Patents Issued in June 21, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180170692
    Abstract: A pneumatic distribution system to distribute a granular product to an agricultural implement includes a valve assembly fluidly coupled between a storage tank and a primary line. The storage tank is configured to store the granular product. The primary line is configured to pneumatically deliver the granular product to the agricultural implement by guiding an air stream from a first section of the primary line with a larger cross sectional area to a second section of the primary line with a smaller cross sectional area. The valve assembly selectively enables the air stream to flow from the primary line into the storage tank until a first static pressure in the storage tank is greater than a second static pressure in the second section of the primary line by a threshold amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Joel John Octave Gervais, James Wayne Henry, Ethan Curtis Stephen Bent, Stewart Joseph Millie
  • Publication number: 20180170693
    Abstract: A compacting system compacts particulate matter in open-top railroad gondola cars rolling on rails. The compacting system comprises a compacting station adjacent the rails and a scanning system that scans the gondola cars as they move along the rails toward the compacting station. The scanning system transmits data of the gondola car to an electronic control system. The compacting station has at least one compaction member, e.g., a plate structure or a roller, configured to contact an upper surface of the particulate matter in the gondola cars. The electronic control system controls the compacting station so that the compaction member engages with and applies force to the upper surface of the particulate matter in the gondola car so as to compress the particulate matter in the gondola. A method for compacting particulate matter in a gondola car is also shown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Charles Wayne Nyquist, Mark D. Stephen, Zachary Johnston Renner, Michael A. McCurdy
  • Publication number: 20180170694
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a casing that comprises a sheet feeding port, a first sheet feed tray in which a first medium is loaded and that is arranged along a sheet feeding port, and a cover that rotates from a position opposite the first sheet feed tray of the casing to a first sheet feed tray side and covers the sheet feeding port. The cover includes a second sheet feed tray that causes a second medium differing in size from the first medium to be capable of being loaded in the sheet feeding port when the cover covers the sheet feeding port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Takagi, Masanori Yamada, Daisuke Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20180170695
    Abstract: A pair of edge guides provided on a medium mounting section of a medium feeding apparatus each include a volume limiter spaced from the mounting surface of the medium mounting section and extending from the guide surface of at least one of the pair of edge guides in a direction intersecting the guide surface, the volume limiter including a limiting surface that limits a number of sheets mounted on the medium mounting section. The limiting surface includes a groove extending in the feed direction, at a position between a corner portion formed at an intersection of an end portion of the limiting surface in the width direction and the guide surface, and the other end portion of the limiting surface, and configured to insert at least a part of a side edge of the medium, to thereby restrict the side edge from moving in the width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Hiromichi KITSUKI, Kiyotaka NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20180170696
    Abstract: The system is the combination of an envelope feeder and a laser printer, with some additional control mechanisms. An envelope conveyor system is positioned adjacent to a media input slot on a laser printer and envelopes are fed into a pickup assembly positioned within the media input slot in a controlled manner. By controlling the conveyor speed, a stack of envelopes having a limited and known number of envelopes is accumulated within the pickup assembly such that the pickup roller in the assembly can feed envelopes into the printer at a rate equal to or greater than the speed at which the printer can apply an image to each envelope. A control circuit provides a feedback signal to the conveyor to control conveyor motor actuation. The result is a smaller, less expensive and simpler feed system for an envelope printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Xante Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Ross, JR., Kenneth Orin Parker, Joseph Martin deVeer
  • Publication number: 20180170697
    Abstract: In a storage box guidance section provided to an upper portion of a banknote storage box in a banknote pay-in/pay-out device of an ATM, a groove is provided running along a front-rear direction at the right side of a storage box conveyance guide group. Further, in a handover section provided to a casing in the banknote pay-in/pay-out device, a position establishing section is provided to the right side of a handover section conveyance guide group. The left-right direction position of the storage box guidance section may accordingly be established with respect to the handover section by positioning the position establishing section inside the groove when storing a lower frame loaded with the banknote storage box and the like in the casing of the banknote pay-in/pay-out device. This enables finger sections of the storage box conveyance guide group and finger sections of the handover section conveyance guide group to be interlocked with each other without abutting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki OKAMOTO, Wataru WAKUSHIMA, Kazuhiro HOSOKAWA, Satoru IWASAKI, Atsushi TAKADA
