Patents by Inventor Robert B. Williams

Robert B. Williams 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).

  • Patent number: 12570144
    Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a vehicle body on a chassis having a frame, an internal combustion engine (ICE), and a transmission coupling the ICE with a plurality of tractive elements. The vehicle body includes an electrically powered body system and a hydraulically powered body system. A first power module is coupled with the ICE and is configured to provide rotary power to a hydraulic pump that is configured to provide hydraulic power to the hydraulically powered body system. A second power module is coupled with the transmission and configured to rotationally couple and decouple an electrical generator with the transmission. The generator is configured to charge at least one battery when rotationally coupled with the transmission. The battery is configured to provide electrical power to the electrically powered body system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventors: Stanley L. Maroney, Robert B. Williams, Douglas Michael Anders
  • Publication number: 20260062212
    Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting and loading refuse include a refuse loading system configured to couple to a refuse collection vehicle and to load refuse into the refuse collection vehicle and a control system. The refuse loading system includes a container-holding mechanism operable to hold a refuse container, and a positioning system operable to position the container-holding mechanism relative to the refuse collection vehicle. The control system includes a proportional control device, at least one processor, and memory communicably coupled to the at least one processor. The memory stores instructions which, when executed, cause the at least one processor to perform operations including receiving, from an operator, via the proportional control device, an input to control movement of one or components of the refuse loading system, and, responsive to receiving the input, operating the container-holding mechanism and the positioning system to perform a portion of a refuse loading cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2025
    Publication date: March 5, 2026
    Inventors: Tony Lawayne Coffey, Stanley L. Maroney, Phillip A. Kendrick, Jonathan Paul Shadrick, Robert B. Williams, Macey Parris Sarratt
  • Publication number: 20260062210
    Abstract: Operating a refuse collection vehicle to collect refuse from a refuse container includes positioning a refuse collection vehicle with respect to a refuse container to be emptied, and manually engaging a switch to initiate a dump cycle to be performed by the refuse collection vehicle on the refuse container. The dump cycle includes engaging the refuse container with a portion of the vehicle, lifting the engaged refuse container to a dump position, and moving the refuse container to release contents of the refuse container into a hopper of the refuse collection vehicle. The dump cycle continues to completion as long as the switch remains manually engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2025
    Publication date: March 5, 2026
    Inventors: Stanley L. Maroney, David G. Lewis, Robert B. Williams
  • Publication number: 20250353671
    Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a grabber that is operable to engage a refuse container, a lift arm that is operable to lift a refuse container, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating an angular position of the grabber, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating a relative positioning of the lift arm, a first controller for adjusting the angular position of the grabber, and a second controller adjusting the relative positioning of the lift arm. The adjustment of the angular position of the grabber is coordinated with the adjustment of the relative positioning of the lift arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2025
    Publication date: November 20, 2025
    Inventors: Stanley L. Maroney, David G. Lewis, Robert B. Williams
  • Patent number: 12391471
    Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a grabber that is operable to engage a refuse container, a lift arm that is operable to lift a refuse container, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating an angular position of the grabber, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating a relative positioning of the lift arm, a first controller for adjusting the angular position of the grabber, and a second controller adjusting the relative positioning of the lift arm. The adjustment of the angular position of the grabber is coordinated with the adjustment of the relative positioning of the lift arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2025
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventors: Stanley L. Maroney, David G. Lewis, Robert B. Williams
  • Publication number: 20250229982
    Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a fork assembly that is operable to engage one or more fork pockets of a refuse container, a lift arm that is operable to lift a refuse container, and at least one sensor that is configured to collect data indicating a position of the one or more fork pockets of the refuse container. A position of at least one of the fork assembly or the lift arm is adjusted in response to the data collected by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2025
    Publication date: July 17, 2025
    Inventors: Robert B. Williams, Stanley L. Maroney
  • Patent number: 12291395
    Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a fork assembly that is operable to engage one or more fork pockets of a refuse container, a lift arm that is operable to lift a refuse container, and at least one sensor that is configured to collect data indicating a position of the one or more fork pockets of the refuse container. A position of at least one of the fork assembly or the lift arm is adjusted in response to the data collected by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventors: Robert B. Williams, Stanley L. Maroney
  • Patent number: 12240692
    Abstract: Operating a refuse collection vehicle to collect refuse from a refuse container includes positioning a refuse collection vehicle with respect to a refuse container to be emptied, and manually engaging a switch to initiate a dump cycle to be performed by the refuse collection vehicle on the refuse container. The dump cycle includes engaging the refuse container with a portion of the vehicle, lifting the engaged refuse container to a dump position, and moving the refuse container to release contents of the refuse container into a hopper of the refuse collection vehicle. The dump cycle continues to completion as long as the switch remains manually engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventors: Stanley L. Maroney, David G. Lewis, Robert B. Williams
  • Publication number: 20250011078
    Abstract: Operating a refuse collection vehicle to collect refuse from a refuse container includes positioning a refuse collection vehicle with respect to a refuse container to be emptied, and manually engaging a switch to initiate a dump cycle to be performed by the refuse collection vehicle on the refuse container. The dump cycle includes engaging the refuse container with a portion of the vehicle, lifting the engaged refuse container to a dump position, and moving the refuse container to release contents of the refuse container into a hopper of the refuse collection vehicle. The dump cycle continues to completion as long as the switch remains manually engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Stanley L. Maroney, David G. Lewis, Robert B. Williams
  • Patent number: 12134516
