Patents Examined by Kaitlin S. Joerger
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Patent number: 12043481Abstract: An autonomous mobile robot includes a placement part, an arm configured to extend from and retract into the placement part in a horizontal direction, and a control unit configured to control a movement of the arm. The control unit moves a tip of the arm into a groove formed in a bottom surface of an object supported from underneath thereof, and then the control unit returns the tip of the arm hooked in the groove to the placement part, or the control unit moves the tip of the arm hooked in a groove formed in a bottom surface of an object placed on the placement part toward a rack configured to support the object from underneath thereof.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2023Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kunihiro Iwamoto, Yuta Itozawa, Hirotaka Komura, Yutaro Takagi
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Patent number: 12024364Abstract: There is provided a container maneuvering apparatus arranged to provide an interface between a container-conveying system and a container-storage system. More specifically, there is disclosed a container maneuvering apparatus arranged to load/unload a container into/from a carriage. Optionally, the carriage is a Magway carriage. The carriage can be made stationary before loading/unloading the container by the container-conveying system. The carriage and container can match velocities so that both are moving, but at the same velocity, whilst loading/unloading operations are performed by the container maneuvering apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2019Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITEDInventors: Sean Clark, Joseph Zammit, Ben Thomas, Andrew John Ingram-Tedd, Matthew Whelan, David Sharp, Paul Clarke
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Patent number: 12024081Abstract: The hooklift comprises a jib, a hook capable of being engaged in a ring of a container, and a positioning device comprising a slot and a slider capable of sliding in the slot. The hook is slidably mounted relative to the jib. The slider is capable of abutting selectively against a first end of the slot or against the second end of the slot so as to respectively prevent a sliding of the hook relative to the jib in a first sliding way beyond a first predefined position of the hook relative to the jib or in a second sliding way beyond a second predefined position of the hook relative to the jib.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2021Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: GUIMA PALFINGERInventors: Thomas Granel, Michel Raucoules
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Patent number: 12026663Abstract: An item delivery system can include a carrier positioned on a rail. The rail can be positioned in a delivery vehicle, for example. The carrier can include rigid or semi-rigid sidewall and dividers to form item slots. The item slots can receive one or more items. The carrier can be positioned on the rail and moved around the rail by an advancement device. The advancement device can engage with a portion of the carrier to move the carrier. The carrier can be moved to a position for removal of items from the carrier. The removal position may correspond to an area accessible from an operator area of the delivery vehicle, for example.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2021Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: William Scott Kalm
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Patent number: 12024363Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a shuttle configured for use in an AS/RS. In various embodiments, the shuttle comprises: a first load arm and a second load arm configured to retractably extend away from a shuttle body in parallel directions, the first and second load arms each being extendable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration; a load bed including a load area configured to receive the object; and a retractable mechanical finger provided at a distal portion of the first load arm and configured to facilitate handling of the object, the mechanical finger being hingedly connected to the first load arm using a one-way hinge component that defines a portion of the range of rotational movement of the mechanical finger relative to the first load arm and comprising a spring element that facilitates rotational movement of the finger between an expanded finger position and a retracted finger position.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2021Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: INTELLIGRATED HEADQUARTERS, LLCInventors: Jarl Nicholas Sebastian, Christopher J. Hathaway, Anthony James Turco
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Patent number: 12012281Abstract: A storage system is described where goods are stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. Above the stacks runs a grid network of tracks on which load handling devices run. The load handling devices take containers from the stacks and deposit then at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit then at stations where goods may be picked out. Each container may be provided with connectors having a push fit male connector located at a top edge of the container and a female connector at a bottom edge of the container. Adjacent containers in a stack can be linked by routing means, which form moldings on each container. The connectors can also have spring-loaded contacts. The provision of these services within individual containers rather than across the system as a whole, allows for flexibility in storage whilst reducing cost and inefficiency.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2021Date of Patent: June 18, 2024Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITEDInventors: Lars Sverker Ture Lindbo, Paul Clarke, Andrew John Ingram-Tedd, Pawel Karolinczak
