Turntables Patents (Class 104/35)
  • Patent number: 11464696
    Abstract: A body weight support system includes a support track, a trolley, and a power rail. The support track has a first portion and a second portion. The trolley has a support assembly and a drive assembly. The support assembly is configured to support at least a portion of a body weight of a user. The drive assembly is configured to movably suspend the trolley from the first portion of the support track when the user moves along a first surface and is configured to movably suspend the trolley from the second portion of the support track when the user moves along a second surface separate from the first surface. The power rail is coupled to the support track and is configured to be in electrical contact with a portion of the trolley as the trolley moves along the first portion and the second portion of the support track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Bioness Inc.
    Inventors: Arkady Glukhovsky, Todd Cushman, Augustine Smith
  • Patent number: 11413827
    Abstract: An equipment for manufacturing trampoline includes a rack, a rotation seat, a supporting platform, a plurality of fixing members, a driving member, a driving assembly, and at least one welding device. The rotation seat has a bearing rotatable with respect to the rack. The supporting platform is connected to the bearing. The fixing members are detachably disposed on the supporting platform. The driving member surrounds the supporting platform and is linked-up with the supporting platform. The driving assembly is connected to the driving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventor: Pin-Chieh Chu
  • Patent number: 11403885
    Abstract: The application discloses a method and system of implementing a vehicle automatically passing through a barrier, a vehicle controller and a road barrier controller, so as to implement the automatic passing through of the road barrier of the unmanned vehicle. The method includes: controlling, by a vehicle controller, the vehicle to drive automatically and stop at a place of the road barrier; interacting, by the vehicle controller, with a road barrier controller corresponding to the place of the road barrier to accomplish the automatic passing through of the road barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: BEIJING TUSEN WEILAI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nan Wu, He Zheng
  • Patent number: 10846945
    Abstract: The application discloses a method and system of implementing a vehicle automatically passing through a barrier, a vehicle controller and a road barrier controller, so as to implement the automatic passing through of the road barrier of the unmanned vehicle. The method includes: controlling, by a vehicle controller, the vehicle to drive automatically and stop at a place of the road barrier; interacting, by the vehicle controller, with a road barrier controller corresponding to the place of the road barrier to accomplish the automatic passing through of the road barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: TUSIMPLE, INC.
    Inventors: Nan Wu, He Zheng
  • Patent number: 10612315
    Abstract: A smart skidding system includes a transverse skidding platform comprising a plurality of first skidding rails for skidding the a rig floor of the drilling rig sideways, wherein the plurality of first skidding rails are parallel to each other, a longitudinal skidding platform comprising a plurality of second skidding rails for skidding the rig floor of the drilling rig forward and backward, the plurality of second skidding rails being perpendicular to the plurality of first skidding rails, and a skidder unit configured to skid the rig floor of the drilling rig along the transverse skidding platform or the longitudinal skidding platform, the skidder unit further comprising a gear box assembly having a gear structure configured to engage with the plurality of first skidding rails and the plurality of second skidding rails, and an AC motor configured to drive the skidder unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ibrahim A. Ghamdi, Ossama R. Sehsah, Mahmoud Adnan Alqurashi
  • Patent number: 10465377
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in one or more embodiments, relates to a drilling rig with a self-elevating drill floor. The drilling rig may have one or more jacking systems that may operate to raise the drill floor. The one or more jacking systems may raise the drill floor to a height sufficient to accommodate a substructure such as a substructure box. A substructure box may be placed, and the one or more jacking systems may lower the drill floor onto the substructure box. Substructure boxes may be placed beneath the drill floor, using the one or more jacking systems, until a desired drill floor height is reached. In some embodiments, the one or more jacking systems may additionally operate to move the drilling rig, for example between adjacent wells on a pad drilling site. The jacking systems may operate to move the drilling rig using walking feet or another mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Kameron Wayne Konduc, Elijah Jakobsohn, Brian Daniel Winter
