Patents Examined by Gregory Adams
  • Patent number: 9470050
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a catwalk system. The catwalk system includes a base unit and a carriage disposed on the base unit and coupled to the base unit at one end and extends towards an opposite end of the base unit. The carriage is movable between a horizontal position and a sloped position, and between an extended position and a retracted position. The catwalk system further includes a racking system coupled to one or both sides of the base unit. The racking system includes a plurality of racking layers configured to store and support a plurality of rods and/or tubulars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: KEY ENERGY SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Derrek Yorga, Derrick Jackson, Paul Knapp, Dave Richard, Minhao Yin, Harold James Miller
  • Patent number: 9457963
    Abstract: A turnover apparatus for turning over a workpiece includes a first support frame, a second support frame, and a workpiece turnover mechanism. The workpiece turnover mechanism includes a lifting assembly and a turnover assembly. The lifting assembly includes a first driving element, a movable gripper driven by the first driving element, and a suction cup positioned on the movable gripper. The turnover assembly includes a first rotating driver, a clamp connected to the first rotating driver, and a first clamp driver. The first rotating driver is capable of rotating the first clamp driver and the clamp. The first clamp driver is capable of driving the clamp to clamp or release from the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignees: FU DING ELECTRONICAL TECHNOLOGY (JIASHAN) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Lu Yang, Xiang-Tao Zhang, Chun-Sun Liu
  • Patent number: 9452900
    Abstract: Provided are a container terminal and a control method thereof that enhance a cargo handling efficiency by reducing a movement of a yard crane to a minimum possible extent. A first transfer area 44 is provided outside one end portion of a storage lane 20, and a transfer stand 50 is provided to the first transfer area 44. The transfer stand 50 transfers a container k between a circulating transport vehicle 31 and a shuttle vehicle 32. The shuttle vehicle 32 transports the container k between the transfer stand 50 and a yard crane 13 or 14 provided to the storage lane 20 by moving back and forth in a field adjacent to the storage lane 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUI ENGINEERING & SHIPBUILDING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kasai
  • Patent number: 9445962
    Abstract: A wheelchair platform comprises a tilting platform for a wheelchair comprising a base to support the wheelchair in use and a back wall. The platform is pivotably connected between a pair of side supports in a compact construction. Actuators, such as hydraulic rams, are operable to tilt the platform. The pivot axis for the platform is forward of the back wall and above the base. The actuators are also forward of the back wall. The platform swings forward when tilting. The base may be hinged approximately half way along its length to allow the front half to be folded over for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Design Specific, Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard Fletcher, John Godwin Walters
  • Patent number: 9446917
    Abstract: A palletizing device (10) comprising a lower plane (15) able to supportingly receive a pallet (5) and a loading device (100) vertically mobile above the lower plane (15) and comprising an upper platform (110), superposed in plan view on the lower plane (15) and provided with variable-configuration support means (112) and activating means able to cyclically move the support means (112) between a closed configuration, in which the define a support for a first layer of products (4) to be palletized, and an open configuration, in which they remove the support in order to release the first layer of products (4) downwards, in which the loading device (100) comprises a storing platform (120) defining a support for a second layer of products (4) to be palletized and flanked to the upper platform (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: A.C.M.I.— SOCIETA' PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Giorgio Oppici, Giacomo Magri
  • Patent number: 9422118
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transport unit comprising a base member, a transport mechanism and a positioning mechanism. The base member includes a bottom wall extending in a transport direction and a pair of side walls standing upright from two side portions, respectively, of the bottom wall. The transport mechanism is supported by the base member and transports an object to be transported. The positioning mechanism is supported by the base member, and positions the object relative to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoichi Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 9422779
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a pipe handling assembly is disclosed. A pipe handling assembly is provided that has a pusher member, trough, and elevation feature. A pipe component is transported from a first position of the trough to a second position with the pusher member. The pipe component is elevated to a predetermined height through engagement with the elevation feature that is stationary during the pipe component's movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Inventor: Justin Bunch
  • Patent number: 9393739
    Abstract: For use in loading heavy sticks of plastic pipe into a pipe fusion machine, a pipe storage rack with hydraulically powered pipe stick dispensers and stands allows sticks of pipe stored on the rack to roll gravitationally onto a rocking V-shaped dispenser cam disposed between the rack and the fusion machine loading path for one-stick-at-a-time loading onto powered track and roller stands which enable Cartesian manipulation of the stick into the fusion machine. The cam is adjustable to suit pipe stick diameters ranging from 20? to 48?. Many sticks can be stored at one time, releasing heavy lifting equipment and operators to work elsewhere. The process requires only one operator using a pendant controller and the pipe sticks are handled by heavy equipment only when being loaded onto the racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: McElroy Manufacturing , Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Perrault, David Warren Porter, Brandon William Jackman, William Barton Draeger, Bobby L. Murray, Timothy M. Thoman, Arthur H. McElroy, II
