Patents by Inventor Michael L. Girtman

Michael L. Girtman 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: 20170096308
    Abstract: A robotic carton unloader for automatic unloading of canons from a carton pile. In various embodiments, a robotic carton unloader may comprise a mobile body, a movable robotic arm attached to the mobile body and comprising an end effector configured to unload a row of cartons in a side-by-side orientation from the carton pile, and a conveyor system mounted on the mobile body and configured to receive the row of cartons from the end effector in the side-by-side orientation. In various embodiments the conveyor system may comprise a front-end descrambler and a central descrambler coupled to the front-end descrambler. In various embodiments, the robotic arm may be configured to straddle at least a portion of the mobile body and at least a portion of the conveyor system such that the conveyor system conveys cartons from the carton pile through the robotic arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Michael L. Girtman, Matthew Wicks
  • Publication number: 20170073175
    Abstract: Robotic carton unloader has right and left lower arms of robotic arm assembly that are pivotally attached at lower end respectively to mobile body on opposing lateral sides of conveyor system passing there between. Upper arm assembly has rear end pivotally attached at upper end respectively of right and left lower arms to pivotally rotate about upper arm axis perpendicular to longitudinal axis of conveyor system and parallel to lower arm axis. Manipulator head attached to front end of upper arm assembly engages carton/s from carton pile resting on floor for movement to conveyor system. Upper arm axis is maintained at a height that enables carton/s to be conveyed by conveyor system without being impeded by robotic arm assembly as soon as manipulator head is clear. Lift attached between mobile body and front portion of conveyor system reduces spacing underneath carton/s during movement from carton pile to conveyor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew R. Wicks, John Simons, Michael L. Girtman, Michael J. Roth
  • Patent number: 9555982
    Abstract: A robotic carton unloader for automatic unloading of cartons from a carton pile. In various embodiments, a robotic carton unloader may comprise a mobile body, a movable robotic arm attached to the mobile body and comprising an end effector configured to unload a row of cartons in a side-by-side orientation from the carton pile, and a conveyor system mounted on the mobile body and configured to receive the row of cartons from the end effector in the side-by-side orientation. In various embodiments the conveyor system may comprise a front-end descrambler and a central descrambler coupled to the front-end descrambler. In various embodiments, the robotic arm may be configured to straddle at least a portion of the mobile body and at least a portion of the conveyor system such that the conveyor system conveys cartons from the carton pile through the robotic arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventors: Michael L. Girtman, Matthew Wicks
  • Patent number: 9493316
    Abstract: A robotic carton unloader for automatic unloading of cartons from a carton pile, such as a carton pile stacked within a trailer. In various embodiments, a robotic carton unloader may comprise a conveyor system, a robotic positioner, and a manipulator having a conformable face configured to conform to irregularities of the carton pile, and the manipulator may be movable attached to an end of the robotic positioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventors: Michael L. Girtman, Brian E. Neville, Matthew Wicks
  • Patent number: 9487361
    Abstract: A robotic carton unloader for automatic unloading of cartons from a carton pile, such as a carton pile stacked within a trailer. In various embodiments, a robotic carton unloader may comprise a conveyor system, a robotic positioner, and a manipulator having a conformable face configured to conform to irregularities of the carton pile, and the manipulator may be movable attached to an end of the robotic positioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventors: Michael L. Girtman, Brian E. Neville, Matthew Wicks
  • Patent number: 9315345
    Abstract: A robotic carton unloader for automatic unloading of cartons from a carton pile. In various embodiments, a robotic carton unloader may comprise a mobile body, a movable robotic arm attached to the mobile body and comprising an end effector configured to unload a row of cartons in a side-by-side orientation from the carton pile, and a conveyor system mounted on the mobile body and configured to receive the row of cartons from the end effector in the side-by-side orientation. In various embodiments the conveyor system may comprise a front-end descrambler and a central descrambler coupled to the front-end descrambler. In various embodiments, the robotic arm may be configured to straddle at least a portion of the mobile body and at least a portion of the conveyor system such that the conveyor system conveys cartons from the carton pile through the robotic arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Inventors: Michael L. Girtman, Tim Beilsmith, Matthew Wicks
  • Publication number: 20150360882