  • Patent number: 9945193
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for use in subterranean exploration, and provides a rapid rig-up and rig-down pipe racking system that is capable of being retrofit to an existing drilling rig. In particular, the invention relates to a pipe drill floor mounted pipe racking system that is capable of controlled movement of pipe in three dimensions, and most importantly, capable of rapid and precise movement of multiple connected sections of pipe. The invention is capable of moving stands of connected pipe from a racked position on the drill floor to an accurate stabbing position directly above a drill string component held in a rotary table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith J. Orgeron, Darrell D. Jamison
  • Patent number: 9823018
    Abstract: A freeze-drying system is disclosed which includes a vented cart configured for operation in a pressure-controlled chamber, and a plurality of heated shelves disposed in the vented cart. At least one heated shelf of the plurality of heated shelves is provided. The heated shelf includes a first planar sheet formed from a thermally conductive material having a top configured to conduct heat to a tray resting on the top, a second planar sheet disposed opposite the first planar sheet, and a heating element secured between the first and second planar sheets. The heating element has a surface disposed in thermally conductive contact with the first planar sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Robert M. Parker
  • Patent number: 9796273
    Abstract: Feed system provided with feed means located inside a lyophilization chamber and able at least to supply electric energy to a slider, autonomously mobile at least inside the lyophilization chamber, and to the possible other internal components which need the energy present in or associated to the slider. The feed means are positioned along the travel of the slider and cooperate with energy receiver means associated to the slider, being static at least during the loading and unloading steps of at least a loading plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: I.M.A. INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Ivan Ragazzini
  • Patent number: 9605400
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a column/pile in an upstanding position on a supporting surface comprising the steps of lowering the column/pile to be installed from a support vessel into contact with the supporting surface, using the lower/toe end of the column/pile as a drill such as to form a bore in the supporting surface into which the lower region of the column/pile is to be located and leaving the column/pile in situ in the bore after the completion of a drilling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: MARINE CURRENT TURBINES LIMITED, BAUER MASCHINEN GmbH
    Inventors: Peter L. Fraenkel, Richard Montague
  • Patent number: 9073558
    Abstract: A turntable assembled from a plurality of flat sheet metal parts where the sheet metal parts include a series of voids and/or protrusions. The protrusions insert into the voids so that some flat sheet parts are disposed in a vertical orientation and some in a horizontal orientation, the vertical parts substantially perpendicular to the horizontal parts. The flat sheet parts are welded together to create a support structure with the voids and protrusions interacting to align the flat sheet parts within required manufacturing tolerances. One of the horizontally disposed parts has holes therein for attaching the support structure to a hub to create a rotating turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: THE MACTON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Knapp, Peter McGonagle, Timothy Gonsowski
  • Publication number: 20140261106
    Abstract: A turntable assembled from a plurality of flat sheet metal parts where the sheet metal parts include a series of voids and/or protrusions. The protrusions insert into the voids so that some flat sheet parts are disposed in a vertical orientation and some in a horizontal orientation, the vertical parts substantially perpendicular to the horizontal parts. The flat sheet parts are welded together to create a support structure with the voids and protrusions interacting to align the flat sheet parts within required manufacturing tolerances. One of the horizontally disposed parts has holes therein for attaching the support structure to a hub to create a rotating turntable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Ryan Knapp, Peter McGonagle, Timothy Gonsowski
  • Publication number: 20140261049
    Abstract: A device and method is disclosed for installing a turntable in a foundation. A foundation module having a base with a plurality of holes therein is used for installing the turntable. A first one of the plurality of holes is adapted to receive a foundation material there through for pouring a first section of the foundation and plurality of frame members are adapted to affix to the base. A form having an outer surface is adapted to secure to at least one of the plurality of frame members. The outer surface of the form is adapted retain a portion of the foundation material for pouring a second section of the foundation and the second section of the foundation defines a wall. Part of the turntable is adapted to rotate within the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Ryan W. Knapp, Peter McGonagle, Mark O'Donnell
