Including Ramp And Elevator Means Patents (Class 414/745.9)
  • Patent number: 11772904
    Abstract: An intelligent device for conveying, grading and aligning of tube products includes: a conveying and grading mechanism, which includes: a timing belt, a timing belt power unit, a swing rod, a track, and a swing rod cylinder; wherein multiple baffles are evenly arranged on a surface of the timing belt; multiple track openings are evenly arranged on a surface of the track; the swing rod cylinder is fixed on a side wall of the track; the swing rod is fixed with an output end of the swing rod cylinder; and multiple single-bundle aligning assemblies, each includes: a cross beam, a vertical beam, a stacking unit, a bracket cylinder, a bracket, an aligning cylinder, and a swing bracket; wherein the bracket is fixed with a telescopic end of the bracket cylinder; the stacking unit is fixed on a surface of the vertical beam along a height direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Nanjing Light Industrial Machinery Packaging Co, LTD.
    Inventors: Qi Sun, Zherui Wang, Yazhou Wang, Jianfeng Gu, Limin Hao
  • Patent number: 11730959
    Abstract: Apparatus for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in a user, the apparatus comprising: a stimulator for electrically stimulating at least one nerve, a stimulator housing, a monitor for monitoring transient motion of the stimulator housing, an analyzer for analyzing transient motion monitored by the monitor for determining whether transient motion of the stimulator housing has occurred, and a controller for automatically transitioning at least one of the stimulator, the monitor, and the analyzer between a standby mode and a power save mode, wherein the power save mode supports a subset of the functionality of the stimulator and the monitor which is available in the standby mode so as to conserve battery power in the power save mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Neurometrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Shai N. Gozani, Xuan Kong, Thomas C. Ferree
  • Patent number: 11648603
    Abstract: Apparatus for handling bars (31), in particular metal bars, including a loading unit (22) provided with transporter elements (25) to transfer a series of bars (31) toward a selector unit (34); the selector unit (34) includes a gripping device (35) configured to remove one or more bars (31) from the transporter elements (25) of the loading unit (22) and to release them toward a subsequent collection station (43) and also includes sensors (41) configured to automatically detect at least the number of bars (31) removed and released by the gripping device (35) toward the collection station (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: M.E.P. MACCHINE ELETTRONICHE PIEGATRICI S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Del Fabro
  • Patent number: 11414936
    Abstract: A system including a pipe handler that can include a base, a support rotatably attached to the base at one end of the support, a first actuator configured to telescopically extend the support into engagement with a rig and telescopically retract the support to disengage from the rig, and a pipe handler mechanism rotatably attached to the support proximate an opposite end of the support, with the pipe handler mechanism being configured to grip and transport an object from a pick-up location to a delivery location and a system including a pipe handler that can be fixedly mounted to a rig floor with a pipe handler mechanism rotatably attached to the support, with the pipe handler mechanism being configured to grip and transport an object from a pick-up location to a delivery location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: CANRIG ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES AS
    Inventors: Kjetil Naesgaard, Kenneth Mikalsen
  • Patent number: 11034522
    Abstract: In a stick delivering apparatus I, a receiving space D capable of receiving a stick receiving part 2 of a cart II in a stick arrangement direction Y is formed at a position in close proximity to a support arm device 63 in a stick longitudinal direction X. The support arm device 63 includes a stationary stick supporting member 64 extending in the stick arrangement direction Y and a raising/lowering stick supporting member 65 extending in parallel with the stationary stick supporting member 64 in the stick longitudinal direction X. The stationary stick supporting member 64 and the raising/lowering stick supporting member 65 have serrated receiving tooth portions 64A and 65A, respectively, and the receiving tooth portions 64A and 65A have stick sliding edges 64A-1 and 65A-1 which are inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Hitec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Nakamura, Takayuki Fujimaki, Osamu Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 10799994
    Abstract: An automatic load table and related method are provided. The automatic load table utilizes a movable loading arm and a riser assembly with a stepped configuration. The movable loading arm is operable to move billets in a loading direction along the stepped configuration of the riser assembly. The movable loading arm is capable of lifting and separating adjacent billets in a single lifting motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Advanced Machine & Engineering Co.
