Patents Examined by James Keenan
  • Patent number: 11590877
    Abstract: The invention relates to a loading arm assembly for a load-handling vehicle, having a main arm, having an auxiliary arm, and having a gripping hook, wherein the loading arm assembly is configured for unloading and loading transportation containers having a hook, wherein a pivot arm part is disposed on the auxiliary arm so as to be pivotable by way of an articulation, wherein a gripping hook is disposed so as to be pivotable on the pivot arm part. The loading arm assembly is improved in that the pivot arm part in a transporting position engages in a clearance of the auxiliary arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: THE DYNAMIC ENGINEERING SOLUTION PTY LTD
    Inventors: Michael Newstead, James Browne, Oscar Fiorinotto
  • Patent number: 11591158
    Abstract: A remote-controlled system and method for transporting trash comprises a carrier with wheels, a remote box having a remote transmitter and a motor, a conveyor bar attached to at least one stand, and a pair of rails. The carrier sits on the rails and moves along the rails based on its communication with the remote box. The box has a remote transmitter and a motor component that commands the carrier to move vertically down the rails at the discretion of a user. The rails are parallel to the conveyor bar and are attached to the remote box on the conveyor bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventor: Rizaldy E. Balanon
  • Patent number: 11584019
    Abstract: An apparatus for semiconductor manufacturing includes an input port to receive a carrier, wherein the carrier includes a carrier body, a housing installed onto the carrier body, and a filter installed between the carrier body and the housing. The apparatus further includes a first robotic arm to uninstall the housing from the carrier and to reinstall the housing into the carrier; one or more second robotic arms to remove the filter from the carrier and to install a new filter into the carrier; and an output port to release the carrier to production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jen-Ti Wang, Chih-Wei Lin, Fu-Hsien Li, Yi-Ming Chen, Cheng-Ho Hung
  • Patent number: 11577920
    Abstract: An object processing system is disclosed that includes a plurality of track sections, and a plurality of remotely actuatable carriers for controlled movement along at least portions of the plurality of track sections, wherein each of the remotely controllable carriers is adapted to support and transport an object processing bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Kevin Ahearn, John Richard Amend, Jr., Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, William Hartman Fort, Christopher Geyer, Jennifer Eileen King, Thomas Koletschka, Michael Cap Koval, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, William Chu-Hyon McMahan, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
  • Patent number: 11577922
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to facilitate the loading of a grain bin such that the level in the grain bin increases generally uniformly and the distribution of grain size in the grain bin is generally uniform as well. The method includes redirecting the flow of the grain from the conveyer as it flows into the grain bin. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an adjustable leveling band for redirecting the grain uniformly to a plurality of radially extending chutes. In one embodiment, the angle of the chutes can also be easily adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Extron Company
    Inventors: Randall G. Honeck, Dustin D. Paloranta, Greggory C. Phelps
  • Patent number: 11565618
    Abstract: A loading arm assembly for a load-handling vehicle, includes a main arm and an auxiliary arm. The loading arm assembly further includes a crossbeam and two corner grippers. The auxiliary arm is disposed on the main arm and the crossbeam is disposed on the end of the auxiliary arm. The corner grippers is disposed on the ends of the crossbeam. The loading arm assembly is improved in that the crossbeam is pivotable relative to the auxiliary arm about two axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: THE DYNAMIC ENGINEERING SOLUTION PTY LTD
    Inventors: Michael Newstead, James Browne, Oscar Fiorinotto
  • Patent number: 11564353
    Abstract: A crop cart unloading system for efficiently unloading a harvested crop from a crop cart. The crop cart unloading system generally includes a hopper having a floor conveyor movably positioned with respect to a lower floor, a plurality of sidewalls extending upwardly from the lower floor, an unloading door movably connected to an unloading end of the hopper, and an upper opening defined by an upper edge of the plurality of sidewalls for receiving a field crop. The hopper is pivotally connected to a support frame having a plurality of wheels. A first actuator is connected between the support frame and the hopper to lift the unloading end of the hopper. An unloading conveyor is attached to the unloading end of the hopper to receive and discharge a field crop from the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Safe-T-Pull, Inc.
