Patents by Inventor Bernd Hartmann

Bernd Hartmann 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).

  • Patent number: 11958411
    Abstract: A mobile sensor device for a vehicle combination with a tractor and a trailer, in particular a semitrailer train with a semitrailer tractor and a semitrailer includes a recording device for recording information, a transmission device for transmitting the information to a central device, and a connection area for detachably coupling the mobile sensor device to the trailer, in particular the semitrailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND GmbH
    Inventors: Mark Hartmann, Bernd Brunsch
  • Publication number: 20240011523
    Abstract: The invention concerns a coupling device for articulated connection of two elements of a device for conveying and/or sorting piece goods, wherein the coupling device connects together an end of each of the two elements pivotably with respect to a rotational axis in a plane to both sides, and the two ends lie diametrically opposite each other in a neutral position. It is provided that the coupling device is configured such that, starting from a respective central axis of the two ends, the rotational axis on a pivot movement in the direction of the one side lies on this one side of the central axes, and on a pivot movement in the direction of the other side lies on this other side of the respective central axis. The invention furthermore concerns a corresponding device for conveying and/or sorting piece goods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Wolfram GRAFE, Bernd HARTMANN, Hillar LOH
  • Patent number: 11645830
    Abstract: A method performed by at least one apparatus is disclosed in which image data is obtained that represents an image of a surface of a consignment captured by an image sensor. At least partially on the basis of the image data, metadata associated with the image data is determined. The metadata represent a plurality of image features of the image represented by the image data. Each image feature of the image features represented by the metadata is an image component of the image represented by the image data. Distribution and/or sorting information is determined for the automated distribution and/or sorting of the consignment at least partially on the basis of the image features represented by the metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventor: Bernd Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20230103273
    Abstract: A loading device for loading a container with packages, comprising a transport channel for transport of the packages in the direction of the container. The transport channel has an upper inlet to supply packages into the transport channel and a lower outlet to supply packages into the container. At least one upper, and at least one lower, finger position each with at least one finger element are provided in the transport channel. The at least one of the finger elements of the upper and lower finger positions in each case have at least two flexible flank elements extending from one end to the opposing end of the finger element. In each case, the at least two flexible flank elements are flexibly connected via a plurality of webs. The finger elements in each case may be adjusted from at least one curved position into at least one extended position and back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Wolfram Grafe, Bernd Hartmann
  • Patent number: 11613436
    Abstract: A method for loading a container with packages, using a device having at least one guide. At least one hand element is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the guide, and is provided on the at least one guide. The hand element has a plurality of finger elements. The finger elements have at least two flexible flank elements extending together from one end of the finger element to the opposing end. The at least two flexible flank elements of the finger elements are flexibly connected together via a plurality of webs. The finger elements may be adjusted from at least one curved position into at least one extended position and back. The at least one hand element takes packages one after the other, and deposits the packages into the container in a stack. The hand element is displaced along the guide between the deposit of two successive packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Wolfram Grafe
  • Patent number: 11592298
    Abstract: A method for determining road surface conditions in a system with at least one vehicle and a data processing device. The vehicle exchanges data with the data processing device wirelessly. The vehicle has at least one sensor for determining measured values describing a road surface friction coefficient, and a computing unit. The data processing device includes a database, containing a road map having a plurality of route sections. The method includes determining measured values for a route section by the sensor, determining a first friction coefficient for the route section by the vehicle's computing unit, sending a data record, containing measured values and/or the first determined friction coefficient and a piece of information identifying the route section, to the data processing device, determining an average friction coefficient for the route section, sending the average friction coefficient determined for the route section to the vehicle, and determining the road surface condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO. OHG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Peter Lauer, Thomas Raste
  • Patent number: 11485587
    Abstract: A method to sort objects in a sorting installation. The objects are conveyed on a sorter of the sorting installation. In a first distribution pass a few of the objects conveyed on the sorter are brought by the sorter into retrieval end stations of the sorting installation and others of the objects conveyed on the sorter are brought by the sorter into a collection end station of the sorting installation and, with a transport facility of the sorting installation, objects are automatically transported away from the collection end station and automatically brought back to the sorter. The objects brought back from the collection end station to the sorter by the transport facility are brought by the sorter into one of the end stations in a second distribution pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Joern Becher, Bernd Hartmann, Reinhard Klink
