Patents by Inventor John M. Curotto

John M. Curotto 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).

  • Publication number: 20230339678
    Abstract: An automatic control system for a refuse vehicle includes a mode select switch disposed within the vehicle that generates a mode select signal based on input from an operator of the vehicle, a control mechanism disposed within the vehicle that operates in response to the mode select signal, and a plurality of sensors adapted to sense a plurality of characteristics of the vehicle and adapted to communicate the plurality of sensed characteristics. The system further includes a control module that receives control instructions from the control mechanism and selectively controls at least one component of a plurality of components of the vehicle based on the mode select signal, at least one of the plurality of sensed characteristics, and the control instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Ralph Waldo Whitfield, JR., Brian Huston Ham, John M. Curotto, Andrew Blaine Cooper, Brian T. Parker
  • Patent number: 11718471
    Abstract: An automatic control system for a refuse vehicle includes a mode select switch disposed within the vehicle that generates a mode select signal based on input from an operator of the vehicle, a control mechanism disposed within the vehicle that operates in response to the mode select signal, and a plurality of sensors adapted to sense a plurality of characteristics of the vehicle and adapted to communicate the plurality of sensed characteristics. The system further includes a control module that receives control instructions from the control mechanism and selectively controls at least one component of a plurality of components of the vehicle based on the mode select signal, at least one of the plurality of sensed characteristics, and the control instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: The Heil Company
    Inventors: Ralph Waldo Whitfield, Jr., Brian Huston Ham, John M. Curotto, Andrew Blaine Cooper, Brian T. Parker
  • Publication number: 20230015879
    Abstract: An automatic control system for a refuse vehicle includes a mode select switch disposed within the vehicle that generates a mode select signal based on input from an operator of the vehicle, a control mechanism disposed within the vehicle that operates in response to the mode select signal, and a plurality of sensors adapted to sense a plurality of characteristics of the vehicle and adapted to communicate the plurality of sensed characteristics. The system further includes a control module that receives control instructions from the control mechanism and selectively controls at least one component of a plurality of components of the vehicle based on the mode select signal, at least one of the plurality of sensed characteristics, and the control instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Ralph Waldo WHITFIELD, JR., Brian Huston HAM, John M. CUROTTO, Andrew Blaine COOPER, Brian T. PARKER
  • Patent number: 11407585
    Abstract: An automatic control system for a refuse vehicle includes a mode select switch disposed within the vehicle that generates a mode select signal based on input from an operator of the vehicle, a control mechanism disposed within the vehicle that operates in response to the mode select signal, and a plurality of sensors adapted to sense a plurality of characteristics of the vehicle and adapted to communicate the plurality of sensed characteristics. The system further includes a control module that receives control instructions from the control mechanism and selectively controls at least one component of a plurality of components of the vehicle based on the mode select signal, at least one of the plurality of sensed characteristics, and the control instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: The Heil Company
    Inventors: Ralph Waldo Whitfield, Jr., Brian Huston Ham, John M. Curotto, Andrew Blaine Cooper, Brian T. Parker
  • Patent number: 10494176
    Abstract: A front-loading, refuse collecting vehicle is modularly provided with a combination of a low-profile, front-loadable waste bin (intermediate container) and one or more, side-loading robotic arms. To reduce mechanical stresses along couplings between the vehicle and the combination of the intermediate container and the robotic arm(s), a major portion of the mass of the robotic arm mechanism is situated to the rear of the intermediate container so that a mass and beam combination is defined where the mass-supporting beam has reduced length. More specifically, hydraulic and/or other relatively massive motor devices of the robotic arm mechanism are mounted to the rear of a refuse-containing wall of the intermediate container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: The Curotto-Can, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Curotto, Edward M. Suden, Gideon Gimlan
  • Publication number: 20190218032
    Abstract: An automatic control system for a refuse vehicle includes a mode select switch disposed within the vehicle that generates a mode select signal based on input from an operator of the vehicle, a control mechanism disposed within the vehicle that operates in response to the mode select signal, and a plurality of sensors adapted to sense a plurality of characteristics of the vehicle and adapted to communicate the plurality of sensed characteristics. The system further includes a control module that receives control instructions from the control mechanism and selectively controls at least one component of a plurality of components of the vehicle based on the mode select signal, at least one of the plurality of sensed characteristics, and the control instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Ralph Waldo WHITFIELD, JR., Brian Huston HAM, John M. CUROTTO, Andrew Blaine COOPER, Brian T. PARKER
  • Patent number: 10196206
    Abstract: An automatic control system for a refuse vehicle includes a mode select switch disposed within the vehicle that generates a mode select signal based on input from an operator of the vehicle, a control mechanism disposed within the vehicle that operates in response to the mode select signal, and a plurality of sensors adapted to sense a plurality of characteristics of the vehicle and adapted to communicate the plurality of sensed characteristics. The system further includes a control module that receives control instructions from the control mechanism and selectively controls at least one component of a plurality of components of the vehicle based on the mode select signal, at least one of the plurality of sensed characteristics, and the control instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: The Heil Company