    Inventor: Burnell R. Kringstad
  • Patent number: 11565879
    Abstract: A mechanised container for use in a robotic storage and picking system is described. The container includes a base openable to deposit at least one item from the container in to a further container positioned by a load handling device beneath the first container. Each item can be stored in such mechanised containers in stacks within a robotic storage and picking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Lars Sverker Ture Lindbo, Andrew John Ingram-Tedd
  • Patent number: 11535397
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an end-to-end cargo handling system. The end-to-end cargo handling system comprises a transportation unit comprising a first sensing agent, a lift unit comprising a second sensing agent, and a control module in communication with the transportation unit and the lift unit via a network, wherein the transportation unit and the lift unit are configured to move a cargo unit from a first location to a second location autonomously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Zamira A. Daw Perez, Alessandro Pinto, Richa Varma, Xiaobin Zhang, Binu M. Nair
  • Patent number: 11518616
    Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for collection of products, the system comprising: at least one carrier (8) for carrying products (40); a collection point (14), at which collection point a user (10) of the system can remove products from the carrier; and a transporter arrangement (16, 20) for transporting the carrier to the collection point; wherein the system is arranged to physically inhibit (42) removal of the carrier by the user from the collection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Pompen, Henk Niemansverdriet
  • Patent number: 11521869
    Abstract: An atmosphere-to-vacuum (ATV) transfer module for a substrate processing tool includes a first side configured to interface with at least one loading station, a transfer robot assembly arranged within the ATV transfer module, and a second side opposite the first side. The transfer robot assembly is configured to transfer substrates between the at least one loading station and at least one load lock arranged between the ATV transfer module and a vacuum transfer module (VTM). The second side is configured to interface with the at least one load lock. The transfer robot assembly is arranged adjacent to the second side, and the at least one load lock extends through the second side into an interior volume of the ATV transfer module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Richard H. Gould, Richard Blank
  • Patent number: 11510830
    Abstract: A hoist mechanism for lifting articles, such as a mobility scooter, into and from an interior of an automobile has a boom arranged to be mounted on the vehicle. A length of webbing depends from the boom and can be attached to the article to be lifted in use. An electric motor is configured to retract the webbing to provide lifting of the article by winding the webbing onto a spool. The boom has a mounting bracket. The spool is mounted to one side of the mounting bracket and the electric motor is mounted on the other side of the mounting bracket. The boom may take the form of a pivoting and swiveling armature. The boom may be releasably latched in a raised condition for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Autochair Limited
    Inventors: Martin Peaker, Tom Cresswell, Pawel Cichy
  • Patent number: 11512490
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an automated parking device comprising a frame, on which at least one movable, in particular raisable or lowerable platform is provided, and the automated parking device is equipped with a chain, part of which forms at least part of a chain deflection system. The chain deflection system consists of at least one chain piece, preferably a roller chain piece, and a deflection piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Klaus Multiparking GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Fäßler, Fabian Zobel
  • Patent number: 11504285
    Abstract: A wheelchair lift for a vehicle having a base for securing to a vehicle; a platform for accommodating a wheelchair; a lifting arm connected to the base and moveable between a raised position and a lowered position; a support arm connected between the lifting arm and the platform; a bridge plate connected to the platform and pivotable between a raised position and a lowered position; a platform folding linkage connected to the platform and arranged to contact the lifting arm during movement of the lifting arm between the raised position and the stowed position to raise the platform from a deployed position to a stowed position; a bridge plate control link connected between the bridge plate and the platform folding linkage; and a latch mounted on the bridge plate control link and arranged to latch the bridge plate in a raised condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: ROXANA DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED
    Inventor: Adam Beck
  • Patent number: 11505403
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a refuse vehicle, a carry can, and an electric energy system. The refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a body assembly coupled to the chassis, and a lift assembly. The body assembly defines a vehicle refuse compartment. The carry can is selectively couplable to the lift assembly. The carry can includes a container defining a container refuse compartment and an articulating collection arm coupled the container. The articulating collection arm has an actuator positioned to facilitate manipulating the articulating collection arm. The electric energy system is at least one of positioned on the refuse vehicle or positioned on the carry can. The electric energy system is configured to facilitate operating the actuator of the articulating collection arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua D. Rocholl, Derek A. Wente, John T. Kellander, Cody D. Clifton, Vincent Hoover, Zachary L. Klein, Clinton T. Weckwerth, Skylar A. Wachter
  • Patent number: 11498471
    Abstract: A liftgate in accordance with the present disclosure includes a lift mechanism and a moveable load platform. The load platform includes a proximal deck section, a distal deck section, and a center deck section positioned between the proximal deck section and the distal deck section. The load platform is selectively vertically movable between a lowered position and a raised position. The proximal deck section, center deck section, and distal deck section are pivotally coupled to one another such that the load platform is selectively moveable between an extended-operational position, wherein all of the deck sections are located substantially coplanar with one another for supporting cargo, and a retracted-stored position wherein the deck sections are folded with respect to one another and are located substantially parallel and adjacent to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: ANTHONY LIFTGATES, INC.
