Patents by Inventor Michael C. Greenlee
Michael C. Greenlee 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).
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Publication number: 20250122056Abstract: An exhaust pipe lifting apparatus includes a support frame and a lift table assembly including a lift frame configured to move vertically relative to the support frame. The support frame including a roller rotatably connected thereto that rolls against the lift frame as the lift frame moves between raised and lowered positions and interlocks with a locking feature on the lift frame in the raised position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2023Publication date: April 17, 2025Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Lloyd R. Holland, Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Michael C. Greenlee, Jeffrey L. James, Jason E. Anderson
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Publication number: 20250074490Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a swing arm dolly. A swing arm dolly can comprise a swing arm mounted on a frame. A lever and locking mechanism can lock the swing arm to the frame. One or more wheels can extend downward from the swing arm. The swing arm dolly can also comprise a spring-loaded plunger secured to the frame, wherein upon disengaging the locking mechanism, the one or more wheels roll onto the spring-loaded plunger, pushing the spring-loaded plunger downward to lock the swing arm dolly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2023Publication date: March 6, 2025Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenneth E. Roy, John P. Ferguson, Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Jeffrey L. James, Michael C. Greenlee
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Patent number: 12227366Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for a conveyor assembly. The conveyor assembly includes a conveyor, at least one stationary track positioned parallel to the conveyor, a process dolly configured to operatively couple to the at least one stationary track, and a syncing apparatus configured to couple to the process dolly and operatively couple to the conveyor. The syncing apparatus is configured to lock the process dolly in place along the conveyor such that the process dolly moves together with the conveyor with respect to the at least one stationary track.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2023Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Lloyd R. Holland, Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Michael C. Greenlee, Jeffrey L. James, Annetta L. Allen, Ronnie G. Kiser, Jr., Andrew B. Novian
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Publication number: 20250054669Abstract: A method of picking a predetermined number of fasteners is provided. The method includes placing a fastener handling tool adjacent the predetermined number of fasteners. The fastener handling tool includes a body that includes a holding side, a picking side opposite the holding side, a front wall, a rear wall opposite the front wall and opposite side walls that extend between the holding side and the picking side. The body includes an elongated slot on the picking side that extends between the opposite side walls along a width of the body and an elongated hole on the picking side that is offset from the elongated slot. The elongated slot and the elongated hole extend parallel between the opposite sidewalls providing a gap between the elongated slot and the elongated hole. A magnet is located at the elongated hole. The predetermined number of fasteners are attracted to an edge of the elongated slot using the magnet located at the elongated hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2023Publication date: February 13, 2025Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Lloyd R. Holland, Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Michael C. Greenlee, Jeffrey L. James, Jason E. Anderson
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Publication number: 20240409320Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for a conveyor assembly. The conveyor assembly includes a conveyor, at least one stationary track positioned parallel to the conveyor, a process dolly configured to operatively couple to the at least one stationary track, and a syncing apparatus configured to couple to the process dolly and operatively couple to the conveyor. The syncing apparatus is configured to lock the process dolly in place along the conveyor such that the process dolly moves together with the conveyor with respect to the at least one stationary track.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2023Publication date: December 12, 2024Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Lloyd R. Holland, Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Michael C. Greenlee, Jeffrey L. James, Annetta L. Allen, Ronnie G. Kiser, JR., Andrew B. Novian
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Publication number: 20240327178Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for receiving a part from another system. An apparatus includes a platform configured to receive a first part and a second part to be unloaded from another apparatus. The apparatus further includes a first guide member and a second guide member. The first guide member and the second guide member are configured to engage with, respectively, a first engaging member and a second engaging member on another apparatus and enable the first part and the second part to be unloaded. The first guide member and the second guide member may be configured to contact, respectively, the first engaging member and the second engaging member to actuate a first gate member connected to the first engaging member and a second gate member connected to the second engaging member to move to open positions to enable the first part and the second part to be released.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2023Publication date: October 3, 2024Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Lloyd R. Holland, Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Michael C. Greenlee, Jeffrey L. James, Annetta L. Allen, Ronnie G. Kiser, JR., Andrew B. Novian