    Inventors: Ralph Waldo Whitfield, Jr., Brian H. Ham, John M. Curotto, Andrew Blaine Cooper, Brian T. Parker
  • Publication number: 20160355335
    Abstract: An automatic control system for a refuse vehicle includes a mode select switch disposed within the vehicle that generates a mode select signal based on input from an operator of the vehicle, a control mechanism disposed within the vehicle that operates in response to the mode select signal, and a plurality of sensors adapted to sense a plurality of characteristics of the vehicle and adapted to communicate the plurality of sensed characteristics. The system further includes a control module that receives control instructions from the control mechanism and selectively controls at least one component of a plurality of components of the vehicle based on the mode select signal, at least one of the plurality of sensed characteristics, and the control instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Ralph Waldo WHITFIELD, JR., Brian H. HAM, John M. CUROTTO, Andrew Blaine COOPER, Brian T. PARKER
  • Patent number: 9511932
    Abstract: A front-loading, refuse collecting vehicle is provided with a low-profile, front-loadable waste bin (intermediate container) and one or more, side-loading robotic arms. To reduce mechanical stresses along couplings between the vehicle and the combination of the intermediate container and the robotic arm(s), a major portion of the mass of the robotic arm mechanism is situated to the rear of the intermediate container. The intermediate container has a door (e.g. facing the front) and has a section opposite to the door (e.g. between the container and the vehicle), wherein the robotic arm mechanism may be operatively joined to the section so that refuse may be deposited into the intermediate container both through its door and by the robotic arm mechanism. The container also has one or more pockets and/or indents for receiving one or more retractably engageable lift members of a lift mechanism operable to lift the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: THE CUROTTO-CAN, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Curotto, Edward M. Suden, Gideon Gimlan
  • Publication number: 20160340120
    Abstract: A front-loading, refuse collecting vehicle is modularly provided with a combination of a low-profile, front-loadable waste bin (intermediate container) and one or more, side-loading robotic arms. To reduce mechanical stresses along couplings between the vehicle and the combination of the intermediate container and the robotic arm(s), a major portion of the mass of the robotic arm mechanism is situated to the rear of the intermediate container so that a mass and beam combination is defined where the mass-supporting beam has reduced length. More specifically, hydraulic and/or other relatively massive motor devices of the robotic arm mechanism are mounted to the rear of a refuse-containing wall of the intermediate container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: John M. Curotto, Edward M. Suden, Gideon Gimlan
  • Patent number: 9428334
    Abstract: An automatic control system for a refuse vehicle includes a mode select switch disposed within the vehicle that generates a mode select signal based on input from an operator of the vehicle, a control mechanism disposed within the vehicle that operates in response to the mode select signal, and a plurality of sensors adapted to sense a plurality of characteristics of the vehicle and adapted to communicate the plurality of sensed characteristics. The system further includes a control module that receives control instructions from the control mechanism and selectively controls at least one component of a plurality of components of the vehicle based on the mode select signal, at least one of the plurality of sensed characteristics, and the control instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventors: Ralph Waldo Whitfield, Jr., Brian Huston Ham, John M. Curotto, Andrew Blaine Cooper, Brian T. Parker
  • Patent number: 9399549
    Abstract: A front-loading, refuse collecting vehicle is modularly provided with a combination of a low-profile, front-loadable waste bin (intermediate container) and one or more, side-loading robotic arms. To reduce mechanical stresses along couplings between the vehicle and the combination of the intermediate container and the robotic arm(s), a major portion of the mass of the robotic arm mechanism is situated to the rear of the intermediate container so that a mass and beam combination is defined where the mass-supporting beam has reduced length. More specifically, hydraulic and/or other relatively massive motor devices of the robotic arm mechanism are mounted to the rear of a refuse-containing wall of the intermediate container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: THE CUROTTO-CAN, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Curotto, Edward M. Suden, Gideon Gimlan
  • Publication number: 20140343801
    Abstract: An automatic control system for a refuse vehicle includes a mode select switch disposed within the vehicle that generates a mode select signal based on input from an operator of the vehicle, a control mechanism disposed within the vehicle that operates in response to the mode select signal, and a plurality of sensors adapted to sense a plurality of characteristics of the vehicle and adapted to communicate the plurality of sensed characteristics. The system further includes a control module that receives control instructions from the control mechanism and selectively controls at least one component of a plurality of components of the vehicle based on the mode select signal, at least one of the plurality of sensed characteristics, and the control instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Ralph Waldo WHITFIELD, JR., Brian Huston HAM, John M. CUROTTO, Andrew Blaine COOPER, Brian T. PARKER
  • Publication number: 20130322994
