Patents by Inventor Ryan Fehrenbacher

Ryan Fehrenbacher 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: 20230391554
    Abstract: Platform assembly for use with sorting articles comprises platforms connected to each other to form at least one level surface for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each platform defines a first orientation in which the platform is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. Each platform includes a first panel comprising a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a grid on the first panel for transit thereabout by the plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes a magnetic signature for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. In operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and orientation of the marker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Ryan Fehrenbacher, Milan Patel, Ray Wells, Steven Wu, Richard C. Kaminska, III, James Edouard, Denny McKnight, John C. Spain
  • Patent number: 11745946
    Abstract: Platform assembly for use with sorting articles comprises platforms connected to each other to form at least one level surface for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each platform defines a first orientation in which the platform is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. Each platform includes a first panel comprising a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a grid on the first panel for transit thereabout by the plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes a magnetic signature for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. In operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and orientation of the marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Tompkins Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Ryan Fehrenbacher, Milan Patel, Ray Wells, Steven Wu, Richard C. Kaminska, III, James Edouard, Denny McKnight, John C. Spain
  • Publication number: 20230202758
    Abstract: Platform assembly for use with sorting articles comprises platforms connected to each other to form at least one level surface for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each platform defines a first orientation in which the platform is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. Each platform includes a first panel comprising a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a grid on the first panel for transit thereabout by the plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes a magnetic signature for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. In operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and orientation of the marker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Ryan Fehrenbacher, Milan Patel, Ray Wells, Steven Wu, Richard C. Kaminska, III, James Edouard, Denny McKnight, John C. Spain
  • Patent number: 11572233
    Abstract: Platform assembly for use with sorting articles comprises platforms connected to each other to form at least one level surface for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each platform defines a first orientation in which the platform is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. Each platform includes a first panel comprising a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a grid on the first panel for transit thereabout by the plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes a magnetic signature for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. In operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and orientation of the marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Tompkins Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Ryan Fehrenbacher, Milan Patel, Ray Wells, Steven Wu, Richard C. Kaminska, III, James Edouard, Denny McKnight, John C. Spain
  • Publication number: 20210139243
    Abstract: Platform assembly for use with sorting articles comprises platforms connected to each other to form at least one level surface for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each platform defines a first orientation in which the platform is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. Each platform includes a first panel comprising a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a grid on the first panel for transit thereabout by the plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes a magnetic signature for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. In operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and orientation of the marker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Ryan Fehrenbacher, Milan Patel, Ray Wells, Steven Wu, Richard C. Kaminska, III, James Edouard, Denny McKnight, John C. Spain
  • Patent number: 10899542
    Abstract: Platform assembly for use with sorting articles comprises platforms connected to each other to form at least one level surface for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each platform defines a first orientation in which the platform is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. Each platform includes a first panel comprising a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a grid on the first panel for transit thereabout by the plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes a magnetic signature for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. In operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and orientation of the marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Tompkins International
    Inventors: Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Ryan Fehrenbacher, Milan Patel, Ray Wells, Steven Wu, Richard C. Kaminska, III, James Edouard, Denny McKnight, John C. Spain
  • Patent number: 10870131
    Abstract: A platform assembly for use with sorting articles includes a first panel including a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a track on the first panel for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes one or more magnetic characteristics for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. The platform assembly defines a first orientation in which the platform assembly is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform assembly is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. During operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and the orientation of the marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: TOMPKINS INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Ryan Fehrenbacher, Milan Patel, Ray Wells, Steven Wu, Richard C. Kaminska, III, James Edouard, Denny McKnight, John C. Spain
  • Publication number: 20190218035
    Abstract: Platform assembly for use with sorting articles comprises platforms connected to each other to form at least one level surface for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each platform defines a first orientation in which the platform is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. Each platform includes a first panel comprising a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a grid on the first panel for transit thereabout by the plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes a magnetic signature for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. In operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and orientation of the marker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Ryan Fehrenbacher, Milan Patel, Ray Wells, Steven Wu, Richard C. Kaminska, III, James Edouard, Denny McKnight, John C. Spain
  • Publication number: 20190126323
    Abstract: A platform assembly for use with sorting articles includes a first panel including a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a track on the first panel for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes one or more magnetic characteristics for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. The platform assembly defines a first orientation in which the platform assembly is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform assembly is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. During operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and the orientation of the marker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Michael C. Futch, James M. Serstad, Ryan Fehrenbacher, Milan Patel, Ray Wells, Steven Wu, Richard C. Kaminska, III, James Edouard, Denny McKnight, John C. Spain