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Publication number: 20240308764Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for delivering a part to another system. An apparatus includes a platform. The platform includes a plurality of holding stations configured to hold a plurality of parts to be delivered to another system. The plurality of holding stations include at least a first holding station and a second holding station. The apparatus further includes a first gate member and a second gate member. The first gate member is coupled to the first holding station and a first engaging member and is configured to move to an open position when the first engaging member is engaged with a first guide member coupled to another apparatus. The second gate member is coupled to the second holding station and a second engaging member and is configured to move to an open position when the second engaging member is engaged with a second guide member coupled to another apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2023Publication date: September 19, 2024Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Lloyd R. Holland, Scottle L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Michael C. Greenlee, Jeffrey L. James, Annetta L. Allen, Ronnie G. Kiser, JR., Andrew B. Novian
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Patent number: 12060097Abstract: A delivery dolly includes a carousel that is rotatably mounted on a support column. The carousel includes a recess on an underside of the carousel. A locking mechanism is biased toward a locked position. The locking mechanism includes a locking wheel on which the carousel rotates until the carousel reaches a preselected angular position. The recess aligns with the locking wheel at the preselected angular position and, due to a bias force, the locking wheel extends into the recess to inhibit rotation of the carousel until the carousel is spun manually, forcing the carousel to rotate and the locking wheel to retract until the locking wheel encounters the recess again.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2022Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Lloyd R. Holland, Michael C. Greenlee, Annetta L. Allen, Johnny O. Boarman, IV, Jeffrey L. James
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Patent number: 11987459Abstract: A method of transporting a vehicle engine wire harness from a component preparation location to a component pick location is provided. The method includes placing the vehicle engine wire harness on a hook of a component hanger. The component hanger with vehicle engine wire harness is directed along a supply track assembly through a heated enclosure to the component pick location at a vehicle assembly line.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2020Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Lloyd R. Holland, Bradley J. Garcia, Scottie L. Foster, Michael C. Greenlee, Eric F. Cornett, Randall L. Johnson, Michael P. Meyer, Steven R. Johnson
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Patent number: 11987453Abstract: A method of automatically moving a dolly apparatus from an initial location to a downstream location is provided. The method includes engaging a component being carried along an elevated conveyor with a synchronization arm of a dolly apparatus such that the dolly apparatus moves with the component. The dolly apparatus includes a base frame and an actuation member movably mounted to the base frame. A synchronization arm is movably mounted to a top of the base frame. The actuation member is operatively connected to the synchronization arm such that actuating the actuation member lowers the synchronization arm to a disengaged position. The actuation member is actuated thereby lowering the synchronization arm to a disengaged position and releasing the component.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2022Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Lloyd R. Holland, Michael C. Greenlee, Annetta L. Allen, Johnny O. Boarman, IV, Jeffrey L. James
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Publication number: 20230356961Abstract: A method of automatically moving a dolly apparatus from an initial location to a downstream location is provided. The method includes engaging a component being carried along an elevated conveyor with a synchronization arm of a dolly apparatus such that the dolly apparatus moves with the component. The dolly apparatus includes a base frame and an actuation member movably mounted to the base frame. A synchronization arm is movably mounted to a top of the base frame. The actuation member is operatively connected to the synchronization arm such that actuating the actuation member lowers the synchronization arm to a disengaged position. The actuation member is actuated thereby lowering the synchronization arm to a disengaged position and releasing the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2022Publication date: November 9, 2023Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Lloyd R. Holland, Michael C. Greenlee, Annetta L. Allen, Johnny O. Boarman, IV, Jeffrey L. James
