Patents by Inventor Leonard Thomas Lilliston, III

Leonard Thomas Lilliston, III 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).

  • Linkage system for prehending objects using impactive forces
    Patent number: 11247347
    Abstract: Aspects described herein include an end effector capable of prehending items using impactive and astrictive forces. The end effector includes an interface system having a deformable mounting plate and a pliable body member attached to the mounting plate. The end effector further includes a linkage system between a plurality of actuators and the interface system. The linkage system connects to lateral portions of the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Parris S. Wellman, Beth A. Marcus, Gregory Coleman, Manikantan Nambi, Erica Aduh, Timothy G. Dietz, Leonard Thomas Lilliston, III, Margaret Jean Williams George, Jonas Eichenberger, Mathias Moser, Dominique Ernst, Ueli Schlaepfer
  • Mechanically intelligent end-of-arm tool
    Patent number: 11091355
    Abstract: A mechanically intelligent end-of-arm tool includes a valve that is actuated by the action of the arm, such that a force applied to the object to be grasped opens the valve to expose a suction cup to the vacuum pressure. A spool valve, poppet valve, and butterfly valve, et al., can perform the valve function. The tool may include a button that has a rigid contact surface or may be deformable to provide a smoothing force to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Thomas Lilliston, III, Beth A. Marcus
  • LINKAGE SYSTEM FOR PREHENDING OBJECTS USING IMPACTIVE FORCES
    Publication number: 20210086372
    Abstract: Aspects described herein include an end effector capable of prehending items using impactive and astrictive forces. The end effector includes an interface system having a deformable mounting plate and a pliable body member attached to the mounting plate. The end effector further includes a linkage system between a plurality of actuators and the interface system. The linkage system connects to lateral portions of the mounting plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Parris S. WELLMAN, Beth A. MARCUS, Gregory COLEMAN, Manikantan NAMBI, Erica ADUH, Timothy G. DIETZ, Leonard Thomas LILLISTON, III, Margaret Jean Williams GEORGE, Jonas EICHENBERGER, Mathias MOSER, Dominique ERNST, Ueli SCHLAEPFER
  • Actuator and gripper assembly
    Patent number: 10843348
    Abstract: An actuator for a suction-cup end effector bends or deforms in response to air pressure within bladders in the actuator. Air bladders of the actuator apply bending moments to rigid flange structures, which transmit the moments to a base layer of the actuator. Grasping elements may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Erica Aduh, Gregory Coleman, Leonard Thomas Lilliston, III, Andrew Marchese, Beth Marcus, Manikantan Nambi
  • Articulating suction cup tool
    Patent number: 10682770
    Abstract: An articulating end-of-arm tool includes back-drive capability. The tool has a cable drive including a vertically oriented capstan head, a pair of idler pulleys, a driven pulley and a tensioner. The driven pulley pivot on a hollow shaft, through which a vacuum channel passes. The vacuum channel extends through the length of the body, including past the vertically oriented motor. The driven pulley is within 10 degrees of perpendicular of the longitudinal axis of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Thomas Lilliston, III, Beth A. Marcus
  • Concentric suction cup array including actuators and compliance
    Patent number: 10611580
    Abstract: An end-of-arm tool includes concentric rings of suction cups. The pneumatic actuators control the extension of suction cups, and are actuated in rings. Each suction cup is longitudinally retractable in response to a force applied to an item and has a compliant suction cup. Each ring has a vacuum control. Each ring can have its own compliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Felipe De Arruda Camargo Polido, Scott Hopkinson, Leonard Thomas Lilliston, III, Michael James O'Connor