  • Patent number: 11453559
    Abstract: A method of recognizing consecutive objects on a conveying path in a detection zone arranged on the conveying path comprises the following steps: generating an electromagnetic radio frequency field radiating into the detection zone by way of a radio frequency sensor; measuring a time curve of a dielectric conductivity in the detection zone by using of the radio frequency field of the radio frequency sensor; and determining contour information of the consecutive objects from the time curve of the dielectric conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignees: SICK AG, DEUTSCHE POST AG
    Inventors: Oliver Prinz, Rainer Imm, Bernd Hartmann
  • Patent number: 11401120
    Abstract: A method for unloading packages from a container, in particular a roller container. The method requires relatively little space, and the method involves a container guide and a conveyor belt, in which the containers are moved successively along a container path by the container guide. At least in some section or sections, the conveyor belt extends to the side of and at least substantially parallel to the container path. The containers are tipped sideways in the direction of the conveyor belt during the movement along the container guide and along the conveyor belt predetermined by the container path. The packages slide out of the tipped containers onto the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt conveys the packages that have slid out of the container onwards, and the emptied tipped containers are righted again during the movement along the container guide predetermined by the container path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Hillar Loh
  • Patent number: 11338331
    Abstract: A sorting installation sorts objects and contains a sorter for conveying objects and also an end station facility accepting objects. The sorter is configured to bring at least a few of the objects conveyed on the sorter in an object introduction direction, which is different from a local direction of object conveyance of the sorter in an area of the sorter adjoining the end station facility, into the end station facility. In order to make possible a fine distribution of the objects that is favorable in terms of the effort involved, the end station facility has a first object store, a second object store and also a transport facility. The transport facility is configured to transport the objects brought by the sorter into the end station facility optionally along a first transport path to the first object store or along a second transport path to the second object store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft AG, Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Joern Becher, Bernd Hartmann, Reinhard Klink
  • Publication number: 20220112040
    Abstract: A method for loading a container with packages, using a device having at least one guide. At least one hand element is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the guide, and is provided on the at least one guide. The hand element has a plurality of finger elements. The finger elements have at least two flexible flank elements extending together from one end of the finger element to the opposing end. The at least two flexible flank elements of the finger elements are flexibly connected together via a plurality of webs. The finger elements may be adjusted from at least one curved position into at least one extended position and back. The at least one hand element takes packages one after the other, and deposits the packages into the container in a stack. The hand element is displaced along the guide between the deposit of two successive packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicant: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Wolfram Grafe
  • Publication number: 20220097973
    Abstract: A loading device for loading a container with packages, comprising a transport channel for transport of the packages in the direction of the container. The transport channel has an upper inlet to supply packages into the transport channel and a lower outlet to supply packages into the container. At least one upper, and at least one lower, finger position each with at least one finger element are provided in the transport channel. The at least one of the finger elements of the upper and lower finger positions in each case have at least two flexible flank elements extending from one end to the opposing end of the finger element. In each case, the at least two flexible flank elements are flexibly connected via a plurality of webs. The finger elements in each case may be adjusted from at least one curved position into at least one extended position and back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Wolfram Grafe, Bernd Hartmann
  • Patent number: 11279570
    Abstract: The invention relates to a package collecting apparatus for a package handling installation for unloading a plurality of packages from a transport supply means of the package handling installation and moving unloaded packages to a transport discharge means of the package handling installation, wherein the package collecting apparatus comprises a collecting element, which has a bearing surface for at least one package during the movement from the transport supply means to the transport discharge means, and at least one lateral element arranged thereon which can be moved between an inoperative position and a working position and which has a further bearing surface for at least one package, wherein, with the lateral element in the working position, the bearing surface of the lateral element adjoins the bearing surface of the collecting element flush, and the package collecting apparatus additionally comprises a coupling device for mechanical releasable coupling to the transport discharge means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventor: Bernd Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20210402622