  • Publication number: 20140261050
    Abstract: A receiver embedded in and affixed to a foundation, the receiver is adapted to receive a turntable through an opening defined by the floor and walls of the receiver. The turntable is designed to rotate within the opening. The floor of the receiver has holes therein for bolts. The holes are located relative to center of the receiver and the foundation such that a turntable may be affixed to the bolts and rotate within the receiver and foundation. The receiver has a number of flanges both on the walls and on the floor to engage with the foundation. The foundation is created from two pour sections, a first pour for the floor of the foundation and a second pour for the walls of the foundation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Ryan W. Knapp, Peter McGonagle, Mark O'Donnell
  • Publication number: 20130206923
    Abstract: A transporting system for transporting metal coils, for example hot coils, may include a multi-track rail system; a number of driverless transporting carriages, which can be moved on the rail system by means of a drive device and are equipped with an on-board communication device; a locating device, with which up-to-the-moment locational information can be determined for each transporting carriage located on the rail system; and a central control device, to which the locational information of each transporting carriage can be fed, wherein a communication link, which at least in certain sections is formed without any lines, can be established between the control device and the communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Roland Gatterbauer, Roland Hofer
  • Publication number: 20130145953
    Abstract: A ride system for efficiently utilizing a simulator(s) or immersive environment assembly. The ride system includes a closed-loop track and a plurality of passenger vehicles each configured for traveling along a ride path defined by the closed-loop track. The ride system includes a simulator positioned adjacent to the closed-loop track. The ride system also includes a vehicle transfer mechanism. This mechanism is typically positioned along the track (or to provide part of the track) near the simulator. In operation, the transfer mechanism receives or captures a first one of the vehicles and transfers the first vehicle a distance away from the ride path and into the simulator and its immersive entertainment environment. The transfer mechanism is configured such that a second one of the vehicles trailing the first vehicle travels along the ride path past the simulator while the first vehicle is positioned within the simulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: David W. Crawford, Edward A. Nemeth, Brian E. Crosby, Christopher L. Beatty
  • Patent number: 7966939
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a rotating structure. An outer ring is placed on a first surface of a trench in a foundation having a ground surface. An inner ring is positioned inside the outer ring on the first surface. A bar assembly is positioned between the outer ring and the inner ring. A plurality of rollers supports the bar assembly. A plurality of motors engages to the bar assembly to cause the bar assembly to rotate when activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Eric Holt
  • Patent number: 7798067
    Abstract: A turntable for a heavy object such as a car which includes a ground-engaging member and a load-supporting platform each having load surfaces facing each other, the load-supporting platform being supported off the ground-engaging member by an intermediate load transfer unit comprising a plurality of rotatable bearing elements distributed across an extended region of the load surfaces to allow rotation of the load-supporting platform with respect to the ground-engaging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Jason Starnes
  • Patent number: 7784405
    Abstract: An assembly for transferring passenger-carrying vehicles to and from an amusement park ride conveying a train of vehicles without stopping for passenger loading. The assembly includes a transfer vehicle and a vehicle receiver positioned in the vehicle train. The vehicle receiver includes a connection mechanism, such as an electromagnet selectively operable to capture and release the transfer vehicle. A turntable is positioned adjacent to the track and selectively rotates at a rotation rate. The turntable includes an engagement mechanism, such as an electromagnet, on its periphery operable to capture and release the transfer vehicle (e.g., to capture when the vehicle receiver releases and vice versa). The rotation rate and the ride speed synchronize turntable rotation with travel of the train to mesh placement of the turntable engagement mechanism proximate to the connection mechanism of the vehicle receiver to facilitate hand off of the transfer vehicle without stopping the vehicle train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Rose, David W. Crawford
