Vertically Adjustable Patents (Class 414/688)
  • Patent number: 12138633
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for changing liners of a mill, the configuration of which allows the automated robotic manipulation of liners of mills for ore grinding in comminution processes. The configuration and operation of the system allows the task of manipulation to be improved, having a greater degree of freedom and/or flexibility in its movements, thereby providing a greater degree of certainty and efficiency to the method and thus optimising the time that the mill is halted for maintenance, and also preventing the risks to which maintenance staff may be exposed. The system comprises at least one support structure, at least one system for supplying and moving liners, at least one robotic manipulator system for manipulating the liners, at least one liner manipulation tool, at least one artificial vision system, and at least one control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: MI ROBOTIC SOLUTIONS S.A.
    Inventors: Hugo Salamanca Poblete, Luis Baeza Ramirez
  • Patent number: 12006136
    Abstract: A tool for installing and removing an interbox connector into and from a corner fitting of a cargo container positioned on a rail car. The tool includes support structure configured to releasably engage the opening in the upper locking cone of the connector whereby the connector can be delivered to or removed from the corner fitting without the need for the operator to climb onto the rail car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Peck & Hale, L.L.C.
    Inventors: John L. Szeglin, Richard Belkin
  • Patent number: 11536007
    Abstract: A system for proactively controlling rimpull limit of a machine includes a hydraulic system having a lift cylinder to move an implement; a lift cylinder pressure sensor that senses a hydraulic pressure of the lift cylinder and responsively produces a lift cylinder pressure signal; and a controller in operable communication with the power train and the lift cylinder pressure sensor. The controller is configured to receive the lift cylinder pressure signal; determine the rimpull limit based at least in part upon the lift cylinder pressure signal; and adjust the torque of the power train to the rimpull limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Berry
  • Patent number: 11124392
    Abstract: A crane includes a carrier, a superstructure coupled to the carrier, the superstructure including a boom, and an optical detection system having an image capture assembly including one or more image capture devices configured to capture an image of one or more of the carrier and the superstructure, and an optical control system. The optical control system is configured to detect one or more objects in the captured image, the one or more objects selected from: the carrier, the superstructure, and a marker, analyze the one or more detected objects, and determine a status of the boom based on the analysis of the one or more detected objects. The optical detection system and a method for determining the status of the boom are provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Rudy, Matthew Thoresen
  • Patent number: 9043098
    Abstract: An display system of an excavating machine includes: a vehicle condition detector detecting information related to a current position and a posture of the excavating machine having a work equipment including a bucket; a memory unit storing position information of a target surface indicating a target shape of an object to be worked; a display unit displaying the bucket and position information of a design surface and the target surface; and a processing unit calculating a position of a blade edge of the bucket based on the information related to the current position and the posture of the excavating machine, and, when at least part of the bucket enters a predetermined range in a periphery of the target surface in a direction orthogonal to the target surface, displaying a trajectory of the blade edge which is calculated based on the position of the blade edge and which exists in the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Azumi Nomura, Takahiro Hashimoto, Etsuo Fujita, Ryo Fukano
  • Publication number: 20130064633
    Abstract: An improved implement support device for using an implement with a motor vehicle, with the device having an implement support structure, a lift mechanism, and a swing mechanism, where the implement support structure is suitably adapted to support and manipulate useful implements, such as a snowplow blade, a pair of fork lift forks, a container, a platform, and the like, with the lift mechanism suitably adapted to move the implement vertically in both an upward and a downward direction and the swing mechanism suitably adapted to move the implement laterally in both a leftward and a rightward direction, and with the implement able to be concurrently moved both vertically and laterally by substantially simultaneous operation of both the lift mechanism and the swing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: David E. GRANT
  • Patent number: 8231324
    Abstract: The article storage facility comprises an article transporter configured to move along a path via an article transfer location with respect to an article storage rack; an article loader for bringing articles into and taking articles out of the article storage rack, provided to the article storage rack so as to project and retract between a protruding position for article receipt that projects to an outside of the article storage rack, and a retracted position for retracting toward the article storage rack; and a protrusion and retraction operating device provided to the article transporter, for causing the article loader to protrude and retract between the protruding position and the retracted position when the article transporter is at the article transfer location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Yoshida, Yoshitaka Inui
  • Patent number: 8083457
    Abstract: A mill relining apparatus (1) for handling articles such as liners and lifters within a mill (3). The relining apparatus (1) includes a mast (5), with top (23) and bottom (19) engagement members, which supports one or more article handling arrangements (31) The mast is extendible in length so that it can be locked into a substantially upright position within a mill (3) with the bottom engagement member (19) resting on mill charge (7) within the mill (3) and the top engagement member (23) engaging with an upper surface (99) of the mill (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Russell Mineral Equipment Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Ross Clive Allen
  • Publication number: 20110268548
    Abstract: A robot gripper for grasping, transporting, and depositing goods in transit including a gripper base having a coupling device for attachment to a robot arm, a carrying device extending in the longitudinal direction of the gripper and having a carrying surface which carries the object in transit and extends substantially in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the gripper, and a displacement device disposed above the carrying device and serving to apply force to the object in transit in the longitudinal direction. The carrying device and the displacement device are capable of being moved relative to each other in the longitudinal direction. A holding device is provided on the displacement device, by means of which holding device a holding force can be generated in order to prevent an object in transit resting against the holding device from losing contact therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Fredy Doll
  • Publication number: 20080234901
