A conveyor load tracking method, including associating a designated load with a designated load data record associated with a designated load location record encompassing a first segment of the conveyor and designated load expected travel distances after associated conveyor travel. An unknown load is detected entering a second segment with a sensor outside of the designated load expected travel distances, and a new data record associated with the unknown load is created. The new data record is associated with a new location record encompassing the second segment and encompassing new expected load travel distances of the unknown load after associated conveyor travel. The sensor detects that the designated load is not present at the at a first expected travel distance, and in response the designated load data record is disassociated from the designated load location record, and paired with the new data record and its new location record.
A system and method for operating a luggage inspection area. The method includes providing an entrance mechanism wherein luggage items are received into the luggage inspection area. A primary inspection mechanism and a primary checked bag reconciliation area are provided that are configured to inspect a predetermined throughput of luggage items. A primary material handling device is provided that extends between the entrance mechanism, the primary inspection mechanism and the primary checked bag reconciliation area. The occurrence of an upcoming peak event is determined, and in response, a supplemental inspection mechanism, a supplemental checked bag reconciliation area and a first supplemental material handling device are provided. The supplemental components provide increased throughput of luggage items inspected during the occurrence of the peak event and are configured to be portable such that they may be quickly and easily be added and removed.
A system and method for storing and sequencing a plurality of luggage items. The system includes containers with vertically stacked shelves and an automatic guided vehicle releasably attachable to the containers for transporting a container between a first predetermined area and a loading area with a loading assembly to move a luggage item from an entrance conveyor onto one of the shelves of the container. The containers may include wheels for being manually moved. A transport vehicle is provided for moving a plurality of containers together. The method includes determining a grouping criterion of the luggage item and sorting and sequencing luggage items onto containers according to the grouping criterion. Different embodiments of the loading assembly are provided with one using a packing automated vehicle and another using stacked platform conveyors. Several grouping criteria are provided which may depend on processing requirements of the luggage items.
A system and method of operating a checked bag reconciliation area of an airport. The method includes transporting a luggage item from an entrance mechanism to one of a plurality of inspection stations. Once the luggage item is at the inspection station, the method proceeds by conducting an inspection of the luggage item by the agent at the inspection station. The step of transporting the luggage item includes transporting the luggage item to the inspection station with the luggage item disposed on an automatic material handling device, and the step of conducting an inspection of the luggage item by the agent includes conducting the inspection of the luggage item while the luggage item is disposed on the automatic material handling device.
A system and method of operating a checked bag reconciliation area of an airport. The method includes transporting a luggage item from an entrance mechanism to one of a plurality of inspection stations. Once the luggage item is at the inspection station, the method proceeds by conducting an inspection of the luggage item by the agent at the inspection station. The step of transporting the luggage item includes transporting the luggage item to the inspection station with the luggage item disposed on an automatic material handling device, and the step of conducting an inspection of the luggage item by the agent includes conducting the inspection of the luggage item while the luggage item is disposed on the automatic material handling device.
A system and method of automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) that is capable of providing synchronized travel along a line or path while maintaining a desired takt time such that regular manufacturing operations may be performed to material or workpieces on the vehicle without the need for a traditional conveyor systems.
B65G 35/08 - Mechanical conveyors not otherwise provided for comprising trains of unconnected load-carriers, e.g. belt sections, movable in a path, e.g. a closed path, adapted to contact each other and to be propelled by means arranged to engage each load-carrier in turn
B65G 37/00 - Combinations of mechanical conveyors of the same kind, or of different kinds, of interest apart from their application in particular machines or use in particular manufacturing processes
8.
Method of material handling with automatic guided vehicles
A system and method of automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) that is capable of providing synchronized travel along a line or path while maintaining a desired takt time such that regular manufacturing operations may be performed to material or workpieces on the vehicle without the need for a traditional conveyor systems.
A system and method of automatic guided vehicles that are capable of providing synchronized travel along a line or path such that regular manufacturing operations may be performed to material or workpieces on the vehicle without the need for a traditional conveyor systems.
A system and method of automatic guided vehicles that are capable of providing synchronized travel along a line or path such that regular manufacturing operations may be performed to material or workpieces on the vehicle without the need for a traditional conveyor systems.
An apparatus and method for guiding an automatic guided vehicle along a magnetic pathway and more specifically to an apparatus and a method capable of accurately and precisely following a weak magnetic field emitted by a substantially continuous passive magnetic marker having route junctions.
