Patents by Inventor Howard McKinney

Howard McKinney 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: 11912325
    Abstract: An improved auto-chocking enabled cargo dolly that is towable by ground support equipment. The dolly has a frame, wheels attached to the frame that support the frame and rotate to allow movement of the frame, a tow bar, a linkage in communication with the tow bar and that actuates when the tow bar is raised, and a wheel engagement chocking system fixed to the dolly frame and disposed to selectively engage at least one of the wheels attached to the dolly frame. The wheel engagement system is responsive to a position of the linkage, where the wheel engagement chocking system applies pressure directly to at least one of the wheels to hold the wheel(s) in place when the linkage is actuated by the tow bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: FedEx Corporate Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, Katherine King, Howard McKinney, Aaron Prather, Kevin Frommelt, Shaq Khan
  • Patent number: 11827264
    Abstract: An improved cargo dolly for transporting cargo is described having a mobile dolly frame, a main shaft on the frame, a lever proximate to a first part of the frame (where the lever is movable relative to the frame and in responsive communication with the main shaft), a first set of transfer sprockets mounted to the main shaft, a secondary shaft rotatably disposed at a second part of the frame (where the first part is remote from the second part), a second set of transfer sprockets mounted to the secondary shaft, a chain disposed about the first set of transfer sprockets and the second set of transfer sprockets, and a locking pin having a first end fixed to the secondary shaft and a second end configured as an angled latch. Rotation of the lever responsively causes the locking pin to remotely rotate at the second part of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: FEDEX CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, Katherine King, Howard McKinney, Aaron Prather, Kevin Frommelt, Shaq Khan
  • Patent number: 11747820
    Abstract: An improved retrofit assembly for ground support equipment providing autonomous operation of the logistics ground support equipment (GSE). The assembly has a refit control system attached to the GSE (with a vehicle dynamics control processor and a data preprocessing control processor), retrofitted proprioceptive sensors coupled to the vehicle dynamics control processor monitoring operating parameters and characteristics of the GSE, retrofitted exteroceptive sensors coupled to the data preprocessing control processor that monitor an exterior environment of the GSE, and refit actuators for different control elements on the GSE and to autonomously alter motion of the GSE. The refit control system programmatically receives sensor data from the proprioceptive sensors and exteroceptive sensors; optimizes a path for the GSE based upon the different sensor data; and activates at least one of the actuators according to the optimized path for the GSE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: FEDEX CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, Sherif Abelwahed, John E. Ball, Matt Doude, James R. Gafford, Tyler J. Hannis, Yucheng Liu, Michael S. Mazzola, Howard McKinney
  • Publication number: 20230227090
    Abstract: An improved cargo dolly for transporting cargo is described having a mobile dolly frame, a main shaft on the frame, a lever proximate to a first part of the frame (where the lever is movable relative to the frame and in responsive communication with the main shaft), a first set of transfer sprockets mounted to the main shaft, a secondary shaft rotatably disposed at a second part of the frame (where the first part is remote from the second part), a second set of transfer sprockets mounted to the secondary shaft, a chain disposed about the first set of transfer sprockets and the second set of transfer sprockets, and a locking pin having a first end fixed to the secondary shaft and a second end configured as an angled latch. Rotation of the lever responsively causes the locking pin to remotely rotate at the second part of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, Katherine King, Howard McKinney, Aaron Prather, Kevin Frommelt, Shaq Khan
  • Patent number: 11608101
    Abstract: An improved cargo dolly for transporting cargo is described having a mobile dolly frame, a main shaft on the frame, a lever proximate to a first part of the frame (where the lever is movable relative to the frame and in responsive communication with the main shaft), a first set of transfer sprockets mounted to the main shaft, a secondary shaft rotatably disposed at a second part of the frame (where the first part is remote from the second part), a second set of transfer sprockets mounted to the secondary shaft, a chain disposed about the first set of transfer sprockets and the second set of transfer sprockets, and a locking pin having a first end fixed to the secondary shaft and a second end configured as an angled latch. Rotation of the lever responsively causes the locking pin to remotely rotate at the second part of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: FEDEX CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, Katherine King, Howard McKinney, Aaron Prather, Kevin Frommelt, Shaq Khan
  • Publication number: 20220348244
