Patents Issued in July 2, 2019
  • Patent number: 10336550
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a support structure for supporting a belt of an enclosed belt conveyor between two transport units and a corresponding method. The support structure between two transport units includes a first end element having a main extension in a longitudinal direction, a width extension in a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and a height extension in a height direction orthogonal to the longitudinal and the width direction. At least one guide assembly is arranged to engage opposite longitudinal edges of the belt. A first telescopic element is connected to the first end element, wherein an outer end of the first end element has a first end connector arranged to form a connection with a first transport unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AB
    Inventors: Hubert Rieger, Stefan Dampfhofer
  • Patent number: 10336551
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include an over-travel limiting system having an coupling assembly configured to couple to an overhead rail, a track assembly including a track engagement feature, wherein the track assembly is disposed at an angle with respect to the coupling assembly, an arm assembly having an arm and a track guide portion mateably engageable with the track engagement feature of the track assembly, the arm assembly being configured to move along the track engagement feature between a first position and a second position, and one or more proximity sensors coupled to at least one of the track assembly and the arm assembly and configured to detect movement of the arm assembly with respect to the track assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Benjamin B. MacArthur, John Osborne
  • Patent number: 10336552
    Abstract: A proximity detector includes a sensor providing a proximity reading. The proximity detector is capable of comparing the reading to a rising threshold level and a falling threshold level, wherein the falling threshold level is less than the rising threshold level. The proximity detector continuously stores a minimum reading value for the proximity reading. The proximity detector will report the presence of granular material only if the proximity reading remains less than the falling threshold level and within an epsilon value of the minimum reading value for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: BECS TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Todd Steinbrueck
  • Patent number: 10336553
    Abstract: The invention is a method and device for reducing bundles (2) being conveyed in a transport direction (TR) in n rows (3) to a smaller number of continuing transport rows, in particular to (n?1) or (n?2) or (n?3) continuing transport rows (3-1, 3-3). A space (8) is formed at least between the individual bundles (2) of at least one incoming and continuing transport row (3-1, 3-3). The size of the space (8) corresponds to at least the value of a longitudinal extent of an individual article or of an individual group (2) in transport direction (TR). At least two bundles (2) of the at least one row (3-2) are transferred simultaneously by a gripper (10) into a number of consecutive spaces (8) between bundles (2) of a continuing transport row (3-1, 3-3) adjacent to the row (3-2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Krones Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Unterseher, Michael Hartl
  • Patent number: 10336554
    Abstract: A device for separating and aligning pin-shaped piece goods exhibiting a head and a shank includes a funnel-shaped receptacle for receiving the piece goods. The receptacle has two wall sections which delimit the receptacle in a front area, and a rear wall, which are arranged in sections opposite one another and in each case inclined outwards at an angle to the central transversal plane of the receptacle. An endlessly circulating conveying means is arranged underneath a recess which spaces apart the two wall sections and which is arranged at a same angle (?) as the wall sections inclined relative to the central transversal plane and conveys the piece goods from a receiving plane to a higher discharge plane. The conveying means has a conveying plane provided with drivers. The recess is delimited by parallel front edges of the wall sections which are arranged in a V-shape tapering towards the conveying means and terminate above the conveying means or in a plane with the conveying means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ricon GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jan-Christopher Kolodziej
  • Patent number: 10336555
    Abstract: The baggage handling and delivery system provides a plurality of secure pickup stations for individual passengers to receiver their baggage. A plurality of interconnected conveyer belts are used to create a variety of different routes for baggage to follow, with each individual route terminating at a pickup station. Each baggage item is provided with an identifier, such as a bar code, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or the like, such that each item of baggage associated with an individual passenger is routed to the specific pickup station assigned to that passenger. Under guidance of a connected controller, each item of baggage entering the baggage handling and delivery system is scanned and routed along a specific path to be received by the appropriate pickup station. Each pickup station is secure and accessible only to the assigned passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: King Saud University
    Inventors: Heba Abdullatif Kurdi, Mohannad Yousef Abdulghani
  • Patent number: 10336556
    Abstract: Conveying device to bring together individual packages from at least one transfer conveyor onto a discharge conveyor, comprising an aligning conveyor having a receiving end, which a feeding end or feeding ends arranged next to each other of the transfer conveyor or transfer conveyors join, and a feeding end arranged parallel to the receiving end, which a receiving end of the discharge conveyor joins, wherein a guide element having a guide surface, arranged vertically to and directly over a conveying surface of the aligning conveyor, is located between a first external side edge of the transfer conveyor or a first transfer conveyor and an opposite first side edge of the discharge conveyor, a conveying direction of the aligning conveyor having a longitudinal component, which is directed from the transfer conveyor or first transfer conveyor to the discharge conveyor and with the conveying direction forms an angle, and having a transverse component directed against the guide element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: BEUMER Group GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heino Heitplatz, Ludger Pölling