    Abstract: A front-loading, refuse collecting vehicle is modularly provided with a combination of a low-profile, front-loadable waste bin (intermediate container) and one or more, side-loading robotic arms. To reduce mechanical stresses along couplings between the vehicle and the combination of the intermediate container and the robotic arm(s), a major portion of the mass of the robotic arm mechanism is situated to the rear of the intermediate container so that a mass and beam combination is defined where the mass-supporting beam has reduced length. More specifically, hydraulic and/or other relatively massive motor devices of the robotic arm mechanism are mounted to the rear of a refuse-containing wall of the intermediate container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: John M. CUROTTO, Edward M. SUDEN, Gideon GIMLAN
  • Publication number: 20130266407
    Abstract: A front-loading, refuse collecting vehicle is provided with a low-profile, front-loadable waste bin (intermediate container) and one or more, side-loading robotic arms. To reduce mechanical stresses along couplings between the vehicle and the combination of the intermediate container and the robotic arm(s), a major portion of the mass of the robotic arm mechanism is situated to the rear of the intermediate container. The intermediate container has a door (e.g. facing the front) and has a section opposite to the door (e.g. between the container and the vehicle), wherein the robotic arm mechanism may be operatively joined to the section so that refuse may be deposited into the intermediate container both through its door and by the robotic arm mechanism. The container also has one or more pockets and/or indents for receiving one or more retractably engageable lift members of a lift mechanism operable to lift the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: John M. Curotto, Edward M. Suden, Gideon Gimlan
  • Patent number: 8496427
    Abstract: A modular front-loading, refuse collecting vehicle has a low-profile, front-loadable waste bin (intermediate container) and a side-loading robotic arm. To reduce mechanical stresses, a major portion of the mass of the robotic arm mechanism is situated to the rear of the intermediate container so that a mass and beam combination is defined where the mass-supporting beam has reduced length. More specifically, hydraulic and/or other relatively massive motor devices of the robotic arm mechanism are mounted to the rear of a refuse-containing wall of the intermediate container. Elastomeric and/or other dampening devices may be interposed between the vehicle and the bulk mass of the combination of the intermediate container and robotic arm mechanism for converting into heat some vibrational energy. A modular sled system may be provided for supporting different robotic arms in combination with refuse containers made of different materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: The Curotto-Can, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Curotto, Edward M. Suden, Gideon Gimlan
  • Publication number: 20120087773
    Abstract: A modular front-loading, refuse collecting vehicle has a low-profile, front-loadable waste bin (intermediate container) and a side-loading robotic arm. To reduce mechanical stresses, a major portion of the mass of the robotic arm mechanism is situated to the rear of the intermediate container so that a mass and beam combination is defined where the mass-supporting beam has reduced length. More specifically, hydraulic and/or other relatively massive motor devices of the robotic arm mechanism are mounted to the rear of a refuse-containing wall of the intermediate container. Elastomeric and/or other dampening devices may be interposed between the vehicle and the bulk mass of the combination of the intermediate container and robotic arm mechanism for converting into heat some vibrational energy. A modular sled system may be provided for supporting different robotic arms in combination with refuse containers made of different materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: CUROTTO-CAN, INC.
    Inventors: John M. Curotto, Edward M. Suden, Gideon Gimlan
  • Patent number: 8092141
    Abstract: A front-loading, refuse collecting vehicle is modularly provided with a combination of a low-profile, front-loadable waste bin (intermediate container) and one or more, side-loading robotic arms. To reduce mechanical stresses along couplings between the vehicle and the combination of the intermediate container and the robotic arm(s), a major portion of the mass of the robotic arm mechanism is situated to the rear of the intermediate container so that a mass and beam combination is defined where the mass-supporting beam has reduced length. More specifically, hydraulic and/or other relatively massive motor devices of the robotic arm mechanism are mounted to the rear of a refuse-containing wall of the intermediate container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Curotto-Can, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Curotto, Edward M. Suden, Gideon Gimlan
  • Publication number: 20090306863
    Abstract: A front-loading, refuse collecting vehicle is modularly provided with a combination of a low-profile, front-loadable waste bin (intermediate container) and one or more, side-loading robotic arms. To reduce mechanical stresses along couplings between the vehicle and the combination of the intermediate container and the robotic arm(s), a major portion of the mass of the robotic arm mechanism is situated to the rear of the intermediate container so that a mass and beam combination is defined where the mass-supporting beam has reduced length. More specifically, hydraulic and/or other relatively massive motor means of the robotic arm mechanism are mounted to the rear of a refuse-containing wall of the intermediate container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: John M. Curotto, Edward M. Suden, Gideon Gimlan
  • Patent number: 7553121
    Abstract: A front-loading, refuse collecting vehicle is modularly provided with a combination of a low-profile, front-loadable waste bin (intermediate container) and one or more, side-loading robotic arms. To reduce mechanical stresses along couplings between the vehicle and the combination of the intermediate container and the robotic arm(s), a major portion of the mass of the robotic arm mechanism is situated to the rear of the intermediate container so that a mass and beam combination is defined where the mass-supporting beam has reduced length. More specifically, hydraulic and/or other relatively massive motor means of the robotic arm mechanism are mounted to the rear of a refuse-containing wall of the intermediate container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Curotto-Can, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Curotto, Edward M. Suden, Gideon Gimlan