Patents Assigned to Workhorse Group Inc.
  • Patent number: 11572004
    Abstract: A land vehicle includes a frame structure, a plurality of wheels supported by the frame structure, and a body supported by the frame structure. The frame structure includes an operator cage that at least partially defines an operator cabin and a rear compartment positioned rearward of the operator cage in a longitudinal direction. The body includes a first sidewall arranged on one side of the vehicle and a second sidewall arranged on another side of the vehicle opposite the first sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Willison, Donald L. Wires, Gary Cain
  • Patent number: 11538347
    Abstract: A UAV delivery control system is disclosed. Sensors detect operation parameters associated with the UAV as the UAV maneuvers along an airborne delivery route. A UAV operation controller monitors UAV route parameters as the UAV maneuvers along the airborne delivery route. The UAV route parameters are indicative as to a current environment of the airborne delivery route that the UAV is encountering. The UAV operation controller automatically adjusts the operation of the UAV to maintain the operation of the UAV within an operation threshold based on the operation parameters and the UAV route parameters. The operation threshold is the operation of the UAV that is maintained within an overall airborne operation radius of the UAV from a return destination thereby enabling the UAV to execute the delivery of the package along the airborne delivery route and to return to the return destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Ratajczak, Scott Wilson, Wei Wei, Thaddeus M. Bort, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11520357
    Abstract: Methods and associated systems for autonomous package delivery utilize a UAS/UAV, an infrared positioning senor, and a docking station integrated with a package delivery vehicle. The UAS/UAV accepts a package for delivery from the docking station on the delivery vehicle and uploads the delivery destination. The UAS/UAV autonomously launches from its docked position on the delivery vehicle. The UAS/UAV autonomously flies to the delivery destination by means of GPS navigation. The UAS/UAV is guided in final delivery by means of a human supervised live video feed from the UAS/UAV. The UAS/UAV is assisted in the descent and delivery of the parcel by precision sensors and if necessary by means of remote human control. The UAS/UAV autonomously returns to the delivery vehicle by means of GPS navigation and precision sensors. The UAS/UAV autonomously docks with the delivery vehicle for recharging and preparation for the next delivery sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventors: Elliot T. Bokeno, Thaddeus M. Bort, Jr., Stephen S. Burns, Martin Rucidlo, Wei Wei, Donald L. Wires
  • Patent number: 11498701
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, a line having one end coupled to the chassis and an opposite free end, wherein the free end is positioned below the chassis, and a severing mechanism operable to sever the line under control of the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Ratajczak, Wei Wei, Haonan Zhang, Thaddeus Bort
  • Patent number: 11485215
    Abstract: Land vehicles and methods of operating land vehicles are disclosed. A land vehicle includes a frame structure, a plurality of wheels, and a plurality of electric motors. The frame structure includes a front cage that at least partially defines an operator cabin and a rear compartment positioned rearward of the front cage in a longitudinal direction. The plurality of wheels are supported by the frame structure. The plurality of wheels includes a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels positioned rearward of the pair of front wheels in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Willison, Donald L. Wires, Gary Cain
  • Patent number: 11485518
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Ratajczak, Wei Wei, Haonan Zhang, Thaddeus Bort
  • Patent number: 11479301
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, land vehicles are provided as delivery vehicles and/or utility vehicles. A land vehicle includes a frame structure having a front cage that defines an operator cabin and a rear floor positioned rearward of the front cage. The frame structure supports a plurality of wheels to permit movement of the vehicle relative to an underlying surface in use of the land vehicle. An underside of the frame structure is disposed in confronting relation with the underlying surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventor: Donald L. Wires
  • Patent number: 11472485
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, an electric vehicle includes a front cage, a rear floor, an intermediate section, a utility cabinet, and a flatbed. In other embodiments, an electric vehicle includes a front cage, a rear floor, an intermediate section, and a flatbed. In some embodiments, the front cage at least partially defines an operator cabin, the rear floor is positioned rearward of the front cage in a longitudinal direction, and the intermediate section is disposed at least partially between the front cage and the rear floor in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Willison
  • Patent number: 11472484
    Abstract: Land vehicles, modular systems for forming monocoques of land vehicles, and methods of forming monocoques of land vehicles using modular systems are envisioned. In certain embodiments, the land vehicles are provided as delivery vehicles and/or utility vehicles. A land vehicle includes a monocoque supporting a plurality of wheels to permit movement of the vehicle relative to an underlying surface in use of the land vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Willison
  • Patent number: 11472572
    Abstract: An example charging station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the charging station generally including a nest and a charging device. The nest includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion defines an upper opening sized and shaped to receive a landing apparatus of the UAV, and a diameter of the nest reduces from a first diameter at the upper opening to a second diameter at the lower portion. The charging device is mounted in the nest, and includes a first contact pad and a second contact pad. The charging device is configured to apply a voltage differential across the first contact pad and the second contact pad such that the charging station is operable to charge a power supply of the UAV via the landing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Ratajczak, Wei Wei, Haonan Zhang, Thaddeus Bort, Scott Wilson