  • Patent number: 10336557
    Abstract: The invention relates to device, method and packaging facility having a transport section (17) for feeding article arrangements (5) in a transport direction (TR) to a packaging module (18). The transport section (17) comprises a transfer plate (15), on which the articles (2) of the article arrangements (5) are movable in a sliding manner. Located above the transfer plate (15) are pushing devices (16) for moving the articles (2) on the transfer plate (15), with the pushing devices (16) being movable in transport direction (TR) at least in some areas. The transport section (17) furthermore comprises outer guide elements (20) and inner guide elements (21) disposed on the transfer plate (15), with the outer guide elements (20) laterally delimiting the transport section (17) and, with the inner guide elements (21) being readjustable by at least one readjustment mechanism that is disposed at least partly below the transfer plate (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Krones Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Wittmann, Juergen Werner, Herbert Spindler, Thomas Wimmer
  • Patent number: 10336558
    Abstract: This invention provides a transfer apparatus for loading/unloading a work into/from a processing apparatus, comprising: a main body being able to move in a horizontal direction; an arm portion pivotally provided with respect to the main body; a hand portion pivotally provided with respect to the arm portion, and configured to grip the work; and a control unit configured to horizontally swing the arm portion and move the main body in order for the hand portion to linearly move the work, when the hand portion facing the processing apparatus loads/unloads the work into/from the processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Matsunari, Akemichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10336559
    Abstract: A conveying system includes at least one guide unit and a carrier. The guide unit includes a traveling surface, at least one guide rail, and a magnetic member formed of a soft magnetic material and including a plurality of salient poles aligned along a conveying path. The carrier includes at least one roller coming in contact with the guide rail from a side direction, at least one wheel coming in contact with the traveling surface, and a plurality of coils provided to overlap with the magnetic member in plan view, and configured to generate thrust along the conveying path and attraction toward the magnetic member by generating a moving magnetic field acting on the magnetic member in accordance with supply of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventors: Minoru Koga, Hiromitsu Akae, Yuki Honda, Mina Orii, Go Yamaguchi, Sohei Oga, Hidenori Hara
  • Patent number: 10336560
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus comprises a first rod-shaped member comprising a magnetic material; a first terminal member configured to allow insertion of a first end portion of the first rod-shaped member; a second terminal member configured to allow insertion of a second end portion of the first rod-shaped member; a second rod-shaped member comprising a magnetic material; a third terminal member configured to allow insertion of a first end portion of the second rod-shaped member; a fourth terminal member configured to allow insertion of a second end portion of the second rod-shaped member; a coupling member coupling the second terminal member and the third terminal member; and an opposite member facing a part of side surfaces of the first and second rod-shaped members, wherein the first rod-shaped member and the first terminal member are not fixed, the first rod-shaped member and the second terminal member are fixed to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Azbil Corporation
    Inventors: Hisashi Beppu, Yoichi Okawa
  • Patent number: 10336561
    Abstract: An article loading facility includes: a transport unit; a loading unit; a setting unit; a first control unit; and a second control unit. The transport unit transports second supporting members from storage units to a transfer position. The loading unit loads target articles that are supported by the second supporting members, onto the first supporting member. The setting unit performs an arrangement setting process to set arrangement information for each of the plurality of target articles that are to be loaded onto the first supporting member, the arrangement information indicating the orientation and the position of the corresponding target article relative to the first supporting member, and performs an arrangement order setting process to set a type arrangement order that, when target articles of a plurality of types are to be loaded according to the arrangement information, indicates the order in which the plurality of types are to be arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: DAIFUKU CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Gondoh, Shigeru Sugano, Atsushi Kurayama, Masami Iwai, Atsushi Minoo
  • Patent number: 10336562
    Abstract: A robotic carton unloader for unloading cartons in a carton pile has a mobile body and a movable robotic arm attached to the mobile body that has an end effector at a movable end thereof to unload cartons from the carton pile. A conveyor system is attached to the mobile body and extends from front to rear of the carton unloader to convey cartons received thereon by the moveable robotic arm. The conveyor system comprises a central portion carried on the mobile body and a front portion extending therefrom towards the carton pile. The front portion is configured to change width from narrow to wider to act as a shield to catch and then move falling cartons received thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: INTELLIGRATED HEADQUARTERS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Girtman, Brent S. Ytterberg, Christopher J. Williams, Grant R. Jeremiah
  • Patent number: 10336563
    Abstract: The sheet feeding apparatus includes a first cursor. The first cursor comes in contact with a side face of a stack of sheets, and can move between a restriction position and a retracted position. The lift plate includes a fixed plate and a movable plate. The stack of sheets is movable together with the movable plate in the push-in/pull-out direction. When the sheet storage unit is pushed into the apparatus body, the first cursor moves by inertia of the stack of sheets, against an urging force of an urging member, toward the retracted position. After the sheet storage unit has reached the accommodated position, the first cursor pushes the stack of sheets by resilience of the urging member to move to the restriction position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions INc.