  • Publication number: 20180170698
    Abstract: This sheet feeding device includes a paper transport path, a first paper pass detection unit, a second paper pass detection unit, a transport processing mechanism, an actuation determining section, and a detection control section. The first paper pass detection unit detects that the paper passes through a first point on the paper transport path. The second paper pass detection unit detects that the paper passes through a second point on the paper transport path. The transport processing mechanism performs predetermined transportation processing on the paper traveling on the paper transport path. The actuation determining section determines whether the transport processing mechanism has been actuated. The detection control section controls the first paper pass detection unit to constantly perform detection, and, if the actuation determining section detects that transport processing mechanism has been actuated, controls the second paper pass detection unit to perform detection except for a certain time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: Mariko Moriuchi
  • Publication number: 20180170699
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a conveyance unit which conveys a recording medium, a recording unit which is disposed opposite the conveyance unit and ejects ink onto a recording medium conveyed by the conveyance unit, an edge position detection sensor which detects edge positions on both sides of the recording medium in a recording-medium width direction, and a control unit which controls ink ejection performed by the recording unit. The recording unit has a recording head where a large number of ink ejection nozzles are arrayed along the recording-medium width direction. The control unit calculates a center position of the recording medium from the edge positions on both sides in the recording-medium width detected by the edge position detection sensor, and shifts a use range of the ink ejection nozzles based on a distance between the center position calculated and a reference center position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Shinichi Yamasaki
  • Publication number: 20180170700
    Abstract: Process for the production of paper rolls, including a step of producing logs (L) of paper material by winding a predetermined amount of paper web (W) about a respective longitudinal axis, a step of transverse cutting of the logs (L) to obtain rolls (RO) of predetermined length, and an intermediate step of transporting the logs (L) from a rewinder (R) that produces the logs (L) toward a cutting-off machine (CM) that cuts them transversely. The intermediate transporting step involves the handling of the logs (L) along a path comprising a lateral deviation, so that, as they advance, the logs (L) are subjected to the lateral deviation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: Fabio PERINI
  • Publication number: 20180170701
    Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a first projected portion including a first contact portion configured to contact against the sheet nipped by the nip portion and arranged on one side with respect to a center-line of conveyance in a width direction, a second projected portion including a second contact portion configured to contact against the sheet nipped by the nip portion and arranged on the other side with respect to the center-line of conveyance in the width direction, and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of at least either one of the first projected portion and the second projected portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: Kohei Mizuguchi
  • Publication number: 20180170702
    Abstract: A sheet material conveying device unwinds from a roll body a sheet-shaped member constituting a membrane electrode assembly and conveys the sheet-shaped member. The sheet material conveying device is equipped with a suction member that moves the sheet-shaped member, and a negative pressure supply unit that supplies a negative pressure to the suction member. The suction member is constituted by a porous body capable of sucking under the negative pressure one surface of the sheet material having been unwound from the roll body and is movable in a conveying direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Yusuke Wada, Kensuke Namba
  • Publication number: 20180170703
    Abstract: A dispenser for sheet material may include a feed roller with an integrated cutting mechanism that is movable with the feed roller for at least partially cutting or perforating the sheet material during dispensing thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: Charles Agnew Osborne, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180170704
    Abstract: Provided is a method for conveying a sheet member while the sheet member is supported by a roller member, the method including: detecting forces applied, by the sheet member supported by the roller member, to regions at both ends in a width direction of the roller member, respectively, as force components in a plurality of mutually different directions; and adjusting the force components in the regions at both ends in the width direction to a specific balance based on the detection results for the plurality of force components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Minoru Yagi, Sonjin Ryu, Hirofumi Nomoto, Koji Fujii, Daigoro Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20180170705