    Abstract: Operating a refuse collection vehicle to collect refuse from a refuse container includes positioning a refuse collection vehicle with respect to a refuse container to be emptied, and manually engaging a switch to initiate a dump cycle to be performed by the refuse collection vehicle on the refuse container. The dump cycle includes engaging the refuse container with a portion of the vehicle, lifting the engaged refuse container to a dump position, and moving the refuse container to release contents of the refuse container into a hopper of the refuse collection vehicle. The dump cycle continues to completion as long as the switch remains manually engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventors: Stanley L. Maroney, David G. Lewis, Robert B. Williams
  • Publication number: 20240199322
    Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a grabber that is operable to engage a refuse container, a lift arm that is operable to lift a refuse container, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating an angular position of the grabber, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating a relative positioning of the lift arm, a first controller for adjusting the angular position of the grabber, and a second controller adjusting the relative positioning of the lift arm. The adjustment of the angular position of the grabber is coordinated with the adjustment of the relative positioning of the lift arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Stanley L. Maroney, David G. Lewis, Robert B. Williams
  • Patent number: 11858735
    Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a grabber that is operable to engage a refuse container, a lift arm that is operable to lift a refuse container, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating an angular position of the grabber, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating a relative positioning of the lift arm, a first controller for adjusting the angular position of the grabber, and a second controller adjusting the relative positioning of the lift arm. The adjustment of the angular position of the grabber is coordinated with the adjustment of the relative positioning of the lift arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventors: Stanley L Maroney, David G. Lewis, Robert B. Williams
  • Publication number: 20230278785
    Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a vehicle body on a chassis having a frame, an internal combustion engine (ICE), and a transmission coupling the ICE with a plurality of tractive elements. The vehicle body includes an electrically powered body system and a hydraulically powered body system. A first power module is coupled with the ICE and is configured to provide rotary power to a hydraulic pump that is configured to provide hydraulic power to the hydraulically powered body system. A second power module is coupled with the transmission and configured to rotationally couple and decouple an electrical generator with the transmission. The generator is configured to charge at least one battery when rotationally coupled with the transmission. The battery is configured to provide electrical power to the electrically powered body system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Stanley L. Maroney, Robert B. Williams, Douglas Michael Anders
  • Publication number: 20230242336
    Abstract: Operating a refuse collection vehicle to collect refuse from a refuse container includes positioning a refuse collection vehicle with respect to a refuse container to be emptied, and manually engaging a switch to initiate a dump cycle to be performed by the refuse collection vehicle on the refuse container. The dump cycle includes engaging the refuse container with a portion of the vehicle, lifting the engaged refuse container to a dump position, and moving the refuse container to release contents of the refuse container into a hopper of the refuse collection vehicle. The dump cycle continues to completion as long as the switch remains manually engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Stanley L. Maroney, David G. Lewis, Robert B. Williams
  • Publication number: 20230202752
    Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a fork assembly that is operable to engage one or more fork pockets of a refuse container, a lift arm that is operable to lift a refuse container, and at least one sensor that is configured to collect data indicating a position of the one or more fork pockets of the refuse container. A position of at least one of the fork assembly or the lift arm is adjusted in response to the data collected by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Robert B. Williams, Stanley L. Maroney
  • Patent number: 11608226
    Abstract: Operating a refuse collection vehicle to collect refuse from a refuse container includes positioning a refuse collection vehicle with respect to a refuse container to be emptied, and manually engaging a switch to initiate a dump cycle to be performed by the refuse collection vehicle on the refuse container. The dump cycle includes engaging the refuse container with a portion of the vehicle, lifting the engaged refuse container to a dump position, and moving the refuse container to release contents of the refuse container into a hopper of the refuse collection vehicle. The dump cycle continues to completion as long as the switch remains manually engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventors: Stanley L. Maroney, David G. Lewis, Robert B. Williams
  • Patent number: 11603265
    Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a fork assembly that is operable to engage one or more fork pockets of a refuse container, a lift arm that is operable to lift a refuse container, and at least one sensor that is configured to collect data indicating a position of the one or more fork pockets of the refuse container. A position of at least one of the fork assembly or the lift arm is adjusted in response to the data collected by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventors: Robert B. Williams, Stanley L. Maroney
  • Patent number: 11453550
    Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a grabber that is operable to engage a refuse container, a lift arm that is operable to lift a refuse container, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating an angular position of the grabber, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating a relative positioning of the lift arm, a first controller for adjusting the angular position of the grabber, and a second controller adjusting the relative positioning of the lift arm. The adjustment of the angular position of the grabber is coordinated with the adjustment of the relative positioning of the lift arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventors: Stanley L. Maroney, David G. Lewis, Robert B. Williams
  • Publication number: 20220258966
    Abstract: Operating a refuse collection vehicle to collect refuse from a refuse container includes positioning a refuse collection vehicle with respect to a refuse container to be emptied, and manually engaging a switch to initiate a dump cycle to be performed by the refuse collection vehicle on the refuse container. The dump cycle includes engaging the refuse container with a portion of the vehicle, lifting the engaged refuse container to a dump position, and moving the refuse container to release contents of the refuse container into a hopper of the refuse collection vehicle. The dump cycle continues to completion as long as the switch remains manually engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Stanley L. Maroney, David G. Lewis, Robert B. Williams
  • Publication number: 20220234822
    Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a grabber that is operable to engage a refuse container, a lift arm that is operable to lift a refuse container, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating an angular position of the grabber, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating a relative positioning of the lift arm, a first controller for adjusting the angular position of the grabber, and a second controller adjusting the relative positioning of the lift arm. The adjustment of the angular position of the grabber is coordinated with the adjustment of the relative positioning of the lift arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Stanley L. Maroney, David G. Lewis, Robert B. Williams