    Abstract: A robotic carton unloader for automatic unloading of cartons from a carton pile. In various embodiments, a robotic carton unloader may include a mobile body, a movable robotic arm attached to the mobile body and comprising an end effector, a conveyor system having a front portion, and a lift attached to the mobile body and the front portion of the conveyor system to move the front portion. In some embodiments, the conveyor system may comprise a front-end shelf conveyor configured to be moved (e.g., raised, lowered, laterally moved, tilted, etc.) relative to the body of the unloader. The front-end shelf conveyor may be moved separately for positioning below the robotic arm in order to receive cartons from a small distance. The front-end shelf conveyor may be moved via various mechanisms (e.g., scissor lifts, pedestal lifts, etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventor: Michael L. Girtman
  • Publication number: 20150063973
    Abstract: A robotic carton unloader for automatic unloading of cartons from a carton pile. In various embodiments, a robotic carton unloader may comprise a mobile body, a movable robotic arm attached to the mobile body and comprising an end effector configured to unload a row of cartons in a side-by-side orientation from the carton pile, and a conveyor system mounted on the mobile body and configured to receive the row of cartons from the end effector in the side-by-side orientation. In various embodiments the conveyor system may comprise a front-end descrambler and a central descrambler coupled to the front-end descrambler. In various embodiments, the robotic arm may be configured to straddle at least a portion of the mobile body and at least a portion of the conveyor system such that the conveyor system conveys cartons from the carton pile through the robotic arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Michael L. Girtman, Matthew Wicks
  • Publication number: 20150063972
    Abstract: A robotic carton unloader for automatic unloading of cartons from a carton pile. In various embodiments, a robotic carton unloader may comprise a mobile body, a movable robotic arm attached to the mobile body and comprising an end effector configured to unload a row of cartons in a side-by-side orientation from the carton pile, and a conveyor system mounted on the mobile body and configured to receive the row of cartons from the end effector in the side-by-side orientation. In various embodiments the conveyor system may comprise a front-end descrambler and a central descrambler coupled to the front-end descrambler. In various embodiments, the robotic arm may be configured to straddle at least a portion of the mobile body and at least a portion of the conveyor system such that the conveyor system conveys cartons from the carton pile through the robotic arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Michael L. Girtman, Tim Beilsmith, Matthew Wicks
  • Publication number: 20150037131
    Abstract: A robotic carton unloader for automatic unloading of cartons from a carton pile, such as a carton pile stacked within a trailer. In various embodiments, a robotic carton unloader may comprise a conveyor system, a robotic positioner, and a manipulator having a conformable face configured to conform to irregularities of the carton pile, and the manipulator may be movable attached to an end of the robotic positioner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Michael L. Girtman, Brian E. Neville, Matthew Wicks
  • Publication number: 20140341695
    Abstract: A robotic carton unloader for automatic unloading of cartons from a carton pile, such as a carton pile stacked within a trailer. In various embodiments, a robotic carton unloader may comprise a conveyor system, a robotic positioner, and a manipulator having a conformable face configured to conform to irregularities of the carton pile, and the manipulator may be movable attached to an end of the robotic positioner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Michael L. Girtman, Brian E. Neville, Matthew Wicks
  • Publication number: 20030160122
    Abstract: A governing device including a return spring and a spool upon which a line or cord is wound, includes on a fixed housing element a magnetic or a conductive material and on the rotating portion of the spool respectively either a magnet or a layer of conductive material is provided. When the line or cord is retracted by the spring, a hysteresis loop is formed in the conductive material by the magnet causing an eddy current which slows down the rate of retraction of the line to provide safety in the rate of return of the line or cord.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Michael L. Girtman, Brian E. Neville
  • Patent number: 5920997
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an automatically retractable chalk line device is provided having a housing in which a power spring drives a first large diameter gear through a first shaft. The first large diameter gear is in driving engagement with a first smaller diameter gear located below the power spring. The first smaller diameter gear drives a second large diameter gear located partially above the power spring. The second large diameter gear drives a second smaller diameter gear which a drives a chalk retaining spool, which holds the chalk line. The relative diameters of the two large diameter gears as compared with the diameter of the two small diameter gears provides a large mechanical advantage. A disc brake is mounted for braking engagement with one of the large diameter gears, preferably the second large diameter gear. An arrangement for engaging and disengaging the disc brake with the large diameter gear is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Michael L. Girtman