    Abstract: The application relates to a method for zigzag folding a material web, the method having the following steps: continuously feeding a material web to be folded into a folding apparatus along a feed direction, alternately gripping the material web in a proximal region of the folding apparatus by means of gripping devices, holding and conveying the material web by means of the gripping devices into a distal region of the folding apparatus, the material web being zigzag folded thereby, and releasing the material web from the gripping devices and depositing the material web in a stack (9) with folds in the distal region, a distance between adjacent gripping devices (4, 5) being equal to a fold length. Furthermore, the application also relates to an apparatus for zigzag folding a material web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Arne GLODDE, Gordon BACH, Robert MOOY, Muhammed AYDEMIR
  • Publication number: 20180170706
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device or a pair of devices for lifting, maneuvering, winding or unwinding reels, each comprising a center retractable member having an adjustable length; a first and second angularly-oriented vertical support bar, each pivotally mounted, at its proximal end, on opposite ends of the center retractable member, wherein the first and second angularly-oriented vertical support bars are pivotally joined to each other at their distal ends; a reel support member mounted on the joint of the first and second angularly-oriented vertical support bars, wherein the reel support member is adapted to removably by received by the bore of the reel; and a means for adjusting the length of the center retractable member, thereby moving the reel support member upward and downward, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Russell Paul Grabowski, Xiaokai Niu
  • Publication number: 20180170707
    Abstract: A rolling guide for a fiber strand comprises a first support member extending from a base of the roller guide to a compound joint having first and second portions. The first portion of the compound joint is mounted on the first support member for rotation around a first axis. The second portion of the compound joint being rotatable relative to the first portion around a second axis at a compound angle to the first axis. A second support member is connected with the second portion of the compound joint at a proximal end of the second support member. A channeled roller is carried on the second support member distally from the proximal end, and mounted for rotation around a third axis. The channeled roller has an annular channel formed therein. A fastener is provided to selectively prevent the second portion of the compound joint from rotating around the second axis relative to the first portion of the compound joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: INVISTA NORTH AMERICA S.A R.L.
    Inventor: Charles P DETURK
  • Publication number: 20180170708
    Abstract: The reel which can mount substantial amounts of information for identifying the type of a wire wound thereon without increasing the hub size. The reel includes a hub that includes a winding part, a pair of flanges that face each other with the winding part interposed therebetween, first information display portions that are disposed on a first circumference about a shaft center of the hub of at least a surface of the flange, and a second information display portion that is disposed on a second circumference having a smaller diameter than that of the first circumference. The second information display portion is disposed in a region surrounded, in a circumferential direction, by both inner ends of the adjacent first information display portions and the shaft center of the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: MAX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akira KASAHARA
  • Publication number: 20180170709
    Abstract: A magnetic retractable line divider may include at least a reel assembly having a shell, and a magnetic portion is installed thereon. An elastic line divider belt is wound on the reel assembly, and a magnetic member is connected to a lateral end of the line divider belt. The line divider belt is configured to be horizontally pulled out from the reel assembly and travel a preferred distance to attach to a magnetic object, thus achieving line divider effect. Moreover, when someone pushes against the line divider belt with or over a preferred force, the magnetic member is configured to be detached from the magnetic object and automatically retracted into the reel assembly, thus avoiding accident.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicants: TERA AUTOTECH CORPORATION, Department of Electrical Engineering, National Changhua University of Education
    Inventors: Shu-Ming Chen, Yi-Lung Lee, Tsair-Rong Chen, Yu-Lin Juan
  • Publication number: 20180170710
