Patents Examined by Jonathan Snelting
  • Patent number: 11634307
    Abstract: A tire lifting assembly used to remove and replace a wheel and a tire on a vehicle is disclosed. The tire lifting assembly is configured to take the weight of the wheel and the tire when the service technician removes or replaces it thereby eliminating the need for manual efforts from a service technician. The assembly is rolled under the mounted wheel and tire and quickly adjusted to secure the wheel and tire by using a roller platform. A scissor jack mechanism is used to adjust the height of the roller platform which allows the rotation of the tire during the mounting procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Inventor: Kenneth Lee Edwards, Sr.
  • Patent number: 11631605
    Abstract: A semiconductor processing system includes a first component and a second component. The first component forms a first chamber with a first sealed environment at a first state within the first chamber. The second component is coupled to the first component. The second component forms a second chamber with a second sealed environment at a second state within the second chamber. A third component is to change the first state of the first sealed environment within the first chamber to cause the first state to be substantially similar to the second state of the second sealed environment within the second chamber. The second sealed environment is at the second state prior to changing of the first state of the first sealed environment to be substantially similar to the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Rice, Jeffrey C. Hudgens
  • Patent number: 11628849
    Abstract: A lift system for an automated storage system of the type where storage containers are stacked in storage columns arranged in a grid, and where automated container handling vehicles retrieve and replace containers from a top level of the grid. The lift system has a platform vertically movable adjacent to a face of the grid, arranged for receiving and transporting one or more containers. A dedicated mechanical device is arranged for grabbing, lifting and moving the storage containers from a staging area at the top of the grid and placing containers on the platform and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Autostore Technology AS
    Inventor: Trond Austrheim
  • Patent number: 11629008
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of vertical automatic storage cabinets and provides a vertical automatic storage cabinet that comprises: a cabinet body; storage racks; a grasping structure and a conveying structure. In the present vertical automatic storage cabinet, at least two storage racks are provided to be spaced apart in the height direction of the cabinet body, and the grasping structure is located in the area between the two storage racks. When in use, the storage boxes on both the upper and lower sides can be taken off the mounting rack, then can be transferred to the conveying structure, and the storage boxes can be conveyed to the outside of the cabinet body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: BEIJING ZHONGKE WENCHANG INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CO
    Inventors: Xuehai Cui, Gang Liu
  • Patent number: 11623829
    Abstract: A storage bin sweep system including a sweep assembly having an inboard end, an outboard end, a forward side and a rearward side and including a sweep housing extending between the inboard and outboard ends, a plurality of paddles movable on a path extending along at least a portion of the sweep assembly between the inboard and outboard ends, and an endless loop member mounted on the sweep housing and on which the plurality of paddles are mounted at spaced locations along the endless loop member. At least one of the paddles may have a front surface contoured in a manner to urge particles located forward of the paddle toward the rearward side of the sweep assembly as the paddle moves toward the inboard end of the sweep assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Sioux Steel Company
    Inventors: Brent J. Bloemendaal, Brian Schuelke
  • Patent number: 11608193
    Abstract: Provided is a system including a platform to receive unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) thereon for launching and retrieving the UAVs. The system can include a pair of gantry arms that move to any location along the platform to position a UAV as desired. The platform includes a door that can open to expose a storage area in the system to receive and store UAVs, as well as to re-charge power in the UAVs. The storage area can include a plurality of cells that can be adjusted to receive a UAV of any size for storage therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventors: Brandon Borko, Dan Carrier, Felipe Melivilu
  • Patent number: 11603260
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for shipping of fabricated rectangular wooden modules used for construction of a wood frame structure and for shipping of other bulky items are described. In particular, the disclosure features a modified shipping container for shipping the fabricated rectangular wooden modules and methods of loading, transporting, and unloading the fabricated rectangular wooden modules. The modified shipping container features a removable header system and a removable cover. The fabricated rectangular wooden modules include a module length axis, a module width axis, a bounded wood perimeter, and joists or rafters oriented perpendicularly to the module length axis, and are stacked as cargo in the interior of the container such that joists or rafters of the fabricated rectangular wooden modules are substantially vertical and the length axes of the modules are substantially parallel to a length axis of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Agorus, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Tompane, Garrett Moore
  • Patent number: 11597597