  • Patent number: 11440456
    Abstract: Land vehicles are disclosed. A land vehicle includes a frame structure, a plurality of wheels supported by the frame structure, and a body supported by the frame structure. The frame structure includes an operator cage that at least partially defines an operator cabin and a rear compartment positioned rearward of the operator cage in a longitudinal direction. The body includes a first sidewall arranged on one side of the vehicle and a second sidewall arranged on another side of the vehicle opposite the first sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Willison, Donald L. Wires, Gary Cain
  • Patent number: 11440590
    Abstract: Land vehicles are disclosed. A land vehicle includes a frame structure, a plurality of wheels, and an impact management system. The frame structure includes an operator cage that at least partially defines an operator cabin and a rear compartment positioned rearward of the operator cage in a longitudinal direction. The frame structure includes a pair of rails that each extends in the longitudinal direction from a first end arranged adjacent a pair of front wheels to a second end arranged adjacent a pair of rear wheels. The plurality of wheels are supported by the frame structure. The plurality of wheels includes the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels. The pair of front wheels are positioned forward of the pair of rear wheels in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Willison, Donald L. Wires, Gary Cain
  • Patent number: 11407527
    Abstract: A method according to certain embodiments generally involves operating a system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a base station. The base station includes a nest including an upper opening having an upper opening diameter and a lower opening having a lower opening diameter less than the upper opening diameter. The lower opening is accessible from within the base station. The method generally includes landing the UAV within the nest such that a portion of the UAV is accessible via the lower opening, releasably attaching a load to the UAV, and operating the UAV to deliver the load to a destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Ratajczak, Wei Wei, Haonan Zhang, Thaddeus Bort, Scott Wilson
  • Patent number: 11400982
    Abstract: Land vehicles, modular systems for forming monocoques of land vehicles, and methods of forming monocoques of land vehicles using modular systems are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the land vehicles are provided as delivery vehicles and/or utility vehicles. A land vehicle includes a monocoque supporting a plurality of wheels to permit movement of the vehicle relative to an underlying surface in use of the land vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Willison
  • Patent number: 11383859
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Ratajczak, Wei Wei, Haonan Zhang, Thaddeus Bort
  • Patent number: 11383715
    Abstract: An electric delivery truck control system is disclosed. Sensors detect operation parameters associated with the electric delivery truck as the electric delivery truck maneuvers along the roadway. An electric delivery truck control unit detects electric delivery truck control inputs associated with an operation of the electric delivery truck. The electric delivery truck control inputs are generated from an operation of the electric delivery truck. An operation parameter controller automatically adjusts the operation of the electric delivery truck as the electric delivery truck maneuvers along the roadway to maintain the operation of the electric delivery truck within an operation threshold based on the detected driving parameters and the electric delivery truck control inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Willison, Donald L. Wires, Richard E. Bastien
  • Patent number: 11338859
    Abstract: Land vehicles, powertrain units for land vehicles, and methods of using land vehicles are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the land vehicles are provided as delivery vehicles and/or utility vehicles. A land vehicle includes a frame structure having a front cage that defines an operator cabin and a rear floor positioned rearward of the front cage. The frame structure supports a plurality of wheels to permit movement of the vehicle relative to an underlying surface in use of the land vehicle. An underside of the frame structure is disposed in confronting relation with the underlying surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventor: Donald L. Wires
  • Patent number: 11332264
    Abstract: A method according to certain embodiments generally involves operating a system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a base station. The base station includes a nest including an upper opening having an upper opening diameter and a lower opening having a lower opening diameter less than the upper opening diameter. The lower opening is accessible from within the base station. The method generally includes landing the UAV within the nest such that a portion of the UAV is accessible via the lower opening, releasably attaching a load to the UAV, and operating the UAV to deliver the load to a destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Ratajczak, Wei Wei, Haonan Zhang, Thaddeus Bort, Scott Wilson
  • Patent number: 11299208
    Abstract: Land vehicles, modular systems for forming monocoques of land vehicles, and methods of forming monocoques of land vehicles using modular systems are disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the land vehicles are provided as delivery vehicles and/or utility vehicles. A land vehicle includes a monocoque supporting a plurality of wheels to permit movement of the vehicle relative to an underlying surface in use of the land vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Willison
  • Patent number: D945327
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Willison, Donald L. Wires, Richard E. Bastien