    Inventor: Willy Goellner
  • Patent number: 8915694
    Abstract: Disclosed examples relate to loading devices for loading bars for machining in machine tools. A disclosed example loading device is adapted to move a bar from a starting position to an end position and to feed the bar from the end position to the machine tool, comprising a rest portion for supplying the loading device with at least one bar lying on the rest portion in the starting position, and a movable transport for transporting the bar from the starting position to the end position. The transport is adapted to transport the bar downward in a downward movement due to its gravity along a downwardly inclined guiding portion, the bar being supported by a first support portion of the transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Gildemeister Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franco Rigolone, Renato Rota
  • Patent number: 8899907
    Abstract: An ejection mechanism, which in one embodiment selectively ejects pipe joints to either side of a pipe arm and method for manufacturing the same. A pipe arm contains a plurality of pipe receptacles for receiving pipe joints. Pipe ejection arms are operatively connected to an ejection control mechanism. In one embodiment, at least one torsional member and/or at least one hydraulic actuator allow an operator to selectively eject pipe joints to either lateral side of the pipe arm as needed during drilling and production operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Superior Energy Services-North America Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Flusche
  • Patent number: 8857599
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a bundle (11) of rolled bars, comprising bar conveying means (4), an inclined plane device (1) for forming a layer of bars and bar accumulation means (5), wherein the inclined plane device (1) comprises a plurality of support elements (2), arranged parallel to each another and defining a first plane inclined by an angle (a) with respect to a horizontal direction, and adapted to receive a predetermined number of bars defining the layer of bars on said first plane from said bar conveying means (4), handling means (60) for translating the inclined plane device (1) from a first maximum advancement position distal from the conveyor means (4) to a second maximum retraction position proximal to the conveyor means (4) to unload the layer of bars onto the accumulation means (5), at a speed such to prevent the bars resting on said supporting elements from being dragged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alfredo Poloni, Giuseppe Bordignon
  • Patent number: 8840352
    Abstract: A pipe handling catwalk is provided for moving tubulars or pipe to and from a work floor of well drilling or service rigs. The catwalk includes a variable height V-door for guiding pipe to the work floor. The V-door is made of a series of sequential pivotally attached segments that can extend from, and retract into, the catwalk at an angle relative to the catwalk along a guide track disposed at an end of the catwalk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Rangeland Industrial Services Ltd
    Inventors: Mark Charles Taggart, Kevin John Scott Kerr
  • Patent number: 8684164
    Abstract: A device (1) for forming rolled bar (3) bundles which allows to obtain perfectly tidy and super compact bundles, in which the bars (3) are perfectly aligned with one another without twisting, tangling or overlapping, both inside and outside the bundle, conferring an excellent shape and regular appearance to the same. A process for forming rolled bar bundles by using the aforesaid device is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alfredo Poloni, Giuseppe Bordignon
  • Patent number: 8454296
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for moving a tubular member to and from an elevated drilling rig floor. A support structure has an elongate indentation in its upper surface. A ramp assembly comprises telescoping assemblies having nested tubular elements extendable between retracted and deployed positions, thus forming a guide extending from the elongate indentation towards the drilling rig floor. Indexers may urge the tubular member towards or away from the elongate indentation. Kickers may urge the tubular member into or out of the elongate indentation, and may be operable via actuators which also operate the indexers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew Gerber, Douglas A. Hunter
  • Patent number: 8033779
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for moving a tubular member to and from an elevated drilling rig floor. A support structure has an elongate indentation in its upper surface. A ramp assembly comprises telescoping assemblies having nested tubular elements extendable between retracted and deployed positions, thus forming a guide extending from the elongate indentation towards the drilling rig floor. Indexers may urge the tubular member towards or away from the elongate indentation. Kickers may urge the tubular member into or out of the elongate indentation, and may be operable via actuators which also operate the indexers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew Gerber, Douglas A. Hunter
  • Patent number: 7819621
    Abstract: In order to separate rod-shaped bodies from a bundle of bodies, the surface of an uppermost body in the bundle is determined in a separation apparatus by a sensor, which body is then seized laterally of the sensor by a first gripper and is vertically lifted, whereupon a further gripper engages under said body, laterally of the first gripper unit. The further gripper is then moved to the other end region of the body, with the body being lifted out of the bundle. Next, said body is moved to a deposition location by both grippers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Wafios Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gustav Veit, Peter Hammerer
  • Patent number: 7762759
