Patents by Inventor Stephen Toebes

Stephen Toebes 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: 20240116188
    Abstract: An autonomous traverse tire changing bot includes a carriage having a carriage frame with a carriage drive section effecting autonomous traverse of the carriage, along a traverse path, relative to a traverse surface or a floor on which the bot rests, and a bot frame including at least one actuator mounted to the carriage and a bot drive section with a motor defining an actuator degree of freedom, wherein the at least one actuator has an end effector having a tire engagement tool disposed so that articulation of the at least one actuator with the actuator degree of freedom effects engagement contact of the tire engagement tool and a tire mounted on a vehicle, and a controller effects traverse of the bot along the traverse path effecting dynamic positioning of the at least one actuator relative to a variable position of the vehicle with the tire mounted thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Andy Chalofsky, Josh Chalofsky, Stephen Toebes, Kenny Pratt, Seth Allen
  • Patent number: 11872685
    Abstract: An autonomous traverse tire changing bot includes a carriage having a carriage frame with a carriage drive section effecting autonomous traverse of the carriage, along a traverse path, relative to a traverse surface or a floor on which the bot rests, and a bot frame including at least one actuator mounted to the carriage and a bot drive section with a motor defining an actuator degree of freedom, wherein the at least one actuator has an end effector having a tire engagement tool disposed so that articulation of the at least one actuator with the actuator degree of freedom effects engagement contact of the tire engagement tool and a tire mounted on a vehicle, and a controller effects traverse of the bot along the traverse path effecting dynamic positioning of the at least one actuator relative to a variable position of the vehicle with the tire mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: AUTOMATED TIRE, INC.
    Inventors: Andy Chalofsky, Josh Chalofsky, Stephen Toebes, Kenny Pratt, Seth Allen
  • Publication number: 20230417617
    Abstract: A vehicle component balancing robot apparatus, system and method for on vehicle balancing of one or more of a tire, a wheel, bearings, brake components, and vehicle components that impart vibrations to the vehicle. The apparatus includes a frame arranged so as to connect with the vehicle. A robot of the apparatus moves relative to the frame, and is configured so that the move, relative to the frame, resolves a predetermined location of a tire-wheel assembly relative to a reference frame of the robot. The robot has at least one end effector arranged to interface the tire-wheel assembly and the robot moves the at least one end effector to other predetermined locations on a wheel rim of the tire-wheel assembly, determined based on resolution of the predetermined location of the tire-wheel assembly relative to the reference frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Andy Chalofsky, Josh Chalofsky, Faron Shonfeld, Stephen Toebes, Nicholas Efthimiades, James Parker
  • Publication number: 20230417616
    Abstract: A vehicle component balancing robot apparatus, for on vehicle balancing of one or more of a tire, a wheel, bearings, brake components, and vehicle components that impart vibrations to the vehicle. The apparatus includes a frame arranged so as to connect with the vehicle. A robot of the apparatus moves relative to the frame, and is configured so that the move, relative to the frame, resolves a predetermined location of a tire-wheel assembly relative to a reference frame of the robot. The robot has at least one end effector arranged to interface the tire-wheel assembly and the robot moves the at least one end effector to other predetermined locations on a wheel rim of the tire-wheel assembly, determined based on resolution of the predetermined location of the tire-wheel assembly relative to the reference frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Andy Chalofsky, Josh Chalofsky, Faron Shonfeld, Stephen Toebes, Nicholas Efthimiades, James Parker, Michael Earle
  • Publication number: 20230219755
    Abstract: A warehouse storage and retrieval system including an array of multilevel storage racks having at least one transfer deck, picking isles and storage areas disposed along picking isles, the storage areas being configured to hold differing loads, and a controller including a management module configured to variably size the storage areas of the array of multilevel storage rack modules and assign each of the variably sized storage areas to a corresponding one of the differing loads, wherein the storage and retrieval system is arranged to transport the differing loads for placement in the variably sized storage areas assigned by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: John LERT, Stephen Toebes, Robert Sullivan, Foster D. Hinshaw, Nathan Ulrich, Eric Peters
  • Patent number: 11608228
