Patents Examined by Glenn F Myers
  • Patent number: 10470951
    Abstract: A wheelchair lift for a vehicle having a cab with a rear seat. The wheelchair lift includes a lift tray dimensioned to support a wheelchair. An articulating assembly is provided that is configured to move the lift tray transversely between an extended position outside a cab of a vehicle and a retracted position fully within the cab of the vehicle. The wheelchair lift includes a vertical lift assembly configured to raise and lower the lift tray. In some cases, the articulating assembly is mounted to a vertical wall of a vehicle cab between a rear seat and a vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: All-Terrian Conversions, LLC
    Inventors: Steven L. Kitchin, Trent L. Bradburn, Kraig James Schlosser
  • Patent number: 10468278
    Abstract: A substrate transfer method of a substrate processing apparatus that includes a load lock chamber including a drive unit that is capable of forming, between a first opening at an atmospheric side and a second opening connected to a transfer chamber of a housing of the load lock chamber, each of a first space in which a single substrate is capable of being transferred, and a second space in which a plurality of substrates are capable of being transferred, the substrate transfer method including selecting either of the first space or the second space of the load lock chamber in accordance with process statuses of substrates at a plurality of processing chambers, and controlling the drive unit based on the selected result to form either of the first space or the second space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Shigeru Ishizawa
  • Patent number: 10464464
    Abstract: An adjustable vehicle loading ramp system that removably cooperates with a vehicle mounted hitch receiver and provides a rearward directed supplemental hitch receiver. The loading ramp system includes a pair of ramp sections that are movably connected to a mounting system to provide a plurality of lateral distances between the respective ramp sections. The assembly is stowable to achieve a compact orientation of the loading ramp system relative to a tailgate of a vehicle and an in-use position wherein the ramp sections can be deployed to provide a supported incline into the bed or cargo area of the underlying vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Inventors: David A. Pendleton, Steven P. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 10453726
    Abstract: An electronic device manufacturing system includes a factory interface that has a load port. The load port may include a panel having an opening therein and a carrier door opener that seals the opening when the door is closed. The carrier door opener may have a groove along an outer portion of the door. The groove may have a cross-sectional shape of a triangular prism frustum. A hollow O-ring may be seated in the groove and is configured to engage the panel when the carrier door opener is closed against the panel. Methods of assembling a factory interface for an electronic device manufacturing system are also provided, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Blahnik, Paul B. Reuter, Luke W. Bonecutter, Douglas B. Baumgarten
  • Patent number: 10449887
    Abstract: Provided is a cargo carrying vehicle including; an elevating table 2 elevatable in the vertical direction; a plurality of rotating bodies 31 located on the elevating table 2 and configured to rotate so as to carry a cargo C in a conveyance direction X that is a direction toward a loading-unloading part of an aircraft; and a support 32 configured to support the plurality of rotating bodies 31, wherein the support 32 and the plurality of rotating bodies 31 constitute the conveying unit 3, and the conveying unit 3 is movable on the elevating table 2 in a position adjusting direction Y that is a direction intersecting the vertical direction and the conveyance direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Sinfonia Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Kato, Yosuke Yamada
  • Patent number: 10442667
    Abstract: A forklift fork grabber mechanism is provided for clamping forks to a load by applying tensile or compressive force between a forklift attachment and the forks using a binder, bolts, motor, latch, or other means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: Craig Richard Hokanson
  • Patent number: 10433490
    Abstract: A fan assembly attaches to and may be used with an existing fan of a storage container. The fan assembly includes an exhaust fan, a mounting assembly for operatively mounting the exhaust fan to the existing fan of the storage container, and a sealing member operatively positioned between the exhaust fan and the existing fan to provide a seal to direct movement of air streams created, in part, by the exhaust fan. During operation of the exhaust fan, the exhaust fan pulls contaminated air and airborne matter from within the storage container through the existing fan and an existing duct in order to exhaust the contaminated air and airborne matter from the storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Fresh Air Fans, LLC
    Inventors: Gary Trucke, Vicki Helmbrecht
  • Patent number: 10435243
    Abstract: In a racking system and a method for operating a racking system having a vehicle, the vehicle has omnidirectional wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Josef Schmidt, Dirk Degen
  • Patent number: 10426673
    Abstract: A lift platform assembly coupled to a floor and capable of transitioning a lift platform between a stow position and a ground level position. The lift platform assembly has one or more arms coupling the lift platform to the floor, a gate mount coupled to the lift platform at an outboard end, a retention gate coupled to the gate mount at a first terminus, and a mount pivot axis defined through the gate mount and parallel to a lift platform plane. The retention gate pivots about the mount pivot axis as the lift platform assembly transitions from the ground level position to the stow position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred Lewis Budd, II, Robert Earl Bettcher, III
  • Patent number: 10431781
    Abstract: Systems and methods of handling batteries are provided. In particular, a method for loading battery assemblies within a storage rack using a battery magazine system can be provided. The method can include loading battery assemblies within a battery magazine. The battery magazine can include a first and second sidewall and a traverse wall extending between the first and second sidewalls. The battery magazine can be installed onto a base member using engagement features located on the battery magazine and a corresponding engagement feature located on the base member. Battery magazines can be stacked on top of each other to form battery magazine stacks to be loaded into a rack using a server lift. Each battery magazine can include a battery assembly configured to be received between the first and second sidewalls of the battery magazine. The battery assembly can further include at least one battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Stanley Zanoni, Robert Anthony Oravsky, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10427581
