Patents by Inventor Scott R. Bombaugh

Scott R. Bombaugh 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: 20180243801
    Abstract: A high throughput sorting device is disclosed. The device includes a first sorter and a second sorter, each of the first and second sorters having a plurality of cells each configured to support, carry, and deposit an item. The device can also include at least one shared chute extending below a portion of the first sorter and a portion of the second sorter. The at least one chute can be configured to receive an item deposited by each of the plurality of cells and transport the item to an endpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Scott R. Bombaugh, Tuan A. Le, Charles P. McLellan, Christopher M. Stratton
  • Patent number: 9962743
    Abstract: A high throughput sorting device is disclosed. The device includes a first sorter and a second sorter, each of the first and second sorters having a plurality of cells each configured to support, carry, and deposit an item. The device can also include at least one shared chute extending below a portion of the first sorter and a portion of the second sorter. The at least one chute can be configured to receive an item deposited by each of the plurality of cells and transport the item to an endpoint. The device can also include a base configured to support the at least one shared chute and the first and second sorters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Scott R. Bombaugh, Tuan A. Le, Charles P. McLellan, Christopher M. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20180043397
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for sorting and sequencing articles in a processing facility are disclosed. Delivery endpoints are divided and grouped into stop groups. A first sorter sorts items according to stop group and outputs the items to trays. The output trays from the first sorter are loaded to a second sorter in stop group order. The second sorter sorts items for each stop group into separate lanes. Each lane can then be sorted into output bins in delivery sequence order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Patent number: 9849487
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for sorting and sequencing articles in a processing facility are disclosed. Delivery endpoints are divided and grouped into stop groups. A first sorter sorts items according to stop group and outputs the items to trays. The output trays from the first sorter are loaded to a second sorter in stop group order. The second sorter sorts items for each stop group into separate lanes. Each lane can then be sorted into output bins in delivery sequence order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventor: Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Publication number: 20170320101
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for sorting and delivering articles in a processing facility. Delivery endpoints are divided and grouped into stop groups. A first sorter sorts items according to stop group and outputs the items to trays. The output trays from the first sorter are loaded to a second sorter. The second sorter sorts items for each stop group into trays based on carrier route segments. A manifest is created that comprises a list of the items in a tray. A mobile computing device alerts a delivery carrier when there is an item that needs to be delivered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Scott R. Bombaugh, Thomas J. Foti, David E. Loyd, Sarvang D. Shah
  • Publication number: 20170197233
    Abstract: A high throughput sorting device is disclosed. The device includes a first sorter and a second sorter, each of the first and second sorters having a plurality of cells each configured to support, carry, and deposit an item. The device can also include at least one shared chute extending below a portion of the first sorter and a portion of the second sorter. The at least one chute can be configured to receive an item deposited by each of the plurality of cells and transport the item to an endpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Scott R. Bombaugh, Tuan A. Le, Charles P. McLellan, Christopher M. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20170184175
    Abstract: The technology disclosed provides a joint for connecting carrier units together so as to dissipate and absorb axial forces experienced by the carrier units. The joint may be comprised of a joint housing and an elastomeric insert. The housing may be comprised of a body portion and a head portion and the head portion may include an annular flange in which the elastomeric insert is configured to be secured. The elastomeric joint is capable of absorbing and dissipating horizontal, rotational, and vertical forces experienced by the carrier units in non-linear travel along a track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Publication number: 20170184176
    Abstract: The technology disclosed provides a joint for connecting carrier units together so as to dissipate and absorb axial forces experienced by the carrier units. The joint may be comprised of a joint housing and an elastomeric insert. The housing may be comprised of a body portion and a head portion and the head portion may include an annular flange in which the elastomeric insert is configured to be secured. The elastomeric joint is capable of absorbing and dissipating horizontal, rotational, and vertical forces experienced by the carrier units in non-linear travel along a track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Patent number: 9689459
    Abstract: The technology disclosed provides a joint for connecting carrier units together so as to dissipate and absorb axial forces experienced by the carrier units. The joint may be comprised of a joint housing and an elastomeric insert. The housing may be comprised of a body portion and a head portion and the head portion may include an annular flange in which the elastomeric insert is configured to be secured. The elastomeric joint is capable of absorbing and dissipating horizontal, rotational, and vertical forces experienced by the carrier units in non-linear travel along a track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Publication number: 20160136692