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling elevators are provided. The methods include detecting a potential load change using at least one sensor, the potential load change comprising detected passengers and/or cargo located on a landing, obtaining, at a computing system, potential load change information including the detected potential load change from the at least one sensor, determining if a hover mode of operation is required based on the potential load change information, and operating the elevator system in a hover mode of operation when it is determined that the hover mode of operation is required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Michael A. Martin, Bradley Armand Scoville
  • Publication number: 20180170711
    Abstract: An elevator apparatus including a car, a brake device configured to brake running of the car, and an unintended car movement protection device. For the unintended car movement protection device, an allowable zone being a zone for allowing movement of the car under a door-open state is set. When the car moves out of the allowable zone under the door-open state, the unintended car movement protection device stops the car by the brake device. Further, the unintended car movement protection device is capable of changing a range of the allowable zone in accordance with a braking capability of the brake device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hidetaka ISHIGURO
  • Publication number: 20180170712
    Abstract: Foldable guide rail tracks in elevator systems having first and second rail sections each having a base and a blade and a rail connector rotatably connecting the first rail section and the second rail section. The rail connector has a first securing plate fixedly attached to the first rail section, a second securing plate fixedly attached to the second rail section, and a pivot rotatably connecting the first securing plate to the second securing plate. The first rail section is rotatable about the pivot relative to the second rail section from a folded state to an unfolded state, and, when in the unfolded state, the first base and first blade of the first rail section aligns with the second base and second blade of the second rail section to form at least a portion of a guide rail track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: Aurelien Fauconnet
  • Publication number: 20180170713
    Abstract: A belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator system component include one or more metallic cord tension elements extending along a length of the belt, and one or more non-metallic tension elements extending along a length of the belt. Each non-metallic tension element is formed from a non-metallic material. The one or more metallic cord tension elements and the one or more non-metallic tension elements are arrayed laterally across a lateral width of the belt. The belt may be used in an elevator system including a hoistway, a drive machine having a traction sheave coupled thereto, an elevator car movable within the hoistway. The belt is operably connected to the elevator car and interactive with the traction sheave to suspend and/or drive the elevator car along the hoistway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Kathryn Rauss Sherrick, Barry G. Blackaby
  • Publication number: 20180170714
    Abstract: An illustrative example elevator system includes a first vertical pathway, a second vertical pathway, and a transfer space situated to allow movement between the vertical pathways. An elevator car is selectively moveable along the respective vertical pathways and through the transfer space. At least one blocker has a passage condition and a blocking condition. The passage condition allows the elevator car to move from one of the vertical pathways into the transfer space when the transfer space is configured to receive the elevator car from the one of the vertical pathways. The blocking condition prevents the elevator car from moving from the one of the vertical pathways into the transfer space when the transfer space is not configured to receive the elevator car from the one of the vertical pathways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Tadeusz Pawel Witczak, Richard J. Ericson, Richard N. Fargo, Enrico Manes, Bruce P. Swaybill
  • Publication number: 20180170715
    Abstract: An illustrative example hydraulic elevator system includes an elevator car, a hydraulic plunger associated with the elevator car, a fluid reservoir and a conduit coupling the fluid reservoir and the hydraulic plunger. A pump causes fluid movement through the conduit between the fluid reservoir and the hydraulic plunger to cause selective movement of the elevator car. A shutoff valve is associated with the conduit, the shutoff valve being between the pump and the hydraulic plunger. The shutoff valve has a closed position in which the shutoff valve prevents fluid movement between the hydraulic plunger and at least one of the reservoir and the pump to prevent movement of the elevator car. The shutoff valve has an open position in which the shutoff valve permits fluid movement between the pump and the hydraulic plunger to permit movement of the elevator car. A valve actuator operates based on pressure in at least the hydraulic plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Kevin Shepherd, James O'Neal Creel, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180170716
