Patents Examined by James Keenan
  • Patent number: 10661986
    Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle has a container collection arm with a telescoping boom coupled with a refuse stowage unit of the vehicle. A grasping mechanism is coupled with an end of the boom. A rotary actuator couples the grasping mechanism with the boom to enable a waste container to be moved between a pick up position and a dump position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Price, John Bares, Robert H. Doll, Brian T. Parker
  • Patent number: 10654668
    Abstract: A sweep auger system having a driveshaft with auger flighting and a backboard extending a length from an inward end to an outward end. An input of a gearbox is connected to an outward end of the drive shaft and a sweep wheel having a plurality of notches, arms and feet is connected to an output of the gearbox. A drive shield is placed around a rearward side of the sweep wheel that forms a channel that is configured to capture grain agitated by the drive wheel. A guide plate is connected to the gearbox and covers a portion of the gearbox. The guide plate angles from an upper outward edge downward and forward to a lower inward edge that is configured to urge the grain captured within the channel of the drive shield to move in front of the sweep auger system reducing grain left in the grain bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: SUKUP MANUFACTURING CO.
    Inventor: Ryan Thomas Olson
  • Patent number: 10640289
    Abstract: An automated baggage conveyor and storage system used in a transportation vehicle for receiving baggage from a passenger. The system includes a vertical conveyor, with drive motor. The vertical conveyor includes baggage trays mounted on a conveyor belt and under the control of an electronic sensor for starting and stopping the conveyor belt. Next to the top of the vertical conveyor is one end of a motor driven, horizontal conveyor. When a passenger places a piece of baggage on one of the trays, it is lifted to the top of the vertical conveyor and transferred to the horizontal conveyor. The piece of baggage is then moved along a length of the overhead storage compartment, where the baggage remains stored during transit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Inventor: Katherine Rose Roberts
  • Patent number: 10633174
    Abstract: A mobile oilfield material transfer unit includes a chassis having a gooseneck and support base, the support base including a first portion and second portion, and the chassis further comprising a rear axle suspension system coupled with at least two wheels for movably supporting the chassis. The mobile oilfield material transfer unit further includes an erecting mast assembly having a mast movably connected with the chassis proximate to the second portion, and an actuator system coupled with the mast and with the chassis for moving the mast between a horizontal position and a vertical position. At least two vertical conveyor assemblies may be coupled with the erecting mast and moveable between the horizontal position and the vertical position, and at least two horizontal conveyor systems may be coupled with the support frame and engageable with the at least two vertical conveyor assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Hau Nguyen-Phuc Pham, William Troy Huey
  • Patent number: 10625939
    Abstract: A method for placing packets into and/or out of storage with or without loading aids into/from a particular storage rack aisle of a storage rack, wherein a distribution path conveys packets into storage and/or out of storage, wherein the distribution path comprises adjacent introducing and/or discharging devices which lead to incoming and/or outgoing paths which each supply goods to a storage rack aisle or remove goods therefrom. If the incoming/outgoing path of a destination storage rack aisle is overloaded, the packet is supplied to another incoming/outgoing path of another intermediate storage rack aisle, wherein a transfer takes place from the intermediate storage rack aisle to the destination storage rack aisle or vice-versa within the storage rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Dematic GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Christoph Meurer
  • Patent number: 10618744
    Abstract: A system for distributing a fracking proppant at a well site using a support frame to position a series of storage containers above a conveyor. The support frame receives a plurality of storage container and aligns the storage containers with hoppers formed on the conveyor. The support frame can include outriggers that extend to increase the stability and the amount of supported weight. The support frame includes a series of cross supports that extend across the conveyor belts to support the storage containers. The cross supports can include load cells to monitor the weight of the storage containers and stored proppant. The width of the cross supports can be adjusted and the support frame can include an extension frame to expand the width of the support frame. A control panel is included to display the status of the containers (full/empty/partially full) and control and monitoring the discharge rate of the plurality of containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Proppant Express Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Eiden, III, Timothy Stefan, Mark D'Agostino, Scott D'Agostino, Clint Lohman, Marc Kevin Fisher
  • Patent number: 10618753
