Patents Examined by Jonathan Snelting
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Patent number: 11420547Abstract: A deployable hay pod elevator system for a transport trailer, such as a livestock trailer, provides a readily deployable hay pod, storage pod, or supply platform with the trailer, and is readily stowable above the trailer in a raised configuration for travel. The elevator system includes a deployable supply platform and a vertical raising and lowering mechanism or lift system configured to move the supply platform relative to the trailer. The lift includes a pivot arm system coupled to a sidewall of the trailer and a lift assist mechanism, such as a linear actuator, to vertically raise and lower the deployable supply platform. The elevator system includes a supply platform pivot actuation mechanism to adjust the angle of the platform relative to the pivot arm during stowage and deployment of the system. The elevator system may be fitted to various types of vehicles to store and transport various materials.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: The Kingstar CompanyInventors: Marcus Niemela, Cal G. Niemela, Michael R. Jackson, Cole S. Stout
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Patent number: 11414312Abstract: A load handling device that is installed between a supply position and a loading position, and configured to load at the loading position the load that has been fed from the supply position. The load handling device includes a base platform, a lifting unit that is movable up and down relative to the base platform, a pair of forks that is configured to support a bottom surface of the load that has been fed from the supply position, a fork distance adjusting mechanism that is configured to adjust a distance between the pair of forks in accordance with a size of the load, and a fork advancing/retracting mechanism that is configured to cause the pair of forks to advance to or retract from the loading position.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2021Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKIInventors: Shigehiro Nobata, Takahiro Yabuuchi
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Patent number: 11407351Abstract: A loading arm assembly for a load-handling vehicle has a main arm and an auxiliary arm. The loading arm assembly is configured for unloading and loading ISO containers and for unloading and loading transportation containers having a hook. The loading arm assembly is improved in that a crossbeam having two corner grippers and furthermore, separately therefrom, a telescopic gripping hook is disposed on the auxiliary arm.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2019Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: THE DYNAMIC ENGINEERING SOLUTION PTY LTDInventors: Michael Newstead, James Browne, Oscar Fiorinotto
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Patent number: 11407588Abstract: A system for moving payloads is described. It uses one or more mobile robots. Each mobile robot comprises a payload bearing platform with a transfer mechanism with multiple degrees of freedom of movement. The system includes one or more stack exchangers having a set of alignment mechanisms, and at least one payload transfer ramp. The mobile robots pass through the stack exchanger and pick up a payload or drop off a payload.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2020Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: HDS Mercury, Inc.Inventor: Aravind Durai
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Patent number: 11396445Abstract: Fork head for gripping thin objects having a main frame attached to a mobile element on a lifting vehicle; a mobile frame, with two fixed, parallel arms and a gripping arm that moves from and towards the fork arms to trap a thin object hanging between the two fork arms, said mobile frame being able to move horizontally along a transversal guide attached to the main frame; wherein the gripping arm has end portions superimposed on the two arms of the frame and has a length (L) in a transversal direction equal to or greater than a fork width (w) defined by the distance between the opposite outer edges of the two fork arms.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2019Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: SOLTEC ENERGIAS RENOVABLES, SLInventors: Juan José Maldonado Nicolás, Albert García Gil, Francisco Juan Almela Béjar
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Patent number: 11395998Abstract: A site may require that multiple containers, such as bulk material containers, may be utilized to provide a required composition or mixture of materials at a required discharge rate. An arrangement of four or more containers on a frame disposed on a support platform where two faces of each container proximate or adjacent to a face of two other containers to form a rectangle provides a configuration that allows for safe and efficient removal and replacement of containers A rotary table coupled to a motor disposed on the support platform rotates the frame such that each container transitions to different positions. The containers discharge material through an opening of support platform. Containers may be retrieved from one position and replaced at another position or retrieved and replaced from a single position. Such a configuration allows for multiple transport devices to operate without interfering with the operations of each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2017Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Jim Basuki Surjaatmadja, Tim H. Hunter