    Abstract: A warehouse storage and retrieval system including an array of multilevel storage racks having at least one transfer deck, picking isles and storage areas disposed along picking isles, the storage areas being configured to hold differing loads, and a controller including a management module configured to variably size the storage areas of the array of multilevel storage rack modules and assign each of the variably sized storage areas to a corresponding one of the differing loads, wherein the storage and retrieval system is arranged to transport the differing loads for placement in the variably sized storage areas assigned by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Symbotic LLC
    Inventors: John Lert, Stephen Toebes, Robert Sullivan, Foster D. Hinshaw, Nathan Ulrich, Eric Peters
  • Publication number: 20230007948
    Abstract: An autonomous traverse tire changing bot includes a carriage having a carriage frame with a carriage drive section effecting autonomous traverse of the carriage, along a traverse path, relative to a traverse surface or a floor on which the bot rests, and a bot frame including at least one actuator mounted to the carriage and a bot drive section with a motor defining an actuator degree of freedom, wherein the at least one actuator has an end effector having a tire engagement tool disposed so that articulation of the at least one actuator with the actuator degree of freedom effects engagement contact of the tire engagement tool and a tire mounted on a vehicle, and a controller effects traverse of the bot along the traverse path effecting dynamic positioning of the at least one actuator relative to a variable position of the vehicle with the tire mounted thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Andy CHALOFSKY, Josh CHALOFSKY, Stephen TOEBES, Kenny PRATT, Seth ALLEN
  • Publication number: 20230004930
    Abstract: A system and method for coordinating the preparation of food items onboard a mobile kitchen vehicle. An onboard computing system can receive first and second orders from a remote computing system and determine a preparation schedule for the first and second orders. The preparation schedule can be based on preparation instructions, estimated arrival times, and estimated delivery times. The onboard computing system can display pre-route preparation instructions and post-route preparation instructions for preparing food items of the first and second order so that the food items are delivered in an optimized condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Schaeffer, Stephen Toebes, David Veisz, William Bartz
  • Patent number: 11446826
    Abstract: An autonomous traverse tire changing bot includes a carriage having a carriage frame with a carriage drive section effecting autonomous traverse of the carriage, along a traverse path, relative to a traverse surface or a floor on which the bot rests, and a bot frame including at least one actuator mounted to the carriage and a bot drive section with a motor defining an actuator degree of freedom, wherein the at least one actuator has an end effector having a tire engagement tool disposed so that articulation of the at least one actuator with the actuator degree of freedom effects engagement contact of the tire engagement tool and a tire mounted on a vehicle, and a controller effects traverse of the bot along the traverse path effecting dynamic positioning of the at least one actuator relative to a variable position of the vehicle with the tire mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: AUTOMATED TIRE, INC.
    Inventors: Andy Chalofsky, Josh Chalofsky, Stephen Toebes, Kenny Pratt, Seth Allen
  • Publication number: 20220185585
    Abstract: An autonomous mobile robot including frame defining a payload holding area with a payload seating surface, and having a wheeled traverse system dependent from the frame for substantially free unrestricted roving of the autonomous mobile robot on a riding surface in a facility space, at least one drive section connected to the frame, and at least one motor defining at least one independent degree of freedom; and an articulated pick arm dependent from the frame, the articulated pick arm having an end effector configured so as to stably hold a container therewith, and being operably connected to the at least one motor so that the at least one independent degree of freedom extends and retracts, and raises and lowers the articulated pick arm defining a range of motion of the end effector spanning from an elevation below a lowermost level of the payload seating surface onto the payload seating surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen Toebes, Mary Ellen Sparrow
  • Patent number: 11292667
    Abstract: An automated guided vehicle includes a frame forming a payload area, a vacuum case transfer mechanism having one or more degrees of freedom and configured to vacuum-couple with a case, and a friction case transfer mechanism that is configured to grip the case and at least cooperate with the vacuum case transfer mechanism to effect transfer of the case to the payload area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Jasci Robotics, LLC.
