Wheel Supported Patents (Class 187/244)
  • Patent number: 12165542
    Abstract: A motion system comprising: a carriage disposed in a working volume; a primary motion system comprising a plurality of cable drives disposed around the working volume, there being a flexible cable extending from each cable drive to the carriage, whereby the carriage can be caused to translate in two degrees of freedom with respect to a reference frame; and a secondary motion system extending between the carriage and the payload to support the payload with respect to the carriage, whereby the payload can be caused to move in a further degree of freedom with respect to the reference frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: McLaren Racing Limited
    Inventors: Peter Brice, Steve Houghton
  • Patent number: 12157420
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for moving an item. The apparatus comprises a mounting portion for mounting the apparatus to a surface, a platform configured to receive the item thereon, extendable arms configured to extend away from the mounting portion, wherein the platform is moveable between a storage position above the surface and an accessible position away from the surface, lifting assemblies that join opposing sides of the platform to a respective extendable arm, the lifting assemblies being configured to raise and lower the platform relative to the extendable arms whilst in the accessible position, and a driver operable to raise and lower the platform. At least one of the lifting assemblies comprises three arms, at least one arm being a driven arm that is driven by the driver whereby the platform is raised or lowered, and another are being a stabilising arm that is configured to move synchronously with the driven arm whereby the platform is stabilised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: CLEARVIEW PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PTY LTD
    Inventors: Michael Cowan, Bernard Cincotta
  • Patent number: 12060253
    Abstract: An industrial truck includes a loading platform and two masts which are arranged opposed to each other. The two masts lift and lower the loading platform which is arranged between the two masts in a lifting and lowering direction. Each of the two masts includes two pulleys which are arranged spaced apart in the lifting and lowering direction, a flexible pulling device which revolves around each of the two pulleys, and a drive device which rotationally drives at least one of the two pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: HUBTEX MASCHINENBAU GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Juergen Keller
  • Patent number: 11969386
    Abstract: A patient slider device configured to move a patient from a first bed surface to a second bed surface positioned adjacent thereto. The patient slider device includes a frame, a bed engagement assembly and a patient pulling assembly. The bed engagement assembly includes a bumper with the bumper being adjustable relative to the frame. The patient pulling assembly includes a winch assembly, preferably positioned proximate a lower end of the frame, and a sheet engaging clamp assembly. The sheet engaging clamp assembly includes a base member and a locking member structurally configured to clamp a sheet therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignees: Grand Valley State University, Spectrum Health Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Heuerman, Eric VanMiddendorp, Michael Czechowskyj, Jason Barr, Mark C Celmer, Vaughn Gerber, Dylan DiGiovanni, Michael Matusiak, Taylor Rieckhoff, Dan Scheske, Justin Dykstra, Ashley Meitz, Garrett Goodwin, Colin Jack, Taylor Sims, Benjamin Vander Wal, John Farris, Chris Pung, Dan Switzer
  • Patent number: 11890865
    Abstract: A movable assembly configured to move a table in a first direction is provided. The movable assembly includes a first link member including a first elongated member and a second elongated member coupled in an X formation, a second link member including a third elongated member and a fourth elongated member coupled in the X formation, a first frame member, a second frame member, and a rotatable member being a threaded rod. The first frame member includes a first supporting portion and a first guiding portion, which support ends of the first, second, third, and fourth elongated members on one side rotatably. The second frame member includes a second supporting portion and a second guiding portion, which support other ends of the first, second, third, and fourth elongated members located on the other side movably in the third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akihiro Kobayashi, Kengo Takeda, Takayuki Akimatsu, Takahiro Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 11858789
