Patents by Inventor Kevin W. Sharp

Kevin W. Sharp 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).

  • Ergonomic work operation method and apparatus
    Patent number: 9033088
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for ergonomically supporting a worker while performing a work operation includes an automatic guided vehicle capable of moving a seat carrying the worker between a first non-work position relative to a work piece and a second work position at which the worker performs the work operation. The automatic guided vehicle includes controls to enable the worker to ergonomically position the angle of a seatback relative to a seat bottom and the height of the seat relative to the automatic guided vehicle for ergonomic support of the worker while performing the work operation. Under program control, the automatic guided vehicle is movable from one work position to another work position and/or back to the non-work position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Joseph Salek, Cristian Ignat, William Brad Cheeseman, Kevin W. Sharp, Brian Linka, Rod James Albon, John Andrew Szentimrey, Jonathan Philip Kenneth Eng