Patents by Inventor Robert Roy STEPHENSON

Robert Roy STEPHENSON 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: 11613426
    Abstract: In an aspect, there is provided a correlator for guiding a vehicle onto a vehicle conveyor. The correlator includes a wheel support surface defining a receiving end of the correlator and a conveyor-interfacing end of the correlator. The wheel support surface is positioned to support a wheel of the vehicle as the wheel rolls thereon. The correlator further includes at least one guide structure positioned to guide a wheel of the vehicle laterally during travel of the wheel on the wheel support surface from the receiving end towards the conveyor-interfacing end. The wheel support surface has a surface region having surface properties selected such that a coefficient of friction between the surface region and tire rubber is sufficiently low to prevent the wheel from having sufficient traction on the surface region to enable climbing of the wheel onto the at least one guide structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Stephenson Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Roy Stephenson
  • Patent number: 11560273
    Abstract: In an aspect, a conveyor system is provided for a vehicle having wheels. The conveyor system includes a conveyor having an inlet end positioned to receive a vehicle to be conveyed, and an exit end positioned for exiting of the vehicle off of the conveyor, and a surface positioned proximate to at least one of the inlet end and the exit end. The surface is positioned to support at least one of the wheels while at least another of the wheels is supported on the conveyor. The surface has surface properties selected such that a coefficient of friction between the surface and tire rubber is below a selected threshold so as to permit sliding of the at least one of the wheels on the surface while the at least another of the wheels is supported on the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Stephenson Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Roy Stephenson
  • Publication number: 20220342389
    Abstract: A system for controlling a vehicle conveyor and a vehicle wash having the same are provided. The system includes an array of beam transmitters, each being positionable to transmit a beam towards a vehicle path through which a vehicle is expected to travel. Each of at least one sensor is positionable to receive the beam from at least one of the array of beam transmitters when the beam is unobstructed and generate sensor data. A storage stores computer-executable instructions. A controller in communication with the storage and connected to the at least one sensor, when executing the computer-executable instructions, controls operation of the vehicle conveyor at least partially based on the sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventor: Robert Roy STEPHENSON
  • Publication number: 20220153542
    Abstract: In an aspect, a conveyor system is provided for a vehicle having wheels. The conveyor system includes a conveyor having an inlet end positioned to receive a vehicle to be conveyed, and an exit end positioned for exiting of the vehicle off of the conveyor, and a surface positioned proximate to at least one of the inlet end and the exit end. The surface is positioned to support at least one of the wheels while at least another of the wheels is supported on the conveyor. The surface has surface properties selected such that a coefficient of friction between the surface and tire rubber is below a selected threshold so as to permit sliding of the at least one of the wheels on the surface while the at least another of the wheels is supported on the conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventor: Robert Roy STEPHENSON
  • Publication number: 20220153525
    Abstract: In an aspect, there is provided a correlator for guiding a vehicle onto a vehicle conveyor. The correlator includes a wheel support surface defining a receiving end of the correlator and a conveyor-interfacing end of the correlator. The wheel support surface is positioned to support a wheel of the vehicle as the wheel rolls thereon. The correlator further includes at least one guide structure positioned to guide a wheel of the vehicle laterally during travel of the wheel on the wheel support surface from the receiving end towards the conveyor-interfacing end. The wheel support surface has a surface region having surface properties selected such that a coefficient of friction between the surface region and tire rubber is sufficiently low to prevent the wheel from having sufficient traction on the surface region to enable climbing of the wheel onto the at least one guide structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventor: Robert Roy Stephenson
  • Patent number: 11110900
    Abstract: A vehicle sensing and guidance system for a vehicle wash, and a vehicle wash, are provided. The system includes a first vehicle sensing system having at least one sensor configured to detect a vehicle and generate sensor data, a storage storing computer readable instructions, at least one processor that, when executing the computer readable instructions, determines a pose of the first vehicle using the sensor data, and at least one output device configured to present at least one of a first vehicle positioning marker and a vehicle positioning signal at least partially based on the pose of the first vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Stephenson Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Roy Stephenson
  • Patent number: 11053079
    Abstract: In an aspect, a mounting bracket for use with an automotive conveyor system is provided. A base portion has a set of apertures, the first set of apertures being elongated along a first direction, each of the set of apertures being dimensioned to receive a fastener for fastening the base portion to a trench wall. A cross-member coupler is coupled to the base portion and securable to a cross-member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: STEPHENSON TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Bartholomew John Boelryk, Robert Roy Stephenson
  • Patent number: 10947051
    Abstract: In an aspect, a wear plate for use with a conveyor system is provided. The wear plate has a plate mount, having a fastener retainer having a retention hole extending through the wear plate, and a retainer support being defined by at least one cut in the wear plate adjacent to and at least partially defining the fastener retainer, the retainer support connecting the fastener retainer to a main portion of the wear plate and enabling the fastener support to be depressed relative to a top surface of the wear plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Stephenson Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Roy Stephenson, Paul Adams, Bartholomew John Boelryk