    Abstract: A load detection means (180) that finds the live load on a work platform by detecting a load applied to a fifth mast member (150) is provided on the fifth mast member (150) provided on the work platform; a plurality of sliders (top-rear side fourth slider (155), bottom-rear side fourth slider (156), top-front side fourth slider (157), and bottom-front side fourth slider (158)) that allows the fifth mast member (150) and the fourth mast member to move relative to each other is provided in different locations in the vertical direction between the fifth mast member (150) and the fourth mast member; and the plurality of sliders are fixed to the fifth mast member (150).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA AICHI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshio Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 11859592
    Abstract: Provided is a wind turbine, including a tower, a foundation, a transition piece, which is arranged between the tower and the foundation and which connects the tower to the foundation, a platform, which is arranged inside the transition piece, a service lift, which is lowered to the platform, and a permanent working platform which is arranged below the platform and in a distance thereof. Due to the permanent working platform, the service lift is easily accessible from below. The labor- and cost-intensive installation of a temporary scaffold below the platform is expendable. Advantageously, the working platform can also be used for array cable installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: Amandeep Gagein, Pankaj Narang, Frederik Sig Pedersen, Anders Nygaard Rasmussen, Vipin Sendwal
  • Patent number: 11795041
    Abstract: A lift assembly including a platform movable to a raised position, a lowered position, and an intermediate position between the raised and lowered positions. A scissor arm system defines a cavity beneath the platform. The scissor arm system includes a pair of scissor arms pivotably connected to each other. The scissor arm system has opposed first and second ends with the first ends of the scissor arm system being coupled to the platform. A stanchion guides the platform between the raised and lowered positions. The stanchion extends from a first stanchion end to a second stanchion end above the first stanchion end. A drive mechanism is mounted to the platform to move with the platform. A flexible member is coupled to the stanchion and the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism winds and unwinds the flexible member to move the platform between the raised and lowered positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Herkules Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Todd John Bacon, Scott Francis Wilhelm, Leigh Nelson Gaither
  • Patent number: 11787630
    Abstract: A transfer system includes a carrier and a storage shelf. The carrier transfers an object along a transfer path on or suspended from a ceiling. The storage shelf is disposed along the transfer path and stores the object transferred by the carrier. The storage shelf includes a placement portion having the object placed thereon. The placement portion moves up and down with respect to a transfer position Tat which the object is transferred between the placement portion and the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: DAIFUKU CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumio Takahara, Rina Ishii, Shinichiro Higashi
  • Patent number: 11731677
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic lift dolly. The lift dolly is configured and designed to lift or lower a tray or load platform using a built-in hydraulic mechanism. The lift dolly includes a pair of support arms, a pair of actuation triggers, a tray, a pair of wheels or casters and a handle attached to the support arms. Each support arm has a hydraulic cylinder that is connected to a hydraulic source. The pair of hydraulic cylinders lift the tray when the pair of actuation triggers are pressed by an operator to provide hydraulic power to the hydraulic cylinders for lifting the connected tray. The actuation triggers are released when the tray reaches a desired height along the support arms. The hydraulic lift dolly allow users to perform loading and unloading without bending over and lifting heavy and bulky items from the dolly tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventor: Terry Ellithorpe
  • Patent number: 11603706
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods and apparatuses for a load lifting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: ITC Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane Michael Alvin Moore, Glen Knopp, Dustin Joshua Gietl
  • Patent number: 11554066
    Abstract: A patient slider device configured to move a patient from a first bed surface to a second bed surface positioned adjacent thereto. The patient slider device includes a frame, a bed engagement assembly and a patient pulling assembly. The bed engagement assembly includes a bumper with the bumper being adjustable relative to the frame. The patient pulling assembly includes a winch assembly, preferably positioned proximate a lower end of the frame, and a sheet engaging clamp assembly. The sheet engaging clamp assembly includes a base member and a locking member structurally configured to clamp a sheet therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignees: Spectrum Health Innovations, LLC, Grand Valley State University
