Patents Examined by Kaitlin S. Joerger
  • Patent number: 12043481
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kunihiro Iwamoto, Yuta Itozawa, Hirotaka Komura, Yutaro Takagi
  • Patent number: 12024364
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Sean Clark, Joseph Zammit, Ben Thomas, Andrew John Ingram-Tedd, Matthew Whelan, David Sharp, Paul Clarke
  • Patent number: 12024081
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: GUIMA PALFINGER
    Inventors: Thomas Granel, Michel Raucoules
  • Patent number: 12026663
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William Scott Kalm
  • Patent number: 12024363
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: INTELLIGRATED HEADQUARTERS, LLC
    Inventors: Jarl Nicholas Sebastian, Christopher J. Hathaway, Anthony James Turco
  • Patent number: 12012281
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Lars Sverker Ture Lindbo, Paul Clarke, Andrew John Ingram-Tedd, Pawel Karolinczak
  • Patent number: 12009184
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignees: Beijing E-Town Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd., Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Changle Guan, Maolin Long
  • Patent number: 12005874
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: 9172-9863 QUEBEC INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Palmer, Jonathan Dube, Daniel Grothe, Gaetan Jette, Marc-Andre Boivin
  • Patent number: 12005863
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Inventor: Keith Maurice Landwehr
  • Patent number: 12004268
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: SEMES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ji-Hwan Lee
  • Patent number: 11999604
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kanata, Masao Tajima, Takashi Hayashi, Nobuyuki Tomatsu, Hideki Fukudome, Takashi Hayashi, Yoshiumi Kawamura, Kosuke Akatsuka, Manabu Yamamoto, Kosuke Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 11998492
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: HeliMods Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Will Shrapnel
  • Patent number: 11999564
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: EXOTEC
    Inventors: Romain Moulin, Loïc Lepillier
  • Patent number: 11996308
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Lee-Chuan Tseng
  • Patent number: 11993978
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: James Christopher Hansen, Douglas Brian Baumgarten, Paul Reuter
  • Patent number: 11987447
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Tompkins Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Serstad, Michael C. Futch
  • Patent number: 11981505
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Autostore Technology AS
    Inventor: Trond Austrheim
  • Patent number: 11981029
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 11972967
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Xueyu Liang
  • Patent number: 11970341
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Shimizu