    Abstract: Device and method to pick up and remove from a bundle one or more bars in order to arrange them for use in an operating machine. The device comprises first magnetic means to separate from the bundle an end segment of a plurality of bars and to arrange at least the end segments of plurality bars on a plane distanced with respect to the bundle. The device comprises second magnetic means to pick up, from the first magnetic means, at least one bar at a time from the plurality of bars and to unload the at least one bar in a desired release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: M.E.P. Macchine Elettroniche Piegatrici SpA
    Inventors: Giorgio Del Fabro, Marcello Del Fabro
  • Patent number: 7736119
    Abstract: A pipe handling system comprises a pipe rack moveably coupled to a stationary frame. The pipe rack is configured to support a plurality of pipes between a loading end and a storage end. The pipe rack is moveable between a loading position where the loading end is positioned at a higher elevation than the storage end and an unloading position wherein the storage end is positioned at a higher elevation than the loading end. An arm is rotatably coupled to the loading end of the rack and is configured to engage a single pipe and move the single pipe onto or off of the pipe rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: Jaroslav Belik
  • Patent number: 7625168
    Abstract: A combination pipe kicker/indexer for attachment to a pipe launcher is provided. The pipe kicker includes an articulated arm that is operated by a rotating shaft. The arm has a kicker head that rises up from a frame and moves towards a pipe located in the trough of the pipe launcher. Continued rotation of the shaft causes the kicker head to push the pipe out of the trough. Reversing the shaft rotation retracts the kicker arm into its frame. The indexer includes a plate having two eccentric cam openings and a cam rotatably mounted therein. Rotation of the cams causes either end of the indexer plate to rise up from the frame and urge a section of pipe towards the pipe launcher trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Gerald Lesko
  • Patent number: 7364397
    Abstract: A method and machine separates profiled elements from a plurality of profiled elements. The machine includes a structure having opposed first and second ends and opposed sides, the structure receiving profiled elements extending between the first and second ends. A first separating device more evenly distributes the profiled elements between the sides. A displacement member displaces a portion of the profiled elements away from the remainder of the profiled elements. A gripper receives the portion of the separated profiled elements, the gripper moving the separated profiled elements toward one of the sides. A second separating device disposed adjacent the first end between the portion of the separated profiled elements and the remainder of the profiled elements travels from the first end toward the second end for separating the separated profiled elements from the remainder of the profiled elements, directing the separated profiled element to one side of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: KRB Machinery Co.
    Inventors: Nathan Kauffman, Stacy Lemkelde, Jan-Peter Groeneweg
  • Patent number: 7234911
    Abstract: A method and machine separates profiled elements from a plurality of profiled elements. The machine includes a structure having opposed first and second ends and opposed sides, the structure receiving profiled elements extending between the first and second ends. A first separating device more evenly distributes the profiled elements between the sides. A displacement member displaces a portion of the profiled elements away from the remainder of the profiled elements. A gripper receives the portion of the separated profiled elements, the gripper moving the separated profiled elements toward one of the sides. A second separating device disposed adjacent the first end between the portion of the separated profiled elements and the remainder of the profiled elements travels from the first end toward the second end for separating the separated profiled elements from the remainder of the profiled elements, directing the separated profiled element to one side of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: KRB Machinery Co.
    Inventors: Nathan Kauffman, Stacy Lemkelde, Jan-Peter Groeneweg
  • Patent number: 7163367
    Abstract: A system for adjusting the height of a boom on a pipe handling apparatus. A cavity is formed in the base between proximal and distal ends. The boom is nestable in said cavity and has a distal end guided along the base. A pivoting member is pivotally coupled to said boom for raising a proximal end for positioned adjacent a work floor for handling of pipe therebetween. A plurality of ports are arranged along the boom at a pre-determined spacing. A plurality of ports are is similarly arranged along the same predetermined spacing along the pivoting member. The spacing of the boom and arm ports is such that a hinge pin can engage any one of corresponding pairs of boom and arm port when the boom is lowered to nestle inside the cavity as each boom port corresponds with an arm port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Forum Canada ULC
    Inventor: Richard A. Handley
  • Patent number: 6808359
    Abstract: A method for automatically feeding the metal profiles in bar form entails gripping a set of the metal profiles from a magazine for collecting said profiles and transferring the set of metal profiles into a raised position and arranging the raised metal profiles on a movable transfer device provided with separators for separating the metal profiles, at which a preset number of metal profiles to be fed, at each work cycle to the machine arranged downstream, is conveyed transversely and counted; the metal profiles are transferred, in counted number, onto auxiliary supports arranged to the side of the transfer device and actuated gradually along the longitudinal axis of the metal profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Schnell S.p.A.