    Inventors: Andrew Heuerman, Eric VanMiddendorp, Michael Czechowskyj, Jason Barr, Mark C Celmer, Vaughn Gerber, Dylan DiGiovanni, Michael Matusiak, Taylor Rieckhoff, Dan Scheske, Justin Dykstra, Ashley Meitz, Garrett Goodwin, Colin Jack, Taylor Sims, Benjamin Vander Wal, John Farris, Chris Pung, Dan Switzer
  • Patent number: 11473783
    Abstract: A kitchen hood has a first housing and a second housing that slides into and out of the first housing to adjust a length of the kitchen hood. The first housing has a fan to suction air, an outlet, and an air quality sensor assembly to continuously detect air quality in a kitchen. The second housing has an inlet and suction grill through which air is suctioned, a steam cleaning assembly to automatically steam clean an interior of the kitchen hood, and a height sensing assembly to sense a height of cookware seated on a cooktop surface below the second housing. The kitchen hood may be lengthened or shortened based on the sensed height of the cookware, and a speed of the fan and the height of the kitchen hood may be automatically adjusted based on detections by the air quality sensor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Heejeong Heo, Younju Oh, Hyunju Kim, Hyun byung Cha, Chin Soo Hyon
  • Patent number: 11377013
    Abstract: A liftgate in accordance with the present disclosure includes a lift mechanism and a moveable load platform. The load platform includes a proximal deck section, a distal deck section, and a center deck section positioned between the proximal deck section and the distal deck section. The load platform is selectively vertically movable between a lowered position and a raised position. The proximal deck section, center deck section, and distal deck section are pivotally coupled to one another such that the load platform is selectively moveable between an extended-operational position, wherein all of the deck sections are located substantially coplanar with one another for supporting cargo, and a retracted-stored position wherein the deck sections are folded with respect to one another and are located substantially parallel and adjacent to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: ANTHONY LIFTGATES, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt Walker, Brandon Walker, Jesse Justus
  • Patent number: 11273467
    Abstract: An article conveying equipment includes: a carrying apparatus (1), configured to carry one or more articles to be transported; a communication apparatus (3), configured to learn a height of a receiving end of a transferring apparatus matched with the article conveying equipment; and a height adjusting apparatus (2), when the article conveying equipment approaches the transferring apparatus, the height adjusting apparatus is configured to adjust the height of the carrying apparatus to the height matched with receiving end of the transferring apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: BEIJING GEEKPLUS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qingguang Ma, Hongbo Li
  • Patent number: 10906667
    Abstract: A method for transporting a turbine engine held by a transport kit by a carriage. The transport kit connected to a connection member hoists the engine to connect to an aircraft fuselage. The transport kit is a structure which includes a hoisting interface (328) arranged on a rigid hoisting arm (318) which extends over the turbine engine and is connected to a rigid transport arm (316) which extends over a lateral side of the turbine engine. The transport arm is connected to at least two engine mounts (340) solid with the turbine engine. The transport arm (316), or one of the engine mounts connected to the transport arm, includes a transport interface (324) that can be supported by a bearing element (332) of a truck (326) used for transporting the turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Thierry Kohn, Stephane Baucher, Damien Cesar, Alexandre Dervaux, Franck Dubreucq, Thibaud Mangin
  • Patent number: 10869793
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing mobility device lifting and positioning are provided. An apparatus for positioning a mobility device above a ground surface comprises at least one support structure and a platform. The at least one support structure includes a lower surface, a plurality of retractable wheels, and at least one lifting mechanism. The at least one support structure is support on the ground surface using one of the lower surface or the plurality of retractable wheels. The platform is coupled to the at least one lifting mechanism, the platform is configurable in at least one of a first configuration or a second configuration. The at least one support structure is supported on the ground surface by the plurality of retractable wheels in one of the first configuration or the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Inventor: Jeffrey Runnels
  • Patent number: 10836619