    Abstract: An improved trailer for loading and unloading a heat exchanger tube bundle is disclosed. The trailer provides for the transport of tube bundles and includes seal pans which capture debris and other materials falling from the tube bundle during transport. The present invention also provides for the periodic placement of slideable supports under a bundle as it is pushed onto a trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Austin Industrial Services, LP
    Inventor: Thomas B. Boisture
  • Patent number: 10421474
    Abstract: A lift-truck having a height adjustable load engagement means and a lifting/lowering unit and a support wheel and a climbing wheel and comprising a detection sensor arranged to detect a pallet located in front of the load engagement means and in a control unit to control the lifting/lowering unit, in response to a signal indicative of a detected pallet, to move the load engagement means to place the climbing wheel at a first predetermined height over the ground surface and, control the lifting/lowering unit to lower the load engagement means to place the climbing wheel at a second predetermined height over the ground surface when an operational parameter, indicative of movement of the lift-truck, equals a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Material Handling Manufacturing Sweden AB
    Inventors: Mikael Jonasson, Markus Karlsson
  • Patent number: 10414319
    Abstract: A portable conveyor apparatus comprises a trailer arranged for towing behind a highway tractor with ramps which are positionable so that a dump truck may drive over the trailer and discharge particulate material into an inlet supported on a frame of the trailer. The conveyor apparatus features a first conveyor carried by the trailer frame so as to extend longitudinally thereof for carrying the particulate material along the trailer. The apparatus also features a second conveyor which is carried by the trailer frame adjacent the first conveyor for transferring the particulate material received and carried by the first conveyor to another location beyond the trailer. The second conveyor is positionable in a working position such as when it operates to convey the particulate material and in a transport position where the second conveyor lies within the periphery of the trailer frame during transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Hi-Crish Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Friesen
  • Patent number: 10414588
    Abstract: A picking device for piece goods is disclosed, in which cleaning of the picking device is facilitated. The picking device may include a shelf row having shelf bases, each including a plurality of storage chutes, and a retrieving device, via which piece goods can be retrieved. A shelf base may include a frame structure, chute partitions, chute bases, and blocking devices, which are coupled to a control device. Two chute partitions and one chute base may define one elongate storage chute, assigned to each chute base is a support device, on which the chute base rests and which is designed such that another chute base can be slid between the resting chute base and the support device. Assigned to each chute base is a holding means, which prevents the chute base from sliding in the longitudinal direction of the storage chute when the chute base is on the support device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMAN 326 GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 10399257
    Abstract: An apparatus including a delivery device including a tray, and a device for changing the tray from a receiving state to a dumping state; a device for supplying one or more materials to the delivery device, while the tray of the delivery device is in a receiving state; a track device including a track and a motor; and a mold having an elongated opening, wherein the delivery device is configured to move back and forth on the track of the track device in response to the motor of the track device; wherein the track of the track device is substantially parallel to the elongated opening of the mold; and wherein the device for changing the tray from the receiving state to the dumping state causes one or more materials to fall from the tray through the elongated opening of the mold into an inner chamber of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Inventor: Alex Xie
  • Patent number: 10399478
    Abstract: Truck container lift systems are disclosed. Truck containers having at least one secure compartment are also disclosed. Methods of making and using truck container lift systems and truck containers having at least one secure compartment are further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Inventors: Roger Donald Dorminey, Randall George Martin, James William Scott
  • Patent number: 10399787
    Abstract: A conveyor and conveyor drive for filling a combine grain tank includes a chain and paddle conveyor in a housing (114) that feeds an intermediate chamber (116), a gearbox with a first coupling element (208), the first coupling element (208) having teeth (230) with holes therethrough to permit the expulsion of grain from between the first coupling element (208) and a second coupling element (210) that is connected to a pivoting auger conveyor (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Alexandre C. Rodrigues, Chad R. Borkgren, Brian J. Tank, Zachary Saylor, Matthew L. Douglas, Alexander B. Lassers, Douglas G. Temple, Joshua R. Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 10392189
    Abstract: A refuse vehicle has a chassis, supported by wheels, a cab and a drive train. The drive train drives at least one of the wheels. A refuse container is supported by the chassis. A mount on the chassis couples with the refuse container. The mount is positioned on the chassis so that a floor of the refuse container is angled, with respect to horizontal in a resting position, so that liquid in the refuse container runs to one end of the refuse container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventor: Brian T. Parker
  • Patent number: 10393225
    Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a multifunction belt is disclosed. The multifunction belt includes a plurality of cables. The plurality of cables includes at least one tension supporting cable configured to resist tension and a first signal conducting cable configured to conduct electricity. The multifunction belt also includes a coating applied to the plurality of cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Richard A. Himmelmann
  • Patent number: 10395959
    Abstract: A substrate transport system includes a carrier having a housing forming an interior environment having an opening for holding at least one substrate and a door for sealing the opening from an outside atmosphere where when sealed the interior environment is configured to maintain an interior atmosphere therein, the housing including a fluid reservoir exterior to the interior environment and configured to contain a fluid, forming a different atmosphere in the fluid reservoir than the interior atmosphere, to form a fluidic barrier seal that seals the interior environment from an environment exterior to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Babbs, Robert T. Caveney, Robert C. May, Krysztof A. Majczak