G01C 22/00 - Measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles, persons, animals or other moving solid bodies, e.g. using odometers or using pedometers
B60T 7/16 - Brake-action initiating means for automatic initiationBrake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
B64C 13/18 - Initiating means actuated automatically, e.g. responsive to gust detectors using automatic pilot
An apparatus and method for guiding an automatic guided vehicle along a magnetic pathway and more specifically to an apparatus and a method capable of accurately and precisely following a weak magnetic field emitted by a substantially continuous passive magnetic marker having route junctions.
An overhead mounted friction drive conveyor assembly including a biasing section for biasing objects such as car doors. The conveyor assembly includes a conveying rail and a biasing rail extending in spaced and parallel relationship with the conveying rail. The conveyor assembly also includes at least three trolleys and at least two tow bars extending between and interconnecting the trolleys. A biasing mechanism allows at least two of the trolleys to remain on the conveying rail and guides at least one trolley onto the biasing rail so that one of the tow bars extends between the biasing rails. The object is disposed on the tow bar extending between the biasing rails. A plurality of friction drivers are disposed on the conveying rail for only driving the tow bar extending between the trolleys on the conveying rail.
A material handling device includes an automated guided vehicle configured for use with a carrier. Both the vehicle and the carrier include a bumper having a reflective target mounted thereon. The automated guided vehicle includes a sensor having a light source and a scanner for receiving a reflection from the light source. The light source directs a first light beam at the vehicle reflective target and a second light beam at the carrier reflective target. When the vehicle bumper is moved toward the sensor, the vehicle reflective target moves into a reflective position and when the carrier bumper is moved toward the sensor, the carrier reflective target moves into a reflective position. The movement of the either bumper into the reflective position generates a signal from the sensor to a controller to control the movement of the automated guided vehicle in response to movement of either bumper.
B60K 28/10 - Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions responsive to conditions relating to the vehicle
15.
Method and apparatus for radio-controlled friction drive conveyor system
A conveyor system having a conveyor path and friction drive spaced along the path to drive carriers along the path. Each friction drive is controlled by a drive controller, which communicates tracking, routing, and other information directly to other drive controllers within range via a wireless signal. The drive controllers may also directly communicate wirelessly with a central controller. If the central controller or a desired destination drive controller is out of range of a particular drive controller, that drive controller may communicate through other drive controllers until the desired destination drive controller is reached, or a drive controller that is within range of the central controller is reached.
A material handling device includes an automated guided vehicle configured for use with a carrier. Both the vehicle and the carrier include a bumper having a reflective target mounted thereon. The automated guided vehicle includes a sensor having a light source and a scanner for receiving a reflection from the light source. The light source directs a first light beam at the vehicle reflective target and a second light beam at the carrier reflective target. When the vehicle bumper is moved toward the sensor, the vehicle reflective target moves into a reflective position and when the carrier bumper is moved toward the sensor, the carrier reflective target moves into a reflective position. The movement of the either bumper into the reflective position generates a signal from the sensor to a controller to control the movement of the automated guided vehicle in response to movement of either bumper.
B60T 7/22 - Brake-action initiating means for automatic initiationBrake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger initiated by contact of vehicle, e.g. bumper, with an external object, e.g. another vehicle
17.
Stackable carrier assembly, system, and method for storing carrier assemblies
A stackable carrier assembly, carrier stacking system, and method of storing carrier assemblies is disclosed. The carrier assembly includes a base member presenting a load surface and opposite facing transfer surface. A plurality of carrier trolleys extend transversely from the load surface to engage conveyor tracks. A plurality of track sections are coupled to the load surface for receiving the carrier trolleys of another carrier assembly. The track sections are vertically aligned with the carrier trolleys. In a power and free or friction drive conveyor system, a lift device and telescoping arm can lift and stack the carrier assemblies so that track sections of one carrier assembly receive the carrier trolleys of another carrier assembly. In an overhead conveyor system, one carrier assembly can hang from the track sections of another carrier assembly.
