Patents Examined by Jonathan Snelting
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Patent number: 11015361Abstract: The present invention relates to a parking system which separates storage and delivery parts of vehicles to be parked, and separately operates an vertical moving part moving up and down and vertically and horizontally moves the vehicle which has been stored in a prompt and efficient manner.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Inventor: Yunkang Baik
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Patent number: 11008202Abstract: A cart transport vessel includes a fixed platform configured to hold at least one cart, a fixed ramp located adjacent to the fixed platform and a foldable ramp extension that is rotatably coupled to a front end of the fixed ramp. In an opened configuration, a first side of the foldable ramp extension faces upwardly and is in planar alignment with a planar top surface of the fixed ramp and an opposing second side of the foldable extension faces downwardly. In a closed configuration, the foldable ramp extension is rotated so that the first side of the foldable ramp extension faces downwardly and is in contact with the planar top surface of the ramp section and the opposing second side of the foldable ramp extension faces upwardly to provide a flat operator workspace area that is configured to be stood on by an operator.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Samuel Macalus, Dan Hawkins, Matthew Arcaro, Jamison Harrell-Latham, Michiel van de Ven, L. Klaus Preidt, Karl Chapel, Bob Chapel, Jason Sanders
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Patent number: 11007918Abstract: A ramp apparatus for a vehicle includes a ramp retractable in the vehicle and drawable to an outside of the vehicle, a moving body movable in a drawing direction and a retracting direction together with the ramp, a support arm rotatably coupled with the ramp at a first rotatable coupling point and rotatably coupled with the moving body at a second rotatable coupling point, and a tension spring interposed between the ramp and the moving body. The ramp is arranged in a lifted-up position in which the ramp faces a door opening of the vehicle from a drawn position. The tension spring rotationally urges the first rotatable coupling point positioning above the tension spring in the drawn position of the ramp about the second rotatable coupling point and exerts an urging force on the ramp, the urging force moving the ramp from the drawn position toward the lifted-up position.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2020Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Inventors: Eisuke Sato, Yohei Kanatani
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Patent number: 11008166Abstract: A storage system features a fleet of storage/retrieval vehicles and a gridded three-dimensional structure. The structure features a gridded two-dimensional track layout on which the one or more storage/retrieval vehicles are conveyable in two directions, and a plurality of storage columns residing above or below the gridded track layout in spaced distribution throughout the two-dimensional area of the track layout. Upright shafts reside above or below the gridded track layout and provide vehicle access to the storage columns. At least one working station resides outside the two-dimensional area of the track layout, and via one or more extension tracks, is served by the same vehicles that navigate the gridded structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Attabotics Inc.Inventors: Scott Gravelle, Winston Hope, Darin Rousseau
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Patent number: 11001185Abstract: A haulage arrangement has a frame configured for operative attachment to a suitable tractor, and defining a tray for operatively receiving particulate material therein. The tray comprises two side walls separated by a loadbearing lower section with a headwall at a head end of the tray and slidably arranged in-between the side walls. Also included is an urger at the head end configured to operatively urge the headwall to slide across the lower section. Arrangement further includes an elastically flexible floor slidably arranged on the lower section and fast at a first end with the headwall, as well as a retractor arranged at an ejection end of the tray and configured to continuously retract a second end of the floor underneath the lower section whilst the headwall is urged. The retractor is further configured to agitate the floor during retraction to counteract adhesion of particulate material ejected from the tray.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2018Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: 629 032 373 PTY LTDInventor: Denis Orlov
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Patent number: 10964571Abstract: A conveyance system for conveying a workpiece to each of a plurality of processing apparatuses includes a conveyance passage, an automated conveying vehicle for travelling on the conveyance passage, the automated conveying vehicle including a workpiece storage member, travelling mechanisms, and a receiver, a stock unit including a storage member holding base and a receiver, and a storage member conveying unit for conveying the workpiece storage member between a region of the conveyance passage above the stock unit and the storage member holding base or between a region of the conveyance passage above the processing apparatus and the inside of the processing apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2020Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: DISCO CORPORATIONInventor: Kazuma Sekiya