    Abstract: Method and related system to set-up and control a system for lifting loads, preferably motor vehicles, includes causing the user to be positioned at each column to be registered as belonging to the system and to provide an activation command in the user interface of each column to register it as belonging to the lifting system, the user interface providing no information to the user about the position of that column in relation to the other columns and to the load. The user then moves each registered column to any of the operating positions for lifting the load; by acting on the user interface of one of the registered columns, assigns to that column the role of command column; and commands, by acting on the user interface of the command column, the simultaneous lifting/lowering of at least one or all the columns of the lifting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Inventor: Orietta Rossato
  • Patent number: 10815589
    Abstract: Describes a method for cotton mixes homogenization without categorizing bales in inventory, i.e., with no separation of bales into classes, whose main objective is to eliminate the large variability of cotton fiber quality for the spinning process resulted from data input concerning the quality of the mixes and inventories. With this method no categorization in inventory is required and more than 20 quality parameters can be controlled with no impact on the physical inventory management. The method is intended to solve problems in the production of cotton fibers relative to the variability among mixes, variability among the loads of the mixes and variability in the laydown of the bales resulting in cotton fiber with higher quality, as well this method presents an optimized logistics in the warehouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: WW SYSTEMS LTDA
    Inventor: Jaison Werlich
  • Patent number: 10752475
    Abstract: Disclosed is a chuck disassembly and transfer device, which is composed of a telescopic cylinder, a cylinder support, a second linear guide rail, a second guide rail sliding seat, a lifting support, a chuck, a lifting chain, a lifting cylinder and the like, wherein the cylinder support and the second linear guide rail are fixed on the frame, the lifting support is connected with the second linear guide rail via the second guide rail sliding seat, and the telescopic cylinder is capable of driving the lifting support and the chuck to move horizontally along the second linear guide rail; the lifting cylinder is fixed on the lifting support, the chuck is connected with an output shaft of the lifting cylinder via the lifting chain, and the lifting cylinder is capable of driving the chuck to move vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: CITIC Dicastal CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Weidong Liu, Fengyan Liu, Jiandong Guo, Yongwang Zhao
  • Patent number: 10723606
    Abstract: An elevator system (400) to assist the installation of a heavy load (122), such as an auxiliary power unit (APU) in into a compartment of an aircraft (110) compartment (126). The elevator system includes bar assemblies which rotate to lift the load into the compartment. The bar assemblies rotate in synchrony.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS S.L.
    Inventor: Angel Palomares Mora
  • Patent number: 10537989
    Abstract: Disclosed is an accumulation device, for accumulating products conveyed within an industrial treatment line, including a set of horizontal trays, arranged in a tray zone as a vertical stack, further including a manipulator, such as a robot, for transferring products between a substantially horizontal closed belt type conveyor and the uppermost tray of the bottom portion of the stack. The trays are movable in the vertical direction, at least in order to bring at a predetermined height the tray to be loaded or unloaded. Also disclosed is a corresponding conveying installation and method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: SIDEL CANADA
    Inventors: Franck Klotz, Paulo Arruda
  • Patent number: 10280052
    Abstract: A vehicle parking apparatus includes two front stanchions and two rear stanchions all mounted on a base frame; a top support interconnecting the front stanchions and the rear stanchions; a platform having a rear end moveably secured to the rear stanchions, and two sides moveably secured to the front stanchions; and two elevating assemblies, each including a first pulley on an upper portion of one rear stanchion, a second pulley fixedly disposed on either side of the top support, a third pulley on either side of the platform, a fourth pulley fixedly disposed on a bottom of one rear stanchion, the fourth pulley being driven by a motor, and a rope having one end secured to the base frame, and the other end secured to the top support, the rope sequentially passing through the first pulley, the fourth pulley, the second pulley, and the third pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Shih-Tsai Chiu
  • Patent number: 10188566
    Abstract: This invention relates to lifting mechanisms. In particular this invention relates to lifting mechanisms for use in healthcare equipment such as beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: ACCORA LIMITED
    Inventor: Laurie Drake
  • Patent number: 10161089