    Inventor: Aronne Miglioranza
  • Patent number: 6779649
    Abstract: A log singulator and associated method for conveying and controllably discharging logs are provided. The singulator has a plurality of rotatable lifters with outwardly-extending arm members that contact the logs with a leading side to convey the logs to successive positions, for example, along a log cradle structure. The logs are conveyed to a discharge surface, which can be disposed at a declined angle so that the logs thereon tend to roll toward a discharge position. Discharge lifters, which are configured to discharge the logs from the discharge surface, have arm members that define angled cam surfaces on their trailing sides. The cam surfaces contact and retain the logs on the discharge surface until the logs reach the predetermined discharge position. Thus, the logs can be controllably discharged, for example, at a desired time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: PSI Sales, Inc.
    Inventor: Van Woodham
  • Patent number: 6637581
    Abstract: This invention provides log singulators which allow for the vertical singulation of piles of logs fed from typical in-feed log decks, so that these logs may be fed individually to typical out-feed conveyors. Devices provided by this invention may be high-speed singulators occupying minimal floor space area. Singulators provided by this invention comprise arcuately oscillating lifting devices (“primary lifting devices”), preferably rotating synchronously in opposite directions. Preferably, these singulators elevate logs against vertically successive barriers. These barriers are shaped so that only one of either a largest log or a smallest log, which it is expected that the singulator should handle, can rest on the primary lifting devices and be carried upward at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: George H. Goater
  • Patent number: 6485251
    Abstract: A lift system particularly designed for transport of pipes from a first to a second elevated location includes first and second storage locations with a lifter component positioned therebetween. The lifter is positioned such that pipes at a first location can be easily picked off a first location by the lifter for transport to the second location. Fingers on the drive chains of the lifter offer a two-point spaced contact to each pipe whether picked off the location or placed thereon by the user. Upon each pipe reaching the upper end of the lifter the fingers return to the lower end which causes a deposit of the pipe onto a second elevated location, e.g., a storage location, truck bed or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Paul Fisher
  • Patent number: 6409460
    Abstract: A rack unloader apparatus (10) is used for unloading bars (150) having a plurality of pepperoni sticks (160) from a drying rack (140). The apparatus (10) includes a rail (23) operatively connected to a support frame (20). A motor (62) is operatively connected to a sliding mechanism (30) mounted on the rail (23) for moving the sliding mechanism between first and second positions. A pickup arm (40) has the sliding mechanism (30) operatively connected thereto proximate its first end (40a). A pickup arm assembly (103) is operatively connected to the second end (40b) of the pickup arm (40). A lifting mechanism (51) is carried by the sliding mechanism (30). The lifting mechanism (41) is operatively connected to the pickup arm (40) to move the second end of the pickup arm vertically, wherein the pickup assembly (103) is indexed to the rack (140) and lifts the pickup arm assembly (103) and removes the bar (150) from the rack (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Hormel Foods, LLC
    Inventor: Lyndon R. Leining
  • Patent number: 6386823
    Abstract: A machine is disclosed for conveying wooden piece such as logs of wood and lumber, in wood transformation industries such as sawmills. The wooden pieces are conveyed in a conveying direction from the front towards the back of the frame of the machine. The machine has several conveying shafts rotatably mounted in parallel on the sides of the frame. Each shaft has a rotating axis about which it is driven in rotation in a direction corresponding to the conveying direction. Several toothed circular plates are mounted on each shaft and extend in a plane crossing the axis of rotation of the shafts. The plates of a shaft are designed to be offset with respect to the plates of an adjacent shaft. Each tooth of each plate are spaced apart from an adjacent tooth by a distance which corresponds substantially to the range of diameter of the wooden pieces and defines a space therebetween for receiving at least a portion of a wooden piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: René Perreault
  • Patent number: 6357995
    Abstract: A device (20) is adapted to move an elongated object (21), such as rebar, from a first location (22) to a second location (23). The device includes an object-supporting surface (24), such as a conveyor; a plurality of stops (25) extending in a direction away from the surface; at least one hold-down (26) spaced from the surface and the stop. The first (22) location is arranged between the surface, stop and hold-down. A mechanism (28) is adapted to pick up an object positioned at the first location and to move the object along an orbital path (46) to a second location (23). Before arriving at the second location, the object may be counted and/or separated from other objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Columbus McKinnon Corporation
    Inventor: Peter K. O'Hagan