B65G 15/64 - Arrangements for supporting or guiding belts, e.g. by fluid jets for automatically maintaining the position of the belts
B65D 21/036 - Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together for stacking containers one upon another in the upright or upside down position, e.g. with vertically projecting elements or recesses having closure means specially adapted for facilitating stacking
An attachment system for securing conveyor components to a conveyor disposed between a pair of side guards. The side guards are U-shaped and have first and second side guard ends that extend perpendicularly from the opposite ends of a flat wall portion to a distal end. The first side guard end includes a first lip that defines a grooved portion. At least one framing channel extending between flat first and second channel ends is disposed between the first and second side guard ends. The first channel end includes a projection portion that extends from the first channel end to engage to the grooved portion to secure the first channel end adjacent the first side guard end. At least one tab extends outwardly from the second channel end to engage an end guard opening defined in the second side guard end to secure the framing channel to the side guard.
A method and system for automatically loading and unloading a transport is disclosed. A guidance system follows a travel path to a position near the transport and then a sensor profiles a transport so that a transport path is determined for an AGV to follow into the transport to place a load and for exiting the transport upon placement of the load.
A material handling vehicle, such as an AGV, for loading and unloading a transport and wherein the vehicle includes a pair of freely floating forks. The forks are freely moveable in the vertical direction as well as capable of pivoting or tilting about an axis relative to a fork carriage, however when a load is applied, the forks are locked are prevented from such free floating movement.
A method and system for automatically loading and unloading a transport is disclosed. A guidance system follows a travel path to a position near the transport and then a sensor profiles a transport so that a transport path is determined for an AGV to follow into the transport to place a load and for exiting the transport upon placement of the load.
B66F 9/06 - Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks
A device and method is provided for use in connection with electrically grounding an automated guided vehicle. A grounding strap is suspended from the automated vehicle for contacting an electrical conductive ground device mounted to a floor along a travel path of the automated guided vehicle. In operation, the grounding strap contacts the electrically conductive ground device to electrically ground electronics used in connection with the guided vehicle.
An overload protection system and method of protecting a drive unit includes a torque arm assembly (12) mounted to a fixture (22) an a gear reducer (17). The reducer (17) includes a bracket (30) mounted to an axle of the reducer (17) which is positioned adjacent to a measuring device (34). The torque arm assembly (12) includes a switch (34) mounted to sense a location of the reducer bracket (30) relative to the switch (34) thereby causing a condition of the drive unit to be adjusted In the preferred embodiment, the switch (34) is proximity switch positioned adjacent to the bracket (30) of the reducer (17) after a desired preset torque of the torque arm is obtained through the use of a simple fastener and spring (18) arranged in a housing (14).
A method and system for automatically loading and unloading a transport is disclosed. A first guidance system follows a travel path to a position near the transport and then a sensor profiles a transport so that a transport path is determined for an AGV to follow into the transport to place a load and for exiting the transport upon placement of the load.
B66F 9/06 - Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks
The invention relates to conveyor systems (2) with skillets (3) adapted with connectors (19, 21) to enable power to be conveyed between skillets (3) that are abutted together along a production area. With the skillets (3) being electrically connected, the conductor (47) only needs to supply power to the electrical receiving device of a single skillet (3) at any given time. The conductor (47) in turn can be limited to a length of about one skillet, which reduces the wear, as well as installation, repair and maintenance costs.
An automated guided vehicle and a method of controlling an automated guided vehicle which are capable of varying the travel path of the automatic guided vehicle in order to reduce wear patterns created in the floor of the material handling facility. The travel path of the AGV is varied by intentionally applying a deviation from a selected predetermined route along which the AGV is traveling.
A method and system for automatically loading and unloading a transport is disclosed. A first guidance system is used to travel near the transport and a second guidance system is used to travel on the transport.
A vehicle having (i) a rotatable platform for securing a load thereto, and (ii) an object detection system for detecting an object in the vehicle's path of travel. The sensitivity of the object detection system is variable so that it can be varied based on the rotated position of the load.
B60K 28/08 - Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions responsive to conditions relating to the cargo, e.g. overload
B60P 9/00 - Other vehicles predominantly for carrying loads
B60R 21/01 - Electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
B60R 21/34 - Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians
A method and apparatus for tracking a load on a conveyor system using the trailing edge of the load. The method includes the steps of sensing the trailing edge of the load with a first sensor and updating a load record for the load in response to sensing the trailing edge of the load with the first sensor. The apparatus may include a conveyor, a controller, and a sensor in communication with the controller for sensing the trailing edge of a load on the conveyor.