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for dismounting and mounting a milling unit of a center rotor type milling machine, to center rotor type milling machines comprising a mountable and dismountable milling unit, as well as to a transport unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: BOMAG GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Laux, Jonathan Stahl, Michele Orefice, Rafael Schomaker, Joachim Ponstein
  • Patent number: 10118530
    Abstract: A lift system for lifting and transporting harvested game includes an all terrain vehicle that may be driven. The all terrain vehicle has a back end and a lift unit is coupled to the back end of the all terrain vehicle. The lift unit is selectively positioned in a lowered position. Harvested game is positioned on the lift unit when the lift unit is in the lowered position. The lift unit is selectively positioned in a lifted position to lift the harvested fame. In this way the all terrain vehicle is facilitated to transport the harvested game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventor: Charles Laupp
  • Patent number: 10112774
    Abstract: A material handling system has an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) with vertically spaced levels storing articles. Each level has at least one pickup and deposit (P/D) station serviced by a shuttle and that is horizontally positioned to define a ramped orientation with a wave conveyor to move products selectively in at least one flow direction to each of the P/D stations. An article transfer mechanism at each P/D station respectively moves an article in a selected at least one direction between the wave conveyor and the respective P/D station. A controller selectively moves the selected articles onto the wave conveyor by respective article transfer mechanisms in coordination with movement of the wave conveyor to create a sequenced flow of selected articles. An order preparation system can receive the sequenced flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: INTELLIGRATED HEADQUARTERS, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher C. Arnold, David Huff, Mark D. Steinkamp, Steven Plothow
  • Patent number: 10071450
    Abstract: A turbine part replacing apparatus for moving a combustor of an industrial gas turbine from and to a mounting port of the gas turbine is disclosed, the apparatus including a mobile frame with a moving mechanism for substantially horizontal translation motion on the ground, a vertically extendable arm attached to and extending from said mobile frame, and a carriage attached to the extendable arm such that the carriage may be moved vertically with respect to the mobile frame. Moreover, the turbine part replacing apparatus is adapted for receiving the combustor in the carriage and for vertically moving the received combustor by the extendable arm from and to the mounting port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Heinz Gerber, Davide Aratori, Daniel Seng, Valentin Stenz
  • Patent number: 10065834
    Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator arrangement, which comprises one or more elevator units to be moved in an elevator hoistway, said unit(s) including at least an elevator car, and possibly also a counterweight, roping connected to an elevator unit, which roping comprises a plurality of ropes, and a moveable supporting structure in the elevator hoistway for supporting the aforementioned one or more elevator units below it via the aforementioned roping, and a rope pulley or rope pulley stack of the supporting structure in connection with the supporting structure, around which rope pulley or rope pulley stack the aforementioned roping travels, and from which the roping travels down to an elevator unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Jouni Ratia, Jussi Perälä
  • Patent number: 10011461
    Abstract: An elevator includes an elevator car; a counterweight; a drive wheel mounted stationary, and having a rotational axis; first diverting wheel(s), mounted on the elevator car, and having a rotational axis parallel with the rotational axis of the drive wheel; a second and a third diverting wheel mounted on the counterweight radially side by side, each having a rotational axis, which is at an angle of 60 to 90 degrees relative to the rotational axis of the drive wheel; a roping suspending the elevator car and counterweight and including a first belt-like rope and a second belt-like rope, each having a first end and a second end fixed to a stationary rope fixing, and each comprising one or more load bearing members made of fiber-reinforced composite material; wherein the first rope and the second rope are arranged to pass side by side from the fixing of the first end downwards to the elevator car; and to turn side by side under said first diverting wheel(s); and to pass upwards to the drive wheel; and to turn side
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Petteri Valjus
  • Patent number: 9725953
