Patents by Inventor Brian Hons Smith

Brian Hons Smith 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).

  • Methods and systems for transporting parts from a primary process to a secondary process in a first in, first out fashion
    Patent number: 8275480
    Abstract: A method for management of first in, first out stores is provided. The method includes producing parts at a primary process. The parts are processed at a secondary process. A storage region is provided that includes at least one store lane pair including a first store lane and a second store lane. The first store lane includes a pick side, a drop side and a plurality of receiving volumes extending from the pick side to the drop side. The second store lane includes a pick side, a drop side and a plurality of receiving volumes extending from the pick side to the drop side. The receiving volumes of the first store lane are filled with the parts in the order they are produced at the primary process in a first in, first out fashion from the pick side of the first store lane to the drop side of the first store lane using an automated guided vehicle sized and configured to pass through each of the plurality of receiving volumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Hons Smith, Gary VanGorp
  • Methods and Systems for Transporting Parts from a Primary Process to a Secondary Process in a First In, First Out Fashion
    Publication number: 20110118869
    Abstract: A method for management of first in, first out stores is provided. The method includes producing parts at a primary process. The parts are processed at a secondary process. A storage region is provided that includes at least one store lane pair including a first store lane and a second store lane. The first store lane includes a pick side, a drop side and a plurality of receiving volumes extending from the pick side to the drop side. The second store lane includes a pick side, a drop side and a plurality of receiving volumes extending from the pick side to the drop side. The receiving volumes of the first store lane are filled with the parts in the order they are produced at the primary process in a first in, first out fashion from the pick side of the first store lane to the drop side of the first store lane using an automated guided vehicle sized and configured to pass through each of the plurality of receiving volumes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Hons Smith, Gary VanGorp