    Abstract: The present invention relates to automated storage and retrieval system comprising: a track system comprising a first set of parallel tracks arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel tracks arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, which first and second sets of tracks form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane comprising a plurality of adjacent grid cells, each comprising a grid opening defined by a pair of adjacent tracks of the first set of tracks and a pair of adjacent tracks of the second set of tracks; a plurality of stacks of storage containers arranged in storage columns located beneath the track system, wherein each storage column is located vertically below a grid opening; a plurality of container handling vehicles for lifting and moving storage containers stacked in the stacks, the container handling vehicles being configured to move laterally on the track system above the s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Autostore Technology AS
    Inventors: Trond Austrheim, Ivar Fjeldheim, Ingvar Fagerland
  • Patent number: 11597595
    Abstract: An article storage facility includes: storage compartments, each including a first storage spot configured to store a first article; and a second storage spot configured to store the first article; a first transportation mechanism including a first support configured to support and transport the first article, the first transportation mechanism being configured to transport the first article between: each one of the first and the second storage spots; and a first support spot where the first article is supported by the first support; a second transportation mechanism including a second support configured to support and transport the first article, the second transportation mechanism being configured to transport the first article between: each one of the first and the second storage spots; and a second support spot where the first article is supported by the second support; and a controller configured to control transportation of the first article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: DAIFUKU CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Haruhito Furuya
  • Patent number: 11572230
    Abstract: The parcel distributor is a modular set with additional storage module in the form of a ceiling box set on a corner box to which it is rigidly connected and coupled by a cantilever lift mounted in a vertical shaft formed in the support rack frames in both boxes. In each module, between their cantilever racks, there is an electrically driven Cartesian manipulator. On the Cartesian manipulator trolley, there is a grabbing mechanism for taking trays from the front or rear cantilever rack. The window for sending and collecting parcels in the distributor is a locker, preferably in the operating panel, which has an electrically lifted lock cooperating with a ratchet lock and limit switches blocking its lower position when the locker door is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Retail Robotics Manufacturing & Services Sp. z o.o.
    Inventors: Lukasz Nowinski, Aleksander Gruca, Piotr Dawidczyk, Julian Kozankiewicz
  • Patent number: 11572231
    Abstract: The present invention provides a storage system comprising a storage grid comprising vertical column profiles defining a plurality of grid columns, the grid columns comprise storage columns, in which storage containers can be stored one on top of another in vertical stacks, the storage grid comprising at least one rail grid at the upper ends of the column profiles, a first container handling vehicle and a second container handling vehicle, the first and the second container handling vehicles each comprising at least one wheel base unit (2) and a first container handling module (13) or a second container handling module (12 or 14), respectively, connected to the wheel base unit 82), each wheel base unit (2) having a wheel arrangement for movement of the wheel base unit in two perpendicular directions upon a rail grid of the storage system, and a horizontal periphery fitting within the horizontal area defined by a grid cell of the rail grid such that wheel base units may pass each other on any adjacent grid cel
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Autostore Technology AS
    Inventor: Trond Austrheim
  • Patent number: 11548742
    Abstract: Various embodiments illustrated herein disclose a container unloader device. The container unloader device comprises a platform to receive a container, wherein the container comprises a package. The container unloader device also comprises a front panel configured to move between a raised orientation and a lowered orientation, wherein when the front panel being is in the raised orientation, the front panel is orthogonal with respect to the platform, and when the front panel is in the lowered orientation, the front panel and the platform form a continuous surface. The platform can be pivoted from a first angle to a second angle, that is greater than the first angle. The package leans against the front panel the front panel is in the raised orientation. The package is released on a surface of a conveyor when the front panel is in the lowered orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: INTELLIGRATED HEADQUARTERS, LLC
    Inventors: Sai Prasanth Krishnamoorthy, Ramdas Pai, David Pepley, Darius Scott
  • Patent number: 11535450
    Abstract: An insertion system (e.g., in a warehouse or other item-fulfillment environment) can include a chassis. A bottom conveying surface, a first side conveying surface, and a second side conveying surface may be fastened to the chassis respectively along the chassis's bottom face, first lateral face, and second lateral face. A chamber may be bounded by the conveying surfaces and by a rear wall defined at least in part by the front face of the chassis. A linear actuator coupled with the chassis may move the chassis from a home position and toward an extended position to advance the bottom conveying surface, the first side conveying surface, and the second side conveying surface along with the rear wall of the chamber to decrease a size of the chamber and advance contents of the chamber in a depth direction toward a receiving zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Scott Kalm, Kevin Senh Ly