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Patent number: 12009184Abstract: A lift pin assembly for a lift pin of a plasma processing apparatus is provided. The lift pin assembly includes a pin housing defining an opening into which a lift pin extends. The pin housing is positioned such that the opening is aligned with an opening defined by an electrostatic chuck. The assembly includes a pin height adjustment member partially positioned within the opening defined by the pin housing. The pin height adjustment member is movable along an axis in a first direction and a second direction to move the lift pin into and out of the opening defined by the electrostatic chuck. The assembly includes a pin holder assembly at least partially positioned within an opening defined by the pin height adjustment member. The pin holder assembly is configured to hold the lift pin such that the lift pin is aligned with the opening defined by the electrostatic chuck.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2021Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignees: Beijing E-Town Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd., Mattson Technology, Inc.Inventors: Changle Guan, Maolin Long
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Patent number: 12005874Abstract: The wheel chock includes a locking mechanism that can be held in a locked state when properly positioned on a base plate. The locking mechanism includes a positioning unit having at least one tooth provided to engage a side of a corresponding one of the blocking elements in a latched engagement when the positioning unit is in the fully locked position. The locking mechanism also includes an actuating device to move the positioning unit from the unlocked position towards the fully locked position, and a holding device to selectively hold the positioning unit in the fully locked position.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2022Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: 9172-9863 QUEBEC INC.Inventors: Gregory Palmer, Jonathan Dube, Daniel Grothe, Gaetan Jette, Marc-Andre Boivin
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Patent number: 12005863Abstract: A cargo-loading device for a vehicle is an apparatus that facilitates the transportation of a heavy load. The apparatus minimizes the physical force needed to load and unload the heavy load with a vehicle. The apparatus includes a loading platform, a lifting frame, and a lifting mechanism. The loading platform supports and upholds the heavy load from the ground. The lifting frame connects the loading platform with the vehicle. The lifting mechanism positions and operates the loading platform. Furthermore, the lifting frame includes a support base, and extension arm, a frame boom, a frame jib, and a release pinlock mechanism. The heavy load may be released or unloaded by releasing the hinged connection between the support base and the frame boom with the release pinlock mechanism, the frame boom and the extension arm with a safety pin, or both. The frame jib angles the loading platform with the lifting mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2022Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Inventor: Keith Maurice Landwehr
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Patent number: 12004268Abstract: A transferring unit, a substrate treating apparatus including the same, and a substrate treating method are provided. The substrate treating apparatus includes a support plate, a plurality of protrusions protruding upward from the support plate to support a substrate, a temperature adjusting member provided in the support plate to heat or cool the substrate, and an ultrasound applying member to apply an ultrasound between the substrate placed on the plurality of protrusions and the support plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2020Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: SEMES CO., LTD.Inventor: Ji-Hwan Lee
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Patent number: 11999604Abstract: A cargo conveying device includes: a horizontal direction conveying section that conveys cargo in a horizontal direction, and that includes a transfer section at which cargo is transferred between the transfer section and a cargo handler; a height adjusting section that adjusts a vertical direction height of the transfer section; and a control section that, at a time at a time at which cargo is transferred between the transfer section and a cargo handler, operates the height adjusting section, and adjusts the vertical direction height of the transfer section.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2021Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tetsuya Kanata, Masao Tajima, Takashi Hayashi, Nobuyuki Tomatsu, Hideki Fukudome, Takashi Hayashi, Yoshiumi Kawamura, Kosuke Akatsuka, Manabu Yamamoto, Kosuke Sakakibara
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Patent number: 11998492Abstract: A stretcher loading assembly including a support member operatively attachable to an aircraft floor, an elongate rail member attached to the support member, an elongate traverse beam movably attached to the rail member, and a trolley assembly movably attached to the traverse beam, the trolley assembly including lifting means movable between a lowered position and a raised position, the lifting means adapted to support a stretcher in the raised position, wherein the support member is at least twice as wide as the rail member.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2018Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: HeliMods Pty LtdInventor: Will Shrapnel
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Patent number: 11999564Abstract: Method for securing a first and a second upright, including the following steps of a) attaching the connectors and b) adjusting the position of the first upright and the position of the second upright such that the first lower end of a first climbing element and the second lower end of second climbing element lie in a plane substantially orthogonal to a climbing direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2020Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: EXOTECInventors: Romain Moulin, Loïc Lepillier
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Patent number: 11996308Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method. The method includes generating a first beam of radiation toward a first slot of a workpiece carrier. The first beam of radiation has a first beam area that is greater than or equal to an area of an opening of the first slot. The method further includes measuring a reflected portion of the first beam of radiation that is reflected toward, and impinges on, a radiation sensor. The method further includes determining if the first slot of the workpiece carrier is holding a workpiece based on the measured reflected portion of the first beam of radiation.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventor: Lee-Chuan Tseng