    Abstract: An article transport device and a work platform are movable along a travel path along a rack lateral direction. Article storage racks include a first storage rack installed on a first direction side along a rack fore and aft direction with respect to the travel path, and a second storage rack installed on a second direction side along the rack fore and aft direction with respect to the travel path. A platform storage section for storing the work platform is provided on the first direction side with respect to a trajectory of the article transport device. The platform storage section and the trajectory overlap with each other at least in part as seen along the rack fore and aft direction whereas the platform storage section and the second storage rack overlap with each other at least in part as seen along the rack fore and aft direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Morikawa, Takeshi Abe
  • Patent number: 9701515
    Abstract: An exemplary elevator system includes an elevator car (22) having an integrated cabin and car frame structure including a platform thickness (T) between a floor surface in the cabin and a lowermost surface on a support beam used for supporting the car beneath the floor surface. A sheave assembly (26) is supported beneath the floor surface. The sheave assembly includes a plurality of sheaves and a plurality of subframe beams. The sheaves and subframe beams fit within the platform thickness (T) such that the subframe beams and the sheaves are no lower than the lowermost surface on the support beam. A plurality of isolation members are between the sheave assembly and the elevator car for isolating an interior of the cabin from vibrations associated with movement of the sheaves (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Minglun Qiu, Anying Shen, Richard S. Blakelock, Jay S. Lengacher, Brian K. Meek, Scott E. McCullough, Charles S. Darling, Patricia Derwinski
  • Patent number: 9617119
    Abstract: In an elevator apparatus, a hoisting machine includes a driving sheave, and a motor portion that rotates the driving sheave, and is disposed in an upper portion inside a hoistway. A suspending unit is wound sequentially around a first car suspending sheave, a second car suspending sheave, the driving sheave, and a counterweight suspending sheave. The second car suspending sheave, the driving sheave, and the counterweight suspending sheave are disposed on a first side of a car guide rail center line that connects first and second car guide rails when viewed from directly above. A portion of the motor portion is disposed between a back surface of the second car guide rail and a hoistway wall. The driving sheave is disposed so as to overlap with the second car guide rail when viewed from a landing side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoyuki Maruyama
  • Patent number: 9618931
    Abstract: A system. The system includes an apparatus and a server. The apparatus is configured for securely transporting an item from a first location to a second location, and includes a mobile robot and a cart. The cart is coupled to the mobile robot and includes at least one secure storage area. The server is communicably connected to the apparatus and includes a module. The module is configured to maintain a chain of custody record for the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Aethon, Inc.
    Inventors: Aldo Zini, Barry Mark Skirble, Peter T. Seiff, Kevin F. Seip
  • Patent number: 9586757
    Abstract: A stacker crane includes a platform disposed between a pair of front and back masts disposed in a vertical direction. The platform includes a horizontal frame with a transfer device mounted thereon and vertical frames extending from front and back ends of the horizontal frame along the masts. The platform is raised or lowered with the vertical frames suspended. The vertical frames each include a pair of first guide rollers sandwiching one of the masts in a lateral direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a front-back direction and are each connected to the horizontal frame to be rotatable with respect to the horizontal frame using the lateral direction as an axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kainuma, Tetsuji Tanahashi
  • Patent number: 9511979
    Abstract: An underslung elevator includes: a suspending sheave assembly disposed on a lower portion of a car floor, the suspending sheave assembly being configured such that suspending sheaves are each supported rotatably between two longitudinal end portions of a pair of suspending sheave beams; and rubber vibration isolators disposed between a car frame lower beam and the suspending sheave assembly. The suspending sheaves are supported on the pair of suspending sheave beams such that portions thereof protrude upward beyond the pair of suspending sheave beams, and the rubber vibration isolators are disposed to be positioned vertically above shafts of the suspending sheaves when viewed from an axial direction of each of the suspending sheaves, and to be positioned on opposite sides of each of the suspending sheaves when viewed from vertically above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoyuki Maruyama
  • Patent number: 9394829
