Patents Assigned to SI Handling Systems, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6505093
    Abstract: A method of automatically picking items to fill a purchase order. A purchase order is received and information about the identity and quantity of items ordered in the purchase order is extracted from it. A pick list is created from the extracted information a pick list, and the pick list is associated with a receptacle for receiving picked items. A determination is made whether ordered items are of a first type or a second type. If no item of the second type is ordered, the receptacle is directed to a first location where items of the first type are stored and ordered items stored at the first location are automatically picked and placed in the receptacle. If at least one item of the second type is ordered, the receptacle is first directed to a second location where items of the second type are stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: SI Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Thatcher, Allen Easterling
  • Patent number: 6208908
    Abstract: An integrated order selection and distribution system is provided for selecting and delivering a plurality of articles associated with a preselected customer order. The system includes discrete article receptacles, a conveyor, and a plurality of pack stations. The receptacles releasably retain articles associated with a preselected customer order. Each receptacle is transported to predetermined locations within the system by the conveyor. The pack stations are arranged along the direction of movement of the conveyor to receive the articles to be discharged from the receptacles. A system controller tracks the location of the receptacles in the system and generates a signal that causes each receptacle to discharge its articles at a predetermined location, relative to the pack stations. In the preferred embodiment, the system controller assigns each receptacle to at least one of the pack stations in round-robin fashion based upon the type of articles to be discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: SI Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad J. Boyd, Donald R. Grunwald, David Galloway, James Werkheiser, David A. Clark
  • Patent number: 5977501
    Abstract: A sortation and sequencing system for sorting a plurality of different items into discrete orders and putting the items into a predetermined sequence within each discrete order or group of orders. The system includes an induction station for accepting items in random succession, and a sensor at the induction station for sensing an identifying characteristic unique to each item and for generating tracking signals uniquely corresponding to the items for tracking the items through the system. A controller receives the tracking signals and generates sort command and sequence command signals which are in part responsive to the tracking signals. A sorter receives the items from the induction station and directs individual items to selected ones of a plurality of sort locations, each sort location corresponding to an individual order or group of orders, in response to sort command signals from the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: SI Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Werkheiser, Phillip N. Ross, David A. Clark, Robert Porter
  • Patent number: 5720157
    Abstract: An order selection system is disclosed together with a method of operating the system for retrieving multiple types of items stored in preselected storage locations and delivering retrieved items in an orderly sequence to a plurality of packing stations in accordance with the specific requirements of different orders. The order selection system comprises: a dispenser; a conveyor; a dispensing control system; a sorter; a plurality of stacking devices; and identifying means to identify the end of each order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: SI Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip N. Ross
  • Patent number: 5271703
    Abstract: An order selection system is disclosed having a downwardly sloped plate, and stationary and movable dispensing means both of which are responsive to a system controller of the system. The system controller has an electronic, device such as a microprocessor preprogrammed with operating routines, which are responsive to a selected order request issued by an external device. The system controller correlates the control of both type dispensers so that each of the products in the selected order request is retrieved from its storage location and placed on the moving gathering belt within a dynamically assigned order space. The operation of both type dispensers is controlled by the system controller so that the controller dynamically assigns space on the moving gathering belt, allowing the controller to service simultaneous order selection requests that may occur from one or more external devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: SI Handling System, Inc.
    Inventors: Per-Erik Lindqvist, Jeffry H. Wetherell
  • Patent number: 4817000
    Abstract: Automatic guided vehicle system for guiding a driverless vehicle over a predetermined path of travel without any tracks, wires or the like. The vehicle is provided with an active optical navigation section for determining vehicle position and bearing by scanning plural beacons distributed within the zone of travel of the vehicle, a passive ground navigation section including a gyrocompass for measuring changes in bearing of the vehicle and a wheel encoder for measuring distance traveled by the vehicle's steering wheel. Memory onboard the vehicle contains a series of path vectors which define a predetermined path of travel for the vehicle. The ground navigation section updates vehicle position and bearing as determined by the optical navigation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: SI Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Nikolai Eberhardt
  • Patent number: 4798147
    Abstract: A driverless vehicle having swivel-mounted support wheels which ride on track rails and at least first and second drive wheels adapted for frictional contact with a drive tube. The drive wheels are interconnected by a linkage permitting limited independent movement of the drive wheels through a track curve, and they are maintained in substantially synchronous angular orientations relative to the drive tube by means of a stationary cam and a follower mounted on one of the drive wheels or by means of a linkage interconnecting one of the support wheels with one of the drive wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: SI Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger A. Pyle, Per E. Lindovist
  • Patent number: 4718350
    Abstract: A driverless vehicle is provided with support wheels on one side and drive wheels on the opposite side. The drive wheels perform the dual function of supporting one side of the body and propelling the vehicle by frictional contact with a drive shaft. The drive wheels are coupled together for oscillation about a vertical axis and are biased to a drive position. The vehicle body is provided with a cam for causing accumulation upon contact with another vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: SI Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Jacoby, Per E. Lindqvist
  • Patent number: 4691641