  • Publication number: 20200282958
    Abstract: A vehicle sensing and guidance system for a vehicle wash, and a vehicle wash, are provided. The system includes a first vehicle sensing system having at least one sensor configured to detect a vehicle and generate sensor data, a storage storing computer readable instructions, at least one processor that, when executing the computer readable instructions, determines a pose of the first vehicle using the sensor data, and at least one output device configured to present at least one of a first vehicle positioning marker and a vehicle positioning signal at least partially based on the pose of the first vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventor: Robert Roy STEPHENSON
  • Patent number: 10479607
    Abstract: A conveyor system is provided, comprising an endless belt mounted in a longitudinal direction through the service line, the endless belt having an upper transport portion adapted to move a wheeled structure through a service line, and a lower return portion, a support deck positioned below the upper transport portion of the endless belt to support the endless belt, the support deck having a belt contact surface extending along a top of the support deck and in contact with the upper transport portion of the endless belt, the belt contact surface being constructed from a material that is at least partially thermoplastic, a belt rinsing system including a rinsing system conduit arrangement connectable to a source of rinsing system liquid, and at least one belt rinsing arrangement, wherein each of the at least one belt rinsing arrangement includes a rinsing system dirt pass-through aperture in the support deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Stephenson Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Roy Stephenson, Bartholomew John Boelryk
  • Patent number: 10479329
    Abstract: In an aspect, a conveyor system for moving a wheeled structure through a service line is provided. The conveyor system comprises at least one endless belt mounted longitudinally through the service line. The belt has an upper transport portion for moving the vehicle through the service line, and a lower return portion with a support deck below the upper transport portion to support the belt. A liquid introduction system is provided for helping to remove dirt from the belt and/or to remove dirt from between the belt and the support deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: STEPHENSON TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Robert Roy Stephenson, Bartholomew John Boelryk
  • Publication number: 20190291964
    Abstract: In an aspect, a mounting bracket for use with an automotive conveyor system is provided. A base portion has a set of apertures, the first set of apertures being elongated along a first direction, each of the set of apertures being dimensioned to receive a fastener for fastening the base portion to a trench wall. A cross-member coupler is coupled to the base portion and securable to a cross-member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Bartholomew John BOELRYK, Robert Roy STEPHENSON
  • Patent number: 10414591
    Abstract: A conveyor system is provided, including an endless belt and a support deck. The endless belt is mounted in a longitudinal direction through a service line, the endless belt having an upper transport portion adapted to move a wheeled structure through the service line, and a lower return portion. The support deck is positioned below the upper transport portion of the endless belt to support the endless belt. The support deck has a belt contact surface extending along a top of the support deck and in contact with the upper transport portion of the endless belt. The belt contact surface is at least partially constructed from a material that is at least partially a polymer, and has a set of inserts having a greater abrasion resistance than the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Stephenson Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Roy Stephenson, Bartholomew John Boelryk
  • Publication number: 20190225427
    Abstract: In an aspect, a wear plate for use with a conveyor system is provided. The wear plate has a plate mount, having a fastener retainer having a retention hole extending through the wear plate, and a retainer support being defined by at least one cut in the wear plate adjacent to and at least partially defining the fastener retainer, the retainer support connecting the fastener retainer to a main portion of the wear plate and enabling the fastener support to be depressed relative to a top surface of the wear plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Roy STEPHENSON, Paul ADAMS, Bartholomew John BOELRYK
  • Publication number: 20190184945
    Abstract: In an aspect, a conveyor system for moving a wheeled structure through a service line is provided. The conveyor system comprises at least one endless belt mounted longitudinally through the service line. The belt has an upper transport portion for moving the vehicle through the service line, and a lower return portion with a support deck below the upper transport portion to support the belt. A liquid introduction system is provided for helping to remove dirt from the belt and/or to remove dirt from between the belt and the support deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Roy STEPHENSON, Bartholomew John BOELRYK
  • Publication number: 20190185271
    Abstract: A conveyor system is provided, comprising an endless belt mounted in a longitudinal direction through the service line, the endless belt having an upper transport portion adapted to move a wheeled structure through a service line, and a lower return portion, a support deck positioned below the upper transport portion of the endless belt to support the endless belt, the support deck having a belt contact surface extending along a top of the support deck and in contact with the upper transport portion of the endless belt, the belt contact surface being constructed from a material that is at least partially thermoplastic, a belt rinsing system including a rinsing system conduit arrangement connectable to a source of rinsing system liquid, and at least one belt rinsing arrangement, wherein each of the at least one belt rinsing arrangement includes a rinsing system dirt pass-through aperture in the support deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Roy STEPHENSON, Bartholomew John BOELRYK