Patents by Inventor Christopher A. Brumm
Christopher A. Brumm 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: 11794950Abstract: A multi-level rail for a storage structure may comprise an upper horizontal portion configured to support a load and a lower horizontal portion configured to support a row vehicle. An upper support portion extends downward diagonally from the upper horizontal portion toward the lower horizontal portion, and a lower support extends downward diagonally from the lower horizontal portion. This rail is configured to connect to at least one vertical post of the storage structure. Support beams for a railed storage structure are also disclosed with an elongated body having a terminal end portion configured to attach to a vertical column of a storage support structure and an upper support surface configured to support a horizontal support rail. A wing portion is secured to the terminal end portion and configured to attach to the horizontal support rail by extending lateral to the elongated body and above the upper support surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Swisslog Logistics, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Brumm, Rodney Tipton, Mohan Ramankutty, Pat Mitchell
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Publication number: 20210347527Abstract: A multi-level rail for a storage structure may comprise an upper horizontal portion configured to support a load and a lower horizontal portion configured to support a row vehicle. An upper support portion extends downward diagonally from the upper horizontal portion toward the lower horizontal portion, and a lower support extends downward diagonally from the lower horizontal portion. This rail is configured to connect to at least one vertical post of the storage structure. Support beams for a railed storage structure are also disclosed with an elongated body having a terminal end portion configured to attach to a vertical column of a storage support structure and an upper support surface configured to support a horizontal support rail. A wing portion is secured to the terminal end portion and configured to attach to the horizontal support rail by extending lateral to the elongated body and above the upper support surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2021Publication date: November 11, 2021Applicant: Swisslog Logistics, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Brumm, Rodney Tipton, Mohan Ramankutty, Pat Mitchell
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Patent number: 11084622Abstract: A multi-level rail for a storage structure may comprise an upper horizontal portion configured to support a load and a lower horizontal portion configured to support a row vehicle. An upper support portion extends downward diagonally from the upper horizontal portion toward the lower horizontal portion, and a lower support extends downward diagonally from the lower horizontal portion. This rail is configured to connect to at least one vertical post of the storage structure. Support beams for a railed storage structure are also disclosed with an elongated body having a terminal end portion configured to attach to a vertical column of a storage support structure and an upper support surface configured to support a horizontal support rail. A wing portion is secured to the terminal end portion and configured to attach to the horizontal support rail by extending lateral to the elongated body and above the upper support surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2015Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Swisslog Logistics, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Brumm, Rodney Tipton, Mohan Ramankutty, Pat Mitchell
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Patent number: 10618731Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a load on an automated lifting cart, including a lifting surface vertically movable relative to the lifting cart, two pairs of cams positioned underneath the lifting surface having cam profiles shaped to lift the lifting surface upon rotation of the cams, a pair of encoders reading a rotation property of each pair of cams, and a controller configured to control movement of the pairs of cams by synchronizing the rotation properties of the pairs of cams by matching output from the encoders. Additionally, methods of lifting a load using an automated lifting cart including cams with a movement profile and a load profile, and methods of synchronizing drive shafts in a lifting cart using torque current measurements sent from a lead motor to a lag motor.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2015Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Swisslog Logistics, Inc.Inventors: Mohan Ramankutty, Christopher Brumm, Rodney Tipton, Pat Mitchell
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Patent number: 10399774Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a load on an automated lifting cart, including a lifting surface vertically movable relative to the lifting cart, two pairs of cams positioned underneath the lifting surface having cam profiles shaped to lift the lifting surface upon rotation of the cams, a pair of encoders reading a rotation property of each pair of cams, and a controller configured to control movement of the pairs of cams by synchronizing the rotation properties of the pairs of cams by matching output from the encoders. Additionally, methods of lifting a load using an automated lifting cart including cams with a movement profile and a load profile, and methods of synchronizing drive shafts in a lifting cart using torque current measurements sent from a lead motor to a lag motor.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Swisslog Logistics, Inc.Inventors: Mohan Ramankutty, Christopher Brumm, Rodney Tipton, Pat Mitchell