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for sorting and sequencing articles in a processing facility are disclosed. Delivery endpoints are divided and grouped into stop groups. A first sorter sorts items according to stop group and outputs the items to trays. The output trays from the first sorter are loaded to a second sorter in stop group order. The second sorter sorts items for each stop group into separate lanes. Each lane can then be sorted into output bins in delivery sequence order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventor: Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Publication number: 20160042320
    Abstract: Systems and methods for handling a plurality items by using a sorter to receive items and obtain item information and delivery destinations from the items. A run manifest is generated having an item identifier and a destination for each of the plurality of items. The run manifest data is used in a routing module to generate dynamic routes for delivering the plurality of items, and generating a sequence identifier for each of the plurality of items according to the dynamically generated routes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen M. Dearing, C. Scot Atkins, James DeForrest Wilson, Scott R. Bombaugh, Carla F. Sherry
  • Publication number: 20150198218
    Abstract: The technology disclosed provides a joint for connecting carrier units together so as to dissipate and absorb axial forces experienced by the carrier units. The joint may be comprised of a joint housing and an elastomeric insert. The housing may be comprised of a body portion and a head portion and the head portion may include an annular flange in which the elastomeric insert is configured to be secured. The elastomeric joint is capable of absorbing and dissipating horizontal, rotational, and vertical forces experienced by the carrier units in non-linear travel along a track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Patent number: 9016970
    Abstract: The technology disclosed provides a joint for connecting carrier units together so as to dissipate and absorb axial forces experienced by the carrier units. The joint may be comprised of a joint housing and an elastomeric insert. The housing may be comprised of a body portion and a head portion and the head portion may include an annular flange in which the elastomeric insert is configured to be secured. The elastomeric joint is capable of absorbing and dissipating horizontal, rotational, and vertical forces experienced by the carrier units in non-linear travel along a track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Scott R. Bombaugh
  • Patent number: 8978979
    Abstract: This disclosure defines systems, methods and apparatus for imaging systems for scanning barcodes and images in a manual distribution environment. In one aspect a method is disclosed for expanding the effective field of view of a camera used in an overhead scanning system. The method may include moving a mirror positioned relative to the input of a camera according to a determined pattern of movement and a determined speed and capturing a series of images with the camera while the mirror is moving such that the field of view defining each image captured by the camera changes based on the position of the mirror. The method may further include using combined image data from each of the images in the series of images to process machine readable information located on a target item being imaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Scott R. Bombaugh, John M. Dunlop
  • Publication number: 20140324726
    Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Edward J. KUEBERT, Scott R. Bombaugh, William J. Dowling
  • Patent number: 8775329
    Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Edward J. Kuebert, Scott R. Bombaugh, William J. Dowling
  • Publication number: 20140124581
    Abstract: This disclosure defines systems, methods and apparatus for imaging systems for scanning barcodes and images in a manual distribution environment. In one aspect a method is disclosed for expanding the effective field of view of a camera used in an overhead scanning system. The method may include moving a mirror positioned relative to the input of a camera according to a determined pattern of movement and a determined speed and capturing a series of images with the camera while the mirror is moving such that the field of view defining each image captured by the camera changes based on the position of the mirror. The method may further include using combined image data from each of the images in the series of images to process machine readable information located on a target item being imaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: United States Postal Services
    Inventors: Scott R. Bombaugh, John M. Dunlop
  • Patent number: 8668150
    Abstract: This disclosure defines systems, methods and apparatus for scanning in a distribution environment. In one aspect a method is disclosed for expanding a field of view of a camera. The method may include moving a mirror according to a determined pattern of movement and speed and capturing a series of images with a camera while the mirror is moving such that the field of view defining images captured by the camera changes based on the position of the mirror. The method may further include using image data from the series of images to process information located on a target item being imaged. In another aspect, an apparatus is disclosed including a selectively movable mirror positioned relative to an image capture device. A controller is configured to capture an image while the mirror is moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Scott R. Bombaugh, John M. Dunlop
  • Publication number: 20130304664
    Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Edward J. Kuebert, Scott R. Bombaugh, William J. Dowling
  • Patent number: 8489520
    Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide the ability to flexibly change the delivery point and time for a mail item, while the item is en route. The recipient, sender, or mailer may flexibly change the delivery point of the item alone or in combination with each other. While an item is en route between the sending point and the delivery point, a notification is sent to indicate that the item is in transit. In response, the delivery of the item may be changed. For example, the destination specified by the sender (e.g., the delivery address written on the item) may be changed or a delivery time may be specified. The item is then delivered to the new delivery point and/or at the specified delivery time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Edward J. Kuebert, Scott R. Bombaugh, William J. Dowling