    Inventors: Stephen Toebes, Mary Ellen Sparrow
  • Publication number: 20210347057
    Abstract: An autonomous traverse tire changing bot includes a carriage having a carriage frame with a carriage drive section effecting autonomous traverse of the carriage, along a traverse path, relative to a traverse surface or a floor on which the bot rests, and a bot frame including at least one actuator mounted to the carriage and a bot drive section with a motor defining an actuator degree of freedom, wherein the at least one actuator has an end effector having a tire engagement tool disposed so that articulation of the at least one actuator with the actuator degree of freedom effects engagement contact of the tire engagement tool and a tire mounted on a vehicle, and a controller effects traverse of the bot along the traverse path effecting dynamic positioning of the at least one actuator relative to a variable position of the vehicle with the tire mounted thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Andy CHALOFSKY, Josh CHALOFSKY, Stephen TOEBES, Kenny PRATT, Seth ALLEN
  • Publication number: 20210347058
    Abstract: An autonomous traverse tire changing bot includes a carriage having a carriage frame with a carriage drive section effecting autonomous traverse of the carriage, along a traverse path, relative to a traverse surface or a floor on which the bot rests, and a bot frame including at least one actuator mounted to the carriage and a bot drive section with a motor defining an actuator degree of freedom, wherein the at least one actuator has an end effector having a tire engagement tool disposed so that articulation of the at least one actuator with the actuator degree of freedom effects engagement contact of the tire engagement tool and a tire mounted on a vehicle, and a controller effects traverse of the bot along the traverse path effecting dynamic positioning of the at least one actuator relative to a variable position of the vehicle with the tire mounted thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Andy CHALOFSKY, Josh CHALOFSKY, Stephen TOEBES, Kenny PRATT, Seth ALLEN
  • Publication number: 20200346866
    Abstract: A warehouse storage and retrieval system including an array of multilevel storage racks having at least one transfer deck, picking isles and storage areas disposed along picking isles, the storage areas being configured to hold differing loads, and a controller including a management module configured to variably size the storage areas of the array of multilevel storage rack modules and assign each of the variably sized storage areas to a corresponding one of the differing loads, wherein the storage and retrieval system is arranged to transport the differing loads for placement in the variably sized storage areas assigned by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: John Lert, Stephen Toebes, Robert Sullivan, Foster D. Hinshaw, Nathan Ulrich, Eric Peters
  • Patent number: 10717599
    Abstract: A warehouse storage and retrieval system including an array of multilevel storage racks having at least one transfer deck, picking isles and storage areas disposed along picking isles, the storage areas being configured to hold differing loads, and a controller including a management module configured to variably size the storage areas of the array of multilevel storage rack modules and assign each of the variably sized storage areas to a corresponding one of the differing loads, wherein the storage and retrieval system is arranged to transport the differing loads for placement in the variably sized storage areas assigned by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Symbotic, LLC
    Inventors: John Lert, Stephen Toebes, Robert Sullivan, Foster D. Hinshaw, Nathan Ulrich, Eric Peters
  • Publication number: 20200055671
    Abstract: An automated guided vehicle includes a frame forming a payload area, a vacuum case transfer mechanism having one or more degrees of freedom and configured to vacuum-couple with a case, and a friction case transfer mechanism that is configured to grip the case and at least cooperate with the vacuum case transfer mechanism to effect transfer of the case to the payload area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen Toebes, Mary Ellen Sparrow
  • Publication number: 20200039744
    Abstract: A warehouse storage and retrieval system including an array of multilevel storage racks having at least one transfer deck, picking isles and storage areas disposed along picking isles, the storage areas being configured to hold differing loads, and a controller including a management module configured to variably size the storage areas of the array of multilevel storage rack modules and assign each of the variably sized storage areas to a corresponding one of the differing loads, wherein the storage and retrieval system is arranged to transport the differing loads for placement in the variably sized storage areas assigned by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: John Lert, Stephen Toebes, Robert Sullivan, Foster D. Hinshaw, Nathan Ulrich, Eric Peters
  • Patent number: 10442622
    Abstract: A warehouse storage and retrieval system including an array of multilevel storage racks having at least one transfer deck, picking isles and storage areas disposed along picking isles, the storage areas being configured to hold differing loads, and a controller including a management module configured to variably size the storage areas of the array of multilevel storage rack modules and assign each of the variably sized storage areas to a corresponding one of the differing loads, wherein the storage and retrieval system is arranged to transport the differing loads for placement in the variably sized storage areas assigned by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Symbotic, LLC
    Inventors: John Lert, Stephen Toebes, Robert Sullivan, Foster D. Hinshaw, Nathan Ulrich, Eric Peters
  • Publication number: 20180334325
    Abstract: A warehouse storage and retrieval system including an array of multilevel storage racks having at least one transfer deck, picking isles and storage areas disposed along picking isles, the storage areas being configured to hold differing loads, and a controller including a management module configured to variably size the storage areas of the array of multilevel storage rack modules and assign each of the variably sized storage areas to a corresponding one of the differing loads, wherein the storage and retrieval system is arranged to transport the differing loads for placement in the variably sized storage areas assigned by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: John Lert, Stephen Toebes, Robert Sullivan, Foster D. Hinshaw, Nathan Ulrich, Eric Peters
  • Patent number: 10035649
    Abstract: A warehouse storage and retrieval system including an array of multilevel storage racks having at least one transfer deck, picking isles and storage areas disposed along picking isles, the storage areas being configured to hold differing loads, and a controller including a management module configured to variably size the storage areas of the array of multilevel storage rack modules and assign each of the variably sized storage areas to a corresponding one of the differing loads, wherein the storage and retrieval system is arranged to transport the differing loads for placement in the variably sized storage areas assigned by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Symbotic LLC
    Inventors: John Lert, Stephen Toebes, Robert Sullivan, Foster D. Hinshaw, Nathan Ulrich, Eric Peters