Patents by Inventor C. Tracy

C. Tracy 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: 11958731
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for detecting a load on at least one fork of a material handling vehicle. The systems and methods can comprise a housing; at least one sensor positioned within the housing; a sensor arm pivotally coupled to the housing; at least one sensor flag integral with or coupled to the inside of the sensor arm; and wherein when the sensor arm pivots inward toward the housing the at least on sensor flag triggers the at least one sensor to identify at least a first load position and a second load position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Adam W. Standard, Erik C. Tracy
  • Patent number: 11858795
    Abstract: A pallet detection assembly for a material handling vehicle is provided. The pallet detection assembly includes a body defining a cavity and having a proximity sensor housed at least partially within the cavity. The pallet detection assembly further includes an actuation plate having a tab coupled thereto and extending in a direction toward the body, and an actuator having a cylinder coupled to the body and a plunger slidably received within the cylinder and coupled to the actuation plate. The actuator is configured to movably couple the actuation plate to the body so that the actuation plate is configured to non-pivotally displace relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Erik C. Tracy, Timothy A. Schoelier, Thomas W. Confer, Kevin T. Bordwell
  • Patent number: 11674533
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hydraulic control system of a material handling vehicle is provided. The method includes detecting an elevated height of a fork assembly, determining if the elevated height is above a first predetermined height threshold, and actuating a first low pressure control valve from a control valve closed position to a control valve open position to provide fluid communication from a supply passage to the first low pressure relief valve when the elevated height is above a first predetermined height threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventor: Erik C. Tracy
  • Publication number: 20230124186
    Abstract: A pallet detection assembly for a material handling vehicle is provided. The pallet detection assembly includes a body defining a cavity and having a proximity sensor housed at least partially within the cavity. The pallet detection assembly further includes an actuation plate having a tab coupled thereto and extending in a direction toward the body, and an actuator having a cylinder coupled to the body and a plunger slidably received within the cylinder and coupled to the actuation plate. The actuator is configured to movably couple the actuation plate to the body so that the actuation plate is configured to non-pivotally displace relative to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Erik C. Tracy, Timothy A. Schoelier, Thomas W. Confer, Kevin T. Bordwell
  • Patent number: 11591197
    Abstract: A load handling module for a material handling vehicle can include a first camera configured to determine the position of an object in a first camera field of view, and a second camera positioned above the first camera and configured to determine the position of an object in a second camera field of view. A fork tip sensor can be secured to at least one fork proximate the tip end thereof, and can be configured to detect the presence of an object within a fork sensor field of view extending in front of the fork. A controller can be in communication with the first sensor, the second sensor, and the fork tip sensor, the controller being configured to autonomously control the material handling vehicle to pick up or drop-off a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Paterson, Jr., Erik C. Tracy
  • Patent number: 11577676
    Abstract: A bumper assembly for a material handling vehicle is provided. The material handling vehicle includes a vehicle frame. The bumper assembly includes a first bumper coupled to a first side of the vehicle frame and having a first slot extending along a portion of the first bumper and a first protruding portion. The first protruding portion extends outwardly at an angle past a plane defined by the first side of the vehicle frame. The bumper assembly further includes a second bumper coupled to a second side of the vehicle frame opposite to the first side and having a second slot extending along a portion of the second bumper and a second protruding portion. The second protruding portion extends outwardly at an angle past a plane defined by the second side of the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Erik C. Tracy, Kevin T. Bordwell
  • Patent number: 11530121
    Abstract: A pallet detection assembly for a material handling vehicle is provided. The pallet detection assembly includes a body defining a cavity and having a proximity sensor housed at least partially within the cavity. The pallet detection assembly further includes an actuation plate having a tab coupled thereto and extending in a direction toward the body, and an actuator having a cylinder coupled to the body and a plunger slidably received within the cylinder and coupled to the actuation plate. The actuator is configured to movably couple the actuation plate to the body so that the actuation plate is configured to non-pivotally displace relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Erik C. Tracy, Timothy A. Schoelier, Thomas W. Confer, Kevin T. Bordwell
  • Publication number: 20220340094
    Abstract: A bumper assembly for a material handling vehicle is provided. The material handling vehicle includes a vehicle frame. The bumper assembly includes a first bumper coupled to a first side of the vehicle frame and having a first slot extending along a portion of the first bumper and a first protruding portion. The first protruding portion extends outwardly at an angle past a plane defined by the first side of the vehicle frame. The bumper assembly further includes a second bumper coupled to a second side of the vehicle frame opposite to the first side and having a second slot extending along a portion of the second bumper and a second protruding portion. The second protruding portion extends outwardly at an angle past a plane defined by the second side of the vehicle frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Erik C. Tracy, Kevin T. Bordwell
  • Patent number: 11453355
