Patents Examined by James Keenan
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10494176
    Abstract: A front-loading, refuse collecting vehicle is modularly provided with a combination of a low-profile, front-loadable waste bin (intermediate container) and one or more, side-loading robotic arms. To reduce mechanical stresses along couplings between the vehicle and the combination of the intermediate container and the robotic arm(s), a major portion of the mass of the robotic arm mechanism is situated to the rear of the intermediate container so that a mass and beam combination is defined where the mass-supporting beam has reduced length. More specifically, hydraulic and/or other relatively massive motor devices of the robotic arm mechanism are mounted to the rear of a refuse-containing wall of the intermediate container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: The Curotto-Can, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Curotto, Edward M. Suden, Gideon Gimlan
  • Patent number: 10494204
    Abstract: A tilting apparatus for emptying materials, including bulk material, out of railcars that are open at a top may include a tilting frame that is rotatable about an axis of rotation D and is connected to a platform that can receive at least one railcar, a clamping arm attached to the tilting frame in a rotatable manner, a locking device for preventing relative movement of the tilting frame and the clamping arm, and a bracket that is attached to the clamping arm such that in a tilted position of the tilting apparatus in which the tilting frame has been rotated about the axis of rotation that bracket lies at least partially against an upper edge of at least one of the side walls of the at least one railcar. Further, the hydraulic cylinder may be attached to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Frank Severin, Frank Roth
  • Patent number: 10494240
    Abstract: A load-bearing support is provided for an industrial truck, which can be fastened to another device. At least one load can be displaced horizontally in relation to the industrial truck and can be fastened in such a way that the load-bearing support can be tilted in vertical direction, wherein the area through which the driver of the industrial truck can see at a corresponding lifting height of a lifting carriage is maximized. The load-bearing support has a rear and a front part, wherein the front part of the load-bearing support has at least one upper holder and a lower holder for the at least one load and the two parts are connected to each other in such a way that the two parts can be rotated and laterally displaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: ROGAMA BV
    Inventor: Rob Matti