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Patent number: 11993978Abstract: The disclosure describes devices and systems for a seal, and methods for using said seal. A seal includes a base portion configured to couple to a groove formed by an edge surface of a first component. The seal further includes a sealing portion extending from the base portion. The sealing portion is configured to create an airtight seal between the first component and a sealing surface of a second component responsive to a threshold sealing force being applied against the sealing portion. The seal further includes a retaining portion substantially perpendicular to the base portion. A surface of the retaining portion is configured to push against the edge surface of the first component responsive to the threshold sealing force being applied against the sealing portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2022Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: James Christopher Hansen, Douglas Brian Baumgarten, Paul Reuter
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Patent number: 11987447Abstract: System includes an article supply location including a plurality of articles, and an overhead rail network with a plurality of rail sections. A self-guided and self-propelled hanging vehicle travels in both directions along the plurality of rail sections. The hanging vehicle has a first position in which a carrier containing at least one selected article is engaged with the hanging vehicle and a second position in which the carrier is detached from the hanging vehicle. The system further includes a controller. The controller determines a first delivery location among a plurality of delivery locations to deliver, with the hanging vehicle, the selected article based on a destination determined for the selected article. The controller further directs delivery of the carrier at the first delivery location by manipulation of the hanging vehicle from the first position to the second position.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2021Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: Tompkins Robotics, Inc.Inventors: James M. Serstad, Michael C. Futch
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Patent number: 11981505Abstract: A storage system includes a storage grid and a container lift. The container lift includes a lifting assembly suspended from a spoolable lifting elements and arranged to be raised/lowered in order to raise/lower an accompanying storage container within the storage grid. The lifting assembly includes a lifting frame part for releasable attachment to a storage container and a guide shuttle arranged to guide the lifting frame part and any accompanying storage container as the lifting frame part is raised and lowered within the storage grid. The guide shuttle is arranged above the lifting frame part and includes guide elements arranged to stabilise and maintain horizontal alignment of the lifting frame part and any accompanying storage container. The framework features internal guide surfaces arranged to stabilise and maintain the horizontal alignment of the lifting frame part, when the guide shuttle is at a level above the top rail grid.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2020Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: Autostore Technology ASInventor: Trond Austrheim
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Patent number: 11981029Abstract: Methods of assembling a controller for a commissioning device are provided. A method includes extending a delivery table in a first horizontal direction, the delivery table having a storage end and a retrieval end, disposing two elongated clamping jaws above the delivery table, extending, in a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, a first guide and a second guide that are parallel and spaced from one another in the first horizontal direction, coupling at least four clamping jaw carriages to the first and second guides, wherein at least two clamping jaw carriages separated from one another in the first horizontal direction are coupled to a single clamping jaw, respectively, and coupling at least four drive elements to a clamping jaw drive unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2022Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBHInventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
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Patent number: 11972967Abstract: A semiconductor-machine automatic leveling apparatus includes an inclination adjusting gear, a motor, a driving gear, an inclination acquisition mechanism and a controller. The inclination adjusting gear is configured to drive one side of a tabletop of a wafer transfer machine to move up and down. The driving gear is mounted on a rotation shaft of the motor and engaged with the inclination adjusting gear. The inclination acquisition mechanism is configured to acquire inclination information of the tabletop of the wafer transfer machine and electrically connected to the controller. The controller is electrically connected to the motor and configured to control the motor to operate according to the inclination information.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Xueyu Liang
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Patent number: 11970341Abstract: In an article transfer facility, a drive portion includes a first Z-axis drive portion configured to move a holding portion in a Z direction, a first X-axis drive portion configured to move the holding portion in an X direction, a first Y-axis drive portion configured to move the holding portion in a Y direction, and a second X-axis drive portion configured to move a placement portion in the X direction. A control portion executes first control in which an article at a first position is placed on the placement portion, and second control in which the article placed on the placement portion is arranged at a second position. In the first control, the drive portion is controlled such that the holding portion picks up the article at the first position and moves to a position on an upper side of the placement portion, and thereafter releases the article to place the article on the placement portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2019Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kiyoshi Shimizu