  • Patent number: 7631602
    Abstract: A low profile turntable device constructed of wedge shaped sections with structural foam in between, support rollers on the bottom skin, a plurality of reversible drive motors inside a plurality of outer ramps around the exterior, and a concentric circular and perpendicular lateral band system for mounting the turntable on a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Inventor: William V. Schwenker
  • Publication number: 20080216701
    Abstract: The present invention provides a turntable assembly system for moving railcars adapted to be concentrically positioned among a plurality of radially aligned pairs of outer railways, comprising: (a) a rotatably mounted platform having a central railway in the form of a plurality of perpendicularly crossing railway tracks; (b) an azimuthally rotatable annular frame with inner and outer ends having a spaced plurality of radially disposed intermediate railways segregated into aligned pairs for selectively aligning with different pairs of said outer railways at the outer ends and aligning with at least one of said perpendicular crossing railway tracks at the inner ends; said azimuthally rotatable annular frame concentrically circumscribing said rotatably mounted platform; and (c) an integrated computer dispatch control system capable of detecting and identifying railcar type information and track destination information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: FREDERICK H. WERTZ, Szilard E. Palffy
  • Patent number: 7414378
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of material handling or logistic equipment in particular, relates to turntables, which can be used especially for automation of production line, assembly assistance, linefeeading and synchronous manufacturing. A high precision positioning powered turntable and its controlling method are disclosed herewithin, based on slewing ring bearing having an integral gear on the inner ring, and positively driven by a gear motor. A plurality of sensors and sensor flags are installed for monitoring position of the turntable top structure for controlling acceleration, deceleration and stopping. A controller, such as a programmable logic controller, is used for monitoring the position of the turntable top structure tlirough the plurality of sensors, and decides how it operates a motor drive, such as variable frequency drive, of the gearmotor for controlling the acceleration, deceleration and stopping of the turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Sailrail Automated Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn Dawson
  • Publication number: 20080173207
    Abstract: A turntable for a heavy object such as a car which includes a ground-engaging member and a load-supporting platform each having load surfaces facing each other, the load-supporting platform being supported off the ground-engaging member by an intermediate load transfer unit comprising a plurality of rotatable bearing elements distributed across an extended region of the load surfaces to allow rotation of the load-supporting platform with respect to the ground-engaging member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Mark Jason Starnes
  • Patent number: 7318379
    Abstract: A linear-motor driven, rail-mounted transport system for containers and interchangeable bodies includes a network of at least two pairs of parallel disposed rails arranged at an angle with respect to each other and having a continuous flat travel surface. The pairs of rails form intersections. Outside of the intersections, guide profiles are arranged in the middle on one rail in each pair. A two-part transporter trolley has wheels that can swivel around a pivot and horizontal guide rollers. A spacing of the wheels corresponds to the spacing of the rails for the lengthwise and crosswise travel and the wheels with the guide rollers can turn in the intersection. Magnets arranged on the transporter trolley in the lengthwise and crosswise directions move the transporter trolley in the lengthwise and crosswise directions by interacting with stators of the network and a limiting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Noell Mobile Systems & Cranes GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Franke, Reinhard Bauer, Annegret Laengrich, Otto Weis
  • Publication number: 20070186799
    Abstract: A direction change device includes first and second transport passage 3, 4, in which one of the transport passages is disposed at the same vertical position as that of the first transport rail 16, the other is disposed below the one, a rotating unit 22 rotating the transport passages 3, 4 about their central points, a lift unit 23 lifting the transport passages 3, 4 in a vertical direction and a control unit 21. The control unit 21 controls such that when the FOUP 5 is carried out from the transport rail 16 to the transport passage disposed at the same vertical position as that of the transport rail 16, rotating the transport passages 3, 4 by about 90°, carrying out the FOUP 5 from one of the transport passages, and exchanging the respective vertical positions of the first and second transport passages 3, 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Senzo Kyutoku, Tatsuo Tsubaki, Masanao Murata