    Abstract: The present invention provides a movable platform (MP) having a simple construction that is capable of being conveyed by a hydraulically actuated skate system (HASS). The MP is able to accommodate freight placed upon its surface and can be used to fully load a trailer in a single cross-dock move. The HASS can be used to move the MP during cross-dock operations. The HASS comprises a plurality of tines which are received in corresponding support channels in the MP. The tines are used to lift the MP off the ground and rollers on the tines can be used to move the MP. A conveyance vehicle is used to move the HASS and the MP after the tines have been actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: INNOVATIVE LOGISTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Stonie Hopkins, Mark Bradley, Jos den Teuling
  • Patent number: 10604168
    Abstract: The lifter for stacked trays is a motorized lifting device for stacked trays, such as bread trays, and includes a substantially U-shaped base and a vertical frame. A moveable frame assembly is slidably mounted on the vertical frame. The moveable frame assembly includes a horizontal frame member and a pair of engaging swing arms. Rear ends of the engaging swing arms are respectively pivotally secured to a pair of horizontally opposed ends of the horizontal frame member. A motor selectively raises and lowers the moveable frame assembly. A pair of vertical rods are respectively mounted to the pair of engaging swing arms adjacent the rear ends thereof. When a stack of trays engage the pair of vertical rods, to rearward movement of the stack of trays causes the pair of engaging swing arms to rotate inwardly to contact the side edges of the adjacent tray in the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: ESCALERA, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Edward Torrison
  • Patent number: 10596949
    Abstract: A luggage loading and unloading apparatus for a vehicle may include an in-wheel motor roller rotating a wheel by driving force of a motor, a slider coupled to a plate for loading luggage, and a link, one side of which is coupled to the in-wheel motor roller while the other side of the link is coupled to the slider, wherein the in-wheel motor roller is driven together with the slider, lifting and dropping the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Yu-Seorg Jeong
  • Patent number: 10584003
    Abstract: A portable drive-over conveyor is provided with a plurality of inlets and first and second conveyors so as to be arranged for simultaneously unloading multiple trucks side by side. Furthermore, the portable drive-over conveyor may be used in a system with another such drive-over conveyor in parallel to unload a truck having multiple discharges at each of the discharges by forming a bridge in between center structures of the drive-over conveyors allowing the truck to cross over the side by side drive-over conveyors and position the multiple discharges over the inlets of the side by side conveyors. Moreover, the second conveyor is swivably mountable on a frame of the drive-over conveyor such that particulate material is dischargeable at different locations angularly of a longitudinal axis of the trailer. The portable drive-over conveyor includes other novel features which are usable on a drive-over conveyor of the same type having at least one inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Hi-Crush Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Friesen
  • Patent number: 10584021
    Abstract: Load centering devices and methods for a material handling vehicle are provided. In particular, load centering devices and methods are provided that enable a load to be centered with respect to load carrying forks on a material handling vehicle when the load is raised and/or lowered by the forks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Andrew Weiss, Robert Paterson, Boris Trifunovic
  • Patent number: 10562433
    Abstract: In a method for transporting a large milling machine self-propelled by ground-engaging units and comprising a machine frame adjustable in height by means of lifting devices using a tractor unit with a fifth-wheel coupling for a semi-trailer couplable behind the tractor unit as seen in the direction of travel, the following steps are specified: a.) positioning the machine frame of the large milling machine for coupling the large milling machine to the fifth-wheel coupling of the tractor unit or to a trailer using the ground-engaging units and/or the lifting devices of the large milling machine, b.) coupling and supporting the machine frame on the fifth-wheel coupling of the tractor unit or on the trailer, c.) repeating steps a) and b) to establish a mechanical connection between the tractor unit and the trailer by means of coupling the tractor unit and the trailer via the machine frame of the large milling machine, d.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Christopher Mittelstaedt, Hardy Wilhelmi, Cyrus Barimani
  • Patent number: 10556782
    Abstract: A raising/lowering conveyance device for a container for conveying an article includes a container gripping mechanism having multiple container support pins which are arranged so as to be capable of freely protruding and retracting. A spring for biasing the container gripping mechanism upward is interposed between the container gripping mechanism and a columnar support member for supporting the container gripping mechanism such that the container gripping mechanism can be freely raised and lowered. As a result of the upward biasing force of the spring, the container gripping mechanism is held at an equilibrium height in equilibrium with the weight thereof and is capable of movement vertically with the equilibrium height serving as the center of the movement. When the container gripping mechanism lifts a container, the mechanism receives the weight of the container, descends from the equilibrium height, and is supported at the fixed height of the columnar support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 10556743