    Abstract: An improved cargo dolly for transporting cargo is described having a mobile dolly frame, a main shaft on the frame, a lever proximate to a first part of the frame (where the lever is movable relative to the frame and in responsive communication with the main shaft), a first set of transfer sprockets mounted to the main shaft, a secondary shaft rotatably disposed at a second part of the frame (where the first part is remote from the second part), a second set of transfer sprockets mounted to the secondary shaft, a chain disposed about the first set of transfer sprockets and the second set of transfer sprockets, and a locking pin having a first end fixed to the secondary shaft and a second end configured as an angled latch. Rotation of the lever responsively causes the locking pin to remotely rotate at the second part of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Reuben F. Burch V, Katherine King, Howard McKinney, Aaron Prather, Kevin Frommelt, Shaq Khan
  • Publication number: 20220324500
    Abstract: An improved auto-chocking enabled cargo dolly that is towable by ground support equipment. The dolly has a frame, wheels attached to the frame that support the frame and rotate to allow movement of the frame, a tow bar, a linkage in communication with the tow bar and that actuates when the tow bar is raised, and a wheel engagement chocking system fixed to the dolly frame and disposed to selectively engage at least one of the wheels attached to the dolly frame. The wheel engagement system is responsive to a position of the linkage, where the wheel engagement chocking system applies pressure directly to at least one of the wheels to hold the wheel(s) in place when the linkage is actuated by the tow bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, Katherine King, Howard McKinney, Aaron Prather, Kevin Frommelt, Shaq Khan
  • Patent number: 11433935
    Abstract: An improved cargo dolly for transporting cargo is described having a mobile dolly frame, a main shaft on the frame, a lever proximate to a first part of the frame (where the lever is movable relative to the frame and in responsive communication with the main shaft), a first set of transfer sprockets mounted to the main shaft, a secondary shaft rotatably disposed at a second part of the frame (where the first part is remote from the second part), a second set of transfer sprockets mounted to the secondary shaft, a chain disposed about the first set of transfer sprockets and the second set of transfer sprockets, and a locking pin having a first end fixed to the secondary shaft and a second end configured as an angled latch. Rotation of the lever responsively causes the locking pin to remotely rotate at the second part of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, Katherine King, Howard McKinney, Aaron Prather, Kevin Frommelt, Shaq Khan
  • Patent number: 11414120
    Abstract: An improved auto-chocking enabled cargo dolly that is towable by ground support equipment. The dolly has a frame, wheels attached to the frame that support the frame and rotate to allow movement of the frame, a tow bar, a linkage in communication with the tow bar and that actuates when the tow bar is raised, and a wheel engagement chocking system fixed to the dolly frame and disposed to selectively engage at least one of the wheels attached to the dolly frame. The wheel engagement system is responsive to a position of the linkage, where the wheel engagement chocking system applies pressure directly to at least one of the wheels to hold the wheel(s) in place when the linkage is actuated by the tow bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, Katherine King, Howard McKinney, Aaron Prather, Kevin Frommelt, Shaq Khan
  • Patent number: 11404891
    Abstract: A replaceable charging panel is provided for a unit load device having a plurality of walls. The replaceable charging panel may have a base member that is configured to removably attach to a first wall of the plurality of walls of the unit load device; and an electrical charging device mounted to the base member. A unit load device is also provided that has a plurality of walls and a replaceable charging panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, Charles Hawk, Katherine King, Howard McKinney, Aaron Prather, Ronald W. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20210397196
    Abstract: An improved retrofit assembly for ground support equipment providing autonomous operation of the logistics ground support equipment (GSE). The assembly has a refit control system attached to the GSE (with a vehicle dynamics control processor and a data preprocessing control processor), retrofitted proprioceptive sensors coupled to the vehicle dynamics control processor monitoring operating parameters and characteristics of the GSE, retrofitted exteroceptive sensors coupled to the data preprocessing control processor that monitor an exterior environment of the GSE, and refit actuators for different control elements on the GSE and to autonomously alter motion of the GSE. The refit control system programmatically receives sensor data from the proprioceptive sensors and exteroceptive sensors; optimizes a path for the GSE based upon the different sensor data; and activates at least one of the actuators according to the optimized path for the GSE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, Sherif Abelwahed, John E. Ball, Matt Doude, James R. Gafford, Tyler J. Hannis, Yucheng Liu, Michael S. Mazzola, Howard McKinney
  • Patent number: 11157011