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Patent number: 11390308Abstract: A dish cart includes a top with a slot for receiving a lift arm that may be lifted up through the slot to raise or lower dishes. Lobe openings emanating from the slot receive lobes of a lift paddle secured to the lift arm. The cart may define a gap below the top for permitting insertion of the lift paddle and the lift arm. The cart may be adjusted to receive differently sized dishes by means of rails of different sizes or adjustable vanes. A dish drop station includes the lift arm and lift paddle and a lift mechanism for raising and lower the lift arm. The dish drop station may include a cart present sensor and include a lock for retaining the cart. The controller may be programmed to the lower the lift arm to an unlock position that disengages the cart lock.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Inventors: Timothy Young Lee, Jacob Conor Dooris, Kent Michael Anderson, Abigail Elizabeth Soong, Edward Joseph Menard, Thomas Ettore De Candia, Michael William Tschudy, Paul Michael Birkmeyer, Katrina Bell Sheehy, Taylor Joseph Cone
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Patent number: 11390499Abstract: A crane arrangement includes a base, a pillar boom, a lifting boom, a folding boom, a lifting cylinder, and a folding cylinder. The lifting boom includes a first pivot point for connecting the pillar boom to the lifting boom, a second pivot point for connecting the lifting cylinder to the lifting boom, and a third pivot point for connecting the folding cylinder to the lifting boom. The lifting boom further includes a hollow cast connecting piece arranged at the first end of the lifting boom, in which connecting piece at least the first pivot point and second pivot point are arranged. The invention also relates to a corresponding work machine.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: PONSSE OYJInventors: Toni Auvinen, Marko Halonen
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Patent number: 11383942Abstract: A container packer system includes a transfer base, which receives a container packer adapted for movement longitudinally between retracted and extended positions with respect to the transfer base. The transfer base includes a power subsystem with a motor or engine driving a hydraulic pump for powering hydraulic piston-and-cylinder units of the system, including a container packer piston-and-cylinder unit for hydraulically extending and retracting the container packer. The container packer generally encloses an interior adapted for receiving bulk material for transfer to a transport container, which can comprise a standard shipping container, a trailer or some other bulk material receptacle. The container packer includes a push blade assembly longitudinally movably mounted in its interior and actuated by a push blade piston-and-cylinder unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2021Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Advanced Steel Recovery, LLCInventors: Gregory D. Haub, Chris D. Bartel
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Patent number: 11383388Abstract: A storage system (100) is adapted to store a plurality of items and to load a delivery robot (2) with an item. The storage system (100) includes a delivery robot level (110), at least one storage level (112, 114, 116, 118) for storing the items, and a loading robot (130) adapted to grip the items and to load the items from a storage level (112, 114, 116, 118) to a delivery robot (2) located on the delivery robot level (110). The storage system (100) is adapted to move the items within a storage level (112, 114, 116, 118). The storage system may be provided with wheels and thus be mobile. It may be loaded onto a vehicle for transport from a loading area where the storage system is loaded with items for delivery, to a delivery area where the items are to be delivered by one or more delivery robots.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Starship Technologies OÜInventors: Lauri Väin, Viljar Valdek, Märt Liivik, Henri Lend, Tiit Liivik, Henrik Herranen, Ahti Heinla, Veigo Evard, Tommy Biene
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Patent number: 11364946Abstract: The invention relates to adding jacks to hand-operated dollys which allows a heavy household item to be lifted and moved around, as needed. The system includes two separate dollys facing each other. In use, the double dollys face each other. Each dolly includes a jack support plate atop movable wheels that are several inches in diameter. A jack is provided to lift the item to be moved off the ground. Each dolly also includes a dolly frame with a ledge which raises the height of the item being lifted, in accordance with movement of the jack. The double dolly includes straps connect the dollys, with the item to be moved secured between the two dollys. This stabilizes the item being lifted and moved.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2021Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Inventors: Nichole M Whitehurst, Gerald E. Whitehurst, II
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Patent number: 11364944Abstract: Examples includes systems and methods for lifting and moving gondolas using a modular gondola moving system. Components of a modular gondola moving system include interchangeable skates. The interchangeable skates are further removably attached to a longitudinal member which, when connected to the longitudinal member, form a skate system. Multiple skate systems are positioned to the underside of a gondola and may additionally be connected together by connector bars for stabilization and to form the modular gondola moving system. One or more lifting devices are provided independent of and are used in combination with each skate system for positioning the gondola on each skate system. The one or more lifting devices may be repeatedly used in order to place the gondola on a single modular gondola support system.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2019Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: Gondola Skate Moving Systems Inc.Inventors: Frank Charles Cozza, Gerry H. Taylor