    Inventor: Masami Fuchi
  • Patent number: 10336564
    Abstract: A medium transporting apparatus includes an endless conveyor belt having an outer surface to which a sheet P adheres, at least two rollers, which are a first roller and a second roller, around which the conveyor belt extends. The second roller is located downstream of the first roller in a medium transporting direction. The medium transporting apparatus also includes a backing plate that supports an inner surface of the conveyor belt at a position between the first roller and the second roller. In the medium transporting apparatus, the backing plate includes a hollow-containing portion that is formed at an upstream end of the backing plate in the medium transporting direction. The hollow-containing portion has a plurality of hollows formed therein in a width direction that intersects the medium transporting direction. The plurality of hollows are formed in a support surface that supports the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Maeda, Shota Sakagami
  • Patent number: 10336565
    Abstract: There is disclosed a driver including an elongate shaft and at least one drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a housing which has an orifice for receiving the elongate shaft, and a drive wheel which is located at least partially within the housing. The drive wheel has a bore with a cross-section shaped so that the internal surface of the bore contacts the circumference of elongate shaft when the elongate shaft is inserted into the bore. The bore has at least two fulcrum surfaces so that the drive wheel is pivotable about the elongate shaft. The housing is slideable relative to the elongate shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Daniel Gonzalez Perello
  • Patent number: 10336566
    Abstract: A tape dispenser with a frame having top wall and opposed side walls. The top wall connects the opposed side walls. A tape mount is disposed on an interior surface of each of the side walls and is adapted to secure a roll of tape therebetween. A roll of adhesive tape is secured on the tape mount. A cutter blade is disposed on a forward region of the frame and is adapted to cut tape from the roll. A bar is disposed on an interior surface of one side wall and extends between greater than about 30% and less than about 90% of a distance between the opposed side walls. The bar has an upper surface receiving an adhesive side of the tape. A pressure pad is mounted on the frame adjacent the cutter blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Shurtech Brands, LLC
    Inventors: Heidi Carrion, Aaron Misener
  • Patent number: 10336567
    Abstract: A manufacturing system for manufacturing folding boxes or labels from a web of printing material, includes a web unwinding device, a flat-bed diecutting and/or stamping/embossing unit disposed downstream thereof, and a product delivery disposed downstream thereof. The flat-bed diecutting and/or stamping/embossing unit is deactivatable and at least one rotary processing module for processing the web of printing material, in particular a rotary diecutting module, is provided between the flat-bed diecutting and/or stamping/embossing unit and the product delivery. This construction of the manufacturing system advantageously allows the planar elements to be processed either by the flat-bed diecutting and/or stamping/embossing unit or by a rotary diecutting module. Thus, the manufacturing system may be operated at high productivity. A method for operating the manufacturing system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Gallus Stanz- und Druckmaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Rau
  • Patent number: 10336568
    Abstract: A system for dispensing weld wire comprises a container including walls and inside corners, a coil of weld wire within the container, and a de-coiling cone on the weld wire. The coil includes inner and outer circumferences, and the de-coiling cone includes an inner ring smaller than the inner circumference of the coil, an outer ring larger than the inner circumference and smaller than the outer circumference of the coil, and a plurality of legs extending radially outward from the inner ring to positions adjacent respective inside corners of the container. Each leg includes a first leg portion connecting the inner and outer rings, a second leg portion extending radially outwardly from the first leg portion, and a backwardly bent leg portion adjacent a corresponding inside corner of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: The ESAB Group Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Morrison, Gerard Klaes, Rodolfo Francisco Rep, Victor Adolfo González Cortez
  • Patent number: 10336569
    Abstract: A packing device for organizing objects with cords attached includes a tube and a pulling assembly operatively coupled to the tube. The pulling assembly is adapted to pull the cords inside the tube to avoid tangling and assist managing the objects. The pulling assembly includes a pulling string with a puller attached at one end and a fastener attached at the other end. The fastener attaches the cords to the pulling assembly. The fastener can be attached to different position on the string to accommodate cords of different lengths. The puller is pulled and then placed in a locked position. The puller can be a different fastener that is attached to an anchor of the tube in the locked position. Alternatively, the puller moves in a track incorporated in the tube. The track can further incorporate a lip for locking the puller in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Wesley Lehman