    Abstract: A hydraulic elevating platform having no guide rails and an elevating method. A hydraulic power pack drives three parallel hydraulic cylinders to work synchronously, thereby implementing the rising and falling of an elevating platform; when the elevating platform reaches a predetermined floor, an upper electric pushrod pushes a pedal assembly out, and then the pedal assembly drives a pedal to rise by means of a pedal elevating system until the pedal is flush with the surface of a loading table of the elevating platform; outward-swinging doors between the elevating platform and a floor open to form pedal guardrails; then sliding doors open and a man can step onto a stair via the pedal assembly. An eccentric loading adjusting means eliminates eccentric loading to achieve balance about the center of gravity, thereby eliminating the eccentric loading of the platform. The elevating platform is simple in structure, safe, reliable, and easy to maintain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicants: Dongnan Elevator Co., Ltd., China University of Mining and Technology
    Inventors: Zhencai Zhu, Guohua Cao, Jiancong Qin, Panda Wang, Weihong Peng, Lingyun Ma, Yiping Ma, Ming Gao, Jianrong Yang, Lei Wei
  • Publication number: 20180170717
    Abstract: A step chain for driving steps of an escalator may include link plates, chain pins, chain bushes, and buffer rollers that are connected to one another to form chain links, which can be moved in relation to one another. The step chain may also include running rollers disposed outside the chain links. The buffer rollers may each be designed in the form of a multi-component part that comprises at least one inner, dimensionally stable sliding component, by way of which the buffer rollers can be arranged in a rotatable manner, respectively, on the chain bushes, and an outer, damping component that is designed to be more elastically deformable than the sliding component. The step chain may be utilized in a person-conveyor device, such as an escalator or a moving walkway, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicants: THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventors: Reiner LUDWIG, Maxim GOLZEW
  • Publication number: 20180170718
    Abstract: A pipe lifting apparatus and method related thereto are provided, wherein the pipe has a base with outriggers, a vertically extending beam having a pulley at its upper end and a cable attached to a winch and extending over the pulley. The pulley and winch are oriented so that the cable extends naturally in line with a vertex between two of the outriggers such that, when a pipe in a vertical sleeve is attached to the distal end and is lifted by the cable, the pipe passes adjacent to the vertex. The apparatus is configured to raise pipes from a vertical pipe sleeve used in floating roofs of above-ground storage tanks. The apparatus can be used to raise and lower pipes and to move them around the upper surface of the floating roof of the tanks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: James West Ruffin, David Lee Redman, Michael Musick
  • Publication number: 20180170719
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for real time monitoring of the current status of a construction site having one or more work machines, wherein a monitoring means installed at least one work machine monitors the environment of the work machine in real time and generates corresponding monitoring data, with the generated monitoring data being transmitted by the monitoring means to at least one processing unit for a real time evaluation of the current construction site status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Dominique TASCH, Guenther HARDOCK, Wolfgang SCHLAUCHER
  • Publication number: 20180170720
    Abstract: Load handling equipment comprises vertical support structures between which transport means are mounted to be moved along a horizontal support structure between the vertical support structures to move a load relative to the support structures, and a distance-measuring device capable of generating distance measurement data is mounted in at least one of said support structures. The distance-measuring device is arranged to generate distance measurement data on at least two of the following objects relative to their mounting position, the objects comprising: a vehicle positioned beneath or on a side of the load handling equipment, the door of a vehicle, a person, a load, a reflector and transport means for moving a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Konecranes Global Corporation
    Inventors: Ville MANNARI, Thomas GYLLING, Teemu PAASIKIVI
  • Publication number: 20180170721
    Abstract: A crane assembly includes a main body, a boom, a hoist, a sheave, a hook assembly including a hook, a cable, and a projection. The boom extends from the main body and includes a tubular main section and a tubular extension section telescopically nested within the tubular main section. The boom has a first end pivotally coupled to the main body. The hoist is coupled to at least one of the first end of the boom and the main body. The sheave is disposed at an opposing second end of the boom opposite to the main body. The cable extends from the hoist, along the length of the boom, over the sheave, and downward to the hook assembly. The projection extends outward from the boom and toward the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Kelvin C. Aus, Bradley G. Ethington
  • Publication number: 20180170722
