Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100183409 | AUTOMATED STORAGE SYSTEM AND TRANSPORT VEHICLE - An automated storage system for vehicles or the like is provided with a guidance system that interacts with a remote-controlled transport system that transports a vehicle between an access location, such a drive-up location, and a storage location. More particularly, in one embodiment, an omni-directional, battery-powered, wirelessly-controlled, transport system or so-called automated guided vehicle (“AGV”) is designed to follow magnetic field generating wires and RFID chips on the floors of the parking facility to move forward, backward and side to side underneath cars that are parked on a flat surface. In one embodiment, the AGV automatically contracts and expands its body to slide its arms under the wheelbase of a car, lift the car, and roll with speed and precision in any direction on to a waiting lift, that will then raise and lower the AGV and its automobile payload toward its ultimate destination. | 07-22-2010 |
20100185353 | VARIABLE OFFSET POSITIONING ANTENNA ARRAY FOR ENHANCED GUIDANCE OF AUTOMATED GUIDED VEHICLES (AGVS) - A Variable Offset Positioning Antenna Array for Enhanced Guidance of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) in automated warehousing or storage systems for automobiles or the like, includes two or more inductor coils producing output as a result of interaction with a guidance wire located in or near the surface of the floor which is energized by a frequency generator, and an on board programmable microprocessor which processes the coil output to determine an exact position of the antenna array relative to the guidance wire. In one embodiment, the antenna array enables an AGV to follow a guidance wire at an offset to the direction of travel in order to allow automated storage and retrieval systems to handle asymmetrical items, such as automobiles, more efficiently and cost effectively by decreasing the building space required for travel aisles, vertical conveyors and storage locations as well as decreasing total individual item processing time. | 07-22-2010 |
20110168474 | SLEWING RING DRIVE - A drive and steering unit for driving and steering a load support comprises a steering assembly, a slewing ring engaged with the steering assembly and being rotatable about an axis in response to actuation of the steering assembly, a drive assembly mounted to the slewing ring, and a drive power system coupled to the drive assembly and movable with the slewing ring. | 07-14-2011 |
20120241698 | SCISSOR LIFT - A scissor lift comprises a load support, a lift support and at least one scissor assembly defined between the load support and the lift support, the at least one scissor assembly being driven into an open or a closed position by a drive device that enables movement of the load support relative to the lift support with the opening and closing of the at least one scissor assembly, wherein the at least one scissor assembly is further defined by a pair of arms attached at a pivot, and where the pair of arms further comprises a curved outer surface that engages a portion of a drive device for urging the scissor arms apart and for moving the load support relative to the lift support | 09-27-2012 |
20130008734 | STEERING AND DRIVE ASSEMBLY - A drive and steering unit for driving and steering a load support comprises, in one embodiment, a steering assembly including a steering gear attached to a wheel housing and engaged with the steering power system, the steering gear being rotatable about an axis in response to actuation of the steering assembly, a drive assembly connected to the steering gear, and a drive power system coupled to the drive assembly and movable with the steering gear. In an alternate embodiment, the steering assembly is connected to the wheel through a steering gear attached to a slewing ring that supports the drive assembly and is rotatable with the drive assembly. | 01-10-2013 |
20130041546 | VARIABLE OFFSET POSITIONING ANTENNA ARRAY FOR ENHANCED GUIDANCE OF AUTOMATED GUIDED VEHICLES (AGVS) - An automated storage system for storing a plurality of objects in storage locations, the automated storage system comprising a master control computer, a guidance network, a plurality of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) each having an onboard microprocessor and a receiver for receiving control commands from the master control computer, and a plurality of trays for engagement with the plurality of AGVs for transportation and storage of the objects. | 02-14-2013 |
20130311030 | VARIABLE OFFSET POSITIONING ANTENNA ARRAY FOR ENHANCED GUIDANCE OF AUTOMATED GUIDED VEHICLES (AGVS) - An automated guided vehicle (AGV) adapted to follow a guide wire or the like, the AGV comprising at least one antenna in communication with a master control system and having a programmable microprocessor that enables the AGV to dynamically assume a linear, angular or skewed offset position relative to the guide wire or the like in accordance with instructions provided by the control system. | 11-21-2013 |
20140336815 | VARIABLE OFFSET POSITIONING ANTENNA ARRAY FOR ENHANCED GUIDANCE OF AUTOMATED GUIDED VEHICLES (AGVS) - An automated storage system for storing a plurality of objects in storage locations, the automated storage system comprising a master control computer, a guidance network, a plurality of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) each having an onboard microprocessor for providing a position of each AGV relative to the guidance network to the master control computer and a receiver for receiving control commands from the master control computer, and a plurality of trays for engagement with the plurality of AGVs for transportation and storage of the objects. | 11-13-2014 |