    Abstract: A bumper assembly for a material handling vehicle is provided. The bumper assembly includes a main body which includes at least one cutout. The bumper assembly also includes a window plate that may be removably coupled to the main body and cover the at least one cut out. The bumper assembly can also include a lower section that may be removably coupled to the main body and includes a protection plate extending below the at least one cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Erik C. Tracy, Kevin T. Bordwell
  • Patent number: 11434119
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for determining an efficient hydraulic pump speed of a hydraulic pump configured for use with a hydraulic system of a material handling vehicle having a fork assembly configured to perform a hydraulic function on a load on the fork assembly. In some configurations, the systems and methods may comprise measuring a height of the fork assembly using a height sensor. The systems and methods may further comprise measuring a temperature of hydraulic oil within the hydraulic system using a temperature sensor. The systems and methods may further comprise measuring a weight of the load using a weight sensor. The systems and methods may further comprise determining a hydraulic pump speed based on at least one of the height of the fork assembly, the temperature of the hydraulic oil, and the weight of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventor: Erik C. Tracy
  • Patent number: 11383660
    Abstract: A bumper assembly for a material handling vehicle is provided. The material handling vehicle includes a vehicle frame. The bumper assembly includes a first bumper coupled to a first side of the vehicle frame and having a first slot extending along a portion of the first bumper and a first protruding portion. The first protruding portion extends outwardly at an angle past a plane defined by the first side of the vehicle frame. The bumper assembly further includes a second bumper coupled to a second side of the vehicle frame opposite to the first side and having a second slot extending along a portion of the second bumper and a second protruding portion. The second protruding portion extends outwardly at an angle past a plane defined by the second side of the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Erik C. Tracy, Kevin T. Bordwell
  • Publication number: 20220153563
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for detecting a load on at least one fork of a material handling vehicle. The systems and methods can comprise a housing; at least one sensor positioned within the housing; a sensor arm pivotally coupled to the housing; at least one sensor flag integral with or coupled to the inside of the sensor arm; and wherein when the sensor arm pivots inward toward the housing the at least on sensor flag triggers the at least one sensor to identify at least a first load position and a second load position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Adam W. Standard, Erik C. Tracy
  • Patent number: 11274021
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for detecting a load on at least one fork of a material handling vehicle. The systems and methods can comprise a housing; at least one sensor positioned within the housing; a sensor arm pivotally coupled to the housing; at least one sensor flag integral with or coupled to the inside of the sensor arm; and wherein when the sensor arm pivots inward toward the housing the at least on sensor flag triggers the at least one sensor to identify at least a first load position and a second load position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Adam Wayne Standard, Erik C. Tracy
  • Publication number: 20220010818
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hydraulic control system of a material handling vehicle is provided. The method includes detecting an elevated height of a fork assembly, determining if the elevated height is above a first predetermined height threshold, and actuating a first low pressure control valve from a control valve closed position to a control valve open position to provide fluid communication from a supply passage to the first low pressure relief valve when the elevated height is above a first predetermined height threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventor: Erik C. Tracy
  • Patent number: 11217082
    Abstract: A water sensor comprises a housing including a top portion and a bottom portion; a controller positioned within the housing; a power source electrically coupled to the controller to energize the controller; and a continuity sensor electrically coupled to the controller and including an inner arcuate portion and an outer arcuate portion, the inner arcuate portion having an electrically conductive surface spanning at least 300 degrees, the outer arcuate portion having an electrically conductive surface spanning at least 300 degrees and substantially surrounding the inner arcuate portion to define an elongate gap therebetween, wherein the water sensor is structured to transition from a first logical state to a second logical state responsive to water bridging the elongate gap, and wherein the controller is structured to transmit a wireless water detection signal responsive to the water sensor transitioning to the second logical state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignees: Delta Faucet Company, iDevices, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Sale, Joel D. Sawaski, Michael Tetreault, Hillary C. Tracy, Eric L. Ferguson, Michael A. Daigle, Casey S. Weaver, Jeffrey A. Scarcella
  • Patent number: 11118607
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hydraulic control system of a material handling vehicle is provided. The method includes detecting an elevated height of a fork assembly, determining if the elevated height is above a first predetermined height threshold, and actuating a first low pressure control valve from a control valve closed position to a control valve open position to provide fluid communication from a supply passage to the first low pressure relief valve when the elevated height is above a first predetermined height threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventor: Erik C. Tracy
  • Patent number: D967591
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Erik C. Tracy, Kevin T. Bordwell
  • Patent number: D970097
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Confer, Erik C. Tracy, Keith F. Dolezel, Gregory W. Smiley
  • Patent number: D981454
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Confer, Erik C. Tracy, Keith F. Dolezel, Gregory W. Smiley
  • Patent number: D999473
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Erik C. Tracy, Kevin T. Bordwell