  • Patent number: 9394133
    Abstract: A device for delivering print shop products supplied in a product stream in two separate stacks contains a transport belt on which the print shop products are deposited, a first deflection roller, a second deflection roller arranged in an horizontal plane with the first deflection roller, a third deflection roller arranged below the second deflection roller, and a stationary fourth deflection roller arranged below the third deflection roller and guiding the transport belt. An actuator jointly moves the second and third deflection rollers in parallel with a horizontal plane from a first delivery position, in which the print shop products are transported to a first stop, into a second delivery position, in which the print shop products are transported to a further stop. First and second first adjustment devices change a distance between the bottom of the respective first and second product receiving spaces and the horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Mueller Martini Holding AG
    Inventors: Jens Knoefel, Lutz Richter, Frank Sommerer
  • Patent number: 9394122
    Abstract: A feeder for flat objects, particularly a supplement feeder for supplements, having a stack compartment for receiving objects in the form of a stack and a takeoff device for taking individual objects off the stack along a takeoff direction, wherein the takeoff device includes a conveying element and a gate, through which the objects taken off the stack are led individually by the conveying element. In order to be able to process different objects with properties differing from one another, particularly objects of different type and thickness, with the feeder in continuous operation without problems and without congestion and to provide a feeder for different objects that is as flexible as possible and that is capable of processing both thick and thin objects without lasting deformations while largely avoiding takeoff errors, the gate has a first gate device and a second gate device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: BÖWE SYSTEC GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd Höpner, Ronald Celeste, Florian Hölzle, Harald Schempp, Bernd Michel, Stephan Hauke
  • Patent number: 9387911
    Abstract: A subsea payload such as an AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) or an AUV garage is lifted from an underwater location by flying a latch unit through the water to the payload. The latch unit carries a lift line toward the payload. The latch unit is then attached to the payload and the payload is lifted using tension applied through the lift line via the latch unit. The latch unit can also be used on a lift line to lower a payload and then to release the payload at an underwater location. The lift line is supported by a heave-compensating winch on a surface vessel that effects z-axis movement of the latch unit. The winch maintains tension on the lift line to prevent the lift line falling on the payload. Movement of the latch unit on x- and y-axes is effected by on-board thrusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Subsea 7 Limited
    Inventors: James Andrew Jamieson, Graham Gibbons, Lee Wilson
  • Patent number: 9388647
    Abstract: A pipe handler trailer assists with the handling of very large and heavy pipes that are regularly raised to and lowered from an elevated surfaces. A height adjustment assembly sets the maximum height that a skidway will reach when a lift cylinder is fully extended and lift arms are thereby rotated. Located within lift arms are toothed racks. An adjustment block couples the skidway to lift arms through the racks and also supports locking blocks that have teeth complementary to the teeth on the racks. A lock will vary from firm contact with the inner wall of lift arms to having a gap there between. When the lock engages the inner wall of the lift arm this drives the complementary teeth into secure engagement with the rack teeth, which can then rigidly support heavy load without motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Liberty Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Forrest L. Dahmes, Paul K. Danielson
  • Patent number: 9381867
    Abstract: An automated lift hauler configured for attachment to a vehicle frame near a rear of the vehicle. When not in use, the lift hauler is substantially concealed beneath the vehicle. During use, the lift hauler extends from beneath the vehicle such that large items may be supported by a lift hauler platform. A single piston integrated into an upper frame assembly drives a mounted, slidable bracket which moves the lift hauler from protracted position to retracted position and vice versa. The mounted, slidable bracket slides thereby moving two pairs of link arms in a scissor motion to raise and lower a lower frame assembly relative to an upper frame assembly. The lift hauler includes a series of frame members and utilizes a scissor design. Operating the lift hauler may be accomplished using a remote control or in-cab control panel or mounted control panel near the rear of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventor: Brad Robinson
  • Patent number: 9371200