    Abstract: A method for unloading a container having packages with a rail device comprising a rail having a hand element displaceable in the longitudinal direction. The hand element has a plurality of finger elements having two flexible flank elements extending jointly from one end to the opposite end of the finger element. Each are connected flexibly to each other via a plurality of webs. The finger elements adjustable from a curved position into an extended position and back. The packages are stacked in the container forming a front face in which the rail device is brought close to the front face of the stacked packages. One hand element grips one package from the stack of packages and removes it from the stack. Following the removal, it is displaced along the rail and following the displacement grips one further package and removes it from the stack of packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Wolfram Grafe
  • Patent number: 11155421
    Abstract: A conveying device for converting a serially transported piece goods stream into a parallelly transported piece goods stream. A feed belt conveyor serially feeds the piece goods stream, and a plurality of discharge belt conveyors parallelly discharge the fed piece goods stream. The discharge belt conveyors are assigned to a longitudinal side of the feed belt conveyor. The directions of transport of the discharge belt conveyors are oriented parallel to one another and transversely to the direction of transport of the feed belt conveyor. The discharge belt conveyors are configured as telescopic belt conveyors. The longitudinal side of the upper strand of the feed belt conveyor that is assigned to the discharge belt conveyors is arranged lower than the opposite longitudinal side of the upper strand of the feed belt conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Alexander Winnebeck
  • Publication number: 20210324902
    Abstract: The invention concerns a coupling device (14) for articulated connection of two elements (12) of a device (10) for conveying and/or sorting piece goods, wherein the coupling device (10) connects together an end (24, 26) of each of the two elements (12) pivotably with respect to a rotational axis (20) in a plane to both sides (24, 26), and the two ends (24, 26) lie diametrically opposite each other in a neutral position. It is provided that the coupling device (14) is configured such that, starting from a respective central axis (28) of the two ends (24, 26), the rotational axis (20) on a pivot movement in the direction of the one side (24) lies on this one side (24) of the central axes (28), and on a pivot movement in the direction of the other side (26) lies on this other side (26) of the respective central axis (28). The invention furthermore concerns a corresponding device (10) for conveying and/or sorting piece goods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Wolfram GRAFE, Bernd HARTMANN, Hillar LOH
  • Patent number: 11148889
    Abstract: A singularizing unloader for unloading and singularizing packages provided in a container, having a pivoting installation for pivoting the container from a vertical receiving alignment for receiving the container to a horizontal emptying alignment for emptying the container, and having a holding installation for holding the container on the pivoting installation during the pivoting of the pivoting installation. A belt conveyor device for conveying the packages is connected to the pivoting installation in such a manner that the belt conveyor device by the pivoting of the pivoting installation from the receiving alignment to the emptying alignment is adjustable from a predominantly vertical initial position to a predominantly horizontal unloading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventor: Bernd Hartmann
  • Patent number: 11104520
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a conveyor system transporting separated piece goods is disclosed. The conveyor system has a display device extending in sections along a transport path for the piece goods. The display device is designed to display at least one optical signal at different points of the transport path, and the display device is coupled to a control device. The control device determines information relating to the relationship of the actual conveyance of the piece good along the transport path with respect to the predetermined conveyance of the piece good along the transport path. An optical signal running along parallel to a piece good transported along the at least one transport path is displayed by the display device. The optical signal indicates the relationship of the actual conveyance of the piece good with respect to the predetermined conveyance of the piece good.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Manfred Krup, Arnd Kraemer
  • Patent number: 11014766
    Abstract: A description of a continuous conveyor is provided. The continuous conveyor includes a front segment, a central segment and a rear segment. At least the central segment has a conveying device for conveying objects and at least one height-adjustment device for adjusting the height of at least the conveying device from at least one lower, use position for conveying objects into an upper position. In a conveying position, the front segment, the conveying device of the central segment and the rear segment are arranged one behind the other in at least one conveying direction. Provision is made for a free space beneath the conveying device of the central segment in the upper position. The free space has a height of at least 160 cm, a width of at least 70 cm, and a depth corresponding to the width of the conveying device of the central segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Kai-Ulrich Ventz, René Schällig, Jana Mönster
  • Patent number: 10947056
    Abstract: An adaptive roller conveyor for conveying objects, comprises a plurality of rollers and a control device, wherein the control device is connected with a sensor for detecting at least one parameter of an object, wherein at least one roller is connected with an adjustable brake device, wherein the brake device is connected with the control device, and wherein the control device is configured to control the brake device in dependence on the detected parameter to change the braking effect of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Oliver Prinz, Stephan Kolb