Patents Examined by Gregory W. Adams
  • Patent number: 10118776
    Abstract: A device and method for delivering a laboratory sample carrier from a stack of sample carriers includes providing a retaining mechanism that retains the stack of laboratory sample carriers, and an ejector mechanism including a displaceable mechanism comprising a carrier support portion and a carrier transporting portion which are hingeably interconnected. The stack is supported by the carrier transporting portion and the carrier transporting portion is supported by a carrier transporting portion support of the ejector mechanism when the displaceable mechanism is in a first carrier receiving position and configuration. The displaceable mechanism is displaced from the first carrier receiving position and configuration to a second carrier release position and configuration by a further displacement mechanism of the ejector mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas Fergus Hughes
  • Patent number: 10118530
    Abstract: A lift system for lifting and transporting harvested game includes an all terrain vehicle that may be driven. The all terrain vehicle has a back end and a lift unit is coupled to the back end of the all terrain vehicle. The lift unit is selectively positioned in a lowered position. Harvested game is positioned on the lift unit when the lift unit is in the lowered position. The lift unit is selectively positioned in a lifted position to lift the harvested fame. In this way the all terrain vehicle is facilitated to transport the harvested game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventor: Charles Laupp
  • Patent number: 10112517
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention cover a variety of assemblies that can be used for loading, unloading and securing materials for transport. In all embodiments, the storage rack assembly includes a first horizontal support, at least one vertical lift arm connected to the horizontal support, and at least one lifting mechanism integral to a vertical lift arm wherein the assembly is attachable to the rear section of a vehicle. The vertical lift arm can, in some embodiments, also function as the lifting mechanism. A unique feature of all embodiments is the ability to raise and lower the rear section of the storage rack to accommodate the loading and unloading of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Inventor: Brent Joseph Valvo
  • Patent number: 10112273
    Abstract: When taking out flattened tube fins that have been stacked in a stacker apparatus from the stacker apparatus while maintaining the stacked state, an apparatus is provided for taking out the stacked flattened tube fins from the stacker apparatus that stacks the flattened tube fins having cutaway portions into which flattened tubes are inserted. The apparatus includes a first member including a base plate and an erected portion, a second member that is disposed at a position facing the first member and together with the first member clamps the flattened tube fins, and a moving mechanism that causes the first member and the second member to move toward and away from the flattened tube fins on the stacker apparatus and moves the flattened tube fins and the stacker apparatus apart while the flattened tube fins of the stacker apparatus are clamped by the first member and the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: HIDAKA SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masanao Karasawa
  • Patent number: 10098330
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing eggs based upon a characteristic such as gender are provided. Material is extracted from each of a plurality of live eggs, the extracted material is assayed to identify eggs having the characteristic, and then eggs identified as having the characteristic are processed accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: ZOETIS CANADA INC.
