Patents by Inventor ERIK C. TRACY
ERIK 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).
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Publication number: 20240308828Abstract: A load position verification system for detecting a load on a pair of forks of a material handling vehicle. The system includes a first arm extending parallel with a first fork of the material handling vehicle and a second arm, opposite the first arm, extending parallel with a second fork of the material handling vehicle. In one example, the system includes one or more sensors, each sensor having a transmitter configured to transmit a beam and a receiver configured to receive the beam, positioned within the arms. In one example, the system may indicate that no load is on the forks when the receiver receives the beam from the transmitter. In another example, the system may indicate that a load is on the forks when the receiver does not receive the beam from the transmitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2024Publication date: September 19, 2024Inventors: Erik C. Tracy, Joseph A. Weiss, Curtis D. Richards
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Publication number: 20240308827Abstract: A material handling vehicle can include a first camera to determine the position of an object in a first camera field of view, and a second camera to determine the position of an object in a second camera field of view. The vehicle may further include a fork position sensor to determine whether one or more forks of the material handling vehicle are extended and/or retracted. In one example, a controller can be in communication with the first sensor, the second sensor, and the fork position sensor, the controller to autonomously control the material handling vehicle to pick-up or drop-off a load based on information from the first camera, the second camera, and the fork position sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2024Publication date: September 19, 2024Inventors: Erik C. Tracy, Joseph A. Weiss
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Patent number: 11958731Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 1, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: The Raymond CorporationInventors: Adam W. Standard, Erik C. Tracy
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Patent number: 11858795Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 19, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: The Raymond CorporationInventors: Erik C. Tracy, Timothy A. Schoelier, Thomas W. Confer, Kevin T. Bordwell
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Patent number: 11674533Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 13, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: The Raymond CorporationInventor: Erik C. Tracy
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Publication number: 20230124186Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Erik C. Tracy, Timothy A. Schoelier, Thomas W. Confer, Kevin T. Bordwell
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Patent number: 11591197Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 2, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: The Raymond CorporationInventors: Robert J. Paterson, Jr., Erik C. Tracy
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Patent number: 11577676Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 7, 2022Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: The Raymond CorporationInventors: Erik C. Tracy, Kevin T. Bordwell
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Patent number: 11530121Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 6, 2020Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: The Raymond CorporationInventors: Erik C. Tracy, Timothy A. Schoelier, Thomas W. Confer, Kevin T. Bordwell
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Publication number: 20220340094Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2022Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: Erik C. Tracy, Kevin T. Bordwell
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Patent number: 11453355Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 1, 2020Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: The Raymond CorporationInventors: Erik C. Tracy, Kevin T. Bordwell
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Patent number: 11434119Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 8, 2019Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: The Raymond CorporationInventor: Erik C. Tracy
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Patent number: 11383660Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 1, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: The Raymond CorporationInventors: Erik C. Tracy, Kevin T. Bordwell
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Publication number: 20220153563Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2022Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Adam W. Standard, Erik C. Tracy
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Patent number: 11274021Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 8, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: The Raymond CorporationInventors: Adam Wayne Standard, Erik C. Tracy
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Patent number: D967591Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: The Raymond CorporationInventors: Erik C. Tracy, Kevin T. Bordwell
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Patent number: D970097Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: The Raymond CorporationInventors: Thomas W. Confer, Erik C. Tracy, Keith F. Dolezel, Gregory W. Smiley
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Patent number: D981454Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2021Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: The Raymond CorporationInventors: Thomas W. Confer, Erik C. Tracy, Keith F. Dolezel, Gregory W. Smiley
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Patent number: D999473Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: The Raymond CorporationInventors: Erik C. Tracy, Kevin T. Bordwell
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Patent number: D1032990Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2021Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: The Raymond CorporationInventors: Thomas W. Confer, Erik C. Tracy, Keith F. Dolezel, Gregory W. Smiley