  • Patent number: 7104721
    Abstract: An operable barrier system for vehicles includes a turntable for use with a trafficable surface and at least one impact element disposed on the turntable. A drive system is provided to rotate the turntable along the trafficable surface between a first position to prevent passage by vehicles and a second position, approximately 90 degrees from the first position, to permit passage by vehicles. A method of providing an operable vehicle barrier for use with a roadway includes providing a turntable device having a top surface, mounting at least one impact element on the top surface, and providing a drive system capable of rotating the turntable device in a plane that can be driven across by vehicles from the roadway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Rock Twelve, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Rogers, Alissa Bucher, Graeme Waitzkin, Jonathan J. Marvel, Richard Ramsey
  • Patent number: 7040836
    Abstract: A barrier system for use with a trafficable surface that penetrates a boundary to control access by vehicles and to permit uncontrolled access by pedestrians. The system includes a turntable providing a surface that is rotatable generally in the plane of the trafficable surface. Impact elements are arranged along the surface in a pattern having a spacing configured to permit passage by pedestrians and to prevent passage of vehicles when the turntable is in a first position and to permit passage of vehicles when the turntable is rotated to a second position. The system controls vehicle traffic across the boundary by moving the turntable between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Rock Twelve Security Architecture
    Inventors: Robert M. Rogers, Alissa Bucher, Graeme Waitzkin, Jonathan J. Marvel, Richard Ramsey
  • Patent number: 6877437
    Abstract: The Invention is a modular, flexible automobile turntable for installation on an uneven surface such as a residential driveway. A flexible track conforms to the surface of the driveway. A turntable deck is mounted for rotation on the track, the deck comprising a central disk driven by a hydraulic gear motor and a plurality of flexible petals extending radially from the center disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: John Murdock
  • Patent number: 6877438
    Abstract: A device that is usable to change the direction of a transport assembly, on which feed roller may be transported, includes a lower section and an upper section. The upper section is pivotally mounted on the lower section. The transport assembly is arranged on the side or on the top of the upper section and the upper section can be pivoted by an angular amount, relative to the lower section, by use of a drive unit. A drive motor of the drive unit has its output transmitted to the upper section by a drive belt. A positive drive exists between the motor and belt and a friction drive exists between the belt and the upper section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Josef Herbert Olbort
  • Patent number: 6745699
    Abstract: A material handling turntable includes a turntable including a top for receiving a load thereon and also a bottom. The turntable further includes a motor and gear set for driving said turntable in circular motion and also includes a low friction disc slidably receiving said bottom of said turntable thereon. Preferably the turntable is assembled from multiple pie sections fastened to each other wherein each pie section including a lattice work type frame with the bottom of each frame member defining a bottom load bearing surfaces making sliding contact with said low friction disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Reinier Hill
  • Patent number: 6672221
    Abstract: A conveyance storage apparatus includes an annular turntable having an outer circumference and a central opening defining a support surface therebetween for supporting a plurality of conveyances, particularly aircraft, on parking spaces thereon. The turntable is supported on a foundation, and a rotation assembly is positioned between the turntable and the foundation for permitting rotation of the turntable on the foundation between storage and enter/exit positions. A stationary core is positioned within the central opening of the turntable and the turntable is mounted for rotation around the stationary core. The turntable can be positioned within an enclosure having an opening sized to permit only a single conveyance to enter or exit the enclosure at a time. The rotation assembly is electronically programmable to respond to a predetermined access code by moving a predetermined parking space to a conveyance entrance/exit position in relation to the enclosure opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Carousel Hangars, Inc.
