Patents by Inventor Jeffrey J. Kuss

Jeffrey J. Kuss 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: 11845311
    Abstract: A hitch configured to selectively latch to a tow bar is provided. The hitch includes a housing, a frame defining a receiving cavity, a moveable arm, an actuator configured to move the arm between an unlatched position and a latched position, and a contact sensor mounted within the housing on a slotted mounting plate. The arm is configured to engage the tow bar when in the latched position. The slotted mounting plate is configured to enable a position of the contact sensor to be adjusted based on a geometry of the tow bar. The actuator is activated by the contact sensor sensing the presence of the tow bar within the receiving cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis D. Richards, Kurt R. Lutz, Jeffrey J. Kuss
  • Patent number: 11840436
    Abstract: A material handling vehicle. The material handling vehicle including a vehicle body, an operator compartment, and a mast. The mast has a mounting platform, a first support member coupled to the mounting platform, a second support member coupled to the mounting platform, and a detection system coupled to the mast. The mast is coupled to the vehicle body at a frontward location relative to the operator compartment. The position of the mast on the vehicle body prevents the mast from impeding a field of view of an operator positioned in the operator compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis D. Richards, Anthony V. D'Accolti, Jeffrey J. Kuss
  • Publication number: 20230150319
    Abstract: A hitch configured to selectively latch to a tow bar is provided. The hitch includes a housing, a frame defining a receiving cavity, a moveable arm, an actuator configured to move the arm between an unlatched position and a latched position, and a contact sensor mounted within the housing on a slotted mounting plate. The arm is configured to engage the tow bar when in the latched position. The slotted mounting plate is configured to enable a position of the contact sensor to be adjusted based on a geometry of the tow bar. The actuator is activated by the contact sensor sensing the presence of the tow bar within the receiving cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Curtis D. Richards, Kurt R. Lutz, Jeffrey J. Kuss
  • Publication number: 20230142826
    Abstract: A charging device for charging a battery of a material handling vehicle includes a stand having a stationary portion, a moveable portion that moves relative to the stationary portion, and one or more actuators to move the moveable portion. A charging plate and a sensing array can be supported on the moveable portion. The sensing array detects a position of the charging plate relative to a collector plate of the material handling vehicle. The sensing array includes a first sensor to detect a first position of the charging plate along a first direction and a second sensor to detect a first position of the charging plate along a second direction. Based on signal from the sensing array, a position controller operates the one or more actuators to move the moveable portion to align the charging plate with the collector plate for charging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Kuss, Curtis D. Richards
  • Patent number: 11554620
    Abstract: A hitch configured to selectively latch to a tow bar is provided. The hitch includes a housing, a frame defining a receiving cavity, a moveable arm, an actuator configured to move the arm between an unlatched position and a latched position, and a contact sensor mounted within the housing on a slotted mounting plate. The arm is configured to engage the tow bar when in the latched position. The slotted mounting plate is configured to enable a position of the contact sensor to be adjusted based on a geometry of the tow bar. The actuator is activated by the contact sensor sensing the presence of the tow bar within the receiving cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis D. Richards, Kurt R. Lutz, Jeffrey J. Kuss
  • Publication number: 20210188024
    Abstract: A hitch configured to selectively latch to a tow bar is provided. The hitch includes a housing, a frame defining a receiving cavity, a moveable arm, an actuator configured to move the arm between an unlatched position and a latched position, and a contact sensor mounted within the housing on a slotted mounting plate. The arm is configured to engage the tow bar when in the latched position. The slotted mounting plate is configured to enable a position of the contact sensor to be adjusted based on a geometry of the tow bar. The actuator is activated by the contact sensor sensing the presence of the tow bar within the receiving cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Curtis D. Richards, Kurt R. Lutz, Jeffrey J. Kuss
  • Publication number: 20200317487
    Abstract: A material handling vehicle. The material handling vehicle including a vehicle body, an operator compartment, and a mast. The mast has a mounting platform, a first support member coupled to the mounting platform, a second support member coupled to the mounting platform, and a detection system coupled to the mast. The mast is coupled to the vehicle body at a frontward location relative to the operator compartment. The position of the mast on the vehicle body prevents the mast from impeding a field of view of an operator positioned in the operator compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Curtis D. Richards, Anthony V. D'Accolti, Jeffrey J. Kuss
  • Patent number: 9146559
    Abstract: As an autonomously guided industrial vehicle travels through a facility images of the adjacent environment are acquired, by either a still camera or a video camera. An image file containing a plurality of the images is stored onboard the vehicle. During that travel, the location of the vehicle is determined. Upon occurrence of a predefined incident, such as encountering an obstacle or impacting an object, an incident message is transmitted wirelessly from the vehicle to a remote management computer. The incident message contains an indication of the type of incident, an indication of a location of the vehicle, and the plurality of the images. The remote management computer responds to the incident message by providing a notification about the incident to one or more persons. The contents of the incident message enables the person notified to take corrective action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Kuss, Stephen L. Page, Paul P. McCabe, Timothy E. Donahue
  • Patent number: 6900411
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible printed circuit board for use in a control handle. The circuit board includes resistive heating elements for heating electrical components in the circuit to limit the formation of frost and condensation on the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Norton, Jeffrey J. Kuss
  • Publication number: 20040155021
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible printed circuit board for use in a control handle. The circuit board includes resistive heating elements for heating electrical components in the circuit to limit the formation of frost and condensation on the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: David G. Norton, Jeffrey J. Kuss