Patents by Inventor Annetta L. Allen
Annetta L. Allen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 12227366Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for a conveyor assembly. The conveyor assembly includes a conveyor, at least one stationary track positioned parallel to the conveyor, a process dolly configured to operatively couple to the at least one stationary track, and a syncing apparatus configured to couple to the process dolly and operatively couple to the conveyor. The syncing apparatus is configured to lock the process dolly in place along the conveyor such that the process dolly moves together with the conveyor with respect to the at least one stationary track.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2023Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Lloyd R. Holland, Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Michael C. Greenlee, Jeffrey L. James, Annetta L. Allen, Ronnie G. Kiser, Jr., Andrew B. Novian
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Publication number: 20240409320Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for a conveyor assembly. The conveyor assembly includes a conveyor, at least one stationary track positioned parallel to the conveyor, a process dolly configured to operatively couple to the at least one stationary track, and a syncing apparatus configured to couple to the process dolly and operatively couple to the conveyor. The syncing apparatus is configured to lock the process dolly in place along the conveyor such that the process dolly moves together with the conveyor with respect to the at least one stationary track.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2023Publication date: December 12, 2024Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Lloyd R. Holland, Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Michael C. Greenlee, Jeffrey L. James, Annetta L. Allen, Ronnie G. Kiser, JR., Andrew B. Novian
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Publication number: 20240327178Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for receiving a part from another system. An apparatus includes a platform configured to receive a first part and a second part to be unloaded from another apparatus. The apparatus further includes a first guide member and a second guide member. The first guide member and the second guide member are configured to engage with, respectively, a first engaging member and a second engaging member on another apparatus and enable the first part and the second part to be unloaded. The first guide member and the second guide member may be configured to contact, respectively, the first engaging member and the second engaging member to actuate a first gate member connected to the first engaging member and a second gate member connected to the second engaging member to move to open positions to enable the first part and the second part to be released.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2023Publication date: October 3, 2024Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Lloyd R. Holland, Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Michael C. Greenlee, Jeffrey L. James, Annetta L. Allen, Ronnie G. Kiser, JR., Andrew B. Novian
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Publication number: 20240308764Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for delivering a part to another system. An apparatus includes a platform. The platform includes a plurality of holding stations configured to hold a plurality of parts to be delivered to another system. The plurality of holding stations include at least a first holding station and a second holding station. The apparatus further includes a first gate member and a second gate member. The first gate member is coupled to the first holding station and a first engaging member and is configured to move to an open position when the first engaging member is engaged with a first guide member coupled to another apparatus. The second gate member is coupled to the second holding station and a second engaging member and is configured to move to an open position when the second engaging member is engaged with a second guide member coupled to another apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2023Publication date: September 19, 2024Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Lloyd R. Holland, Scottle L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Michael C. Greenlee, Jeffrey L. James, Annetta L. Allen, Ronnie G. Kiser, JR., Andrew B. Novian
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Patent number: 12060097Abstract: A delivery dolly includes a carousel that is rotatably mounted on a support column. The carousel includes a recess on an underside of the carousel. A locking mechanism is biased toward a locked position. The locking mechanism includes a locking wheel on which the carousel rotates until the carousel reaches a preselected angular position. The recess aligns with the locking wheel at the preselected angular position and, due to a bias force, the locking wheel extends into the recess to inhibit rotation of the carousel until the carousel is spun manually, forcing the carousel to rotate and the locking wheel to retract until the locking wheel encounters the recess again.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2022Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Lloyd R. Holland, Michael C. Greenlee, Annetta L. Allen, Johnny O. Boarman, IV, Jeffrey L. James