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Publication number: 20230347955Abstract: A delivery dolly includes a carousel that is rotatably mounted on a support column. The carousel includes a recess on an underside of the carousel. A locking mechanism is biased toward a locked position. The locking mechanism includes a locking wheel on which the carousel rotates until the carousel reaches a preselected angular position. The recess aligns with the locking wheel at the preselected angular position and, due to a bias force, the locking wheel extends into the recess to inhibit rotation of the carousel until the carousel is spun manually, forcing the carousel to rotate and the locking wheel to retract until the locking wheel encounters the recess again.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2022Publication date: November 2, 2023Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Lloyd R. Holland, Michael C. Greenlee, Annetta L. Allen, Johnny O. Boarman, IV, Jeffrey L. James
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Publication number: 20220194759Abstract: A method of transporting a vehicle engine wire harness from a component preparation location to a component pick location is provided. The method includes placing the vehicle engine wire harness on a hook of a component hanger. The component hanger with vehicle engine wire harness is directed along a supply track assembly through a heated enclosure to the component pick location at a vehicle assembly line.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2020Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Lloyd R. Holland, Bradley J. Garcia, Scottie L. Foster, Michael C. Greenlee, Eric F. Cornett, Randall L. Johnson, Michael P. Meyer, Steven R. Johnson
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Patent number: 11117752Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to automated dolly assemblies having loading and unloading racks and traveling along a track secured to a floor. In one embodiment, an automated dolly assembly includes a moveable frame having a mobility mechanism, one or more loading racks, one or more unloading racks, a receiver arm connected to the moveable frame and a moveable pulley connected to the receiver arm. The moveable pulley has weights. The mobility mechanism is coupled to a bottom surface of the moveable frame. The one or more loading racks and the one or more unloading racks are proximate to a top surface of the moveable frame. The receiver arm is rotatably moveable between a horizontal position and a vertical position and configured to engage the automated dolly assembly with an overhead conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2019Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Lloyd R. Holland, Michael C. Greenlee, Eric F. Cornett, Randall L. Johnson
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Publication number: 20210147153Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to automated dolly assemblies having loading and unloading racks and traveling along a track secured to a floor. In one embodiment, an automated dolly assembly includes a moveable frame having a mobility mechanism, one or more loading racks, one or more unloading racks, a receiver arm connected to the moveable frame and a moveable pulley connected to the receiver arm. The moveable pulley has weights. The mobility mechanism is coupled to a bottom surface of the moveable frame. The one or more loading racks and the one or more unloading racks are proximate to a top surface of the moveable frame. The receiver arm is rotatably moveable between a horizontal position and a vertical position and configured to engage the automated dolly assembly with an overhead conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2019Publication date: May 20, 2021Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Lloyd R. Holland, Michael C. Greenlee, Eric F. Cornett, Randall L. Johnson
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Patent number: 9527425Abstract: Vehicles having gravity biased gate members utilized to laterally constrain a load are disclosed. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes one or more wheels that allow movement of the vehicle from one location to another location, a frame mounted to the one or more wheels, a load bearing deck supported by the frame, the load bearing deck having a support surface for supporting a load thereon, and a gravity biased gate member rotatably coupled at the load bearing deck at an axis of rotation. The gravity biased gate member includes a bottom portion below the axis of rotation that is heavier than a top portion above the axis of rotation such that a center of mass of the gravity biased gate member is offset from the axis of rotation, biasing the gravity biased gate member into an extended configuration.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Gift, Blair C. Perkins, Michael C. Greenlee
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Publication number: 20150367769Abstract: Vehicles having gravity biased gate members utilized to laterally constrain a load are disclosed. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes one or more wheels that allow movement of the vehicle from one location to another location, a frame mounted to the one or more wheels, a load bearing deck supported by the frame, the load bearing deck having a support surface for supporting a load thereon, and a gravity biased gate member rotatably coupled at the load bearing deck at an axis of rotation. The gravity biased gate member includes a bottom portion below the axis of rotation that is heavier than a top portion above the axis of rotation such that a center of mass of the gravity biased gate member is offset from the axis of rotation, biasing the gravity biased gate member into an extended configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2014Publication date: December 24, 2015Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Gift, Blair C. Perkins, Michael C. Greenlee