  • Patent number: 10336570
    Abstract: A cord or cable organizer includes a housing further including a housing inner circular track, an opening, and an attachment hole therein, a rotational component further including at least one hole on a surface of the rotational component, further including a rotational inner circular track wherein the rotational inner circular track operably connects with the housing inner circular track, thereby providing friction, and an insertion hole receiver, and a plug, wherein the plug is inserted through the attachment hole on the housing and continues to the insertion hole receiver whereby the plug operably holds the cable organizer together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher J. Beggs
  • Patent number: 10336571
    Abstract: A multiple flexible lance hose take-up drum apparatus or device in accordance with the present disclosure includes a base having three or more support legs and a hollow take-up drum assembly rotatably supported from the base. The drum assembly includes a hollow cylindrical shell, a bottom plate fastened to the shell, a high pressure fluid supply connection and a manifold positioned radially along a bottom plate of the shell for connection to one end of each of a plurality of flexible lance hoses. The base includes an L shaped support arm extending from the bases alongside the shell. A plurality of guide tubes are supported by the support arm and aligned over a rim of the shell for guiding flexible lance hoses into and out of the take-up drum assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffery R. Barnes
  • Patent number: 10336572
    Abstract: A compact inflator is described herein. The inflator may include a rotatable drum, an air pump disposed within the drum, a fixed securing mechanism that provides structural support to, and enables rotation of, the drum, a power supply, and an electric power transmission mechanism. The drum may draw in and let out a hose. The hose may have a first end and a second end, the first end having a connection mechanism that connects the hose to an inflatable object. The air pump may be connected to the second end of the hose. The power supply may provide power to the motor, and may be coupled to the pump or the power supply. The power transmission mechanism may include a slip ring assembly or a pair of parallel inductors, one which rotates with the drum about the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Jerome Miles, Davido Hyer, Jedediah Knight
  • Patent number: 10336573
    Abstract: A method for allowing pre-allocation of an elevator call in an elevator system with destination control is provided. A first signal is received at an elevator group controller of an elevator system with destination control. The first signal indicates that a passenger including a passenger is detected to be approaching the elevator system at one of multiple floors associated with the elevator system. In response, allocation of an elevator call for the detected passenger is initiated, wherein the one of the multiple floors is assigned as the departure floor for the elevator call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Antti Hovi, Claus Ingman, Jari Kallio, Jukka-Pekka Sarjanen, Niko Elomaa
  • Patent number: 10336574
    Abstract: In an elevator operation panel, a front part of a casing includes a frame body and a front surface plate. The frame body includes a first vertical frame and a second vertical frame. A fixing member is laid across the first vertical frame and the second vertical frame. A holding member for holding the front surface plate on the frame body is fixed to the fixing member. The holding member includes a holding portion that overlaps a vertical direction end portion of a front surface of the front surface plate, and a fastening portion that projects rearward from the holding portion and is screwed to the fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi Okuda
  • Patent number: 10336575
    Abstract: In elevator journey prioritization often calls for larger groups are prioritized. This is often misused by placing elevator calls for larger groups that are actually travelling. This problem can be reduced by identifying the calling person when placing the call and again in the elevator. The number of people in the elevator can be estimated by using machine vision or weight-based approximation methods. When the number of passengers is not known the possible misuse can be suspected if a person places considerably more group calls as than average.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jukka Salmikuukka, Salla Mannerjoki
  • Patent number: 10336576
    Abstract: A method for testing operation of an elevator including an elevator car includes starting movement of the elevator car; and thereafter starting a stopping sequence for stopping movement of the elevator car; and monitoring movement of the elevator car, the monitoring preferably including monitoring acceleration of the elevator car; and detecting a predefined response in movement of the elevator car, the predefined response preferably being cease of acceleration of the elevator car; and determining time elapsed between the starting a stopping sequence and the detected predefined response in movement of the elevator car, wherein the response is preferably cease of acceleration, for thereby determining reaction time of the elevator; and comparing the time elapsed with at least one reference, such as with at least one predefined threshold. An elevator is provided for implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ari Kattainen, Juha-Matti Aitamurto
