Patents by Inventor David C. Shields

David C. Shields 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).

  • Systems and methods for delivering merchandise items using a conveyor apparatus
    Patent number: 10087002
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to delivering merchandise items using a conveyor apparatus. Some of these embodiments include systems for delivering merchandise items comprising: a conveyor apparatus having unique conveyor locations for deposit of a merchandise item, the conveyor apparatus extending between a first controlled access point and a second, different controlled access point; a first input interface configured to enter identifying information regarding the merchandise item and to associate it with a corresponding unique conveyor location in the conveyor apparatus where the merchandise item is deposited; a second input interface configured to enter customer identification information; and a controller configured to receive information from the first input interface and the second input interface and to activate the conveyor apparatus to move the corresponding unique location of the merchandise item to the second controlled access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventors: David C. Shields, Daniel R. Shields
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING MERCHANDISE ITEMS USING A CONVEYOR APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20170291767
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to delivering merchandise items using a conveyor apparatus. Some of these embodiments include systems for delivering merchandise items comprising: a conveyor apparatus having unique conveyor locations for deposit of a merchandise item, the conveyor apparatus extending between a first controlled access point and a second, different controlled access point; a first input interface configured to enter identifying information regarding the merchandise item and to associate it with a corresponding unique conveyor location in the conveyor apparatus where the merchandise item is deposited; a second input interface configured to enter customer identification information; and a controller configured to receive information from the first input interface and the second input interface and to activate the conveyor apparatus to move the corresponding unique location of the merchandise item to the second controlled access point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: David C. Shields, Daniel R. Shields