Patents by Inventor James BENFOLD

James BENFOLD 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: 12589668
    Abstract: A load handling device is disclosed for lifting and moving containers stacked in a storage system having a grid framework structure supporting a pathway arranged in a grid pattern above the stacks of containers. The load handling device includes a vehicle body housing a driving mechanism, the driving mechanism being powered by a rechargeable power source electrically coupled to an electrical charge point for electrically coupling with a charge head of a charge station; and a lifting device having a lifting drive assembly and a grabber device, wherein the lifting device includes the electrical charge point such that charging of the rechargeable power source occurs by the lifting device engaging with the charge head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2026
    Assignee: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventors: James Benfold, Robert Stadie
  • Patent number: 12545509
    Abstract: A method and load-handling device for lifting and moving containers are disclosed, the load-handling device including: a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being configured to house one or more operation components, the lower portion being arranged beneath the upper portion, the lower portion including a container-receiving space for accommodating at least part of a container; and a container-lifting mechanism including a container-gripping assembly configured to releasably grip a container and a raising and lowering assembly configured to raise and lower the container-gripping assembly, wherein the raising and lowering assembly including a single motor configured to raise and lower the container-gripping assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: James Benfold, Daniel Popa, Matthew Harman, Vipin Pillai, Matthew Whelan, Wilhelm Johannisson, Liam Harrison
  • Publication number: 20250353677
    Abstract: A method and load-handling device for lifting and moving containers are disclosed, the load-handling device including: a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being configured to house one or more operation components, the lower portion being arranged beneath the upper portion, the lower portion including a container-receiving space for accommodating at least part of a container; and a container-lifting mechanism including a container-gripping assembly configured to releasably grip a container and a raising and lowering assembly configured to raise and lower the container-gripping assembly, wherein the raising and lowering assembly including a single motor configured to raise and lower the container-gripping assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2025
    Publication date: November 20, 2025
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventors: James BENFOLD, Daniel POPA, Matthew HARMAN, Vipin PILLAI, Matthew WHELAN, Wilhelm JOHANNISSON, Liam HARRISON
  • Patent number: 12454411
    Abstract: The present disclosure aims to provide a charge unit for a robotic load handling device which reduces the wear/damage experienced by charge contacts of the charge unit and provides a solution whereby easier servicing of the charge unit can be accomplished. A charge unit for a robotic load handling device is operative on top of a grid framework. The charge unit includes a power transfer device is arranged to inductively transfer power to the robotic load handling device, and a supporting structure fixedly attached to a grid framework to position the housing over the grid framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2025
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Alex Davidson, Robin Sim, James Benfold, Benjamin Thurnell
  • Publication number: 20240278990
    Abstract: The present disclosure aims to provide a charge unit for a robotic load handling device which reduces the wear/damage experienced by charge contacts of the charge unit and provides a solution whereby easier servicing of the charge unit can be accomplished. A charge unit for a robotic load handling device is operative on top of a grid framework. The charge unit includes a power transfer device is arranged to inductively transfer power to the robotic load handling device, and a supporting structure fixedly attached to a grid framework to position the housing over the grid framework.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Alex DAVIDSON, Robin SIM, James BENFOLD, Benjamin THURNELL
  • Patent number: 12006150
    Abstract: The present disclosure aims to provide a charge unit for a robotic load handling device which reduces the wear/damage experienced by charge contacts of the charge unit and provides a solution whereby easier servicing of the charge unit can be accomplished. A charge unit for a robotic load handling device is operative on top of a grid framework. The charge unit includes a plurality of profiled sections arranged to interface with a hoist element of the robotic load handling device, and a power transfer device is arranged to transfer power to the robotic load handling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Alex Davidson, Robin Sim, James Benfold, Benjamin Thurnell
  • Publication number: 20230347770
    Abstract: A load handling device is disclosed for lifting and moving containers stacked in a storage system having a grid framework structure supporting a pathway arranged in a grid pattern above the stacks of containers. The load handling device includes a vehicle body housing a driving mechanism, the driving mechanism being powered by a rechargeable power source electrically coupled to an electrical charge point for electrically coupling with a charge head of a charge station; and a lifting device having a lifting drive assembly and a grabber device, wherein the lifting device includes the electrical charge point such that charging of the rechargeable power source occurs by the lifting device engaging with the charge head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventors: James BENFOLD, Robert STADIE
  • Publication number: 20230116001
    Abstract: A method and load-handling device for lifting and moving containers are disclosed, the load-handling device including: a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being configured to house one or more operation components, the lower portion being arranged beneath the upper portion, the lower portion including a container-receiving space for accommodating at least part of a container; and a container-lifting mechanism including a container-gripping assembly configured to releasably grip a container and a raising and lowering assembly configured to raise and lower the container-gripping assembly, wherein the raising and lowering assembly including a single motor configured to raise and lower the container-gripping assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventors: James BENFOLD, Daniel POPA, Matthew HARMAN, Vipin PILLAI, Matthew WHELAN, Wilhelm JOHANNISSON, Liam HARRISON
  • Publication number: 20210221611
    Abstract: The present disclosure aims to provide a charge unit for a robotic load handling device which reduces the wear/damage experienced by charge contacts of the charge unit and provides a solution whereby easier servicing of the charge unit can be accomplished. A charge unit for a robotic load handling device is operative on top of a grid framework. The charge unit includes a plurality of profiled sections arranged to interface with a hoist element of the robotic load handling device, and a power transfer device is arranged to transfer power to the robotic load handling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: Ocado Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Alex DAVIDSON, Robin SIM, James BENFOLD, Benjamin THURNELL