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a vehicle comprises a torque detector for detecting a first torque level and a second torque level applied to at least one wheel of the vehicle. The first torque level is associated with a lower boom position of a boom and a second torque level is associated with an elevated boom position higher than the lower boom position. A first hydraulic cylinder is capable of raising a boom from the lower boom position to raise an available torque from the first torque level. A second hydraulic cylinder is adapted to upwardly rotate or curl a bucket associated with the vehicle when the detected second torque level meets or exceeds a second torque threshold, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Daivd August Johnson, Mark Peter Sahlin, Eric Richard Anderson, Mark John Cherney
  • Publication number: 20080206034
    Abstract: A mobile computer structure having a rotatable screen is provided, which includes a main body, a rotating arm, and a panel. The rotating arm is pivotally disposed on the main body and is pivotally rotated between a first position and a second position. The panel has a display surface and a casing surface and is pivotally connected to the rotating arm. When the rotating arm pivotally rotates to the first position, the panel is attached to the main body with the display surface facing the main body, and when the rotating arm pivotally rotates to the second position, the panel is attached to the main body with the casing surface, thus making the display surface or the casing surface optionally face outside to achieve the purpose of protection or using.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: INVENTEC CORPORTION
    Inventor: Tien-Ming Chan
  • Patent number: 6135175
    Abstract: A tree harvester provided with a rotatable worktable assembly is disclosed herein. The tree harvester includes a movable frame, a worktable assembly rotatably mounted to the movable frame and an upper frame rotatably mounted to the worktable assembly. The upper frame is provided with an articulated boom that includes a feller/grapple head. The worktable assembly includes a tree delimbing mechanism, a tree cutting mechanism and a log stacker. The operation of the worktable is advantageously automated so that the operator can use the boom while the worktable is processing a tree. The position of the worktable between the movable frame and the upper frame makes the tree harvester more compact than conventional tree harvester, while the independent rotation of the worktable assembly and of the upper frame with respect to the movable frame increases the flexibility of operation of the tree harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Denharco, Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Gaudreault, Rejean Tremblay
  • Patent number: 5176485
    Abstract: A freight manipulator includes a mobile chassis positioned on a pair of guide tracks and have an articulated cantilever boom extending forwardly thereof. A tool carriage is mounted at the end of the boom and has a pair of freight engaging tools thereon for engaging freight articles. The boom is connected to a two-axis gimbals at the rear of the chassis which allows swinging of the boom about a vertical axis and tilting of the boom about a horizontal tilt axis to increase the positioning range of the freight engaging tools. A boom bearing assembly at the front of the chassis supports the boom on the chassis during movement thereof. A pair of swing cylinders are connected to the chassis and have a chain connecting the ends of their rams to the bearing assembly. The swing cylinders work in opposition to swing the boom. A pair of boom tilt cylinders are connected between the bearing assembly and the boom and operate in unison to tilt the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Yellow Freight System, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl J. Ruder, Ronald J. Haney, L. Bruce Payne
  • Patent number: 4826391
    Abstract: An apparatus determining relative positions of arm elements of a manipulator having at least two relatively moveable arm segments uses image analysis and a model of the manipulator to analyze an image of the two arms to determine the joint angles between adjacent arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Peter D. Lawrence, Alan K. Mackworth, Isobel J. Mulligen
  • Patent number: 4818172
    Abstract: A crane has a twin post and a twin boom construction and provides for numerous degrees of freedom. The crane is a trailer and uses the weight of a vehicle to which it is attached for stability when it is in an operating mode. The crane has wheels which may be lifted off the ground to allow its positioning by a vehicle to which it is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Harsco Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce S. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4715771
    Abstract: A variable geometry mounting arrangement for the boom assembly of a backhoe is disclosed which permits relatively great working depths without increasing the overall height of the backhoe assembly in its raised, transport position. The arrangement includes a bellcrank coupler assembly operatively interposed between a swing tower and boom assembly of a backhoe, with a gearing arrangement provided operatively connecting the boom and the swing tower. By this construction, the vertical disposition of the horizontal pivot axis of the boom is altered as the boom is pivoted. The bellcrank coupler asembly provides a central anchor for the hydraulic fluid boom actuator of the backhoe, and permits the actuator to work through a relatively large moment arm for enhanced performance, and further permits use of a relatively simpified box-section boom construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventor: Charles B. Hanson
  • Patent number: 4565486
    Abstract: A device for handling material is shown according to the teachings of the present invention in its preferred form as a mobile tree felling and handling device. In its preferred form, the device includes a mid-frame pivotally mounted to the device frame about a pivot axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device. The mid-frame is pivoted about the mid-frame axis in the preferred embodiment by first and second hydraulic rams which extend from the back of the mid-frame to the device frame. Further, the device in the preferred embodiment also includes a turntable pivotally mounted to the mid-frame about an axis which is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device and which is generally midway between the sides of the mid-frame. The turntable is pivoted about the axis between the turntable and the mid-frame by trunion mounted cylinders mounted on opposite sides of the pivot axis which allow a very compact design while allowing a high degree of tilt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: Timbco Hydraulics Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Crawford, Larry G. Klement
  • Patent number: 4343515
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for rotating a body, such as the boom of a roadheader. The device comprises a pivotally mounted yoke having in it a slot in which is slidably mounted a member which is rotatably and eccentrically attached to the body, and a pair of opposed pivotally mounted rams each of which is rotatably attached to the yoke, the rams being operated out of phase such that they cause the yoke to pivot about its mounting, the pivotal movement being translated into a rotation of the body by movement of the member in the slot. Preferably the member is moved to and fro in the slot by means of a third ram mounted on the yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Assignee: Coal Industry (Patents) Limited
    Inventors: Robert H. Higgs, John M. Jones