    Abstract: An accumulation system for driverless vehicles of the type which are propelled along a track by contact between the drive wheel and a rotating drive shaft. Accumulation being caused by contact between a swing arm extended from the front end of a driverless vehicle. The swing arm pivots towards the front end of the driverless vehicle causing a corresponding rotation of the drive wheel with respect to the rotating drive shaft. The change in position of the drive wheels with respect to the axis of the drive shaft causes a deceleration of the driverless vehicle and/or accumulation of the vehicle with respect to the adjacent driverless vehicle on the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: SI Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Rohrbach, William Benzak
  • Patent number: 4664036
    Abstract: A conveyor system for driverless vehicles includes a channel-shaped track adapted to be mounted in a floor. The track has at least one curved section. Along the inner leg of the curved section, there is provided a polymeric plastic liner which is characterized by a low friction and high abrasion resistance. The liner is adapted to contact a side face of a chain disposed within the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: SI Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Hajcak, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4646649
    Abstract: A driverless vehicle, propelled by a longitudinal drive shaft, is provided with a load supporting substrate coupled to the vehicle body by a floating mount which permits the substrate to be moved relative to the body in a limited manner. A precision locator for use with said vehicle orientates the substrate in three directions, namely fore-aft, transversely, and vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: SI Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Thatcher, Per E. Lindquist
  • Patent number: 4628823
    Abstract: The speed of a driverless vehicle is controlled along the length of the module from an incoming high speed to an outgoing low speed or vice versa. The module includes first, second and third aligned drive tubes between tracks adapted to support a vehicle. A first motor is coupled to the first drive tube for driving the same at a first (high) speed. The second drive motor is coupled to the third drive tube for driving the same at a second (low) speed. The second drive tube is maintained out of mechanical engagement with the first and third drive tubes. A variable speed motor is coupled to the second drive tube to drive the second tube between the first (high) and second (low) speeds, independently of the first and second motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: SI Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund L. Mangan, Barry Conklin
  • Patent number: 4620280
    Abstract: An intelligent driverless vehicle rolls on a track and has a pair of drive wheels which engage with a rotating drive shaft. The angular position of the drive wheels relative to the drive shaft determines the speed of the vehicle. Each vehicle has a microcomputer associated therewith, a position encoder for supplying information regarding the position of the vehicle to the microcomputer, an angular position encoder for providing information regarding the angular position of the drive wheels to the microcomputer for the computation of vehicle speed, and a drive wheel control means and associated linkage for changing the angular position of the drive wheels and thus vehicle speed in response to commands from the onboard microcomputer. The microcomputer communicates with a central computer via a bidirectional communications link. The central computer controls the speed and acceleration of each vehicle by selectively communicating with the microcomputers on board the vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: SI Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry C. Conklin
  • Patent number: 4619204
    Abstract: A driverless tugger vehicle is adapted to shuttle back and forth and push or pull another driverless vehicle each time it moves in a forward direction. The tugger vehicle is propelled by frictional contact between a drive wheel and a drive shaft with the drive wheel being mounted for pivotable movement through an arc of approximately 90 degrees so that the vehicle may reciprocate in opposite directions without changing the direction of rotation of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: SI Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Per E. Lindquist
  • Patent number: 4612861
    Abstract: A driverless tugger vehicle adapted to contact another driverless vehicle and push or pull the latter to a source of power includes a body having support wheels for riding on tracks. The body has a drive wheel adapted for frictional contact with a drive shaft. A contact member on the body is provided for pushing or pulling the other driverless vehicle. A switch actuator is provided on the body for initiating reversal of direction of movement of the body when the contact member is coupled to said other driverless vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Si Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Per E. Lindquist
  • Patent number: 4603639
    Abstract: The device controls the speed of a driverless vehicle by way of a cam having an acceleration surface and a deceleration surface for contact with a cam follower on the driverless vehicle. The cam is mounted for reciprocation in a horizontal direction between an operative position wherein the deceleration surface will cause a driverless vehicle to stop and an inoperative position wherein the cam will not cause such vehicle to stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: SI Handling Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Craig F. Sleep
  • Patent number: 4603720
    Abstract: A drive wheel for driverless vehicle has a tire portion. The tire portion has discrete recesses for enabling the tire portion to be frictionally driven by a drive shaft whose surface is wet or oily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: SI Handling Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Jacoby
  • Patent number: 4597334
    Abstract: A turntable for driverless vehicles rides on a horizontally disposed circular rail and is pivotable about a vertical axis through an arc of 90.degree.. A vertical shaft is connected at its upper end to the table by way of a universal coupling. A motor is connected to the shaft to pivot the shaft. The turntable is particularly adapted for use at a T junction of a system having a closed loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: SI Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Jacoby
  • Patent number: 4596326
    Abstract: An inclined ramp is provided with a bed mounted for pivotable movement about an axis transverse to the ramp. The bed has upstream and downstream portions forming between them an obtuse angle. The upstream portion is provided with a cavity through which a pivotable, shock mounted stop arm extends for easing roll contact with the bed. Motor means is provided for pivoting the stop arm and the bed so that rolls may be fed one at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Assignee: SI Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Yautz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4583462
    Abstract: A driverless vehicle has a platform mounted on support wheels for riding on rails. First and second drive wheels adapted for frictional contact with a drive tube are provided on the vehicle. The drive wheels are supported on opposite sides of a longitudinal center line for alternative use depending upon the direction of movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: SI Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Hale