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Patent number: 10207867Abstract: A multi-level storage structure includes a plurality of vertical supports, a plurality of row spacing members connecting vertical posts positioned laterally relative to each other, a plurality of row rails connecting vertical posts positioned longitudinally relative to each other and configured to support at least one row cart, a plurality of aisle rails extending perpendicular to the plurality of row rails and configured to support at least one aisle cart, and a plurality of pre-formed holes formed in at least one of the vertical supports, row spacing members, row rails, and aisle rails to mount at least one of a lighting system, a fire suppression system, a mobile safety tie off carriage, and at least one support brace to the storage structure. The plurality of pre-formed holes are formed prior to assembly of the storage structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2016Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Swisslog Logistics, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Brumm, Mohan Ramankutty, Rodney Tipton, Pat Mitchell
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Patent number: 10106323Abstract: A system for positioning a lifting cart in an automated storage facility is described. In one example, the system includes a motorized lifting cart configured to move about a railway of a storage area. An encoder on the cart reads a property of rotation of a rotating element on the cart, and a controller may receive the property of rotation from the encoder and convert it to a rotation count of the rotating element. The rotating element may be an encoder shaft, drive shaft, and like elements. Some systems include a signal emitter or photo sensor to position the lifting cart and to facilitate providing instructions to the cart.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Swisslog Logistics, Inc.Inventors: Mike Terrill, Mohan Ramankutty, Christopher Brumm, Pat Mitchell, Rodney Tipton
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Publication number: 20180265290Abstract: A multi-level rail for a storage structure may comprise an upper horizontal portion configured to support a load and a lower horizontal portion configured to support a row vehicle. An upper support portion extends downward diagonally from the upper horizontal portion toward the lower horizontal portion, and a lower support extends downward diagonally from the lower horizontal portion. This rail is configured to connect to at least one vertical post of the storage structure. Support beams for a railed storage structure are also disclosed with an elongated body having a terminal end portion configured to attach to a vertical column of a storage support structure and an upper support surface configured to support a horizontal support rail. A wing portion is secured to the terminal end portion and configured to attach to the horizontal support rail by extending lateral to the elongated body and above the upper support surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2015Publication date: September 20, 2018Applicant: Swisslog Logistics, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Brumm, Rodney Tipton, Mohan Ramankutty, Pat Mitchell
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Publication number: 20170101264Abstract: A multi-level storage structure includes a plurality of vertical supports, a plurality of row spacing members connecting vertical posts positioned laterally relative to each other, a plurality of row rails connecting vertical posts positioned longitudinally relative to each other and configured to support at least one row cart, a plurality of aisle rails extending perpendicular to the plurality of row rails and configured to support at least one aisle cart, and a plurality of pre-formed holes formed in at least one of the vertical supports, row spacing members, row rails, and aisle rails to mount at least one of a lighting system, a fire suppression system, a mobile safety tie off carriage, and at least one support brace to the storage structure. The plurality of pre-formed holes are formed prior to assembly of the storage structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Applicant: Swisslog Logistics, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Brumm, Mohan Ramankutty, Rodney Tipton, Pat Mitchell
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Publication number: 20170081121Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a load on an automated lifting cart, including a lifting surface vertically movable relative to the lifting cart, two pairs of cams positioned underneath the lifting surface having cam profiles shaped to lift the lifting surface upon rotation of the cams, a pair of encoders reading a rotation property of each pair of cams, and a controller configured to control movement of the pairs of cams by synchronizing the rotation properties of the pairs of cams by matching output from the encoders. Additionally, methods of lifting a load using an automated lifting cart including cams with a movement profile and a load profile, and methods of synchronizing drive shafts in a lifting cart using torque current measurements sent from a lead motor to a lag motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2015Publication date: March 23, 2017Applicant: Swisslog Logistics, Inc.Inventors: Mohan Ramankutty, Christopher Brumm, Rodney Tipton, Pat Mitchell