    Inventor: Carleton J. Hadley
  • Publication number: 20030106454
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for changing the direction of means of transport (02), on which feed rollers may be transported. Said device comprises a lower section and an upper section (07) pivotably mounted on the lower section. The means of transport is arranged on the side, or top of the upper section and the upper section may be pivoted by an angular amount relative to the lower section, by means of operating a drive unit (12, 13, 14). Said drive unit comprises a drive motor, the output of which is transmitted to the upper section by means of a drive belt (17). Said drive output is transmitted from the drive motor to the drive belt by means of a positive drive and from the drive belt to the upper section by means of a friction drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventor: Josef Herbert Olbort
  • Publication number: 20030101894
    Abstract: A low profile turntable device for parking or maneuvering vehicles or heavy items in confined spaces constructed of two skins with structural foam in between, support rollers on the bottom skin, stops on the bottom skin to stabilize the turntable during loading, a reversible drive mechanism, and a ramp around the exterior so it does not have to be installed below grade level
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventor: William V. Schwenker
  • Publication number: 20030056682
    Abstract: The present invention a material handling turntable comprises a turntable including a top for receiving a load thereon and a bottom. The turntable further includes a motor and gear set for driving said turntable in circular motion and also includes a low friction disc slidably receiving said bottom of said turntable thereon. Preferably the turntable is assembled from multiple pie sections fastened to each other wherein each pie section including a lattice work type frame with the bottom of each frame member defining a bottom load bearing surfaces making sliding contact with said low friction disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventor: Reinier Hill
  • Patent number: 6530550
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for rotating an object. An upper unit is rotatably mounted on a base. A drive mechanism is mounted within the base so as to engage and drive rotation of the upper unit. A processor within the base controls the drive mechanism to achieve desirable acceleration characteristics during a cycle to reduce disturbances of an object rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: NextEngine, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Knighton, David S. Agabra, William D. McKinley, John Z. Zheng, David D. Drobnis, J. Douglas Logan, Basel F. Bahhour, Jill E. Haynie, Kent E. Sidney
  • Publication number: 20020162727
    Abstract: It is the pallet conveying mechanism to move a pallet P arrived at an end point 17b of a friction conveyer FC2 to a starting point 7a of a friction conveyer FC1 in just as it is the direction without turning. The pallet conveying mechanism is comprised of rollers 34 having a flange portion 34a to contact with the pallet P by arranging along a main frame 31 provided so as to connect the friction conveyer FC1 and FC2 with each other and a drive mechanism 35 for driving rollers 34.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Kenichi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 6470807
    Abstract: A turntable and drive system for transporting parts from a first location to a second location. The turntable is mounted on a vertical shaft and has shock absorbing means located between the vertical shaft and the turntable to absorb horizontal forces on the turntable such as forklifts striking the turntable. There is a drive system that is mounted adjacent to the turntable for imparting a rotational force to the turntable. The drive system is mounted on a moveable plate that moves with the movement of the turntable so that the drive system remains in contact with the turntable at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventor: Joseph H. Warner
  • Publication number: 20020129730
    Abstract: A turntable and drive system for transporting parts from a first location to a second location. The turntable is mounted on a vertical shaft and has shock absorbing means located between the vertical shaft and the turntable to absorb horizontal forces on the turntable such as forklifts striking the turntable. There is a drive system that is mounted adjacent to the turntable for imparting a rotational force to the turntable. The drive system is mounted on a moveable plate that moves with the movement of the turntable so that the drive system remains in contact with the turntable at all times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventor: Joseph H. Warner
  • Patent number: 6382106
    Abstract: The present invention describes an improved skeletal frame for a revolving vehicle platform turntable. The improved device is used to support a vehicle turntable and easily installed in any location. The skeletal frame includes a cylindrical circular tubular body made of 2 semicircular sections, a main frame structure including web arms are connected to both sides of the cylindrical circular tubular body, a roller chain pulley sprocket assembly is attached to the center cross section of the main structure frame for driving the skeletal frame. It is preferably installed below ground level so that the upper level of the turntable is level with the ground. Another improved component of this invention is the absence of welded parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Elijah Knight
  • Patent number: 6193459
    Abstract: A system includes an interface for receiving a pod having a carrier that receives wafers, and that is initially enclosed within a base and a pod cover. The system also includes a mechanism that transfers an exposed carrier between the interface and a platform of a mass-transfer machine included in the system. The machine includes a gantry arm for transferring the carrier between the platform and a transfer station. A retainer assembly is positionable over the carrier at the transfer station, and over a process carrier that is used in a processing tool. Moveable retainers of the assembly receive and hold wafers. The machine includes an elevator that moves between the transfer station and the process carrier. The elevator extends and retracts for transferring wafers between the retainers and either the carrier or the process carrier. A turntable, that receives the process carrier, permits automatically reorienting wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Fortrend Engineering Corp.