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Patent number: 10954064Abstract: A storage system (10) comprises a plurality of storage areas (39) for receiving stored goods, the storage areas being situated in at least one storage level and being accessible by an associated handling device (19, 20, 21) to store stored goods at the storage areas (39) or retrieve them from these storage areas (39). Quicker, simplified storage and retrieval is achieved in that for storing and retrieving the stored goods, in addition a conveyor (15) is provided which is designed as a continuous conveyor and is led on a storage level through the arrangement of the storage areas (3).Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2017Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: WRH WALTER REIST HOLDING AGInventor: Markus Bretz
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Patent number: 10954086Abstract: 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: August 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: ADVANCED STEEL RECOVERY, LLCInventors: Gregory D. Haub, Chris D. Bartel
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Patent number: 10946982Abstract: A system and method for receiving a package from an unmanned aerial vehicle at a rooftop package receiving station and securely holding the package at the package receiving station. The recipient, using a computing device, may prompt the package receiving station to deliver the package from the rooftop to a delivery location.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: James Carthew, Zijian Wang, Aditya Singh
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Patent number: 10945375Abstract: An apparatus is for collecting and transporting bales. The apparatus includes a transport assembly and a grasping assembly operatively connected thereto. The transport assembly includes a bale loading platform extending above and mounted to a chassis. The bale loading platform comprises at least one bale conveying section in including a bale conveying mechanism. The grasping assembly includes a mechanical arm having a prehension end effector engageable with the bales. The grasping assembly is configurable between a bale engagement configuration for engaging a corresponding one of the bales laying on the ground, a bale capture configuration for capturing and lifting the corresponding one of the bales off the ground and a bale release configuration for releasing the corresponding one of the bales onto the bale loading platform and comprises a movement absorption mechanism operative to substantially cancel the forward displacement of the apparatus during the capture of the bales.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Groupe Anderson Inc.Inventors: Patrice Desrochers, Michaƫl Gagnon-Bouchard, Jacques Breton, David Provencher
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Patent number: 10940786Abstract: The present invention is directed to properly maneuver heavy cargo to an ergonomically correct lifting height, including for equipment stored on firefighting and rescue vehicles. Mechanically and electromechanically actuated means for raising, lowering, and storing heavy equipment in, on, and around vehicles and other structures are provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: OnScene Solutions, LLCInventors: Ronald L. Weinmeister, Eric Martin Krug, Timothy James Bradney, Robert M. Clark
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Patent number: 10930536Abstract: An improved stocker configuration for storing workpieces in a fabrication facility is disclosed, employing workpiece compartments arranged stationarily around a robot handling assembly. The robot handler can be designed with three degrees of freedom, to improve speed, throughput and minimum particle generation. In addition, the stocker storage area is stationary with the movable components are the robot assembly, thus further contributing to the cleanliness of the storage stocker. The stocker configuration can be open storage area for fast access, space saving and ease of clean air purging. The stocker configuration can provide highly dense workpiece storage, utilizing a circumferential edge gripper robot handling assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Inventor: Lutz Rebstock
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Patent number: 10926784Abstract: A hand truck for use loading and unloading items from a pallet, the hand truck having a base having a arms spaced evenly apart; a back having two or more rails, the two or more rails extending upward from two or more of the arms of the base; a handle secured to the back; and two or more wheels attached to the two or more rails; the two or more arms, the two or more rails, and the two or more wheels are horizontally aligned, thereby creating a spacings for allowing one or more elongated members of the pallet and/or shelving to fit therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Inventor: Wade Henderson