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Publication number: 20170008701Abstract: A system for positioning a lifting cart in an automated storage facility is described. In one example, the system includes a motorized lifting cart configured to move about a railway of a storage area. An encoder on the cart reads a property of rotation of a rotating element on the cart, and a controller may receive the property of rotation from the encoder and convert it to a rotation count of the rotating element. The rotating element may be an encoder shaft, drive shaft, and like elements. Some systems include a signal emitter or photo sensor to position the lifting cart and to facilitate providing instructions to the cart.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2015Publication date: January 12, 2017Applicant: Swisslog Logistics, Inc.Inventors: Mike Terrill, Mohan RAMANKUTTY, Christopher BRUMM, Pat MITCHELL, Rodney TIPTON
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Publication number: 20160368710Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a load on an automated lifting cart, including a lifting surface vertically movable relative to the lifting cart, two pairs of cams positioned underneath the lifting surface having cam profiles shaped to lift the lifting surface upon rotation of the cams, a pair of encoders reading a rotation property of each pair of cams, and a controller configured to control movement of the pairs of cams by synchronizing the rotation properties of the pairs of cams by matching output from the encoders. Additionally, methods of lifting a load using an automated lifting cart including cams with a movement profile and a load profile, and methods of synchronizing drive shafts in a lifting cart using torque current measurements sent from a lead motor to a lag motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Applicant: Swisslog Logistics, Inc.Inventors: Mohan Ramankutty, Christopher Brumm, Rodney Tipton, Pat Mitchell
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Publication number: 20160251159Abstract: A rail mounting bracket includes a base, first and second rail receiving recesses, and a plurality of rail support surfaces. The base includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The first rail receiving recess is formed in the upper portion and open in an vertical direction. The second rail receiving recess is formed in the lower portion and open in a horizontal direction. The plurality of rail support surfaces is positioned between the first and second rail receiving recesses and configured to support downward facing surfaces of a cart rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2014Publication date: September 1, 2016Inventors: Christopher Brumm, Pat Mitchell, Mohan Ramankutty
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Patent number: 7798312Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conveying a stack (22) of paper products by the use of rollers (50, 150, 250 or 350) that include lobed outer surfaces for contacting the stack of paper.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2003Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Shuttleworth, Inc.Inventor: Christopher A. Brumm
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Publication number: 20060070853Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conveying a stack (22) of paper products by the use of rollers (50, 150, 250 or 350) that include lobed outer surfaces for contacting the stack of paper.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2003Publication date: April 6, 2006Inventor: Christopher Brumm
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Patent number: 6193047Abstract: An apparatus and method for conveying objects to a seated human operator, including a powered conveyor with slippable rollers that is part of a workstation area for the operator. The conveyor is compact enough that a human operator can sit adjacent to it with the operator's legs underneath the moving surface path and perform work on objects being conveyed along the surface path. Also there is a compact driving mechanism for driving the roller shafts. The roller driving and support assemblies are of low vertical height and clear the operator's legs while at the same time maintaining the top surface of the driving and support assemblies and surface path at a comfortable height for the operator's arms. The driving and support assemblies, rollers and roller shafts, and various driving elements provide protection for the human operator. A product stop assembly is also included that stops an object being conveyed along the surface path so that it can be worked on by the human operator.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1997Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: Shuttleworth, Inc.Inventors: Christopher A. Brumm, Robert E. Liner, Christopher L. Cramer, Brent R. Howard
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Patent number: 6098786Abstract: A slippable roller conveyor for a class one cleanroom. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a slippable roller conveyor with a surface path for conveying objects that is largely open so as to facilitate the downward flow of air from a clean air source above the conveyor to an evacuator below the conveyor. The slippable rollers include guiding flanges to resist lateral movement of the object being conveyed. The conveyor includes skirts with substantially smooth surfaces and minimal horizontal surfaces that assist in discouraging lateral flow of the clean air. Also, one embodiment of the invention includes a powered transfer mechanism for transferring objects from one conveyor path to another conveyor path. The transfer mechanism is enclosed and evacuated so as to prevent the escape of particulate matter into the cleanroom. The driving mechanism, motor, and electrical components are also contained in evacuated enclosures.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1998Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: Shuttleworth, Inc.Inventors: Christopher A. Brumm, Breton C. Ranc, Brent R. Howard, Christopher L. Cramer