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Publication number: 20240227154Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering a work part to an assembly line worker using a dolly assembly in a first configuration and retrieving the work part from the dolly assembly by the assembly line work while the dolly assembly is in a second configuration. According to some embodiments, a dolly assembly is provided comprising a base assembly having a support member and a mobility mechanism, the support member positioned obliquely with respect to a horizontal plane. The dolly assembly also includes a part-carrying member rotationally connected to the support member and having a part-holding structure for receiving a work part. The part-carrying member extends downward at an angle below the horizontal plane when in a first configuration, and extends upward from at an angle above the horizontal plane when in a second configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2022Publication date: July 11, 2024Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: LLOYD R. HOLLAND, SCOTTIE L. FOSTER, BRADLEY J. GARCIA, MICHAEL C. GREENLEE, JEFFREY L. JAMES, ANNETTA L. ALLEN, JOHNNY O. BOARMAN 4TH, DAVID A. LAJOICE
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Patent number: 11987453Abstract: A method of automatically moving a dolly apparatus from an initial location to a downstream location is provided. The method includes engaging a component being carried along an elevated conveyor with a synchronization arm of a dolly apparatus such that the dolly apparatus moves with the component. The dolly apparatus includes a base frame and an actuation member movably mounted to the base frame. A synchronization arm is movably mounted to a top of the base frame. The actuation member is operatively connected to the synchronization arm such that actuating the actuation member lowers the synchronization arm to a disengaged position. The actuation member is actuated thereby lowering the synchronization arm to a disengaged position and releasing the component.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2022Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Lloyd R. Holland, Michael C. Greenlee, Annetta L. Allen, Johnny O. Boarman, IV, Jeffrey L. James
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Publication number: 20240131680Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering a work part to an assembly line worker using a dolly assembly in a first configuration and retrieving the work part from the dolly assembly by the assembly line work while the dolly assembly is in a second configuration. According to some embodiments, a dolly assembly is provided comprising a base assembly having a support member and a mobility mechanism, the support member positioned obliquely with respect to a horizontal plane. The dolly assembly also includes a part-carrying member rotationally connected to the support member and having a part-holding structure for receiving a work part. The part-carrying member extends downward at an angle below the horizontal plane when in a first configuration, and extends upward from at an angle above the horizontal plane when in a second configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2022Publication date: April 25, 2024Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: LLOYD R. HOLLAND, SCOTTIE L. FOSTER, BRADLEY J. GARCIA, MICHAEL C. GREENLEE, JEFFREY L. JAMES, ANNETTA L. ALLEN, JOHNNY O. BOARMAN 4TH, DAVID A. LAJOICE
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Publication number: 20230356961Abstract: A method of automatically moving a dolly apparatus from an initial location to a downstream location is provided. The method includes engaging a component being carried along an elevated conveyor with a synchronization arm of a dolly apparatus such that the dolly apparatus moves with the component. The dolly apparatus includes a base frame and an actuation member movably mounted to the base frame. A synchronization arm is movably mounted to a top of the base frame. The actuation member is operatively connected to the synchronization arm such that actuating the actuation member lowers the synchronization arm to a disengaged position. The actuation member is actuated thereby lowering the synchronization arm to a disengaged position and releasing the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2022Publication date: November 9, 2023Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Lloyd R. Holland, Michael C. Greenlee, Annetta L. Allen, Johnny O. Boarman, IV, Jeffrey L. James
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Publication number: 20230347955Abstract: A delivery dolly includes a carousel that is rotatably mounted on a support column. The carousel includes a recess on an underside of the carousel. A locking mechanism is biased toward a locked position. The locking mechanism includes a locking wheel on which the carousel rotates until the carousel reaches a preselected angular position. The recess aligns with the locking wheel at the preselected angular position and, due to a bias force, the locking wheel extends into the recess to inhibit rotation of the carousel until the carousel is spun manually, forcing the carousel to rotate and the locking wheel to retract until the locking wheel encounters the recess again.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2022Publication date: November 2, 2023Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Lloyd R. Holland, Michael C. Greenlee, Annetta L. Allen, Johnny O. Boarman, IV, Jeffrey L. James