    Abstract: A system and method for aligning a gas turbine engine. The system and method includes installing an alignment mount, determining whether the gas turbine engine is aligned and/or in a sufficiently aligned condition, and modifying a vertical position of the gas turbine engine at the alignment mount in response. The alignment mount includes an engine attachment, a ground attachment, and an expansion member configured to allow the engine attachment and the ground attachment to move relative to each other and maintain a load path therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Jack Harvey Cabeen, Manuel Estevez, III, Edward William Sieveking, Bruno Enriquez Struck
  • Patent number: 9371212
    Abstract: An exemplary elevator system includes an elevator car. A plurality of belts are situated relative to the elevator car such that movement of the belts for causing movement of the elevator car is approximately four times a corresponding movement of the elevator car. First, second, third and fourth sheaves are supported for vertical movement with the elevator car and rotational movement relative to the elevator car. Each belt has a portion extending across the elevator car between the first and second sheaves that is vertically aligned with another portion of the same belt extending across the elevator car between the third and fourth sheaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Cemal Selcuk Yapar
  • Patent number: 9193945
    Abstract: A biogas plant and a servicing device for a biogas plant having a servicing unit and a servicing section, the biogas plant includes a fermenter tank with a fermentation section and a gas section at an interior space of the fermenter tank. The fermenter tank is closed gas-tight by a gas closing wall disposed at the fermenter tank. The servicing unit is provided with a movable sealing device having at least one retention wall of a flexible material and when installed as intended can be moved between an inoperative position and a sealing position. The sealing device is suitable to separate the servicing section substantially gas-tight from the gas section in the sealing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: UTS Biogastechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Bierer, Matthias Rabener, Andreas Czwaluk
  • Patent number: 8985275
    Abstract: A lift safety system that prevents the lifting of a support platform from a support base until all of the support legs for the support base are supporting a minimum amount of weight to ensure stability of the lift. The support base includes a plurality of legs that extend outwardly with each of the legs having an adjustment member with a pad that engages a ground surface. As the adjustment member is adjusted downwardly with respect to the leg, a first engaging member connected to the adjustment member is elevated upwardly to engage a second engaging member thereby releasing a corresponding finger member attached to the support platform from the support base. Once all of the legs are supporting a minimum amount of weight, all of the finger members are released from the support base thereby allowing elevation of the support platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Reechcraft, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason M. Solhjem, Shane L. Nickel
  • Patent number: 8973713
    Abstract: A wheel chair lift device includes a base, a lift car, and a lift mechanism for raising and lowering the lift car relative to the base. A maximum height system includes a light source, optical sensor, magnetic-backed reflector, and a placement tool for engaging a reference port on the lift car. Operation of the light source and optical sensor are confirmed before the lift car is elevated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: AGM Container Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Zuercher
  • Patent number: 8888112
    Abstract: A hand trolley including a main body and a lifting platform movable relative to the main body for lifting a load by a foot force applied by a foot of an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Pole May Investments Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kevin Edward Trapnell
  • Patent number: 8875844
    Abstract: A lifting device has a lifting track mounted on a wall and a carriage with a lift frame movable along the track. A dolly with wheels at opposing ends is arranged to support various cargo thereon including personal vehicles such as motorcycles or snowmobiles or other comparably sized objects. The lift frame of the carriage has lift forks arranged to be received a wheel track of the dolly which receives wheels of a personal vehicle thereon. Guide flanges alongside the lifting track are engaged by upper and lower guide followers to prevent binding of the lift frame along the lifting track. The dolly includes longitudinal rails mountable at different lateral distances to accommodate different vehicle wheel configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventor: Murray W. Janz
  • Patent number: 8863899
