Patents by Inventor Brian McElroy
Brian McElroy 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: 12024250Abstract: A fuel tank mounting system for allowing mounting of a fuel tank to a vehicle during assembly of the vehicle. A movable base moves along tracks on an assembly line and supports a fuel tank adjacent to a vehicle. Movable fastener drivers move to align with corresponding fastener apertures on the vehicle and drive fasteners to attach the fuel tank to the vehicle. Because the fastener drivers are movable, the system may be reconfigured to mount different fuel tanks to different vehicles needing differently aligned and/or differently angled fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2022Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Ronald Scott Friend, Brian McElroy, Robert A Allex, Christopher L Rexroat, David L Brock
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Publication number: 20240034576Abstract: A docking plate apparatus is provided for motorized floor conveyor vehicles, such as conveyance tuggers, that is particularly structured to provide tactile feedback at a determined stop position for improved docking and/or stopping placement. The docking plate apparatus has a structure and dimensions to ensure that the motorized floor conveyor vehicle is docked exactly in a determined stop position that is deemed most optimal for interaction with a delivery system. The docking plate apparatus can comprise body, which is a flat panel structure, and a docking aperture that is structured in a portion of the body. The docking aperture receiving at least one wheel of a motorized floor conveyor vehicle to dock the motorized vehicle in a determined stop position for interaction with the delivery system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2022Publication date: February 1, 2024Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ronald Scott Friend, Brian McElroy, Robert Aaron Allex, David A. Britton, Billy D. Dooley
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Publication number: 20230382479Abstract: Systems and methods of lifting and installing a fuel tank on a vehicle are provided. In particular, a lifting apparatus may (1) receive fasteners and fuel tank bands prior to lifting, the fasteners secured/extended through fastener openings of the fuel tank bands; (2) lift, in a first lifting stage, the received fuel tank bands to a ground-facing surface of a fuel tank (the fuel tank may be resting on a pedestal or a similar support structure) such that the fuel tank bands cradle the fuel tank; and (3) lift, in a second lifting stage, the received fuel tank bands and the cradled fuel tank to the underside of a vehicle for installation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2022Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ronald Scott Friend, Robert Aaron Allex, Brian McElroy, David L. Brock, Christopher L. Rexroat
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Publication number: 20230382478Abstract: A fuel tank mounting system for allowing mounting of a fuel tank to a vehicle during assembly of the vehicle. A movable base moves along tracks on an assembly line and supports a fuel tank adjacent to a vehicle. Movable fastener drivers move to align with corresponding fastener apertures on the vehicle and drive fasteners to attach the fuel tank to the vehicle. Because the fastener drivers are movable, the system may be reconfigured to mount different fuel tanks to different vehicles needing differently aligned and/or differently angled fasteners.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2022Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ronald Scott Friend, Brian McElroy, Robert A Allex, Christopher L Rexroat, David L Brock
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Patent number: 11796018Abstract: A vehicle wheel torque brace for inhibiting rotation of a vehicle wheel includes a brace body including a relatively thick stopper portion and a relatively thin wedge portion that is stepped down in thickness relative to the wedge portion. The wedge portion decreases in thickness from one side of the brace body to an opposite side of the brace body. A contact pad is carried by the wedge portion. The contact pad and wedge portion are shaped and sized to be wedged between a tire of the vehicle wheel and a strut assembly to inhibit rotation of the vehicle wheel.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Scott Friend, Robert Aaron Allex, Brian McElroy, David A. Britton, Billy D. Dooley
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Publication number: 20230323924Abstract: A vehicle wheel torque brace for inhibiting rotation of a vehicle wheel includes a brace body including a relatively thick stopper portion and a relatively thin wedge portion that is stepped down in thickness relative to the wedge portion. The wedge portion decreases in thickness from one side of the brace body to an opposite side of the brace body. A contact pad is carried by the wedge portion. The contact pad and wedge portion are shaped and sized to be wedged between a tire of the vehicle wheel and a strut assembly to inhibit rotation of the vehicle wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2022Publication date: October 12, 2023Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Scott Friend, Robert Aaron Allex, Brian McElroy, David A. Britton, Billy D. Dooley
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Patent number: 11643054Abstract: A vehicle moving device for moving a vehicle from a first location to a second location includes a frame having a first end and a second end. A driving wheel is coupled to the first end of the frame and configured to contact a vehicle wheel at a first wheel location. A holding arm is coupled to the second end of the frame opposite the driving wheel and configured to contact the vehicle wheel at a second wheel location. The holding arm holds the vehicle wheel in contact with the driving wheel as the driving wheel rotates the vehicle wheel.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2019Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Scott Friend, Robert Aaron Allex, Brian McElroy