    Abstract: An improved retrofit assembly for ground support equipment providing autonomous operation of the logistics ground support equipment (GSE). The assembly has a refit control system attached to the GSE (with a vehicle dynamics control processor and a data preprocessing control processor), retrofitted proprioceptive sensors coupled to the vehicle dynamics control processor monitoring operating parameters and characteristics of the GSE, retrofitted exteroceptive sensors coupled to the data preprocessing control processor that monitor an exterior environment of the GSE, and refit actuators for different control elements on the GSE and to autonomously alter motion of the GSE. The refit control system programmatically receives sensor data from the proprioceptive sensors and exteroceptive sensors; optimizes a path for the GSE based upon the different sensor data; and activates at least one of the actuators according to the optimized path for the GSE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, Sherif Abelwahed, John E. Ball, Matt Doude, James R. Gafford, Tyler J. Hannis, Yucheng Liu, Michael S. Mazzola, Howard McKinney
  • Publication number: 20200039557
    Abstract: An improved cargo dolly for transporting cargo is described having a mobile dolly frame, a main shaft on the frame, a lever proximate to a first part of the frame (where the lever is movable relative to the frame and in responsive communication with the main shaft), a first set of transfer sprockets mounted to the main shaft, a secondary shaft rotatably disposed at a second part of the frame (where the first part is remote from the second part), a second set of transfer sprockets mounted to the secondary shaft, a chain disposed about the first set of transfer sprockets and the second set of transfer sprockets, and a locking pin having a first end fixed to the secondary shaft and a second end configured as an angled latch. Rotation of the lever responsively causes the locking pin to remotely rotate at the second part of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, Katherine King, Howard McKinney, Aaron Prather, Kevin Frommelt, Shaq Khan
  • Publication number: 20200039556
    Abstract: An improved auto-chocking enabled cargo dolly that is towable by ground support equipment. The dolly has a frame, wheels attached to the frame that support the frame and rotate to allow movement of the frame, a tow bar, a linkage in communication with the tow bar and that actuates when the tow bar is raised, and a wheel engagement chocking system fixed to the dolly frame and disposed to selectively engage at least one of the wheels attached to the dolly frame. The wheel engagement system is responsive to a position of the linkage, where the wheel engagement chocking system applies pressure directly to at least one of the wheels to hold the wheel(s) in place when the linkage is actuated by the tow bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, Katherine King, Howard McKinney, Aaron Prather, Kevin Frommelt, Shaq Khan
  • Publication number: 20200036201
    Abstract: A replaceable charging panel is provided for a unit load device having a plurality of walls. The replaceable charging panel may have a base member that is configured to removably attach to a first wall of the plurality of walls of the unit load device; and an electrical charging device mounted to the base member. A unit load device is also provided that has a plurality of walls and a replaceable charging panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, Charles Hawk, Katherine King, Howard McKinney, Aaron Prather, Ronald W. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20200033872
    Abstract: An improved retrofit assembly for ground support equipment providing autonomous operation of the logistics ground support equipment (GSE). The assembly has a refit control system attached to the GSE (with a vehicle dynamics control processor and a data preprocessing control processor), retrofitted proprioceptive sensors coupled to the vehicle dynamics control processor monitoring operating parameters and characteristics of the GSE, retrofitted exteroceptive sensors coupled to the data preprocessing control processor that monitor an exterior environment of the GSE, and refit actuators for different control elements on the GSE and to autonomously alter motion of the GSE. The refit control system programmatically receives sensor data from the proprioceptive sensors and exteroceptive sensors; optimizes a path for the GSE based upon the different sensor data; and activates at least one of the actuators according to the optimized path for the GSE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, Sherif Abelwahed, John E. Ball, Matt Doude, James R. Gafford, Tyler J. Hannis, Yucheng Liu, Michael S. Mazzola, Howard McKinney
  • Patent number: D831031
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: FEDEX CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, Howard McKinney, Matthew Doude, Andrew LeClair, Matthew Bilson, Greggory Alan Morris, Davis Donald Hesler
  • Patent number: D831097
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: FEDEX CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, Howard McKinney, Matthew Doude, Andrew LeClair, Matthew Bilson, Greggory Alan Morris, Davis Donald Hesler
  • Patent number: D836701
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: FEDEX CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, Howard McKinney, Matthew Doude, Andrew LeClair, Matthew Bilson, Greggory Alan Morris, Davis Donald Hesler
  • Patent number: D870524
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: FEDEX CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Reuben F. Burch, V, Howard McKinney, Matthew Doude, Andrew LeClair, William Meadows, Matthew Bilson