    Inventor: David James Lockie
  • Patent number: 10100541
    Abstract: A precast lightweight wall panel installation machine is capable for erection and installation of precast lightweight concrete wall panels. The machine includes a frame base holding the panel installation machine, a lifting frame for lifting the precast lightweight concrete wall panel for erection and installation and at least a side hydraulic jack for lifting and flipping the concrete wall panel from packing position onto cart. Safety catch fittings hold the concrete wall panel from slipping off. An electrically operated hydraulic power unit with operating switches provides automated hydraulic lift to the machine. Rear mounted wheels and front mounted casters ease movement of the panel installation machine from one location to another. A power source supplies energy to operate the machine. The machine further includes the lifting frame mounted with adjustable slots to slot in brackets for erection and installation of the concrete wall panel at higher level platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: JOE GREEN PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Boediman Widjaja
  • Patent number: 10099328
    Abstract: An air bearing slide (20) arranged on a rotational table (11) includes a movable table (40) that has a workpiece placement surface (42a) and that floats due to pressure of compression air to be movable horizontally in any direction. A workpiece auto-centering apparatus includes: a plurality of stopper apparatuses (30) that include an abutment portion (31a) against which a workpiece W can abut to center the workpiece W, and a pressing apparatus that presses the workpiece (W) such that the workpiece (W) abuts against the abutment portion (31a) of the stopper apparatuses (30). Thus, the workpiece auto-centering apparatus and auto-centering method have a simple configuration and can perform a workpiece centering operation in short cycle time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Makoto Nakano
  • Patent number: 10100509
    Abstract: A crane-free system for moving a pre-fabricated enclosure includes a beam system and a system of coordinated self-contained hydraulic jack units, which in conjunction allow a pre-fabricated enclosure to be lifted off a semi-trailer, positioned by rolling on the system of beams above a pre-laid foundation, and lowered to the foundation. Optionally, the sliding beam system may be rotated using rotatable rollers to allow the pre-fabricated enclosure to move in a rotated direction. Optionally, a centering device and hydraulic ram may be used to center the pre-fabricated enclosure on the foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: NORTHERN STAR INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Larry Smith, Gary Pennala
  • Patent number: 10087003
    Abstract: A rolling mill coil handling system includes a downender for rotating a coil between a vertical position supported on a pallet, and a horizontal position suspended from a hollow stem projecting from the pallet. A hook carrier system includes a C-shaped hook with a horizontally projecting arm. The hook is manipulated by carrier system components to axially insert its arm into the stem, then to raise the arm through a slot in the stem and into contact with the coil, thereby raising the coil to a level at which it is no longer in contact with the stem, and then to axially withdraw the coil from the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: PRIMETALS TECHNOLOGIES USA LLC
    Inventor: Steven Spencer
  • Patent number: 10086974
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical order filling system uses pucks disposed on a pallet to accommodate a plurality of container sizes into which pharmaceuticals can be dispensed. An order processing device receives a pharmaceutical order and identifies a size of container into which a pharmaceutical in the pharmaceutical order should be dispensed. A pallet sizing and pucking device is configured: to configure a pallet with a plurality of pucks adapted to accommodate containers and to configure the pucks on a pallet in a manner that will facilitate efficient fulfillment of the pharmaceutical order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: EXPRESS SCRIPTS STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Jonathan W. Joplin
  • Patent number: 10081990
    Abstract: A kicker assembly for a tubular handling system has a moving member of a linear actuator that moves between a first position on a fixed member of the linear actuator and a second position on the fixed member. The moving member of the linear actuator is connected to a kicker shoe by one or more connecting members to move the kicker shoe from a retracted to an extended position to move a tubular out of the tubular handling system. The axis of the fixed member of the linear actuator runs substantially perpendicular to the motion of the kicker shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: FORUM US, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua Brandon Meuth, Timothy Sherbeck
  • Patent number: 10081501
    Abstract: To close gaps between workpieces stacked by a robot 2. A movable member 12 is provided to base members 11a, 11b so as to be movable in a stacking direction of the workpieces stacked by the robot. Adjustment members 13a, 13b are stretching in a direction of a stacking area A11 of the workpieces and are provided to the movable member 12 so as to be movable in a direction in which both members are opposing to each other. Adjustment members 14a, 14b are stretching in the direction of the stacking area A11 of the workpieces and are provided to the adjustment member 13a so as to be movable in a direction in which both members are opposing to each other. Adjustment members 15a, 15b are stretching in the direction of the stacking area A11 of the workpieces and are provided to the adjustment member 13b so as to be movable in a direction in which both members are opposing to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI YUSOKI KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuji Omiya
  • Patent number: 10071472