    Inventor: John M. Rush
  • Patent number: 6189206
    Abstract: A rotary-type circuit-component supplying apparatus including a plurality of feeders each of which stores a plurality of circuit components of a same sort and which supplies the components one by one from a component-supply portion thereof, at least one rotary table which is rotatable about a first axis line which is substantially vertical and which holds the feeders such that the respective component-supply portions of the feeders are arranged along a circle having a center on the first axis line, and a table-driving device which rotates and stops the rotary table to position the component-supply portion of each of the feeders at a predetermined component-supplying position, the feeders including at least one pendent feeder which includes a main portion which is held by the rotary table such that the main portion extends in a substantially horizontal direction, and which supports a tape-feeding mechanism which feeds a tape carrying the circuit components to the component-supply portion of the pendent feeder,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Asai, Shinsuke Suhara
  • Patent number: 5984253
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for parking a motorcycle includes a base and an elongate body rotatably mounted on the base. The body a trough that extends between and is accessible from either of a first end or a second end. The trough is at least as long as a wheelbase of a motorcycle and at least as wide as a motorcycle tire. A motorcycle is driven onto the body and along the trough until the motorcycle is fully supported by the body off the ground in a state of balanced equilibrium. Manual motive force is provided by the rider to rotate the body about the base while the rider remains seated to provide lateral stability to the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Richard Bilyk
  • Patent number: 5957055
    Abstract: A container-transporting system with tracks, linear motors and rotatable wheels. The system includes a network of tracks which are arranged transversely at right angles with respect to one another and parallel to one another and form points of intersection. Guide rails are arranged in the tracks outside the points of intersection and have track-bound transporting carriages moving on them by way of running wheels which can be turned about a pivot spindle. The distances between the running wheels correspond to the distances between the tracks. The running wheels, which are enclosed by horizontal guide rollers, can be rotated in the points of intersection. Magnets are arranged on the transporting carriage in the longitudinal and transverse directions and, by way of stators of the track, move the transporting carriage in the longitudinal and transverse directions. Pivoting slides, which are arranged on the transporting carriage, turn the running rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Noell Stahl-und Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Bauer, Walter Hafel, Edgar Huth, Otto Weis
  • Patent number: 5885045
    Abstract: A system includes an interface for receiving a pod having a carrier that receives wafers, and that is initially enclosed within a base and a pod cover. The system also includes a mechanism that transfers an exposed carrier between the interface and a platform of a mass-transfer machine included in the system. The machine includes a gantry arm for transferring the carrier between the platform and a transfer station. A retainer assembly is positionable over the carrier at the transfer station, and over a process carrier that is used in a processing tool. Moveable retainers of the assembly receive and hold wafers. The machine includes an elevator that moves between the transfer station and the process carrier. The elevator extends and retracts for transferring wafers between the retainers and either the carrier or the process carrier. A turntable, that receives the process carrier, permits automatically reorienting wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Fortrend Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Rush
  • Patent number: 5815987
    Abstract: A rotary turntable for use in a building, such as in a residential or office environment, includes at least one door and at least one wall panel for cooperating with adjacent stationary building structures such as walls and a ceiling to define a variable floor plan. The turntable door and wall panel include expansion members for engaging and contacting adjacent building structures to provide an acoustic barrier between rooms. In the preferred form, the turntable door is powered for driven movement between open and closed positions which can vary according to the specific rotational position of the turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: Rex W. Beasley
  • Patent number: 5575215