    Abstract: A rotation control system may be provided for a material handling machine. The rotation control system may include a boom and a work tool attached to the boom. A swing motor may be capable of swinging the boom and the work tool. A work tool motor may be capable of rotating the work tool relative to the boom. An input device may generate a first signal indicative of a desired swinging of the boom and a second signal indicative of a desired rotation of the work tool. A controller may be in communication with the input device, the swing motor, and the work tool motor. The controller may be capable of actuating the work tool motor based only on the second signal during a first mode of operation and may be capable of actuating the work tool motor based on swinging of the boom during a second mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: Stephen Platt RUTHERFORD
  • Publication number: 20180170723
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a winch including a motor and a contactor assembly positioned within a same housing. In one example, the contactor assembly is positioned at an end of an armature of the motor and may include a controller configured to control winch component operation. The contactor assembly is electrically coupled to the armature via a plurality of electrically conductive brushes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Darren G. Fretz, Bryan Averill, Clark Brumet, Thomas Paasch, Kevin Christensen
  • Publication number: 20180170724
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a winch including a motor and a contactor assembly coupled around the motor. In one example, the contactor assembly is coupled around and in face-sharing contact with a portion of an outer surface of the motor. Additionally, the contactor assembly may include two or more coils spaced apart from one another within the contactor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Darren G. Fretz, Bryan Averill, Clark Brumet, Thomas Paasch, Kevin Christensen
  • Publication number: 20180170725
    Abstract: Winches with dual mode remote controls, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch can include a frame, a cable drum rotatably supported by the frame, a drive motor operatively connected to the cable drum, and a winch control module. The winch control module can include an enable/disable circuit having a normally open ground path connection and a controller having wireless capability connected to the enable/disable circuit. The controller can include instructions to disable the wireless capability of the controller when the normally open ground path connection is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Jacob August, Ron Dennis, Timothy Frazier, Jon Mason, Scott Salmon, Ty Hargroder, David Scuito, David Burns, Brent Nasset
  • Publication number: 20180170726
    Abstract: A winch controller with automatic shut-off, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch can include a frame, a cable drum carried by the frame, a drive motor connected to the cable drum, and a winch control module. The control module can include an enable/disable circuit having a normally open ground path connection and a controller having wireless capability. The controller can include instructions to start a shut-off timer when the ground path connection is completed for a non-zero period of time less than a threshold time period and instructions to reset the shut-off timer when the controller receives a control signal from a wireless remote control prior to the shut-off timer expiring. The controller can also include instructions to turn off the controller when the shut-off timer expires prior to receiving a control signal from the remote control or when the ground path is subsequently completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Jacob August, Ron Dennis, Timothy Frazier, Jon Mason, Scott Salmon, Ty Hargroder, David Scuito, David Burns, Brent Nasset
  • Publication number: 20180170727
    Abstract: A pulley block for tackles has a pulley surrounded by a covering hood having inlet and outlet openings for a load cable, with a covering element inserted into at least one of the openings and retained by a retaining strip reaching behind an edge of the opening. The covering element has an opening for the load cable that is less than the inlet and outlet opening in the covering hood. The covering element is divided into first and second covering parts such that to mount the covering element on the covering hood with the load cable in a reeved state, the first and second covering parts can be inserted into the inlet and outlet opening via the retaining strips of the first and second covering parts, then reach behind the edge of the inlet and outlet opening, and then be joined to form the covering element in a mounted state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Rui Yao, Franz Schulte, Dingyuan Zhao, Rene Schlieker, Thomas Bönker, Gereon Imbusch, Thomas Kohlenberg, Oliver Moll
  • Publication number: 20180170728
    Abstract: A wheeled cabinet includes a container including compartments, a rear handle, drawers, and a storage between the drawers and a base; a pneumatic assembly including an inlet, connectors, a pneumatic cylinder on the base, a piston rod configured to move alternately upward and downward relative to the cylinder, and a controller for activating the cylinder; a lifting assembly including two opposite rails upwardly disposed on two sides of the base respectively, and an inverted U-shaped frame member slidably disposed on the rails and having an underside of a top secured to the piston rod; and a tire support assembly including a support secured to the frame member, two slides on two sides of the support respectively, a sliding tray secured to the slides, a slot on an inner surface of the tray, a moveable tab in the slot, and two rollers on two sides of the tray respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: E-MAKE Co.,Ltd.