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the handling of products in a product-handling installation, comprising the following method steps: a) providing at least one product on a flexible placing area, b) placing a cage, which is equipped with at least one displaceable supporting-body group, onto the flexible placing area, c) imparting at least one deflection to the flexible placing area and displacing the deflection along the flexible placing area, and d) simultaneously retracting the at least one supporting-body group into a gap created by the at least one deflection between the flexible placing area and a lower side of the products. The invention further relates to a method for the palletizing of products. Furthermore, a device for the handling of products and the use of said device for the palletizing of products is proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventors: Georg Schmitt, Enrico Pes
  • Patent number: 9365366
    Abstract: A robotic container reorganizer has a robot arm that holds a robotic tool. The robotic tool can reconfigure a plurality of articles from a first configuration to a second configuration. The robotic arm may pick up a collection of articles in a first configuration with the robotic tool, and may reconfigure the articles with the robotic tool into a second configuration. The second configuration of articles may be set down after reconfiguration. The first configuration of articles has a first width and a first length, and the second configuration has a second length and a second width. The first width and the first length of the first configuration differ from the second width and the second length of the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Girtman
  • Patent number: 9363937
    Abstract: Sod harvester stacking head and stacking conveyor configurations can increase the rate at which sod can be harvested. The movement of the stacking head and/or the stacking conveyor can be controlled to maximize the rate at which the stacking head can remove sod from the stacking conveyor. A stacking head can employ multiple pick up positions. A stacking conveyor may also advance sod for pick up at varying rates. A stacking head may include a pivoting connection to allow the stacking head to rotate around a pivot during a pick up operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: FIREFLY AUTOMATIX, INC.
    Inventors: Steven R. Aposhian, Eric E. Aston, William M. Decker, Samuel Drake
  • Patent number: 9363947
    Abstract: A bale mover with self-adjusting spinners for loading/unloading bales and unrolling bales. The bale mover includes a cross member and a pair of opposing arms that extend generally orthogonally to the cross member. The cross member is pivotable about an axis extending transverse to the bale mover to move the arms to extend away from the bale mover. The arms are pivotable toward one another to pinch a bale between distal ends thereof. A spinner is provided at the distal end of each arm. The spinners include axles secured to the arms and spinner bodies which are rotatable about the respective axles to facilitate rotation of a bale engaged by the spinners. The spinners are also pivotable relative to the axles to enable alignment of the spinners with surfaces of the bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: HARPER INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Heber M. Ramer, Ross Milton Bender
  • Patent number: 9368382
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a casing, a low port interface and a carrier holding station. The casing has processing devices within for processing substrates. The load port interface is connected to the casing for loading substrates into the processing device. The carrier holding station is connected to the casing. The carrier holding station is adapted for holding at least one substrate transport carrier so the at least one substrate transport carrier is capable of being coupled to the load port interface without lifting the at least one substrate transport carrier off the carrier holding station. The carrier holding station is arranged to provide a substantially simultaneous swap section for substantially simultaneous replacement of the substrate transport carrier from the carrier holding station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald M. Friedman, Michael L. Bufano, Christopher Hofmeister, Ulysses Gilchrist, William Fosnight
  • Patent number: 9359046
    Abstract: A submersible towed body deployment and recovery device is disclosed. The device can include a support structure supportable by a surface watercraft, and configured for rotational and translational movement relative to the watercraft. Additionally, the device can include a towed body interface structure supported by the support structure and configured to interface with and support a wing and a forward end of a towed body. The support structure can be movable between a deploy/recovery position in which at least a portion of the towed body interface structure extends into water about the watercraft and a stowed position in which the towed body interface structure positions the towed body out of the water. Coordinated rotational and translational movement of the support structure can utilize buoyancy of the towed body in the water to minimize loading on the deployment and recovery device when moving between the deploy/recovery position and the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Gregory S. Rosche
  • Patent number: 9353582
    Abstract: A well drilling tubulars bin system comprises a well drilling tubulars bin and control device. The bin comprises a frame structure, and an elevator mechanism, for holding multiple layers of a plurality of well drilling tubulars. The elevator mechanism comprises a liftable support structure, and a left and right hydraulic cylinder. The support structure is liftable from a lower position to an upper position. The support structure is raised and lowered in a level manner, or with a tilt angle. The elevator mechanism comprises a first left lift arm and a first right lift arm. The first left and right lift arms are at a first end rotatably connected to the support structure, and at a second end opposite from the first end rotatably connected to the frame structure. The left and right hydraulic cylinders are connected to the respective lift arms for rotating the respective lift arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Arthur Alexander De Mul, Diederick Bernardus Wijning, Joop Roodenburg