  • Patent number: 10336577
    Abstract: An elevator system including a hoistway, an elevator car disposed in the hoistway, the elevator car including a first braking device configured to engage a first braking surface in a first direction in the event of a guidance occurrence, and a second braking device configured to engage a second braking surface in a second direction in the event of the guidance occurrence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Tadeusz Pawel Witczak, Zbigniew Piech
  • Patent number: 10336578
    Abstract: An elevator system comprising an elevator cabin, and a traction wire rope for driving the elevator cabin and/or a safety wire rope, wherein the elevator system further comprises an upper transverse element provided above the elevator cabin and adapted to be guided along the traction wire rope and/or the safety wire rope, and a support structure which is adapted to support the upper transverse element and substantially impede its movement in a downwards direction and in a horizontal direction, and to allow movement of the upper transverse element in an upwards direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: AIP APS
    Inventor: Carlos Legua
  • Patent number: 10336579
    Abstract: A belt for an elevator system includes a plurality of tension members arranged along a belt width and a jacket material at least partially encapsulating the plurality of tension members defining a traction surface, a back surface opposite the traction surface together with the traction surface defining a belt thickness, and two end surfaces extending between the traction surface and the back surface defining the belt width. A metallic coating layer is applied via deposition of solid particles over at least one end surface of the two end surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Zhongfen Ding, Paul Papas, Aaron T. Nardi, Daniel A. Mosher, Brad Guilani
  • Patent number: 10336580
    Abstract: A method for checking the integrity of a load bearing member of an elevator including tensile elements encapsulated in a case includes the steps of launching a source pulse through tensile elements of said load bearing member and comparing the feedback of said tensile elements with a comparator; tensile elements can be bridged to avoid a blind zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Igino Cereghetti, Simone Pellascio
  • Patent number: 10336581
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an elevator system. The elevator system comprises a car, a counterweight, at least one belt connecting the car and counterweight, and at least one sheave having a surface that engages with the belt. At least part of the surface of the sheave that interfaces with the belt has a plurality of features for reducing unwanted noise created due to the interaction between the belt and the sheave surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: David R. Polak, Christopher T. Chipman, Charles C Coffin, Arthur Blanc, John P. Wesson, Yan Chen, Daniel G. Opoku, Sergei F. Burlatsky
  • Patent number: 10336582
    Abstract: The application relates to passenger transport systems and related methods. The passenger transport system has multiple step units, a comb plate, a monitoring device, and a marking device. The step units are to be moved one behind the other continuously along a predefined movement path during normal operation. The comb plate is arranged at a fixed position relative to the predefined movement path. The monitoring device is configured to monitor an actual position of a currently monitored step unit relative to the predefined movement path and to detect a deviation of the actual position from the predefined movement path by more than an allowable tolerance value and activate the marking device in response thereto. Upon being activated, the marking device is configured to mark the currently monitored step unit and/or a step unit spatially correlating to the currently monitored step unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Manfred Gartner, Thomas Novacek
  • Patent number: 10336583
    Abstract: A traffic barrier lifter mountable on a boom and having a gearbox with a first and a second rotating axis; a pair of opposing arms directly mounted to the first and second rotating axis and a rotator capable of rotating the lifter relative to the boom, wherein the gearbox is capable of moving the pair of opposing arms from an open position to a closed position such that the arms can clamp onto a traffic barrier. The rotator being capable of rotating the arms and traffic barrier relative to the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Vacuworx Global, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Solomon, Justin Hendricks
  • Patent number: 10336584
    Abstract: Jack units attach skates to an object to be moved. Each jack unit has a tongue that slidably engages a coupling slot affixed to the object, and can be operated to raise or lower the tongue; when raised, the object is supported on the skates and can be rolled to a new location. A crane can attach to lift eyes on the jack units to allow the system to be lifted with the skates attached to the object, avoiding the risk to operators of positioning the skates under the object while it is suspended. Rotation-limiting structures can be selectively employed to block rotation of the trailing skates to facilitate steering when rolling the object supported by the system. The coupling slots can be provided in coupling elements which can attach directly to the object or which can be employed to form a freestanding frame to which the object is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Larry R. DeBattiste