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Publication number: 20230103034Abstract: The present disclosure provides a transaction processing method, comprising: preprocessing at least one first-type transaction object information; transmitting the first-type transaction object information after being preprocessed to a first processing region for processing based on a first-type operation instruction; transmitting the first-type transaction object information after being processed based on the first-type operation instruction in the first processing region to a second processing region for processing based on a second-type operation instruction and/or a fourth-type operation instruction; and transmitting a second-type transaction object information obtained based on the first-type transaction object information to a third processing region for processing based on a third-type operation instruction and/or a fifth-type operation instruction. The present disclosure further provides a transaction processing system, an electronic device, and a readable storage medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2021Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: GAOLIN WU, LAU SARA LING, Chengwei Mo, Brian McElroy
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Patent number: 11352209Abstract: A rear suspension member (RSM) transfer assembly for transferring an RSM from a sub-assembly line to a main assembly line includes a first RSM lifter, an RSM buffer, and a second RSM lifter. The first RSM lifter is configured to travel laterally between the sub-assembly line and the main assembly line. The first RSM lifter includes a lifting body and a rotatable arm configured to retrieve the RSM from the sub-assembly line and transport the RSM to the main assembly line. The RSM buffer is configured to receive the RSM from the first RSM lifter and transport the RSM through a plurality of resting positions. The second RSM lifter is configured to receive the RSM from the RSM buffer and raise the RSM into position for installation on a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Scott Friend, Robert Aaron Allex, Brian McElroy
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Patent number: 11286142Abstract: A fuel tank lifting apparatus includes a first lifting apparatus including a first lifting base and a second lifting base that is connected to the first lifting base by a first actuator. A positioning mount is fixedly mounted to the second lifting base. The positioning mount is configured to support a fuel tank thereon. A powered fastening gun is fixedly mounted to the first lifting base. The first actuator raises and lowers the second lifting base relative to the first lifting base. A second lifting apparatus comprising a second actuator that raises and lowers the first lifting assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Scott Friend, Robert Aaron Allex, Brian McElroy
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Patent number: 11180121Abstract: A terminal tractor includes a cabin and a parking brake system including a parking brake handle located in the cabin for activating a wheel brake. The parking brake handle has a lowered position where the wheel brake is disengaged and a raised position where the wheel brake is engaged. A parking brake setting device is located in the cabin that is configured to be located beneath a head of the parking brake handle with the parking brake handle in the raised position.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2019Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Scott Friend, Robert Aaron Allex, Brian McElroy, William T. Smith, David A. Britton
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Publication number: 20210094808Abstract: A fuel tank lifting apparatus includes a first lifting apparatus including a first lifting base and a second lifting base that is connected to the first lifting base by a first actuator. A positioning mount is fixedly mounted to the second lifting base. The positioning mount is configured to support a fuel tank thereon. A powered fastening gun is fixedly mounted to the first lifting base. The first actuator raises and lowers the second lifting base relative to the first lifting base. A second lifting apparatus comprising a second actuator that raises and lowers the first lifting assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2019Publication date: April 1, 2021Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Scott Friend, Robert Aaron Allex, Brian McElroy
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Patent number: 10926743Abstract: A shock absorber support device for supporting a shock absorber coupled to a rear suspension member (RSM), the shock absorber support device including an elongated body extending between a first end and a second end. A shock absorber hooking portion is coupled to the first end, where the shock absorber hooking portion is configured to releasably engage a cylinder of a shock absorber. An RSM frame hooking portion is coupled to the second end, where the RSM frame hooking portion is configured to releasably engage a portion of an RSM frame assembly. Engagement of both the shock absorber and the portion of an RSM frame assembly prevents the shock absorber from moving.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Ronald Scott Friend, Robert Aaron Allex, Brian McElroy
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Publication number: 20210024043Abstract: A terminal tractor includes a cabin and a parking brake system including a parking brake handle located in the cabin for activating a wheel brake. The parking brake handle has a lowered position where the wheel brake is disengaged and a raised position where the wheel brake is engaged. A parking brake setting device is located in the cabin that is configured to be located beneath a head of the parking brake handle with the parking brake handle in the raised position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2019Publication date: January 28, 2021Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Scott Friend, Robert Aaron Allex, Brian McElroy, William T. Smith, David A. Britton