    Inventor: Ronald C. Miller
  • Patent number: 11501987
    Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes a loadlock module including a loadlock chamber in which a substrate container is received, wherein the loadlock module is configured to switch an internal pressure of the loadlock chamber between atmospheric pressure and a vacuum; and a transfer module configured to transfer a substrate between the substrate container received in the loadlock chamber and a process module for performing a semiconductor manufacturing process on the substrate, wherein the loadlock module includes a purge gas supply unit configured to supply a purge gas into the substrate container through a gas supply line connected to the substrate container; and an exhaust unit configured to discharge a gas in the substrate container through an exhaust line connected to the substrate container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kwang-nam Kim, Byeong-Hee Kim, Jeongryul Kim, Hae-Joong Park, Jong-Woo Sun, Sang-Rok Oh, Sung-Wook Jung, Nam-Young Cho, Jung-Pyo Hong
  • Patent number: 11498469
    Abstract: A tip-over prevention system for dumping vehicles includes a tilt detector operably coupled to one of a cargo body and a chassis of a dumping vehicle. At least a portion of the cargo body is configured to be raised by a piston, and the tilt detector is configured to detect a current tilt. The system includes a fluid release valve placed in fluid communication with the piston which is activated in response to the tilt detector detecting a current tilt that exceeds a preset tilt limit. Activation of the fluid release valve releases a pressure in the piston causing the cargo body of the vehicle to lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventor: James W Wink
  • Patent number: 11491059
    Abstract: A ramp assembly comprises a support defining a vertical and horizontal pivot axes and a ramp with a first ramp portion coupled at one side thereof to the support, a second ramp portion, and a hinge connecting the second ramp portion to the first ramp portion. The second ramp section is manually movable between a generally folded stowed position being disposed in a surface-to-surface facing arrangement with the first ramp section and an unfolded deployed position being disposed in an end-to-end facing arrangement with the first ramp section. The ramp is manually pivotable on the support, about the vertical and horizontal pivot axes, between a folded stowed position, an unfolded deployed position defining an inclined ramp surface, and a folded intermediate position. The ramp can be installed on a vehicle for use by non-ambulatory passengers and be disposed in a position allowing unhindered use of the vehicle by ambulatory passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: MPOWER MOBILITY, INC.
    Inventor: Stanton David Saucier
  • Patent number: 11472646
    Abstract: A grain spreader includes a hopper and spreader arms that distribute grain in a bin with a spreader cone having convergent divergent cones. The convergent cone forms a first flow zone. A center opening between the convergent cone and divergent cone allows a first portion of grain collecting in the convergent cone to pass through the spreader cone. An intermediate funnel is inside the hopper body between the convergent cone and the hopper body. A second portion of the grain spills over the rim of the convergent cone and onto the divergent cone into a second flow zone outside the convergent cone but inside the intermediate funnel. When the second zone fills with grain, a further portion of grain will spill over a rim of the intermediate funnel into a third flow zone radially outward of the intermediate funnel but inside the hopper body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: The GSI GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Shaun J. Kibbe, Austin D. Wasinger, James H. Renyer