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Patent number: 11352208Abstract: A commissioning device having a first shelf row with horizontal shelf surfaces and at least one second shelf row with multiple shelf surfaces disposed one above the other and forming storage shafts. A lane formed between the first and the second shelf rows includes an operating unit movably disposed in the lane. The commissioning device also includes an input device, an output device and an auxiliary output device. The operating unit includes a gripping device for inputting and/or outputting piece goods onto or from the horizontal shelf surfaces and for filling the goods into the storage shafts. A control unit coupled to the operating unit is configured to output identical piece goods in a row from the horizontal shelf surfaces, to input the piece goods into the storage shafts and to output and transfer one or more piece goods located on the horizontal shelf surfaces to the auxiliary output device.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2021Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBHInventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
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Patent number: 11332307Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a grabber that is operable to engage a refuse container, a lift arm that is operable to lift a refuse container, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating an angular position of the grabber, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating a relative positioning of the lift arm, a first controller for adjusting the angular position of the grabber, and a second controller adjusting the relative positioning of the lift arm. The adjustment of the angular position of the grabber is coordinated with the adjustment of the relative positioning of the lift arm.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: The Heil Co.Inventors: Stanley L. Maroney, David G. Lewis, Robert B. Williams
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Patent number: 11332328Abstract: A method and apparatus that reduce release of dust generated during rotary dumping of rail cars in a dumping facility. The method includes removing dust laden air from a space bounded by a backside airflow diverter, a rotational frame, a first baffle and a second baffle while the rotational frame is rotating with a rail car by drawing the dust laden air through a secondary air intake that passes through the backside airflow diverter into a backside hood. A dust control apparatus includes a diverter, overlying a backside hood having a concave curved upper surface; and at least one secondary air intake positioned to pass through the diverter being located approximately where pressure in the backside hood remains neutral or negative relative to a pressure even there is a transient increase in air pressure in a lower portion of the backside hood.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Air-Cure IncorporatedInventors: Michael R. Harris, Jason Santers
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Patent number: 11273748Abstract: A reloader for transferring crops from the field to an over-the-road trailer provides a conveyor chute allowing a straight path from receipt of crop materials to a cantilevered elevated end of the chute allowing extremely high throughput.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Meyer Manufacturing CorporationInventors: Christopher J. Albright, Samuel N Simmons
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Patent number: 11273980Abstract: A storage system includes a plurality of rails or tracks arranged in a grid pattern above the stacks of containers. The grid pattern includes a plurality of grid spaces and each stack is located within a footprint of only a single grid space. A load handling device is configured to move laterally on the rails or tracks above the stacks. The load handling device includes a container receiving space located above the rails or tracks in use and a lifting device arranged to lift a container from a stack into the container receiving space. The load handling device includes a mechanism for enabling lateral movement of the device in one of two transverse directions by enabling either a first or second set of wheels to selectively engage the first or second set of rails or tracks.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2017Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITEDInventors: Andrew John Ingram-Tedd, Pawel Karolinczak, Tom Clancy
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Patent number: 11274022Abstract: A pantograph assembly may include a mast carriage assembly comprising a trunnion cross-member and a trunnion shaft coupled to the trunnion cross-member, and a pantograph mechanism coupled to the trunnion shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: HYSTER-YALE GROUP, INC.Inventors: Samuel Weiss, Samuel Arnold, Todd Morgan
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Patent number: 11267662Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling the disgorging of objects. The system includes a container system including a container for containing objects, rotation means for rotating the container to a disgorgement angle, and movement means for moving at least a portion of the container system in a repetitious manner with a net zero distance of travel of the at least the portion of the container system such that the objects are disgorged from the container at a controlled rate of disgorgement.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Berkshire Grey, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Geyer, Joseph Romano, Matthew T. Mason, Alexander Paxson, John Richard Amend, Thomas Wagner
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Patent number: 11267651Abstract: An automatic storage and retrieval system is disclosed including storage positions for storing containers, a portal and mobile robots for transferring the containers between the storage positions and portal. The portal may include a bot-access side where the mobile robots transfer containers to and from the portal, and a user-access side where users remove items from the containers.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Alert Innovation Inc.Inventors: William J. Fosnight, Devin Lert, John G. Lert, Jr., Stephanie Waite, Julian Warhurst, David Hartnett