  • Patent number: 10336585
    Abstract: An egg lifting device is provided. Such a device includes a body and a securing arrangement extending from the body. The securing arrangement is configured to engage and deflect about an egg such that the egg is seated within the securing arrangement for lifting thereof. A plurality of egg lifting devices is arranged on an egg removal system such that multiple eggs are capable of being removed from an egg flat. Associated systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Zoetis Services LLC
    Inventor: William Dongwook Suh
  • Patent number: 10336586
    Abstract: Image data is generated from a load stack in the operating area of a load handling apparatus. The image data includes a sight apparatus having several lines that are set in relation to each other such that the lines correspond to at least two sides of the lowest load in the load stack and at least two sides of a load set on top of the lowest load in the load stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: KONECRANES GLOBAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Lauri Liukko-Sipi
  • Patent number: 10336587
    Abstract: A hoist and crane assembly is presented. The hoist and crane assembly contains an extendable and retractable hoist and crane subassembly that longitudinally moves in and out from the hoist and crane assembly. Further, the hoist and crane subassembly also contains a lateral rail system for moving shipping containers side to side within an associated trailer, for example. Yet further, means for moving shipping containers from the rear to the front of an associated trailer are also contained within the hoist and crane assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Professor Cargo, LLC
    Inventor: Lee Weddel
  • Patent number: 10336588
    Abstract: A mobile crane is configured so that a boom is raised by a derrick cylinder in response to a raise signal output from a derrick lever and the derrick cylinder is stopped in response to the derrick angle of the boom reaching the maximum angle ? corresponding to the hoisted-down length of a rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: TADANO LTD.
    Inventor: Motoo Yoda
  • Patent number: 10336589
    Abstract: A mobile lift crane includes a carbody; a rotating bed; a boom; a moveable counterweight unit; at least one linear actuation device; and at least one arm pivotally connected at a first end to the rotating bed and at a second end to the linear actuation device. The arm and linear actuation device are connected between the rotating bed and the counterweight unit such that extension and retraction of the linear actuation device changes the position of the counterweight unit compared to the rotating bed. In one method of operation, the counterweight unit is never supported by the ground during crane pick, move and set operations other than indirectly by the ground engaging members on the carbody.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Pech, Kenneth J. Porubcansky
  • Patent number: 10336590
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing reliable line traction spooling for hoists, winches, and other pulling and/or lifting devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, such an apparatus includes a motor and a drum rotated by the motor to draw in or let out a line from the drum. The drum includes a groove formed in an outer surface thereof to accommodate the line. A roller is provided to place pressure on the line against the drum. A roller consists of at least one indentation or protrusion on an outer surface to assist the drum in spooling the line onto and off of the drum. In certain embodiments, the roller is patterned in order to improve line traction. In other embodiments, a line is compressible in order to improve line traction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Jerome Miles
  • Patent number: 10336591
    Abstract: A portable wheel lifting system to assist in the replacement of a wheel on a vehicle utilizing a portable outer housing, an inner lifting linkage system to hold a wheel or tire in place, and an electrical motor to vertically raise the lifting linkage system and thus the wheel to the desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Olla McLean
  • Patent number: 10336592
    Abstract: A central computer system directs a motorized transport unit through a retail shopping facility to a particular mobile item container having at least one item disposed therein, that item being designated for return to a particular department within the retail shopping facility such that this item can then again be presented for sale. After causing that motorized transport unit to physically attach to this mobile item container, the central computer system then directs that motorized transport unit through the retail shopping facility with the attached particular mobile item container to the one or more departments to which the item or items are to be so returned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Atchley, David C. Winkle, Donald R. High
  • Patent number: 10336593