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Publication number: 20200407163Abstract: A rear suspension member (RSM) transfer assembly for transferring an RSM from a sub-assembly line to a main assembly line includes a first RSM lifter, an RSM buffer, and a second RSM lifter. The first RSM lifter is configured to travel laterally between the sub-assembly line and the main assembly line. The first RSM lifter includes a lifting body and a rotatable arm configured to retrieve the RSM from the sub-assembly line and transport the RSM to the main assembly line. The RSM buffer is configured to receive the RSM from the first RSM lifter and transport the RSM through a plurality of resting positions. The second RSM lifter is configured to receive the RSM from the RSM buffer and raise the RSM into position for installation on a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2019Publication date: December 31, 2020Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Scott Friend, Robert Aaron Allex, Brian McElroy
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Patent number: 10870542Abstract: An independently-driven platform used in vehicle assembly includes a side frame and a manually-initiated synchronizing apparatus mounted to the side frame. The manually-initiated synchronizing apparatus includes a linear actuator including a cylinder portion mounted to the side frame and a rod portion that extends and retracts from the cylinder portion. A conveying platform engagement member has a front that faces a conveying direction when synchronizing with a synchronization tab of a conveying platform, a rear that faces an upstream direction and a top connected to the rod portion of the manually-initiated synchronizing apparatus. The conveying platform engagement member has a notch in the rear that is configured to engage the synchronization tab.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2019Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing, North America, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Scott Friend, Brian McElroy, Robert Aaron Allex
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Publication number: 20200324742Abstract: A shock absorber support device for supporting a shock absorber coupled to a rear suspension member (RSM), the shock absorber support device including an elongated body extending between a first end and a second end. A shock absorber hooking portion is coupled to the first end, where the shock absorber hooking portion is configured to releasably engage a cylinder of a shock absorber. An RSM frame hooking portion is coupled to the second end, where the RSM frame hooking portion is configured to releasably engage a portion of an RSM frame assembly. Engagement of both the shock absorber and the portion of an RSM frame assembly prevents the shock absorber from moving.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2019Publication date: October 15, 2020Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Scott Friend, Robert Aaron Allex, Brian McElroy
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Publication number: 20200298806Abstract: A vehicle moving device for moving a vehicle from a first location to a second location includes a frame having a first end and a second end. A driving wheel is coupled to the first end of the frame and configured to contact a vehicle wheel at a first wheel location. A holding arm is coupled to the second end of the frame opposite the driving wheel and configured to contact the vehicle wheel at a second wheel location. The holding arm holds the vehicle wheel in contact with the driving wheel as the driving wheel rotates the vehicle wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2019Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Scott Friend, Robert Aaron Allex, Brian McElroy
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Publication number: 20020098179Abstract: This invention relates, inter alia, to methods of treating pathophysiological conditions involving neutrophils, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment a combination therapy comprising at least one Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor (NIF) and at least one other agent that protects neurons from toxic insult, inhibits the inflammatory reaction after brain damage or promotes cerebral reperfusion (i.e. neuroprotective or thrombolytic/fibrinolytic agents), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2001Publication date: July 25, 2002Inventors: Christopher John Brearley, Paul Butler, Suresh Babubhai Chahwala, Michael Chopp, Michael Krams, Michael Looby, Fiona MacIntyre, Andrew Brian McElroy, Aileen Dorothy McHarg
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Patent number: 6417203Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): are antithrombotic agents, having utility in a variety of therapeutic areas including the prevention and/or treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after surgery, major medical illness, paralysis, malignancy, prolonged immobilisation trauma, application of lower limb plaster casts, or fractures of the lower limbs or pelvis; recurrent DVT; DVT during pregnancy when there is a previous history thereof; reocclusion following thrombolytic therapy; chronic arterial obstruction; peripheral vascular disease; acute myocardial infarction; unstable angina; atrial fibrillation; thrombotic stroke; transient ischaemic attacks; disseminated intravascular coagulation; coagulation in extra-corporeal circuits; occlusion of arterio-venous shunts and blood vessel grafts (including coronary artery by-pass grafts); and restenosis and occlusion following angioplasty.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2000Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: Pfizer Inc.Inventors: Julian Blagg, Alan Daniel Brown, Elisabeth Colette Louise Gautier, Julian Duncan Smith, Andrew Brian McElroy