    Abstract: A system that converts fanfold material into packaging templates includes a converting machine and an outfeed table. The converting machine has a converting assembly that performs conversion functions, such as cutting, creasing, and scoring, on fanfold material as the fanfold material moves through the converting machine. The outfeed table guides the packaging templates out of the converting machine in a first direction. The outfeed table then directs the packaging templates to a user side of the outfeed table so that a user may readily retrieve the packaging templates from the user side of the outfeed table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Packsize LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Osterhout, Niklas Pettersson
  • Patent number: 10059521
    Abstract: The invention relates to a holding device (1) for a container stack (200) which is stored and removed from below and to a storage system (100) for container stacks (200) which are stored and removed from below. The holding device (1) for a container stack (200) which is stored and removed from below has a holding hook (2) which comprises a support arm (3) that can be pivoted about a pivot axis (5) between a holding position for holding a container stack (200) and a removal position for removing a container (201) of the container stack (200). The holding device also has a trigger arm (4) which is rotationally fixed relative to the support arm (3). An instability balancing position is provided between the holding position and the removal position. The holding device (1) further comprises a restoring element (7) which is designed to push the support arm (3) to the holding position or to push the support arm (3) to the removal position when the support arm (3) is being pivoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Inventor: Martin Swoboda
  • Patent number: 10060202
    Abstract: A system for delivering a tubular pipe segment from a ground level to an elevated drill rig floor. A pipe assembly system based at the ground level includes a bucking unit for connecting a first joint and a second joint to form the tubular pipe segment, a powered first conveyor for moving the first joint into the bucking unit, a first staging pipe rack, a powered second conveyor for moving the second joint into the bucking unit, and reversible for moving the tubular pipe segment out of the bucking unit, a second staging pipe rack for storing a plurality of joints, and a transfer pipe rack for storing a plurality of tubular pipe segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: COAX Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Folk
  • Patent number: 10059247
    Abstract: A motorcycle fork for a lifting device includes an attachment member and a lift carriage. The attachment member includes a first hook plate, a second hook plate, a lower cross member and an upper cross member. The lower cross member is attached between the first and second hook plates. The upper cross member is attached between the first and second hook plates. The lift carriage includes a first side support, a floor plate and a second side support. The side support preferably includes a lift base portion and a tapered extension. A notch and slot are cut in the first and second lift base portions to receive the upper and lower cross beams. A first edge of the floor plate is attached to a bottom of the first side support and a second edge of the floor plate is attached to a bottom of the second side support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: S.A.S. OF LUXEMBURG, LLC
    Inventors: Taylor R. Bley, Colten D. Jensen, Adam W. Lindley
  • Patent number: 10053264
    Abstract: An assembly (10) to dispatch bags (14). The assembly (10) includes a conveyor (12) that provides rows of bags (14), with the rows of bags (14) supported on a first delivery assembly (18) that moves each row downward to form stacks (47) of bags (14) on a second delivery assembly (34). Stacks (14) of the bags (14) are then moved downward to be moved into containers or boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: TNA Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Lawrence Roos, Brian Pearson
  • Patent number: 10053343
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting cargo within the box of a truck comprises a central platform, extending between first and second sides, the central platform sized to be located between wheel wells of a box of a truck, a lift, operable to move the central platform between a first position parallel to and proximate to a bottom horizontal surface of a bed of the box of the truck and a second position parallel to and vertically spaced above the first position, and first and second platform extensions, each of the first and second platform extensions operably engageable with the first or second side of the central platform so as to form a continuous planar surface therewith at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventors: Rodney Cameron, Robert Kuhn, Herman Martin
  • Patent number: 10028439
    Abstract: Apparatus for gathering bales that include a forward-looking sensor to sense the bale are disclosed. The apparatus may also include a control system that is configured to alter a portion of the apparatus to lift the bale based on output from the forward-looking sensor. Methods for transferring bales that use such an apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Rustin Van Bentzinger, Kent Thompson, Darin Dux
  • Patent number: 10023403
    Abstract: PA system (20) for removing pallets (22) from carriers (24) may include an infeed conveyor (30) configured for conveying carriers with pallets, a pallet takeaway conveyor (34) configured for conveying pallets, and a removal conveyor (32) between the infeed conveyor and the pallet takeaway conveyor. The removal conveyor is configured for removing the pallets from the carrier, the removal conveyor driven in synchronicity with the infeed conveyor so as to remove the pallets with continuous motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: System Logistics Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew H. Roberts, Ray B. Briggs, Jackie E. King