    Abstract: A storage and retrieval system including a vertical array of storage levels, each storage level having storage locations, a multilevel vertical conveyor system configured to transport the uncontained case units to and from the vertical array of storage levels, each storage level being configured to receive uncontained case units from the multilevel vertical conveyor system, at least one autonomous transport confined to each storage level, the at least one autonomous transport being configured to transport the uncontained case units between respective storage locations and the multilevel vertical conveyor system, and a controller configured to effect operation of the multilevel vertical conveyor system and at least one autonomous transport for assembling orders of uncontained case units of different types without moving bundles of the same uncontained case unit type throughout the storage and retrieval system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: SYMBOTIC, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Sullivan, John Lert, Stephen C. Toebes
  • Patent number: 10559483
    Abstract: A loading station for a substrate processing system includes first and second vertically-stacked loading stations. The first loading station includes a first airlock volume and first and second valves arranged at respective ends of the first loading station. The first and second valves are configured to selectively provide access to the first airlock volume and include first and second actuators, respectively, configured to open and close the first and second valves, and the first and second actuators extend downward from the first loading station. The second loading station includes a second airlock volume and third and fourth valves arranged at respective ends of the second loading station. The third and fourth valves are configured to selectively provide access to the second airlock volume and include third and fourth actuators, respectively, configured to open and close the third and fourth valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard H. Gould, Candi Kristoffersen, Gustavo G. Francken, James Van Gogh, Benjamin W. Mooring
  • Patent number: 10542676
    Abstract: A grain cart and foldable auger assembly having an upper auger assembly portion with a discharge portion, a lower auger assembly portion with an intake portion, and a joint that allows the upper auger assembly portion to be moved between operating and transport positions. When in an operating position, the upper auger portion and the lower auger portion are offset from each other by an operating offset angle. The grain cart also has a hitch for allowing the grain cart to be towed. The discharge portion is forward of the hitch when in the operating position. Embodiments of the present invention provide, for example, increased forward and side reach, additional storage capacity of the hopper, increased discharge rate from the hopper, and a more compact transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ronald J. Schlimgen
  • Patent number: 10538419
    Abstract: An article transport assembly includes a lift cart and one or more carriers. The lift cart includes a main body and a table disposed on the main body. The carriers are disposed on a surface of the table. Each carrier is configured to support an article and includes a panel and at least two wheels attached to an underside of the panel. The carriers are operable to move along a surface of the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Cowalski Cegueda, Frederick Dunbar, Kurt Frohriep
  • Patent number: 10529608
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus including: a substrate holding unit configured to hold a substrate; a processing container configured to accommodate the substrate holding unit; a cover unit configured to load the substrate holding unit therein and to open or close an opening provided in one end of the processing container; a seal member configured to seal a gap between the end of the processing container and the cover unit; a driving mechanism configured to move the cover unit; and a controller configured to control an operation of the driving mechanism. The controller controls the operation of the driving mechanism such that the cover unit performs an intermittent operation of alternately repeating moving and stopping when opening the opening in the processing container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Moriyoshi Kinoshita, Hiroshi Kumada, Hiroyuki Matsuyoshi
  • Patent number: 10525863
    Abstract: A winch is mounted in a pick-up truck bed having a floor, sidewalls, and a front wall. The sidewalls each include at least one receptacle that are each adapted to receive a connector. A frame includes a beam that is held spaced from the floor and extends in a transverse direction across the truck bed. The beam may be arcuate or straight and is connected to right and left connectors on right and left ends of the beam. The connectors may be connected directly to the receptacles or may be connected through right and left rails to the receptacles. The winch is attached to a winch mounting plate provided on the beam and is used to facilitate loading and unloading objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Marchlewski, Vincent Anthony Chimento, Dragan B. Stojkovic, Joshua Robert Hemphill, Robert Reiners
  • Patent number: 10504632
    Abstract: A movement system for moving a dry shielded canister includes a stabilization portion, and a canister support portion engaged with the stabilization portion, the canister support portion including a roller interface for supporting and moving a canister. A method of moving a dry shielded canister includes moving a roller interface from a retracted position to an extended position to engage with the canister; and moving the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: TN AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Uwe Wolf, Aleksandr Kofman, Anthony Payumo Villaflores