    Inventors: Kung-Cheng Chen, Lung-Chuan Huang
  • Publication number: 20180170729
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a motorized transport unit providing customer assistance at a shopping facility, comprises: a transceiver; a control circuit; a motorized wheel system; a lift system; and a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to: activate a motorized wheel system, while continuing to monitor location information, to position the motorized transport unit under the item container and aligned, based on the location information, relative to a frame of the item container; and activate the lift system to lift on the frame of the item container lifting a first portion of the item container such one or more wheels of the item container are lifted off of a floor while two or more other wheels of the item container remain in contact with the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Donald R. High, David C. Winkle, Michael D. Atchley
  • Publication number: 20180170730
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses to fulfill customer orders comprising a motorized transport unit; a product pick unit (PPU) that cooperate with the motorized transport unit; a wireless communication network; and a central computer system configured to communicate with the multiple motorized transport units and the plurality of product pick units, and comprises a control circuit and memory storing instructions executed to cause the control circuit to: communicate an instruction to the motorized transport unit and direct the motorized transport unit to transport the product pick unit to a determined first location within the shopping facility proximate to where a first product having been ordered is located; and communicate an instruction to the product pick unit cooperated with the motorized transport unit and direct the product pick unit to retrieve the first product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Donald R. High, Shuvro Chakrobartty, David C. Winkle, Robert C. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20180170731
    Abstract: A raising/lowering conveyance device for a container for conveying an article includes a container gripping mechanism having multiple container support pins which are arranged so as to be capable of freely protruding and retracting. A spring for biasing the container gripping mechanism upward is interposed between the container gripping mechanism and a columnar support member for supporting the container gripping mechanism such that the container gripping mechanism can be freely raised and lowered. As a result of the upward biasing force of the spring, the container gripping mechanism is held at an equilibrium height in equilibrium with the weight thereof and is capable of movement vertically with the equilibrium height serving as the center of the movement. When the container gripping mechanism lifts a container, the mechanism receives the weight of the container, descends from the equilibrium height, and is supported at the fixed height of the columnar support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: Kazuki Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20180170732
    Abstract: A lifting device for an industrial truck comprises a lift frame with a moveably guided load carrier and at least one moveably guided mast stage. A free lift cylinder is configured to actuate the load carrier and at least one mast lift cylinder is configured to actuate the at least one mast stage. A hydraulic assembly supplies the free lift cylinder and the at least one mast lift cylinder with hydraulic fluid and further comprises at least one delivery valve and at least one recirculating valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Stolten
  • Publication number: 20180170733
    Abstract: An industrial truck comprises a lift frame having a load part for carrying a load and a hydraulic system including at least one hydraulic cylinder having a piston rod disposed within a cylindrical housing, and a hydraulic power unit. At least one sensor is configured to determine at least one of: (i) an actual speed of the piston rod of the at least one hydraulic cylinder, and (ii) an actual acceleration of the piston rod of the at least one hydraulic cylinder. Furthermore, a control unit is configured to: (i) receive at least one of a target speed of the piston rod and a target acceleration of the piston rod, (ii) determine at least one of a speed control deviation value from the target speed, and an acceleration control deviation value from the target acceleration, and, (iii) regulate at least one of the actual speed of the piston rod based on the actual speed control deviation value and the actual acceleration of the piston rod based on the actual acceleration control deviation value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Julia Leichnitz, Stephan Scharf, Frank Mänken
  • Publication number: 20180170734
    Abstract: An industrial truck comprising a lift frame with a load part for carrying a load, a reach carriage acting on the lift frame for moving the lift frame forward and backward, at least one sensor configured to measure an actual speed of the reach carriage, and a control unit configured to specify a target speed for the reach carriage, to determine a control deviation of the actual speed measured by the at least one sensor from the target speed, and to regulate the movement speed of the reach carriage based on the determined speed deviation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christian Puke
