning of the pallet relative to the AGV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Ugo Ghirardi, Andrea Ascheri, Maurizio Pollano
  • Publication number: 20180214998
    Abstract: A production line comprises at least one assembly station which is electronically controlled, in which a chain-conveyor device feeds with continuous motion a plurality of pallets carrying parts to be assembled. The production line further comprises at least one module for carrying containers provided with a plurality of part-holder containers for supplying parts to said at least one assembly station. The module comprises a plurality of drawers associated to a paternoster conveyor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Simone Belardinelli, Ugo Ghirardi
  • Publication number: 20180215541
    Abstract: A production line comprises one or more assembling stations and at least one module for carrying containers for supplying to the assembling stations parts which are necessary during the execution of a working cycle. In one example, the module includes a paternoster conveying system including a plurality of drawings for containing the parts. The module includes two endless lateral chains and two lateral guide rails engaged with each drawer. The paternoster system and guide rails selectively position the drawers to downwardly angularly rotate toward the workstation when facing the workstation to increase ergonomic access to the parts for the assembling station operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Simone Belardinelli, Ugo Ghirardi
  • Publication number: 20170320176
    Abstract: A production line includes at least one electronically controlled assembling station in which a chain conveyor device moves a plurality of part transporting pallets to be assembled in continuous movement along the production line. In one example, each assembling station includes an implement dedicated to the assembly station and freely movable in the assembly station along the transport direction of the pallets for use by an operator to execute manual assembling operations on the parts transported by each pallet. In one example, the production line assembling station further includes a plurality of automated drawers containing components for use in the manual assembly operations and a human machine interface accessible by the operator. In one example, the chain conveyor chain includes front and rear hook units to engage the pallet for movement along the production line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Applicant: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Zito, Michele Giusto, Amleto Petrone, Ermanno Faccin, Ugo Ghirardi
  • Patent number: 9540181
    Abstract: A pallet for conveying pieces or components in assembly lines. The pallet includes a base structure, a rotatable platform above the base structure, a pair of vertical uprights, a pair of vertical columns respectively supported within said vertical uprights and an arch-shaped cross-member selectively engageable with the vertical columns. The arch cross-member selectively connected to an assembly component whereby the component may selectively be positioned at different heights and angular orientations to the platform and base for ease of access to the component by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: COMAU S.P.A.
    Inventors: Ugo Ghirardi, Michele Giusto, Ermanno Faccin
  • Publication number: 20160221717
    Abstract: A pallet for conveying pieces or components in assembly lines. The pallet includes a base structure, a rotatable platform above the base structure, a pair of vertical uprights, a pair of vertical columns respectively supported within said vertical uprights and an arch-shaped cross-member selectively engagable with the vertical columns. The arch cross-member selectively connected to an assembly component whereby the component may selectively be positioned at different heights and angular orientations to the platform and base for case of access to the component by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Ugo Ghirardi, Michele Giusto, Ermanno Faccin