    Abstract: A bypass for a car of a circuit cable railway system, which is positioned at a turn-about station of the system between the incoming and outgoing lines of at least one revolving conveying cable. The bypass includes coupling points, disposed on incoming and outgoing tracks of the station, at which the car is decoupled from the conveying cable when entering the station and coupled to the conveying train cable when exiting the station. A conveying apparatus drives the car, which has been decoupled from the conveying cable, at a feeding velocity around the station on a station track, and accelerates movement of the car on the station track to enable the car to recouple with the conveying cable at the coupling point when exiting the station. The station track has an incoming portion at the location where the car enters the station and an outgoing portion at a location where the car exits the station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Garaventa Holding AG
    Inventors: Ernst Egli, Felix Inauen
  • Patent number: 5440996
    Abstract: A track set as set forth for use with a toy train or the like includes a pair of mirror image C-shaped track portions coupled to a circular base. A circular platform is rotatably supported upon the base and includes a plurality of track segments supported thereon. The track segments include orthogonally intersecting straight track portions as well as offset arcuate curved portions symmetrically arranged upon the platform. The base further defines an upwardly extending annular rim which defines a plurality of notches equally spaced thereupon. A platform lock includes a pivotable handle receivable within the notches to securely position the platform at a selected rotational position and thereby align selected track segments of the platform with the C-shaped track portions. The travel path of the track set may be configured to provide a figure-eight, a peanut-shape, and a pair of separate distinct circular travel paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Vittorio Cottino
  • Patent number: 5400550
    Abstract: An improved turntable is provided for use in a building, such as in a residential or office environment, wherein the turntable is constructed from modular components for facilitated installation within a relatively low profile space. The turntable comprises a skeletal frame including an outer rim in combination with a plurality of radially extending support beams, wherein the assembled frame defines a plurality of generally pie-shaped openings for nested reception of a corresponding plurality of lightweight modular panel units. Wheels are mounted to the outer rim in adjacent pairs on opposite sides of each radial support beam for shared distribution of loads applied to the turntable during use. A traction drive surface is formed on the periphery of the outer rim in a position engaged by a drive roller of a low profile drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Inventor: Rex W. Beasley
  • Patent number: 5391046
    Abstract: An automated apparatus for loading and unloading motor vehicles, to be positioned between a loading platform and a vehicle positioning region, includes a frame movable longitudinally to the loading platform, a manipulator-conveyor unit provided with lifting and/or gripping devices and arranged on a support element rotatable through at least 180.degree., the manipulator-conveyor unit being extendable so as to be movable to a position above the loading platform and to a position above the load floor of a vehicle, features being provided for correctly aligning the support element with the load floor, a central processor also being connected to the apparatus. Sensors are associated with the manipulator-conveyor unit for sensing its movement above the support element and are connected to the central processor and to an actuator which correctly positions at least one pair of motorized wheels supporting the manipulator-conveyor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Vortex Systems S.r.l.
    Inventor: Arturo Colamussi
  • Patent number: 5277662
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for moving passengers in and out of an amusement ride of the type having a passenger cabin capable of movement in multiple degrees of freedom within an enclosure. The cabin includes ingress doors on one side of the cabin and egress doors on the other side to admit and discharge passengers from seats within the cabin. Another set of ingress and egress doors are provided on opposite sides of the enclosure in respective alignment with the ingress and egress doors of the cabin when the cabin is at rest in a loading position. A plurality of ingress and egress platforms, located outside the operating envelope of the cabin when the cabin is in motion, are adapted to be moved to a deployed position when the cabin is in the loading position to connect the ingress and egress doors of the enclosure with the ingress and egress doors of the cabin. In this way, movement of passengers in and out of the cabin, which is spaced from the enclosure, is provided in a rapid and orderly fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: The Walt Disney Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Fox, Maurice G. Leasure, Gregory S. Kadorian, Douglas R. LeBlanc, David L. Harbaugh, James E. Poole