  • Patent number: 11518612
    Abstract: A multi-compartment refuse collecting truck body includes segmented shields to close a rear opening of the compartments. The segmented shields are positioned to close a rear opening of the refuse compartments when a packing unit is raised to discharge refuse from one of the compartments. The segmented shields include a lower segment that can be placed in a packing position to allow refuse to be packing into the compartments by a packing unit, and moved to a closed position before the packing unit is raised to prevent unintended discharge of refuse from the compartments. A control system operates actuators in the packing unit and truck body in a pre-determined sequence to ensure that refuse is not mixed during unloading of the truck body and that actuators are not operated in a manner that will damage other systems of the truck body or packing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Air-Flo Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Tom W. Musso, Charles S. Musso, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11518613
    Abstract: A distribution station includes a base, a housing, a rotating shelf, a distribution vehicle, a sorting device, and a control system. The housing is provided on the base, and is provided with a goods access port and an access door. The rotating shelf is provided on the base and located in the housing. The rotating shelf includes a rotating shaft, a transmission belt, a plurality of shelf units, and a driving mechanism. The distribution vehicle enters and exits the housing via the access door and is used to transport goods. The sorting device is provided on the base and located in the housing. The sorting device is used to pick up goods and place the same between the distribution vehicle and the shelf units. The control system is used to control the driving mechanism and the sorting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: BEIJING JINGDONG QIANSHI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ying Chen, Zhao Wang, Jun Xiao, Yafang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11515189
    Abstract: A buffer station for automatic material handling system can provide throughput improvement. Further, by storing to-be-accessed workpieces in the buffer stations of an equipment, the operation of the facility is not interrupted when the equipment is down. The buffer station can be incorporated in a stocker, such as bare wafer stocker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Inventor: Lutz Rebstock
  • Patent number: 11505107
    Abstract: Lift assemblies and methods of operating same. A lift assembly for a vehicle includes at least one support member having a longitudinal axis lying on a plane and which is configured for attachment to the vehicle. A mast having a proximal end, a distal end, and a mast axis is pivotably coupled with the at least one support member at the mast proximal end. At least one gear arrangement is coupled between the at least one support member and the mast proximal end. The mast is pivotable relative to the at least one support member about an axis parallel with the plane through an angular displacement greater than 90 degrees. A boom is pivotably coupled with the mast proximate the mast distal end, and a first lift line is coupled with the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventor: Ralph L. Leonard
  • Patent number: 11505405
    Abstract: A system for picking items from a containerised storage system is described. The items are stored in storage bins in stacks within a framework comprising a grid system disposed above the stacks of bins. Robotic devices are disposed on the grid, the devices acting so as to pick containers from the stacks of bins. The storage system is provided with at least one picking device for picking items from bins and depositing them directly in delivery containers DT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Lars Sverker Ture Lindbo, Andrew John Ingram-Tedd
  • Patent number: 11505404
    Abstract: A refuse vehicle comprises a chassis, a body assembly, a power source, and a side-loading lift assembly. The chassis is coupled to a plurality of wheels. The body assembly is coupled to the chassis and defines a refuse compartment configured to store refuse material. The side-loading lift assembly comprises a refuse container engagement mechanism and at least one electrically-driven actuation mechanism. The refuse container engagement mechanism is powered by the power source and is configured to selectively engage a refuse container. The at least one electrically-driven actuation mechanism is powered by the power source and is configured to selectively actuate the side-loading lift assembly between an extended position, a retracted position, and a refuse-dumping position.
    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, Andrew Kotloski, Wallace Buege, Caleb Binder, Martin J. Schimke
  • Patent number: 11498758
    Abstract: A rail can include an entry portion, an exit portion, and a middle portion disposed between the entry and exit portions. The middle portion can be lower than the entry and exit portions. The rail can be configured to couple with a container such that the container is movable, along the rail, from the entry portion to the exit portion. A first storage rack can be disposed on a first side of the rail middle portion and a second storage rack can be disposed on an opposing side of the rail middle portion. A processing system can be configured to: receive an order; analyze the order based on an inventory of the first storage rack and the second storage rack; and cause the container to move from the rail entry portion to the rail middle portion based on the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Elias Aljallis, Vikranth Gopalakrishnan, Ronald S. Kyslinger