Robert D Fuchs

US Patent:

6517457, Feb 11, 2003

Filed:

Mar 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/800109

Inventors:

Hagen Schempf - Fox Chapel PA
William A. Crowley - Pittsburgh PA
Robert A. Fuchs - Pittsburgh PA
Joshua N. Guyot - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Automatika, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

F16H 5530

US Classification:

474152

Abstract:

The present invention is a dynamically steerable mono belt apparatus and includes a first pivotable body element in communication with a second pivotable body element. A first pivot mechanism is attached to and positioned between the first pivotable body element and the second pivotable body element to allow the first pivotable body element to pivot in a first pivot plane of movement with respect to the second pivotable body element. The present invention also includes a continuous belt element formed as a loop and continuously rotatable in a first plane of rotation around the first pivotable body element, the first pivot mechanism and the second pivotable body element. The continuous belt element is flexible in the pivot plane of movement, such that when the first pivotable body element is pivoted, via the first pivot mechanism, in the pivot plane of movement, the continuous belt element is flexed.

US Patent:

20020182046, Dec 5, 2002

Filed:

Apr 10, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/120333

Inventors:

Hagen Schempf - Pittsburgh PA, US
Todd Graham - Pittsburgh PA, US
Robert Fuchs - Pittsburgh PA, US
Christian Gasior - Pittsburgh PA, US

International Classification:

B66F001/00

US Classification:

414/623000

Abstract:

An automated handling system for moving objects from one location to another location is provided with a self-mobile system having a grabber subsystem for grasping objects, including assemblies for movement in four directions, along X, Y and Z axes and through an angle . The system also has a translating carriage assembly for moving the grabber subsystem and power supply and drive systems. A sensing device, such as an imager, is provided to determine the geometric position of the objects and to move the grabber subsystem accordingly. Another embodiment of the system is provided as an accessory to a prime mover. It includes an alignment articulation system, a gross advance system, a tine storage system, a loading head system, and pot grabbers. This automated handling system can be used to move plant containers in nurseries from the ground to a trailer bed and/or from a trailer bed to the ground in a variety of container configurations.

US Patent:

20050135912, Jun 23, 2005

Filed:

Oct 6, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/959852

Inventors:

Hagen Schempf - Pittsburgh PA, US
Todd Graham - Pittsburgh PA, US
Robert Fuchs - Pittsburgh PA, US
Christian Gasior - Albion PA, US

International Classification:

B66F001/00

US Classification:

414618000

Abstract:

An automated handling system for moving objects from one location to another location is provided with a self-mobile system having a grabber subsystem for grasping objects, including assemblies for movement in four directions, along X, Y and Z axes and through an angle θ. The system also has a translating carriage assembly for moving the grabber subsystem and power supply and drive systems. A sensing device, such as an imager, is provided to determine the geometric position of the objects and to move the grabber subsystem accordingly. Another embodiment of the system is provided as an accessory to a prime mover. It includes an alignment articulation system, a gross advance system, a tine storage system, a loading head system, and pot grabbers. This automated handling system can be used to move plant containers in nurseries from the ground to a trailer bed and/or from a trailer bed to the ground in a variety of container configurations.

US Patent:

20090266628, Oct 29, 2009

Filed:

Mar 30, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/383883

Inventors:

Hagen Schempf - Pittsburgh PA, US
Robert Fuchs - Munhall PA, US
William Abraham Crowley - Pittsburgh PA, US
Todd Graham - Pittsburgh PA, US

International Classification:

B62D 55/04
B62D 55/00
B62D 55/08

US Classification:

180 91

Abstract:

An easily and quickly reconfigurable robot chassis with at least a pair of forward shafts and a pair of rearward shafts. A wheel is attachable to and removable from each drive shaft. A sprocket is also attachable to and removable from each shaft. A first pair of tracks each extend around opposing forward sprockets and rearward sprockets. A pair of forward track extenders are each removeably attachable to the chassis and each include a forward idler sprocket. A second pair of longer tracks each extend around opposing rearward sprockets, the forward sprockets, and forward idler sprockets. A pair of rearward track extenders are each removeably attachable to the chassis and each include a rearward idler sprocket. A third pair of still longer tracks each extend around opposing rearward idler sprockets, rearward sprockets, forward sprockets, and forward idler sprockets.