  • Publication number: 20180170735
    Abstract: A bottle opener bracket and method of forming a bottle opener bracket comprises a first bottler opener formed on a metal body; a second bottle opener formed on the metal body; and a clip formed on the metal blank, wherein the clip comprises a channel between the clip and the metal body, wherein the clip is configured to receive an object within the channel such that the object is frictionally coupled to the clip securely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: Jeffrey William Brandes
  • Publication number: 20180170736
    Abstract: A bottle opener apparatus has an inner body collar configured to rest on a top portion of a bottle placed within the bottle opener an outer body collar slidably connected to the inner body collar, with one or more springs attached to the inner body collar and the outer body collar, the one or more springs configured to be compressed or released when the outer collar slides relative to the inner collar and one or more levers pivotably attached the outer collar, the one or more levers configured to remove a bottle cap from the bottle and eject the bottle cap into the air when the outer collar slides relative to the inner collar in an ejection movement. One or more sensors are configured to collect data when the bottle is placed within the inner collar and a transmitter is configured to transmit the collected data to an external receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: Clinton Graham
  • Publication number: 20180170737
    Abstract: The invention relates to a swivel arrangement for a carousel filler having a rotating tank (2) and a product pipe (4) for transporting product into the rotating tank, is provided. The swivel arrangement comprises a tank connecting part (6) arranged to rotate with the rotating tank, a product pipe connecting part (5) arranged to at least partly surround the tank connecting part and an intermediate part (7) arranged between the tank connecting part and the product pipe connecting part, the intermediate part being arranged to rotate with a rotational speed different from a rotational speed of the tank connecting part. The invention also relates to a carousel filler comprising such a swivel arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: Lasse Andersen
  • Publication number: 20180170738
    Abstract: A device for transporting containers in a beverage filling plant is provided. The device has at least one first clamp, which can be pivoted between an open switching position and a closed switching position and is disposed in a pivoting plane, for holding a container of a first container size, and one second clamp, which can be pivoted between an open switching position and a closed switching position and is disposed in the pivoting plane, for holding a container of a second container size. A first control cam is provided for controlling the switching position of the first clamp and a second control cam is provided for controlling the switching position of the second clamp. The first control cam is disposed in a first control plane parallel to the pivoting plane, and the second control cam is disposed in a second control plane parallel to the pivoting plane. The first control plane and the second control plane are spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Bruno LANDLER, Stefan POESCHL
  • Publication number: 20180170739
    Abstract: A weight filling machine is a volumetric valve type machine. The tank of the product to be dispensed using a hydrostatic flap is replaced by a dispensing system controlled by a volumetric pump. The machine (1) for filling containers (B) with a product includes a carousel (2) for moving the containers (B) and filling valves (5), each filling valve (5) being positioned above a clamp (4). A distribution duct (6) connects the filling valves (5) with a distribution manifold (8). The distribution duct (6) having the product has a filling pressure (P1). A feed duct (9) is intercepted by a volumetric pump (10). The volumetric pump (10) moves a filling product with a discharge pressure (P) greater than the filling pressure (P1) along the feed duct (9). An adjustment member (11) of the feed pressure of the filling product is placed downstream of the volumetric pump (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: WEIGHTPACK S.r.l.
    Inventors: Vanni ZACCHE', Enrico Cocchi
  • Publication number: 20180170740
    Abstract: A filling element includes a liquid valve having a valve element that forms part of the liquid channel. An electromagnetic drive couples to the valve element and moves it along a stroke axis such that the valve element moves while a valve body remains stationary. A gap across which the magnetic field extends lies outside the liquid channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: Dieter-Rudolf Krulitsch
  • Publication number: 20180170741
    Abstract: A filling element for container filling includes a liquid-valve arrangement disposed in a liquid channel with its flow valve. A positioning drive regulates opening and closing of the flow valve so as to regulate flow of liquid through the liquid channel. A stop valve lies in the liquid channel between the flow valve and a dispensing opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: Dieter-Rudolf Krulitsch