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Patent number: 10919693Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for handling bulk material in a manner that reduces dust, noise, and emissions are provided. The presently disclosed techniques use portable containers to transfer bulk material from a transportation unit to a blender inlet. The containers may be carried to the location on the transportation unit, where a hoisting mechanism is used to remove the container from the transportation unit and place it in a desired location. When bulk material is needed at the blender inlet, the hoisting mechanism may position the container of bulk material onto an elevated support structure. Once on the support structure, the container may be opened to release bulk material to a gravity feed outlet, which routes the bulk material from the container directly into the blender inlet. The disclosed containerized bulk material transfer system and method allows for reduced dust, noise, and emissions on location.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2016Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Bryan Chapman Lucas, Wesley John Warren, Calvin L. Stegemoeller, Austin Carl Schaffner
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Patent number: 10919713Abstract: The disclosed system for loading and unloading the substrate includes: a substrate rotation apparatus having a first rotation position and a second rotation position with a difference in rotation angle of 90 degrees, wherein the substrate rotation apparatus includes two layers of sucker assemblies, each of which includes a plate body, a plurality of support suction tubes arranged on the plate body, and first suckers connected with tops of respective support suction tubes respectively, and there are gaps, for inserting the substrate therein, between respective first suckers of a lower layer of sucker assembly, and a plate body of an upper layer of sucker assembly; and a mechanical hand including a plurality of mechanical fingers capable of holding two halves of the substrate, both of which are arranged in a length direction of the mechanical fingers, and joined together into an entire substrate.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2017Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignees: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd., Chengdu BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jianlin Feng, Dawei Han, Jianjun Lin, Liang Zhou
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Patent number: 10899539Abstract: A system for picking items from a containerised storage system is described. The items are stored in storage bins in stacks within a framework having 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: GrantFiled: November 11, 2016Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITEDInventors: Lars Sverker Ture Lindbo, Andrew John Ingram-Tedd
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Patent number: 10882697Abstract: A storage apparatus includes a storage shelf that stores a container, a purge device that is provided to the storage shelf and is able to perform a purge process on the container, and a purge determiner that determines at least one of a necessity of the purge process and a condition of the purge process in accordance with at least one of a transport source of the container to the storage shelf and a transport destination of the container from the storage shelf.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2016Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.Inventors: Masanao Murata, Tadamasa Tominaga
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Patent number: 10859167Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, a cab coupled to the chassis, a body coupled to the chassis rearward of the cab, a bracket, and a valve assembly. The body defines a compartment and includes a front wall. The bracket has an arm coupled to the front wall. The arm extends rearward of the front wall into the compartment. The valve assembly is coupled to the bracket such that at least a portion of the valve assembly is disposed within the compartment.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Oshkosh CorporationInventors: Kevin G. Jax, Clinton Weckwerth
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Patent number: 10843882Abstract: Cable robots may be used to automatically load items onto one or more surfaces in any environment. An item may be received on a carrier that is connected to tensioning actuators of a cable robot by one or more cables in tension. The actuators of the robot may be manipulated in concert to move the carrier from a first position to a second position, which may be fixed or in motion, at which the item may be expelled from the carrier. The carrier may include induction wheels and/or conveyors for receiving the item thereon and for expelling the item therefrom. The cable robot may be provided in series with a conveyor and mounted to a frame, and used to load items onto a delivery vehicle, such that the frame may be withdrawn as items are loaded.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Craig Worsley, Karl Eric Schrader, Michael Ellsworth Bundy, Charles Edward Rice
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Patent number: 10829322Abstract: A device is provided for transferring bulk materials from a vehicle through a grate to a structure disposed below the grate. The device includes a plate disposed over the grate and defining an opening smaller than the grate. The device further includes a hopper configured to rest on the plate between the plate and the underside of the vehicle. The hopper defines a bottom opening configured for alignment with the opening in the plate and a top opening configured for alignment with a discharge spout on the vehicle and the top opening is larger than the bottom opening. The device further includes means for moving the hopper to an operating position in which the bottom and top openings are aligned with the opening in the plate and the discharge spout on the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.Inventor: David W Smith