    Abstract: A lift safety system that prevents the lifting of a support platform from a support base until all of the support legs for the support base are supporting a minimum amount of weight to ensure stability of the lift. The support base includes a plurality of legs that extend outwardly with each of the legs having an adjustment member with a pad that engages a ground surface. As the adjustment member is adjusted downwardly with respect to the leg, a first engaging member connected to the adjustment member is elevated upwardly to engage a second engaging member thereby releasing a corresponding finger member attached to the support platform from the support base. Once all of the legs are supporting a minimum amount of weight, all of the finger members are released from the support base thereby allowing elevation of the support platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Reechcraft, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason M. Solhjem, Shane L. Nickel
  • Publication number: 20140305743
    Abstract: A holding system for holding blades for a wind turbine is provided. The holding system comprises a base frame, a support frame having a first holding section for holding a first blade of the wind turbine and a second holding section for holding a second blade of the wind turbine and a wheel arrangement. The support frame is mounted to the base frame. The wheel arrangement is mounted to the base frame such that the base frame is movable on a base surface such as the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Henning Poulsen, Jan Emil Westergaard
  • Patent number: 8684654
    Abstract: A wheel assembly positioning device. The device includes a wheel assembly cradle that holds a wheel assembly. A lifting device is also included that raises or lowers the wheel assembly cradle to allow a technician to dismount or mount a wheel assembly to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Quality Stainless Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Bardin
  • Patent number: 8469651
    Abstract: A conveyance device suitable for an automobile final assembly facility has an elevating table for supporting an object to be conveyed in a conveyance carriage which travels along a conveyance path. The elevating table has a table bearing base removably mounted on a table main body for supporting a bottom portion of the object to be conveyed. The table main body has a top surface flush with a flat work floor on the conveyance carriage when the table main body is at a lowering limit position. On the conveyance carriage, a strut bearing base formed of a pair of left and right strut members located on left and right sides of the object to be conveyed, when viewed in plan, and a bearing portion, provided for the strut member, for supporting left and right edges of the object to be conveyed is mounted removably in a state in which the pair of left and right strut members are positioned at both left and right sides of the elevating table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeyoshi Nishihara
  • Patent number: 8397645
    Abstract: Storage and retrieval machine with a mast (10), at least one chassis (1, 1?) for supporting the mast (10), at least one rail (4, 4?), on which the at least one chassis (1, 1?) can be moved back and forth, as well as at least one lift carriage (1?) vertically shiftable on the mast (10), wherein the mast (10) is formed of at least two supports (11, 11?) that are spaced from each other in the moving direction of the at least one chassis (1, 1?) and are connected to each other via at least one transversal bar (12, 12?) to obtain a mast profile, wherein the attachment of the at least one transversal bar (12, 12?) to the supports is resistant to bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Swisslog Evomatic GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Aschauer, Ronald Fessl
  • Patent number: 8316994
    Abstract: The invention is a battery powered vertical lift assembly adapted for vertically raising and lowering a load along a substantially vertical structure. The vertical lift assembly comprises a vertical guide, which is secured to the substantially vertical structure by any suitable connecting means. A carriage is movably attached to the vertical guide, and a platform, which supports the load, is attached to the carriage. The carriage is raised and lowered along the vertical guide by a suitable drive mechanism, whereby the load, supported on the platform, is raised and lowered along the vertical guide. Preferably, the drive mechanism for raising and lowering the carriage comprises a DC motor, powering a gear unit that is operatively connected to a sprocket, with the whole drive mechanism attached to the carriage. A sprocket engaging chain is attached to a surface of the vertical guide, with the chain extending the length of the vertical guide. A battery on the platform powers the DC motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Elevated Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William J. Rands, Michael S. Schumacher
  • Patent number: RE47192
    Abstract: A liftgate for loading and unloading cargo from a vehicle. The liftgate includes a moveable load platform having a proximal deck section and a distal deck section pivotally coupled to the proximal deck section. A side ramp is pivotally coupled to the distal deck section to facilitate unobstructed side loading and unloading of the distal deck section of the load platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: ANTHONY LIFTGATES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Walker