    Abstract: A device for lifting a toilet includes a base frame member disposed adjacent to a toilet (not part of the invention) such that the toilet can be elevated to a predetermined distance. The device further includes a substantially vertical elevation member secured to the base frame via a horizontal offset member integrally joined to the base frame, a lifting arm secured to the elevation member, a lifting member or strap assembly secure to the lifting arm, and a manually operated jack secured upon the horizontal offset member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Randall Graham
  • Patent number: 10336594
    Abstract: A method for operating an industrial truck with an operating element comprising at least one operating for a vehicle function, an unlocking apparatus for the vehicle function, and a resetting apparatus configured to interact with the at least one operating lever generating a resetting force depending on a deflection of the least one operating lever. Upon an actuation of the operating lever without previously unlocking the operating lever, the resetting force acting on the at least one operating lever is changed in order to report an unsuccessful unlocking procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hendrik Geilsdorf, Jörn Sellentin
  • Patent number: 10336595
    Abstract: The invention relates to a load-securing device (100), wherein the load-securing device (100) comprises at least one mast (151), a retaining element (110), a supporting element (120), and a guide rail (130), which has a curved track (131) that is bent by 90° at the lower end thereof, the load-securing device (100) is arranged on the at least one mast (151) in such a way that the load-securing device can be slid vertically in the x-direction, the guide rail (130) is extended substantially parallel to the at least one mast (151), and the supporting element (120) engages with the guide rail (130), wherein the supporting element (120) is supported by the guide rail (130) and wherein the retaining element (110) is arranged in such a way that the retaining element can be pivoted about a pivot point (112), wherein the retaining element (110) can be activated by the pivoting thereof into a substantially horizontal position, wherein the pivoting of the retaining element (110) in the vertical direction (x) is prevented
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: ROGAMA BV
    Inventor: Rob Matti
  • Patent number: 10336596
    Abstract: A lift device includes a chassis, tractive elements, a platform including a deck, a lift assembly, and a stair assembly. The lift assembly is configured to move the platform between a lowered position and a raised position. The stair assembly is coupled to at least one of the platform and the chassis and includes a first support and a second support extending parallel to one another. The stair assembly is repositionable between a stored position and a deployed position and facilitates access to the deck from the ground when in the deployed position. The first support extends farther outward horizontally than the second support relative to the chassis when the stair assembly is in the deployed position. The first support extends farther outward horizontally relative to the chassis when the stair assembly is in the deployed position than when the stair assembly is in a stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Ignacy Puszkiewicz, Zachary C. Foster, Evan J. Hummer
  • Patent number: 10336597
    Abstract: An alcoholic beverage forming apparatus operable to dispense an alcoholic beverage having a desired flavor, proof, temperature, and volume mixes water and alcohol with a flavor medium to form an alcoholic beverage having a desired flavor that may be dispensed from the apparatus. The apparatus includes a capsule holder, a water supply reservoir and an alcohol supply reservoir. The reservoirs are operable to respectively supply water and alcohol to a mixing manifold of the apparatus to such that the water and alcohol are combined in the mixing manifold to form an alcoholic beverage mixture which is subsequently mixed with a flavor medium contained in an interior of a beverage capsule. A dispenser is operable to dispense an alcoholic beverage therefrom during operation of the alcoholic beverage forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Gregory James Griscik, Jonathan David Watson, Carl Gregory Miller, Rosana C. Altoveros, Lawrence E. Tipton, Jeremy Straight, David Alvarez, John Nelson
  • Patent number: 10336598
    Abstract: The apparatuses described herein provide a portable, pod-based beverage maker, such as an apparatus that makes smoothies and other similar beverages from pod-based ingredient mixtures. The apparatus provides an easy and simple way to combine ingredients in pods with water, ice, and other mixing liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Jooster IP AG
    Inventors: John Cronin, Steven Matthew Philbin
  • Patent number: 10336599
    Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing decorative cover for a water cooler or water cooler reservoir bottle helps to transform the bottle from a bottle into a likeness of a person or animal without completely covering the water cooler or water cooler reservoir bottle. The decorative cover may be a three dimensional simulation of sports headgear and can include a cap to allow the user to wear the cover in a “bobble head” fashion through a cap with elastic straps. Additional features include a liner bowl for use as a chip and/or ice bowl, and may include a pivoted handle/simulated face mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Alfred Dean Miles